The crowd ahead surged like a tide. The students of Class 28 tossed Celia into the air, shouting her name with pride:
"Celia! Celia! Celia!"
Even the young men from Beijing's elite circle, who had only come for the spectacle, were drawn in. They gathered around, joining the chant.
Her slender figure, lifted high above the crowd, shone as if surrounded by countless stars. At that moment, Celia radiated brilliance that captivated everyone's gaze.
Nathaniel Fu stopped in his tracks. The scene struck him like a lightning bolt to the heart—an unfamiliar, tingling sensation.
He had never once felt this way when looking at Yara Lu.
After all, who wouldn't admire someone with true talent? And Nathaniel was no exception.
Yes, appearance draws the eye, but what sustains admiration is the spark of ability and character. When two powerful forces meet, the collision ignites the most dazzling flames.
Secretary Song leaned closer and spoke in a hushed voice."President, Miss Su didn't score forty or sixty. This time… she scored a perfect 150. What's more, she led Class 28 to the top of the entire grade."
Nathaniel's sharp gaze drifted toward the results posted in the glass window. From a distance, he could see it clearly: Celia's name in first place, and the Rocket Class students, dusty and defeated, lingering on the side.
Shock flickered in his eyes.
He had assumed she was just a pretty face—but reality kept overturning his expectations.
She was always like this: unpredictable, radiant, captivating.
And yet… how had she managed a flawless 150?She had even claimed she didn't know the equation he'd given her that day.
The advanced math exam ended in triumph. Class 28 returned to their classroom in high spirits. Instead of basking in glory, they opened their books and pressed on, determined to chase even greater goals.
In contrast, the Rocket Class sat in gloom.
Peng Li was truly unwell. Her pounding headache kept her in her office; she couldn't even bring herself to face her own students.
It was humiliating. She had abandoned Class 28 when they were at the bottom. Now, without her, they had soared to the top. Wasn't that a slap in her face?
Meanwhile, Yara Lu and Ning Xiner stepped into the restroom, both silent, both dark-faced with frustration.
Two girls from Class 28 happened to pass by, voices bright with pride."Our Class 28 took first place thanks to Cici! It was all because of her review notes!"
"Review notes?"
Yara's head snapped up at once. Her instincts seized the key point. She turned to Ning Xiner."Go find out. Did Celia really have review notes? It's too strange for her—and the entire Class 28—to score so high."
Ning Xiner's lips curled in skepticism. "I don't believe they did this on their own either. There must be something behind it. If we catch Celia with anything suspicious, we'll drive her out of Tsinghua University."
She acted immediately. Before long, one of Celia's review notebooks from Class 28 was placed into her hands. Yara brought it straight to Peng Li and Director Zhu.
Director Zhu flipped through the notebook carefully. His expression shifted, his brows lifting in astonishment."Where… where did this come from? If I'm not mistaken, this is the notebook of that prodigy girl."
"What?"
The room froze.
"This is the prodigy's notebook?"
Peng Li's face went pale. Yara's heart raced.
"Director Zhu, you must be mistaken. This notebook clearly belongs to Class 28!"
Director Zhu shook his head with certainty."No. That explains everything. No wonder Class 28 made such extraordinary progress in just one week. This isn't just any set of notes—it's the rare review book left behind by that genius girl. It's worth a fortune."