Chapter 260

When the exam ended, Principal Zhang already knew about the farce that had occurred at the school gate after Ling Wu left.

There are indeed people with connections, and many also actively seek him out to build relationships.

But he was not one to be easily swayed, especially after encountering this once-in-a-century genius, which further solidified his belief.

On the day the results were released, as soon as Ling Wu and Song Chunhua appeared, people came up to them.

"Hello, are you Guan Lingwu's parent?"

Song Chunhua tightened her grip on Ling Wu's hand, about to ask what was wrong with a cold face, when Ling Wu reminded Song Chunhua first: "It's the proctor, Teacher Song."

Upon hearing this, Teacher Song smiled, and her gaze softened as she looked down at Ling Wu. "Little girl, you still remember me?"

Ling Wu simply nodded without saying anything more. After all, she was in the body of an eight-year-old child and didn't need to exchange pleasantries with him.

Knowing Lingwu's personality well, Song Chunhua took the initiative to speak: "I am Guan Lingwu's maternal grandmother."

Teacher Song then withdrew her gaze from Ling Wu and nodded with a smile to Song Chunhua, "Hello."

Having received guidance from Principal Zhang, the proctors never showed any disdain throughout the entire exam.

They carefully avoided the crowds as they approached Principal Zhang.

After Principal Zhang called out "Little Song," Teacher Song left the room, leaving them alone.

"Hello, my surname is Zhang, and I am the principal of Dingjiang County Junior High School. The rumors circulating outside about favoritism have become quite a big deal, so it's inconvenient for me to go out in person," Principal Zhang said proactively.

Seeing that it was Principal Zhang, Song Chunhua felt relieved.

Now, seeing Principal Zhang not only being approachable but also explaining things to her, Song Chunhua was unusually at a loss for words.

Ling Wu gently moved the cool fingertips that were holding Song Chunhua's hand.

A sense of confidence inexplicably welled up in Song Chunhua's heart.

The initial panic subsided, and she nodded calmly, without any servility or sycophancy.

"Hello, I am Guan Lingwu's maternal grandmother," Song Chunhua said softly.

Principal Zhang was quite surprised.

He had thoroughly investigated Lingwu's information, except for the Guan Zhao family, who treated Guan Lingwu like a pearl but mistaking her for a fish eye, which he disliked.

In comparison, Song Chunhua, who raised a mother and daughter all by herself, truly earned Principal Zhang's admiration.

But the admiration is only for her competence, not for her aura.

He had only caught a glimpse of Song Chunhua outside the examination hall that day and hadn't been able to figure anything out, but now that they were face to face, Principal Zhang was directly confronted with Song Chunhua's composure under pressure.

Only then did he realize with admiration that it was no wonder he could raise such a smart girl.

"Hello." Principal Zhang nodded. He glanced at Ling Wu, his eyes filled with joy, but he suppressed it well.

"I won't keep you in suspense any longer. Your granddaughter, Guan Lingwu, got the top score in the whole town in this exam. I've heard about her results, and she would be in the top ten even compared to other students in the whole county."

Principal Zhang cleared his throat. It was more than just the top ten; it was clearly a sure thing that he would be number one!

Ling Wu didn't speak, but she understood that Principal Zhang wanted to persuade her to continue taking the exams, and sure enough—

"Xiao Song just told me that you don't want to take your granddaughter away from here for the time being, but there aren't many opportunities like this for exams. If you miss this one, something unexpected might happen next time." Principal Zhang glanced at Song Chunhua out of the corner of his eye.

At this moment, Song Chunhua, who was being pulled by Ling Wu, was extremely calm, without the slightest ripple in her heart, and her face was also cold and indifferent.

Principal Zhang felt somewhat awkward, and knowing he was feeling guilty, he softened his tone: "If Guan Xiaotong maintains her current level, it's possible for her to go to the provincial level. The town's reward is only one thousand yuan, but the county's reward is three thousand yuan, not to mention the city, the province, or even..."

He kept her in suspense, and when Song Chunhua first heard about the reward, she tightened her grip on Ling Wu's hand, but fortunately Ling Wu held on in time.

Song Chunhua showed no emotion, remaining indifferent and seemingly treating money like dirt.

Principal Zhang knew this was a difficult situation, so he had no choice but to use the last thing he wanted to say: "I know you are a smart person, but I don't know if you have heard the story of Zhong Yong. Zhong Yong was five years old when he could compose poems fluently, but in the end he became just an ordinary person."

Song Chunhua couldn't understand, but she couldn't resist the strength from the cool little hand in her palm.

After Principal Zhang finished speaking, he glanced at Song Chunhua again, sighed deeply, and then shook his head. "Guan Lingwu is a smart child, but without a good education, her talent will only be wasted in this small mountain village."

Hearing Principal Zhang say this, Song Chunhua also felt a stirring of emotion, and Ling Wu looked up at the old woman, "Grandma."

The moment she spoke, Song Chunhua's coldness vanished instantly, leaving Principal Zhang stunned.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell because you're too tired from the exam?" Song Chunhua frowned.

Upon hearing this, Principal Zhang also stood up, frowned, and called out to the outside, "Xiao Song, go and pour a glass of sweet water!"

"Okay!" Xiao Song responded from outside the door.

After receiving a response from Xiao Song, Principal Zhang bent down and asked Ling Wu gently, "Are you feeling unwell? If you are, I'll take you to the hospital."

He then looked up at Song Chunhua and said seriously, "The child is still young, we must not harm his health!"

This statement refers to Ling Wu's physical condition, and also to the cultivation and training of Ling Wu.

Whether Dingjiang County can achieve good development in the future depends on this little gold nugget.

We can't afford to get hurt even a little bit!

“Principal Zhang, I’m fine. My grandmother and I know what you’re talking about.” Ling Wu shook her head.

Reminded by Ling Wu, Song Chunhua finally spoke up: "The little girl is too young. She can't be left alone. I heard from her that the exam is held every two years. She'll be ten years old in two years, so it'll still be in time."

Song Chunhua persisted in her own ideas.

Actually, after hearing what Principal Zhang said, she couldn't help but be tempted. After all, she was worried that the little girl might miss this opportunity.

But since the little girl insists, she must have her reasons.

Principal Zhang had mixed feelings and said all sorts of things, good and bad.

Seeing this, Lingwu raised her small face to meet Principal Zhang's gaze, "Principal Zhang, in two years I will only become more outstanding than I am now."

Xiao Song, who rushed in carrying sweet water, couldn't bear to look directly at Principal Zhang, who was gazing at Ling Wu with a loving expression.

"Principal Zhang," Xiao Song interrupted Principal Zhang's gaze as he stared at Ling Wu.

"Give it to me." Principal Zhang took the sweet water from Xiao Song's hand, then looked at Ling Wu and asked, "Is this true?"

“It couldn’t be more real,” Ling Wu replied.

"What if you can't do it?" Principal Zhang handed the sweet water to Ling Wu.

Lingwu took a sip of the sweet water; the warm, sweet water carried the unique aroma of cane sugar.

Lingwu swallowed, then spoke in a childlike voice, using words that Song Chunhua couldn't understand: "Then it depends on whether you're willing to make the initial investment."

Principal Zhang, who had been calm, became somewhat excited by these words. "Good!"

Previously, he had doubted the authenticity of "The Tragedy of Zhongyong" countless times.

Can a five-year-old child compose poetry and speak fluently without hesitation?

But now, seeing what Guan Lingwu said, he could only think to himself that he was still too inexperienced.