Offside game

Even though it was over the phone, Su Yi could still sense her unease and understood the reason for it, so he immediately said, "I plan to apply to Peking University. It seems to be more free there. We're going to study in Beijing anyway."

Hearing this answer, An Jing clearly breathed a sigh of relief and said happily, "Great, we can finally be together again." Seemingly feeling that she was being too obvious, her cheeks flushed, and she hurriedly said, "Then don't forget to fill out your college application after the cut-off scores are released." Without waiting for Su Yi's reply, she hurriedly hung up the phone, but then sat by the phone alone, smiling to herself.

Hearing the beeping sound from the receiver, Su Yi smiled. This girl was really cute. Actually, he had long ago set his sights on Peking University, because the academic atmosphere there was relatively free. As a top university in the country, on par with Peking University, it gathered top students from all over the country. Of course, as students with top grades, all sorts of quirky temperaments and personalities were not uncommon. Because he had made a plan, Su Yi would not attend school in the usual, disciplined way. In such a school, his behavior would naturally not seem too out of place.

Of course, the admission scores for Jinghua University are also very high. Su Yi put in his best effort for the college entrance examination, but unexpectedly became the top scorer in Dongdu City by a twist of fate. Of course, in a country as vast as China, there are naturally many talented people. His score is not the highest in the country or even in Dongshan Province. In this year's science exam, there are actually two other students in Dongshan Province who scored full marks in the college entrance examination. It has to be said that there is no limit to how extraordinary people can be.

Today, the phone at Su Yi's house was destined to be anything but peaceful. Not long after, it rang again. As soon as he answered, Ji Feng's voice boomed, "Master! I heard that this year's top science student in Dongdu is a guy from No. 3 Middle School named Su Yi. Is that you?" Ji Feng's voice was filled with excitement. Hearing Su Yi's affirmative answer, he shouted again, "Master! You're amazing! No wonder you're my master! I always said there's a reason you're a bit more handsome than me..." This made Su Yi feel a wave of helplessness, but then the phone rang again, accompanied by Ji Feng's unwilling voice: "Sis, I haven't finished talking to Master yet... Ouch, that hurts!"

Then a pleasant, soft voice came from the phone: "Ayi, congratulations! You're amazing, unlike your good-for-nothing brother like me." The speaker was naturally Ji Feng's older sister, the ever-changing beauty Ji Yanran. As she spoke, Ji Feng's reluctant resistance could be faintly heard from the other end of the line, but it seemed to be firmly suppressed by Ji Yanran.

"Sister Ji, you flatter me. I just performed exceptionally well." Su Yi was a little embarrassed.

"Hehe, no need to be modest. Xiao Feng and I definitely want to celebrate for you. Don't refuse, okay? You're his master now, so let him show some respect, hehe." Hearing this charming laughter, Su Yi suddenly realized that Ji Yanran's name was really fitting, with a charming smile. But then he heard her continue, "Alright, Xiao Feng has something to tell you."

Then came Ji Feng's voice: "Master, my sister is too domineering. Of course, I... I'm a good man, I don't fight with women." Just as he finished speaking, Su Yi heard him cry out in pain. It seemed he had been scolded by Ji Yanran again. Ji Feng continued, "Master, which school are you planning to apply to? Your score is high enough to choose any school, right?" Knowing he was going to Peking University, Ji Feng said, "Beijing University? Okay, I'll go there too."

As his apprentice, Su Yi also checked Ji Feng's scores. However, to his surprise, Ji Feng's score was not low at all, at 584 points. In places like Haidu and Yanjing, where anyone with above-average intelligence can attend university, this score would be enough to get into a pretty good school. But in Dongshan Province, where the cutoff scores are extremely high, it would probably only be enough to barely reach the undergraduate admission line. This is the helplessness of many candidates in China.

Therefore, Su Yi said, "Xiao Feng, your grades are good enough for undergraduate studies, but is it possible for you to go to university in Yanjing?"

But Ji Feng said easily, "Don't worry, Master. I didn't expect to get such a high score, but luckily my uncle has some connections in Yanjing, so he can help me find a good university there. I've seen several of your questions, that's why my score is so high. He can find me a top university in Yanjing, hehe."

After exchanging a few more words about his recent training progress, they hung up the phone. Su Yi was a little curious about the uncle Ji Feng had mentioned. With his grades, he was guaranteed admission to a top university in Beijing; Ji Feng's uncle was certainly quite capable. However, he didn't want to pry too much into it and decided to keep the matter to himself for the time being.

