Monday, back to school as usual.
Although Ji Zhouye had shown significant improvement in his attitude toward studying, he still habitually played video games over the weekend, staying up until three or four in the morning. While waiting at a red light, he nearly dozed off at the wheel.
Rong Yu gave him a solid punch on the forehead.
Ji Zhouye snapped awake instantly. "Grandma, I was just contemplating life—I wasn’t sleeping."
Rong Yu smirked. "There’s a minor Chinese test this morning. If you don’t score at least 120, you’d better brace yourself for consequences."
Ji Zhouye: "…"
As they reached the school gate, she noticed the principal and the head of the academic affairs office waiting at the entrance. She didn’t pay much attention at first—until the person stepping out of the car turned out to be her senior, Lin Rang.
"Professor Lin, thank you for your hard work," the principal said warmly, stepping forward to shake his hand. "We truly appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to lecture the students selected for the Olympiad training program."
Lin Rang replied with gentle humility, "Hai City No. 1 High School is one of the top schools in the region. These students represent the pinnacle of mathematical talent in Hai City—future stars of the field. It’s an honor to have the chance to teach them."
The principal couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Professor Lin was not only brilliant but also remarkably modest. What a shame he was disabled…
He escorted Lin Rang to the classroom for the lecture.
Six students had been selected for the Olympiad training program—five from the elite class and only one from the liberal arts stream: Rong Ruoyao, who was also the sole female participant.
Rong Ruoyao and the five boys followed the principal, their presence drawing murmurs from onlookers. She straightened her back, confidence surging.
Truthfully, she hadn’t expected to be chosen.
During her senior year, she’d devoted considerable energy to a talent show, letting her studies slide.
Yet, here she was—selected anyway.
This only proved how exceptional she was, how naturally gifted.
So what if she was a liberal arts student? So what if she was a girl? She’d still made it into the battlefield of mathematics.
Rong Ruoyao took a seat beside Song Huai.
Both listened attentively as Lin Rang lectured.
Lin Rang had been invited as a judge for the national Olympiad finals, and his insights were uniquely profound. Song Huai absorbed every word, scribbling extensive notes.
Rong Ruoyao, however, found her focus drifting. Some parts of the lecture felt incomprehensible.
The previous test paper hadn’t seemed that difficult—why was Professor Lin’s explanation so abstruse?
When the class ended, Song Huai stood. "I’m going to ask Professor Lin a few questions. Want to come along, Yaoyao?"
Rong Ruoyao nodded quickly. "Yes."
Lin Rang patiently answered their queries until a WeChat notification interrupted them. He picked up his phone to reply.
Out of the corner of her eye, Rong Ruoyao caught a glimpse of the screen—and froze.
The sender’s profile picture was identical to Rong Yu’s.
She glanced at the contact name: "Little Junior Sister."
A smirk tugged at her lips.
Everyone knew Professor Lin was the sole disciple of Academician Yun Xiaoyuan, who had notoriously high standards for students.
How could Rong Yu, a mere high school repeater, possibly be Academician Yun’s student?
It had to be a coincidence—just matching profile pictures.
After replying, Lin Rang smiled apologetically. "I have another engagement, so we’ll have to end here for today."
He wheeled his chair out of the classroom and turned the corner—only to find Rong Yu waiting there.
She stepped forward, taking his books from him. "Senior, the principal gave strict orders—I’m to ensure you stay for lunch in the school cafeteria."
Lin Rang sighed. "I came to lecture as part of my teaching duties. There’s no need for such formalities."
Still, considering his junior sister would remain at this school for a while longer, he acquiesced. A meal with the principal wouldn’t hurt.
The school cafeteria had two floors: the first for students, the second for faculty. The principal had reserved a spacious private room.
Present were the principal, vice principal, academic affairs director, and Rong Yu’s homeroom teacher, Pei Yaru.
Among the gathering of educators, Rong Yu was the only student—technically out of place. But to put Lin Rang at ease, the principal had insisted she join.
Pei Yaru worried Rong Yu might feel uneasy.
After all, no student would willingly sit through a meal surrounded by teachers.
Yet Rong Yu appeared utterly relaxed, as if sharing a casual meal with friends.
The principal chuckled. "Regarding Academician Yun’s plans for Rong Yu, our school will fully cooperate…"
As Lin Rang and the principal conversed, Rong Yu ate heartily.
After the meal, she escorted Lin Rang to the school gate.
He turned to her. "The project proposal you submitted last time was outstanding. The professor has forwarded it to the relevant government department for implementation…"
This project would bear Rong Yu’s name—her formal debut, the first step in her journey through the world of mathematics.
He had no doubt his junior sister would surpass even his own achievements.
Once Lin Rang left, Rong Yu headed to the library.
Lately, she’d been borrowing and devouring books at an astonishing rate, nearly exhausting the relevant sections.
She picked up a newly published collection of mathematical research papers and began reading.
Then, murmurs reached her ears:
"First, you… then apply this theorem… and finally, the solution emerges. Understand?"
"Song Huai, am I just stupid? I still don’t get it."
Rong Yu glanced over.
As expected—Rong Ruoyao and Song Huai.
This was a library, a place for silence. Yet these two kept whispering incessantly. Annoying.
She shut the book and left.
The sound of her movement drew Rong Ruoyao’s attention. Only then did she notice Rong Yu—holding that advanced collection of mathematical papers.
Even Song Huai might struggle with such dense material.
Rong Yu was clearly putting on airs.
Song Huai frowned.
If Rong Yu had achieved a perfect score in the physics Olympiad, why hadn’t she qualified for the math training program?
Had she made a mistake in the selection test?
Rong Yu didn’t seem the careless type.
Unless… she hadn’t wanted to participate?
The math and physics Olympiads were equally prestigious. Why compete in one but not the other?
Rong Yu hadn’t given it any thought.
Her participation in the physics competition had been sheer coincidence, nudged along by Pei Yaru’s encouragement.
As for the math Olympiad—since it wasn’t mandatory, why waste the time?
When afternoon classes ended, Rong Yu packed up and left immediately.
Tonight was Tang Che’s grand centennial celebration, and she couldn’t miss it.
Seventy years since she’d last seen him. For some reason, her heart clenched with something akin to homesickness.
Like the Ji Family, the Tang Family ranked among the region’s most prominent elite. Their estate—a serene riverside courtyard nestled halfway up a mountain—was already lined with luxury cars along the winding road long before evening fell.
By the time Rong Yu arrived, vehicles could no longer ascend past the mountain’s base.
She got out and walked.
Old Master Ji called. "Mom, when will you arrive? Should I send someone to meet you?"
"About fifteen minutes. Just wait for me at the entrance."
Dressed simply in her school uniform, backpack slung over her shoulder, Rong Yu stood out starkly among the opulent procession winding up the mountain path.
After all, this was the centennial banquet of the Tang family patriarch, and the Tangs had gone all out, inviting half the city’s elite to attend. Everyone was dressed in their finest, so naturally, anyone who appeared too simply attired would draw curious glances.
"Dad, isn’t that my sister?"
