Chapter 384
The young homeroom teacher was smiling so hard his face scrunched up like a blooming chrysanthemum.
"Si Nian, you're finally here! I've been waiting for you for ages."
"Have you decided where to celebrate? The school can arrange it for you."
"Oh, right, there's a speech on stage later. Don't be nervous. It's mainly just for you to share your experience and encourage the younger students. The principal even has a surprise for you at the end."
The homeroom teacher winked at her.
Si Nian paused and turned her head to look at Zhou Yueshen.
Zhou Yueshen nodded at her and said gently, "Go ahead. I took the day off from work today to wait for you."
Only then did Si Nian nod and agree.
Meanwhile, Fu Yang's car had arrived at the entrance of High School No. 2.
From a distance, he could see a massive crowd. It was far too congested, making it impossible to drive through, so he had to park his car first.
With so many people around, he had no idea where Fu Qianqian had run off to. Upon receiving her call, Fu Yang had instinctively driven straight to High School No. 2, not even sure if she was actually here.
His mind had been preoccupied with worrying about Fu Qianqian's situation, so he hadn't noticed the stark contrast between the festive High School No. 2 and the deserted High School No. 1.
Today was the day the exam results were released, and the entrance to High School No. 2 was practically a sea of people.
Only now did he realize that a massive banner was strung up at High School No. 2, right above his head.
There were even reporters nearby carrying cameras to film the scene.
A continuous stream of people gathered around, all pointing at the words on the banner, buzzing with discussion and sighing in amazement.
Fu Yang instinctively looked up. In an instant, the surrounding air seemed to freeze, and the entire world went silent.
He opened his mouth but no sound came out. This man, who usually remained unfazed even if a mountain were collapsing in front of him, was now struck speechless by the glaring, massive characters on the banner.
He stood frozen in place.
Fu Qianqian popped out from who-knows-where, grabbing Fu Yang's hand and exclaiming in pleasant surprise, "Brother! Brother, did you see that? Si Nian is the provincial top scorer in the science division! The provincial top scorer! 685 points! Oh my god, she's amazing!!!"
Fu Qianqian danced with excitement. Seeing that Fu Yang had finally arrived, she immediately shared the good news.
Heaven knows that when she ran over to High School No. 2, she had just subconsciously glanced up and spotted the banner hanging over the main gate.
And written right on it was the name of her poor friend—the very one she had been worried might jump off a building!
Fu Qianqian thought she was still dreaming. Otherwise, how could Si Nian have become the provincial science top scorer?
Even if Si Nian had merely managed to get into a university, Fu Qianqian would have thought it was a miracle blessed by her ancestors.
After all, she had always believed that Si Nian was only slightly better at studying than she was.
Who would have thought that she would pull off such an incredible, jaw-dropping feat!
But to think she didn't even notify her about such huge, wonderful news, making her think something terrible had happened and causing her to run over here in a panic.
She never expected that instead of a scare, it would be such a massive surprise!
Seeing as she had made such a great achievement, Fu Qianqian decided not to hold it against her.
Hearing that the top scorer was going to give a speech on stage soon, she could hardly stand still.
She hurriedly dragged the still-dazed Fu Yang into High School No. 2.
Look, brother, just look at what a brilliant, dazzling pearl you've lost.
By now, the sports field was already packed with a sea of people.
High School No. 2 was open to the public today, allowing people from all schools to enter.
Word had spread that High School No. 2 had produced the provincial science top scorer, so almost everyone had rushed over to join in the excitement.
High School No. 1, which in previous years would be bustling and setting off firecrackers, had barely anyone around today.
The banner hanging at the entrance was simply too shocking—this provincial science top scorer was actually a transfer student from High School No. 1!
Let alone outsiders, even the people from High School No. 1 were curious about exactly which student this was. To think they would abandon High School No. 1 and run off to High School No. 2.
The students chattered endlessly. Some students from High School No. 1 even cursed High School No. 2 for going too far, saying it was utterly shameless of them to poach someone and then proudly flaunt it on a banner.
They believed that such an incredible student must have been deliberately poached by High School No. 2.
Their school had also produced a top scorer, but it was for the liberal arts division.
Right now, their spotlight was being completely and utterly crushed.
The students of High School No. 2 felt that their school wasn't the type to do such things, but today's banner was indeed written in an extremely exaggerated manner.
Plus, practically no student with good grades would ever give up High School No. 1 to choose High School No. 2. So, while they defended themselves, they also felt a bit guilty.
This was the most debated topic of the day, which was why quite a few reporters had shown up.
