Jiang Da hung up the phone: “Yueyue, the guard said there’s a letter for you. It’s from overseas, already placed in the mailbox. Remember to go get it.”
“Okay.”
Jiang Fuyue found the mailbox key and went out.
The retro-style iron mailbox, unused for a long time, was covered with a thick layer of dust.
When she opened it, she almost choked.
“Cough, cough…”
She turned her head away, waited for the dust to settle, then pulled out the letter inside.
The envelope was somewhat yellowed, carrying a sense of age. Between the fibers of the paper, it seemed as if fine sand was embedded. When her fingertip slid across, there was a rough, grainy texture.
On the front, the recipient’s address and name were neatly written, but there was no sender information left behind.
The handwriting was upright and proper, the strokes bold and steady—each stroke showing meticulous care.
Above those words, and in all the blank spaces, were dense clusters of postmarks—large and small, in every style.
Suddenly, Jiang Fuyue’s gaze paused on one of them. It was in Arabic, and below was a line of small characters: “Sent from Mashige City.”
Mashige…. If she remembered correctly, that should be in northern Schankwo.
Xie Dingyuan!
The first name that flashed through her mind.
…
Back in her room, Jiang Fuyue used a letter opener to carefully slit the envelope.
Inside, unfolded, was a sheet of paper.
On it, only one sentence—
【Wait for my return…】
With an ellipsis, implying the words were not yet finished.
Jiang Fuyue pushed open the window, her gaze cast far away. A gust of wind blew past, carrying away her faint murmur:
“The premise is… you have to stay alive.”
News that Jiang Fuyue had been admitted to Ming University couldn’t be kept secret. Very soon, it was exposed online.
And then, the trending searches blew up—not just one entry, but several.
#JiangFuyueMingUniversity
#TopScoreStudentChoosesWorstSchool
#WhyDidJiangFuyueDoThis
#MingUniversity
#GuideToAvoidingDiploma-MillUniversities
Netizens went crazy—
【What kind of earthly tragedy is this?】
【I take one nap and wake up to find Sister Yue tied down by a trash school?】
【So, tampering with applications—this kind of disgusting thing—has happened to Sister Yue too?】
【So vile! Must be some jealous classmate. Support Sister Yue in reporting this to the police.】
【Nooo! What the hell is Ming University? It doesn’t deserve our Goddess Yue!】
【Admission results are out already, can’t be changed, right? So Sister Yue is really going to Ming University?】
【Crap! I-I-I also got admitted to Ming University! Does this mean I can be Sister Yue’s classmate? Happiness came too suddenly.】
【Full score but admitted to Ming University? My world just shattered! @MingUniversity come out and take your beating.】
【@MingUniversity so it was you who tricked Sister Yue—prepare to die!】
【One dared to apply, one dared to admit. @MingUniversity you’ve got guts!】
【This year’s ultimate lucky scavenger, no doubt about it.】
The online uproar continued. Ninety-nine percent of people were crying injustice for Jiang Fuyue. Ming University was almost cursed into oblivion.
But negative fame is still fame. In one stroke, Ming University’s name exploded into the public eye with unmatched high profile.
As the debate kept fermenting, the entrance of Lin’nan No.1 High School was packed solid with reporters.
Since they couldn’t find Jiang Fuyue, and Ming University stayed silent, their only option was to try blocking her homeroom teacher or subject teachers here, to at least confirm the news.
Unfortunately, those teachers had already slipped out through another gate.
Including the old principal, Hu Yongwei.
“This Jiang Fuyue really knows how to stir up trouble!” Zhao Tiejun peeked around sneakily, looking left and right. “Luckily, no reporters at the back gate.”
Xu Jing swaggered out behind him. Even though he was angry, he couldn’t stand anyone speaking badly of Jiang Fuyue.
“These reporters harass endlessly. What’s it got to do with her?”
Zhao Tiejun snorted coldly. “Still defending her? You guys are the ones who spoiled her!”
Meng Zhijian and Yu Wenzhou: “?” D*mn! Got shot while lying down.
Xu Jing: “Which school a student applies to is their own choice. Teachers can’t forcibly interfere. Why put it on her?”
