The campus forum of Beijing’s A University has now completely devolved into a gathering place for the “Xia Yaojin Victims Association.”
[Pinned Hot Thread] Commemorative Thread for the Total Collapse of All Disciplines: The Days We Were Tortured by Xia Yaojin
OP (Forum Admin): Given the excessive amount of recent discussion regarding student Xia Yaojin, this centralized discussion thread is now open. Students from all departments, please speak in an orderly fashion. Share your “victim experiences,” comfort one another, and let’s build a harmonious campus together.
1st Floor (Former Computer Science Department Heartthrob): I’ll go first. I’m Chen Mo, a junior in CS. I was originally the perennial champion of the department’s programming competitions, holding the top spot for two consecutive years. Then Xia Yaojin appeared. In last month’s algorithm competition, I spent five hours writing three hundred lines of code to solve a problem. She spent forty-five minutes writing an eighty line solution, her efficiency was triple mine. After the race, I asked her for advice. She glanced at my code and said, “This can be optimized. This loop is unnecessary, and this conditional is redundant.” She made seven changes, and the execution time dropped from 2.3 seconds to 0.7 seconds. I’m switching majors to Philosophy now. Computer Science? Not even a dog would study that.
2nd Floor (Former Physics God): Chen Mo, I feel you. I’m Lin Haoran, a first year grad student in Physics. I took first prize in every physics competition during my four years of undergrad. In this year’s preliminary round, there was a problem I couldn’t wrap my head around for three days. I asked my advisor, and after thinking for half a day, he said, “This problem is beyond the scope of the syllabus, it’s normal not to know it.” When the results came out, Xia Yaojin had solved it using two different methods. My advisor was so impressed by one of them that he slapped the table and said, “This logic could be turned into an SCI paper.” I’m considering transferring to the Astronomy Department. At least there’s no Xia Yaojin there.
3rd Floor (Chemistry Rank 1 for Three Years): Hugs to the two above. I’m Su Qing, a senior in Chemistry. I’ve been rank one in the major since freshman year, and my spot for postgrad recommendation to Tsinghua or Peking University was locked in. That is, until the Organic Chemistry competition. There was a synthesis route design problem. I designed a twelve step route with a 78% yield. I thought it was excellent. Xia Yaojin designed an eight step route with a 92% yield, using two reactions we don’t even learn until senior year. Our professor studied her proposal for an entire week and finally said at the group meeting, “If this student comes to the Chemistry Department, I can let her run the lab.” Now I’m just an assistant for her in the lab. Yes, she occasionally comes to our lab to do experiments, and her technique is more proficient than ours.
4th Floor (Former Biology Overlord): Senior Su Qing, I understand. Zhao Mingyu here, second year Biology grad student. For the Gene Editing Grand Prix, my team of four pulled three all nighters to finish a proposal and won second prize. Xia Yaojin did a proposal by herself using a brand-new CRISPR variant design that increased editing efficiency by 40% and reduced off-target rates by 60%. When the judges asked how she thought of it, she said, “I read a paper before bed last night and got inspired this morning.” That paper was published in Nature just last week thirty pages, all in English. She “read it before bed”? I’m waking up an hour early every day now to memorize vocabulary. I’m afraid I won’t even be able to understand the literature anymore.
5th Floor (Mathematics Perennial Runner-Up): You guys are fine at least you were once number one. I’m Wang Zhe, a junior in Math. Since the start of my junior year, I’ve lived in the shadow of Xia Yaojin. No, wait. I’ve lived in the illusion that “one day I will surpass Xia Yaojin.” Then she arrived. In the Mathematical Modeling Competition, my team of three had clear roles for modeling, programming, and paper writing. We spent four days and three nights on it and took second prize. She took the grand prize, doing the modeling, programming, and paper writing all by herself in a single day. The organizing committee suspected her of cheating and made her reproduce it on-site. In front of five professors, she rebuilt the entire model from scratch in two hours and even optimized two parameters. The professors were silent for ten minutes. Finally, the lead judge said, “Student, would you consider a direct PhD? I will supervise you personally.” I’m currently preparing for the civil service exam. Mathematics? It’s too damaging to my self-esteem.
