"I think you're right," Wang Yue said, nodding. But he chuckled inwardly. If Yu Lian wanted to use a honey trap on him, she was sorely mistaken. While Yu Lian was certainly attractive, she was still a level below absolute stunners like Qiao Zixuan and Li Xiaoman.
"Then why don't we choose our school?" Yu Lian said with a smile.
"Why our school?" Ma Xue immediately protested.
"Exactly. I believe classmate Wang Yue isn't that superficial," Shi Wenbo added.
"How is that superficial? Although our university might not be comparable to the universities of the two seniors, we have everything we need, and even things we don't," Yu Lian retorted, unyielding.
As the others argued, the door opened again. Another beautiful young woman entered.
"Everyone's here! What a lively scene," the newcomer said with a smile upon seeing them. She then walked directly to Wang Yue. "Classmate Wang Yue, we spoke on the phone before. I'm Li Mei from the Xiamen University Admissions Office, and I cordially invite you to join us at Xiamen University."
"Ah, yes, yes, yes. It's a pleasure to meet you," Wang Yue replied, nodding.
"Since we're all gathered here today, there's nothing more to say. Let's compete based on our own merits," Ma Xue declared. In this small conference room, teachers from four major admissions offices had gathered, all eager to recruit Wang Yue. They were already flexing their muscles.
"Alright, everyone calm down. I think I've made my decision," Wang Yue said with a smile. At his words, the four pairs of eyes turned to him, filled with a hint of nervousness.
"I choose Peking University," Wang Yue announced. The other three looked disappointed, while Shi Wenbo beamed with surprise.
"Classmate Wang Yue, welcome to Peking University!" Shi Wenbo exclaimed, stepping forward to embrace Wang Yue.
"Classmate Wang Yue, are you really not going to reconsider?" Ma Xue asked, full of disappointment.
"Yes, classmate Wang Yue, don't you like to see cherry blossoms?" Yu Lian chimed in.
"We're by the sea," Li Mei added.
"Thank you all for your kind offers, but I've already decided," Wang Yue said, shaking his head. The truth was, his reasons for choosing Peking University were quite simple. He planned to start a business in Yan Jing, and it was an excellent location for it. Moreover, he had visited Peking University's campus during his previous life and had a fondness for its atmosphere. He had hesitated before, considering other options, but now he understood: he should follow his heart and go with his gut feeling.
The battle to recruit the top scorer concluded with Peking University's victory. Wang Yue filled out his application on the spot, and Shi Wenbo, holding the form, was beaming.
As Wang Yue walked out of the Education Bureau, the feeling was still surreal. While other students were still agonizing over their college choices, he had already secured his admission.
"Peking University, here I come!" Wang Yue shouted to the sky, looking at the white clouds.
...
After submitting his application, Wang Yue returned home. The media had already departed. Wang Jianguo and Pan Huiying looked radiant and cheerful. They had enjoyed a day of immense pride, and word had spread among their neighbors: the Wang family's son had achieved the top score! What an honor! Especially in the older generation's view, college entrance exam results were everything; producing a top scorer was a matter of immense family honor.
"Son, you've really brought honor to your father this time," Wang Jianguo said, smiling.
"Your mother has never felt this proud in her entire life," Pan Huiying echoed, also smiling.
"We must hold a grand celebration for this matriculation! Let everyone know that our Wang family has produced a top scorer!" Wang Jianguo declared with grand ambition. How long had it been? How long had Old Wang felt this proud? Wang Jianguo couldn't even remember. It seemed like he hadn't felt this way since he started his funeral business. Now, he wasn't doing that business anymore, and his son had achieved the top score. Wang Jianguo felt it must be the accumulated good karma from his years of service, making his ancestral graves smoke with prosperity. The matriculation banquet was set for the following month. Since they had decided to go all out, Wang Jianguo and Pan Huiying were determined to notify every relative, friend, and even neighbor. Everyone was eager to attend a top scorer's matriculation banquet. According to folk tales, top scorers were often reincarnations of the God of Literature, and attending their banquet was believed to bring good luck, perhaps even making their own children more academically inclined. They didn't expect their children to be top scorers, but just to get into a good university would be enough. The impact of Wang Yue's achievement was far from over; it was just beginning.
Wang Yue slipped out again. He had heard from his parents that more media were scheduled to visit in the afternoon, and he disliked such attention.
After going out, Wang Yue received a message from An Ran.
"An Ran: Congratulations, Grand Top Scorer! If I had known, I wouldn't have transferred schools. I could have trailed behind you to soak up some of your good fortune."
"Wang Yue: Don't be silly. What did you score? You should be able to get into your ideal university, right?"
"An Ran: I'll be fine. I'm confident I'll get into Beijing Normal University. I heard many schools were vying for you. Which school did you finally choose?"
"Wang Yue: Peking University."
"An Ran: Haha, then we'll both be in Yan Jing. We can hang out then."
Wang Yue chatted with An Ran for a while. Then, Tian Wenjing, whom he hadn't contacted in a long time, also reached out.
"Tian Wenjing: Classmate Wang Yue, you're too amazing! I was stunned to see you got the top score. All our classmates in the junior high group are talking about you now."
"Wang Yue: You have other junior high groups? I didn't know!"
"Tian Wenjing: Hahaha, besides this group, we have others. It seems we didn't add you."
"Wang Yue: Oh, so you're isolating me."
"Tian Wenjing: No, no, who would dare isolate you, handsome Wang? And now you're the top scorer with a brilliant future. I'll add you right now!"
"Wang Yue: Forget it, forget it. Don't add me. We haven't seen each other in so long, it would be awkward if you added me now."
Before Wang Yue could finish speaking, he was added to the group. The group was named: "Old Classmates."
"Tian Wenjing: Look who's here! Our高考状元 (Gāokǎo zhuàngyuán - College Entrance Examination Top Scorer)!"
"Li Yi: Holy cow! The top scorer is here! We were just talking about it. This is incredible."
"Liu Zhong: I have nothing to say but sadness. My grades were similar to Wang Yue's back then. Now I'm working construction. If I had persisted with my studies, maybe I could have been a top scorer too."
"Cai Yuxin: Hahaha, you wish. You went to do construction precisely because you couldn't handle studying. Don't try to associate yourself with our top scorer."