I was a top student in America.

On weekend evenings, the Lincoln Park neighborhood sees its busiest time of day for restaurants along the street.

The streets were lined with private cars waiting for valet parking, and well-dressed pedestrians strolled among the colorful, flashing signs.

A high-end steakhouse not far from Whitney Young High School was packed, with a row of long tables by the floor-to-ceiling windows filled with more than twenty young people, creating a lively atmosphere.

Compared to the tension they felt while preparing for the AIME, these contestants have finally completely relaxed.

The pressure from the challenging exam questions vanished the moment the answer sheet was handed in.

Laughter filled the long table, interspersed with the clinking of cutlery.

"Hey guys, thanks for making time to join our workshop's closing party."

"Enough with the chit-chat, it's on me today! Everyone, eat your fill and have a great time!"

Ryan, sitting in the main seat by the window, stood up with his glass in hand, casually finished his opening remarks, and then tilted his head back to drink the sparkling water in his glass in one gulp.

As he sat back down on the sofa, a burst of cheers and applause immediately erupted around him.

Ryan booked a table several days in advance for this gathering.

He had originally wanted to invite his mentor, Green, to come along, but Green declined, fearing it would spoil the atmosphere for the young people.

After all, none of them are yet twenty-one years old, and no one wants to cross the line into alcohol prohibition at this relaxed juncture and cause trouble for themselves.

So at Ryan's suggestion, all the drinks on the table were changed to freshly squeezed juice and sparkling water.

The booth near the window was occupied by Sam, Ryan, Jimmy, Matthew, and Li Ao, among other core members of the weekend training camp.

The casual conversation inevitably turned to the next steps.

"I've finally finished the AIME, but the SAT is right after. Just thinking about it gives me a headache."

Sam started the conversation by poking at the salad on his plate with his fork, which immediately resonated with everyone.

"Don't even mention it. I still have two AP courses to finish, and I'm worried about how to squeeze in time for them next semester."

"At least you guys have a clear direction. I haven't even decided which teacher to ask for my recommendation letter yet."

"What are recommendation letters? I've only just started writing my personal statement. I've been staring at the computer screen all afternoon and can't even come up with a few words."

Everyone was pouring out their grievances, and Sam noticed that Ryan hadn't said a word, so he asked, "Ryan, what about you?"

I think I've decided to go to Northwestern University.

Ryan put down his cutlery, his tone relaxed, "My dad is an alumnus and a member of the school board, so there's no need to worry about these things."

The atmosphere at the table froze for two seconds after he said that.

Several boys who were still complaining froze at the same time, their eyes filled with envy—clearly none of them had expected Ruian to be so wealthy.

Hearing this, Li Ao, who was sitting next to him, simply picked up his cup and took a sip of water.

Sam chuckled and nudged the smug Ryan, his gaze sweeping across the table to Li Ao:

"How's our perfect score genius? How's their application coming along?"

"I've left it to my cousin to handle."

Li Ao put down his cup, casually pulled a few business cards from his pocket, and pushed them to the center of the table. "He happens to do application consulting in this field. If you're struggling to write your application materials or are missing recommendation letters, you can talk to him. Mentioning my name will get you a discount."

"Damn, you're trying to sell things during a meal?"

Sam looked surprised, but his hands didn't stop; he naturally slipped the business card into the inner pocket of his shoulder bag.

Anything recommended by Li Ao is bound to be good.

"You're really good at business."

Jimmy joked along, but his hands moved quickly, casually slipping a business card into his coat pocket.

Li Ao focused on the steak on his plate, completely ignoring the actions of the two men.

After seven o'clock, the gathering at the long table was coming to an end, and everyone gradually began to leave.

Li Ao wasn't in a hurry to leave with the group; he was still focused on finishing the steak on his plate.

He would never normally pay for such a high-class restaurant, so leaving the food on his plate would be a complete waste since someone else is paying.

After Sam and Jimmy got up and left, only Matthew and Li Ao remained at the long table.

Matthew put down his water glass, his gaze lingering on Li Ao for a few seconds before he spoke up: "Leo, which school are you planning to apply to?"

Li Ao swallowed the steak in his mouth and casually said, "I'll go wherever the scholarships are the best."

Although they sat at the same table, the family circumstances of these students from the North District were clearly from a completely different world from his.

Since you don't have the resources to choose any school you want, being pragmatic is the best option.

Matthew reached out and folded a napkin on the table without saying a word.

Sam returned from the restroom and glimpsed the two still talking in their seats.

She grabbed Jimmy, who had just come out from across the street, and whispered, "Look, Matthew actually spoke to Leo."

Jimmy glanced in the direction of her gaze, his reaction indifferent:

"What's so abnormal about that? Matthew has probably already given up completely."

He paused, then added, "Besides, Leo never considered him a rival at all."

After all, Matthew was always arrogant in the training camp and almost never took the initiative to talk to his competitors, so it's not surprising that Jimmy could make this judgment.

After listening, Sam muttered to himself, "The sun really did rise in the west. That guy actually has a day when he has to admit defeat?"

Just then, several professors from Lane Institute of Technology walked into the steakhouse.

The teacher leading the team went to the front desk to negotiate seating. Edmund, the coach in charge of the math competition, casually glanced around the waiting area and happened to catch a glimpse of Matthew and Li Ao talking. He was momentarily stunned.

"That is..." he couldn't help but exclaim softly.

The school leader next to him followed his gaze and said, "Isn't that Leo, the one who got a perfect score in the state competition?"

"Yes, I didn't expect that even Matthew would take the initiative to talk to him."

Edmund shook his head, completely baffled.

The North District clearly has better competition resources and college admission pathways, so why is this kid so determined to stay in the South District?

What's the point?

Looking at the two people over there, the school leaders remarked, "This is truly a rare sight today."

"I heard he also got a perfect score on the AMC... I should have known better than to have hesitated so much and had to poach him no matter what."

Edmund shook his head, sighed half-jokingly, and a hint of regret in his eyes.

At this moment, the receptionist interrupted them apologetically: "I'm very sorry, gentlemen, there are no empty tables available tonight."

Upon hearing this, the group had no choice but to push open the door and return to the street.

Li Ao was completely unaware of the little incident at the restaurant entrance, but even if he had known, he probably wouldn't have cared.

After Ryan settled the bill without hesitation, everyone said goodbye and left at the entrance of the steakhouse.

Li Ao walked alone to the nearby bus stop.

As the cool night breeze blew through the streets of the North District, he felt a long-lost sense of relief after being temporarily relieved from the relentless bombardment of competition questions.

After all, tomorrow will be a crucial quarterfinal match for the Wyndham school team.

If the team wins this game and advances to the semifinals, they will qualify for the Greater Chicago Regional Championship.

This will also be a first in Wyndham High School's history.