For the next two days, Tang Xiuxia was indeed swamped. Her mobile phone was practically attached to her hand, and the calls seemed endless. They came from the admissions offices of top schools nationwide, from media and television stations, and even from businesses and enterprises that expressed a desire to sponsor Qin Tian.
Li Yanwang, of course, kept his word. However, as Qin Tian had mentioned, his mother's contact information was on record with the school, and it was impossible to keep it secret. The school also wouldn't miss such a great opportunity for publicity. Fortunately, both Tang Xiuxia and Qin Tian were prepared. They politely declined all interview invitations from media and television stations, as well as sponsorship offers from businesses and enterprises. As for the admission invitations from major universities, including Jiangda, Tang Xiuxia stated that they were still considering them, without giving a definitive answer.
On the afternoon of the 28th, Qin Tian did accept an interview he couldn't refuse. It was from the People's Daily, the most authoritative news organization in the country. Accompanied by leaders from the Yucheng Education Bureau and the principal and vice-principal of Fourth Middle School, Qin Tian was first interviewed at the school with Li Yanwang, and then they went to his home. Tang Xiuxia also naturally answered some questions from the reporters. Upon learning that this strong mother had raised her child alone and cultivated him to be so outstanding, everyone present expressed their sincere admiration.
Regarding the situation of Qin Tian's father, the reporters tentatively brought it up. Seeing that Tang Xiuxia and Qin Tian were unwilling to answer, they quickly changed the topic. After the formal interview concluded, the leaders from the Education Bureau and the principal of Fourth Middle School, on behalf of the local government and the school respectively, presented Qin Tian with rewards. The local government awarded him 300,000 yuan, and the school awarded him 200,000 yuan! This scene was, of course, captured by the cameras. Before the interviewers left, Qin Tian specifically asked the reporters not to show his face when they published the article. The reporters were surprised and impressed by his desire to remain unknown and agreed to his request.
After sending off the interviewers and the leaders from the Education Bureau and the school, Qin Tian and Tang Xiuxia had no time to relax before they were surrounded again. It was the neighbors from nearby who had heard the commotion and came to see what was happening. They didn't usually interact much, but now that Qin Tian had become famous overnight, whether familiar or not, they were all eager to get closer.
"Qin Tian's mom, your Xiao Qin is truly amazing. You'll be enjoying life from now on!"
"I said it before, Xiao Qin just looked like a scholar. And now, he's quietly become the top scorer, a perfect score at that!"
"Oh my, he's already received 500,000 yuan in rewards, I'm so envious. The saying 'there is gold in books' is truly true!"
"Look at Xiao Qin, and then look at my bratty son, I just want to throw him in the trash can!"
"Haha... You can say that again, but there's no comparison. Our Xiao Qin is a genius, alright!"
"That's true. Sigh, I don't dare to ask for too much; as long as he can get into a decent university, that's good enough."
"Qin Tian's mom, teach us your methods for raising children!"
"Yes, yes, please do. My son completely fell behind after starting junior high school. He was doing quite well in primary school, and the teacher praised him for being smart!"
"Qin Tian's mom, my daughter has always taken Xiao Qin as her role model. Our two families should stay in touch more!"
"..."
Good heavens, this sounds like they're trying to set him up on dates! Qin Tian looked at the auntie with a beaming smile and a robust build, his mouth twitching slightly, sweat beading on his forehead. He remembered that this auntie's daughter had just started high school and had inherited her mother's genes quite well, looking rather formidable. Once, on his way to school, he saw that girl chasing and beating up two boys of the same age nearby. Qin Tian felt he needed to escape the spotlight, so he quickly found an excuse and said loudly to his mother, "Mom, I'm meeting up with classmates to hang out, I have to go."
"Okay, you go!" Tang Xiuxia quickly replied.
"Uncles and aunties, I'm so sorry, I'm really meeting someone, I have to leave now!" Qin Tian said with a smile, then fled out the door as if escaping. After walking a distance, he looked back at the crowd in the main room and wiped the sweat from his forehead. He took out his phone from his pocket and called Zhang Peng.
A couple of days ago, this guy had also received 2,000 yuan from his dad as a reward. Combined with some money he had saved, he directly bought a mobile phone.
"Hello, Brother Tian."
"Where are you?"
"Where else could I be? The internet cafe! My dad doesn't care about me anymore. I'm duo queuing with Brother Hao to earn money, it's great!"
"You guys duo queue for orders? Are you sure you're not losing money?"
"Get lost, get lost, get lost. Orders in the silver league, how could we lose money? Our skills have improved a lot recently!"
"Heh, I'm skeptical!"
"What? Are you coming over? Didn't I hear you were going to be interviewed? Damn, my Ferrari is gone!" Zhang Peng asked in surprise.
"Shit, Zhang Peng, don't shout nonsense, I was at one sliver of health and got killed by a monster." Xu Hao's angry roar also came through.
"Get lost, you don't go back to the city when you're at one sliver of health and blame me?"
"Didn't I just catch someone for you? You're still talking, believe it or not, I'll deduct your salary!"
"Brother, Brother Hao, I was wrong!"
"I'm coming over now, I'll hang up first and talk when I get there."
Qin Tian hung up the phone directly, feeling speechless. No wonder he was called Brother Hao; it turns out Zhang Peng had the awareness of a worker! But it made sense. With Zhang Peng's skills, without Xu Hao and the boosting shop he opened, there wouldn't be any orders for him to play.
When he arrived at the internet cafe and reached the place where Zhang Peng and Xu Hao were sitting, Qin Tian was surprised to find Tian Jiajia there as well, sitting to Zhang Peng's left.
"Hello!" Tian Jiajia greeted with a smile.
"Why are you here too?" Qin Tian asked in surprise.
Tian Jiajia smiled mysteriously and beckoned him to come closer. Qin Tian moved closer as he was told.
"Zhang Peng asked me to pretend to be his girlfriend, saying there's a red packet, and we'll split it fifty-fifty." Tian Jiajia said happily.
"What? Who's giving the red packet?" Qin Tian was stunned.
"That Brother Hao." Tian Jiajia smiled and gestured towards Xu Hao, who was sitting to Zhang Peng's right.
"What's going on?" Qin Tian was confused and asked again, full of curiosity.
"I don't know!" Tian Jiajia shrugged and said with a smile, "But who cares, as long as I get the red packet, and I don't have to pay for internet, so I came."
"Did you get the red packet yet?"
"Not yet. That Brother Hao hasn't prepared it yet, he said he'll talk about it later."
"Is that so." Qin Tian looked at Zhang Peng and Xu Hao again and roughly guessed what was going on.
"Qin Tian, you can use this computer!"
"No need. If your girlfriend isn't sitting next to him, it'll be too fake and easy to expose."
"Oh, right!" Tian Jiajia clapped her forehead as if suddenly realizing, and smiled, "Then I won't give up my seat for you!"
"It's fine, I'll sit inside!" Qin Tian smiled and walked towards the empty seat to Xu Hao's right, further inside.