Chapter 13: The Collision of Fame, Fortune, and True Heart

The cicadas’ cries grew more intense with each passing moment, the thick, stifling heat engulfing the small county town. News of Li Yifei’s achievement as the top scorer in the college entrance examination spread like water spilled on a summer afternoon—hissing away into the air, carrying a scorching heat.

Fame was expected, yet the magnitude of attention still caught him and his parents off guard, sweeping them headlong into the whirlpool of fame and fortune.

The first to sense opportunity were the merchants. Barely two days after Li Yifei’s name was posted on the school’s honor board, the household, usually quiet, became unusually lively.

Small business owners from stationery factories, managers from training institutions, clutching bulging briefcases, wore eager smiles as they took turns appearing in the cramped living room.

“Li, you’re a young hero!” A middle-aged man in a striped polo shirt tapped the exquisite product catalog on the table. “Look at our ‘Champion Pen.’ If you give us your nod, pose for a photo, and say a few kind words, the numbers will soar!” He raised several fingers, his eyes shining brightly. “Win-win! Absolutely win-win!”

Li Yifei sat beside his parents, his expression unreadable. Money? That was the last thing he needed now.

More importantly, he knew too well what early entanglement in such commercial endorsements could mean. The seemingly generous rewards might bring far greater troubles and restrictions in the future. His gaze never lingered on the immediate bills before him.

Finding no success in wooing the champion and his parents directly, the merchants shifted their attention elsewhere.

Within days, the home phone rang incessantly. Voices of distant relatives clamored into the receiver.

“Yifei, listen to your aunt for once. What a golden opportunity! The boss even promised me a referral fee if you succeed! You have to think about the family, if not yourself,” the aunt’s voice was urgent and high-pitched, tinged with reproach.

“Exactly! Little Fei, you’ve made it, so why not help out the relatives? When times were tough, everyone chipped in… cough, anyway, you owe us this favor!” another relative’s voice was no less forceful.

Holding the receiver, Li Yifei felt nothing but a chill inside. These relatives? In his heart, only his parents and younger sister held weight worth considering.

The others were mere acquaintances seen only during festivals. Memories of his past life pricked like thorns—the dodging eyes and deliberate distance when the family was poor; now that he had succeeded, all that surfaced was naked calculation. Prejudices are not so easily erased; only their perception of his “value” had changed.

The outcome was inevitable. Li Yifei remained unmoved, and as the relatives saw the “cooked duck” fly away, their resentment naturally targeted his family.

The calls dwindled, but the gossip behind their backs multiplied. Li Yifei felt a strange relief. He wanted his parents to see the true face of these “blood ties” when faced with self-interest.

This was an early warning for the path he might have to walk—some ties are best cut clean and early.

Mr. and Mrs. Li were thoroughly upset. Listening to the veiled accusations and complaints, they couldn’t fathom how once harmonious siblings could turn hostile over trifling gains.

At this moment, they suddenly recalled what their son had said before the exams—to reduce the social network. He had seen through it all long ago. The couple sat silently under the dim light for a long while.

Finally, Mr. Li slapped his thigh: “From now on… let’s not meddle in our son’s affairs. He understands things better than we do.”

Having sent away the relatives and merchants, Li Yifei began fulfilling his promise to his alma mater.

New No. 1 High School, especially his homeroom teachers and principal during the last two years, had truly supported him and given him space. He remembered that kindness.

He also hoped to use his status as champion to rekindle the school’s efforts in changing its image—preventing it from falling back into the old ways of unscrupulous tactics for admission rates, such as pushing students toward single admissions or even depriving some of the right to sit for the college entrance exam.

He first confirmed the date for his return speech. Then came the avalanche of invitations.

To the advertisers, he personally called, his tone calm but firm: “Thank you for your kindness, but I want to focus solely on my studies now. I’m not considering any commercial cooperation.” He knew that unless he severed these intentions decisively, endless troubles would follow.

The most persistent were the relatives. When the family moved, they kept it quiet; their hometown thought they had gone to work elsewhere. Hiding was futile; Li Yifei decided to return home with his parents.

The ancestral hall was packed with relatives who had come upon hearing the news; the air was thick and oppressive. The aunts clustered around, showering praise yet their eyes roved eagerly over his face.

Li Yifei wore a courteous smile, his tone humbly sincere: “Uncle, aunt, auntie, I was just lucky this time and performed beyond expectations. My younger siblings will surely surpass me; as long as they work hard, good universities won’t be a problem!” His words were like honey, bringing smiles to the relatives’ faces, as if their own children could also become champions tomorrow.

No sooner had he returned from home than a call came from his junior high alma mater.

On the other end was a familiar, joyful voice: “Yifei! You’ve brought glory to your alma mater! Come back and give a talk to encourage the juniors!” Li Yifei couldn’t refuse and agreed.

Two days later, he stood once more on the familiar platform of his junior high school. Below him were faces both innocent and filled with hope.

He cleared his throat; his voice carried through the quiet auditorium: “I’m grateful to my alma mater and teachers for their nurturing.” He shared openly his study methods, the difficulties he faced, and how he adjusted his mindset, revealing every detail.

He genuinely hoped these children could carve out a bright future through their own efforts.

The school set up cameras and streamed the speech live on their website. No one expected this talk to garner such attention.

Only then did many realize: this top scorer in the college entrance exam had also been the city’s top scorer in the middle school entrance exam!

The principal of New No. 1 High School watched the entire live broadcast in his office, the screen’s glow illuminating his face.

Leaning back in his chair, he exhaled deeply, a satisfied smile playing at his lips. Supporting this “special” student under pressure had been worthwhile.

Meanwhile, the principal of City No. 1 High School watched the same live stream, his heart a tumult of mixed emotions. When Li Yifei topped the city’s middle school exam, City No. 1 High School had naturally approached him, but the conditions he set seemed “unreasonable” to them, so they gave up.

Who would have thought that in just two years, this student they had “let go” would become the provincial champion? Regret was a medicine nowhere to be found.

A week later, Li Yifei appeared as promised in the grand auditorium of New No. 1 High School. The hall was packed with teachers and students, the atmosphere electric. Leaders from the county education bureau sat in the front row.

At the end of his speech, thunderous applause erupted. A bureau leader took the stage, handing him a bright red envelope embossed with “Reward Fund.”

“Li Yifei, congratulations! You have brought glory to our hometown! This is a small token from the county—twenty thousand yuan. We hope you continue your hard work!”

Li Yifei accepted it with both hands, bowing slightly. “Thank you, leaders, and thanks to the county and school for their cultivation.”

Immediately after, the principal presented another envelope. “A small reward from the school—ten thousand yuan. You are the pride of New No. 1 High School!”

At that moment, a modestly dressed, somewhat nervous middle-aged man squeezed to the edge of the stage. He was the owner of a local small stationery factory.

Holding a thick envelope, his voice was loud but tinged with nervousness: “Li, I admire you! You’re not tempted by money! I’m straightforward—here’s a donation of one hundred thousand yuan, for the school and for you! Well done!” He pressed the envelope into Li Yifei’s hand, shook the principal’s hand firmly, wiped the sweat from his brow, and hurried off the stage.

Li Yifei held the three envelopes, their weight tangible. He bowed once more to the audience.

These were not merely money but signposts, silently pointing toward a future for which he must give his all. Outside the auditorium, the cicadas seemed to sing even louder.