In December 1945, at the age of sixteen, John’s life took a decisive turn when Peter Mills, then a U.S. Navy lieutenant commander, visited Yuying Middle School to speak about his wartime experiences. The school librarian who had been assigned to interpret the lecture suddenly became ill, and John was unexpectedly asked to step in as translator. His fluency in English, developed through years of missionary education and constant exposure to American films in his father’s theaters, deeply impressed Mills. What began as a single school event soon developed into an enduring friendship maintained through years of correspondence after Mills returned to the United States. According to later interviews with Paul Mills, Peter Mills encouraged John to consider attending Colby College, though John’s father initially hoped his son would remain in China for university study.