The Jiang family residence.
Early that morning, Jiang Xuxu noticed that the house was inexplicably lively.
Today was the day the Gaokao results were to be released. Her aunt, Jiang Yuxin, had arrived at the Jiang house first thing in the morning with her twin sons. In addition to them, the rest of the familyincluding Jiang Yucheng and Old Master Jiangwere waiting at home.
Old Master Jiang placed great importance on family values and insisted on a sense of ceremony for every major family event. Thus, everyone had gathered here today specifically for the impending release of the national exam results.
Quite a few children from the Jiang family had taken the Gaokao this year. Aside from Jiang Yuxin's younger twin sons, who were preparing to study abroad, Lu Xuexi had secured an early recommendation for admission. The eldest son of the first branch, Jiang Han from the second branch, and Jiang Xuxu had all participated in this year's session.
Beyond that, Jiang Han had always performed exceptionally well and was considered a hot favorite for the city's top scorer. The Jiang family hoped to witness such a momentous occasion together.
"How are the arrangements for An Zhuo going abroad coming along?"
Old Master Jiang had watched his two grandsons grow up and paid no less attention to them than he did to the children living under his own roof.
Jiang Yuxin was busy replying to work messages on her phone. Hearing the question, she tucked her phone away and answered the old man. "It's mostly settled. Yaotian bought a house for him near the campus. I've reached out to some professional acquaintances in that area to look after him once he arrives."
Although Jiang Yuxin was the only daughter among the four branches of the family, she was far from spoiled. On the contrary, she was competitive and strong-willed, having been highly independent since childhood. While she maintained the persona of a powerful career woman to the outside world, she wasn't overbearing at home; she respected her children's wishes.
Otherwise, the twin brothers wouldn't have gone their separate waysone headed abroad to study design while the other remained in the country to study directing.
Old Master Jiang had always been relatively at ease regarding this daughter. He followed up with a few words of concern for the twins' elder brother, An Xing.
Seeing the opening, Yao Lin spoke up with a smile. "Our sister-in-law has always been independent. But since the two boys grew up together, won't they find it hard to adjust to being apart so suddenly?"
"They've grown up; they have their own paths to walk. They can't stay huddled together forever like they did as children," Jiang Yuxin replied tonelessly. She had never been particularly close to her second brother's wife, who spent her days idle as a wealthy socialite.
Yao Lin didn't take offense at being brushed off. After all, her son Jiang Han was the protagonist of the day.
"What you say is true. I had considered sending Han abroad as well. He's been a top student since he was small and even did a stint as an international exchange student. But he didn't want to go, so I let him have his way. There are plenty of good universities domestically anyway; it's just a matter of picking the best one."
Her tone was soft, but the boastful intent behind her words was blatant.
Xue Ningyu, seeing that the aunt had no desire to engage, stepped in as a peacemaker and added with a smile, "With Han's grades, he really does have his pick of any university in the country."
She turned to look at the boy. "Have you decided on a school yet, Han?"
Jiang Han nodded. "I'm going to Haida, same as Xuexi."
After speaking, he remembered his bet with Jiang Xuxu and couldn't help stealing a glance at her before quickly shutting his mouth.
Xue Ningyu, unaware of the bet between the two juniors, simply asked, "Why not choose Jingda?"
"Haida is quite nice, and it's closer to home," Lu Xuexi interjected with a smile. She then turned her gaze toward Jiang Xuxu. "Xuxu, are you planning on Jingda or Haida? Why don't you come to Haida with us? We can look out for one another that way."
As soon as Lu Xuexi finished speaking, and before Jiang Xuxu could respond, Jiang Cheng spoke up from the side. "The results aren't even out yet. It's not like she can just pick whichever one she wants."
Because Jiang Yucheng was present, Jiang Cheng didn't dare let too much mockery show in his voice. However, even his blunt statement made Jiang Yucheng look displeased, though it was difficult for him to scold a junior in front of so many people.
Jiang Su, however, was different. He was fearless.
Braving the storm from Jiang Cheng, he snapped back, "Like you said, the results aren't out yet. How do you know my sister can't just pick whichever one she wants?"
Jiang Cheng had been nearly driven to madness by this brat lately. He was about to retaliate when Uncle Ming walked in from outside, his expression somewhat subtle.
"Old Master, an admissions officer from a school has arrived."
Hearing that a recruiter had come in person, the Jiang family instantly perked up. Jiang Han instinctively sat up straighter.
It might be different elsewhere, but here in Haishi, having an admissions officer from a major university personally visit your home was a treatment reserved only for the city's top scorers.
The others also looked delighted, their eyes falling on Jiang Han. They felt that this child had truly lived up to everyone's expectations.
"Are they here for Han?" Yao Lin's voice was thick with excitement.
Uncle Ming glanced at Jiang Xuxu, looking somewhat awkward. "Actually... they are here for Miss Xuxu."
The Jiang family was stunned.
Jiang Han's expression froze instantly.
Everyone instinctively looked at Jiang Xuxu, who remained calm, clearly not surprised in the least.
"Xuxu... so your grades were that good?" Yao Lin managed to force the words out, suppressing the resentment in her heart.
Jiang Xuxu remained indifferent. "They were alright."
Jiang Huai raised an eyebrow. Seeing Uncle Ming's visibly complicated expression, he asked, "Which school is the admissions officer from?"
Everyone turned their eyes back to Uncle Ming. Indeed, if it were a prestigious recruiter, why would Uncle Ming look like that?
Uncle Ming seemed to hesitate, but the answer revealed itself a moment later as the visitor entered the room.
The newcomer was dressed in Taoist robes with a topknot on his head. Though he possessed a certain sage-like air, there was no concealing the fact that he was a Taoist priest.
Jiang Ying was the first who couldn't help but speak up, whispering, "Mommy, that uncle is dressed so weirdly."
Yao Lin immediately pulled her young daughter close. "Don't talk nonsense."
Though she stopped her daughter, a smile was clearly spreading across her face.
Jiang Han relaxed, his initial shock turning into a sense of malicious glee. A look of mockery flashed in Jiang Cheng's eyes.
They knew it. There was no way Jiang Xuxu could have outscored Jiang Han. This so-called recruiter... looking so out of place, he was likely from some bottom-tier, sham college.
Sure enough, the Taoist priest gave the Jiang family a slow, respectful bow before his gaze landed accurately on Jiang Xuxu's face.
"You must be Little Friend Guan. I am the admissions officer for Haishi Taoist College. I have come today to invite you to enroll in our college."
The Jiang family's emotions were incredibly complex. Although they knew Jiang Xuxu liked to dabble in metaphysicsand even Old Master Jiang had accepted this "hobby"seeing a priest come to the door for "admissions" was absurd.
Haishi Taoist College? They had never even heard of it. Could such a place even be a legitimate university?
Jiang Yumin, who never believed in such things, couldn't help but knit his brows in anger. "Xuxu, I know you like these things, but I will not allow you to go to this college."
Even if her grades were poor, she couldn't attend a place that sounded like it didn't even have university accreditation. If a child of the Jiang family attended some Taoist school, the family would lose all face!
He was firmly against it!
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