Chapter 6: Gu Ci Is a Hidden Treasure

The Director of Academic Affairs sneered, convinced that Gu Ci was simply courting disaster.

Gu Changfeng suddenly realized that trying to help his daughter enter No. 1 High School was perhaps the worst decision he'd ever made.

To become the principal of No. 1 High School—what kind of simple person could manage such a feat?

Even he, Gu Changfeng, dared not establish a connection with the principal; he merely hoped to exchange pleasantries and then take Gu Ci away.

But Gu Ci—her tone, as if she were strolling through her own backyard, baffled him.

The smile on Gu Changfeng’s face nearly faltered. “Principal Ji, children…” He wanted to say they were just childish and hoped Principal Ji would be magnanimous.

Principal Ji’s imposing presence shook the room. It took him a while to digest what Gu Ci had said.

His eyes brightened, interrupting Gu Changfeng’s attempt at explanation. “Excellent! There’s no time to lose. Let’s finalize the admission procedures today!”

Gu Changfeng was stunned, followed by a feeling of undeserved favor.

He had no idea how or when he’d caught the principal’s attention.

The Director of Academic Affairs was even more incredulous. “Principal, did you say something wrong? Are you aware of how bad this student’s grades are?”

Principal Ji chuckled, but his tone brooked no argument. “Do as I say.”

He truly knew nothing about Gu Ci’s poor academic record; he only knew how extraordinary this little prodigy was.

Gu Changfeng composed himself and hurried to placate, “Principal Ji, my niece was just speaking casually. Children’s words shouldn’t be taken seriously. Her grades aren’t good, so I’ve decided to send her to a private high school, and then abroad after graduation.”

No matter when the principal had taken notice of him, expending even a little of that favor for Gu Ci was absolutely not worth it.

Could a private high school dare compete for students against him?

Principal Ji glared at Gu Changfeng, displeased. “What? Is No. 1 High School inferior to a private school? Director, go handle the admission right now!”

Gu Changfeng quickly denied it, seeing the principal’s anger, and dropped the topic of private schools.

The Director of Academic Affairs quietly replied, but inwardly began to reassess the Gu family’s standing in Songdu and how he should treat them in the future.

This was the first time the principal had admitted a student without even looking at their grades.

It seemed Gu Changfeng’s connections were far stronger than he’d imagined.

Little did the Director realize, admitting Gu Ci had absolutely nothing to do with the Gu family.

The principal glanced at Gu Changfeng again, his attitude colder. “If you have nothing else, Mr. Gu, please leave. Our school will take care of Gu Ci.”

Gu Changfeng, playing the role of a loving elder, said to Gu Ci, “I’ll pick you up tonight,” and left with a smile.

Gu Ci followed the principal to his office.

Once inside, Principal Ji grinned and asked, “Gu girl, what made you decide to come to No. 1 High?”

Even now, Principal Ji vividly remembered their first meeting.

At the time, he was accompanying his mentor to inspect Gu Ci’s rural elementary school.

A group of children played happily on the playground, but Gu Ci sat quietly to one side, watching them thoughtfully.

He couldn’t help but walk over. “Little friend, what are you thinking about?”

The small child propped her head with a single hand and gave them a look that said, “You wouldn’t understand.” Then she remarked, “I suspect they may have intellectual deficiencies.”

His brow twitched. “Why do you think that?”

Ah, listen to what this little oddball said.

With calm eyes, full of puzzlement, she replied, “They didn’t understand calculus at five, and now they’re seven and still can’t grasp Laplace transforms.”

He was speechless.

He himself hadn’t encountered Laplace transforms until sixteen—and felt deeply offended.

Yet, seeing the sincerity in Gu Ci’s gaze, he knew she wasn’t saying it to attract attention; she genuinely believed it.

He and his mentor, still a bit skeptical, asked some related questions—and the answers far exceeded their expectations.

From that day onward, he began to keep an eye on this remarkable girl.

Unfortunately, she’d previously shown little interest in school, so he could only wait.

Now, with her initiative to enroll, he felt as though a pie had fallen from the sky—so elated he was nearly dizzy.

Gu Ci blinked and offered a friendly smile.

Yet seeing this smile, the principal felt nothing but chills.

He couldn’t recall a single good thing happening when this little prodigy smiled like that.

Seeing the principal’s wary expression, Gu Ci touched her nose. “Uncle Ji, I’d like to borrow your family’s ‘Chao Yuan Manuscript.’”

Ha, now the little girl was calling him uncle.

Principal Ji’s face stiffened, feeling as if he’d seen a ghost. “How did you know I have that book?”

It was a family heirloom, with obscure and illogical text. The family wasn’t specialized in that field, so though the book had been passed down, it had gathered dust and was almost forgotten.

Gu Ci coughed and muttered, “I heard about it.”

In truth, her visit to Songdu, prompted by Steward Shen, was partly to see her biological parents, but mostly to borrow this book from Principal Ji.

Principal Ji’s eyes widened, nearly blurting out that he didn't believe a word.

He suppressed it, refrained from asking why she wanted the book, and simply said, “It’s not with me right now. I’ll fetch it from the capital in a few days for you. Is there anything else you want?”

Gu Ci pondered for a moment. “I think I should have a normal high school life—one without interruptions.”

