Genius Club

“Only 300 points?”

Lin Xian remembered clearly that when it was their turn for the college entrance exams, scoring just over 300 wouldn’t even secure a spot in a vocational college, let alone Hunan University.

“Yes,” the homeroom teacher confirmed, his eyes showing a hint of sadness. “That year, everyone submitted their applications online. With his score, he didn’t even meet the cutoff for vocational colleges, so he couldn’t apply anywhere. Getting into Hunan University was impossible. No university would have accepted him.”

Lin Xian understood the gravity of the situation.

He sifted through the file box, stuffed with printed photos of college acceptance letters. He recognized many familiar names and found his own, along with Gao Yang’s vocational college acceptance letter.

At the very bottom, there was a single folded piece of paper.

Lin Xian unfolded it…

Just as he suspected.

It was Zhou Duan Yun’s acceptance letter.

From just the printed photo, Lin Xian couldn’t determine if it was authentic or counterfeit. It had all the essential features, including the principal’s signature and the school’s red seal.

But in this digital era, creating a fake acceptance letter is easy—just some Photoshop skills and a color printer.

However, a counterfeit acceptance letter is pointless…

Bringing the letter to the school is merely a formality. The crucial aspect is whether the school has your acceptance information on file. Even if you lose the letter, you can still enroll at the university.

Thus, Lin Xian began to piece together the story about Zhou Duan Yun—

He probably forged the acceptance letter either out of pride or some other motive.

Since Zhou Duan Yun wasn’t very social in class and kept to himself, nobody really paid attention to him.

When the homeroom teacher requested photos of everyone’s acceptance letters, Zhou Duan Yun likely hesitated to share his.

However, his mother discovered the letter and traveled a great distance, beaming with pride, to show her son’s acceptance letter to the homeroom teacher.

The homeroom teacher knew the acceptance letter was forged because he was aware of Duan Yun’actual scores.

Yet, facing a joyful and excited mother who had endured so much, he found it too hard to expose the truth and let it pass.

“Later, I tried to learn more about Zhou Duan Yun from some classmates,” the homeroom teacher added. “Since his acceptance letter was fake, he couldn’t attend university. I was concerned he might stray off the path, so I discreetly inquired.”

“But nobody really knew much about him. They all thought he went to university. Some even claimed he won the lottery post-exams, splurged on designer clothes, an Apple phone, a high-end computer, and an expensive belt.”

“But actually… even that lottery story is made up.”

Lin Xian narrowed his eyes. “That’s fake too?”

Is anything about Zhou Duan Yun genuine? Everything appears fabricated.

“I’m certain the lottery story is false because when his mother showed me the acceptance letter, we spoke extensively. She had worked hard all her life and saved just a little. When Zhou’s father passed away, there was some compensation, which she reserved for Duan Yun’s university education. Believing her son had been admitted to a prestigious university, she handed over all the money.”

“The designer items, phone, and computer Duan Yun purchased were all bought with that money. As for why everyone thought he won the lottery, I’m not sure. Maybe he himself spread that rumor.”

“Afterwards, you all moved on, and Duan Yun left his hometown too. Sometimes when former students visit, I ask about him. Most are unaware of his current whereabouts. Some have heard rumors of him getting involved in pyramid schemes, dropping out, or becoming successful. There are various stories, but the truth of his situation is unclear.”

Lin Xian remained silent.

From the homeroom teacher’s account, Zhou Duan Yun’s life was not as glamorous as it seemed; it was actually quite sad. But despite the fake acceptance letter and the lottery lie, that Rolls-Royce Phantom wasn’t fake, right?

Even renting such a car costs a fortune daily, and Duan Yun drives it regularly, indicating it’s his.

Now, it seemed Zhou Duan Yun had indeed found success. That was undeniable.

But the path he took to achieve this success remained a mystery—a mystery Lin Xian was determined to unravel.

“Zhou Duan Yun is doing well now,” Lin Xian affirmed truthfully. “He’s quite wealthy, likely a big boss, and drives a Rolls-Royce Phantom with a personal driver.”

“Really?” The homeroom teacher, pleased with the news, responded, “If that’s the case, then I’m relieved!”

“It’s true,” Lin Xian nodded. “We saw him at our class reunion. He’s the most successful among us.”

“That’s great… that’s really great…” The homeroom teacher relaxed completely, lighting up a cigarette with a smile. “No matter what, you students are like my own kids. Teachers always hope for your success. Whatever happened in the past… as long as you’re doing well now, that’s all that matters! Duan Yun was a poor kid, and I can understand why he did what he did.”

Lin Xian inquired where the homeroom teacher had heard the rumors about Duan Yun winning the lottery and getting involved in pyramid schemes.

His instincts told him perhaps these disheartening stories were the true reflection of Zhou Duan Yun’s life.

Life often contains more failures than successes; glamour and legends are exceptions. Even autobiographies of the famous selectively reveal truths, let alone the life of an average person.

The homeroom teacher informed Lin Xian that he had heard these details from Zhou Le.

Zhou Le and Zhou Duan Yun grew up in the same village, attended a local college in Hang City, and worked in the county after graduating. He often kept in touch with the homeroom teacher.

After bidding farewell to the homeroom teacher, Lin Xian reached out to Zhou Le.

Zhou Le had missed the class reunion due to New Year commitments, so Lin Xian used the opportunity of passing through to invite him for a meal.

Lin Xian was well-liked in high school, and Zhou Le was excited to meet. They found a quiet spot for a drink at noon.

Classmates always have endless stories to share.

Zhou Le was curious about the reunion, and naturally, the conversation drifted towards Zhou Duan Yun… the star of the reunion.

“You’re from the same village?” Lin Xian inquired.

“Yes, though we share the surname, we’re not from the same family line,” Zhou Le clarified after a sip of his drink. “Zhou’s father died young from illness… their family was very poor. In rural areas, without a strong family head, they were often victimized.”

“I only learned about this later. Zhou’s family’s fields were gradually seized by neighbors, almost forcefully. Every time they plowed, they’d encroach a bit more, leaving Zhou’s family with very little.”

“The same happened with their house plot. Neighbors took advantage when Zhou’s family couldn’t afford to build. But what could Zhou and his mother do? They had no support and were consistently bullied.”

“How did they manage to survive?” Lin Xian asked.

Hearing Zhou Le’s story, Lin Xian understood why Zhou Duan Yun had been so impoverished back then, even lacking decent clothes.

Land disputes are common in rural areas, often leading to conflict. But without a father, Zhou had no way to stand against aggressive neighbors.

“Duan Yun’s mother was incredibly strong…” Zhou Le sighed deeply. “She cultivated abandoned land nobody else wanted, planting peanuts.”

“After some time, when the land became fertile, others would claim it back, and she’d have to start over with new abandoned land… That’s how Duan Yun’s mother tirelessly worked to support him.”

“She grew peanuts, one by one, just to provide for Duan Yun.”