C11 Shocking the School.

As the clock struck the end of the exam, Fong Mann dashed to Hsiao Rann with lightning speed, eagerly snatching up his test paper as if fearing he might add even a single extra word. Yet Hsiao Rann remained unfazed; he had spent the last half hour asleep, knowing full well he couldn't possibly continue writing during the collection of papers. Casting a dismissive glance at Fong Mann, he thought to himself that she truly did not deserve the title of teacher.

With a smug tone, Fong Mann announced, "All the test papers have been collected. However, don't rush off just yet. The teachers from the college should be arriving shortly. Please take a seat at the back and wait for the test results. Given that this exam is an exceptional spot check, we're employing a unique approach. You're in luck because you'll receive the results immediately."

As Fong Mann's gaze fell upon Hsiao Rann, she indulged in the fantasy of witnessing his despair at failing the exam and missing out on graduation. Sadly for her, she would never see such a sight.

The test, a collaborative effort among Fong Mann and her colleagues, meant that all the teachers had access to the answer key. Thus, when the other teachers arrived, they promptly began reviewing the papers. Fong Mann was brimming with pride today, seizing the chance not only to exact revenge on Hsiao Rann but also to demonstrate her competence to the school's leaders.

In addition to the five teachers tasked with marking, three school administrators were present. Fong Mann had made it her mission to showcase her impartiality to the school authorities.

Under normal circumstances, with the answer key in hand, the teachers would make quick work of the grading. But something was off today. If it were any regular teacher grading at such a sluggish pace, Fong Mann would have been prodding them by now. However, the issue lay with Professor Bai, whose hand trembled as it clutched the red pen.

Fong Mann had sought Professor Bai's advice when crafting the test, but its difficulty was so extreme that he had advised against giving it to Hsiao Rann. Fong Mann had reassured him that a score of 50 would suffice for a pass. Yet, the paper Professor Bai was currently grading was not the one he had been shown; it was far more challenging than the original.

Even Professor Bai himself, if tasked with completing this very exam, wouldn't dare claim he could score above 90 points. Yet, before him lay a test paper with a perfect score.

Naturally, Professor Bai wouldn't spend an excessive amount of time grading a test when he already knew the answers. He was simply astounded by this student named Hsiao Rann!

Noticing Professor Bai's unusual behavior, the other teachers converged around him. Each one, without exception, was equally stunned. The idea that Fong Mann had colluded with the student to cheat was beyond them.

After all, nobody would stoop to such a primitive tactic. Besides, they were well aware of Fong Mann's integrity; she would never assist a student who had wronged her.

This meant the test paper had been independently completed by the student!

It wasn't just any full score that had taken the teachers aback. It was the sheer difficulty of the exam coupled with the student's ability to achieve full marks that left them in awe.

Sensing the unusual atmosphere, the school administrators huddled together, murmuring quietly among themselves.

Hsiao Rann, seated at the back of the room, couldn't catch a word of their hushed conversation. The teachers had intentionally kept their voices low, and their occasional shocked glances in his direction only served to puzzle the uninformed classmates.

Hsiao Rann couldn't help but feel a sense of triumph. "Fong Mann, you Old Spinster, you wanted revenge on me? I'm curious to see how you'll handle this embarrassing predicament," he mused.

Fong Mann, sensing the disturbance, hurried in. Her brow furrowed upon seeing Hsiao Rann's perfect score.

"Hsiao Rann, is this your work?" Professor Bai inquired, addressing the student at the back of the room.

"Of course," Hsiao Rann replied.

"And how can you prove that?" challenged another teacher.

"There's no need for proof. The test was set by the teachers. Plus, I took the exam right here," Hsiao Rann answered with composure.

His response left the room in surprise, Fong Mann in particular.

"I don't believe it. You must have cheated!" Fong Mann exclaimed, unable to come to terms with the reality before her.

"If you're accusing me of cheating, where's your proof? You're the one who created the test. Did you somehow give me the answers?" Hsiao Rann retorted with scorn. He hadn't anticipated Fong Mann's audacity.

Fong Mann was momentarily speechless. She had indeed crafted the questions and secured the answer key in a combination safe, only retrieving it that morning. There was no way Hsiao Rann could have known the answers beforehand. What's more, she had revised several questions originally devised by Professor Bai.