Since Si Nian was going on stage, she had dressed a bit more formally today and put on some light makeup.
First, the principal, directors, and others went on stage to give long, winded speeches, spit flying for ages, saving her for the grand finale.
Her homeroom teacher, worried she wouldn't know what to say, had prepared a script for her.
Si Nian took one look at it and felt a wave of speechless exasperation.
While she was sitting in silence, her name was called from the stage.
Deafening applause erupted.
Only then did Si Nian walk out.
Down off the stage, seated in the front row, the principal of High School No. 1 had a face as dark as the bottom of a pot, his mustache practically curling up in anger.
Beside him, the principal of the Foreign Language Elementary School was holding his granddaughter and smiling very happily.
Not minding stirring the pot, he poked right at the sore spot: "I heard this provincial science top scorer was originally from your High School No. 1? How did she end up running over to High School No. 2?"
The face of the High School No. 1 principal cycled through all the colors of the rainbow. He had only heard last night that High School No. 2 had produced a provincial science top scorer, and only then did he find out that this Si Nian was actually their former student.
With so many students in the school, there weren't many the principal could remember, but since Si Nian used to be the face of High School No. 1, he did have some impression of her.
Previously, for some unknown reason, she had stopped attending school, and he had even asked her homeroom teacher to visit her home and check on the situation.
But in the end, they never received a response.
Who would have thought that the very next year, she would run off to High School No. 2 and become the provincial top scorer.
This alone was enough to keep the principal awake all night in anger, turning several of his hairs white. When he was invited to High School No. 2 early this morning and saw that banner hanging up there, he nearly fainted from sheer fury.
Right now, his mouth twitched, but he couldn't utter a single word.
He believed that in those years, their school had valued Si Nian highly and focused on cultivating her.
But now High School No. 2 had stolen the limelight, and it was absolutely infuriating.
As a result, he even felt a bit of resentment towards Si Nian.
The moment Si Nian walked onto the stage, he glared over.
The noisy, clamoring crowd below the stage also fell into an instant silence.
It was truly because the bright, moving face and elegant temperament of the provincial science top scorer they had been gossiping about all morning were simply too stunning.
Bad enough that her academic performance was this outstanding, but she was actually this beautiful too? Was she going to let anyone else live?
Everyone stared blankly at Si Nian.
Si Nian coughed lightly and began to speak according to the script her homeroom teacher had given her.
After finishing, she offered her blessings and encouragement to the younger students.
At this moment, the reporters rushed forward in a flurry, aiming all their cameras at her to take pictures.
Out of nowhere, an unknown reporter suddenly asked loudly, "Si Nian, I heard you were previously a student at High School No. 1. Why did you suddenly transfer to High School No. 2? Did something happen between you and High School No. 1? Or do you have some sort of grievance or opinion against them?"
The moment these words were spoken, everyone snapped their heads toward the stage.
Standing behind the principal, Teacher Chen's face turned a ghastly shade of pale green.
Si Nian was silent for a moment, then calmly said, "I don't have any objections or opinions about First High School. It's just that due to some personal reasons, the teachers at First High School were unwilling to accept me, so I came to Second High School. Second High School didn't mind my past and gave me this opportunity, for which I am very grateful to all the teachers."
Everyone was incredibly surprised.
It wasn't that Si Nian didn't want to go to First High School.
It was that First High School didn't want her.
They didn't even want someone this amazing; was First High School's threshold really that high?
Well, look at them now. Their school only produced a city-level top scorer in liberal arts this year, while Si Nian became the provincial top scorer in sciences.
This was truly a massive loss for them.
Hearing this, the principal of First High School immediately darkened his face and stood up. "Why would you say that? How could our First High School not accept you? I still have some impression of you. When you were at our school before, you were considered the face of our school. When you stopped attending, I even specifically asked your homeroom teacher to visit your home and check on your situation."
Si Nian paused and looked at him.
Although she didn't have much memory of it, the original owner of her body had good academic grades, and someone with good grades wouldn't have a hard time at any school.
The principal couldn't be making things up either.
So she said, "Principal, I did go to First High School first. After all, First High School is my alma mater. I absolutely do not mean to ruin First High School's reputation by saying this, but I called my homeroom teacher twice. He didn't answer once, and the other time he rejected me, which is why I chose to come to Second High School."
"I don't mean to complain about you. My situation is indeed complicated, and I have no complaints that you didn't accept me."
As for Second High School's flashy, hate-drawing banner, it really had nothing to do with her.