Knowing the college entrance exam results naturally brings joy to some and sorrow to others. Most candidates are still anxious, as they await the announcement of the cutoff scores, where a single point can make all the difference. Su Yi, however, doesn't need to worry about any of this, as he's been busy playing the game "Historic Evolution" these past few days.

The day after he received his results, he received a call from someone claiming to be a reporter from the *Dongdu Daily*, wanting to interview him, which he immediately refused. He didn't want to be so high-profile. However, he received more calls afterward, all from reporters requesting interviews, including one from Dongdu TV. He turned them all down. He then instructed Kesai to filter the calls, excluding those from Ji Feng, An Jing, and the school, and not answering any others, so the phone wouldn't even ring. This finally brought him some peace and quiet. He also saw through Kesai that the principal, accompanied by a person carrying a camera, arrived at their house; apparently, they were TV reporters. However, he stayed inside, locking the door from the outside, and didn't answer when they knocked. After waiting for a while, they left disappointed.

Finally, a few days later, the admission scores for Dongdu City this year were released. Ji Feng's score was above the undergraduate admission line, while Su Yi and An Jing, unsurprisingly, were above the key university admission line. Next, they just had to wait to go to the university the next day to fill out their applications and then wait for their acceptance letters.

An Jing, with her excellent grades, should have been eligible for a guaranteed admission spot. However, as a non-key school, No. 3 Middle School doesn't offer guaranteed admission to top universities like Peking University. Therefore, despite dreaming of attending Peking University, An Jing decided to give up her guaranteed admission spot and take the national college entrance examination (Gaokao). To outsiders, this seemed like a huge risk. There are many examples of people who gave up guaranteed admission to schools they didn't like, only to underperform on the exam and end up not even getting into a regular university.

But now, she has finally gotten what she wanted. After the cut-off scores were released, Su Yi received a call from Ji Feng, informing him that his uncle had confirmed he would receive an admission letter from Yanjing University of Science and Technology.

On the day of college application, Su Yi arrived at school on time and, without hesitation, filled in Jinghua University as his first choice, selecting Computer Software as his major. An Jing, sitting next to him, also filled in Beidu University's Business Administration as her first choice. Their homeroom teacher, naturally paying attention to these two top students, was relieved to see their choices. After all, for a non-key high school like No. 3 Middle School to produce one student each at Jinghua University and Beidu University was indeed a gratifying and inspiring achievement for the school's reputation. The principal also personally inquired about their choices and, like the homeroom teacher, was finally relieved. Although Su Yi only listed Jinghua University as his first choice, as one of the top ten science students in Dongshan Province, he was guaranteed admission even if those ahead of him applied to Jinghua University.

After Su Yi and An Jing finished filling out their college applications, they chatted quietly. Then they saw the principal leading a few more people towards the classroom, and the person carrying a camera particularly attracted the students' attention. Su Yi thought with annoyance, "These reporters, there's no escaping them." But thinking about it, it makes sense. As a major event every summer, the college entrance examination touches the hearts of many. Unlike the students and their parents, many people are probably more concerned about what this year's top scorer will look like. The media naturally needs to satisfy these people's curiosity to increase its popularity.

Therefore, interviewing the top scorers in the National College Entrance Examination (NCEE) every year has become an essential part of the process. In fact, as soon as the top scorers are announced, many businesses rush in, hoping to capitalize on their popularity to promote their products. Nutritional supplements, study guides, and electronic dictionaries, which primarily target students, are the most prominent examples. Many businesses have also contacted Su Yi, hoping he would endorse their products. However, after repeatedly refusing, Su Yi simply had the Kosei ship filter them out.

Su Yi knew this was something he couldn't refuse, so he had no choice but to accept the interview.

As the host of this interview, Liu Xiang couldn't help but sigh upon seeing Su Yi. With such a handsome top-scoring student in the college entrance exam, once the interview aired, countless businesses would undoubtedly be willing to pay exorbitant sums to have him advertised. According to the school, this handsome young man's story was truly legendary: from an outstanding student with excellent grades and conduct to later skipping classes and falling into a rut due to family misfortunes, and then to his final sprint to achieve such outstanding results. It sounded like something out of a novel. It was precisely because of this that she had always been curious and strongly wanted to interview this remarkable young man.