Chapter 22

Before the students in Class 12 could even catch their breath after receiving their Chinese language scores, their physics scores followed closely behind.

When the test papers were handed out, Xie Qingyan felt no excitement when she saw the bright red score of 71 on her paper.

He quickly glanced at the questions where he had lost points, and they almost perfectly matched the points he had predicted during his post-exam review. His confusion about electromagnetic induction and his unfamiliarity with ideal models, as expected, earned him no marks.

He calmly took out his notebook of incorrect problems, neatly copied down the wrong questions, and annotated them in clerical script: [I did not understand the essential connection between the "rate of change of magnetic flux" and the instantaneous velocity change; I need to reread Chapter 3, Section 2 of Jiang Ci's Notes.] [The model for this problem is oversimplified and deviates from reality, but the solution approach can be used as a reference.]

Li Ming, sitting at the desk in front of him, glanced back at Xie Qingyan's physics score, then at his own bright red "58," his face turning as black as the bottom of a pot. How could this be? A complete failure, scoring 71 in physics? A full 13 points higher than him! He glared fiercely at Xie Qingyan, only to find that the other didn't even lift an eyelid, focused as if the only thing in the world was that notebook of wrong answers. This disregard infuriated Li Ming more than any mockery.

Meanwhile, Jiang Ci, who seemed engrossed in the competition questions, was actually keeping a close eye on Xie Qingyan's every move.

When Xie Qingyan let out a barely audible sigh of sudden realization, Jiang Ci's fingertips, which were turning the pages of the book, paused almost imperceptibly.

Jiang Ci's gaze remained fixed on the obscure formula, but his mind had already drifted far away.

71 points.

In Jiang Ci's eyes, this score was unremarkable. But when applied to Xie Qingyan, to that face that had been completely clueless about Newton's laws just over two weeks ago, and to the results of just over ten days of targeted tutoring—the speed of progress was beyond "rapid," it was simply "terrifying."

What shocked Jiang Ci even more was Xie Qingyan's reaction after receiving the score. There was no surprise, no frustration, only an almost cold calm and an immediate, efficient focus on reviewing the results. It wasn't feigned composure, but rather the natural calm and focus that comes from having truly weathered great storms and seen even greater peaks, when facing a mere small test.

Jiang Ci considered himself to be of a steadfast character, having honed a calm and composed demeanor through countless competitions and high-pressure family environments. But to be able to detach himself from his emotions and focus solely on solving the problem under such a stark contrast in circumstances and public pressure... he asked himself, perhaps he couldn't achieve that level of composure.

"A true genius should be like this." A thought silently crossed Jiang Ci's mind.

Hsieh Ching-yen not only possesses exceptional intelligence, but also the temperament, perseverance, and vision to match it.

Jiang Ci was once hailed as a "genius," but he also lost his way in the spotlight and then gave up on himself amidst the scorn. He thought he had finally come to accept everything calmly.

But now, looking at the boy beside him quietly recording his mistakes, Jiang Ci suddenly had a different understanding of "genius"—it was a terrifying executive power that could quickly grasp the core and single-mindedly move towards the goal, no matter where he was or what situation he encountered, and a kind of absolute control over knowledge and self that was deeply rooted in his soul.

This is something the original owner, "Xie Qingyan," could never have possessed.

It's not entirely due to "tutoring".

This is a talent imprinted deep within the ancient soul that traveled from another time.

A mixture of admiration and amazement welled up in Jiang Ci's heart.

He only knew that Xie Qingyan was "different" before, that he worked hard, and that he had a sincere and warm heart.

Only now did he truly grasp the immense and profound power hidden beneath that "difference."

"Who exactly is the person inside your body?" Jiang Ci's gaze remained fixed on the pages of the book, but the question that had been lingering in his mind for so long resurfaced.

Is he a capable minister who has experienced the ups and downs of officialdom? Is he a great scholar who has devoted his life to studying classics? Or... is he a top scholar who once dominated the imperial examinations?

This conjecture made him gasp for breath. If it were true, then what were his so-called "genius" and "suffering" compared to the other person's extraordinary experience that transcended life and death and reversed time?

Just then, Xie Qingyan seemed to have finished recording a wrong answer. His pen paused slightly, as if he were considering his next move. The angle at which he tilted his head allowed a ray of light from the window to illuminate his serene profile. His focused expression seemed to be separated from the noisy and restless world around him by an invisible barrier.

Jiang Ci withdrew his peripheral vision and forcibly pulled his attention back to the competition problem in front of him.

But in a corner of my heart, an unprecedented emotion, a mixture of trembling and comfort, quietly began to grow.

Perhaps, on this lonely and dark thorny path, he will not encounter a companion who needs his protection.

Rather, it is a weapon already unsheathed, its brilliance restrained, destined to stand shoulder to shoulder with him, cutting through all the fog and shackles ahead...

