Redemption from the Abyss: The School Beauty Insists on Pulling Me Out of the Mire

The backstage lounge area was bustling with activity after the awards ceremony.

As the most dazzling duo in this national competition, Xie Wang and Su Qinghe were immediately surrounded by media reporters and people from all walks of life who had been waiting for them as soon as they stepped off the stage.

"Xie Wang! Su Qinghe! Look this way!"

"As the only duo to receive two perfect scores, how are you feeling right now?"

Facing a barrage of flashing lights and microphones.

He turned to the side with remarkable ease, using his body to shield Su Qinghe from the crowd's potential pressure, one hand gently supporting her from behind, his expression calm and composed.

"Watch your step, everyone, don't push."

Xie Wang's voice wasn't loud, but it was steady and powerful, exuding an aura of control.

A bespectacled tech reporter preemptively asked, "Xie Wang, the core algorithm problem in the finals stumped 99% of the contestants. The judges said your solution 'possesses a maturity beyond your years.' What was your design concept?"

Xie Wang took the microphone and faced the camera.

He nodded slightly, his tone humble yet precise:

"Conventional dynamic programming would time out when dealing with this level of data. I used an improved greedy algorithm, incorporating bitwise operation optimizations, sacrificing a little space for time efficiency. Luckily, the logic worked."

In just a few words, he was professional, clear, and to the point.

The knowledgeable reporters and teachers around him nodded frequently, their eyes showing admiration. This was the demeanor expected of a gold medalist.

Immediately afterwards, another reporter turned to Su Qinghe: "Su Qinghe, as the only female student to get a perfect score in the physics group, some people say that this year's questions were particularly difficult. How did you manage to maintain a perfect score?"

Su Qinghe adjusted his glasses, smiled calmly at the camera, and appeared elegant and poised.

"Although physics is a discipline that explores the laws of the world, it is essentially the art of logic. How difficult a problem is depends on whether you have found the key. I am very lucky to have the best teacher and... the best partner to help each other."

As she spoke, she glanced at Xie Wang.

The two exchanged a smile, and their unspoken understanding brought smiles to the faces of the reporters present.

Just as the interview was in a pleasant atmosphere, the crowd was suddenly separated.

Two middle-aged men squeezed in, panting, their work badges hanging around their necks prompting the surrounding reporters to make way for them.

"Excuse me! Excuse me! I'm from Tsinghua University's admissions office!"

"Old Zhao, slow down! I'm from Peking University!"

The surrounding students and parents gasped in shock.

The legendary "on-site recruitment" segment of Tsinghua and Peking University admissions offices is here!

Gu Yan, who had been standing not far away, turned even paler upon seeing this scene.

"Xie Wang! Su Qinghe!"

It was organized by Professor Zhao from Tsinghua University. Your performance was outstanding! Especially Xie Wang, a professor from the Yao Class specifically requested you! If you agree, we'll sign a pre-admission agreement on the spot, waiving the college entrance exam and providing a full scholarship!

"Hey, hey, hey, don't listen to Old Zhao's nonsense!"

Not to be outdone, Professor Wang from Peking University looked directly at Su Qinghe and said, "Su, come to the School of Physics at Peking University! We have a national key laboratory, and you can choose any advisor you like!"

The entire room fell silent instantly.

Everyone held their breath.

The Yao Class, School of Physics. This represents the pinnacle of science and engineering in China.

"Just sign a document, and you'll be free from the senior year of high school."

Some students nearby whispered enviously, "They can go straight to shore..."

The two teachers looked at them expectantly, and some had even taken out their pens.

however.

Xie Wang did not take the pen.

He nodded politely to the two teachers, then turned to look at Su Qinghe.

Su Qinghe was also looking at him.

No words were needed; a single glance was enough for them to understand each other's choices.

Su Qinghe stepped forward slightly, bowed to the two teachers, and spoke in a gentle yet firm tone:

"Thank you, Professor Zhao. Thank you, Professor Wang. It is our honor to receive the favor of two top universities."

Teacher Zhao was overjoyed: "So that means you agreed? Quick, which one should we sign?"

"No."

