Yan Xiao was on his way to the awards venue with the rest of the group.
Meanwhile, the teachers on the judging panel were discussing how they could get in touch with him.
They had already tried plenty of methods,
some aboveboard,
some underhanded,
and some even worse than underhanded.
But,
every attempt had come to nothing.
It was not that their planning or execution was amateurish. The Chinese team leader simply protected Yan Xiao too well.
So well that he seemed like a professional counter-surveillance expert.
"What do we do? Today is our last chance. Apparently, they're flying back to China tonight. Once they leave, our connection with this student will be over," one judge said, looking rather dejected.
"Tomorrow, we'll find a way to draw their team leader away. Even if there's only the slightest chance, we can't give up," another judge said, putting on a brave face.
"What we say to him is crucial. Should we offer even better benefits? For a student like this, I'm sure the rewards China gives him are substantial."
"Isn't what we're offering already enough? If we offer any more, we'll have to seek approval from higher up."
"Even more than the highest tier?" someone spoke up in disagreement.
"Have you ever seen anyone receiving the highest-tier scholarships and financial aid finish all the modeling in such a short time, let alone to such a high standard?"
Those words,
left the entire room silent.
Indeed,
the ability Yan Xiao had demonstrated far surpassed that of others his age.
Of course,
in academia, being exceptionally capable at a young age was an outward sign of excellence.
But,
it was also common for many people who showed such signs of excellence to gradually fade into mediocrity as they grew older.
That was why talented