While Rong Yu was speaking with Pei Yaru, Song Huai and a few classmates were also called into the teachers' office.
As soon as Teacher Yang saw Song Huai, her face lit up with affection. "Next month, you’ll be heading to the capital for the physics finals. Make sure to inform your parents so they can accompany you."
Out of all the students who passed the preliminary physics competition, only six were selected—four from Teacher Yang’s class, one from Class 2, and the last one being Rong Yu from Class 20. This fact left many teachers astonished.
Song Huai’s gaze briefly flickered toward Rong Yu before he looked away and nodded. "Understood, Teacher Yang."
"There’s one more thing," Teacher Yang continued. "Since all of you have also passed the school’s Olympiad training selection, I’ll be taking you to attend a special mathematics lecture in the capital. It’ll be delivered by the renowned academician Min Shenyan..."
Rong Yu didn’t linger in the office and soon left.
After the students dispersed, Teacher Yang picked up her teacup and turned to Pei Yaru. "There’s something I find quite puzzling. Perhaps you could shed some light on it?"
Pei Yaru looked up. "What is it?"
"If Rong Yu scored full marks in the physics preliminaries, that means her science subjects are outstanding. Logically, she should’ve been selected for the school’s Olympiad training team too," Teacher Yang mused, resting her chin on her hand. "So why isn’t her name on the list?"
Pei Yaru simply smiled.
Rong Yu was already the prized disciple of the renowned mathematician Yun Xiaoyuan and involved in a top-secret project.
A mathematical prodigy like her had no need to participate in Olympiad competitions.
She remained silent.
Teacher Yang sneered inwardly.
She was waiting to see Rong Yu’s true colors exposed in the finals...
After evening self-study, Rong Yu and Ji Zhouye finally left school.
As they stepped out of the classroom, they saw Song Huai standing by the railing in the corridor outside Class 20, surrounded by a group of female students.
"Song Huai is so handsome!"
"Good looks, top grades—he’s practically heaven’s favorite. So enviable!"
"Too bad he’s already taken. Rong Ruoyao is so lucky."
"Hey, Rong Ruoyao is amazing too! She got selected for the Olympiad team, and as a humanities student no less. That just proves how brilliant she is..."
Song Huai ignored the chatter. The moment he saw Rong Yu step out, he immediately approached her. "Rong Yu, got a minute?"
Ji Zhouye checked his watch. "I’ll wait for you at the school gate."
He took Rong Yu’s bag and left.
Song Huai’s eyes darkened.
So it was true, just as Ruoyao had said—Rong Yu and Ji Zhouye were living together.
Pushing aside the thought, he handed her a book. "My family pulled some strings to get this internal material from the Physics Olympiad center. I thought you might find it useful."
"Thanks, but no need."
Rong Yu turned to leave.
In a hurry, Song Huai grabbed her arm, then immediately let go when he realized what he’d done. "You scored full marks in the preliminaries, which means your physics is exceptional. If you push yourself in the finals, you could win a medal—and more importantly, it’ll give you extra points for the college entrance exam. That should matter to you, right?"
He shoved the book into her hands.
Rong Yu smirked. "Not everyone needs ‘internal materials.’ Don’t underestimate people."
She pushed past him and strode down the stairs.
Song Huai stood frozen.
It took him a moment to process—Rong Yu had actually rejected him?
Did she even realize how valuable these materials were? Others would pay a fortune for them, yet she dismissed them so easily?
And she had the nerve to say he shouldn’t underestimate her.
Did she really believe she could win a medal without any special resources?
His expression turned complicated.
By the time Rong Yu reached the school gate, Ji Zhouye’s car was already parked at the entrance. He opened the door for her with a polite gesture.
Gripping the steering wheel, he said, "Great-grandma, that Song Huai is engaged. Don’t go getting tangled up with him..."
"Are you brain-dead?" Rong Yu rolled her eyes inelegantly. "How old am I? How old is he? Do I look like someone who’d be that desperate?"
Ji Zhouye scratched his head.
Technically, his great-grandma was nearly a hundred years old.
But in reality, she had passed away at thirty, so her mental age was still thirty. Sure, that was a bit older than Song Huai, but it wasn’t entirely impossible...
Of course, he didn’t dare say that out loud and just kept driving.
When they got home, the place was buzzing with activity.
Old Master Ji greeted her eagerly. "Mom, I’ve hired two stylists, two makeup artists, an assistant, and a manager for you—all seasoned professionals from Ji's Entertainment..."
Rong Yu suddenly remembered—tomorrow was Saturday, the day of the fourth episode recording for the talent show.
"Miss Rong!"
The staff stood in the living room, greeting her in unison.
She suppressed a sigh and hissed, "Ji Shunying! You have two minutes to make these people disappear!"
Was all this really necessary just for a show?
"Mom, listen—" Old Master Ji tried to explain. "Your fan club has over ten thousand members now. You’re a celebrity! You need to maintain your image to attract more fans. We have to aim for first place—"
His voice trailed off as Rong Yu’s glare turned murderous.
Swallowing hard, he turned back to the staff with a stiff smile. "Sorry for the trouble. Ji's Entertainment will compensate you for your time. You can all head home now..."
Once they were gone, Rong Yu propped her chin on her hand, smiling sweetly. "Yingbao, you seem to have too much free time. What should I have you do to keep busy?"
Old Master Ji shivered. "Mom, I was wrong. No more nonsense, I promise."
"Study, then." Rong Yu’s smile turned benevolent. "Learn how to nourish your vitality and strengthen your body—not for yourself, but for me. Can you do that?"
What choice did he have? Old Master Ji could only nod obediently.
For Rong Yu, joining the talent show was just about experiencing life. She’d do her best and leave the rest to the audience.
At six the next morning, she got up and led Old Master Ji through a round of tai chi. After breakfast, Ji Zhiyuan drove her to Ji's Entertainment.
Before they even reached the entrance, they could hear the fans cheering.
The loudest cheers were, unsurprisingly, for Rong Ruoyao.
Rong Ruoyao smiled sweetly, waving enthusiastically at every fan.
Lisa also had a strong following, with supporters shouting her name excitedly.
Rong Yu, ranked third in popularity, had her own loyal fans chanting for her. But due to the recent controversy over her "genius student" persona, she also had plenty of haters.
A large crowd of detractors buzzed with gossip about her.
