CHAPTER 541: APPETIZER NO. 213

At the same time, the Lanya Group’s official website posted a bright red announcement.

The programmer set up a special feature: as soon as you visit the website, fireworks blossom across the homepage, accompanied by dazzling golden characters—Congratulations to Lanya High School’s Grade 10 Class A student Shen You’an for winning first place and the gold medal at the CMO competition!

The words "Shen You’an" and "first place gold medal" were particularly large, ensuring they grabbed attention immediately.

Below, in a scrolling smaller font, were the names of Liu Runxi and other students who had won gold, silver, and bronze medals.

The blatant difference in treatment? Unmatched.

This announcement ensured every student at Lanya High School now knew: Shen You’an was the first place gold medalist at this year’s CMO.

To stand out among the nation’s mathematical geniuses—that’s some serious bragging rights.

Once again, Shen You’an had defended their undefeated legend with sheer talent.

The students of Lanya Middle School, preparing for next year’s high school entrance exams, worshipped Shen You’an with unparalleled devotion. The desk Shen You’an once used had become a tourist attraction. Everyone had to touch it, hoping to soak up some of the academic god’s aura and secure stellar exam results.

Even more absurd, there was a particular spot in the southeast corner of the library where Shen You’an was rumored to often sit. A daily crowd of students would nearly come to blows fighting over that spot. The library staff, unable to manage the chaos, eventually decided to just set up a little shrine for the seat. That solved the problem—no more fighting.

Later, some genius somehow acquired a one-inch photo of Shen You’an and stuck it on an old locust tree behind the school. It was said Shen You’an often read under this tree.

Students even set up an offering table in front of the tree, laying out uneaten snacks and fruits, and prayed devoutly to the person in the photo, begging for better grades.

Shen You’an: Are you guys serious?

Before every exam, the area in front of the old locust tree was packed with students who lined up without being told. At Lanya Middle School, this was the official "Worship the Exam God" ceremony.

Initially, the school treated it as students messing around and tried to chase them away a few times. But since it kept happening and wasn’t stopping, they stopped caring about it altogether.

After all, Shen You’an was a product of Lanya Middle School. Why let this blessing spill out to outsiders? Conveniently, there were rumors that other schools were also adopting the "Worship the Exam God" trend. And, well, their chosen exam god was still Shen You’an. Wasn’t that free advertising for the Lanya Group?

Shen You’an’s autograph and the stationery and notebooks they had supposedly used were more sought after than items from today’s most famous pop stars.

Unfortunately, the truth was, those so-called autographs and used supplies of Shen You’an circulating around? Almost all fake. Yet students still couldn’t resist chasing after them.

Third High School cafeteria.

Luo Qian carried his tray over to an empty corner seat, sat down, and started eating quietly.

Just then, a shadow fell across the table. Luo Qian frowned, tightening his grip on his chopsticks.

"Eating alone is so boring. I’ll join you."

A girl plopped herself down in the seat across from him with a bubbly smile.

The girl’s presence immediately drew the attention of most of the cafeteria. This scene had become something everyone was used to, but still, they couldn’t figure it out—what on earth made Luo Qian special?

Luo Qian was quiet, withdrawn, and completely unremarkable in his class. Just another wallflower.

But Xue Qingfang? The school’s campus belle. Beautiful, outgoing, and so popular that the number of guys chasing her could circle the school twice. The two should’ve had zero connection, yet, strangely, Xue Qingfang seemed to suddenly have taken a liking to Luo Qian. It was bewildering.

Luo Qian grabbed his tray and was about to leave without a word, but Xue Qingfang smiled and said, "Sister An’an..."

Luo Qian froze mid-action, then abruptly raised his head to look at her.

Xue Qingfang placed a chicken drumstick onto his tray. "Eat this, and I’ll tell you."

Luo Qian frowned and gave her a sharp look.

"You’re furrowing your brow so hard, it could squash a fly. You’re still young, don’t act like a grumpy old man. Be careful, or you’ll get wrinkles."

Not one to waste food, Luo Qian picked up the drumstick and quietly started eating it.

Xue Qingfang rested her chin on one hand, watching him with a dazzling smile.

"Has anyone ever told you? You’re pretty cute."

Luo Qian kept his eyes down, completely unfazed.

"Sister An’an won first place and got the gold medal at the CMO. Isn’t she amazing?"

For the first time, a faint smile appeared in Luo Qian’s usually indifferent eyes.

"Can you do me a favor?"

Suddenly, the chicken drumstick in his mouth didn’t taste as good anymore.

Knowing he didn’t like to talk, Xue Qingfang didn’t wait for him to answer. She continued, "After school today, can I come home with you?"

"Cough, cough..."

Luo Qian nearly choked, bending over and clutching his mouth, tears springing to his eyes as he coughed violently.

Xue Qingfang opened a bottle of juice and handed it to him. "Take it slow; no one’s going to steal it from you."

Luo Qian pushed her hand away, his face turning beet red.

"You... what nonsense are you talking about?" Luo Qian stammered, both embarrassed and furious.

Xue Qingfang: ...

"Don’t flatter yourself. I just want to meet Sister An’an."

This time, it was Luo Qian’s turn to be speechless.