“Absolutely, absolutely,” Principal Ji breathed a sigh of relief, readily agreeing. “Our school protects every student’s safety.”

With him there, he doubted anyone would dare disturb this one.

Having reassured her, a glint appeared in his eyes. “Gu girl, I’ve agreed to lend you all our inherited books. As for the top spot at No. 1 High…”

Gu Ci nodded obediently. “Uncle Ji, don’t worry—it’s secure.”

She wore a sincere smile, which, upon closer inspection, carried a hint of sympathy and apology toward the principal.

Sadly, the principal was so immersed in visions of finally crushing the other five-star schools this year, he hadn’t noticed.

With both having gotten what they wanted, the conversation was pleasant.

The Director soon finished the admission procedures and brought them for the principal’s review.

After reading them, Principal Ji adjusted his glasses. “Gu Ci, you’ll go to your class now.”

At this, the Director nearly jumped up. “Principal, this won’t do! I object!”

He was not only Director of Academic Affairs but also homeroom teacher of the top senior class.

His class was full of elite students—how could Gu Ci be worthy?

He showed the principal her transcript. “Her grades have always been zero, which means she has poor academic performance and a bad attitude! Such a student shouldn’t even be in our school!”

Principal Ji’s tone was meaningful. “Are you sure you don’t want her? Gu Ci is a promising talent.”

Unfortunately, the Director didn’t catch that this was a chance to reconsider and refused without mercy. “I’m sure! Principal, I even suggest placing Gu Ci in Class Twelve. I doubt she can keep up with other classes.”

Class Twelve, also known as the International Class, had the worst grades in No. 1 High. It was full of rich kids and offspring of officials.

A bunch of troublemakers, impossible to manage—the teachers’ headache.

Principal Ji wasn’t worried about Gu Ci’s grades; thinking of Class Twelve’s situation, he felt it might suit her perfectly.

He gave Gu Ci a questioning look.

Gu Ci nodded, and the matter was settled.

Principal Ji called in Jin Jieqiao, Class Twelve’s homeroom teacher, and explained Gu Ci’s situation.

Jin Jieqiao, a recent PhD graduate, was new to No. 1 High and had been assigned the class no one wanted.

But she was passionate and energetic.

After hearing the principal, she didn’t refuse Gu Ci, but patted her shoulder and encouraged her, “Good luck, Gu Ci! I believe your grades will improve! Come, I’ll take you to the classroom.”

Watching Gu Ci leave, Principal Ji sipped his long-steeped goji tea in utter contentment.

No. 1 High’s position as the top school in the capital was secure!

Perhaps even the top in the province…

Stifling his excitement, the principal dared not think further.

Seeing the Director still frowning, he sighed, found a piece of paper on his desk, and gestured to the problem written on it. “What do you think of this question?”

The Director’s heart skipped. He scanned the problem, then focused on the handwritten solution below.

It was a moderately difficult, innovative Olympiad math problem he’d studied himself before.

The solver’s ideas were clear, steps complete, and the final answer matched his own.

Since the principal showed him the problem now, he immediately thought of Gu Ci, his face turning pale. “Did Gu Ci solve this?”

Anyone who could solve such a problem had top-tier math skills at No. 1 High.

He realized he’d just handed over a remarkable student…

The principal’s expression was a little strange.

If it were merely solving the problem, he wouldn’t be so excited.

He was excited because the author of this problem—and several other Olympiad questions—was Gu Ci herself…

Gu Ci was a hidden treasure—who wouldn’t be delighted to discover her?

But seeing the Director’s dazed look, the principal hesitated and ultimately didn’t reveal the truth, only remarking with deep meaning, “Sometimes, you’re just too rigid in your thinking.”

He shifted topics, “Isn’t the Youth Olympiad starting soon?”

The Youth Olympiad—the region’s highest-level and most influential academic competition for secondary students, hosted by various scholarly associations.

Geniuses gathered there; if a student advanced to the provincial or even state finals, it would bring great honor to their school.

The Director forced himself to rally. “Yes, the math competition is about to start. Our school selected participants for the provincial round last week.”

Principal Ji narrowed his eyes and smiled, “I see.”

He had an honorary position in the Mathematics Association, with a separate nomination slot…

The Director left the principal’s office in a daze. The cold wind outside snapped him back to clarity.

He’d been shocked at Gu Ci’s ability to solve the problem, but the more he thought about it, the more familiar the handwriting and steps seemed.

Finally, he remembered why—the handwriting belonged to one of their math teachers!

The principal had gone so far as to make him think highly of Gu Ci?

The thought made the Director increasingly unhappy with Gu Ci.

——————————————————————————————

All the way, Jin Jieqiao patiently chatted with Gu Ci.

Gu Ci responded, nodding occasionally.

Before reaching Class Twelve, the loud voices from the classroom already reached their ears.

Jin Jieqiao explained, “They’re rather lively.”

She entered first, slapped the lectern, and shouted herself hoarse, “Quiet! Everyone quiet down!”

Yet the noise barely diminished.

Jin Jieqiao felt exhausted, but the next second, sudden silence fell.

The classroom’s uproar stopped abruptly.

Everyone in the room was as quiet as hens, their eyes unanimously fixed behind her…