For Xiao Yi, his study efficiency during evening self-study far surpassed his efficiency in daytime classes. Even though his other classes had basically become no different from self-study now.
Still, that was under the teachers' watchful eyes, and he felt a little embarrassed about it.
So, he hoped he would be able to arrange all his time himself from then on.
Hearing Xiao Yi's request, Liu Songlin said with a smile, "That's completely doable. From now on, I'll make a special exception and excuse you from classes. You can arrange your time however you like."
"Our school has self-study rooms, right? I'll give you a key later. You can go whenever you want."
Xiao Yi's eyes immediately lit up. This was exactly what he wanted!
"Thank you, Principal!"
Liu Songlin nodded, then continued, "Do you have any other requests? Go ahead and ask. Be bolder. As long as it's reasonable, the principal can agree to it."
Be bolder?
Xiao Yi hesitated for a moment before voicing what he considered, as a student, his boldest request. "I want... to bring my computer to school."
It was indeed a bold request. Liu Songlin's brow twitched as he asked, "What do you need a computer for?"
Xiao Yi said, "To read papers, and to write papers."
A puzzled expression appeared on Liu Songlin's face.
What?
A second-year high school student saying he wanted to write academic papers?
After a moment of silence, Liu Songlin cautiously asked, "What line of work is your father in?"
"Huh?" Xiao Yi looked utterly baffled.
"Ahem, Principal Liu, let me explain." Beside him, Luo Penghua said, "After Xiao Yi demonstrated his mathematical talent, Academician Hu Guangde of USTC noticed him last month. Academician Hu gave him a task: he hoped Xiao Yi could complete a core mathematics paper before entering USTC in the second half of this year."
"So for the past month, Xiao Yi has come to my office every day to use my computer to read papers."
As Liu Songlin listened to Luo Penghua, his eyes widened.
When he first heard Academician Hu Guangde's name, he was already surprised. He had never expected the boy before him to have earned an academician's favor. This young man's future achievements might not be any lower than his own as the principal of a key high school.
But what he heard next stunned him even more.
A core paper?
And it was supposed to be completed by a second-year high school student?
Just how highly did Academician Hu think of this boy?
Even Liu Songlin himself had not written many core papers, especially after entering the education sector, where he had basically bid farewell to academia.
At that thought, Liu Songlin fell into contemplation. Finally, he nodded and said, "All right. I permit you to use a computer, and I'll also allow you to use your own phone."
Xiao Yi was overjoyed. He had never expected his bold request to actually be approved.
"Thank you, Principal!"
Liu Songlin nodded with a smile. "Also, you don't need to bring your home computer here. This time, the school will pay to buy you a computer as a reward for this examination."
Really, Principal?
Xiao Yi's eyes shone even brighter. He had not expected such an unexpected windfall.
"However, the condition is that once you have the computer, you must truly focus your mind on studying and not use it for games or anything like that."
Xiao Yi patted his chest and promised, "Don't worry! I definitely won't play games!"
In fact, he had quit gaming a long time ago.
Liu Songlin laughed. "Good."
"Also, aside from this computer, given that your performance in this examination was outstanding enough, on behalf of the school, I'll provide you with a scholarship of ten thousand yuan. Hmm... today is Monday. The long break after first period is the flag-raising ceremony, so we'll announce it then."
"Also, if you can become the Provincial Top Scholar in the college entrance examination, the school will provide you with a scholarship of at least thirty thousand yuan. During university, you won't need to pay for tuition or anything else yourself."
Hearing Liu Songlin's words, Xiao Yi's eyes widened in disbelief.
What?
A ten-thousand-yuan scholarship?
And it would be announced for him at the flag-raising ceremony that was about to begin?
Honestly, in all his life, he had never even seen ten thousand yuan. His family was not wealthy, either.
Not to mention that if he became the Provincial Top Scholar in the college entrance examination, there would be another thirty-thousand-yuan scholarship.
Previously, he had never considered something like becoming the Provincial Top Scholar. But after experiencing this Nine Provinces Joint Examination, becoming the top scholar did not seem all that difficult to him anymore.
For a moment, his heart surged with excitement.
"Also, when you really finish this paper, leave the publication fees to the school. Just make sure to list Affiliated High School as your affiliated institution among the authors."
Liu Songlin said with a smile.
He did not know whether Xiao Yi could finish the paper before enrolling at USTC this year. But since Academician Hu had said so, that meant Xiao Yi had a chance, and Liu Songlin was willing to believe in him.
If Xiao Yi really pulled it off, Liu Songlin would immediately get reporters from the provincial television station to interview him, then spread celebratory notices and press releases everywhere.
Who knew how many excellent students that could bring to their school?
Publication fees were nothing!
Xiao Yi did not yet know what publication fees were, but he still said gratefully, "Then thank you, Principal Liu!"
Liu Songlin nodded with a beaming smile, then asked, "Any other requests?"
Xiao Yi shook his head repeatedly. "No, no. This is already more than enough."
"Haha, then we'll leave it at that for now. If you think of anything later, come find me anytime and just ask." Liu Songlin then looked at Luo Penghua. "Mr. Luo, for now, you can notify the substitute teachers in your class about Xiao Yi being allowed to arrange his own time. I'll formally approve it at the staff meeting later."
"Okay." Luo Penghua nodded.
"Mm. As for the computer, Xiao Yi, you can come pick it up this afternoon when you're free. I'll have someone buy one from the mall."
"And then..."
After a round of arrangements, the class bell rang.
Liu Songlin raised an eyebrow, then smiled. "It's time for the flag-raising ceremony. Let's get going."
Xiao Yi's gaze immediately filled with excitement.
Ten thousand yuan, here I fucking come!
"Okay, Principal."
At the Affiliated High School's athletic field, all the teachers and students had gathered together.
The field was enormous, and there were countless students standing packed together, as though they filled the entire grounds.
The elementary, middle, and high school students stood in their designated areas in orderly groups.
On the rostrum, the flag-raising ceremony began.
As the students of the color guard marched in goose-step to the flagpole, the ceremony officially commenced.
To the melody of the March of the Volunteers, the students present saluted while singing along softly.
Finally.
"Salute complete. Third item: please welcome Principal Liu to the stage for a speech. Let's give him a round of applause!"
Before you continue