Anyone who didn't know would think Director Li was Grandma Su's long-lost son.
"Director Li, you're here?"
Director Li excitedly tossed his bicycle aside and, with trembling hands, took down the bag hanging from the handlebars.
Su Xiaotian really wanted to say, "You really didn't have to go to such lengths!"
But seeing everyone around her looking so excited and eager, Su Xiaotian silently swallowed the words that had already reached her lips.
Never mind, it was rare for everyone to be so happy and excited; she shouldn't dampen their spirits.
The Su family members had already arrived at the doorway. Judging by Director Li's excited expression, Su Xiaotian's results must have been excellent.
But the Su family members were still very nervous.
They were waiting for a result, waiting for the possibility that Su Xiaotian might be the top scorer in the capital.
Let alone others, even Grandpa Su, who had been calm his entire life, was feeling flustered now.
With so many children in the family, all of whom had good exam results and attended good universities, none had managed to achieve the top spot in the capital!
Director Li was so excited that he almost stumbled when entering the house, but Su Xiaotian, with her quick reflexes, grabbed him.
At this moment, Director Li felt a great sense of accomplishment.
He had come to deliver good news last year as well, but the Su family had appeared indifferent, showing no surprise or excitement.
This year was normal; this was how parents of college entrance exam students should behave!
"Xiaotian, congratulations!" Director Li reached out and directly grasped Su Xiaotian's hand.
"Director Li, thank you!" Su Xiaotian replied politely, "Thank you for making a special trip for this matter."
"It's my honor, student Xiaotian!"
"Director Li, what is our precious child's rank?" Grandma Su couldn't help but ask.
Her gaze was so sharp that she didn't notice her husband's nervous expression.
"First place, Auntie, first place!"
Director Li reported the good news with the pride of someone whose own child had achieved such excellent results!
Although Su Xiaotian had anticipated good results, the top rank was still a little hard to believe.
This was the capital, a place where hidden talents abounded.
Even though Seventh Middle School was a key high school in the capital, it wasn't considered top-tier.
Chi Yiyuan hadn't managed to achieve first place last year, so she felt she might have strong competitors.
"Your principal is going to be ecstatic. When he heard this morning that the top scorer was from Seventh Middle School, he was so happy he almost cried!"
Su Xiaotian found Director Li's words a bit exaggerated.
Was a principal of a major school really so lacking in composure?
Seventh Middle School might not be the absolute best in the capital, but it could usually secure third or fourth place.
"Why didn't our principal come?" Su Xiaotian asked, bewildered.
If he was truly this excited, the principal should have come along.
"Your principal is on the back of my bicycle. Why isn't he here?" Director Li then realized something might be amiss.
Su Xiaotian glanced at the bicycle lying on the ground outside. It was empty; Principal Gu of Seventh Middle School was indeed not there.
"Director Li, did you misremember? There's no one on the back of your bicycle!" Su Xiaoba also looked outside, confirming no one was there, and said to Director Li.
"I remember bringing Principal Gu. Where could he have gone?"
Director Li only pondered for a moment before immediately dismissing the matter.
Whether Principal Gu was present or not was not important; what mattered was Su Xiaotian's excellent results.
"Xiaotian, do you know how good your score is?" Director Li asked Su Xiaotian excitedly.
Su Xiaotian: "..."
Where was the Principal Gu you brought with you?
"Student Xiaotian, you scored twenty-four points higher than the second-place student, and your total score was only nineteen points shy of the perfect score. This is the best result in years!"
Director Li wanted to say that she was not only this year's top scorer but also the most outstanding top scorer in recent years.
Su Xiaotian: "..."
It was indeed a bit surprising. No wonder her points had increased a bit this morning; it seemed good grades could indeed increase points.
"Director Li, you're not lying, are you? Is our precious child's score really this good?" Grandpa Su and Grandma Su asked in unison.
If Director Li hadn't been so excited at that moment, he would have praised the couple for their telepathy!
"It's true, I'm not lying, and I would especially never lie to you about something like this!"
Su Xiaoba and Su Xiaojiu: "..."
They seemed to have taken the college entrance exam this year too, but why hadn't anyone mentioned their exam results at all?
Director Li had come with the results of the sixth and seventh brothers last year.
Grandma Su slapped her thigh, delighted.
"Director Li, you must stay for dinner at our house today!"
Director Li was in tears. Wasn't this exactly what he had worked hard for?
"Mom, I'll do it!" Liang Xiu was so happy she was almost in tears.
Her daughter was so accomplished; her exam results were beyond words.
Su Xiaoba suffered another psychological blow.
It was one thing for others to forget to ask about his results, but why didn't his own mother ask?
Was he a bonus gift for Xiaotian?
"I'll do it. This is a joyous occasion today, and I'll cook myself. Old man, you keep Director Li company!"
Grandma Su was so happy she could have danced. She bustled off to the kitchen.
Liang Xiu, her three sisters-in-law, and Su Manxiu followed her into the kitchen.
Su Xiaoba and Su Xiaojiu watched as everyone in the family happily busied themselves, with no one asking about their results. They felt so aggrieved!
The two brothers exchanged a look, their spirits dampened!
Their results weren't great, but they shouldn't be so invisible!
It was one thing for others not to ask, but why didn't their own parents ask?
Especially Su Xiaojiu, it was understandable that the third aunt's family forgot about him and Xiaotian taking the exam, but he was the only one from their second branch who took the exam. Didn't he deserve even a mention?
Qi Liangying didn't remember until she was in the kitchen that her younger son had also taken the exam.
Why had she forgotten to ask that director just now how her son had performed?
But then she thought, it was probably better not to ask. He definitely wouldn't score as well as Xiaotian, but getting into a good university should be fine.
The Su family was that confident. When it came to the children in the family, their results were only compared amongst themselves; overall, they were all considered good.
Because of this mindset, Qi Liangying truly didn't go out to ask.
Finally, Su Xiaotian, who was serving tea to Director Li outside, asked, "Director Li, how did my two brothers do?"
The brothers, who had been neglected for a long time, finally felt their hearts warm.
Even though their parents were fake and their affection was like plastic, at least their sister was real. Sob sob sob...