6th Floor (Former Foreign Language Speaking Queen): Wang Zhe, I know that feeling. I’m Li Ting, a junior in Foreign Languages. I have an “Excellent” rating on the TEM-8, an 8.0 on the IELTS, and was the English speech contest champion for two years running. For this year’s competition, I prepared for a whole month, revised my speech ten times, and even had a foreign teacher polish it. Xia Yaojin only signed up the night before. The next day, she gave an impromptu speech on the topic “The Impact of Quantum Computing on Cryptography.” She spoke for fifteen minutes in English, cited twelve papers, used seven technical terms, and her pronunciation was more standard than mine. A visiting scholar from Cambridge asked her, “Did you study in the UK?” She said, “No, I just like reading literature.” I’m practicing my speaking in front of the mirror every day now. I want to say “I just like reading literature” as perfectly as she does.
7th Floor (Vice Dean of the School of Economics and Management): Uh… I’m Vice Dean Zhang of the School of Econ and Management. Seeing this thread, I’ll say a few words. Xia Yaojin is a student in our department, that’s true. But her economics grades… how should I put this? Our professors are now afraid to call on her in class because she often points out outdated content in the textbooks and can use mathematical models to prove why it’s outdated. In last week’s Macroeconomics class, she spent ten minutes clarifying the core disagreements between Keynesianism and Monetarism, then proposed a new model merging the strengths of both. The professor came to me after class and said, “Dean Zhang, I can’t teach this class anymore, she knows more than I do.” We are currently considering a special training plan for her, letting her choose her own courses and study whatever she wants.
8th Floor (Medical School Spectator): Am I the only one who finds this terrifying? This is beyond the scope of a “genius,” isn’t it?
9th Floor (Psychology Student): @Medical School Spectator, our department professors have submitted three applications wanting to study Xia Yaojin’s cognitive structure and learning patterns. But she politely declined them all with the reason: “No time, I need to study.”
10th Floor (Physical Education Muscle Man): Uh… just asking quietly, how is she at sports? It’s impossible for her to be good at PE too, right?
11th Floor (PE Teacher): I’m Teacher Wang from the PE Teaching and Research Group. Student Xia Yaojin took Tai Chi and Swimming as electives this semester. For the Tai Chi exam, she performed the full twenty-four forms with movements so standard it looked like she’d practiced for ten years. I asked if she had learned it before, and she said, “I learned it from a tutorial video last week.” Swimming was even more ridiculous. She said she couldn’t swim in the first class by the third class, she could do a fifty-meter freestyle. Now she’s learning the butterfly stroke. Our group is considering scouting her for the varsity team, but we heard she declined. The reason was still: “No time, I need to study.”
12th Floor (Arts Student Spectator): So, she’s dominating every subject? Liberal arts, science, sports, and arts?
13th Floor (Music Elective Student): She took vocal music as an elective. The first time she sang, she shocked the teacher, who said she has “absolute pitch and an incredibly wide range.” Now the teacher wants her to enter the Campus Singer Competition, but she said, “Wait until I finish reading these few papers.”
14th Floor (Forum Admin): Uh… everyone, the original intent of this thread was for mutual comfort, not for a “who has it worse” competition…
15th Floor (Former CS Heartthrob Chen Mo): Admin, you don’t understand. This is called “Misery Therapy.” Seeing that others have it even worse makes me feel balanced.
16th Floor (Former Physics God Lin Haoran): @Chen Mo is right. And I’ve realized something: Xia Yaojin isn’t targeting anyone specific. She crushes everyone equally.
17th Floor (President of the All University Victims Union): By a vote of the representatives of all departments, this union is officially renamed the “Xia Yaojin Admirers Association.” If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em, that is the eternal truth.
