The top class was thoroughly shaken.

The first place could have been Song Huai, Zhang Haoyu, or even themselves—so how did it end up being Rong Yu from Class 20?

Rong Yu was always participating in talent shows, frequently taking leave, and popping up on trending lists. It was obvious her mind wasn’t on academics. How could someone like that score so high?

Didn’t that make all their hard work seem utterly ridiculous?

Zhang Haoyu glanced at the rankings, his face full of disbelief. "Full marks in math, English, and science—is she even human?"

Song Huai’s eyes darkened.

Since elementary school—no, since kindergarten—he had always been first. He had never known what second place felt like.

This was the first time he’d been pushed to second.

And the one who surpassed him was Rong Yu.

It was unexpected, yet somehow, it made sense.

He exhaled slowly, forcing the frustration out of his chest to maintain his usual composed demeanor.

The results of this monthly exam sent shockwaves through the entire senior year. At lunch in the cafeteria, students huddled in groups, buzzing with gossip.

"Even Song Huai, as outstanding as he is, has never ranked first in the city."

"Last time, Rong Yu was dead last, and now she’s suddenly the city’s top scorer? Isn’t that just absurd?"

"She was absent for the last one—why keep bringing it up? Being first in the city proves her ability."

"But if she’s so capable, why wasn’t she admitted to Tsinghua or Peking University after winning the national physics gold medal?"

"Uh… how should I know?"

"Anyway, if she wasn’t admitted, there must be some flaw in her skills. Maybe she cheated—"

Zhang Haoyu, sitting nearby, looked up coldly. "Tell me, who could she possibly have copied from to get first in the city?"

Song Huai added calmly, "If first place isn’t enough to prove her ability, I don’t know what could shut you up."

Rong Ruoyao kept her eyes downcast.

She could sense Song Huai paying more and more attention to Rong Yu.

It was a feeling only a fiancée could detect, and it filled her with an inexplicable unease.

"Cough!"

Hearing her cough, Song Huai turned to her. "Are you okay? Do you need to go home and rest this afternoon?"

"Just choked. I’m fine," Rong Ruoyao replied. "There’s a parents’ meeting this afternoon, and I have to give a speech for the liberal arts class. I can’t just leave."

That afternoon, all senior students gathered on the field for the parents’ meeting.

Rong Wangtian and Shen Lin arrived together—Shen Lin attended for Rong Ruoyao, while Rong Wangtian went for Rong Yu.

As soon as he reached Class 20’s section, several parents swarmed around him.

"You must be Rong Yu’s father! Last time, you left so early we didn’t get a chance to chat."

"Ever since Rong Yu transferred to Class 20, my son’s grades have improved dramatically. I’ve been meaning to invite your family for a meal—would you be free sometime?"

"We’d love to have Rong Yu and her father over for dinner too!"

Rong Wangtian was stunned.

Usually, only business associates with smaller companies would be this eager to invite him.

This was the first time he’d been so warmly received at school.

Was it because Rong Yu had won the physics competition gold medal?

But according to Ruoyao, all the students who won Olympiad gold medals received university admission offers—except Rong Yu.

A suspicion gnawed at him: Had Rong Yu’s gold medal been disqualified? Was that why she wasn’t admitted?

But he wouldn’t voice that thought.

After all, she was his biological daughter, and she was living with the Ji family, closely tied to them. No matter what, he wouldn’t let their relationship collapse—he’d work to mend it.

He shook hands with the parents. "Of course, let’s arrange a meal when we’re free. I’d love to exchange parenting tips with everyone."

"You’re too modest, Mr. Rong," the class monitor’s mother said. "Rong Yu is so well-behaved and brilliant—quiet until she shocks everyone by topping the city! Full marks in everything except Chinese! If I had a daughter like her, I’d be over the moon."

Rong Wangtian’s eyes widened. "What? First in the city?"

"You didn’t know?" The monitor’s mother looked surprised. "This exam was a joint test among the top eight high schools in Haicheng. Rong Yu’s total score was the highest. No one told you?"

Rong Wangtian stood frozen.

He and Rong Yu could go months without speaking—of course she wouldn’t tell him.

It had always been Ruoyao who updated him on Rong Yu’s school life.

Then it hit him.

Now that he thought about it, Ruoyao only ever mentioned Rong Yu’s flaws—getting too close to Ji Zhouye, skipping school, poor grades…

But she never said a word about Rong Yu’s achievements.

He had always thought Ruoyao was sweet and considerate. Only now did he realize she had been subtly sabotaging his relationship with Rong Yu.

His gaze drifted to Rong Yu’s figure, but he didn’t approach her. Instead, he sat down silently.

Over in the top-class section, Madam Song arrived.

As usual, she was immediately surrounded.

She assumed it was the usual flattery—until she heard:

"Mrs. Song, your son’s grades slipped this time."

"He was beaten by a girl—how could that happen?"

"The top-class honor was stolen by a so-called ‘slacker class’ student…"

Madam Song’s face darkened. She snatched the rankings and turned pale—Song Huai was second. First place was Rong Yu!

That country bumpkin, that disgraceful Rong Yu, had taken her son’s spot?

How was that possible?

"Song Huai! What is this?" Madam Song flung the paper at him. "Your father and I work so hard to give you the best education, and this is how you repay us?"

Song Huai remained calm. "My scores are the same as always. I didn’t slip."

His rank dropped because Rong Yu was just that exceptional.

"Mrs. Song, don’t be upset. Song Huai’s already been admitted to Tsinghua—grades don’t matter now."

"Exactly! He won gold in both math and physics. With results like that, who cares about a monthly exam?"

"That girl from Class 20 probably just got lucky with the questions. The college entrance exam is unpredictable—she won’t score 700-plus again."

Madam Song gradually cooled down.

True, ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‍her son had already secured early admission to Tsinghua and was mentored by Professor Liu. He was among the best of his generation.

If Rong Yu were truly better than him, why hadn’t Professor Liu taken her as a student? Why hadn’t Tsinghua offered her admission?

In the end, Rong Yu was just lucky.