That evening, Zong Jia called and said, "National champion, congratulations, Little Pear."

"Hehe, you already know? The news spread so fast!" She hadn't even had a chance to brag yet!

Zong Jia chuckled softly on the other end of the phone, "Yeah, Dafu and Zhong Yuan were both eager to call and tell me."

Jiang Xiaoli frowned. "Why didn't they call to congratulate me? Instead, they're reporting to you?"

"Hehe," Zong Jiayu explained, "Maybe they think I understand the significance of your championship win better."

She reluctantly accepted the answer, "Okay, hehe, I'll go to Kyoto for training next year!"

"Okay, I'll take you out for something delicious later."

...

The next morning, as soon as Jiang Xiaoli and Xiao Muyu got out of the car, they saw two banners at the school gate that were even more bright and eye-catching than the last one.

The school's publicity staff wanted to fill every available space except for the school's signboard.

During morning reading, she and Xu Xing were called away by Teacher Liu.

As they walked, Teacher Liu introduced them to the two of them, saying, "Several official media outlets have come to interview you. Don't be nervous. Just answer their questions truthfully."

The interview was held in the school's large conference room, where Jiang Xiaoli, Xu Xing, and Teacher Liu sat next to the principal.

After a few brief pleasantries from the principal, the reporters began asking questions.

The first reporter to ask a question was from the magazine "Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry for Middle School Students".

"Professor Liu, students from Xijing University have generally achieved average results in physics competitions. How did you manage to train the students who won the top two prizes in this year's competition in such a short period of time?"

Teacher Liu did not take credit. "I have to say that I only deserve about 10% of the credit. I just did what a mentor should do, providing them with as many teaching materials and exercises as possible. They are able to achieve what they have today because they are already very good."

The second reporter then asked, "Jiang Xiaoli and Xu Xing, what do you think of what your teacher said?"

Xu Xing, a man of few words, silently pushed the microphone in front of Jiang Xiaoli.

She smiled at the reporters and said, “I think what Mr. Liu said is wrong. He was the one who first mentioned participating in the physics competition to me. If it weren’t for him, Xu Xing and I might not have participated in this competition at all, and we wouldn’t have the opportunity to sit here and be interviewed by you all.”

"As far as I know, both of you have just entered the second year of high school this year. How do you balance your competition subjects with your regular studies?"

Xu Xing gave a dry reply, "In our first year of high school, we both participated in the senior year joint exam and tied for second place in the city. We spent more time on the competition subjects."

"Both of you have made it into the national training team and have been guaranteed admission to prestigious universities. I wonder which university you plan to attend?"

Jiang Xiaoli and Xu Xing exchanged a glance and shook their heads simultaneously.

The reporter followed up, asking, "Have the two students not yet decided which school to choose, or do they not plan to accept the guaranteed admission offer?"

Thinking of what Teacher Liu had just said, Xu Xing honestly replied, "We will both participate in the math winter camp in January, and I am more interested in math."

Before the surprised reporter could react, Jiang Xiaoli continued, "I will take the college entrance examination next year, and I want to study business."

The reporters below the stage looked at each other in bewilderment. Were these two students trying to cause trouble?

One wanted to study business, and the other wanted to study mathematics. As a result, they both got first and second place in the National Physics Competition.

The principal next to them frantically tried to signal to the two women, but neither of them, including Teacher Liu, paid any attention.

Finally, the principal had to take the microphone and say, "Jiang Xiaoli and Xu Xing are also the first and second place winners in this year's provincial mathematics competition. As teachers, we highly respect the students' own interests and choices."

Most of the questions below were answered by the principal and Teacher Liu. The interview lasted for nearly an hour before it ended.

Jiang Xiaoli and Xu Xing had just breathed a sigh of relief after leaving the conference room when they were stopped by several middle-aged men.

"Student Jiang, Student Xu, I am an admissions officer from Tsinghua University..."

"I'm from Kyoto University..."

"I'm from Huazhong University of Science and Technology..."

They were all very confident when they came today, and they were even betting with each other on which school the two students would choose before the interview started.

After listening to the interview, several people became anxious.

Noticing the commotion, the academic affairs director rushed over to protect the two of them.

"We are very grateful to all the universities for their interest in our students, and we hope that everyone will respect the students' choices..."

After escaping, the two were taken to the principal's office, where there were two other people besides the principal and Teacher Liu.

The principal greeted them with a smile, "These two are leaders from the Education Bureaus of Qin Province and Xijing City. They came here specifically to see you two today!"

Jiang Xiaoli and Xu Xing greeted the two politely.

The two of them took out their certificates of merit and thick envelopes.

"This is an award from the Provincial Education Bureau and the Municipal Education Bureau. We hope that you two will continue your efforts and bring honor to our hometown!"

After a round of polite business pleasantries, Jiang Xiaoli and Xu Xing were allowed to pass.

She clutched the thick envelope and couldn't help but take it out to count the money. "Wow, the city gave us 3,000 yuan and the province gave us 5,000 yuan! Xu Xing, we're rich!"

Xu Xing couldn't help but think that she seemed happier counting the money than when she received the award yesterday.

He suddenly became unhappy, "This little bit of money is nothing to Boss Jiang, right?"

Jiang Xiaoli stuffed the money back into the envelope, looking at him strangely, "Why are you talking so sarcastically?"

Xu Xing didn't know what was wrong with him; he was just very angry. "You've made so much money, why can't you focus on your studies?"

Feeling inexplicably scolded, Jiang Xiaoli wasn't going to put up with it. "Who would complain about having too much money? Is it wrong for me to like seeing my account balance increase?"

After saying that, he turned his back and left.

She was still sulking when she got back to the classroom.

It was right after class, and her classmates all wanted to come over and chat with her when they saw her come back.

As a result, they were all deterred by the oppressive atmosphere emanating from her.

Xie Yitao asked cautiously, "Champion's deskmate, what's wrong?"

Jiang Xiaoli pouted and complained, "Xu Xing is sick! I don't know why he's talking in such a sarcastic way!"

Now even the stubborn Xie Yitao didn't dare to ask any more questions. It was better not to get involved in the argument between the two academic geniuses.

During lunch, Jiang Xiaoli chatted with Xiao Muyu, but Xiao Muyu couldn't quite put her finger on it.

That evening, she called Zong Jia to complain.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone. Zong Jia guessed, "Maybe he thinks that people who are good at studying should shine in their areas of expertise."

Jiang Xiaoli immediately retorted, "I'm even better at doing business!"

Zong Jia patiently advised, "That's because he doesn't understand you, Little Pear. Just do what you like and don't care what others say. I will always support you!"

After chatting with him for a while, Jiang Xiaoli felt much better.

She generously said, "Little Zong is so sensible! You wait, I'm going to use this bonus to buy you a birthday present!"

Zong Jiayu smiled and said, "Thank you for the expense."