This Saturday at 2:00 PM, Economics and Management Building Lecture Hall: Xia Yaojin’s Study Methods Sharing Session. Everyone is welcome to come and “take scriptures” (gain wisdom).
PS: Photocopies of top students’ notes across all subjects will be on sale at the venue. All proceeds will be donated to the school library to purchase new books.
Xia Yaojin was completely unaware of the “misery convention” happening on the forum. She was facing a much more practical problem.
“Student Xia, here is your admission ticket for the Physics Competition semi-finals, here’s the one for Chemistry, and here’s Biology…”
The counselor pushed a stack of admission tickets toward Xia Yaojin seven in total, neatly arranged.
“There’s also the English competition; go to the Foreign Languages Department office tomorrow to collect it.” The counselor pushed up his glasses with a complex expression. “Student Xia, I know you’re capable, but having the semi-finals for seven competitions concentrated within three days… are you sure you’ll be okay?”
“It should be fine.” Xia Yaojin checked the schedule. “The times don’t conflict. I’ve planned it out.”
“And… your health?” The counselor looked at her with concern. “You’ve lost quite a bit of weight this semester. Even though you look high-spirited, I’m afraid you won’t be able to hold up under such a high-intensity exam schedule.”
Xia Yaojin smiled. “Don’t worry, teacher. I ensure seven hours of sleep every day, maintain a balanced diet, and exercise three times a week. I understand that ‘the body is the capital of revolution.'”
The counselor hesitated, wanting to say more, but finally sighed. “Alright, as long as you know what you’re doing. By the way, the Principal wants to see you.”
“The Principal?” Xia Yaojin was stunned.
“Yes, 3:00 PM at the Principal’s office.” The counselor lowered his voice. “It should be something good. Don’t be nervous.”
To say she wasn’t nervous would be a lie. Throughout her life, the highest-ranking official Xia Yaojin had ever met was a Department Head. The Principal? That was the head of the entire university.
At 2:50 PM, Xia Yaojin stood at the door of the Principal’s office, took a deep breath, and knocked.
“Come in.”
When she pushed the door open, she froze. The Principal wasn’t alone.
Professor Chen from Physics, Director Wang from Chemistry, Dean Li from Math, Director Zhang from Biology, Professor Zhao from Computer Science, Director Liu from Foreign Languages… the “big bosses” of every department were gathered in one room.
Seated in the main chair was an elegant middle-aged woman wearing a qipao, the Principal of Beijing’s A University, Su Qingru.
“Student Xia Yaojin is here. Please, take a seat.” Principal Su smiled and pointed to an empty chair.
Xia Yaojin sat as instructed, back straight, hands on her knees, the textbook posture of a model student.
“Don’t be nervous,” Principal Su said warmly. “We invited you here today to discuss your future development.” She paused and looked around the room. “You’ve met all the teachers present, I assume?”
Xia Yaojin nodded. “I have.”
“They are all here today for the same purpose.” Principal Su chuckled. “To snatch you away.”
The professors looked at each other, their expressions slightly awkward.
“Student Xia,” Professor Chen from Physics spoke first. “I’ll stick to my word: as long as you come to the Physics Department, you can name your price.”
“Old Chen, that’s not fair,” Director Wang from Chemistry immediately countered. “Student Xia’s talent in Chemistry is obvious to all. Our department has a National Key Laboratory, ample funding, and you can choose any project you like.”
“The Math Department can provide…” “The Biology Department…” “Computer Science…”
The scene devolved into chaos again.
“Stop.” Principal Su raised her hand, and the office fell silent instantly. She looked at Xia Yaojin. “Student Xia, what are your own thoughts?”
Xia Yaojin was silent for a moment before speaking slowly. “Teachers, I am very grateful for your kindness. But currently, I have no intention of transferring departments.”
“Why?” the professors asked in unison.
“Because,” Xia Yaojin said seriously, “I don’t believe learning should be restricted by a major. I like Economics and Management, but I also like Physics, Chemistry, Math, CS, Biology, and Foreign Languages. Why must I choose just one?”