Su Qinghe shook his head, his face showing apology, but without any hesitation:

"We refuse."

"……what?"

Teacher Zhao's smile froze on her face, and she almost dropped the pen in her hand.

The entire room erupted in uproar. Gu Yan abruptly looked up, staring at them as if they were madmen.

"Why?!" Teacher Wang exclaimed anxiously. "Is there some condition you're not satisfied with? We can discuss it!"

"It's not a matter of conditions."

Su Qinghe stood under the spotlight, his expression calm, as if he were rejecting not Tsinghua and Peking Universities, but an ordinary flyer:

"Because our high school life isn't over yet."

She glanced at Xie Wang beside her, her eyes softening:

"Senior year of high school is the most vibrant chapter of my youth. I want to complete this journey fully, to work on practice problems with my classmates in the classroom, to experience the passion of the 100-day countdown rally, and to hand in a perfect score on the exam in June."

"For us, Tsinghua and Peking University are the final destination, and we will definitely get there. But we don't want to miss the scenery along the way just to rush through the journey."

These words were spoken flawlessly, preserving the boy's pride while also saving face for the school.

Teacher Zhao opened her mouth, but couldn't say anything for a long time.

He looked at Xie Wang one last time, unwilling to give up: "And what about you, Xie? The opportunity to be in the Yao Class is a once-in-a-lifetime chance..."

Xie Wang laughed.

He had one hand in his pocket, still maintaining a lazy posture, but his gaze towards the teacher was respectful, and his tone was sincere.

"Teacher, if she doesn't sign, I can't sign either."

He glanced at the girl beside him, a hint of casual affection in his eyes, and frankly said in front of all the cameras:

"You can go to university anytime, you can't skip it."

"But I heard that the sunset at Jiangcheng No.1 High School for its senior students is particularly beautiful."

Xie Wang curled the corners of his lips into his signature, slightly roguish smile:

"I don't have any other ambitions, I just want to stay with her in Jiangcheng... and spend that summer with her."

boom--!

The scene was in complete chaos.

This is truly the most exquisite and confident kind of romance.

He turned down a guaranteed admission to the Yao Class to watch the sunset with his girlfriend and get through his senior year of high school?!

After a brief moment of surprise, the two admissions officers exchanged a glance, and a hint of admiration appeared in their eyes.

In this utilitarian world, this pure youthful spirit is more precious than a gold medal.

"Great! What a wonderful way to get through summer!"

Teacher Zhao took a deep breath, put away the agreement, and solemnly patted Xie Wang on the shoulder:

"Then I'll be waiting for you at Tsinghua. I don't want to see your names on the list next September."

……

Ten minutes later.

The two finally finished all the interviews and small talk and walked out of the air-conditioned conference center.

The midday sun in Beijing was a bit too bright, and cicadas were chirping incessantly in the trees.

Xie Wang took off his cumbersome suit jacket and casually draped it over his arm, while holding Su Qinghe's hand tightly with his other hand.

Do you regret it?

Walking under the shade of the trees, Xie Wang suddenly asked a question.

"After all, that's a direct chance to get a job, and you'll have to study hard for another year when you get back."

Su Qinghe stopped and turned to look at him; sunlight filtered through the leaves and fell on her face.

"And what about you? Do you regret it? That was the Yao Class."

Xie Wang chuckled, raised his hand to shield her from the glaring sunlight, and said in a relaxed tone:

"What do I regret? I have no interest in going to university without you."

Su Qinghe looked at him, her eyes filled with tiny sparkles of light:

"Me too."

"I want to wear school uniforms with you, take graduation photos together, and experience the tension of the college entrance exam together."

"Thank you, Wang. This is the completeness I wanted."

Xie Wang's heart stirred slightly.

He looked down at their clasped hands and at the two Möbius strips that shimmered in the sunlight.

"OK."

He squeezed her hand, his voice exceptionally clear amidst the cicada's chirping:

"Then let's go back to Jiangcheng."

"Go back, and continue... our passionate love that summer."

Behind him stood a magnificent conference center, a stage for fame and fortune that countless people dreamed of.

Turning their backs on all of this, they stepped into their own passionate and vibrant eighteenth year.