Chapter 45 - Chapter 45: College Entrance Examination Champion, Gu Ci
Chapter 45: College Entrance Examination Champion, Gu Ci
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“I’ve always been like this, independent and unswayed by others,” Zhou Jinjin stated firmly as she dragged her luggage downstairs. She had already packed the remainder of her belongings and arranged for them to be delivered. “I will sever ties with the Zhou family in the future.”
“What did you say?” Zhou Jiaming seethed with anger. “If I cut off your financial support, how will you afford university? Running away from home just like others, Zhou Jinjin, how dare you?”
“You don’t need to worry about it,” Zhou Jinjin retorted. She bowed to Li Li. “Auntie, I’ve let you down.”
“I have already transferred 500,000 yuan to your account. It should be sufficient for your living expenses and tuition fees,” Li Li informed her.
“I will repay you,” Zhou Jinjin declared.
Li Li nodded, appreciating Zhou Jinjin’s ambitious nature. She didn’t have much fondness for Zhou Jiaming’s children, but she admired those with drive and determination.
Gu Chuyun’s phone rang, capturing everyone’s attention. She looked at it in surprise and exclaimed, “Grandma, I have been accepted into the Music Department of A University. The college entrance examination results are out.”
Zhou Jiaming commented, “Chu Yun has done excellently. A University is the top university in the country, and its music department is filled with talented individuals. She is truly outstanding. The old lady has taught her well.” “Chu Yun, you truly haven’t disappointed me,” the old lady expressed her joy. Zhou Jinjin nudged Gu Ci with her elbow, curious about her exam results. “How many marks did you actually get? It’s fine if you pretended to be a poor student, but did you actually demonstrate your abilities in the college entrance examination?”
As the old lady calmed down, she pointed at Gu Ci. “You possess none of Ming Yue’s grace. You’re arrogant and spoiled. You have truly been spoiled by Lu Man. Look at Chu Yun in comparison. She’s a prodigious violinist and has been admitted to University A’s Music Department. She possesses Ming Yue’s determination. She’s intelligent and diligent. And you, what do you amount to? You haven’t changed for the better. I heard that you consistently score poorly in your exams. Ming Yue was so clever, yet you haven’t inherited any of that. Did you even manage to get into a third-tier university in the college entrance examination?”
“Mom!” Jiang Minghua frowned. “Don’t poke at the child’s weak spots.”
Everyone had heard about Gu Ci’s arrogance and academic failures. Jiang Minghua had even arranged for Jiang Junlin’s school to donate a building in exchange for Gu Ci’s admission. Seeing Jiang Minghua’s expression, Zhou Jiaming didn’t dare to excessively praise Gu Chuyun.
After all, Jiang Minghua and Jiang Junlin held authority in the Jiang family.
The old lady clutched her chest, gasping for breath. Her eye blood vessels were red and swollen, as if inflamed.
Gu Ci calmly observed the old lady’s rapid breathing and her lips turning black. She spoke with composure, “Old Madam, your symptoms may indicate an infection related to your heart bypass surgery. It would be best to visit the hospital for a check-up.”
“You’re not a doctor. Are you cursing me?” the old lady retorted.
Gu Ci pursed her lips. “Uncle, please take her for a check-up when you have the time.”
However, Gu Chuyun couldn’t resist flaunting her own achievements, unable to hide the satisfaction in her voice. “Gu Ci, how did you score? Let’s check it.”
Gu Ci glanced at a message from Gu Ziyu and smiled coldly. “You’ll find out when you see the news.”
She turned to Zhou Jinjin, and the two of them left the Zhou family’s residence together. Zhou Jiaming didn’t dare to stop Zhou Jinjin due to the Jiang family’s influence. They got into the car, and Zhou Jinjin asked, “How did you do?” “796,” Gu Ci replied.
“Damn! That’s amazing!” Zhou Jinjin exclaimed, flipping through the headlines on social media. Gu Ci’s name was once again in the spotlight. She was the top scorer in the science subjects of City A’s college entrance examination. Apart from scoring 146 points in Chinese, she had achieved full marks in all other subjects!
In the Zhou family’s living room, Gu Chuyun stared at the notifications in disbelief. No wonder Gu Ci had mentioned seeing the news. She had become the top scorer in science in A City.
Her earlier self-satisfaction now seemed like a joke. As long as her art college entrance examination score met the passing threshold, it would be sufficient. It couldn’t compare to Gu Ci’s nearly perfect score.
