"I haven't decided yet…"
"Ring ring… Ring ring…"
Lin Beichen was about to say something when his father's phone rang.
Lin Xiangdong didn't want to interrupt Lin Beichen's call with the Imperial Capital University's admissions office, so he instinctively answered the phone and walked to the side. "Hello, who's this?"
"Hello, is this Lin Beichen's father?"
"Yes, it's me."
"Hello, I'm Li Donghua, the director of the admissions office at Huaqing University. I tried calling Lin Beichen's mother, but the line was busy, so I thought I'd try you. I'm glad it worked out, haha!"
Lin Xiangdong: ?
Is my son really this popular?
Of course, he knew why Huaqing University was calling at this time.
For a moment, he couldn't help but look at Lin Beichen with a gaze full of joy, excitement, and a lot of pride and admiration. Just over a month ago, he was worried sick about this kid's studies, thinking that getting into a junior college would be a blessing from the ancestors. But now, not only is he the top scorer, but two of the best universities in Huaxia are vying for him!
Life is unpredictable!
Lin Xiangdong replied politely, "Hello, Director Li. Lin Beichen's mother is currently on the phone with Director Sun from Imperial Capital University. Please wait a moment. Once they finish their conversation, I'll have Lin Beichen take your call."
On the other end of the line, Li Donghua's expression changed slightly.
As expected!
It's that old Sun from Imperial University!
He had suspected as much when he found Lin Beichen's mother's phone constantly busy. His worst fear had come true!
Imperial Capital University got to them first!
Wait until they finish talking?
By then, he wouldn't have a chance!
No way!
Li Donghua earnestly requested, "Mr. Lin, could you please let me speak with Lin Beichen now, and let me also talk with Director Sun from Imperial Capital University at the same time?"
"Well…"
Lin Xiangdong hesitated briefly but quickly made up his mind. "Okay!"
This is just like job poaching by big companies - only by openly bidding against each other can the highest benefits be achieved!
It would give his son more options and better offers.
He didn't feel embarrassed about his decision!
"Lin, I understand you haven't decided which university to choose, but please believe me, the resources at Imperial Capital University are unmatched by any other university..."
As Lin Xiangdong walked towards Lin Beichen, he heard Sun Minghao passionately advocating for Imperial Capital University.
When he reached Lin Beichen, Lin Xiangdong put the phone on speaker mode and said, "This is Director Li Donghua from the admissions office at Huaqing University. He also wants to talk to you."
"Hello, Lin. You probably know why I'm calling. I'll be direct. On behalf of Huaqing University, I sincerely hope you choose us."
Having heard what Sun Minghao said earlier, Li Donghua wasn't going to back down easily. "Director Sun, I have to disagree with what you said. What do you mean by Imperial Capital University providing resources that other universities can't? Tell me, what resources can you offer that Huaqing University cannot?"
"Oh, it's Director Li. I'm currently in a conversation with Lin. Isn't it a bit rude to butt in like this?"
Sun Minghao wasn't backing down either.
Li Donghua smirked internally. Rude? This is a top scorer with perfect marks. So what if it's rude? Better rude than losing him!
However, he knew he was in the wrong, so he avoided a direct response and turned to Lin Beichen instead. "Lin, if you choose Huaqing University, we'll offer you a full scholarship, waive your tuition fees, and guarantee admission to our master's and doctoral programs. You can even choose any of our renowned professors as your mentor!"
"Is that all Huaqing can offer? It seems a bit stingy."
Sneering, Sun Minghao added, "Lin, if you agree to come to Imperial Capital University, we'll match Huaqing's offer and add a signing bonus of fifty thousand yuan!"
"Lin, I forgot to mention, Huaqing University also offers a signing bonus, just twenty thousand yuan more than Imperial Capital University."
"…"
For a moment, Lin Beichen couldn't get a word in. The two top universities' admissions directors were at each other's throats, constantly upping their offers, neither willing to back down!
Open competition between Imperial Capital University and Huaqing University for talent was nothing new.
But they at least maintained some courtesy on the surface. It was the first time it had gotten this contentious!
After all…
Top scorers are common, but a top scorer with perfect scores is a rarity in the history of college entrance exams!
No one wants to miss out!
"Directors, could you both please pause for a moment?"
Just as Sun Minghao and Li Donghua were about to get into another argument, Lin Beichen interrupted them.
With a mix of amusement and exasperation, Lin Beichen looked at the two phones on either side, his head throbbing from their bickering!
"Here's the thing, directors. I haven't had a chance to seriously consider which university to attend yet. I need some time to think it over calmly before making a decision. Could you give me some time?"
All Lin Beichen could think of was whether the "expansion" he'd observed earlier had fully recovered. He had no time to worry about which university to choose. He also didn't want to make a hasty decision, considering the implications for where he would be in the coming years and the environment needed for his cultivation method creation. So, he opted for a delaying tactic.
Seeing Lin Beichen's stance, neither Sun Minghao nor Li Donghua wanted to pressure him further. They only repeated their offers and then said their goodbyes before hanging up.
However, just as Lin Beichen was about to return to his room to continue his visualization practice...
The two cell phones that had just been hung up rang again simultaneously.
His parents exchanged glances, having the same thought—
Another one trying to recruit him!
They answered the calls.
As expected!
One was from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the other from Fudan University.
The scene was like a replay of what had just happened, ending once again with Lin Beichen delaying the decision.
Then...
The phones rang again the next second!
…
Universities like Southeast University, Imperial Capital Normal University, Huaxia University of Political Science and Law, Huaxia University of Science and Technology, and any other well-known universities in the country were all calling to try to recruit him. Even those that didn't really expect to succeed still gave it a shot. After all, you never know.
What if this perfect scorer ended up choosing their school?
Calls kept coming for over an hour before they finally subsided.
Lin Beichen's mouth was dry from declining all the offers. He shook his head and said, "Dad, Mom, no more answering numbers we don't recognize. I've got plenty of universities to choose from!"
With that, he headed toward his bedroom. Thinking about the visualization practice he could soon return to, he felt a little thrill. The fatigue from over an hour of phone calls faded away.
But he hadn't taken more than a few steps.
The phone rang again.
"I already told Dad and Mom!"
Lin Beichen muttered to himself. He knew how reliable his parents were, so he didn't worry about it and continued to his room.
As he reached his bedroom door and touched the handle!
At almost the same time—
His parents called from behind.
"Chenchen, it's your second aunt!"
"Chenchen, it's your elder aunt!"
Lin Beichen: …??
Seriously?
Is this never going to end? How is anyone supposed to cultivate!
Ugh!