Si Nian also knew that as the provincial top scorer in sciences, her every move was highly anticipated. If she said it was First High School's problem, it would cause massive trouble for First High School and ruin their school's reputation.
The words of a top scorer still held a lot of influence.
Although she had no good feelings toward that homeroom teacher, it didn't mean she would attack them because of it. So she said, "If you don't believe me, you can ask my homeroom teacher. He knows this matter best."
Hearing this, the principal mostly understood.
No wonder when he asked Si Nian's former homeroom teacher this morning, the man was stammering. He had thought the other party was just unaware.
He didn't want to blame him.
He never expected that she was actually rejected.
It was their First High School that had handed the provincial top scorer over to someone else on a silver platter.
First High School seemed like a joke right now.
He glared fiercely at Teacher Chen standing in the back, his voice like ice shards: "Teacher Chen, is what student Si said true?"
Teacher Chen opened his mouth but couldn't say a single word.
He had thought Si Nian might do well on the exam, but he never expected her to do this well.
Early this morning, when he saw the banner, Teacher Chen knew things had blown up.
He had called the Si family wanting to ask about the situation, but the Si family just hung up on him without a word.
Now it was over; spilt milk could not be gathered.
Si Nian didn't say much more and was about to leave when the principal hurried forward to present her with the prize money.
The provincial top scorer in sciences, a scholarship of 2000, the Second High School principal's generous gesture once again pushed the atmosphere to a climax.
After all, he had used the title of the provincial top scorer to ruthlessly slap First High School's face.
The principal also felt quite embarrassed.
Si Nian was also a bit surprised.
Although in the future she had heard of some national top scorer getting a scholarship of a million or hundreds of thousands.
But she never expected that one day such a good thing would fall on her head.
When she stepped off the stage, she was dazed.
The school still had many things to attend to, so Si Nian said her goodbyes and left.
Zhou Yueshen had already booked a restaurant. The family planned to go home first to pick up the Lin family before heading to the restaurant.
She didn't know how many people Zhou Yueshen had invited. On Si Nian's side, she didn't have many relatives, and her family members had all been notified.
They would go over early to prepare.
Dinner was exactly at six in the evening.
They had also invited the principal, homeroom teacher, and others.
Seeing her step down from the stage, Fu Qianqian rushed over.
Fu Qianqian put away her envious expression, her eyes shining as she looked at Si Nian. "Si Nian, how on earth did you manage to score so high? Oh my god, my sister is actually the provincial top scorer in sciences. This is too, too, too amazing!"
She held Si Nian's hands. "Before, I just felt you were a bit impressive, but I didn't expect you to be this impressive. If I had known you were this amazing, I would have studied more with you to rub off some of your exam luck. Maybe I could have gotten into college too."
Si Nian burst out laughing. "I was in a rush this morning and didn't have time to notify you. It's great that you're here. Let's go to the restaurant for dinner tonight to celebrate."
The few little munchkins were also shocked seeing their mother's grand prestige.
They silently followed behind. When Second Child heard Fu Qianqian's words, he immediately grabbed Si Nian's other hand. He also wanted to rub off his mother's exam luck; maybe he could pass his exams too?
Fu Yang stood behind Fu Qianqian, looking at her with a complicated expression.
He seemed to have a thousand words to say, but in the end, only two words came out: "Congratulations."
Si Nian was slightly taken aback, then said, "Thank you."
She didn't say much more.
The relationship between the two had long been walking on thin ice.
Si Nian was no longer the person who used to follow behind him.
Fu Yang didn't speak further and turned to leave.
Fu Qianqian glanced back. At this moment, people were coming and going on the sports field, but she felt he looked like such a lonely man.
Fu Qianqian felt a bit sorry for her brother.
However, turning around to see Si Nian and Zhou Yueshen smiling and talking about something, she suddenly felt relieved.
Heh, serves him right.
As soon as Fu Yang returned home, he was notified to go to a restaurant for dinner.
His parents said they wanted to discuss the matter of their divorce.
He was silent for a moment before agreeing.
Meanwhile.
Lin Sisi was taken out by Zhang Cuimei to buy clothes and get her hair styled.
They made ample preparations.
Father Si even booked the best restaurant in the city center for her.
He said that everyone from the Si and Zhang families would come to celebrate for her.
Moreover, the Fu family had also agreed to come.
Just as the two arrived at the restaurant entrance, they noticed many cars parked outside and a large crowd of people.
There were also people decorating the restaurant.
Walking over, they found out that a certain provincial top scorer was going to celebrate at the restaurant. The second and third floors were fully booked, leaving only seats on the first floor.