Jiang Minghua was elated. “Just as expected of Mingyue’s daughter. She is following in her mother’s footsteps in the college entrance examination. She almost achieved a perfect score. Mom, it’s hereditary.”
“She must have cheated!” Gu Chuyun exclaimed. “She is usually at the bottom of the rankings. How can she suddenly come first in the exams?”
“Gu Chuyun, mind your words!” Jiang Minghua’s face darkened.
Li Li didn’t want to get involved in their family’s turmoil, but having known Jiang Mingyue for a long time, she couldn’t help but speak up to the old lady. “Auntie, if Mingyue were still alive, she would undoubtedly be proud of Gu Ci.” The old lady’s face burned with pain.
Jiang Minghua couldn’t wait to share the good news with Jiang Junlin.
Gu Chuyun clenched her teeth, feeling a mix of frustration and anger. Li Li looked at her with a chilly smile, considering her narrow-mindedness as a hindrance to her own achievements.
Zhou Jinjin eagerly reposted the headline about Gu Ci being the top scorer in science to her circle of friends.
Gu Ci couldn’t help but chuckle. “Check your own score.”
“If nothing unexpected happens, I should have no problem getting into the University of New York,” Zhou Jin jin calmly remarked as she checked her score. “I have everything under control in the finance department. What major are you considering?”
The choice of major would be based on their exam results. With Gu Ci’s exceptional scores, she had the freedom to choose any major she desired. “Do you want to major in music?” Zhou Jinjin asked.
“No way!” Gu Ci couldn’t be bothered to study in the same department as Gu Chuyun. It would be dull and meaningless. Her violin skills were already proficient, and if she wanted to pursue further studies, she had her own connections. “By the way, did you bring any photos or videos of Lu Zhiyuan?”
Zhou Jinjin replied, “I want to keep them to myself.”
“Sisters should share everything,” Gu Ci insisted.
“You’re just teasing me!” Zhou Jinjin snorted, but there was a hint of amusement in her tone. Gu Ci smiled, and the two of them returned to Zhou Jinjin’s temporary residence. Gu Ci began going through Zhou Jinjin’s collection of records featuring Lu Zhiyuan over the past few years.
She realized that Zhou Jinjin was truly a devoted fan of Lu Zhiyuan. Except during exams, she would always be in the stands for every match that Lu Zhiyuan participated in. With matches held at different times of the day, some during the daytime and others at night, Zhou Jinjin had captured them all.
Gu Ci deliberately selected the videos and photos from the nighttime competitions to watch. If Lu Zhiyuan had a dual personality, their appearances, and professions would be different. It seemed impossible for him to excel in both racing and other endeavors. However, the videos showed that he was indeed a champion in each competition.
He was an anomaly, defying expectations.
However, there was a noticeable difference in his demeanor captured in the photos. Even though they were taken with a camera, Gu Ci could sense that during the night competitions, Lu Zhiyuan’s temperament seemed to blend into the darkness. He appeared profound and restrained. In contrast, during the daytime, he was vibrant and dazzling.
“Gu Ci, ask Lu Zhiyuan out for dinner tonight,” Zhou Jinjin eagerly suggested.
“It might be difficult to make arrangements,” Gu Ci replied. “By the way, don’t dwell too much on Lu Zhiyuan. Zhou Jiaming has cut off your finances, but his wife will provide you with 500,000 yuan. Keep 50,000 yuan for registration fees and leave the rest to me. I’ll help you manage your finances.”
“I’ll give you 400,000 yuan. At least keep 100,000 yuan for yourself. It’s challenging to transition from extravagance to frugality,” Zhou Jinjin contemplated. “I can’t rely solely on this money. There are still two months before school starts, and I need to earn more.”
“I also need to earn money,” Gu Ci asserted.
“You still want to earn money? Isn’t the share from Hulan Bank yours?” Zhou Jinjin questioned.
“I don’t want it!” Gu Ci responded firmly.
“Why must you reject money? You can go against people, but money is innocent,” Zhou Jinjin remarked. “If you don’t want it, you can give it to me.”
Gu Ci lightly flicked her forehead. “Focus on figuring out how to earn money. I’m going upstairs.”
The fact that Gu Ci had topped the science category in the college entrance examination in A City caused a significant stir. Some netizens raised doubts, claiming it was plagiarism or that she had bought her scores. After all, her academic performance in school had consistently been at the bottom. It was indeed sensational that she had suddenly achieved first place.
However, cheating in the college entrance examination was impossible..