Gaokao

It's just a bit harder, no big deal!

Spending a little more time should solve it.

So, he quickly clapped his hands and said, "Forget it, I'll choose this paper!"

His interest in "problems that truly belong to the forefront of mathematics" was thoroughly ignited at this moment.

The topic, which combined number theory and algebraic geometry, two major directions in mathematics, already made his heart race just listening to it.

If he could solve such a problem, then his thirst for knowledge, which had been unsatisfied by various simple problems for so long, would surely be quenched?

"Then let's begin!"

Meanwhile, in Liu Bin's office.

He picked up his briefcase, prepared the materials needed for class, and then prepared to shut down his computer.

He pressed the power button, and the Word document prompted him to save.

It was the database of paper topics he had opened earlier. He probably accidentally typed a punctuation mark, which is why it prompted him to save.

He clicked "Don't Save," and the shutdown process continued.

But at that moment, his peripheral vision caught sight of something – he seemed to have accidentally copied and sent a topic he had previously prepared for himself to Xiao Yi.

It seemed to be a topic combining number theory and algebraic geometry?

And it was extremely difficult, involving something quite niche in mathematics called "Abel," so he had basically never even looked at it.

However, looking at the time, he decided to hurry to the classroom. In university, a teacher being late for class was considered a teaching incident.

Well, Xiao Yi probably wouldn't pick that topic out of so many.

What are the odds of such a coincidence?

Time flies, years pass in a flash.

Another month quietly slipped by.

And this year, the 2020 Gaokao was finally about to arrive.

June 5th.

During the evening self-study session for Class 3 of the science stream.

"Since the Gaokao starts on June 7th, and our school is one of the exam centers in our city, we will be implementing a campus lockdown starting tomorrow. Classes for first and second years will be suspended. Tomorrow, students can choose to go home or stay at school."

The homeroom teacher, Luo Penghua, announced this from the podium.

"Ooh yeah!"

Instantly, all the students in the class became excited.

This break was completely free, who wouldn't be happy?

However, Luo Penghua quickly poured cold water on their excitement: "Don't celebrate too early. After your third-year seniors finish their exams, don't think you'll get a summer break. After the Gaokao ends, you will be third-years, and you'll have to follow the schedule for third-years."

"Ah?"

The students who had just been ecstatic immediately became dejected, their voices trailing off.

Both the ascetic lifestyle of the third year and the approach of the Gaokao made them feel a sense of melancholy.

"What's there to be so glum about? It's all something you'll have to face sooner or later. Don't go messing around for the next few days. For those planning to go home, I'll call your parents tomorrow. If you don't go home on time and secretly stay out, I'll have to call your parents then."

Hearing the homeroom teacher's warning, the students who had been harboring little thoughts about the upcoming holiday immediately backed down.

As homeroom teachers, they understood their students' thoughts all too well.

"Also, our classmate Xiao Yi will be taking the Gaokao along with your third-year seniors. He'll likely be entering USTC to study in the second half of the year, so let's all send our blessings to Xiao Yi now!"

At this point, Luo Penghua brought up Xiao Yi.

The students present all looked towards Xiao Yi's seat.

During evening self-study, Xiao Yi would still return to the classroom to study. Regardless, he liked staying with his class. He chose to study in the study room during the day mainly because he felt awkward studying Mathematics during other substitute teachers' classes.

"Wishing Brother Xiao the Top Scholar title!"

Chen Wei shouted loudly, kicking things off, startling both Xiao Yi and the entire class, and making everyone react.

Then, all sorts of wishes for Xiao Yi to win the Top Scholar title spread throughout the classroom.

For the sophomore year, there weren't so many complicated thoughts. Upon learning that a classmate would be leaving, regardless of whether he was heading towards a better future, the still youthful boys and girls expressed their most sincere wishes.

Xiao Yi's heart warmed slightly, and he said, "Thank you, everyone!"

"Don't just thank us, since you're here, just tell us if you're going to take the Top Scholar title or not!"

Chen Wei continued to egg him on.

Xiao Yi smiled, "I will! I definitely will!"

"Hooray!"

Another round of applause erupted.

Standing before the podium, Luo Penghua watched the scene with a smile. Sometimes, when he spent too much time with these young students, he felt as if he was returning to his own youth.

As for whether Xiao Yi could clinch the Top Scholar title, while it wasn't a 100% certainty, he had a very good chance, certainly better than the student from the First High School.

Just like the final comprehensive mock exam held for the juniors a week ago, the papers for this exam were taken by all the middle schools in Fei City. After the results were announced, Xiao Yi still secured the absolute first place with a score that left everyone else in the dust. Furthermore, his English, which was previously considered a weak point, only scoring around 130-140, had shot up to 148 in the last exam, with deductions only in the essay section.

It was as if every exam was different, making one wonder how he managed to research Mathematics papers while simultaneously mastering all the high school subjects so thoroughly.

"Alright, alright, settle down. Don't disturb the class next door. Continue with your self-study."

As Luo Penghua spoke, the classroom quieted down, and all the students resumed their studies.

Luo Penghua nodded with satisfaction.

He noticed that since the students in his class learned that Xiao Yi had been selected for the Gifted Class, the vast majority of them had become more diligent than before.

Their scores in recent exams had also started to improve.

This was probably the influence Xiao Yi had left on their class before his departure.

He looked back at Xiao Yi.

As a teacher, he sent his blessings in his heart.

May your future be bright and your youth be well spent.

June 7, 2020.

The annual Gaokao spectacle had arrived once again, with all sorts of news about the Gaokao dominating various media platforms.

In the face of this most crucial moment in the lives of over 10 million young people, the entire society rolled out the red carpet for them.

Outside Exam Room 4, Xiao Yi stood waiting for the exam to begin.

During the Gaokao, the exam room for each test was different.

He hadn't expected his first exam to be back in this familiar Exam Room 4.

He had taken so many exams in this room.

And it was from this room that he would begin his final countdown before leaving high school.