The Master’s Mask Unveiled Again
Chapter 968 - 967: Just Want to See What the Top Scorer in the College Entrance Exam Looks Like

Chapter 968: Chapter 967: Just Want to See What the Top Scorer in the College Entrance Exam Looks Like

Lu Yutian left the hospital and, upon returning to her residence, cheerfully began organizing her suitcase and preparing clothes and documents for Qing University.

She had just opened the suitcase when she received an urgent call from Yang Tao.

"Miss!"

Lu Yutian was startled, "Uncle Yang, what’s wrong? Is it Grandpa?"

Yang Tao hesitated momentarily, and for some odd reason, he seemed to hear a trace of schadenfreude in her response.

That’s impossible—surely he misheard?

"Miss, it’s not about the old master. It’s about the branch company."

Lu Yutian calmed down. "Did our application for the business license get approved?"

"It wasn’t approved—it was rejected!" Yang Tao spat angrily, "The Jinjing Chamber of Commerce says we don’t meet the operational requirements and outright refused. Without the business license, we can’t open the branch company!"

The Lu Family’s LOOK Company, headquartered in O Continent, intended to establish a branch company in Jinjing, which required passing Z Country’s and Jinjing’s qualification reviews.

It wasn’t supposed to be a big deal—normally, it would be resolved smoothly.

Lu Yutian couldn’t believe her ears. "How is that even possible?! Our company is internationally renowned! Opening a branch in Jinjing would increase tax revenue for Z Country. What gives them the right to deny us?!"

Yang Tao took a deep breath before responding weakly, "The Chamber said... this was Mo Ye’s directive. The order was issued just over half an hour ago... Miss, did you offend that Xiao Family’s Mo Ye?"

"Mo Ye?"

Suddenly, Lu Yutian understood something. She sank onto the sofa, her mind frozen.

——

August 24th, Qing University.

Every year at this time, Qing University bustles with activity.

Qing University, Z Country’s premier institution, admits only the top-performing students nationwide.

With advances in education, Qing University’s admission cut-off scores have steadily risen each year and never decrease, even though the exams become increasingly difficult.

Qing University is dedicated to selecting the best students for advanced education and development, and its school "Leaderboard of Excellence" showcases freshmen’s entrance exam scores, breaking previous records every year.

Last year’s top entrance score was 735, achieved by Software Engineering student Fan Mengchuan.

Who knows if anyone this year will surpass that record?

Many Qing University students believe that score is practically unbeatable. With exam questions becoming more challenging, unless a genius emerges, this year’s freshmen could only dream of rivaling the leaderboard.

Don’t underestimate the leaderboard—it holds immense significance, representing students’ strength and the school’s esteem.

Those who make the list secure their future prospects.

Most importantly, the university endorses them so graduates pursuing research can directly join the institute, while those pursuing careers can secure positions in the world’s top ten corporations without entrance exams.

"Who will stand out this year?"

"Surely someone from the Elite Class. Their cut-off scores are always the highest."

"Not necessarily. Heard from the Physics Department that this year they’ve enrolled an exceptionally outstanding student."

"How outstanding? Better than the Elite Class? Look, the Elite Class even held a welcoming ceremony—they’re unparalleled at Qing University!"

"Who knows..."

——

At the Physics Department.

Kang Hongbin had been waiting in his office since early morning.

After being stood up by Lu Mian before, Kang Hongbin was determined to personally handle everything this time—tracking her arrival and overseeing her registration—to ensure she didn’t impulsively disappear again.

Yet, as he waited and waited, there was no sign of Lu Mian. Instead, he encountered a swarm of deans and professors from other departments.

Kang Hongbin stared at the slow-moving group who ambled into his office, their eyes sharp as wolves, fixed on the downstairs registration area as if waiting for something.

Among them were Hu Chunyu from the Medical School, Peng Xi from Biomedical Engineering, Kunyang, and even Mou Taohui, the professor of Qing University’s Elite Class.

When asked about their purpose, they all claimed to visit him.

"You’re all here waiting for Lu Mian, aren’t you?"

Kang Hongbin bluntly exposed their pretense.

Kunyang straightened his face and seriously stated, "It’s Mianmian’s first day at university; I’m just here to check on her."

Kang Hongbin gritted his teeth and growled, "Mian...Mian?!"

Since when had veteran professor Kunyang become so close to Lu Mian?

Seemingly sensing Kang Hongbin’s doubts, a flash of pride crossed Kunyang’s stern expression. "Yes, I’ve had several meals with Mianmian."

Kang Hongbin: ...I’m so damn jealous.

Ignoring the smug Kunyang, Kang Hongbin turned to confront the other professors who were eyeing him hungrily. "Lu Mian is already a student of our Physics Department. Please leave."

Hu Chunyu scoffed, "A student isn’t solely yours. What if Lu Mian decides to change majors?"

"Or she might aim for a double major," Peng Xi concurred.

These deans had wrestled with the Physics Department over student recruitment before, leading to no small amount of infighting among them when Lu Mian applied.

For now, as the victor, Kang Hongbin ignored them, though he grew more vigilant at the sight of Elite Class professor Mou Taohui.

"Professor Mou, as the esteemed professor of the Elite Class, shouldn’t you be welcoming your own new students? What brings you here?"

The Elite Class.

A recently established Artificial Intelligence Academy Class at Qing University.

It’s the university’s latest priority program.

Much like the specialized classes in high schools, the Elite Class enjoys the finest faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and generous funding. The university heavily invests in its resources.

However, the Elite Class’s enrollment is extremely limited, admitting only 30 students per year for specialized training. Over three years, it has proven its mettle with students earning numerous international accolades and widespread recognition.

Last year’s national entrance exam ace, Fan Mengchuan, came from the Elite Class.

The Elite Class is located on a new campus nearby, requiring students to cross a lengthy sky bridge that takes over half an hour to reach.

This geographical distance was precisely why Kang Hongbin was uneasy.

He feared Mou Taohui had come to poach Lu Mian.

Mou Taohui was a young professor whose sparse hair likely owed to long hours of coding.

"Don’t worry, Professor Kang. I’m not interested in Lu Mian. I just wanted to see what someone scoring 789 looks like."

"Tch." Kang Hongbin scoffed, clearly unconvinced.

A man’s words can’t be trusted!

But soon, a student from the Elite Class called Mou Taohui, informing him that their highest-scoring freshman had arrived for registration.

Mou Taohui reluctantly left the Physics Department and returned to tend to his Elite Class.

Kang Hongbin reveled in his momentary relief and casually inquired with those nearby.

"What’s the highest score in their class this year?"

"I think it’s 736, one point higher than Fan Mengchuan," someone replied.

"Oh." A faint smile tugged at Kang Hongbin’s lips. "Not bad."

In past years, other teachers would have jumped in to mock—if this doesn’t count as impressive, what does?