Chapter 12: Yaoxing Academy 12 Part 1

The news of Lu Zhou winning the National Physics Competition High School Group Gold Medal quickly spread throughout Yaoxing Academy.

This time, the principal did not hesitate to use the financial power behind Yaoxing, spending a fortune to buy up the headlines of major media outlets. He slipped in some propaganda about Yaoxing’s educational philosophy, intending to once and for all wash away the labels of “private school for nobles” and “greenhouse for Heaven’s Proud Child” from Yaoxing Academy. He aimed to finally vent his anger in the education circles that dared to be angry but not speak out against Yaoxing Academy.

Lu Zhou was forced to give an acceptance speech at the school-wide assembly, transforming from an outlier in a nest of nobles into a model who brought glory to the school.

“Lu Zhou, as far as we know, Yaoxing Academy has always been weak in science faculty resources. How did you learn the knowledge for the Physics Competition? Did you study it off-campus?”

After Lu Zhou finished his speech, the crowd below was packed with reporters holding long guns and cannons in a frightening manner. The questions grew sharper. Clearly, although they had taken the money, the reporters’ instincts made them unsatisfied with empty flattery.

The principal broke into a cold sweat beside him and was just about to interrupt when he saw Lu Zhou shake his head.

“It wasn’t off-campus. It was someone at school who taught me.”

“Who was it?” the reporter pressed.

“I won’t say his name.” The young man’s voice was clear. “He’s a very impressive person. He taught me not for fame, but simply to help me. Without him, I couldn’t have won the award at all.”

Lu Zhou’s gaze swept over the audience below, but he did not see the blond figure. Lu Zhou knew Xun Ji had not come. Xun Ji disliked these large gatherings where everyone crowded together, especially ones where they had to stand the whole time.

A trace of disappointment rose in Lu Zhou’s heart, along with a hint of relief. With Xun Ji absent, he could say what he wanted to say without restraint, to everyone present.

“Yaoxing Academy has never been my world. I’ve always known that.” He looked at the audience below, where most treated him as invisible. Some hated him and bullied him, while a few others had shown him kindness.

He had once wavered and suffered because of these people.

“But none of that matters now.” Lu Zhou said slowly. “Because I met someone here. Stars shine with the brilliance of the sun, but stars themselves do not emit light. Only by approaching the sun are they granted the right to shine. I will thank Yaoxing for letting me meet him.”

As for how Lu Zhou’s response was later edited into sensational educational headlines like Burning Oneself to Illuminate Others—An Analysis of the Inheritance of Teacher Ethics at Yaoxing Academy and The Nameless Dedicator—Breaking the Vulgar Prejudice of Noble Academy Chasing Fame and Profit, that was a later story.

“A Xun, you didn’t hear it. Lu Zhou praised that person to the skies.” Lin Yule recounted the school assembly with relish to Xun Ji. “Does our school have such a figure?”

“Everyone is guessing which physics teacher gave Lu Zhou extra tutoring,” Yan Qian said from the side. “Some even went to ask the physics teachers, but they all looked profound and enigmatic, neither admitting nor denying it.”

“But that bit about stars and the sun sounds a bit like the love letter you wrote to A Xun.” Lin Yule winked at Yan Qian.

“Shut up! Don’t mention that again!” Yan Qian’s face flushed red.

【Host, the Protagonist wasn’t talking about you, was he?】 The System exclaimed in shock. 【The Protagonist is head over heels for you!】

“If you don’t know idioms, don’t use them.” Xun Ji was speechless. “The first half was probably about me, but the second half…”

How could Lu Zhou be grateful for meeting him? He bullied the Protagonist every day. If not for the Physics Competition, the Protagonist would avoid him like the plague. Could it be… Luo Xunan?

Very possible. Xun Ji frowned in thought. As the Protagonist’s only friend at school, it made sense for the Protagonist to describe him as the sun.

Alarm bells rang in Xun Ji’s mind. Despite all his precautions, this cunning Tasker had found a loophole. Lu Zhou’s appearance in that affectionate confession was not just free of blackening—it was several shades whiter than when he first arrived.

“But Lu Zhou’s popularity has skyrocketed at school now.” Lin Yule sighed. “Everyone seems to love the story of the Poor Kid making a comeback.”

Yan Qian deeply agreed. “Exactly. Today, when I passed by the Grade 2 classrooms, I heard people discussing inviting Lu Zhou to team up for the Winter Sports Meet.”

“Winter Sports Meet?” Xun Ji suddenly spoke up.

“Yeah.” Yan Qian nodded. “Counting the days, registration is about to start. Young Master Xun, you were studying abroad last year and couldn’t participate. What event are you planning to sign up for this time?” Yan Qian looked at Xun Ji with hidden expectation.

“A Xun is obviously teaming up with me for ice hockey!” Lin Yule said with a grin. “Don’t come messing it up.”

Yan Qian’s face reddened. “I-I’m decent at ice hockey too… I’ll practice more…”

Xun Ji asked casually, “What fun things happened last year? Tell me.”

From the two’s back-and-forth descriptions, Xun Ji pieced together a general picture of Yaoxing Academy’s Winter Sports Meet.

Yaoxing Academy held two sports meets a year: one in summer and one in winter. The summer one featured standard events, while the winter one focused on ice and snow projects.

At that time, the Back Mountain of Yaoxing Academy became the main venue for the Winter Sports Meet. The events combined competitiveness and fun, mainly including ice hockey, curling, short track speed skating, figure skating, alpine skiing, snow tube racing, snow football, Ice Marathon, and more.

Yaoxing Academy placed great emphasis on the sports meet, which combined competition and socializing, so it strictly required all students to participate. However, due to scheduling considerations, all events except the Ice Marathon had registration limits.

This turned registration into a race itself. Every year, once registration opened, students scrambled with lightning speed for their desired events. Those who failed to snag a spot had to join the Ice Marathon.