Chapter 31: Contention Among a Hundred Schools

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The college entrance examination is an event that captures the attention of the entire nation. Originally, a full-score essay written in archaic vernacular was enough to draw eyes, but now, an exceptional admission has arrived, pouring oil on the fire! Not only the media in Jiangdong Province, but also the major media outlets in Yanjing, Modu, and Yangcheng have joined the discussion.

The Yanjing Youth Daily was first to publish a commentary. Special contributor Li Quan wrote: "In the elder generation, there were Qian Zhongshu and Wu Han; in the parental generation, Shi Fengshou; among the younger ones, Zhang Chu. Regardless of whether they entered prestigious universities through exceptional admission, there was always controversy around them. Jiangdong University faces two main obstacles in admitting this student. First, the overall exam results of this candidate remain a mystery. If their score does not reach the minimum threshold, the university cannot accept them at will. Second, if their application does not list Xuanbao Southern University, Southern University has no right to admit them. The provincial admissions office cannot intercept the candidate's file just for Jiangdong University."

The renowned Workers' Daily boldly headlined, "The 'Myth' of Qian Zhongshu and the 'Fate' of Red Hare," discussing at length. They argued that "The Death of Red Hare" and the author's invitation for exceptional admission by Jiangdong University signal a growing emphasis on quality education.

"The deeply entrenched habits of rote education are yearning for transformation toward quality education, and the college entrance examination is the baton guiding this shift. Now, the baton lies with candidate Zhang Chu, with the examiners, and with Jiangdong University. It sends a signal: for every question in the world, there are countless answers, but the key lies in the student's usual abilities. The path of quality education is arduous, but the fact that 'The Death of Red Hare' is valued by a prestigious university gives us renewed hope."

People's Daily Online even created a special feature on the topic, gathering opinions from all sides for clarity.

Some agree with Jiangdong University's action, others oppose it; each side holds its own, and the debate rages on.

Tang Peiliang, a distinguished language teacher at Modu Third High School, wrote: "Is a student who can write in archaic vernacular necessarily talented? For most, the answer is yes. But as a teacher—especially a language teacher—I think it's far too one-sided to judge Zhang Chu as talented based solely on one essay."

Yangzi Evening News clearly shares the same view: "Jiangdong University snatching up Zhang Chu, the Red Hare, is not exceptional—it's out of bounds!"

Southern Metropolis Daily's commentary was unexpectedly conservative; known for their progressive stance, even they felt Jiangdong University's approach was inappropriate, arguing it was unfair to the hundreds of thousands, even millions, of other candidates.

These traditional media outlets almost unanimously criticized Jiangdong University, implicating Zhang Chu in the process.

Yet online, the tide of opinion was vastly different. Most netizens supported Zhang Chu's early admission by Jiangdong University!

"Demanding perfection from talent is destruction of talent, okay? Breaking the rigid rules of admission is exactly the attitude we need toward talent nowadays."

"If you can't express yourself with words, that's the real tragedy of language education. Isn't that precisely its purpose?"

"If acrobats and divers are considered talented, why isn't a young student capable of writing archaic vernacular also considered talent?"

"What is really wrong with such a candidate attending university? How many mediocrities slip into college, while so many promising minds are excluded?"

"I think Zhang's essay could easily be included in the language curriculum."

"Reading the full text is astonishing; concise and eloquent, with a literary flair that soars. With such talent, if Jiangdong University does not admit him, it would break the hearts of people like us!"

...

When Zhang Chu saw these debates, he was actually quite moved. Although some netizens felt it was unfair, many still chose to support him.

"What are you really thinking?" Zhang Bowen asked while driving.

"Yes, Jiangdong University is a prestigious school. Why do you seem less than enthusiastic?" Chu Lan was slightly curious. "Could it be you really want to aim for Tsinghua or Peking University?"

Zhang Chu lifted his gaze from his phone and replied, "I believe I can get in on my own merit, without needing exceptional admission. If my scores are sufficient, why accept special treatment? It feels like it puts me a rung below ordinary students."

"Are you really confident? If you turn down Jiangdong University and your scores only allow for a regular university or a second-tier school, then what?"

"Whatever decision I make, I'll bear the consequences. Dad, you have to have some faith in me."

Zhang Bowen would actually like his son to attend Jiangdong University—it was the best university in Jiangdong Province, prestigious, and close to home. But after hearing Zhang Chu's words, he gritted his teeth and said, "Anyway, it's your life. You're eighteen now, you can decide for yourself. Tomorrow we'll talk properly with those two professors from Jiangdong University."

Their family had always been democratic; most matters were decided by the individual concerned.

Zhang Chu also wanted to use the title of top scorer as a protective talisman—an identity that, even in ancient times, would be akin to a star descending to earth. Whatever works he produces in the future, people should not feel too stifled; after all, being the top scorer says it all.

With this preconceived notion, Zhang Chu's path in the literary world would be much smoother!

"Then that's settled," Chu Lan glanced at her son from the passenger seat. "Are you sure you won't regret it?"

"Absolutely not."

With the Savior System in hand, Zhang Chu could handle failing the exams, let alone competing for top honors.

At that moment, his reputation value in the system had surpassed one hundred thousand. The exceptional admission incident at Jiangdong University had sparked a nationwide debate, all mentioning his name directly.

Print media, television, online platforms—even forums like Weibo, Tieba, Tianya, Zhihu—all discussed whether Zhang Chu should be admitted.

With such widespread mention, it was natural for his reputation value to soar—even more rapidly than when "The Death of Red Hare" was first leaked.

One hundred thousand, one hundred fifty thousand, two hundred thousand—the numbers climbed like a raging tide!

"Time for another upgrade and lottery draw, but it won't help right now."

The system was not omnipotent; the main issue was that Zhang Chu's exam results hadn't been released. Once his scores came out, all problems would be resolved—there would be no more worries.

If only time could be accelerated. Zhang Chu wished for it, but for now he was considering how to handle Jiangdong University's special admission offer calmly.

After all, the university meant well—a prestigious institution willing to admit him exceptionally, bearing considerable pressure and criticism. Now he had to refuse, and any carelessness could cause misunderstanding.

Even if Zhang Chu never attended Jiangdong University, he didn't want to become an enemy of the school. That would seem ungrateful, especially since the university had brought him so much reputation value!