Father Si had a hard time booking it, and it was only available before two o'clock; after two o'clock, the restaurant had to clear the venue.
If it weren't for the fact that other restaurants lacked prestige, Father Si wouldn't have wanted to compromise.
So they had to come during the day.
"Isn't that Fu Yang?" As soon as they arrived, they saw Fu Yang getting out of a car.
Lin Sisi hadn't expected Fu Yang to be here either, and her eyes lit up.
The group got out of their car.
Fu Yang was about to walk away when he heard the pleasantly surprised voices of Lin Sisi and Zhang Cuimei.
"Xiao Fu, you came so early."
After all, Sisi's results were coming out today. Although the two of them had encountered an accident before, they were still people who had held a wedding and registered their marriage.
No matter how cold Fu Yang appeared on the surface, he surely cared about his daughter's grades, right?
Otherwise, why would he come over so quickly?
Thinking of this possibility, Zhang Cuimei immediately became happy.
Once her daughter's grades were out, she knew their relationship could definitely be salvaged.
Lin Sisi blushed; she had originally been worried that Fu Yang wouldn't be willing to come.
Today, dressed in casual clothes, he had lost his usual aloofness and seemed a bit more approachable.
The sunlight hit him, making his whole person radiate a dazzling glow.
He looked even more captivating.
Was this the man that someone as proud as Si Nian had chased after since childhood?
Lin Sisi's heart beat wildly as she said, "Brother Fu Yang, you probably know my score by now, right?"
She put on a disappointed expression. "It is just a pity that I did not perform too well in two subjects, but it does not matter, I will work harder in the future."
Fu Yang glanced at her, his brows furrowing slightly.
Truth be told, he was not curious about Lin Sisi's grades at all.
If it were not for the matter of his divorce from Lin Sisi, he would not have even come over.
He was already in a bad mood today.
Then he heard Lin Sisi say, "I wonder how Sister Si Nian did on her exam. Although I have not heard any news, with her abilities, there definitely will not be any problems. Maybe we can even get into the same university."
Fu Yang paused.
He looked at her weirdly and asked, "You do not know what score Si Nian got?"
Si Nian was the provincial top scorer in science, and she was actually worrying about this?
She scored a little over three hundred points and wanted to go to the same university as Si Nian? What kind of cosmic joke was this?
Even Fu Yang found it absurd. Where on earth did Lin Sisi get the confidence to compare herself to Si Nian?
Remembering the accident during the previous exam, a flash of disdain crossed his eyes as he looked at Lin Sisi.
Lin Sisi asked in confusion, "Brother Fu Yang, do you know?"
A hint of a mock smile appeared on the corner of Fu Yang's mouth. "You should not be asking me this question."
He suddenly felt quite curious himself. If the Si family, who had gone to such great lengths to celebrate for Lin Sisi, found out Si Nian's score, the scene would probably be quite spectacular.
Fu Yang ignored them, turned around, and walked toward the restaurant.
Seeing his expression, Lin Sisi suddenly felt waves of unease.
Why would Fu Yang show such an expression?
Today, her teacher had notified her of her score, and she had not gone to school. She was entirely focused on following Zhang Cuimei out to buy clothes and dress up.
She really had not had the time to ask around about Si Nian's score.
Just as she was wondering whether to have Zhang Cuimei call and check the situation, people nearby suddenly came over pulling a banner. A male voice could be heard saying proudly, "Ah, hang it up properly. This is my sister-in-law. Basking in my sister-in-law's good fortune as the provincial top scorer, we must make sure everyone passing by can see it."
She instinctively looked over. She recognized this man.
It was Yu Dong.
Suddenly, Lin Sisi froze in place.
Seeing that she was not moving, Zhang Cuimei frowned. "Sisi, what are you spacing out for? Hurry up and let's go."
After saying that, seeing no reaction from Lin Sisi, she looked at her in confusion, only to see her head raised, staring fixedly right above, her face full of disbelief.
Confused, Zhang Cuimei followed her gaze upward. She was stunned for a moment, and then her eyes widened abruptly.
"Congratulations to the provincial science top scorer, Class One Grade Twelve student Si Nian, for coming to our restaurant to celebrate..."
Zhang Cuimei thought she had misread it and looked over again.
But there, dazzlingly displayed above, were the two large words: "Si Nian"!
There was a little accident today; I wrote, deleted, and rewrote, so it delayed the update time. I am very sorry.
This chapter is a large chapter of nearly five thousand words.