After the score rankings were released, Ma Ran truly became the quintessential 'wolf in sheep's clothing' at Qingquan High School, becoming a popular topic among students.
His reputation, starting from Qingquan High School, quickly spread far and wide.
The next day, at ten in the morning.
Ma Ran was at home pondering over the Enclosure Text when the door suddenly knocked.
There were many arrivals, both men and women, all formally dressed with serious expressions.
Among them were familiar faces like Teacher Zhu, the homeroom teacher, and Principal Zhao, as well as ten unfamiliar ones.
"Hello, I'm the head of this year's Tsinghua University admissions office, and here is my identification."
Then came Peking University, Wuda, Jiaotong University...
"Honored guests indeed!"
Father Ma started distributing cigarettes one by one, while Ma's Mother went to make tea.
Ma Ran sat expressionlessly on the sofa like a puppet, holding a small notebook, endlessly scribbling and doodling, unaware of what he was calculating.
"Let's get straight to the point."
After some small talk, an elderly man with silver-white hair and reading glasses explained the purpose of their visit: "We are here to formally invite Ma Ran to join the 'Grass Hut Academy' and become one of us!"
For Ma Ran's parents, the words Grass Hut Academy were somewhat novel.
They initially thought it was some extracurricular activity club, but upon hearing it was a 24/7 militarized management group, they became somewhat reluctant.
In their view, their son was already quite remarkable. If his spirituality was to be worn down in such a closed-off management system, wouldn't it be a huge loss?
"We understand your feelings, but please listen to the conditions we can offer before deciding!"
The silver-haired elder spoke with a strong voice and great persuasiveness.
He offered conditions that Ma Ran's parents could not refuse—
No need to take the college entrance or special enrollment exams, you can choose any prestigious university in the country at will.
No need to earn full credits, guaranteed to receive a diploma.
After graduation, there's a fallback government-backed job.
And so on, and so forth.
An overwhelming list of benefits and guarantees made their scalps tingle, there were even impartial personnel and official contracts involved.
With major universities' official websites and hotlines, once dialed, all verified the senior's promises.
A series of self-certifying methods strengthened their persuasion.
"Ma Ran, there will be someone to pick you up at nine tomorrow morning."
The elder pushed the frames on his nose bridge and gave Ma Ran a meaningful look: "Don't be late."
The group left in an orderly manner.
Originally reserved, Ma Ran's parents immediately showed their true colors after closing the door.
"I knew it! That Grass Hut Academy is definitely a disguised genius camp! It's meant to cultivate top-tier scientists!"
"Like the Mensa Club? Doesn't seem quite right, must be a more advanced, mysterious society beyond normal reach, mastering finance, politics, military, and ideology, secretly controlling societal progress!"
"Hahaha! My son Ma Ran has the potential of an emperor's... ahem, better not say that! Control yourself, control yourself! Bah bah!"
"Son! Study well after you go there; don't get into fights... don't make trouble, but fear no trouble! If anyone bullies you, complain to the teacher. Also, make sure to eat well, look at how skinny you are! Oh, send a message every week to let Mom know you're safe, okay?"
Ma Ran's eye twitched slightly: "Don't worry."
After all, he was once the captain of the Shusi Squad, if some unlucky little punk dared cross him, they would simply vanish into thin air.
Why fight?
It's just embarrassing!
...
The next day, on the high-speed railway, a bullet train was quietly speeding along.
Dong Huaiming was a bit hyperactive.
He wobbled from one carriage to another, unable to sit for long, feeling like ants crawling all over his body, forcing him to stand and move around.
"I heard the passengers on this bullet train are all super scholars from various campuses, even a few Scholar God-level figures."
Looking around, Dong Huaiming clicked his tongue: "Doesn't seem anything out of the ordinary, how boring..."
Wandering aimlessly on the train, Dong Huaiming's attention suddenly focused on a somewhat handsome young boy.
Though his good looks were a bit above average, his air and aura added extra points, making it hard for Dong Huaiming to look away.
After eyeing him up and down, Dong Huaiming noticed something unusual.
The boy was excessively clean.
From the hair tips to his nails, there wasn't a trace of dirt or dust.
His clothes weren't brand-name but were well-matched and groomed, without a wrinkle in sight, giving off a pleasing, absolutely clean vibe.
"My body is like glass, my mind like a clear mirror, my will like a Bodhi tree..."
Casually muttering some baffling lines, Dong Huaiming silently labeled him as a cleanliness freak who pays great attention to personal image.
Seating himself in the empty spot next to him, Dong Huaiming, with familiar ease, said, "Hey, cool guy, you seem so aloof and stylish, mind adding me on WeChat?"
"Compliments" can quickly bring strangers closer.
Moreover, Dong Huaiming genuinely thought he was cool, so those words weren't insincere.
Before the boy could reply, the girl sitting opposite suddenly chimed in, "You call this cool? That's a first."
Dong Huaiming cast his gaze at the girl who spoke, then shifted back to the boy's face, involuntarily shuddering.
The girl had an extremely high beauty level, making him feel that compared to her, his school's so-called belle were just mediocre, not worth mentioning.
But such a girl was overshadowed by that cleanliness-obsessed boy, making him completely overlook her!
"I'm Su Qiangwei, he's Ma Ran."
The youthful, though slightly sarcastic, beauty introduced, "If you don't want to get disillusioned, I suggest you avoid talking with him."
"As a normal human being, I don't think you'll have any common topics with him."
"Cool, aloof... haha."
Though frustrated with Ma Ran, Su Qiangwei had to admit he had significant bonus points in looks and aura.
If his looks were lacking and his aura was sleazy, then he wouldn't be aloof but instead insecure, shy, and reclusive.
Scratching his head, Dong Huaiming chuckled awkwardly, continuing to search for a topic, seemingly unaffected by the embarrassment.
Through his relentless efforts, Ma Ran finally spoke.
"What are your views on 'Grass Hut Academy'?"
Leaning against the window, Su Qiangwei snorted, "Those conditions they offered don't attract me. If it wasn't to defeat you, I wouldn't have joined such a covert and mysterious organization."
Ma Ran gave her a deep look, his voice calm: "Lie."
Su Qiangwei's face turned red: "No way! I... I wasn't lying! I really thought so!"
"But..."
"My parents said it's a crucial opportunity for our family business to soar, so even if I'm unwilling, they'd probably force me in..."
Sitting beside Ma Ran, Dong Huaiming showed no signs of emotional intelligence, failing to comfort his fellow peer in awkwardness.
With burning eyes, he looked at Ma Ran and firmly replied, "Grass Hut Academy is the gathering place for the Extraordinary Ones!"
"It's the true face hidden beneath the civilized society!"
"It's our ticket to step into the Extraordinary Domain!"
After speaking, the atmosphere changed abruptly.
Su Qiangwei no longer felt embarrassed, glancing at Dong Huaiming, "Chūnibyō syndrome?"