I was a top student in America.

Chapter 126 I've already published two papers (please subscribe)

Not long after, Mr. Green came out to greet them.

Upon seeing Li Ao and the others, he immediately beamed with joy, jokingly saying, "I had a feeling this morning that something good was going to happen, and it turns out it's our training camp's international gold medalist who's back!"

Under Mr. Green's guidance, Li Ao stepped back into the familiar teaching building. Looking at the surrounding environment, he felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

Jamal, standing to the side, was somewhat overwhelmed by the sights.

Having lived in the underdeveloped southern district for many years, his gaze was now completely drawn to the clean and tidy teaching buildings and the lawns that were trimmed as smooth as a carpet.

Looking around, groups of students dressed in designer clothes are engaged in various weekend club activities and sports training, exuding youthful energy.

"Damn, your white schools are just different." Jamal couldn't help but mutter a curse under his breath.

"You can't say that, young man."

Upon hearing this, Ms. Green stopped and explained gently with a smile, "Whitney Young High School has always championed diversity. Here, no one, regardless of race or skin color, will face any discrimination."

"cut----"

Jamal curled his lip. In the South District, hatred towards white people was a deeply ingrained habit. He was about to make a sarcastic remark when he saw Mr. Green turn his gaze back to Li Ao and inquire about his recent situation with concern.

"Now that you've won the IMO gold medal, what are your plans for the future? Are you interested in competing again next year?" Coach Green asked with a smile. "With your ability, winning another gold medal should be a piece of cake."

"There are no plans for that at the moment," Li Ao replied truthfully after a moment's thought.

Jamal, who was standing next to him, couldn't help but interject with a proud look: "Dude—no—teacher, Leo is already working on a research project with a professor at the University of Chicago, and he even went to work at the Department of Energy this summer."

"University of Chicago? The Department of Energy?" Professor Green's eyes widened in disbelief.

Jimmy and Sam, standing nearby, exchanged bewildered glances, unconsciously repeating the two words under their breath, their faces filled with utter shock.

For these high school students who are still struggling to get into university, it is unimaginable that Li Aoming had just won a gold medal in the International Mathematical Olympiad and had already crossed the threshold and entered the field of vision of the country's top research institutions.

Facing the astonished gazes of the group, Li Ao didn't keep them in suspense. He calmly smiled and explained, "Actually, it's not as exaggerated as Jamal made it out to be. I was just lucky to collaborate with some colleagues from the Physics Department at the University of Chicago on a small project under the Department of Energy. It's not like I'm going to work there."

"That's an incredible achievement!" Professor Green was still very excited after hearing this. "To be able to participate in a national-level research project at such a young age is an extremely valuable academic experience. Being your competition teacher is the greatest pride of my life. Since you have such a high talent in mathematics, I sincerely suggest that you stay at the University of Chicago to continue your studies and strive to publish your first SCI paper as soon as possible."

Hearing Mr. Green's heartfelt expectations, Sam and Jimmy, who were standing nearby, gradually recovered from their shock and quickly nodded in agreement.

"Professor Green is right. We must not waste this talent that others can only envy."

"With Leo's talent, publishing papers in top journals is definitely just around the corner."

Hearing everyone putting themselves in his shoes, Li Ao was somewhat touched.

He raised his hand and touched his nose somewhat embarrassedly, then added apologetically, "Well—actually, I've already published two papers."

Upon hearing this, the previously lively atmosphere instantly froze.

Mr. Green was taken aback at first, then his face lit up with ecstatic joy.

Matthew and Ryan, standing to the side, seemed to have suffered a great blow and fell silent for a moment.

Sam stood there stunned for a good ten seconds before looking at him with an almost resentful gaze and muttering, "This sounds like we haven't seen each other for years—your academic progress is frighteningly fast!"

"Hearing you say that, I suddenly realize that the SAT scores I just showed off are simply not impressive at all." Jimmy shook his head with a wry smile, deeply agreeing.

Only Jamal, standing at the back, held his head high, his eyes filled with smug pride, as if declaring to everyone:

See that? This is the genius brother who came from our South District.

"It's rare to be this happy today, so come on, lunchtime is on the teacher, I'll treat you to something nice!"

In high spirits, Mr. Green waved his hand generously and then led the group of young people to his office, intending to share the good news with the other teachers in the competition group.

Time always flies when you're having a good time.

After returning from Whitney Young High School, life went on smoothly for another two weeks.

Just before October, Li Ao's academic paper, a collaboration with the Department of Physics, was finally officially submitted to Physical Review Letters.

In this highly prestigious physics journal article, Li Ao's name is prominently listed as the fourth author, which means he has the potential to truly leave his mark on a top academic journal.

Although the grandfather and grandson still live in the old apartment 306 in the South District, Li Ao's mindset is no longer bound by the material conditions at hand.

His daily schedule was extremely full: during the day, he devoted himself to studying partial differential equations and functional analysis in the school's reading room, and when he returned home at night, he would continue to organize those application materials without fail, relying on this part-time job of guiding college applications to save up for his future college tuition.

According to his own estimate, as long as he finishes writing all his personal statements before the end of October and successfully obtains recommendation letters from Professor Jason, Professor Rudy, and Professor Brown, the entire set of college application materials will be completed.

At that point, he can officially begin preparing for his upcoming college applications and interviews.

There was a small interlude in this fulfilling daily routine.

At Harris's repeated and enthusiastic invitations, Li Ao took some time to visit the boxing gym behind the "Big Baby" sporting goods store.

Inside the gym, he went on stage and tried practicing a few sets of clean and crisp jabs and dodges.

Harris, sitting in the audience, was mesmerized by the extraordinary physical talent and coordination, and kept praising him.