The Principal laughed and said, “I happen to be going on Friday too.”
Min Yu looked at him. “Why don’t I get Zhuo Yun to pick you up, so we can head back together?”
The Principal waved his hand. “It’s okay. There’s no need to go through the trouble. I’m taking some students along with me.”
Min Yu raised his brow. “For the National Quiz Contest?”
“Uh huh. But how did you know?” The Principal was rather surprised.
Min Yu smiled. “Someone mentioned it to me a couple of days ago.”
The Principal nodded his head and went on to chat about other things.
**
Huo Yao went straight to class after leaving the Principal’s office. She did not bother to guess why Min Yu was here to see the Principal.
“Why did the Principal ask to see you in his office?” enquired Meng Ying as soon as she settled back into her seat.
Huo Yao retrieved a book written entirely in English from her desk. “It’s the nationals next week, so he told me to study hard.”
Meng Ying leaned her chin against her hand. “That’s it? Nothing else?”
“That’s all,” replied Huo Yao without lifting her head from the book.
Meng Ying frowned when her eyes landed on the English book. She tried her best to read a line but instantly felt giddy. Although her English was pretty decent, why could she not understand even a word of it?
She rubbed her eyes, and inexplicably felt defeated.
Not bothering about it any longer, Meng Ying said, “Didn’t he tell you to study hard for the contest? Why are you reading an English book then?”
Huo Yao flipped a page and replied in an indifferent tone. “Oh! I am taking part in an English oral competition.”
Meng Ying touched her nose. “English oral competition? Why did you sign up for the competition?”
She naturally knew about this competition since the English teacher mentioned it a few days ago in class. At that time, no one had raised their hand to sign up for it.
English oral skills were hard to train for and could not be accomplished by rote. In order to take part in the competition, the spoken English had to be grammatically accurate and smooth. The person would not be allowed to bring any notes on stage. It was as good as giving a presentation without any preparation.
No, it was harder than presenting without notes. After all, she had to translate Chinese into English.
“The champion will receive a $100,000 scholarship,” said Huo Yao solemnly.
Why would she say no to money?
Meng Ying recalled how Huo Yao received $20,000 by bank transfer every day. A complicated emotion arose in her heart. After a long time, she finally asked her friend. “My dear, do you need money?”
Huo Yao pressed the book with her hand and turned her head to nod seriously. “Is there anyone who thinks they have too much money?”
Meng Ying’s lips twitched. Heavens! Huo Yao’s bizarre question left her bewildered and speechless.
Huo Yao’s lips curved gently when she saw Meng Ying becoming tongue-tied. She went back to reading her book. Suddenly she looked at her and said, “Do you follow celebrities?”
“Huh?” The subject of the conversation changed so quickly that Meng Ying was into a daze. She nodded after a moment. “Of course, I do. Why did you suddenly ask this?”
She recalled Huo Yao saying she was not the least bit interested in celebrities previously.
Huo Yao contemplated for two seconds before asking her. “Have you ever heard of Huo Xiang? He’s a singer.”
“Huo Xiang? Singer?” Meng Ying shook her head. “I’ve never heard this name before.”
“Okay, sure,” said Huo Yao quietly.
Now she was certain that her fourth older brother was not a famous celebrity.
Meng Ying glanced at Huo Yao, who had gone back to reading. Huo Yao was never the sort who gossiped, so… who was Huo Xiang?
