After finally sending off all the reporters, Xia Xiaolan completed the task assigned by Principal Sun.

Anqing County First High School performed exceptionally well this year. Xia Xiaolan wasn’t the only standout – she had simply bloomed so brilliantly that she overshadowed others. Take Chen Qing for example: when the scores were released, his results were truly impressive at 515 points, 21 points above the key university threshold. While getting into the University of International Business and Economics might require some luck, Beijing Normal University should be achievable if he is willing to accept the program adjustment.

Teachers’ colleges aren’t very popular nowadays, with few students applying. Even Beijing Normal University had to offer bonus points and incentives – almost every student could receive subsidies throughout their four years. This was different from other universities where monthly stipends were contingent on maintaining certain academic standards.

While some performed well, others didn’t. For those who failed, it was certainly painful, but the college entrance exam couldn’t be changed by sympathy alone. This wasn’t a game – it was a real battle.

Xia Xiaolan didn’t have time to talk much with Chen Qing. Having completed her interview duties, she firmly rejected Principal Sun’s vain request to parade her around town in a car. The mere thought of standing on the back of a car wearing a large red silk flower on her chest made even the strong-willed “President Xia” break out in goosebumps.

Ignoring Principal Sun’s disappointed look, Xia Xiaolan had already arranged a banquet at Anqing’s State-run Restaurant to host a “Teacher Appreciation Dinner” for all subject teachers and Class 3 students. After the college entrance exam, everyone would soon be going their separate ways.

“Eating in the cafeteria would be fine, you don’t need to spend money. Why go to the State-run Restaurant?” Principal Sun wanted to save money for Xia Xiaolan. With teachers and students combined, there were several dozen people. A meal at the State-run Restaurant, even a simple one, would cost at least one or two hundred yuan. That money could be better spent elsewhere, especially with college expenses coming up. However, having achieved first place in the province, the Provincial Education Department would likely offer recognition, and both Fengxian City and Anqing County would provide rewards at their respective levels. The total sum wouldn’t be small – it would be enough for the first year in Beijing, and if the various departments were generous, it might even cover all four years of university.

Education shouldn’t be compromised by poverty. It would be a failure of all educators if a provincial champion couldn’t attend school due to financial constraints.

Xia Xiaolan knew Principal Sun was still viewing her through an outdated lens, all because her image of poverty was deeply ingrained. When she first enrolled, she wasn’t entirely deceiving anyone – she had just started her eel trading business and was indeed poor. But from October last year to July this year, Xia Xiaolan’s business had developed rapidly – she wasn’t poor anymore.

In fact, there had been several inconsistencies in her financial situation that Principal Sun and others had subconsciously overlooked without questioning.

Xia Xiaolan explained formally: “Principal, I do have money. Remember why I studied at home? It was to run my own business. Fortunately, the business has done decently – not only did I earn enough for tuition, but I can certainly afford to treat everyone to a meal.”

Without further discussion, Xia Xiaolan led everyone to the State-run Restaurant. Her first time eating there had been to thank Zhou Cheng and Kang Wei. The chef Master Zhu’s cooking had left a lasting impression, and she had been yearning to taste his large carp again. While Huang Sister’s fast food could host guests, it wasn’t formal enough for a teacher appreciation dinner. Xia Xiaolan had asked Li Dongliang to make arrangements at the restaurant as soon as she arrived in Anqing that morning.

The lunch was delayed by the interviews, and they arrived at the restaurant close to 2 PM. Master Zhu’s culinary skills were beyond reproach – he only started cooking the fish when the guests arrived. Several large carp fresh from Baixi Reservoir, each weighing over 15 jin, were prepared. Besides fish, there were large pork knuckles and braised pork – all considered luxurious dishes for teachers with modest salaries.

Of course, the students were even poorer than the teachers.

“Xia Xiaolan, you’re generous!”

“So gracious and open-handed!”

