“Last week, the school’s official online forum posted a notice for the National Quiz Contest which seems to be quite prestigious. There is a municipal preliminary contest, then you move up to the provincial level and then the national level. The top three will join the international contest on behalf of the country.”
Meng Ying took out her phone as she told her about it.
Soon, she logged onto the forum and dug out the post, showing it to her. “Here it is.”
“The online registration will end in a couple of days. I think you can sign up for this. Since this is a national competition where many outstanding students will come together, I don’t think we should aim for the national championship. But, if you can pass the municipal preliminary contest, that will be enough to prove your strength.”
Huo Yao cast her eyes on Meng Ying’s phone. One glance later, Huo Yao had bent over her desk again. “Boring. Not interested.”
Meng Ying’s lips twitched. She pushed Huo Yao’s arm. “Miss, this is the best way to clear your name. It will be such a shame if you miss the chance.”
Huo Yao yawned and closed her eyes. “Pass.”
She didn’t need to clear her name at all.
Meng Ying heaved a sigh. Her deskmate was such a lazybone who cared about nothing.
**
After the second class in the afternoon, Huo Yao was told to go to Chen Yu’s office.
Huo Yao always behaved herself in front of Chen Yu. As such, when Chen Yu saw Huo Yao, her forever cold face thawed a bit. “Are you interested in the National Quiz Contest?”
Huo Yao did not understand why Chen Yu would ask her about this contest.
“You have just transferred to the school, and my advice would be that you don’t participate in such contests. However, since you have already signed up for it, I cannot talk you out of it. I only hope that you remember to spend more time on your studies. You are a senior year student now. This is one of the most critical years of your life.”
Chen Yu shared her sincere words and earnest wishes with her.
Huo Yao wanted to say that she didn’t sign up for the contest when all of a sudden, she remembered that Meng Ying had made extreme efforts to try and persuade her into signing up for this, in the morning. After a few seconds of silence, Huo Yao said sure.
Soon, she asked another question. “Ms. Chen, how much is the reward for the first place winner?”
Chen Yu, “???”
She wondered if she was hallucinating.
The strange expression on Chen Yu’s face had revealed the answer to Huo Yao. Huo Yao, who had started to become excited about the contest, felt her excitement fizzle out. Even her voice sounded a bit low. “I have to go back to the classroom now.”
Chen Yu, “…”
Chen Yu remembered something and shouted to Huo Yao the moment she was about to leave her office. “There is no bonus, but the first place winner can win a recommendation to Tsing University. If you win a price in international competition, your future will be more than promising.”
Tsing University was one of the top three universities in the country. Many people exhausted all their means to try to get into Tsing University. Besides, every year, Tsing University accepted only a limited number of students. Anyone recommended to the Tsing University would not have to take the college entrance exam. That was much more valuable than some monetary reward.
However, Huo Yao showed least interest in this. As a matter of fact, she seemed to be disappointed. She nodded her head without even turning around and stepped out of the office.
Chen Yu watched as Huo Yao went away. Her eyebrows were knitted together. Why did she feel that this new transfer student was not participating for the chance of a recommendation, but for the money?
Chen Yu laughed at herself.
Was she losing her mind? Why would she mention the recommendation to a girl who only got into the school through her connections? What a fanciful illusion! She should have persuaded Huo Yao to do what was within the range of her potential, right?
