God or Ghost

Lin Xuan didn’t submit his answers right away. Instead, he continued writing code on his computer.

He wanted Yundu University to finish last in this final round.

“Isn’t he done with the questions? What is he doing now?”

The crowd whispered among themselves.

“Probably just messing around out of boredom.”

It had to be said.

Lin Xuan’s series of actions had significantly increased the entertainment value of the competition.

Now, everyone was eager to see the moment when Lin Xuan would receive an embarrassingly low score.

Lin Xuan pressed the enter key.

He sent the code to Lin Li’s computer and then submitted the ten completed questions from his own computer.

The moment he clicked the submit button, his computer was locked, and he could no longer operate it.

The live comments were still scrolling.

“They say a man who’s focused on his work is handsome. See? Brother Lin Li is so cool.”

“There’s no doubt Brother Lin Li will win this time. Later, we’ll just see how badly Lin Xuan gets crushed. Let Lin Xuan know that a wild chicken can never compare to a phoenix.”

“Just wait and see. Lin Xuan is going to embarrass himself soon.”

The team advisor was stunned by Lin Xuan’s actions.

Had Lin Xuan really finished, or was he just fooling around?

Wang Dahe, sitting with one leg crossed over the other, relaxed, said, “Mr. Wang, don’t worry. Everything’s fine. Xuanzi will bring back the championship for you in a bit.”

“How can I not worry?” the team advisor said through gritted teeth.

He had never seen a student like this before!

If it were any other student, he would have scolded them harshly, but Lin Xuan was Mr. Su’s man. Not only could he not hit or scold him, but if Lin Xuan performed poorly and got upset, he would even have to comfort him.

Otherwise, if Lin Xuan whispered a few words in Mr. Su’s ear, he’d be packing his bags and leaving Qinghua University.

He couldn’t bear to lose the high salary Qinghua University offered.

How frustrating!

Wang Dahe handed the team advisor a bottle of water. “Sir, calm down. The competition will be over in a few minutes. Whether Xuanzi is a genius or a fool, we’ll know soon enough.”

The team advisor took the water bottle.

He tilted his head back and chugged the entire bottle.

“Sigh,” the team advisor sighed as he looked at Lin Xuan on the screen. “Lin Xuan used to be so obedient. How did he end up like this?”

Wang Dahe thought about how Lin Xuan kept showing off his relationship in front of him and occasionally demonstrating his intellectual superiority.

He nodded in agreement, his tone somewhat resentful. “I think he’s changed too.” He’s become so full of himself.

Damn it.

Even during the competition, he had to write a love letter to confess to Mr. Su.

It was a critical hit of 10,000 points to him, a single dog.

Lin Li was sweating profusely as he worked on the questions.

Just like before, he had only completed half of the eighth question and had no idea how to proceed.

As for the ninth and tenth questions, he had no clue from the very beginning!

The remaining fifty minutes felt like a waste, with no progress made at all.

“Sigh.”

Qian Hong and Xue Wenbo, the two experts, shook their heads in disappointment.

They had thought they might find a promising student, but the results were far below their expectations.

Only thirty seconds remained.

Lin Li knew he couldn’t finish, so he gave up. He glanced at the others. Except for Lin Xuan, who had somehow completed 100% of the questions, everyone else was behind him.

Lin Li breathed a sigh of relief.

It seemed he would still take first place.

Confidently, Lin Li submitted his answers.

“Mr. Wang,” the team advisor from Yundu University approached. “It looks like your team is really going to finish last this time.”

“Mr. Lin, the results aren’t out yet. Let’s not jump to conclusions,” the team advisor replied with a faint smile.

Although he didn’t think Lin Xuan would win, he couldn’t let his team’s morale fall behind their competitors.

“Alright, let’s wait for the results together,” the Yundu University team advisor sneered.

The people from Qinghua University sure had tough mouths.

She wanted to see how long he could keep up that tough talk once the results were out.

The competition officials were reviewing the answers, calculating the scores, and determining the final results.

Lin Xuan, Lin Li, and the other three participants returned to the backstage area.

Students from the other three universities gathered around Yundu University to offer their congratulations.

“It looks like you’ll win again this time. Congratulations!”

“Lin Li, you’re amazing! I had no idea how to approach the eighth question. The problems set by Qian Hong and Xue Wenbo must have been incredibly difficult, yet you managed to complete half of it. You’re truly a genius!”

Lin Li was floating on the praise. He smiled modestly, “Oh, it’s nothing. Let’s wait for the official results.”

Yundu University was certain that first place was already in their grasp.

The first-place winner would receive a five-million-yuan reward from Su Corporation.

The school wouldn’t take a cut, so the five million would be split among the three of them, with each person getting over a million.

The Yundu University team was flushed with excitement.

Lin Li was also thrilled. The fifty-million-yuan prize for the best team performance would last him a long time.

A staff member from the competition rushed over to Qian Hong and Xue Wenbo.

“Gentlemen, could you come with me for a moment?”

Qian Hong and Xue Wenbo frowned but followed the staff member to a computer on the stage.

“The code written by Lin Xuan is completely different from what you provided, but the results are surprisingly effective. Take a look,” a bespectacled technician said.

“This applies to all three of the questions you set.”

Qian Hong and Xue Wenbo’s eyes widened in surprise.

How could this be?

The two of them examined Lin Xuan’s answers closely.

“This…”

Their eyes sparkled with amazement.

Incredible!

Absolutely incredible!

Why hadn’t they thought of this approach?

And Lin Xuan had only spent five minutes on each question!

“A genius. Truly a genius,” Qian Hong exclaimed.

“Yes, he’s only twenty-one, right? The future is bright for him,” Xue Wenbo added.

Wait!

They glanced at each other, their expressions turning wary.

“Old Qian, you’re not planning to compete with me, are you?” Xue Wenbo glared at him.

“Old Xue, I’m five years older than you. Shouldn’t you respect your elders?” Qian Hong retorted.

“Respect your elders? I’m five years younger than you. Shouldn’t you take care of the younger ones and let me have Lin Xuan?” Xue Wenbo shot back.

“Old Xue, do you have to fight me on this?”

“Old Qian, aren’t you the one fighting me?”

The two of them argued until their faces turned red, almost coming to blows.

“Since neither of us is willing to back down, let’s leave it up to Lin Xuan. Let him choose who he wants to study under,” Qian Hong suggested.

“Fine!”

Xue Wenbo nodded.

When they returned to their seats, both of them looked displeased.