After returning to the capital to farm, the abandoned concubine made a comeback.

The morning light streamed through the window, illuminating the little boy's face. He opened his eyes, his gaze resolute, the confusion of yesterday gone. After breakfast, the little boy took Lin Qin's hand and went to the plaza where the academy was holding its admissions ceremony.

The commotion continued, with admissions officers from various universities pushing their institutions' advantages even harder, some even launching attacks on each other, creating a chaotic scene. The adorable child, however, seemed oblivious, heading straight for the high platform in the center of the plaza. His small figure appeared exceptionally frail on the platform, yet he exuded an undeniable aura.

He cleared his throat, and his childish voice carried clearly throughout the square: "Gentlemen, thank you for your kindness, but I have made my choice." The noise stopped abruptly, and everyone's eyes were focused on this small figure.

Master Chen stroked his beard, smiling confidently. In his view, no other place besides their academy was worthy of this child prodigy. Dean Liu was also smug; after all, the family academy had resources that other institutions of higher learning couldn't match, and this child would ultimately choose them.

The little boy looked around, his eyes resolute, and slowly said, "I want to go..." He paused, his gaze falling on an inconspicuous corner where there was only a simple stall, and an old man was leisurely drinking tea. The little boy's voice echoed in the square, and everyone's eyes were focused on him like spotlights.

He puffed out his chest slightly and confidently announced, "I'm going to—the Academy of Light for the Common People!" His voice was still young, but every word was clear and resounding.

At this moment, the old gentleman from the Academy of the Light of the Common People suddenly stopped drinking tea and then showed a gratified smile.

A murmur of surprise and bewilderment swept through the crowd. The "Light of the Common People Academy" was an obscure elementary school; its stall was simple and attracted little attention.

Master Chen's smile froze, his lips twitched a few times, and he could no longer stroke his beard as smoothly. Dean Liu's face was even more ashen, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head, his eyes filled with disbelief.

A murmur arose among the crowd, some expressing surprise, some regret, but most of all admiration.

Lin Qin and Zhu Ling stood below the stage, exchanging a smile, their eyes filled with pride and warmth. They knew that Mengbao's choice was never impulsive, but rather the result of careful consideration. In fact, Lin Qin had once told Mengbao, "Child, don't be misled by external wealth and fame; pursue what your heart truly desires," which was one of the reasons Mengbao was able to make this choice.

Lin Qin walked onto the stage, gently patted the little boy's shoulder, and said tenderly, "Child, your decision is admirable. No matter where you are, as long as you have light in your heart, you will shine."

Zhu Ling stepped forward, a faint smile playing on her lips: "I support you, my darling. Wherever you choose, you'll be the pride of our family."

The little boy held Lin Qin and Zhu Ling's hands tightly, his eyes shining with determination.

The people in the square were deeply moved by this scene, and many nodded to themselves, looking at this little child with new respect. Although they were young, their perseverance and confidence commanded respect.

Master Chen and Dean Liu exchanged glances, their complex emotions difficult to express. Master Chen sighed helplessly and shook his head, while Dean Liu clenched his fists, his eyes blazing with anger. He lowered his voice and said to the servant beside him, "Keep a close eye on things. We must get to the bottom of this today!"

The adorable child stood on the high platform, facing the rising sun, a bright smile on his face. He turned to look at Lin Qin and Zhu Ling, and said firmly, "Thank you, Mom and Dad. I will do my best!" His voice was small, but full of strength, as if it were a declaration, announcing the beginning of a new era.

Upon learning of the child's choice, Dean Liu's face instantly turned ashen, his anger reaching its peak. He felt like he'd been publicly slapped in the face, as if he'd been cuckolded. This was their family academy! Countless people would kill to get in, and this brat had chosen a run-down academy he'd never even heard of?! This was simply outrageous!

"This is outrageous!!" Dean Liu roared, his voice shaking the surrounding air. The atmosphere in the admissions square instantly plummeted to freezing point, and the onlookers shrank back, afraid of being caught in the crossfire of this indiscriminate attack. He overturned the table in front of him, smashing teacups and writing implements to pieces, ink splattering everywhere, much like his current state of mind—a complete mess.

At this moment, whispers arose from the surrounding crowd: "Dean Liu has really lost his composure." "This child has really angered him."

"Has this little brat eaten the heart of a bear and the gall of a leopard?! How dare he refuse our academy?!" Dean Liu was so angry that his beard bristled. He pointed in the direction where the little darling had left, wishing he could grab him and give him a good beating.

But then, like a little adult, encouraged by Lin Qin and Zhu Ling, the little boy turned around and walked towards Dean Liu. His steps were steady, his eyes were clear, and he showed no fear whatsoever. This made Dean Liu even angrier, feeling that his authority had been challenged like never before.

Everyone around was stunned. This kid was too bold! He actually dared to challenge the furious Dean Liu. He was a perfect example of a newborn calf not afraid of a tiger.

"Hello, Dean Liu." The little boy stopped and spoke calmly, as if he were just greeting an old friend. This made Dean Liu even angrier, feeling that his anger had been undermined by the kid's nonchalant attitude.

He snorted coldly, crossed his arms, and struck a pose as if he was about to give the adorable child a good "education".

The adorable child remained unfazed and continued, "I know you may not understand why I chose 'Light of the Common People,' but I believe I can learn more of what I want there. Your academy may have resources, but it's designed to cultivate young masters and ladies who only know how to flaunt their family background. Light of the Common People, on the other hand, is meant to enable everyone with a dream to change their destiny. That's what a true academy should be like."

Upon hearing this, Dean Liu was so enraged he nearly spat out blood. He sneered and retorted, "What do you want? Isn't our academy enough for you? Do you know what abandoning our academy means? You're picking up a sesame seed and losing a watermelon! Do you know how many resources our academy has? You..."

"I want real knowledge and the power to help others, not empty fame." Mengbao interrupted Dean Liu, her voice firm and resolute, like small pebbles hitting the ground with a resounding thud, striking everyone's heart.

He looked up at Dean Liu, his eyes clear and firm. "I chose that place because I believe that only there can I truly become a useful member of society."

The surroundings fell silent instantly, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Everyone was stunned by Mengbao's words, and even the way they looked at Dean Liu became somewhat subtle.

Dean Liu was speechless, choked by Mengbao's words. His finger, which was pointing at Mengbao, trembled slightly, and his expression changed from anger to astonishment to complexity, which was extremely interesting.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something in rebuttal, but found that all his words seemed pale and powerless under the innocent gaze of the little boy.

"Fine, fine, fine..." Dean Liu's face was ashen. After a long pause, he finally managed to squeeze out a few words through gritted teeth. He glanced coldly at Mengbao and said in an unfriendly tone, "You will regret your choice today..." After saying that, he turned and left, his back looking somewhat disheveled.

Watching Dean Liu's departing figure, the little boy turned to Lin Qin and Zhu Ling, revealing a bright smile: "Let's go, Mom and Dad."

Lin Qin and Zhu Ling exchanged a smile, their eyes filled with relief and pride.

The family of three, hand in hand, turned and walked towards the direction of the 'light of the common people,' leaving behind a series of unsolved mysteries, and the impact of the baby's choice has only just begun to unfold...