Zhao Tiejun shot him a sideways glance, voice chilling: “And who was it just now in the office, raging and smashing things, dying to drag her in front of you and give her a beating? Now suddenly you’re playing noble with me? Is this fun for you?”
Xu Jing’s face burned. “I-I just figured it out, okay? Besides, reporters aren’t necessarily a bad thing. Free publicity for the school, right…”
“Wait a moment!” The old principal suddenly spoke.
Xu Jing: “?”
Meng Zhijian: “?”
“What did you just say?”
“Uh?”
“That last part.”
“…Free publicity for the school…”
“Exactly!” The old principal’s eyes lit up. “Come on, let’s go to the front gate!”
Everyone: “?”
…
When the reporters spotted their target, they swarmed forward.
“Principal Hu, is it true Jiang Fuyue has been admitted to Ming University? What’s the school’s position on this?”
Hu Yongwei maintained a kindly smile, his tone unhurried and warm: “Thank you, media friends, for your concern. Jiang Fuyue has indeed been admitted to Ming University.”
Whoosh—
“It’s true?!”
“Oh my god! What went wrong in the process?”
“Full-score student choosing Ming University—some prank or what?”
Reporters pressed on: “What’s the school’s stance? Will you allow her to go to such a diploma-mill university?”
Hu Yongwei’s smile never wavered. “Firstly, the school respects the student’s first choice. We only give advice, we do not interfere. So there’s no question of whether we ‘allow’ it or not.”
“As you can see, Lin’nan No.1 is a school that values student independence, cultivates critical thinking, and provides excellent teaching resources. We welcome students everywhere to apply—perhaps the next full-score student will be you!”
Behind him, Zhao Tiejun, Xu Jing, Meng Zhijian, and Yu Wenzhou all nodded in agreement.
They had turned a press conference into a free commercial.
Unsurprisingly, #LinnanNo1, Best Sales Pitch Ever# trended.
【This move is too slick】
【Even pyramid schemes aren’t this bold】
【Only such a school could nurture someone like Sister Yue】
【Crying! My alma mater finally made it to the trending list】
【Former No.1 student here: Apply! Apply! Apply!】
…
After a day of ferment, by 10 a.m. the next morning, Ming University’s official Weibo finally responded—
Ming University V: [Welcome student Jiang Fuyue to join us]
Just a few characters, but they confirmed everything.
Soon after, a video of Jiang Fuyue being interviewed also went online.
She wore a simple T-shirt and pencil pants, white sneakers on her feet, hair in a high ponytail. Her posture was composed and elegant, the corners of her mouth lightly curved.
Even without makeup, her beauty was breathtaking.
But at first glance, many instinctively overlooked her looks. What drew the eye more was that clean, aloof, transparent aura she carried.
Host: “Did you apply to Ming University of your own accord?”
Jiang Fuyue: “Yes.”
Host: “Did Ming University give you any conditions?”
Jiang Fuyue: “None.”
Host: “Then what are you after? Or let me put it this way—what does Ming University have that makes it worth this?”
Jiang Fuyue: “The future.”
Host, puzzled: “What do you mean?”
Jiang Fuyue: “Do you know VC?”
Host: “…”
“Venture Capital. Simply put, I believe in Ming University’s future. I’m willing to invest at this moment.”
Host: “Don’t you feel it’s a pity? With your score, B University or Q University are easily within reach.”
Jiang Fuyue: “Not at all. In the future, Ming University may not be inferior to B or Q.”
The host smiled. It wasn’t mockery, but more than just a normal smile.
Like reality meeting idealism—an elder indulging a child. Not contempt, but a dismissive disbelief.
Jiang Fuyue only gave a faint smile and offered no argument.
Some things—no matter how much you say—it’s better to prove with action.
Results are the strongest rebuttal.