Principal Su’s eyes lit up. “Well said. Then, what kind of training program do you think would suit you?”
Xia Yaojin thought for a bit. “If possible, I hope to have the autonomy to choose my own courses and engage in cross disciplinary study. I can set a study plan and report my progress to mentors regularly, but I don’t want to be bound by a fixed timetable.”
“What about a direct path from Bachelor’s to Master’s to PhD?” Principal Su asked.
“That’s fine, but I want to decide my own research direction, which might involve intersections between multiple disciplines.”
The professors exchanged glances.
“This would require special approval,” Principal Su mused. “But our school does have a ‘Special Talent Cultivation Program.’ However, in the last twenty years, only three people have met the criteria.” She looked at Xia Yaojin. “Are you willing to undergo an evaluation?”
“What kind of evaluation?”
“A comprehensive ability test,” Principal Su explained. “It will cover the seven subjects you’ve signed up for, plus a comprehensive quality assessment. If you pass, you will receive, a full scholarship, an independent research lab, the right to choose your own courses, a cross disciplinary mentor group, eligibility for the direct PhD track, and…” She paused. “…an annual special research fund of 200,000 yuan.”
200,000 yuan. Xia Yaojin’s heart skipped a beat.
“I’m willing,” she said.
“Good.” Principal Su smiled. “The evaluation is set for next month. During this time, you can consult any of the teachers here, they will help you with everything they’ve got.”
When she left the Principal’s office, Xia Yaojin’s hand was full of business cards, contact info for all the departmental giants. Walking through the campus, her steps felt much lighter. If she passed the evaluation, she wouldn’t have to worry about money and could focus entirely on her studies and research.
“Student Xia.”
Another voice. Xia Yaojin turned and saw the Foreign Language Department’s “flower,” Li Ting, and several others behind her. Chen Mo, Lin Haoran, Su Qing, Zhao Mingyu, and Wang Zhe.
The former overlords of their respective departments were now standing together with complex expressions.
“Hello,” Xia Yaojin nodded politely.
“We…” Li Ting bit her lip. “We want to ask you for a favor.”
“What favor?”
“We’ve formed a study group,” Chen Mo spoke up. “We want to invite you to be our consultant.”
“Consultant?”
“Yes,” Lin Haoran took over. “We want to improve our study efficiency, but the methods we’ve tried aren’t ideal. Seeing how you can master everything while studying so many subjects… we want to know how you do it.”
The former top students all looked at her expectantly.
Xia Yaojin was stunned for a moment, then smiled. “Sure. But my time is limited. I can only spare two hours a week at most.”
“That’s enough, more than enough!” they shouted in unison.
“Then, this weekend afternoon, in a library discussion room?” Xia Yaojin suggested.
“Deal!”
Watching them walk away, Xia Yaojin suddenly felt that the world was actually quite warm. Former competitors had now become study partners. Perhaps this was the power of knowledge, it shouldn’t be a tool to divide people into ranks, but a bridge to connect hearts.
Her phone vibrated; it was a text.
“Student Xia, this is Zhu Yawen. I heard you’re taking the Special Talent Cultivation Program evaluation. Do you need help? I can contact some retired veteran professors to tutor you. No pressure, just wanted to help. Best regards.”
Xia Yaojin stared at the message for a long time. Finally, she replied with two words: “Thank you.”
She didn’t know what Zhu Yawen was really up to, but at least for now, the other party was showing goodwill. She might as well accept it. After all, having one more friend is always better than having one more enemy.
In the distance, on the rooftop of the teaching building, Zhu Yawen put away her phone. Watching Xia Yaojin’s receding figure, a smirk played on her lips.
“Take your time,” she whispered. “Little canary, we have all the time in the world.”
The sky was azure, and the sunlight was just right. Xia Yaojin’s steps were brisk as she walked toward the library. There were books there, knowledge, and a world of infinite possibilities that belonged to her.
And the evaluation was about to begin.