"Good News: Warm Congratulations to Our Outstanding Senior Student Qin Yuanqing for Winning the National High School Mathematics League Championship!"
When Qin Yuanqing arrived at the school gate on his motorbike, he saw a long red banner hanging above the entrance that had stood for ninety years.
He was a little stunned.
The results and rankings had only been announced yesterday at ten in the morning, yet today the school had already put up such a huge banner?
This speed was simply unbelievable.
Since when did the school become so efficient?
"Senior, it's Senior Qin Yuanqing!" A girl with short hair and acne on her face froze for a moment when she saw him, then screamed.
"It really is Qin Yuanqing!"
"He's amazing! Double perfect scores, the only one!"
"Senior, give me an autograph!"
As more and more students gathered around him, Qin Yuanqing was startled.
What was going on?
He wasn't the school heartthrob, and he couldn't even play basketball. Since when did he become this famous?
He hurriedly tried to slip away.
If he didn't leave now, when would he? Once the road was blocked, he wouldn't be able to move at all.
Dragging his suitcase, Qin Yuanqing still failed to escape. Helplessly laughing, he said loudly, "Everyone, calm down, please calm down. I just got back. Can you let me go rest first?"
He was truly nervous. In both his past and present lives, he had never experienced such a scene. Even being interviewed by CCTV reporters yesterday afternoon hadn't been this terrifying.
"Everyone, disperse!"
At this moment, a commanding voice sounded from behind.
It was Principal Fang Jianguo.
Everyone recognized him. Seeing the principal was like having a bucket of cold water poured over their excitement. They immediately made way.
Fang Jianguo walked up to Qin Yuanqing, shook his hand, and said warmly, "Qin Yuanqing, welcome back! Congratulations on your outstanding achievement and for bringing honor to our school!"
Every year, at the first general assembly for new students, the principal would say:
"Today, you are proud of your alma mater. One day, your alma mater will be proud of you."
Most people never truly achieved this.
But without a doubt, Qin Yuanqing had.
His achievements had created history for Jinpu No.1 High School and even for Jinpu County. They would be recorded in the school's chronicles and the county's annals.
Naturally, the school was proud of him.
And this was not just about honor—it also meant real benefits.
That morning, the principal had received a call from a county leader. After praise and affirmation, the school's applications for a plastic running track and a gymnasium had been approved, and the funds had already been transferred.
A full fifty million yuan.
For a high school like Jinpu No.1, donations from companies and individuals were minimal. It had taken years of savings just to build a comprehensive building in 2006. Without government funding, a track and gym had been unthinkable.
Now, because Qin Yuanqing had won first place with double perfect scores, the county leader had been praised at the provincial level. In a good mood, he approved everything.
"Principal…" Qin Yuanqing felt embarrassed. He had only gotten first place, yet he was receiving such treatment.
"You go back and freshen up first. Come to my office in an hour. The Director of Education and the county leader want to meet you personally," the principal whispered.
Qin Yuanqing wasn't nervous.
He had met officials of this level before. In his previous life, he had even reported to vice mayors and county heads many times due to engineering projects.
But he had never been interested in such formalities and felt somewhat resistant.
Still, since the principal had spoken, he said nothing more.
In this world, even students couldn't escape such realities.
After returning to the dormitory, he took a shower, changed clothes, and dried his hair. When he went out, the school broadcast was already calling all teachers and students to gather on the playground.
He was surprised. They were making such a big event out of it.
When he arrived at the principal's office, he saw the principal drinking tea with the county leader and the Director of Education.
"Qin Yuanqing, have a seat and try my treasured tea," Fang Jianguo said with a smile.
"Your principal is famous in the county for his expertise in tea. He's very picky. Even I rarely get to drink his collection," the county leader said gently.
Qin Yuanqing smiled.
Although he was from southern Fujian, he knew nothing about tea culture. To him, good tea and ordinary tea tasted the same.
He still took a sip.
As they chatted, he finally understood why the school had made such a big show.
The county leader was representing the county government in awarding Qin Yuanqing 100,000 yuan.
One hundred thousand yuan!
Qin Yuanqing was secretly shocked.
Last year, three students admitted to Tsinghua and Peking University had each received only 100,000 yuan.
He knew this was also a publicity campaign. It would be broadcast on Jinpu News and even on Shuixian City TV.
He needed this money too.
With 100,000 yuan, his parents wouldn't have to work so hard anymore.
Although he had two older brothers—one nine years older, one seven—both had left school early to work. His eldest brother was married, but with only a middle school education, his income was limited.
Poor children grow up early.
Qin Yuanqing had been sensible since childhood. He did most of the housework and tried his best to help his parents. After coming to study in the county town, he restrained his desires, never spent lavishly, bought clothes only once or twice a year, and never went to KTV or for entertainment.
He thanked them sincerely.
"Qin Yuanqing, I heard you rejected invitations from Tsinghua and Peking University. What are your thoughts?" the county leader asked kindly.
This was a major issue.
For a county, producing students admitted to those universities was a major political achievement.
"Sir, the college entrance examination is the most important moment in everyone's life. I don't want to miss it. I'm confident I can enter those top universities through my gaokao results," Qin Yuanqing said.
The county leader complained inwardly.
He could have easily won by lying flat, yet he chose the harder road.
Still, he smiled and said, "Then I wish you success and excellent results next year."
At 4:50 p.m., Qin Yuanqing followed the principal and the two leaders to the playground and stepped onto the platform.
The principal hosted the event, introducing Qin Yuanqing's achievements: double perfect scores, national first prize, CMO qualification, and honor for the school.
"Now, let us invite the county leader to speak!"
On the playground, reporters and cameramen from Jinpu TV had already aimed their cameras at the stage.
The county leader congratulated Qin Yuanqing on behalf of the county government and party committee. Praise poured out, igniting the enthusiasm of thousands of students, who applauded wildly.
Then he announced the 100,000-yuan reward.
After encouraging Qin Yuanqing to keep striving, several people held up a sign reading "￥100,000" for photos.
Amid thunderous applause, the ceremony ended.
Qin Yuanqing received the check. He could cash it at any bank.
He was overjoyed.
This was the first large sum of money he had after being reborn.
After accompanying the leaders for a meal, he immediately deposited the money and transferred it to his father's bank card.
"Dad!"
Back at school, Qin Yuanqing used a public phone booth to call home.
His father answered.
"Yuanqing, what's wrong? Are you short on living expenses? Dad will send you money tomorrow!" His father's concerned voice made Qin Yuanqing's eyes turn red.
His parents had always given him everything they had.
Though uneducated and only farmers, their love was unmatched.
"Dad, no need, no need," Qin Yuanqing hurriedly said. "I won first place in a competition. The county awarded me 100,000 yuan. I transferred it all to you. You and Mom shouldn't work so hard. Take care of yourselves. Buy whatever you want. I've grown up. I'll earn my own living and tuition."
"Yuanqing… don't do anything illegal. That leads to execution. Dad doesn't want you to be famous—just safe and smooth," his father said, trembling.
Qin Yuanqing smiled bitterly.
His father was an honest farmer. His first thought was that his son had gone astray.
After repeated explanations failed, Qin Yuanqing said helplessly, "Dad, remember to watch Jinpu News tonight. You'll see it. Then you'll believe me."
Only then would his father be reassured.
At this time, classroom lights were already on. Evening self-study was about to begin.
Qin Yuanqing took a deep breath and walked upstairs.
Their classroom was on the fifth floor.
He climbed the stairs three at a time and reached it within a minute.