Online—
【Don’t like the host’s tone】
【Sister Yue is so bold!】
【After watching, all I can say is: Sister Yue, you’re too beautiful】
【Ming University must have accumulated lifetimes of luck to win Sister Yue】
【Waiting for Ming University to rise】
【Stop joking. Ming University compared with B and Q? Some people get a perfect score and already float away—tsk】
【Honestly, rankings depend on many factors. History is only a small part. Academic strength is what matters most—published research, key disciplines, achievements in various fields…】
【And what academic strength does Jiang Fuyue have? She’s just a high schooler, don’t be ridiculous】
【Haters, know your facts—Jiang Fuyue published “The Physical Study of Bacterial Movement—An Analysis from the Cross-Disciplinary Perspective of Space Biology and Condensed Matter Physics” in Physical Review Letters, Issue 872, front page】
【Do I need to explain what PRL is? Aside from Science, Nature, Reviews of Modern Physics, and specialized journals like Nano Letters or JHEP, PRL is the highest-impact comprehensive journal in physics】
【So those who said a high schooler can’t have academic achievements—step up and slap yourselves】
…
The comments under Ming University’s Weibo turned calmer after the video—
【Though it feels a pity, I believe in Sister Yue’s choice】
【Ming, you’d better treat her well! She chose you despite your reputation】
【Waiting for the day the chick becomes a phoenix】
【Goddess Yue gives you infinite possibilities】
【As fans, we respect her choice. She must have her reasons. No need to guess—time will tell】
【I feel Ming University will become a dream school for many just because of Sister Yue】
…
And so, the storm over her admission gradually settled.
Though many still couldn’t understand Jiang Fuyue’s choice, the fact was already set. Since it couldn’t be changed, even those who didn’t understand could only accept.
The internet churned through new news daily. Very soon, the topic faded, no longer mentioned.
Days passed. In the blink of an eye, Jiang Fuyue had been home for half a month.
The happiest was Jiang Chenxing.
Every day after school, he got to see his sister. Any question he couldn’t solve, he could ask her right away, and she explained it clearly.
Little brother was thoroughly satisfied.
That day, Jiang Fuyue got a call from Zhao Tiejun.
“…Set exam questions?!”
Even he didn’t know what string in his brain misfired, but he actually invited her to write the final exam for the second years.
“Not much, just two subjects—math and science comprehensive.”
Jiang Fuyue: “…”
That’s not much?
Science comprehensive includes physics, chemistry, and biology.
“This isn’t right. I’m a student.”
How could a student write exam questions? They weren’t even paying her a teacher’s salary.
So Jiang Fuyue declined.
But that afternoon, Xu Jing called—
“I said write, so just write. What’s the fuss?”
“It’s not fussing. I really can’t.”
“Hah! You think I didn’t see those practice papers you made for Tan Jiaxu and Chen Cheng during math olympiad training?”
Jiang Fuyue: “…”
Finally, even Principal Hu came out personally, naming her to do it.
She had respect for the old principal. Since he said it, then—
“Fine. I’ll write them. But the difficulty… might not be small. You sure you want me?”
Xu Jing: “The harder the better! These second-years will be seniors in September—good to knock some arrogance out of them.”
Zhao Tiejun thought that sounded too absolute, so he added cautiously: “As long as it’s not beyond the syllabus.”
Jiang Fuyue smiled, lips curling. “Of course.”
No one saw the glint of mischief in her eyes.
Knock down their arrogance, is it?
…
Her speed at composing papers was godly.
One day for the math paper—with full standard answers.
One day for the science comprehensive—again with standard answers.
After that, two subject teachers from each area checked the papers and answers. Once confirmed, they were printed and distributed at the final exam.
That afternoon’s math test—rumor had it—made a whole crowd cry.
“Done for, I’m sure I failed this time!”
“Why are there such questions? I understand every word, but strung together, no sense at all.”
“I’m crushed. Beyond treatment.”
“I only managed the first sub-question in each big problem. The rest I couldn’t touch. Am I useless?”
“Every question looked familiar, but no entry point at all.”
“Exactly! Not like what we practiced, but not totally different either. The usual methods didn’t work! Ahhh—I’m dying!”
“Which cursed teacher wrote this? Too perverted!”
“Don’t know. The exam setter column was blank.”
“Must be a third-year math teacher—just came off the gaokao frontlines, here to torture us.”
“Ugh… I already foresee a record low score.”
“Hopefully tomorrow morning’s science exam will be easier, or else I’ll—”
“?”
“I’ll… cry right in front of the teachers! Full-on, snot and tears together!”
Unfortunately, the next day was just as brutal…
