Genius Playground

The five roommates stared wide-eyed at each other, then at the recommendation letter in front of them.

The letter was short and handwritten. The script was elegant and upright, the ink seemingly pressing through the very paper with its force.

The addressee was East Sea University.

The contents were simple, stating that Jiang Ran had provided significant assistance on a classified national research project and was now being recommended for graduate studies under Teacher Zhang Yang... It ended with an unfamiliar signature.

Huh?

Graduate school!

You can jump straight from a vocational college to graduate school?

Is this what they mean by ”Associate’s to Bachelor’s Plus”?

”Is... is this for real?”

Roommate #4 couldn’t believe it.

They had just been talking about how he’d compete with bachelor’s degree students without even an associate’s diploma, and now Jiang Ran had gone and become a legend overnight!

This plot twist was too crazy!

”What classified project?” Roommate #5 asked, his eyes clear with innocence.

”Idiot!”

Roommate #1 punched him on the arm.

”If he could just tell us, would it still be called a classified project?”

”But...”

Roommate #1 frowned, looking at Jiang Ran with some concern.

”Is this recommendation letter enough to convince our president? Will he forgive you?”

...

「East Sea College of International Trade and Economics, the President’s Office.」

The president’s hands trembled as he gently held the letter, his arms shaking so much his watch tapped against the desk. TAPTAPTAP.

He shakily took off his glasses and brought the letter closer, carefully examining the signature at the bottom.

Then, he shakily put his glasses back on and looked again.

It was true.

This... this was actually real!

Just a moment ago, he had received a direct call from the Imperial Capital. Someone from the Longke Institute had informed him they were recommending one of his students for study at East Sea University, with the strong personal endorsement of none other than Dean Gao Yan himself.

Although the caller had stated their official capacity from the start and said a formal document would be sent later...

But...

truthfully, he hadn’t really believed such an absurd story. At least, not before seeing the official document. He hadn’t taken it seriously.

But now, seeing this recommendation letter!

He was shocked beyond words.

Skipping to a bachelor’s program was one thing; it was true that vocational colleges had their share of specialized geniuses. But—

Skipping straight to a master’s program!?

He had never heard of such a thing!

It was a miracle in the world of education!

”You, you...”

The president trailed off, hesitant.

He was incredibly curious and desperately wanted to ask the student before him just what classified national project he had participated in, and what specific help he had provided.

But when he glanced again at the signature in the bottom-right corner—a name known by everyone in Dragon Country’s education and research circles—he ultimately held his tongue.

A project that would make Dean Gao Yan personally write, sign, and vouch for it had to be the most classified of secrets, the highest of priorities.

’I’d better not ask too many questions.’

”Excellent!”

The president put down the recommendation letter, looking at Jiang Ran with excitement.

”Excellent! Jiang Ran! You are the pride of our East Sea College of International Trade and Economics!”

”I dare say, in the entire history of this school, past and future, there will never be a student more outstanding than you!”

”Hey, look at you, what are you doing just standing there? Sit, sit, sit! Let’s talk sitting down. What kind of tea would you like?”

The president stood up with a broad smile.

He first walked around his desk to pull out a chair for Jiang Ran, then picked up the tea maker and poured him a cup of the brewed Pu’erh tea that was being kept warm inside, only then returning to his own seat.

”The school fully supports you in this matter and will provide any and all assistance you need!”

”Ah, Dean Gao Yan... I had the honor of meeting him once. It was at an education conference in the Imperial Capital. Presidents from universities all over the country were there, and Dean Gao Yan gave us a lecture. I listened very attentively and was deeply moved.”

”By the way, Jiang Ran, when are you planning to leave? With such great news, we absolutely must hold a grand commendation ceremony for you at the school!”

”I know the project is confidential, of course, but being recommended for graduate studies at East Sea University certainly isn’t a secret. You can give a speech, share your study habits and your personal journey, and let your underclassmen learn from you!”

”Uhh...”

Jiang Ran scratched his head.

”I’m afraid there might not be a chance for that. I just came to show you the recommendation letter. I have to leave right away.”

”Ah? There’s no need to be in such a hurry, is there?”

The president was a little surprised.

”Don’t you still have to go through withdrawal procedures and all that? You should have some time before you leave, right?”

”I’ve already withdrawn.”

”How did you manage that!”

The president was extremely astonished.

’That’s way too efficient!’

’Could it be that the student affairs office also got a call from the Imperial Capital, so they rushed it through as a special case?’

”Are you sure all the procedures are complete?”

The president tried his best to keep him. ’At least let us hold a commendation ceremony before you go! We need to take some photos, group pictures... it’ll be great for future publicity!’

”I think so. I mean, I’ve already received the notice...”

Jiang Ran wasn’t entirely sure himself, so he just handed over the ”Notice of Advised Withdrawal.”

The president was skeptical.

He took the paper Jiang Ran offered—

”PFFT!!”

He sprayed a mouthful of tea all over it! He almost choked to death.

”What the hell is this!?”

His mouth hung open, his eyes wide, as he stared in disbelief at the first two words on the notice:

Advised Withdrawal.

Ad... Advised Withdrawal?

How could they have expelled a miracle of the education world!?

He read it carefully.

The president’s lips tightened. He was speechless.

The management systems at vocational colleges are generally much stricter than at four-year universities. Many vocational colleges have mandatory morning exercises, dorm inspections, and even evening self-study sessions... things rarely seen at universities.

