Although he still didn't quite understand how Xiao Yi had become so formidable, Luo Penghua felt that the only explanation was that Xiao Yi had started working hard from the beginning of this year's winter break. That was why he had been able to maintain such diligence and focus after the semester began. Combined with his naturally top-tier talent, which he had simply never displayed before, it had led to this—
Xiao Yi's inner universe had exploded.
This was the classic case of someone remaining silent until he made a stunning debut.
Luo Penghua nodded, then looked at Xiao Yi and said, "Xiao Yi, this really is a great opportunity. You should know about the Gifted Class too. It has produced many outstanding talents. To give you an impressive example, Cao Yuan was admitted to our USTC Young Scholars Program at the age of fourteen. After graduating, he was admitted to MIT, and then he made a discovery that shocked the world."
"There are plenty of others too. You can find them if you look them up online."
"And as Professor Liu just told you, after entering the Gifted Class, you might have a chance to be selected for the Hua Loo-Keng Class. I've heard of that class before. Even Academician President of the Chinese Mathematical Society personally teaches there. If you're truly very interested in mathematics, then this opportunity is definitely extremely valuable."
As a homeroom teacher, Luo Penghua was naturally very familiar with university applications. It was also one of a high school teacher's responsibilities: after their students finished the college entrance exam, they were obligated to provide application advice.
So he also knew quite a bit about these special classes.
Xiao Yi nodded and said, "I know, Teacher Luo. That's why I really am interested in applying for the USTC Young Scholars Program now."
"But my family still needs to agree to it."
Everyone present immediately laughed.
"Don't worry about that. We teachers will call your family and talk to them," Qin Song said with a smile.
By then, he was practically over the moon. A genius like this had appeared in his grade, and there was even a chance that he could enter the USTC Young Scholars Program. This was an undeniable achievement for him.
As for persuading Xiao Yi's parents...
He truly did not understand why anyone would use the word "persuade." Clearly, "deliver good news" was the more appropriate phrase.
What parent wouldn't be happy to hear that their child did not even need to finish high school and could go straight to university?
So this was nothing more than a small case.
"Alright, we'll call your family now. You can go back to the classroom and study on your own for now. We'll let you know once we've finished talking."
"Alright! Then thank you, teachers, and Professor Liu."
Hearing that he could finally return to the classroom for self-study, Xiao Yi let out a sigh of relief. As a student, he really was not used to being surrounded by so many teachers. More importantly, he felt that he had already wasted too much study time. It was time to get back to the classroom and read.
"Alright, go on back." The teachers all nodded.
Professor Liu Bin also nodded at him kindly.
Xiao Yi turned to leave, but after taking a few steps, he turned back and said to Liu Bin, "Oh, right, Professor Liu, didn't you say you'd give me some exercise books with problems like those competition questions? Um... when can you give them to me?"
Liu Bin could not help but laugh. "Don't worry, I'll definitely bring them for you. You won't be left without them."
"Then thank you, Professor."
With that, Xiao Yi quickly left the office.
As he walked back to the classroom, his heart surged with excitement. According to Professor Liu, he could go to university in the second half of this year.
Who would have thought that his high school life would last only two years before coming to an end?
Still, going to university was one thing. What truly attracted him were the more interesting and more difficult mathematical problems and knowledge that Liu Bin had described to him earlier.
Just like that, he made his way back to the classroom.
Although Luo Penghua was not in the classroom at the moment, the class was still quite quiet. Everyone was studying seriously.
Of course, Xiao Yi's return still drew everyone's attention.
His classmates all looked over at him, and those closer to him asked where he had gone.
Naturally, he answered honestly that he had gone to the teachers' office.
After all, the senior year teachers' office was still a teachers' office.
His classmates did not ask any further questions and went back to studying.
However, his deskmate, Chen Wei, asked one more question.
"What did you go to the teachers' office for?"
"Oh, they mainly talked to me about going to the USTC Young Scholars Program in the second half of this year."
Chen Wei immediately rolled his eyes. "Give me a break. The USTC Young Scholars Program? We'd be lucky if we could get into USTC through the college entrance exam."
Their total scores in regular exams did not even reach 600, so they really could not get into USTC.
Xiao Yi shrugged. If he did not believe him, then so be it.
But then Chen Wei leaned closer and said, "But you heard about what happened in senior year too?"
"What happened?"
"A USTC professor went over to senior year a few days ago and gave them several math problems. Apparently, some student solved all of them, and now they're saying that student might be selected for the Gifted Class."
Xiao Yi said helplessly, "Has it occurred to you that this student might be me?"
Chen Wei rolled his eyes again. "Hey, stop interrupting. I'm talking to you about something serious."
"I'm so jealous of that student. He actually has a chance to enter the USTC Young Scholars Program and doesn't even have to take the college entrance exam."
Seeing Chen Wei's expression, as though he wished he could take that student's place, Xiao Yi sighed. Why did no one believe the truth these days?
Forget it. He could not be bothered explaining it to him. He should just study in peace.
So he said, "Stop thinking about it. Study."
Then he took out his physics textbook and began reading.
Seeing him pick up a physics textbook, Chen Wei could not help asking, "Didn't you always read math during evening self-study before? Why are you studying physics now?"
Xiao Yi said, "To enter the Gifted Class, I still need to take the college entrance exam, so I can't neglect physics, chemistry, biology, and the rest. It's time to start reviewing."
Chen Wei gave him the middle finger. "Yeah, right."
After that, he could not be bothered to say anything else and started reading as well.
In the senior year office.
"Mm, alright. Mr. Xiao, please rest assured. Xiao Yi is already an excellent student. Just wait for further notice. The USTC admissions office will also call you. Alright, alright, then I won't disturb you any longer. Goodbye."
After hanging up, Luo Penghua smiled. "Xiao Yi's parents have agreed."
Qin Song laughed heartily. "Just as I said. The USTC Young Scholars Program is famous enough that his parents definitely wouldn't refuse."
Liu Bin said with a smile, "Thank you all as well."
"Professor Liu, you're too polite."
"Oh, right. I also need to report this to our school, so I'll need Xiao Yi's information and his past grades. They'll be submitted together as supporting materials."
"That's no problem." Chen Liang nodded. "There's a computer here. We can look it up right away."
They immediately turned on the computer, logged into the school system, and checked Xiao Yi's grades.
But once they looked them up, they all fell silent.
Before you continue