In 1968, Hong Kong had only two official universities: Hong Kong University, which Huo Yaowen attended, and The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
It wasn't that there were only these two universities in Hong Kong; there were a few colleges with similar systems to universities, but they hadn't received university education licenses from the British Hong Kong Government and couldn't grant higher education degrees to their students.
Therefore, this is also why when Huo Yaowen was admitted to Hong Kong University and successfully applied for a substitute teacher position for a Philosophy Class at Hong Kong University, he became a well-known and familiar 'top student' and'someone else's child' throughout Tsz Wan Shan Public Housing Estate.
...
Hong Kong University, Dormitory Area.
It was Zhang Yingying's first time seeing a boy not much older than herself who, simply by wearing an ordinary white shirt and trousers, could be so handsome and charming. Especially when he unconsciously adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, he was even more handsome than Cousin Jiang Dawei in the Taiwanese film "Spring Dawn and Clouds Open," which had recently been shown at the Shaw Brothers cinema.
As Zhang Yingying walked, she carefully considered the differences between Cousin Jiang Dawei in "Spring Dawn and Clouds Open" and Senior Brother Huo Yaowen in front of her. In terms of handsomeness, Senior Brother Huo was definitely more handsome, but Jiang Dawei was not bad-looking either, portraying a rich young master very well. If she had to point out a difference between the two, it would probably be their different temperaments.
Jiang Dawei's temperament was ordinary; one could only say that his handsome appearance gave people a good impression. In contrast, besides his handsome appearance and upright figure, what attracted her most to Senior Brother Huo was probably that scholarly demeanor.
Suddenly, Zhang Yingying recalled the ancient poem her Chinese Language teacher had recited in middle school: "Poetry and books in the belly, grace naturally flows!"
"Junior Sister Zhang, look over there."
Huo Yaowen had no idea how many Times Zhang Yingying's mind had wandered and how many things she had thought about in the mere hundred meters they had walked.
So, Huo Yaowen continued to act as a guide, pointing to a British-style building not far away and saying, "That's the men's dormitory; we call it University Hall. This building is over thirty years old. It was previously built by a Scottish businessman for his company's headquarters and residence, combining different styles of British Tudor and Gothic architecture."
"This is the men's dormitory?!"
Zhang Yingying looked incredulously at the extremely luxurious British-style building in front of her. Its glazed white patterned exterior walls and the beautiful, artistic relief corridors at the entrance all exuded the building's extravagance.
Even as a thirty-year-old building, it was not at all outdated; on the contrary, even ordinary wealthy families might not have the capital to construct such a building as a residence.
"Hehe..."
Huo Yaowen smiled. After acquiring all of the original owner's memories, he, too, marveled for the first time at how truly wonderful the universities of this era were. Not to mention the buildings where teachers lived, even the student dormitories were incredibly luxurious.
In later generations, it would be impossible to build something like this without hundreds of millions, and it wasn't a multi-story high-rise building, but a luxurious, large European-style villa only four stories high!
"What about the girls' dormitory?"
After seeing the men's dormitory, "University Hall," Zhang Yingying became incredibly excited about the girls' dormitory where she would live. If Senior Brother Huo hadn't been there, she probably would have run back immediately to see her living environment.
Huo Yaowen thought for a moment and said, "It's also pretty good. It was built later, and overall, it's just as good as University Hall, if not better. According to the female classmates from my year, each dormitory inside has an independent bathroom."
"That's great! It actually has an independent bathroom."
Zhang Yingying's face lit up with joy when she heard that each dormitory had an independent bathroom. She came from a privileged background, and before coming to Hong Kong University, her biggest worry was having to bathe in a large communal bathhouse. Although everyone was female, there were still many inconveniences.
"Hmm, if you walk further, you'll reach the Tang Chi-ngong Building. The Tang Chi-ngong Building was donated and built by Mr. Tang Chi-ngong in 1929. It's one of the Faculty of Arts' affiliated teaching buildings, and you'll be attending classes there later."
The two walked slowly and leisurely, arriving at the Tang Chi-ngong Building in just a moment. This building was one story shorter than the men's dormitory, University Hall, and had a flat roof, but its exterior decoration was equally extraordinary. The exterior walls were covered with washed plaster, and although the decorative patterns were simple, one could tell at a glance that they had profound meaning. The second-story exterior walls even had five small balconies, completely unlike the standardized teaching buildings of later generations. Instead, it gave off the misleading impression of a luxurious villa.
And so, Huo Yaowen led his newly acquainted junior sister, Zhang Yingying, on a tour of Hong Kong University.
