I Wish to Help You Shine

"What? Girls can enroll too!?" The three members of the Wu family stopped crying in unison, their eyes wide as they stared at Professor Jade Evans.

Especially Martin Wu—her eyes were so round with shock, it looked like they might pop right out.

"Professor Evans, are you saying that even though I'm a girl, I can study at the Academy?" Martin Wu could hardly believe her ears.

"That's right," Professor Evans nodded. "But only if your parents agree. If you can persuade them, you may stay."

Martin Wu was overjoyed and looked at her parents with pleading eyes.

Martin Wu's parents were stunned. They never imagined Professor Evans would accept female students—such an unheard-of thing!

Professor Evans glanced at Martin Wu, quietly deciding to help this stubborn yet gifted girl. She added, "At our Academy, if a current student recommends you, your chances of admission are much higher."

Quick-witted as ever, Martin Wu instantly realized Professor Evans was helping her. She said to her parents, "Dad, Mom, did you hear what Professor Evans said? If I study here, I become an Academy student. Later, if my brother wants to enroll, my recommendation will give him a much better chance!"

"Really, Professor Evans?" Martin Wu's parents were tempted. The Academy was famous and hard to enter. If their daughter could get in and help her brother later, why not let her enroll? The tuition was no big deal for them.

Professor Evans nodded, "That's right. A recommendation from a student makes things easier, but you must still pass the entrance exam. It's not easy."

"That's already easier than I expected!" Martin Wu's parents were delighted. For a wealthy county family like theirs, getting extra chances for their son felt like a windfall.

They immediately agreed to let Martin Wu study at the Academy, but to avoid gossip, they asked her to disguise herself as a boy.

To make Martin Wu's life easier, Professor Evans assigned her a single room in the dormitory, tucked away in the corner.

The Wu family was overjoyed and thanked Professor Evans profusely. After sending her parents off, Martin Wu returned to bow deeply to Professor Evans, asking her burning question: "Professor Evans, why do you accept girls as students? People say women are inferior and shouldn't study. Why do you let me enroll and help me hide my identity?"

Professor Evans smiled gently. She couldn't tell Martin Wu that the legendary Professor Jade Evans was actually a woman herself.

Professor Evans smiled, "Everyone is born equal. Men aren't always superior, and women aren't always inferior. People think women are weak simply because no one has shown them a woman's brilliance. I see that brilliance in you, and I don't want it to fade. That's why I help you—to let you shine. Don't let me down."

Martin Wu looked at Professor Jade Evans with deep respect, bowed as a student, and solemnly promised, "I will not disappoint you, Professor. In my lifetime, I will show the world the brilliance of women!"