The boy's exclamation was loud, causing everyone to instinctively look at him. They saw him staring at his laptop with eyes shining brightly.
Only then did everyone realize that the results were officially out!
Jiang Han was the first to squeeze over. He was about to ask how Jiang Su knew Jiang Xuxu's student ID number, but the words died in his throat when he saw the screen.
The provincial Gaokao Top Scorer's name and score were published directly on the platform's front page. No ID number was needed.
At that moment, the top news on the platform for Hai City was exactly that: Guan Xuxu had won the title of Hai City's Top Scorer in both Arts and Sciences with a high score of 738. This joyful announcement was ranked second overall, trailing the National Top Scorer by only a single point.
Jiang Han felt his heart sink. He didn't even have the heart to check his own score anymore. Regardless, he wasn't the Top Scorer!
He looked at Jiang Xuxu, but her face remained as calm as ever, as if she didn't care at all about her Gaokao score or the honor of being a provincial Top Scorer. Jiang Han clenched his fists at his sides. He didn't believe she truly didn't care. She had to be acting.
Though he was deeply disappointed by the result, if she could act unbothered, so could he. In an instant, his face returned to its usual cold, indifferent mask, pretending he didn't care about the outcome.
Suddenly, a hand reached out from beside him. It was soft and boneless, patting the back of his hand gently. It was a silent comfort.
Jiang Han looked up and met Lu Xuexi's clearly encouraging gaze. Instead of feeling comforted, he felt an intense wave of embarrassment, as if his humiliation had been witnessed.
[Reminder! Jiang Han's favorability has decreased by 1 point. Current favorability: 87 points.]
Lu Xuexi was stunned. What had she done? She was just comforting him. Shouldn't her favorability increase? Why did it drop instead?!
Her expression became awkward. She knew Jiang Han had an odd personalityshe had hit many walls when trying to win him over initially. It seemed she still didn't understand him well enough. Thinking this, Lu Xuexi immediately withdrew her hand, pretending she hadn't done anything. If he didn't want comfort, then fine.
Jiang Han watched her withdraw her hand. Now, the embarrassment turned into a different feelinghe felt like she was distancing herself from him! Was it because he failed to become the Top Scorer?
[Reminder! Jiang Han's favorability has decreased by 1 point. Current favorability: 86 points.]
Lu Xuexi's pupils shrank. Losing two points so suddenly made her want to scream! What was going on?! This wasn't okay, that wasn't okay! But given the occasion, she dared not show any frustration and could only maintain her polite, sincere smile of blessing.
While Jiang Han had no desire to check his score, An Xing had no such qualms. After his initial shock at Jiang Xuxu's brilliance, he eagerly squeezed forward and gave his ID number to Jiang Su.
Jiang Su entered it. An Xing had scored 687. On a national level, it was a very respectable score, but compared to Jiang Xuxu, it was quite a ways off. However, An Xing wasn't disappointed at all. He chuckled. "I'm in."
Jiang Yuxin, hearing that her son had done well, allowed a rare smile of approval to grace her lips. She didn't like comparing her children to others; it only crushed their confidence.
Seeing that An Xing's result was out, Yao Lin hurriedly checked Jiang Han's score as well. Although Jiang Han said he didn't want to check after losing the Top Scorer title, his eyes instinctively drifted toward the screen once the score appeared. He had to see it. If it was only one or two points difference...
But the screen showed his Gaokao score: 703. The gap between him and her was definitely more than one or two points. Jiang Han's expression darkened once more.
While that side was bustling, the teachers from Hua, Peking, and Hai City Universities were all busy pitching their schools to Jiang Xuxu. Each of them seemed determined to win her over.
The admissions teacher from the Daoist Academy, seeing so many people suddenly fighting over his student, refused to back down.
"Young friend Guan, one should specialize in their field. I heard you haven't systematically studied the content of our Xuanmen before. This is a wonderful opportunity. Our academy is absolutely superior in both credentials and faculty. Even the Master of Qingfeng Temple is one of our honorary lecturers. Moreover, our tuition is cheaponly 500 a year..."
The teachers from the prestigious universities hadn't taken this man in Daoist robes seriously at all. Hearing his words now, they couldn't help but interject with a laugh.
Peking University Teacher: "Student Guan, if you come to Peking University, your tuition and housing will be completely waived. The school will also provide you with a specialized scholarship. This is a special treatment our university is offering specifically for you."
Hai City University Teacher: "Student Guan, you are a native of Hai City. This is where you belong. If you come, we will waive all fees and provide scholarships, and the school will also offer exchange opportunities at famous foreign universities for outstanding students like you..."
Hua University Teacher: "Waiving tuition is just the basics. Hua University can provide you with a private dormitory. We also promise that any special achievements during your time at the school will be rewarded with bonuses in the millions."
The Jiang family members were simply numb. Although they weren't short on money, it was rare to see schools begging someone to attend for free. The last time this happened seemed to be during Jiang Huai's Gaokao.
Jiang Yucheng's face remained steady, but the slight curve at the corner of his eyes betrayed his joy and pride. As expected of his daughtershe was so excellent that all the top schools were scrambling for her.
Old Master Jiang also watched with a gentle smile. Once the schools had finished laying out their conditions, he spoke slowly. "You all represent the top institutions in our country. It is Xuxu's blessing that you have come in person to invite her. However, the final decision on which university to attend must rest with the child herself."
He felt that Peking, Hua, or Hai City University would all be fine. As for that Daoist Academy, he had instinctively chosen to ignore it.
Jiang Huai added, speaking to the still-undecided Jiang Xuxu, "Xuxu, choose whichever one you want. Don't worry about anything else."
Though he said the same thing as Old Master Jiang, the difference was that even if Xuxu ultimately chose that Daoist Academy, he would support her.
Jiang Xuxu saw everyone's eyes gathered on her and finally came back from her thoughts. She had already made up her mind about where to go.
Her almond-shaped eyes drifted from the three university teachers and finally settled on the teacher in Daoist robes. Through her eyes, she could see a faint layer of blue light surrounding him. That blue light represented spiritual energy. It was clear that this man was no ordinary school teacher.
Withdrawing her gaze from him, Jiang Xuxu turned to look at the admissions teachers from the other three universities.
"Thank you for coming in person, teachers. I have decided to attend the Hai City Daoist Academy."
Jiang Xuxu's words were like a sudden clap of thunder. Not only were the teachers from the top three universities left speechless, but even the Jiang family members were filled with utter disbelief.
Was this child... a fool?!
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