Chapter 88: A war of words
Before long, Zack received a letter from Redmond, Washington State. The sender was Microsoft headquarters.
The letter instantly made him the talk of the school.
In the letter, Microsoft mentioned that the media player plug-in Zack had written had brought them considerable convenience. They sincerely hoped he would come to work for Microsoft after graduating from high school, offering him an annual salary of seven hundred thousand dollars.
An annual salary of seven hundred thousand dollars was almost unimaginable in China, and even in the United States, it was enough to signify upper-class status and ability.
Although many students at this school came from prominent local families, they had no shortage of money.
But Americans were generally taught not to take pride in their families' money and power, but in their own abilities. An annual salary of seven hundred thousand dollars was already a tremendous demonstration of ability, enough to leave many people awestruck.
For a mere high school student to catch Microsoft's eye was something the school thought incredibly cool for a time. Mark had, in a way, become a rising celebrity.
Having received this distinction, Mark immediately became news in the school newspapers and magazines, and even in newspapers around Exeter.
And now Zack, who had begun to stand out from the ordinary, was gesticulating excitedly at a party held in his honor.
"Excellent grades in every subject don't necessarily guarantee admission to Harvard. But add awards in one or two extracurricular activities, or a position as president of a speech or debate club, or head of the school newspaper or magazine, and your chances become very good. You might even have financial aid pouring in!"
"And if a student has average grades in a subject but outstanding extracurricular achievements, prestigious universities