As the date for the college entrance exam results approached, many students and parents started to feel anxious. Jiang Li, however, remained calm, not feeling nervous in the slightest. She believed she had performed well—if she failed to become the top scorer despite everything, it would only mean someone else had done better.
If she didn’t get the top spot, Jiang Li would feel a bit regretful but could accept it. In her opinion, there were so many outstanding people in the world, and she was not the best. As long as she maintained her steady progress towards her goals, nothing else mattered.
Jiang Li had already signed a contract that guaranteed her an admission spot with the Capital Medical University. However, since her province allowed guaranteed students to take the college entrance exam, many guaranteed students took the exam just for the sake of experience, having no pressure to deliver a good result.
In some cases, guaranteed students performed exceptionally well in the exam and wanted to break the contract with the school they had guaranteed to and reapply. However, the process of breaking the contract was cumbersome and not always successful, so most people just entertained the idea without acting on it.
Jiang Li chose to take the college entrance exam not with the intention of breaking the agreement, but because she felt it would be a pity not to see the final result after working hard for so long.
On the day the results were released, Jiang Li still went to the research institute as usual. Her senior brothers and sisters also knew the exam results would come out today and teased her, asking if she was nervous.
Jiang Li nodded earnestly, “Yes, I’m quite nervous. If I do poorly, my uncle might beat me.”
A new female intern at the institute shrank back, “I haven’t worked with Professor Feng, but everyone says he’s quite strict. If he’s so harsh on you, it must be because he wants his niece to be exceptional.”
At that moment, the interns couldn’t help but imagine Professor Feng scolding and beating his niece, which indeed seemed terrifying.
Zhao Qiang, who listened from the side, burst into laughter and turned to Jiang Li, “Junior Sister, please don’t scare them. They are already quite afraid of Professor Feng.”
Jiang Li tilted her head and looked at him, “So, senior brother, you must not be afraid of my uncle.”
Zhao Qiang touched his nose and said truthfully, “I am quite afraid, but you absolutely don’t need to be. Even if Professor Feng were to go crazy and attack everyone in our research institute indiscriminately, he would definitely spare you.”
Jiang Li gave a thumbs-up, “Senior Brother, your eloquence is getting better and better.”
Zhao Qiang gave a shy smile, “That’s because I’ve been around you for so long, Junior Sister. You know, excellence rubs off.”
An old professor nearby overheard their conversation and couldn’t help but tease, “Well, Xiao Zhao, since you admit you have learned a lot from our Xiao Li, you should pay her some apprenticeship fees or we old guys won’t let you off.”
Jiang Li had been frequenting the research institute for more than three years now, and the professors there had watched her grow up. Over the years, Jiang Li had lost the slight baby fat on her cheeks as she matured and had become increasingly beautiful.
The old professors looked at her with the affection of looking at their own granddaughter. Most importantly, this girl was particularly diligent and eager to learn, occasionally even helping them with their work. Who wouldn’t be fond of such a smart and beautiful child?
Seeing Jiang Li getting along so well with the members of the institute, the new interns finally understood that Professor Feng’s niece Jiang Li, the little princess of the institute, was someone they must never cross.
During the lunch break, several interns gathered to chat, and the topic eventually shifted to the institute’s little princess. One intern, with a look of envy, remarked quietly after a sigh, “It’s all about luck at birth. If I were Professor Feng’s nephew, everyone here would be treating me like royalty, too.”
Another immediately agreed, “Exactly. Take Zhao Qiang, for example. Only a few years ago, he was also an intern. He is now a permanent researcher and barely acknowledges us, but in front of the little princess, he’s practically groveling.”
“You’re right. I just saw Zhao Qiang give the only hairy crab to the little princess and call junior sister this and junior sister that, as if he was afraid others wouldn’t know he’s her sidekick.”
Hearing the two guys getting more and more excessive, the female intern with them frowned and said, “Zhao Qiang’s professional ability is pretty solid, and I think Jiang Li treats him quite well too. They are not in a princess-and-servant relationship. You guys are going too far.”
One of the guys sneered disdainfully, “Zhao Qiang might be very capable, but who here isn’t? He was once an intern like us, yet how many of us will get to stay and be permanently employed here?”
The other guy nodded, “Exactly. I heard people gossiping that Zhao Qiang has started taking on his own projects and even secured funding recently. They say he brought the little princess along to meet the investor two days ago.”
The girl couldn’t stand it anymore, “You two talk amongst yourselves. My mentor gave me a task, and I need to get back to work.”
However, as soon as she turned around, she saw Zhao Qiang and Fang Tong standing not far away.
“H-hello, Senior Brother Zhao, Senior Sister Fang,” the girl greeted them with her head down, her face turning bright red.
The two male interns finally stopped their chatter. When they turned and saw Zhao Qiang and Fang Tong, their faces changed dramatically, turning ashen.
Fang Tong, knowing Zhao Qiang wasn’t good with words, looked at the two guys and said, “You are correct; Zhao Qiang isn’t that impressive. He only published five SCI papers last year, which must be far behind you two, right?”
The guys: “…”
“And that so-called little princess you mentioned, she’s just as ordinary. Her achievement isn’t much, seeing she is merely the top scorer in the high school entrance exam, won an IMO gold in her first year of high school, and memorized the entire ‘Compendium of Materia Medica.’ Of course, those achievements are quite unremarkable. After all, her most impressive skill is being born lucky!”
The guys: “…”
Leaving the two speechless, Fang Tong turned and walked away. Zhao Qiang gave the interns a quick glance before going after her.
Catching up with Fang Tong, Zhao Qiang whispered, “You were… pretty impressive just now.”
Fang Tong looked delighted, “Really? You think I was quite imposing, right?”
Zhao Qiang nodded, “Yeah, very imposing and impressive.” He wasn’t good at arguing because he would start stuttering when he got too anxious.
Fang Tong, looking pleased, said, “I actually didn’t use to be good at this, but after spending time with junior sister, I learned some useful tactics.”
“Junior sister can argue?” Zhao Qiang looked surprised. In his mind, junior sister was the most well-behaved and adorable; at most, she only dislocated people’s arms when feeling threatened.
Fang Tong nodded enthusiastically, “Of course. A while back, I was being harassed by a stalker who often waited outside the research institute. Junior Sister helped me by giving him a good scolding.” Oh, and she used a bit of force too. After that, the scumbag never dared to show up again.
Fang Tong looked at Zhao Qiang and asked, “Shall we tell Professor Feng about what happened just now?”
Zhao Qiang thought for a moment and shook his head, “I don’t think it’s necessary. After your scolding, they probably won’t dare spread rumors anymore.”
Fang Tong eyed him sideways, “You’re quite easy to bully.”
Zhao Qiang was taken aback, “I just think their internship is almost over, and the chances of them staying are slim, so there’s no need to make a fuss.”
Fang Tong realized he was right. Although the institute recruited several interns every year, only one or two could stay. She and Zhao Qiang managed to stay because they joined Professor Feng’s group.
Fang Tong sighed, “Alright, let’s just look forward to junior sister’s exam results!”
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