“Luo Chuan?”
Luo Chuan turned his head and looked back. It was actually Ma Tian, but he wasn't alone. There were seven or eight other students with him, and one of them was an old acquaintance: Qiao Ying Zi.
This must be the Chun Feng Middle School competition team. Their head teacher, Li Meng, was with them.
“Ma Tian, Qiao Ying Zi,” Luo Chuan waved his hand as a greeting.
Ma Tian and Qiao Ying Zi waved back, but they didn't rush over because their head teacher was nearby.
Li Meng, naturally, noticed this. She asked,
“You guys know each other?”
Ma Tian nodded,
“We’re friends. From Jie Fang Bei Middle School.”
Upon hearing "Jie Fang Bei Middle School," Li Meng finally remembered. Wasn't this the student who was good at basketball last time? Why was he participating in the math competition? Was he just going through the motions?
It wasn’t surprising that Li Meng would think so. Among the nearly ten high schools in Jiang Zhou City, Jie Fang Bei Middle School was just an ordinary public school. Had it not been for the basketball game that made them a sensation, many people wouldn’t even know about this “invisible school.”
Led by Li Meng, the Chun Feng Middle School team quickly checked all the admission tickets and was allowed through.
After entering the Elite High School, Li Meng gave them a few instructions and then told the students to get familiar with the exam environment.
After the Chun Feng Middle School team dispersed, Ma Tian immediately walked toward Luo Chuan. Qiao Ying Zi hesitated for a moment before following. Though they were all from Chun Feng Middle School, Ma Tian was the only one she was familiar with.
Her best friend, Huang Zhi Tao, and Li An Ran, hadn’t signed up for the competition. The day before, Li An Ran had regretted not signing up because she was lazy. Only then did she find out that Luo Chuan was also participating in the competition.
“Luo Chuan, how are you preparing?” Ma Tian asked.
He and Luo Chuan had occasional communication during this period. Li An Ran had served as a bridge between them, so they weren’t completely strangers. However, he and Qiao Ying Zi hadn’t been in contact much.
Luo Chuan smiled and, in a slight display of humility, said that his preparation was okay and that he should be fine for the preliminary round.
He turned to look at Qiao Ying Zi and teased her,
“What, you’re so eager to have some milk tea?”
Upon hearing this, Qiao Ying Zi immediately smiled,
“You still remember! You’ve been dragging me for almost a month for one milk tea.”
“There’s no better time than today,” Luo Chuan said.
At this time, Ma Tian suddenly interjected,
“Wait, what are you guys talking about? What milk tea?”
Luo Chuan and Qiao Ying Zi exchanged a glance and then briefly explained what had happened that day.
When Ma Tian learned that Luo Chuan had climbed over the wall in broad daylight, he couldn't help but give him a thumbs-up in admiration. With this little joke, Qiao Ying Zi seamlessly blended in, and the initial strangeness quickly dissipated.
They were high school students after all, just not too introverted. They could usually make friends with compatible personalities.
After chatting for a while, Luo Chuan glanced at the time and said,
“It’s almost time. Let’s go up and have a look at the exam room.”
Ma Tian and Qiao Ying Zi, naturally, had no objections. They followed the ubiquitous signs to the front of the teaching building, where there was a bulletin board with student and exam room information.
“There are quite a few people participating in this competition,” Luo Chuan muttered, looking at the bulletin board.
“Of course. If you get a good score, you can participate in the national competition, and then you may even be able to get a scholarship. Naturally, there are many people who want to join,” Qiao Ying Zi said, picking up the conversation.
Luo Chuan turned to look at Qiao Ying Zi, “Do you have any plans?”
Qiao Ying Zi rolled her eyes and said,
“Forget it. I’m realistic. I’m not a mathematical genius. It’s already a blessing if I can enter the provincial finals. The national competition is something I dare not even think about.”
Ma Tian, who was on the side, shouted that he had found something. Not only did he find his exam room, but he also found Luo Chuan and Qiao Ying Zi’s.
“It’s a pity we’re not in the same exam room,” Ma Tian sighed.
Ma Tian was in the third exam room, while Luo Chuan and Qiao Ying Zi were both assigned to the first exam room. They had no idea how the seating arrangements were decided.
After entering the teaching building together, the three parted ways because they were on different floors.
Upon finding the first exam room, they saw a few people waiting outside.
“It’s you!”
A voice sounded. Luo Chuan followed the sound and looked over. His brow furrowed, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
“Qian San Yi, you’re in this exam room too. What a coincidence.”
Qian San Yi remained cold and aloof, as always. Though he had only met Luo Chuan twice, he had a strong impression of him. He was the only one who had made him feel defeated, even if it was just in basketball.
“I really didn't expect you to participate in the math competition. This is not the same as basketball. Physical strength doesn’t mean much here.”
Luo Chuan’s brow furrowed slightly as he gave a light snort. He felt he was being underestimated.
However, Luo Chuan didn’t feel like arguing. Pointless to just bicker over petty words. He’ll just have to wait for the competition rankings to come out and slap him across the face with his results. That would be satisfying.
“Hey, Luo Chuan,” Qiao Ying Zi gently tugged at his sleeve and whispered,
“Do you have a grudge against Qian San Yi?”
Luo Chuan raised an eyebrow, “You know Qian San Yi?”
“Of course I do,” Qiao Ying Zi said, a little upset. “Since I started high school, this name has been constantly mentioned. My head teacher, my mom, they all talk about him. I’m sick of hearing his name.”
“It’s as if there are no other good students besides Qian San Yi.”
“But Qian San Yi is really amazing. He’s not only the top scorer in the middle school exam, but he’s also incredibly good at academics.”
Luo Chuan chuckled, “I thought you were his fan girl.”
“I, Qiao Ying Zi, am not that shallow,” Qiao Ying Zi said, her face full of indignation. Then she asked, “You still haven’t answered my question. Do you have a grudge against him?”
Luo Chuan shook his head, “No grudge. I just stole the ball from him a few times during the basketball game.”
“Tsk tsk,” Qiao Ying Zi looked at him in amazement and pity, “Well, you’d definitely be great at basketball. But if it’s about exams, I suggest you surrender early.”
Luo Chuan was amused, “How about we make a bet? Let’s bet on the rankings this time. Who will rank higher, me or Qian San Yi?”
“You’re so confident,” Qiao Ying Zi looked at him in surprise, then nodded. “Alright, I’ll take the bet. What’s the wager? But let’s agree beforehand, don’t be too excessive.”
Luo Chuan held up a finger, “A meal. Not excessive, right?”
“Deal,” Qiao Ying Zi agreed without hesitation.
She thought, this was basically a free meal for her. Though she didn’t have a crush on Qian San Yi, she couldn’t help but admire his academic achievements.
She had also done the Elite High School monthly exam paper. It would be difficult to achieve Qian San Yi’s level, let alone Luo Chuan, who was a sports specialty student. This was why she was so sure of her victory.