Campus Ace Girl-Chapter 276 - 277: Ha! How could it possibly be Gu Anxi!
Gu Mingzhu walked beside him and spoke softly, "Did you know that a senior from our school’s Chemistry Department won a national award?"
Fang Ming nodded.
Gu Mingzhu’s gaze landed on Gu Anxi, and she chuckled softly. "That newcomer, Wang Qin, even claimed Gu Anxi wrote the paper. It made her the laughingstock of the entire school."
Fang Ming turned his head sharply. "Wang Qin said that?"
Gu Mingzhu nodded. "Yes, Wang Qin said it and even swore an oath! But how could that be possible? Between Qing University and Beicheng University combined, only Senior Lin Tao has that kind of capability."
Fang Ming remained silent.
Gu Mingzhu spoke softly, "Have you read my column? My book comes out next month."
Fang Ming nodded. "I’ll be at the signing."
Gu Mingzhu murmured an affirmative. "I’m heading to class now."
As Fang Ming watched her leave, his gaze returned to Gu Anxi...
Later that afternoon, the list still hadn’t been released.
However, the war of words between Beicheng University and Qing University had escalated from online forums to offline confrontations, with principals, teachers, and students all joining the fray.
One person, presumably from Beicheng University, argued, "The paper was submitted through Beicheng University’s network. If it wasn’t a Beicheng student, could it possibly be one of yours from Qing University?"
Qing University’s Principal Wang personally entered the dispute, his words laden with implications. "We’ll see then if it’s one of ours from Qing University or one of yours from Beicheng. Beicheng University has certainly made quite a spectacle of itself; they’d better hope they don’t end up deeply embarrassed when the truth comes out!"
The principal of Beicheng University also personally stepped in. "Beicheng University has never shied away from a debate! We’ve always relied on genuine strength!"
After the exchange, the principal of Beicheng University was still incensed. He had the Chemistry Department professor summon Lin Tao. After a short while, Lin Tao arrived.
Lin Tao said, somewhat helplessly, "Principal, I haven’t written any papers recently. Besides, with my abilities, it’s impossible for me to win the highest honor."
The principal looked surprised. "You didn’t write it?"
Lin Tao nodded. "Yes, I wasn’t at school this morning. I only just heard about all this."
The Beicheng principal paced back and forth. "If not you, then which of our students possesses such skill?"
Lin Tao, ever pragmatic, stated frankly, "Principal Shen, to be honest, none of the students at Beicheng University have that kind of ability. Perhaps you should ask the professors in the department. It might have been a professor who submitted the paper."
Principal Shen rubbed his temples, looking troubled. "Alright, I’ll ask them. In any case, it has to be someone from Beicheng University."
He gave a cool, superior smile. "In academia, Qing University truly can’t compare to us at Beicheng University."
After sending Lin Tao off, Principal Shen went to the Chemistry Department and questioned all the professors one by one, only to have them all deny submitting the paper.
One of the senior professors spoke up. "Principal Shen, is it possible there’s been a mistake? I just looked at the paper. Even experienced professors like us can barely understand the fields it covers, let alone students. Could the information be incorrect?"
Principal Shen paused, frowning. "Now that you mention it, that seems quite possible. I was too hasty earlier; I didn’t even read the paper thoroughly."
So, he formed a small group with several department heads, and they meticulously examined every aspect of the paper.
The department head exclaimed in admiration, "What an astounding genius!"
The professors concurred. "Indeed, their level far surpasses ours; it’s absolutely not something a student could write."
"Exactly, Principal Shen!" another added. "There must be some misunderstanding here. I don’t think it’s the work of a student from either Beicheng or Qing University. Let’s just drop the argument and make peace!"
Principal Shen considered it from all angles and found the reasoning sound. So, he personally called Qing University’s Principal Wang. "Principal Wang, both our sides were a bit impulsive today. I’ve looked into it. The author isn’t a student from Beicheng or Qing University. It’s not helpful for us to remain at odds. Let’s just drop it and stay on good terms, as we always have been. What do you say?"
「Qing University, Principal’s Office」
Principal Wang, holding the phone, maintained a composed tone. "Principal Shen, it’s not that I disagree with your investigation results. However, you can’t deny the existence of such talent at our Qing University simply because Beicheng University doesn’t have someone similar, can you? Qing University teems with talent; winning a national award is hardly a big deal for us... I’m not trying to argue, but I can’t let someone else take credit for what is rightfully ours, can I?"
Principal Shen was about to explode—
He had already extended an olive branch to Qing University, but Principal Wang’s words were rubbing their noses in it.
Incensed, Principal Shen scoffed, "Well then, I’ll be very interested to see this extraordinary talent of Qing University when the list is announced tomorrow."
Heh, he’d just see how Qing University managed to act so high and mighty then. If Beicheng University’s professors weren’t capable of it, how could Qing University’s students possibly be? Such audacity!
Meanwhile, Principal Wang hung up, lit a cigarette, and remarked to his department head and Professor Gao with a knowing look, "Beicheng University still thinks so highly of itself, still believes it dominates the field. Heh, after tomorrow, we’ll see who the real leader in education is."
The department head beamed. "Our President has truly brought us great honor!"
Professor Gao exclaimed, "Student Gu is a once-in-a-century genius!"
Principal Wang and the department head exchanged a knowing glance. Sweet!
「As school let out」
Gu Anxi, holding her laptop, arrived at the parking lot. It was also the time many professors were leaving work. They watched as a female student unlocked a sports car worth over twenty million yuan and got in. A moment later, the car sped off.
Many onlookers witnessed the scene, sighing that good looks truly were everything...
[Being beautiful really has its perks. Even an academic underachiever can marry into a top-tier wealthy family. The Bo Family must have secured this exchange student spot for her, right?]
[She’s not just ’a little’ beautiful. Can you think of any celebrity who can compare to her looks?]
[So ostentatious, driving a sports car worth over twenty million to school...]
...
Amidst the buzz, Gu Mingzhu got into a car.
Tang Yuan had come to pick her up personally. After Gu Mingzhu settled in, Tang Yuan asked, "What were all those professors staring at?"
Gu Mingzhu smiled faintly. "Gu Anxi drove a car worth over twenty million to school. The professors were quite displeased."
Tang Yuan turned her head and said gently, "Then you should maintain a low profile at school; that’s how you’ll truly distinguish yourself."
"I understand." Gu Mingzhu lowered her eyes, a quiet smile playing on her lips.
The gossip Wang Qin had spread at school today about the paper was now nearly common knowledge. All the students at Beicheng University were waiting for tomorrow’s list to be published, eager to see Gu Anxi humiliated.
Gu Anxi is truly foolish, Gu Mingzhu thought. She lacks the talent yet insists on feigning intellect, always carrying that laptop. I heard she just plays games in class. Could Brother Xichen really be attracted to such an unscholarly girl?
