Chapter 85 Public Opinion
The exam results had been announced; it was the end of July, leaving only one more month of vacation. During this month, he had many things to keep him busy.
Earning money, the Liangzhou University assessment, and cultivating.
For him, cultivation was still the most important endeavor.
At the moment he was only in the mid-stage of Qi-Controlling, and his strength wasn't very high. He needed to cultivate to the later stages of Qi-Controlling as soon as possible.
Lu Zhiwei had originally wanted to cling to Xiang Beifei to learn reasoning skills, but Xiang Beifei told her, "Once I get into Liangzhou University, won't you have more time to bother me?"
"Right, that makes sense!"
Lu Zhiwei happily left without bothering him further.
Xiang Beifei locked himself back in his room, thinking he could focus on cultivation, but he soon realized he was wrong.
Scoring such high marks was not something people would just overlook easily.
After interviewing Yang Hua, Yu Lei came to his home and knocked on the door, ready to interview the N-level student.
Xiang Qingde, who answered the door, looked at Yu Lei with a puzzled expression, and asked, "Who are you looking for?"
"Hello, I am a reporter from the Liangzhou Strait Metropolitan Daily, my name is Yu Lei. You must be the grandfather of Xiang Beifei, this year's top scholar from Luhe High School, right? It's a pleasure to meet you! May I interview you about your grandson's achievements?" Yu Lei got straight to the point.
"An interview?"
Xiang Qingde furrowed his brows. His grandson was preparing for the Liangzhou University assessment, and interviews were a waste of time and meaningless.
He shook his head and said, "It's not necessary, my grandson doesn't like these kinds of things."
As he spoke, he was about to close the door.
"Wait, wait,"
Yu Lei extended his hand to block the door, displaying a professionally courteous smile, and said,
"Old Master Xiang, you must be aware that with Xiang Beifei's talents, even with such high scores, it is nearly impossible for him to get into an elite university. But as a reporter, if I can interview him, and properly report his predicament, it could cause those within the entire societal system to reflect. Under pressure from all sides, perhaps the elite universities might lower their thresholds."
Yu Lei, as a news worker, often dealt with a variety of people and had a keen eye for reading them. He knew exactly what would persuade Xiang Qingde.
Upon hearing Yu Lei's words, Xiang Qingde hesitated.
He knew that Xiang Beifei had decided to apply to Liangzhou University, but he was also aware of how difficult the assessments at Liangzhou University were. For ten consecutive years, no N-level students had been admitted, making the hope of entrance exceedingly slim.
Yet, what Yu Lei said held a certain truth.
Xiang Beifei wasn't just another N-level Awakener scoring 680 points; he was first among all Jiuzhou candidates with an original score of 732. Although Xiang Qingde didn't quite understand the internet, he was aware that news reports could inform more people about this matter.
If more people paid attention to the fact that high-scoring students were unable to attend elite universities, it might cause a sensation. In that case, Xiang Beifei's chances of getting into Liangzhou University could indeed be higher.
Seeing Xiang Qingde's hesitation, Yu Lei quickly continued, "Old Master, rest assured, I will report this matter from the most professional perspective. I also think that it's a waste for your grandson with such results to attend an ordinary university, but I can help you. I just need a simple interview with your grandson, it won't take long, at most one hour."
Xiang Qingde hesitated for a moment but felt it was a good idea, so he said, "I'll go ask, wait here."
Xiang Qingde let Yu Lei into the house, poured him a glass of water, then walked to Xiang Beifei's bedroom door, knocked, and said, "Xiaofei, may I come in?"
"Grandpa, is something the matter?" Xiang Beifei opened the door.
Xiang Qingde glanced at Yu Lei sitting outside and said, "A reporter wants to interview you, he said he wants to cover your story as the top scorer in the college entrance examination."
Xiang Beifei looked up at Yu Lei, his gaze sweeping over the other's system interface, and his brow slightly furrowed.
The tasks on the other party's system interface and their intentions were clear as day to Xiang Beifei.
After pondering for a moment, he let his grandfather into the bedroom, then closed the door and said, "Grandpa, I don't need to accept this person's interview."
"The reporter told me that you are the candidate with the highest original score, and if this is blown up, it might create some public opinion pressure and make Liangzhou University more inclined to admit you or something," Xiang Qingde said.
"No."
Xiang Beifei immediately shook his head.
Not understanding, Xiang Qingde asked, "Why not? You want to go to Liangzhou University, and he's trying to help you, isn't he?"
"Grandpa must understand something, the rule that elite universities don't admit N-level students has existed for a long time, but it's never changed. They won't alter their rules just because of a reporter's article."
Xiang Beifei paused, then continued, "Being admitted through public opinion won't convince everyone, and it will leave them with a bad impression. Who knows, they might raise the difficulty even further during the admission assessment to prevent me from passing. Then they'll tell everyone that it's not that they don't admit N-level students, but that an N-level student like me doesn't have the ability." Exclusive content from m,v lem|p,yr
Principal Li Nanxing had already warned him that the admission examination was going to be overseen by Xiang Tianxing's old adversary, which made it difficult enough. If public opinion got involved, and Liangzhou University sought to offset the pressure by raising the bar, then Xiang Beifei would face an even worse situation.
Xiang Qingde thought for a moment and then said, "But it's also possible that Liangzhou University might lower the examination difficulty due to public pressure, isn't it? The rule that elite universities don't admit N-level students should indeed be changed."
"If we want to change the situation of elite universities not admitting N-level students, we should rely on N-level students to prove that they have the ability to enroll in elite universities, not on public pressure to get N-level students into elite universities."
The type of school determines the intensity of the study required, and indeed, the academic rigors of an elite school aren't something a normal N-level student can keep up with.
"Once admitted through public pressure, they will also find excuses to expel me later, telling everyone it's because I couldn't keep up with the progress of study at an elite university, then they'll take back the public narrative and prove that there's a reason for the school not admitting N-level students."
Xiang Beifei spoke earnestly, "They have their rules, and I will enter according to their rules. That way, they will have nothing to say. Grandpa, I have confidence in passing Liangzhou University's assessment with my own strength. There's no need to resort to public opinion. Can you believe in me just this once?"
What mattered most was that the reporter, according to the tasks shown on his system interface, came to interview with a far from straightforward purpose.
Xiang Qingde thought seriously about Xiang Beifei's words before he realized they were right.
If they relied on public pressure for admission, Xiang Beifei would easily become a target for discrimination, which would be unfriendly to his future.
Especially since Xiang Beifei hadn't even participated in the admission assessment yet, doing such a thing was indeed inappropriate.
"What you say makes sense, we should rightfully pass the assessment and prove ourselves that N-level students also have the capability to attend elite universities. If you prove yourself, they will eventually change their views on N-level students, and this will be the best way to diminish discrimination against N-level students. This time I must believe in you! I'm going to refuse him right now."
Xiang Qingde agreed with Xiang Beifei's point of view. The college entrance examination results had made him realize that his grandson was truly intelligent; he had no reason to doubt his grandson's judgment anymore.