Chapter 2: The Television Reporter

"Time's up. You can't go in."

The proctor, displeased to see her in such disarray, spoke curtly as he gripped the handlebars, preparing to push the bicycle back out through the gate.

"Please, let me in, sir. I wasn't late on purpose," Lin Xiyu pleaded anxiously, clutching the handlebars as she argued, "I was delayed because I saved two people from the river on my way here..."

Saved someone?

Why not make up something even more outrageous?

The proctor clearly didn't believe her. He sneered, about to mock her, when two urgent footsteps sounded behind them.

"We can vouch for her. She really did save a mother and child from the river."

Two staff members from Jinan TV appeared like a timely rain, rescuing her from her awkward predicament.

"Thank you," Lin Xiyu exclaimed, overjoyed, instinctively turning to express her gratitude.

"Oh my—"

The next moment, as she caught sight of a large, black camera lens pointed straight at her face, she was so startled her heart skipped a beat and she reflexively hopped two meters away.

The cameraman, amused by her startled expression, couldn't help but laugh aloud.

"Hello, sir," a female reporter holding a microphone stepped forward, presenting her credentials. "We're from the 'Springwater Family' program at Jinan Television. We were filming by the moat just now and happened to witness this student's rescue. We have the footage as proof..."

"You’re certain it was her who saved them?" The proctor's tone softened noticeably at the sight of journalists.

"We followed her here," the reporter replied, glancing at Lin Xiyu with an arched brow and a teasing smile. "This young lady rides fast—nearly as quick as Nezha’s wind-fire wheels. Our crew's van could barely keep up."

"Very well," the proctor straightened his posture before the camera, officially opening the school gate. "Since you can vouch for her, let her in. Just this once—don't expect a second chance."

The college entrance exam—something you only get one shot at in a lifetime.

If you gave me another chance after slogging through senior year, I wouldn't want to take it again either, Lin Xiyu complained silently. But catching the proctor's scrutinizing gaze, she immediately put on a look of profound gratitude and bowed deeply.

"Go on in," the proctor said.

"Good luck—do your best!" the reporter encouraged, raising her fist in support.

"Thank you," Lin Xiyu replied.

Facing the reporter, her smile grew more genuine. Swiftly straightening her handlebars, she mounted her bike and sped onto the campus like the wind.

—

Exam hall, classroom.

Lin Xiyu arrived just before the proctor finished handing out the papers, drawing inevitable sideways glances from her peers.

Gu Bin’s eye twitched violently; he looked away in annoyance. Yet, after a morning of restlessness, his mood suddenly calmed as if by magic.

Lin Xiyu sneaked a glance at Gu Bin. Seeing that he wasn’t looking at her, she quietly let out a sigh of relief.

Gu Bin was the campus heartthrob at No. 1 High—a classmate, her academic rival. Both performed well, each refusing to lose to the other.

She didn’t want Gu Bin to see her in such a mess—part pride, part something she couldn't quite explain. Who could blame her? He was devastatingly handsome, like a walking spotlight drawing every eye. Try as she might, she simply couldn’t ignore him.

—

The proctor, maintaining professional decorum, didn’t make things difficult for her, simply pointed to the classroom’s only empty seat.