Chapter 40: A Global Sensation, Are Foreign Media Outlets Actually Praising Me? (Part I)

"Exactly! We haven't even checked our scores yet because we were busy listening to his pathetic lecture! Getting into Xiamen University is fine, it's the best school in our province!"

Father Lin shouted with an arrogant air, his voice intentionally loud enough for the surrounding parents and students to hear. Sensing the envious gazes directed at him, he felt a surge of satisfaction; his vanity was instantly inflated. After all, while Xiamen University might not be considered a top-tier institution nationwide, it was undeniably the number one choice within their own province. Having his daughter get into Xiamen University was certainly enough to make ninety-nine percent of the parents present green with envy. In fact, several parents had already stepped forward to curry favor with them, hoping to glean some effective study methods.

"What’s so great about Huo Qitai getting into Peking University by a stroke of luck? I got into Xiamen University through sheer ability." As she clicked the inquiry button, Lin Yan felt a sense of pride unique to her own achievements.

However... as the webpage slowly refreshed, Lin Yan was completely stunned.

*Lin Yan: No admission results.*

"How could this be? Even if I didn't get into my first choice, Xiamen University, how could I have been rejected from all my safety schools with a score of 605?"

She broke down. Lin Yan’s scream startled everyone nearby.

"What’s going on? That girl!"
"I don't know, didn't she just say she got into Xiamen University?"
"Looks like she missed the cutoff. She slipped past the first-tier university threshold. Doesn't that mean she’ll have to go through clearing or maybe even settle for a second-tier school?"
"Choosing preferences really is critical! Look at Huo Qitai on stage—he got into Peking University with only 500-something points by pure luck, while this girl has over 600 points and no university to attend. Comparing people really is infuriating!"

The crowd buzzed with sighs, but Lin Yan couldn't hear a word. She kept refreshing her phone page, praying that the display was just an error. At this point, she didn't care about Xiamen University anymore; she would have gladly taken even the last of her safety schools, Fuzhou University! Unfortunately, once admission results are processed and assigned, they cannot be changed. Since she hadn't reached the cutoff for her first choice, Xiamen University, and had refused to accept adjustments to other majors for her subsequent choices, she had effectively slipped through the cracks for every single one.

"Yan'er! Did you get in or not? You scored over 600 points!" Seeing his daughter in this state, Lin Songsheng panicked. The pitying expressions of the parents who had previously envied him only made his heart burn with frustration.

"I didn't... I didn't get into any of them. My Xiamen University, my college... Dad! I didn't make it, I didn't make it..." At that moment, Lin Yan rolled her eyes back and collapsed to the ground. Anyone who had worked so hard for so many years, finally achieving a high score in the college entrance exam only to fall short due to poor preference selection, would be devastated.

***

Meanwhile, among the audience, two people were grinning from ear to ear. One was Wang Yuanhua, the principal of No. 1 High School; having a student suddenly get into Peking University was like a pie falling from the sky—a completely unexpected bonus! The other was Director Zhong of the Education Bureau, who, after a brief moment of shock, was also overcome with ecstasy.

Political achievements! Reports! This year would be one to write home about. Usually, they were lucky to have one student get into Tsinghua or Peking University every few years, but this year they had two—this was a surefire career booster! His eyes darted around, and he immediately nudged Principal Wang, coughing to suggest: "Principal Wang, as the head of No. 1 High School, why don't you go up and say a few words while everyone is still here?"

"Huh? This... is that appropriate? Huo Qitai doesn't know I'm here, and this wasn't planned." Principal Wang hadn't quite caught on.

Director Zhong waved his hand dismissively. "You need to show initiative! If you don't go up and say something, how will people know that such excellent students as Liu Rumeng and Huo Qitai were carefully nurtured by No. 1 High School? I think the study methods Huo Qitai mentioned are excellent! They should be further tested and promoted at No. 1 High School under the guidance of the Education Bureau!"

Aha! Once Director Zhong put it that way, even the slow-witted Principal Wang realized this was the perfect opportunity to pad his resume! After all, he had just seen several reporters in the crowd—some local, some from neighboring cities, and even a few from provincial newspapers and television stations, all drawn by the news of yesterday's ticket frenzy. Decisively, Principal Wang stood up and headed for the stage.

"Principal Wang is here too! He's going on stage, what is he..." Huo Qitai caught on immediately and, acting very sensible, took the microphone and said, "Dear parents and students, let us invite Principal Wang of Jian'an No. 1 High School to the stage to say a few words."

Principal Wang, who had been wondering how to make a natural entrance, couldn't help but praise Huo Qitai as a clever little rascal. He took the stage and spoke eloquently, promoting how No. 1 High School would integrate the study methods of Peking University top students into a series of educational reforms. Meanwhile, as Huo Qitai stepped down, he was immediately surrounded by Chang Lu and Xue Xiaoshan.

"Brother Tai, you are absolutely legendary! Peking University! That’s Peking University! I never imagined that you’d actually get in just by filling out the form on a whim..." Xue Xiaoshan still found it hard to believe. He rattled on and on, his admiration for Huo Qitai flowing like a continuous river. In contrast, the usually boisterous Chang Lu seemed a bit awkward, and after holding it in for a long time, she finally squeezed out: "Congratulations, Qitai. You got into Peking University as you wished; now you can go to college with Liu Rumeng."

The remark had a hint of bitterness, but it was mostly genuine happiness for him. "Lulu, I didn't get into Peking University for her," Huo Qitai said, seeing through her thoughts to comfort her. "Women are like clothes; we three brothers are the true limbs of one body. Even if I do fulfill the 'lover agreement,' Liu Rumeng can only ever be my mistress."

"Haha! Exactly! Brother Tai, women only slow down our sword-swinging speed. Only brothers will stand by you through thick and thin." Xue Xiaoshan, who had seen it all, immediately stepped forward and threw his arms around their shoulders.

Just then, Chang Lu's phone rang, and she took the opportunity to step aside. Less than two minutes later, she hurried back, looking ecstatic.

"What’s wrong, Lulu? Did something happen?" Huo Qitai asked, slightly puzzled, though he sensed it must be good news.

"You’re famous! Qitai, you are officially famous now," Chang Lu said, almost incoherent.

Xue Xiaoshan curled his lip and laughed. "Miss Chang, does that even need to be said? The news of Brother Tai getting into Peking University with a 500-something score is going to spread, so of course he’ll be famous, haha!"

"No! It's not about Peking University. It's about Bitcoin. That was my uncle on the phone. He sent several links to international news articles, all praising Qitai for being the first person to conduct a physical transaction with Bitcoin, and they even pointed out that you're just a high school student in China. Qitai, you are truly famous now. These reports are in the world's most authoritative financial magazines and websites; you’ve become globally renowned overnight. And do you know what the price of Bitcoin is now? It just broke 0.1 USD today, and the market is extremely active with a huge volume of transactions. The 10,000 Bitcoins you bought for less than 300 yuan are now worth 1,000 dollars—you’ve made a twenty-fold profit..."