Chapter 34: The Editorial Office Stunned

“College entrance exam results are being released one after another, and the list of top scorers in Jiangdong has emerged!”

“Incredible! The genius! Both good looks and intelligence!”

“The author of ‘The Death of Red Hare,’ Zhang Chu, has scored an impressive 713 points, becoming the top science student in Jiangdong Province!”

“Jiangdong college entrance exam top scorers: highest in science, 713 points; highest in humanities, 682 points.”

“The 2018 Jiangdong college entrance exam results are out. Zhang Chu, a student from Jiangcheng Experimental High School, scored an outstanding 713, the highest science score in Jiangdong this year. Reportedly, he achieved the highest marks in both language and mathematics, and authored the perfect-score essay ‘The Death of Red Hare.’ Jiangdong University had previously intended to offer him a special admission, but he politely declined.”

With so many top scorers emerging across the country, most leave little impression, but Zhang Chu has captivated both the media and netizens.

After all, he stirred up the news with his perfect-score essay and his refusal of a special admission, only to become the province’s top scorer—absolutely packed with talking points!

Everyone loves drama, and there’s a feeling of “never underestimate the young and poor.” The confident young man who faced interviews has truly achieved top honors!

Now, not only Jiangdong University, but Tsinghua, Peking University, Fudan, University of Science and Technology of China, Hong Kong University, Renmin University, and the University of International Business and Economics will all compete to recruit him.

Just yesterday, netizens were convinced Zhang Chu would regret refusing Jiangdong University’s special offer, but reality has struck back hard!

To score over 700 in science, only someone with a dull mind would choose special admission over regular application!

“No wonder Zhang Chu refused; he must have been confident in his scores.”

“Jiangdong University is probably regretting this deeply now, nearly missing out on a top scorer.”

“Zhang Chu is likely the most distinctive top scorer in years; I wonder which university he’ll choose.”

“Now, every prestigious university in the country is open to him; if he chooses Jiangdong University, there will be quite a spectacle.”

“Amazing, amazing, the genius certainly had the confidence to refuse!”

“The betting has started—what school do you think Zhang Chu will choose?”

“Wow, this top scorer seems rather handsome, not just a bookworm.”

“Has Zhang Chu opened a microblog? I’d like to follow him, get a daily dose of inspirational wisdom.”

In this era of instant information, even the smallest news quickly spreads. Zhang Chu’s score screenshot was widely circulated by the media—this was one of his little tricks.

He has not yet accepted any media interviews, so this clear screenshot, included in every report, carries considerable credibility.

Unlike before, this time the coverage focuses entirely on Zhang Chu himself, and his reputation surged like a rising tide, nearing a million followers!

With that astonishing score sheet, Zhang Chu’s name and face were everywhere, drawing much attention on microblogs.

Major newspapers, magazines, radio stations, and new media—Guangming Daily, Global Times, People’s Daily, Beijing News, Dahe Daily, Xinhua Net, Xinhua Viewpoint, CCTV News, and China News—were all eager to report. The four major portal websites—Sina, NetEase, Sohu, Tencent—and apps like Baidu News and Toutiao News pushed out stories nonstop.

Thus, the most sensational top scorer was born!

…

In Yanjing, inside the editorial office of Age of Reasoning magazine at Huating Tower, Liu Qiao had just finished reviewing submissions in her inbox and stretched lazily.

The July issue had already been sent to printing presses across the country and was nearly ready for release. The Age of Reasoning website and its official Tmall store had updated with the July cover and opened for pre-orders.

Yet, the magazine only sold about a hundred thousand copies per month, barely making a ripple in the market.

There are few enthusiasts for detective and mystery fiction in the country; it’s incomparable to martial arts, fantasy, romance, or even science fiction.

Were it not for proper copyright protection, it might not sell even a hundred thousand copies.

How many cities and counties are there in China? In some places, not a single copy sells, showing just how limited the reader base is.

Recently, sales had noticeably increased. The Age of Reasoning’s collaboration with the film ‘Detective Holmes’ for a writing contest was highly successful—a win-win!

Many readers previously uninterested in mysteries became curious, and more new authors joined in.

Liu Qiao’s favorite was ‘Detective Sherlock’ in the July issue. Although only one chapter was published, the modern adaptation of Holmes was remarkably engaging.

Another work, ‘Deduction,’ also set in the modern era, even boldly changed Watson’s gender to female. The plot was a bit weaker, but it was still an excellent piece.

“The July issue is sorted, but what about August?” she wondered.

The coming issue would be the last featuring the Holmes contest; there would be no more related content afterward.

Such niche magazines must guarantee quality, or loyal readers will eventually abandon them.

“I’ll have to solicit more contributions. I wonder if any prominent authors are planning to submit.”

As Liu Qiao checked her QQ friends list, Li Hongjuan from the finance office called out loudly, “Did you see the news? The top scorer from Jiangdong Province, Zhang Chu, actually submitted a manuscript to our magazine!”

Everyone in the not-so-large editorial office turned their attention to the middle-aged woman. The sudden news seemed almost fantastical.

Wanyuan mused, “The top scorer from Jiangdong Province? Is he the one who wrote ‘The Death of Red Hare’?”

“I know that essay—it was excellent. Sister Li, did he submit to our magazine?” Liu Qiao was curious; it felt odd that the top scorer would be connected to their publication.

Aren’t high school students supposed to focus on diligent study, especially those who score so highly?

Li Hongjuan walked over to Liu Qiao’s desk, teasing, “Xiao Liu, Zhang Chu is one of your authors—the ‘Detective Sherlock’ piece was written by him. I just saw the news and checked Zhang Chu’s ID with our records; it’s definitely him!”

“No way, such a coincidence?”

Liu Qiao had Zhang Chu’s details on hand, but never made the connection. She quickly searched for news on the 2018 Jiangdong top scorer and checked her chat history with Zhang Chu.

The photo on his ID matched the one on the exam results—unmistakably the same person!

“Oh my, it really is him. The top scorer writes novels—that’s incredible.”

“Now it’s our magazine’s turn to shine,” Wanyuan said, elated.