Hsiao Rann wasn't permitted to have his cellphone in the exam room. Throughout the exam, Fong Mann had kept a close watch on him.

"Student Hsiao Rann, you've performed exceptionally well. Nevertheless, I'd like to challenge you further. Are you willing to undergo my examination?" Professor Bai interjected unexpectedly.

Out of deep respect for Professor Bai, Hsiao Rann consented to the challenge.

What followed left everyone in awe once more. Hsiao Rann was able to answer each of Professor Bai's questions. Subsequently, a cadre of professors gathered around him, posing a barrage of complex questions. Regardless of their queries, Hsiao Rann responded with ease, providing the correct answers every time.

The entire episode was captured on video by some students.

Hsiao Rann triumphed in the examination. Even with multiple professors collectively scrutinizing him, he managed to answer all their questions correctly. Now, it was Fong Mann who found herself in an embarrassing predicament.

Her intent had been to put Hsiao Rann in a tight spot, but instead, she inadvertently propelled him to become the most celebrated individual on campus.

The following day, the Polytechnic University's newspapers and websites were abuzz with stories about Hsiao Rann, the Ancient Literature Department's star student. The video of him fielding the professors' questions had been viewed innumerable times, and his test paper had even been shared online.

After receiving his diploma, Hsiao Rann departed from the university.

Shortly thereafter, a bold knocking rattled Hsiao Rann's door. He was certain it was Hu Chuan on the other side.

With no other option, Hsiao Rann ceased his meditation to attend to Hu Chuan. His home address was known to very few; he had never disclosed his actual living quarters while at school.

Hsiao Rann had intended to rest briefly before heading out to make some money. After all, the herbs required to concoct the Essence Fostering Pill were well beyond his financial reach at the moment. He certainly didn't anticipate Hu Chuan's arrival.

"Everyone at the academy is buzzing about you, yet here you are, cooped up at home!" Hu Chuan exclaimed as he sprawled out on the sofa in Hsiao Rann's living room, eyeing him curiously.

"Why the stare? Am I your first handsome guy sighting?" Hsiao Rann joked, tossing a can of Coke to Hu Chuan before cracking open one for himself.

Hu Chuan retorted with annoyance, "Is this some kind of joke to you? Are you trying to make me gain weight with this Coke?"

"I wasn't thinking," Hsiao Rann admitted with a shrug. "I forgot about your diet."

"When did you get so impressive?" Hu Chuan challenged. "You haven't been taken over by another spirit, have you? I never realized you had it in you to be a top student."

Hsiao Rann paused, considering Hu Chuan's words. There was a ring of truth to them; he did feel as though he was under the influence of another soul.

With feigned arrogance, Hsiao Rann declared, "My quiet nature doesn't imply a lack of talent. It's simply that this mundane world fails to comprehend a god-like being like myself. The tragedy is that there are too few who recognize true genius." He understood Hu Chuan well enough to know that denial would only lead to more probing questions. Better to play the enigmatic card.

"Cut the act. I know you better than that," Hu Chuan scoffed. "So, is this school legend about you fact or fiction?"

Curiosity piqued, Hsiao Rann inquired, "What's the scope of my supposed legend now?"

"You don't have a computer? Can't figure out how to browse the web on your phone?" Hu Chuan chided playfully. "Your so-called heroic exploits are the talk of the academy. They're calling you a once-in-a-century genius, someone who single-handedly bested teachers and students alike. Basically, you're now the academy's deity," Hu Chuan said, grinning from ear to ear.

"Can you believe it? You must be jealous," Hsiao Rann said with a sly grin. But internally, he was reflecting on whether he had gone too far this time.

"How on earth did you pull it off?" Hu Chuan asked, unimpressed by Hsiao Rann's display of pride.

"Remember the earphones and the pinhole camera you gave me for my last birthday? I used those to make it happen," Hsiao Rann replied, concocting an excuse. Naturally, he wasn't about to reveal the real story. The earphones and pinhole camera were indeed birthday gifts from Hu Chuan, who claimed they would be a magnet for attracting girls.