This Day and Age, Why Does No One Believe the Truth?

Though he still couldn't quite figure out how Xiao Yi had become so formidable, at this moment, the only explanation Luo Penghua could see was that Xiao Yi had started working hard from this year's winter break onward. That was why, after the new semester began, he could maintain such diligence in his studies, coupled with his top-tier talent—which had simply never shown itself before. And now—

Xiao Yi's little universe had exploded.

This was a textbook case of "a bird that doesn't sing may startle the world when it does."

Luo Penghua nodded, then looked at Xiao Yi and said, "Xiao Yi, this really is a great opportunity. You should know about the Young Scholars Program—it's produced a lot of talent. Take a notable example: Cao Yuan. He was admitted to our USTC Young Scholars Program at 14, went to MIT after graduation, and then made a world-shocking discovery."

"And there are plenty of others—you can look them up online."

"Plus, as Professor Liu just mentioned, once you're in the Young Scholars Program, you have a chance to be selected for the Hua Loo-Keng Class. I've heard about this class before—Academician President of the Chinese Mathematical Society personally teaches there. If you're really interested in math, this opportunity is definitely precious."

As a homeroom teacher, Luo Penghua was well-versed in college application matters. It was part of a high school teacher's duty to offer advice to students after their college entrance exams.

So he knew a lot about these special programs.

Xiao Yi nodded. "I understand, Teacher Luo. So right now, I am indeed interested in applying for the USTC Young Scholars Program."

"But I still need my family's approval."

Everyone present immediately chuckled.

"Don't worry about that—we teachers will call your family and talk it through," Qin Song said with a smile.

Inside, he was overjoyed. A genius like this appearing in his grade, with a shot at the USTC Young Scholars Program—it was a solid feather in his cap.

As for persuading Xiao Yi's parents...

He honestly didn't see why "persuasion" was the right word. "Bringing good news" seemed far more fitting.

What parent wouldn't be thrilled to hear their child could skip the rest of high school and go straight to college?

So this was just a small matter.

"Alright, we'll call your family now. You can head back to the classroom for self-study. Once we've talked it through, we'll let you know."

"Okay! Thank you, teachers, and Professor Liu."

Hearing that he could finally return to the classroom for self-study, Xiao Yi let out a long breath. As a student, he wasn't used to being surrounded by so many teachers—mainly because he felt he'd already wasted too much study time. Time to get back to his books.

"Alright, go on back." The teachers nodded.

Professor Liu Bin also gave him a warm nod.

Xiao Yi turned and left, but after a few steps, he looked back at Liu Bin. "Oh, by the way, Professor Liu, you mentioned giving me some problem sets similar to those competition questions? When... could I get them?"

Liu Bin chuckled. "Don't worry, I'll bring them for you. You won't miss out."

"Thanks, Professor."

With that, Xiao Yi quickly left the office.

Walking back to the classroom, his heart surged with excitement. According to Professor Liu, he could start college in the second half of this year.

Who would have thought? His high school life would only last two years before ending.

But going to college was one thing—what really drew him were the more interesting and challenging math problems and knowledge Liu Bin had described.

And so, he made his way back to the classroom.

Though Luo Penghua wasn't there, the class was still pretty quiet, everyone studying hard.

Of course, Xiao Yi's return caught attention.

Classmates glanced at him, and those closer asked where he'd been.

He answered honestly—the teacher's office.

After all, the senior year office was still a teacher's office.

They didn't press further and went back to their studies.

But his deskmate, Chen Wei, asked one more question.

"What were you doing at the teacher's office?"

"Oh, they talked to me about going to the USTC Young Scholars Program in the second half of this year."

Chen Wei rolled his eyes. "Yeah, right. USTC Young Scholars Program? We'd be lucky to get into USTC on the college entrance exam."

Their usual total scores couldn't even break 600—no way they'd get into USTC.

Xiao Yi shrugged. Don't believe it, fine.

But then Chen Wei leaned in. "So you heard about what's going on with the senior year too?"

"What?"

"There's this USTC professor who went to the senior year and gave out a few math problems. Some student solved them all, and now they might get into the Young Scholars Program."

Xiao Yi said flatly, "What if I told you that student is me?"

Chen Wei rolled his eyes again. "Come on, don't interrupt. I'm being serious."

"Man, I'm so jealous of that student. Getting into the USTC Young Scholars Program without even taking the college entrance exam."

Watching Chen Wei's face, practically aching to trade places, Xiao Yi sighed. Why was it that when he told the truth, no one believed him?

Whatever. He'd stop bothering and focus on studying.

Then he said, "Stop thinking about it. Let's study."

After that, he took out his physics textbook and started reading.

When Chen Wei saw him reading physics, he couldn't help asking, "Weren't you always reading math during evening self-study before? Why are you looking at physics now?"

Xiao Yi said, "To get into the Young Scholars Program, I still need to take the college entrance exam. So I can't let up on physics, chemistry, biology—I need to start reviewing."

Chen Wei flipped him off. "Yeah, right."

Then he couldn't be bothered to say more and started reading too.

In the senior year faculty office.

"Mm, okay, Xiao Yi's parent, rest assured. Xiao Yi is already an outstanding student. Just wait for the notice—the USTC admissions office will call you as well. Okay, okay, I won't keep you. Goodbye."

Hanging up the phone, Luo Penghua smiled. "Xiao Yi's parents have agreed."

Qin Song laughed. "See? With the reputation of the USTC Young Scholars Program, their parents would never refuse."

Liu Bin smiled and said, "Thank you all as well."

"You're welcome, Professor Liu."

"Oh, right, I also need to report this to our school, so I'll need Xiao Yi's information and his past grades. We'll submit them together as supporting materials."

"Of course, no problem." Chen Liang nodded. "There's a computer right here. We can check right now."

So they turned on the computer, logged into the school's backend, and looked up Xiao Yi's grades.

But when they saw them, they fell silent.

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