After Xia Xiaolan toasted everyone and said a few words of thanks, all the teachers and students began eating heartily.

Xia Xiaolan drank quite a bit, and even shy girls who didn’t usually drink broke their abstinence. By the end of the meal, some female students were hugging Xia Xiaolan and crying… Honestly, she hadn’t realized she was so popular. When male classmates said they would miss her, she could mention Zhou Cheng, but when female classmates expressed the same sentiment, she could only promise to write letters and stay in touch.

Principal Sun even toasted Liu Fen, praising her for raising such an outstanding daughter. Liu Fen was first anxious, but then thinking of her daughter Xia Xiaolan’s achievements, although she didn’t feel she had contributed much, today was certainly worth celebrating with a drink!

The provincial TV station moved fastest. The scores had only been released that morning, but by evening, they had already edited the interview with this year’s provincial champion. There was some internal discussion about whether to broadcast the segment. Xia Xiaolan was different from previous top scorers – would broadcast it have a negative impact?

Finally, a leader made the decision: “Who says a provincial champion has to look dejected? I think this year’s champion is quite youthful and beautiful. Learning shouldn’t be a painful thing – we should find such positive images. Studying can be joyful and optimistic!”

So they decided to broadcast it.

After the evening news, Xia Xiaolan’s interview began.

Watching the evening news was essential for staying informed about national developments, and government officials certainly needed to watch it, including Shao Guangrong’s uncle, Shao Limin.

When work wasn’t busy, he would watch the evening news promptly. Today, before he could turn off the TV after the news, the provincial champion’s interview began. When Xia Xiaolan’s bright and beautiful face appeared on screen, Shao Limin was stunned.

The provincial champion was naturally introduced – from Fengxian City’s Anqing County First High School, with the same name… Could this be Zhou Cheng’s girlfriend?

Wasn’t Zhou Cheng’s girlfriend a private business owner? How did she become the college entrance exam champion?

But even if it was someone with the same name, Shao Limin didn’t think it likely. In the same county, how could there be two girls of similar age and appearance with the same name? No wonder she had captivated Zhou Cheng. No, it wasn’t just her appearance that was outstanding – becoming the provincial champion wasn’t easy, her intelligence matched her looks. If such a girl were dating Shao Guangrong, Shao Limin would wholeheartedly approve!

But what would the Zhou family think?

At the Zhuo household.

Zhuo Na was heating milk in the kitchen when she heard her mother in the living room commenting on how beautiful this year’s provincial champion was. Curious, Zhuo Na took a look and immediately sprayed milk all over the coffee table.

“This… she… she…”

It was Xia Xiaolan!

This year’s provincial champion with 616 points?!

Zhuo Na felt a bit wronged. Liar, she had said she estimated 584 points! Liar, she had claimed to be a private business owner!

In Beijing, at 8 PM, the Zhou family’s phone rang.

Zhou Guobin answered – it was his son Zhou Cheng, who called out “Dad” and then started laughing foolishly.

Zhou Guobin swore that since Zhou Cheng was eight years old, he had never heard such laughter from him. Zhou Cheng was usually somewhat roguish and precocious, showing different faces to different people, but he would never laugh so foolishly.

“Zhou Cheng!”

“Dad, I’m sorry, I’m just too happy.”

Zhou Guobin waited for a long time but didn’t learn why Zhou Cheng was so happy. After hanging up, he wondered if Zhou Cheng needed a psychiatrist. Later, Guan Hui’e muttered, “Isn’t today when the college entrance exam results come out?”

That yam-farming girl from Yunan Province had also taken this year’s exam, hadn’t she? She probably hadn’t done well, otherwise Zhou Cheng would have come back to brag already.

Zhou Guobin understood now. However, his wife’s personality remained unchanged after ten years – she had said she didn’t approve of the girl from Yunan Province dating Zhou Cheng, so why care about her exam results? Of course, Zhou Guobin didn’t dare say this out loud.