The goal is to manage the students more effectively.

Therefore, they are naturally stricter when it comes to attendance, clocking in, and assessments.

For a case like Jiang Ran’s—skipping class for a month straight, being unreachable, and showing no signs of changing—the school regulations did indeed permit direct processing for advised withdrawal.

This...

The president was in a tough spot.

’I have to placate this VIP standing right in front of me.’

With an unprecedented case like Jiang Ran’s ”vocational-to-graduate” jump, he could bask in the glory at various academic forums for years to come. More importantly, it would bring immense prestige to the entire school and would be a highlight mentioned repeatedly in annual reports.

CLICK.

He stuck a cigarette in his mouth and flicked his lighter to light it.

Then he stood up, gazed out the window with his hands clasped behind his back, and fell into deep thought.

Jiang Ran silently sipped his Pu’erh tea.

He could tell.

Although the president was smoking in silence, Jiang Ran could practically feel the heat coming off his rapidly spinning gears.

After a long while,

he blew out a chaotic cloud of smoke.

The president turned around and tapped his ash into the ashtray. ”Actually... many things in this world require a kind of metaphysical, philosophical way of thinking.”

Jiang Ran tilted his head. ”For example?”

”Take this ’Notice of Advised Withdrawal,’ for example.”

The president tapped his index finger on the white paper on the desk.

”Institutional management, especially in administrative work, emphasizes meticulousness, procedure, thoroughness, and necessity. In some matters, rules and regulations are paramount, right? But often, those rules and regulations aren’t set in stone. It’s more important to judge based on the actual situation.”

”Take this matter of withdrawal, for example. It’s the same thing. It’s not always a simple matter of just withdrawing. There are many factors to consider. Of course, it’s not that we have to do it a certain way, but it’s to take various aspects into account. Most of the time, we advocate for a light withdrawal, a gradual withdrawal, a phased withdrawal, a slow withdrawal, a rhythmic withdrawal, a step-by-step withdrawal!”

”This is what I mean to say. So, Jiang Ran, do you understand now?”

Jiang Ran shook his head, looking completely lost.

He understood every single word, yet after that long-winded speech, he was more confused than before.

Vaguely, he was reminded of the speech the student council president at East Sea University had used to fob them off. It had roughly the same chaotic, nonsensical recipe.

RRRIP!

RRRIP!

The president couldn’t be bothered with any more nonsense either. He simply picked up the ”Notice of Advised Withdrawal,” folded it, ripped it in half, and threw the pieces into the wastebasket at his feet.

”Ahem. To put it bluntly, this is just a notice. It’s just to *notify* you.”

”Besides, it’s an *advised* withdrawal! We *advise* you to withdraw, but you don’t necessarily have to! You can choose not to withdraw!”

???

Jiang Ran was amused. He’d never heard that interpretation of ”advised withdrawal” before.

He supposed this was what they called the school’s ”humanistic care.”

”Alright, let’s leave it at that.”

The president waved his hand.

”In any case, Jiang Ran, the East Sea College of International Trade and Economics is still your alma mater. Although your achievements are primarily your own, you still spent two years at this school.”

”Now that you’ve been gloriously recommended for graduate school, the school can consider its educational mission a success. At least give us a chance to hold an event for you, a farewell ceremony to send you off.”

Since the president had put it that way, Jiang Ran felt he had to show him some respect.

Jiang Ran didn’t say much more.

He just nodded in agreement.

”Hehe, well then, find some time to go meet with Teacher Zhang Yang at East Sea University and get things sorted out.”

Seeing Jiang Ran agree, the president breathed a sigh of relief, his face beaming.

”We’re flexible on our end. The school will always be your welcoming home!”

...

「After leaving the school gates, Jiang Ran hailed a cab and headed for East Sea University.」

Although it was still early for graduate school enrollment, and registration wasn’t until September, he wanted to go and greet Teacher Zhang Yang first.

He was finally going to be Teacher Zhang Yang’s official student, which made Jiang Ran very happy.

After spending so much time with him as mentor and student in the Future World, he had really grown to like and respect Teacher Zhang Yang.

Last time, in the prison, he had asked the elderly Zhang Yang if he remembered who had stabbed his hand with a pencil, but Zhang Yang said he couldn’t recall.

That was understandable.

After all, over a span of twenty years, it was normal to forget such a minor detail.

But now.

Teacher Zhang Yang had just been promoted to a graduate advisor.

He had just earned the qualification to supervise graduate students.

And he himself was about to become the very first student of his advising career.

’There’s no way he won’t remember my name this time!’

”No way, no way.”

Jiang Ran smiled.

”No matter what, I’m Teacher Zhang Yang’s first and foremost disciple, the forever senior brother.”

”Unless he gets dementia, how could he possibly forget his first disciple?”

It was obvious that even after ten years in prison, Teacher Zhang Yang’s mind was still sharp, his lectures logical and well-reasoned. He was a long way from dementia.

Jiang Ran was really looking forward to it.

The next time he used the Positron Cannon to travel to the Future World, to that prison... when Teacher Zhang Yang, the Bookworm in Cell #4, saw Jiang Ran appear in Cell #3 across from him...

what kind of shocked expression would he have?

A twenty-year intersection of time.

The Sect’s founder and his first disciple, reunited across time and space in a prison.

’That would be... quite interesting, wouldn’t it?’