Because Hong Kong University's campus was quite large, Huo Yaowen didn't take Zhang Yingying to see the main building of the Faculty of Arts, which was further away. Anyway, Zhang Yingying would go there for classes herself eventually; for now, a simple explanation of the general layout and buildings of the campus was enough.
"Senior Brother Huo, which year are you from?"
Zhang Yingying saw that the campus tour was mostly done and finally turned her attention to Huo Yaowen.
Huo Yaowen was delighted to hear Zhang Yingying bring it up and said, "I'm from the '65 class."
"Ah! Then Senior Brother Huo, haven't you already graduated?" Zhang Yingying was stunned.
Hong Kong University currently had a three-year system, which would only change to the 334 system after the handover.
"Yes." Huo Yaowen said with a slight smile, "I just graduated recently."
Zhang Yingying asked, puzzled, "Then why is Senior Brother Huo still at the school?"
"I've stayed on at the school." Huo Yaowen turned his head to look at Zhang Yingying's face, adorned with the characteristic makeup of that era, and said, "After graduating, I applied for a lecturer position in the Department of Chinese Language's Philosophy Class, and I was successfully hired a few days ago."
"A lecturer!"
When Zhang Yingying heard that Senior Brother Huo was now a lecturer at Hong Kong University, she immediately showed an expression of admiration. It was important to know that Hong Kong University was one of only two universities in All of Hong Kong at the time. For an average high school student to be admitted to Hong Kong University was already a symbol of honor, but for Senior Brother Huo, at such a young age, to be successfully hired as a lecturer at Hong Kong University right after graduation, this was simply amazing.
As for whether he got the lecturer position through connections, Zhang Yingying, with her keen eyes, could tell that although Senior Brother Huo's clothes were very clean and wrinkle-free, the fabric was of the most ordinary kind, so his family background should be average.
To become a teacher at Hong Kong University through connections, an ordinary family wouldn't suffice. Even a wealthy family with some background and connections wouldn't be able to do it without some real ability.
"Yes."
Huo Yaowen nodded and said, "It's a Philosophy Class lecturer. If Junior Sister Zhang is interested, you can take my class then. Some insights and things from philosophy are still very important for a person's future path. Even... Mr. Hu Shih chose the Department of Philosophy at Columbia University when he was studying abroad in the United States. Oh, Mr. Hu Shih is Mr. Hu Shih."
Zhang Yingying knew a little about Mr. Hu Shih, but it was limited to knowing that he was a famous figure from the Republic of China. She wasn't very interested in his situation or past experiences. Instead, she was quite knowledgeable about contemporary literary figures such as Eileen Chang, Qiong Yao, and Yi Shu.
However, seeing Huo Yaowen mention Mr. Hu Shih and respectfully refer to him as 'Mr.', she figured he must admire him greatly. So, Zhang Yingying feigned surprise and delight, quickly saying, "Really? I've always liked Mr. Hu Shih, but it was so long ago that I don't know much about his experiences. I didn't expect Mr. Hu Shih also specialized in the Department of Philosophy; that's wonderful! I'm very interested in philosophy, Senior Brother Huo. If I enroll in the Philosophy Class elective, will you give me an A on the exam?"
"As long as your answer is correct, an A is guaranteed." Huo Yaowen smiled. He wasn't the kind of person who was unyielding, nor was he too casual. As long as Zhang Yingying's test paper had no errors or problems, giving her an A was perfectly fine.
Huo Yaowen took Zhang Yingying on a campus tour partly because she was a pretty girl, and secondly, he wanted her to enroll in his Philosophy Class. In Huo Yaowen's year, there were only a pitiful twenty-odd students who chose philosophy as an elective. To transition from a substitute teacher to a permanent teacher more quickly, Huo Yaowen had no choice but to find ways to attract more students to enroll in the philosophy elective.
"That's wonderful, Senior Brother Huo."
Zhang Yingying glanced at the ladies' watch on her wrist, saw that it was already past eleven in the morning, and looked up at Huo Yaowen with a smile, saying, "Senior Brother Huo, it's already eleven o'clock. To thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to show me around the campus, let me treat you to lunch."
"Lunch?" Huo Yaowen subconsciously also looked down at the watch on his wrist, thinking about the dormitory and the Oriental Daily News matters. After a moment's thought, he shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, Junior Sister Zhang, I have something to do at noon. How about this: I'll treat you to dinner next time."
"Alright then, I won't bother Senior Brother Huo anymore." Zhang Yingying was very sensible.