On the day of the college entrance examination, Jiang Li felt like an emperor on a royal outing. She already knew in advance that her grandpa was going to personally take her to the exam venue just as he had during her high school exams, so she wasn’t surprised.
However, she was taken aback when both her second and third brothers also decided to come along, seeing as the exam days coincided with the weekend and they didn’t have classes. Their reason was that they would be bored at home anyway, so they might as well accompany her to the exam.
What surprised Jiang Li the most was that her second uncle and aunt also wanted to come along to the exam, saying that since they were going by camper van, adding two more people wouldn’t make a difference.
Thankfully, her third uncle was more sensible; he went to his research institute as usual, saying he would pick her up outside the venue after the exam was over.
Old Master Feng had the van pulled up outside the examination venue, and before Jiang Li got out, he repeatedly reminded her to relax, mentioning that she had already secured a spot through early admission, so it didn’t matter how well or poorly she did.
Jiang Li shook her head and said mischievously, “That won’t do, Grandpa. If I don’t score higher than Tong Yi, he won’t call me ‘aunt.’ I have to make him sincerely acknowledge my seniority.” She and Tong Yi had been in the same exam venue but in different classrooms for the previous exam. However, this year for the college entrance exam, their venues were farther apart. Tong Yi had even complained about this a few times.
Hearing Jiang Li mention Tong Yi, Old Master Feng chuckled, “That kid Xiao Yi has indeed been quite promising. These past few years he was said to be studying abroad, but in fact, he was developing his business. Now that he has achieved some success, he’s come back to take the exam, probably to give his uncle a slap in the face.”
Feng Bai pouted and murmured in a low voice, “That’s only because our eldest brother took care of him. If he was alone, he might have starved to death abroad.”
His grandfather glanced at him sideways, “Why don’t you ask your big brother to take care of you too, then? See if you can be half as successful as Xiao Yi! You’re incompetent, yet envious of others.”
Feng Bai continued to grumble, “I think Tong Yi is more like your real grandson, and I must have been picked up somewhere!”
Old Master Feng nodded earnestly, “Yes, you were picked up. If I had to pick again, I would definitely go somewhere else.”
Feng Bai: “…” Maybe he should just keep quiet!
Seeing his son sulking and then looking at his niece who ran straight to the examination hall after getting out of the car, Professor Feng couldn’t resist joking, “Dad, if you really like Tong Yi that much, why not consider making him your grandson-in-law?”
Old Master Feng smacked Professor Feng’s head, “Can’t you just be quiet? Do people think you’re mute if you don’t speak? You’re old enough to behave properly.”
“…” Professor Feng felt aggrieved. How many years has it been since he was beaten by his old man? He was just making a joke because he saw how well Tong Yi and Xiao Jiang Li got along!
Seeing his own father get smacked, Feng Bai gloated, “Dad, if you think you’ve enjoyed enough of this world, you can just say it outright, no need to hint at it so subtly. Grandpa will definitely fulfill your wish.”
Professor Tan looked at her husband with disdain, “Our Xiao Jiang Li is a pure little angel in heaven, and yet you want her to descend to the mortal world to face tribulation. What are your intentions?”
Even Feng Song, who rarely spoke, chimed in, “Dad, you’ve already incited public anger, better speak less.”
Professor Feng: “…”
Even his own father hit him, but now even his wife and sons seemed to have no regard for him. Had everyone started to see him as the enemy?
…
Once inside the exam room, Jiang Li did not feel nervous because she had already put in sufficient effort beforehand. Now, at the final moment, she only needed to maintain a calm state of mind and perform as usual. The two-day examination soon ended, and when Jiang Li walked out after the last subject, she was unexpectedly stopped by two reporters.
Jiang Li was well aware that every year during the college entrance exams, numerous reporters would stake out outside the exam centers to interview students coming out, so she was not surprised by their presence.
What did surprise her was that these two reporters had specifically come for her. They recognized her and their questions were somewhat impolite. “This must be the legendary Prodigy God Jiang, right? It’s said that before the high school entrance examinations, you confidently claimed you would take the top score, and you indeed achieved your goal. So, Prodigy God Jiang, are you confident about becoming this year’s top provincial scorer for the college entrance exams?”
The reporters looked at Jiang Li with anticipation, expecting her to show some arrogance or, better yet, deliver another bold statement. Just three years ago, less than two months before the high school entrance examinations, Jiang Li had boldly told another reporter that she was originally confident of securing the top spot, but after the sabotage that caused her to lose two points in the PE exam, she was no longer as sure.
That video clip had trended briefly but was quickly suppressed, so it didn’t attract much attention. However, times had changed, and now Jiang Li was a hot topic—a revered academic idol. Her words carried more weight than before. To capture more viewers, the reporters started a live stream, and by the time Jiang Li walked out of the exam center, they had already been stirring up the topic online. Many of Jiang Li’s fans had gathered in the live stream, eagerly awaiting their idol’s statements.
The reporters were totally confident they would generate a lot of traffic if Jiang Li made a statement similar to the one she gave three years ago.
Jiang Li quickly saw through the reporters’ intentions and asked with a smile, “If I say I’m not confident, would you be disappointed?”
One reporter jokingly responded, “Prodigy God Jiang’s fans are all eagerly waiting for their idol to claim the top scorer’s title. Don’t you plan to pamper your fans with a show of strength?” The reporters tried to provoke her, thinking that the young girl, having just become an adult, might not be able to resist being challenged.
As the reporter spoke, many in the live broadcast began commenting.
Some said Prodigy God Jiang’s confidence was innate and didn’t need to be verbally expressed or overly explained, interview or not.
Others commented that Prodigy God Jiang’s real talent lay in winning gold medals, and whether or not she became the top scorer of the college entrance examinations might not really matter to her, so fans shouldn’t care either.
Some viewers asked the reporters to speak more politely and not use their idol just to generate traffic.
Of course, there were also some discordant comments in the livestream, but those who made them were quickly besieged by the overwhelming Jiang Li’s fans.
Unaware of the situation in the live stream, Jiang Li listened to the reporter and shook her head, laughing, “I don’t have fans. Those who follow me are all dedicated students who love learning. Our goal is to strive together for progress, and there’s no need for anyone to pamper anyone.”
Another reporter, feeling that she was evading the topic, immediately asked, “You say that because you’re not confident about securing the top position in this year’s college exams?”
Before Jiang Li could respond, Feng Qi suddenly emerged from the crowd. He looked at the reporter and asked, “Does it matter to you whether she has the confidence to be this year’s top scorer? Why does she have to tell you?”
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