Jiang Ping, a 17-year-old from a vocational school, gained fame after ranking 12th in an international math contest organized by Alibaba. However, it was revealed that she cheated by receiving assistance from her teacher, prompting discussions about China’s education system and the challenges faced by vocational students. Despite her initial acclaim as a prodigy, the controversy raises critical questions about the integrity of academic competitions and the support provided to talented students from non-elite backgrounds.