Chapter 18: You Got Full Marks, He Got Super-Marks

Fang Xinghe did not know how many photos had been taken of him; he only knew that once the ceremony ended and everyone dispersed to socialize, those two reporters circled him whenever they had a moment.

The effect of deliberately boosting his looks to 99 points finally manifested, and did so to the fullest extent.

The scheming boy knew his plans were advancing exactly as smoothly as he had anticipated.

In high spirits, he took the initiative to greet his good big brother.

"Hello, congratulations on also winning the First Prize."

Han Han replied awkwardly, "Uh, thanks for the reminder, though I don't care."

To prove he wasn't lying, he casually swept back his long hair.

Look, so chuunibyou.

But this was the youth Fang Xinghe could never return to...

Although he cursed filthier and looked more reckless, youth was still youth; the feeling was completely different.

Fang Xinghe continued to tease little Han: "Your hairstyle is cool, but you still need to look up to me."

Han Han's first reaction was to argue back, but the moment he raised his eyes, he immediately shut his mouth again.

Damn, this guy is impossible to provoke; what should I do?!

"Uh... doesn't your school do anything about it?"

"They don't control me; not causing trouble is already giving them face."

Fang Xinghe, eyes filled with amusement, looked at his good big brother as if seeing a most familiar stranger, or perhaps witnessing firsthand a symbol of an era he did not understand.

"Wow... then you're truly awesome."

Clearly, the good big brother was somewhat envious, and the language style expressing shock and admiration was typical of late 20th-century slang.

Fang Xinghe was somewhat doubtful; the next time they met, would he cut his long hair?

After all, given such a stark contrast, the immature young master Han was very likely to doubt his own aesthetic sense.

"You can do it too; how about dyeing it golden yellow?"

The dog-like thing was inciting him with ill intent; the scary part was that the good big brother actually seemed to be seriously considering it...

Originally, Dog Fang wanted to tease him some more, but Chen Danya waved from over there, signaling him to come.

"Bye-bye, let's chat next time."

The obvious special treatment finally made the speeding youth unable to hide the flattered surprise in his eyes.

"Ah, ah, okay, bye-bye!"

Fang Xinghe held the framed certificate in one hand, strolling through the chaotic venue.

The other kids basically dared not move recklessly.

When they occasionally shifted their steps, their posture was constrained and awkward.

But Fang Xinghe moved like he was on a runway, natural and carefree, calm and self-assured.

Reaching the central courtyard, a middle-aged man wearing glasses and looking refined and gentle suddenly blocked his path.

"I am the admissions officer for Peking University; my surname is Wu. Little Fang, time is tight, so I'll speak directly: are you willing to study at Peking University?"

Fang Xinghe was stunned by the question.

Similarly stunned were many professors, writers, and even examinees around them.

Not even 14 years old... what nonsense!

"I just entered the second year of junior high this year," Fang Xinghe replied calmly after regaining his senses.

"I know," Teacher Wu said, refusing to let go of him, "but we can reach an understanding: you participate in another New Concept competition, and when you enter the first year of senior high, I will specially recruit you. As long as you agree to come to Peking University, everything else is negotiable."

Chen Sihe from Fudan University immediately realized what was happening and flew into a rage: "There's no way you can poach people like this! Would you really go after a child in the second year of junior high?"

"Why not?" Teacher Wu argued self-righteously and proudly, "I have the authority for special recruitment; do you?"

Chen Sihe did not, so his face turned red with anger.

"Nonsense! Little Fang is at the stage where he should be studying hard and accumulating knowledge; you are pulling up the seedlings to help them grow!"

While scolding, his face was full of righteousness; turning to face Fang Xinghe, he became gentle and enthusiastic again.

"Little Fang, you go to senior high first; there's no rush for anything else; we at Fudan can also make an exception for you..."

Good heavens, you're already fighting over him?

You're all a bit too impatient...

The nearby examinees also began to murmur among themselves; some were envious, some jealous, and others' dissatisfaction was plainly visible.

Everyone won the First Prize; why did Fang Xinghe alone receive such favor?

Many young people couldn't understand, but the judges who had gathered around felt it was only natural.

This year's New Concept Writing Competition awarded prizes without ranking, but during the review of the semi-final papers, there was actually a scoring mechanism.

Three people per group, three reviews and three checks, taking the median value, then submitting it to the director for re-review to determine the final score as the basis for awarding prizes.

It was precisely because of this process that Yu Hua had clashed over that essay which received only 2 points.

Similar clashes occurred more than three or five times.