A peerless sword.

——

Next was her biology score, which was 76; then came her chemistry score, which was 80.

For each subject, Xie Qingyan's first reaction upon receiving the exam paper was neither joy nor frustration, but rather an immediate state of "reviewing and recording." In her biology error notebook, she wrote: "[Unable to distinguish between mitosis and meiosis diagrams; needs to strengthen memorization of diagrams.]" In her chemistry notebook, she wrote: "[Confusing the electron transfer calculation steps for redox reactions; should summarize general solutions.]"

His calmness and efficiency stood in stark contrast to his classmates who were overjoyed or devastated after receiving their exam papers, unable to calm down for a long time. This unusual composure, in the eyes of some observant people, added a touch of "suspicion".

Finally, noon arrived. After being hit hard by the results of their four subjects, the students of Class 12 were wailing and starving.

Therefore, as soon as chemistry class ended, everyone rushed to the cafeteria.

Xie Qingyan carried a simple meal consisting of two vegetarian dishes and one side dish, searching for an empty seat. Jiang Ci chose the least crowded corner, and Xie Qingyan didn't dare to get too close, so she sat down two rows away.

He, who usually goes unnoticed, seemed to be under a spotlight today.

"Look, that's Xie Qingyan from Class 12!"

"Really? Him? The one who got a perfect score in Chinese?"

"He looks quite quiet, not like someone who could get a perfect score..."

"Not just Chinese! I heard he did well in the combined science exam too, even getting an 80 in biology!"

"My God, has he unlocked his full potential? He's gone from last place all the way up to the middle or upper ranks?"

"Who knows... I heard that Li Ming in their class is furious because his score was far surpassed."

"Hey, you know what, if you look closely, he's actually quite handsome. How come we never noticed before?"

"Yes, her demeanor seems different too, I can't quite put my finger on it..."

Whispers poured in from all directions, gazes fixed on him with curiosity, inquiry, doubt, or a touch of inexplicable excitement. Several girls even deliberately walked past him, stealing glances before blushing and whispering as they walked away.

Xie Qingyan seemed oblivious, continuing his meal with leisurely pace. He had tasted the intense attention at ancient imperial banquets; he had also experienced the scrutinizing and speculative gazes cast upon him amidst the intrigues of the palace. To him, the gossip and attention on campus were nothing more than a gentle breeze brushing against a mountain.

Not far away, Li Ming looked at Xie Qingyan, who was the center of attention, and the flames of jealousy were about to burn away his reason.

After a short lunch break, the first period in the afternoon was math class.

The atmosphere in Class 12 became subtly tense when the math teacher walked in carrying a stack of test papers. This was the subject that was widely considered the most difficult in this mock exam.

"This exam was quite difficult, and the grade average score wasn't ideal." The math teacher, a stern-faced middle-aged man, pushed up his glasses and scanned the classroom. "However, several students in our class did quite well. Especially... Xie Qingyan."

He paused, then read out the score that made the whole class hold their breath: "108 points."

"Whoosh—!!"

If the combined science score in the morning was surprising and the perfect score in Chinese was shocking, then the 108 points in math was like pouring a ladle of ice water into a hot oil pan, completely shattering the illusion!

"How much? 108?!"

"Am I hearing things? Xie Qingyan? 108 in math?"

"He only got 35 points in math last time, right?! How is this possible?!"

"This is insane! Absolutely insane! This score would put us in the top fifteen in our class!"

Li Ming abruptly turned his head, staring intently at Xie Qingyan, his eyes bloodshot. He had only scored 92 in math! He'd been surpassed by more than ten points! This couldn't be explained by "accident" or "luck"!

On the podium, the math teacher's brow was furrowed. He didn't immediately hand out the test papers, but instead fixed his gaze on Xie Qingyan, his voice filled with undisguised scrutiny and confusion:

"Xie Qingyan, could you stand up and say something to everyone?"

He waved the exam paper in his hand; it was Xie Qingyan's.

"Your problem-solving approach, especially for the last two challenging questions, was very unique, even somewhat opportunistic, but it was indeed effective. This is quite different from your previous answering style and your basic level."

The teacher spoke with restraint, but everyone could hear the underlying doubt in her words.

"I'm curious, how did you achieve such tremendous... progress in such a short period of time?"

The entire class fell silent. All eyes, including Jiang Ci's seemingly casual yet suddenly sharp peripheral vision, were focused on Xie Qingyan.

The doubts that Teacher Long suppressed with his authority in the morning have now been reignited by the math teacher, and the fire is burning even brighter.

Not only did the students question the score, but even the math teacher raised concerns.

Xie Qingyan slowly stood up. He stood tall and straight, his eyes were clear, and his face showed no panic, but rather a calm as if "it has finally come."

He met the scrutinizing gaze of his math teacher and felt the worry and tension hidden in the cold look behind him.

The real test has only just begun.