Chapter Seventy-Seven: The Second Highest Scorer-Back Before the College Entrance Exam, I Became a Sensation in the Science Community(Flowing waters fill the goblet.)

“Dad, can I say that we miss her too?” Jin Yuan rubbed his face, thinking that the old man and woman were about to abandon them all and run off with their eldest granddaughter.

He steeled himself and voiced a long-held plan, “Sooner or later, I’ll head up to the capital myself and think about moving the shop there!” With the children all leaving, what’s the point of these old bones staying home? Of course they should follow their children—wherever the children are, that’s where home is.

Wu Jingzhong and Jin Yu exchanged glances. So, everyone was planning to leave, and they, as parents, were the only ones stuck because of work—unable to leave until retirement?

It was a while before everyone turned their attention back to Jin Xin’s scores.

“Chinese 132, Math 148, English 140, Science composite 289, total 709. Xin Xin, if you work just a bit harder, look how close you were to a perfect score—what a pity!” Comrade Xu Meifeng sighed. After seeing Tong Tong’s perfect marks in every subject and then looking at Jin Xin’s, it seemed there was still room for improvement.

Of course, Comrade Xu Meifeng wasn’t dissatisfied; she was actually very pleased with Jin Xin’s exam results. She was simply speaking from the heart. With these scores, every school in China was open to him—no doubt about his first choice. If she wasn’t satisfied, people would laugh at her in the street.

Jin Xin rolled his eyes at his mother, thinking, Did she really think he was like Tong Tong, that little prodigy for whom perfect scores were as easy as eating? What was she imagining? This score was already the result of Tong Tong laying the groundwork for him, of him pushing himself to the limit, with even a bit of extraordinary performance thrown in!

He’d already used every ounce of strength, with a dash of good luck. Scoring above 700, there were few like him in all of Central Plains Province. He was quite something—the top scorer in Central Plains, champion of Tianzhong City, and New City. That title belonged to Tong Tong, but he was at least the runner-up in Tianzhong City and New City!

Maybe, since Tong Tong wasn’t home, he could negotiate to enjoy just one day as the biggest deal in the house! He wasn’t greedy—just one day!

At this point, Jin Xin hadn’t realized just how difficult this year’s national exam was. With his score, he could even dream of being the runner-up for the entire province!

A year of hard study, Wu Tong’s almost supernatural support, and perhaps a lucky streak this year, had created a miracle neither he nor New City High School had dared to dream of.

The results were officially confirmed at 9 a.m. on the 25th. This year was unprecedented—a miracle: both the champion and runner-up came from New City High School. Previously an obscure little high school in a small town to the west, since last year’s math competition, they’d been making waves, and now they were famous across the province and the nation.

Renowned key high schools across Central Plains and the country, with all their resources, history, and talented student bodies, couldn’t compare to this school that produced such a prodigious student. There was simply no argument to be had!

Besides this pair of champion and runner-up siblings, the other students also performed well, breaking past records and achieving the highest ever rate of university admissions. On further inquiry, the school’s secret weapon was the comprehensive study notes Wu Tong had prepared for her brother, which she selflessly shared with the school. Any student who studied them benefited greatly.

This, too, was the blessing of having a prodigy. What school wouldn’t want such a student?

Both champion and runner-up titles went to their school. It was a harvest that even New City High hadn’t expected—Jin Xin’s miraculous performance was the icing on the cake.

Jin Xin’s homeroom teacher was so overwhelmed with joy that his voice cracked when he called to inform the Jin family. He’d actually produced a runner-up! Even if he couldn’t compare to Mr. Luo’s undisputed champion, this would still be remembered in the school’s history.

Both the Jin and Wu families were overjoyed. Jin Yongqing bustled about, organizing an ancestral offering—they had to go see the family tomb, for surely smoke would rise from the old Jin family’s ancestral grave! The family genealogy would begin anew with these two children.

As for the Wu family—well, let them be, they had nothing to do with it!

Wu Tong, the top scorer, had already been admitted to Peking University. Her brother, the runner-up, was now the focus—he absolutely had to be won over! The admissions teams from Peking University and Tsinghua arrived at the Jin family’s door, one right after the other.

Tsinghua’s team was first, offering Jin Xin the same privileges as previous top scorers. Wu Tong was already heading to Peking University on a special admission, so for Tsinghua, Jin Xin, the provincial runner-up, was the actual champion they hoped to recruit, and they weren’t holding back.

“Jin Xin, you should come to Peking University. The benefits are no less than Tsinghua’s. You can pick any major you want, and you’ll be at the same school as your sister Wu Tong—if you want, even in the same class!” Peking University pounded the table, outdoing Tsinghua and adding the lure of family. Although they knew Jin Xin’s intentions, what if he changed his mind at the last moment?

“Your family is truly remarkable—both champion and runner-up, a dragon and a phoenix, all in one family. We’d all like to bask in your good fortune!” Not just Jin Xin, but his entire family were now objects of their efforts.

Their words were entirely sincere. This family had produced the dazzling Wu Tong and now a provincial runner-up. It was the stuff of miracles! What family in the country wouldn’t be envious?

Teacher Zhou from Peking University’s admissions office couldn’t help but regret that he hadn’t included Jin Xin in the offer when negotiating for Wu Tong—then Tsinghua wouldn’t have had a chance!

“Thank you, teachers. My aspirations are already set, as I’ve previously told Peking University’s staff—I want to go to a military academy. That’s my first choice. Thank you all for your kindness!” Jin Xin was amazed to find himself being courted by both top universities—it was a story he could boast about for twenty years.

He was dazed for a long moment. Though excited, his resolve didn’t waver.

“Attending Tsinghua wouldn’t stop you from serving the nation. We have many majors urgently needed in the country—true cutting-edge talent that serves the people!” Hearing he’d already turned down Peking University, the Tsinghua admissions officers were both relieved and persistent. “You know, Jin Xin, in this information age, the power of ordinary soldiers is limited. High-tech talent, capable of developing advanced national defense equipment, is the real way to strengthen the country!”

Take, for example, the famed little Wu Tong. With her abilities, she could easily assist military research. Once she advanced further, scholars like her would be in high demand for defense or aerospace—top talent everyone would compete for.

Or consider Comrade Lu, whom Tsinghua has regretted losing for life—a thought that makes them want to take it out on Peking University.

Fortunately, Comrade Lu has kept a low profile in recent years, and Peking University hasn’t benefited much visibly. But this year, they managed to bring in Wu Tong!

Alas, how unfair is fate? Tsinghua has always been loyal to the nation, yet the neighbor always seems to get the upper hand. Why must there always be a rival to overshadow them?

(End of chapter)