Things went exactly as predicted. Before his individual interview, Yan Xiao was led into a lounge.
When Yan Xiao entered, James, the dean of the School of Information Engineering at the Peppercorn Institute of Technology, rose to greet him. He had already been waiting inside.
"Yan, welcome to the United States." James did his best to seem approachable.
"Thank you."
"Have you enjoyed your time in the United States?" James made small talk, trying to bring them closer.
Yan Xiao nodded politely and replied, "It's been quite nice."
"Congratulations on winning the grand prize in this competition." James still hadn't gotten to the point.
But that remark did make Yan Xiao very happy.
Because,
the grand prize was the highest award, with prize money of three million.
And,
it wasn't awarded every time.
The prize was only awarded when a solution was exceptionally outstanding, or even featured some innovation in the process.
This prize,
had gone unclaimed for seven consecutive competitions.
"Thank you." Yan Xiao continued to answer with a smile.
James rambled on about various things, only finally getting to the point after nearly ten minutes of conversation.
Of course,
if he had had enough time, James would have liked to chat a little longer.
But,
not much remained of the twenty-minute delay he had asked the reporters for.
In another ten minutes,
Yan Xiao's interview would begin.
After the interview,
they would have no reason to keep Yan Xiao there.
"Yan, would you be interested in studying abroad at the Peppercorn Institute of Technology?" James watched Yan Xiao's expression as he spoke.
Seeing Yan Xiao's head shift slightly to the left, he knew Yan Xiao was about to shake his head and refuse.
Before Yan Xiao could speak, James hurriedly said:
"For an outstanding student like you, the