Only two examinees' First Prizes received unanimous votes, gaining the consistent approval of all committee members.

However, unanimous votes did not equal full marks; "Peering into the Cup" did not get full marks, nor did "Knowing but Not Obeying"—it exceeded full marks.

"Little Fang, do you know how many points your essay scored?"

Teacher Wu still held onto Fang Xinghe, smiling and trying to win favor, displaying a persistence that said he wouldn't settle for anyone else.

Chen Sihe's face darkened, about to interrupt, but Teacher Wu's mouth was so fast that he immediately sold him out completely on the spot.

"Full marks are 100, but Professor Cao from our Peking University Chinese Department felt that 'Knowing but Not Obeying' was absolutely more than full marks, so he gave it 110. But that old fellow Professor Chen insisted on dragging out some nonsense about 'pride leads to loss, humility brings benefit,' and would only give you 99. Teacher Wang and Teacher Tie, with their tight hands, both gave 100; only he loves to pretend. What kind of behavior is this? Clearly you are excellent, yet he insists on holding your head down and saying you're not good enough; how domineering is that?!"

"You!" Hmm.

Chen Sihe was so angry his hair stood on end; he opened his mouth and cursed: "You shameless scoundrel, a petty person! A shameless petty person!"

The several key-university admission teachers nearby burst into laughter and promptly began to pour salt on the wound.

"Haha, stunned now?"

"Cao Wenxuan was setting a trap for you when he was scoring."

"No wonder your Fudan Chinese Department can't get its act together; look how stupid you are~~~"

"Little Fang, you absolutely must not go to Fudan; Old Chen is stubborn and loves to nitpick, and you'll have a hard time under his tutelage."

These guys knew they couldn't snatch Fang Xinghe away from Peking University and Fudan, so they had no intention of poaching him; instead, they focused entirely on making things difficult for Chen Sihe, enjoying the spectacle with glee.

The nearby examinees exchanged bewildered glances, then looked at Fang Xinghe, who was surrounded like the moon by a host of stars, and gulped in shock.

Exceeding the score?!!

Damn, are you even human?

Those who won the First Prize quickly slunk away to a distance, not wanting to see Fang Xinghe's face, which haunted them like a demonic nightmare, nor did they want to hear the great professors praise him again.

Those who won the Second Prize felt confused and exhausted, constantly pondering: How many points is the Second Prize? How far am I from Fang Xinghe?

Those who won the Third Prize, however, crowded in, their eyes shining with excitement, happily joining the crowd to listen to the gossip.

When the gap is this huge, it's really not worth thinking about all that nonsense; isn't it better to just enjoy the show?

Meanwhile, the good big brother Han Han stood silently beside Li Qigang, his expression extremely complex.

"Don't overthink it," Li Qigang comforted him gently. "Maintain your current style and level; when you reach Gao San, you can choose freely between Qingbei, Fudan, and Jiaotong."

"Why do I have to wait until Gao San?"

Han Han's arrogant, prickly remark instantly drained Li Qigang of his words.

"Uh..." Li Qigang stammered, "Little Fang is even younger, and his family has no one to help him, so he might need it more..."

An excuse.

Han Han knew the truth.

He was not the type to swallow his anger; he spoke directly to expose it: "You all think I'm not as good as him, right?"

Li Qigang tried to argue: "How can you tell who is better or worse right now?"

Of course you can tell.

Right now, Fang Xinghe is simply stronger; everyone asserts this.

Those two preliminary round works, "Damn Youth" and "Sex," were enough to make one's brow tighten just recalling them, far exceeding the level of a middle school student.

Both were rebellious, but while Fang Xinghe stabbed people in the major arteries with every cut, Han Han's writing remained on a hollow, superficial level that only scraped the skin; the gap was obvious.

"What exactly did he write?"

Facing Han Han's face full of unwillingness, Li Qigang shook his head, sighed, and led him out the door.

Han Shao was stunned: "Hey? Where are we going?"

"To take you to see what he actually wrote."

Li Qigang smiled gently, put his arm around the teenager's thin shoulders, and finally spoke a truth.

"See the gap clearly, work hard in the future, turn shame into courage, and don't waste the talent you have that is second only to his."

Han Han clenched his jaw, blood surged, anger filled his chest, and his breathing grew more than a notch heavier.

Yet he did not storm off.

Instead, his strongest defiance was aroused; he followed Li Qigang in long strides, barged into the small review conference room like a bull, and sat coldly before the desk.

Come on!

Where is the gap? Bring it so I can see it clearly!

It's the last day; don't waste your monthly votes o(*￣︶￣*)o