“While it’s true that everyone’s been busy with lots of research and has had little time to give their all in preparing for this competition, you’ve got to pay some mind to the fact that researching is also a form of learning,” explained Mr. Lao. “So really it’s another way of learning. Please remember also that for someone who loves to save face, Professor Guo really can’t admit that his students fare worse than others.”
They had nothing to say to that.
“Especially when our opponent is Professor Liu and his students. There’s no way Professor Guo would admit to that.
“So, remember, everything is just as Professor Guo has said.” Mr. Lao gave them a stern look. “Make sure you all understand that.”
They nodded along. They understood.
Shen Hongshan bluntly asked Wang Yuemu, “Weren’t you the one who told us that Professor Guo didn’t care about us winning or losing?”
It was obvious enough that they couldn’t win anyway.
Wang Yuemu didn’t reply.
You blabbermouth!
I was just trying to save some face for the professor, what’s wrong with that?
Everyone around them was from Tsinghua University, and they were all discussing the competition that was going to take place that afternoon. They all had a look of supreme self-confidence. It seemed as if they didn’t have a care in the world about these students from Beijing University.
Of course, the main reason for this was because they had a bunch of strong competitors this year.
When those from Beijing University noticed how arrogant everyone from Tsinghua University was acting, their appetites vanished almost immediately. After speedily finishing their lunch, they rushed back to their resting room.
Tsinghua University really had given one h*ll of a reception to the students from Beijing University.
As they arrived back in their resting room, they noticed that staff members had already prepared hot water, tea bags, and biscuits, as well as other snacks for them.
Because they had just eaten lunch, most of them just had some tea instead of snacking on the biscuits. Not long after, Professor Guo came back.
Based on the look on their faces, their meal hadn’t been any good at all.
“I can’t believe I heard Professor Liu showing off during lunch just now,” Professor Guo huffed as he downed the tea prepared for him by Mr. Lao. “He kept blabbering on about just how hard Tsinghua University’s students worked, and how it would be wrong if they lost.
“What does that even mean?” continued Professor Guo. “No matter how hard you try, your guarantee for success and victory is never secured. The world is cruel, cold, and harsh.”
The students all looked at him in stunned silence.
Read the room, sir! Is it really appropriate for you to speak so negatively right now?
Professor Guo suddenly looked around at the crowd. “Though based on what Professor Liu just said, you all really didn’t work as hard as his students did. Other than Tan Mo, of course.”
The group of students stared back at him. They had nothing to say to this.
Tan Mo was part of not only the Finance Department, but also the Chinese and History Departments. They really weren’t as hardworking as she was.
“It doesn’t matter whether we win or lose this competition. What does matter is that you all need to give it your all. I reckon that you all still don’t spend enough time on your studies and research,” exclaimed Professor Guo. “I’ve been too lenient on you all. After this competition and starting from tomorrow, all of you must spend at least four hours per day in the research lab.”
Nobody said a word.
“We still must claim victory in today’s competition,” Professor Guo contradicted himself once more.
Everyone stayed silent, and they all looked at Tan Mo.
Everything depends on you today. Don’t you dare let us down.
Professor Guo was just about to ask why everyone was staring at Tan Mo when a member of the staff came over and told them, “Everyone, please, would you make your way to the competition venue. Next up, I’ll be explaining the rules for today’s competition.
“This year’s rules will be different.”
Professor Guo didn’t even have time to fully understand what the staff member had said.
“Professor Guo, could you please allow me to direct you to the distinguished guests’ area. Mr. Lao, could you please head over toward the coaches’ area. You will be in charge of the competitors during the competition.”
Mr. Lao nodded his head. This indeed was his role to play.
Other schools had similar plans.
Despite all the professors arriving with their respective teams, many of them had only come to act as a stabilizing influence in order to assist their teams in remaining calm before the start of the competition.
“This way please, Professor Guo.” A member of staff guided him toward the seats of the distinguished guests.
The same member of staff then returned and took the students to the stage and said, “Once you hear the host announcing Beijing University, you can walk over to your assigned spots.”
Right then, Tsinghua University’s team was already waiting.
Upon seeing those from Beijing University approaching, two members of the Tsinghua team waved at Wang Yuemu and Ying Siyuan. “The only faces we recognize are yours.”
The teammates from Beijing University guessed that these two were the ones who had been chatting about their seniors at lunchtime.
“Yes. A lot of our old team have graduated, so it’s only logical and reasonable that we’re the only two left,” Ying Siyuan laughed lightly, with a hint of sarcasm.
“Let me introduce you to these two.” Wang Yuemu turned toward Tan Mo. “These two are Professor Liu’s star students. This is senior Zhang and this is senior Lin.”
What they had been thinking was right. It had indeed been these two who were at the other table that they had overheard at lunchtime.
Senior Zhang had worked hard to organize and categorize the questions in order to help out the other competitors to prepare.
“Senior Zhang took part in the competition last year,” said Wang Yuemu.
Just like that, everyone was now present.
“How did your preparation go this time?” asked senior Zhang.
“Pretty well.” Ying Siyuan tilted his chin slightly. “We’re confident that we can beat you!”
Clearly, Ying Siyuan often acted like this, which was why senior Lin didn’t pay attention to him at all. He scoffed, “It’s good to be confident.”
“I’m being serious. We’ve got a solid team this year.” Ying Siyuan felt as if no one believed what he’d said and thought that he was trying to convince his opponents of his own team’s strength.
From Tsinghua’s team, someone they didn’t recognize piped up. “That’s what you said last year, but then…”
Senior Zhang stopped the boy from continuing to speak. “Would you please mind your manners?”
After saying that, he turned to Ying Siyuan. “We genuinely hope that you lot can reap the rewards you’ve sowed.”
Ying Siyuan started to get impatient. “We really have grown stronger this year. Why won’t you just believe that?”
He was telling the truth. They had grown stronger.
“All right, all right, we got it.” Senior Lin was finding the entire situation hilarious.
Those from Beijing University had really been reduced to all talk and no action.
Ying Siyuan’s mouth twitched in irritation. What I said was true! When you all lose, don’t say that I was messing with you.
“Why do you keep blocking me from talking?” muttered the unrecognizable boy who had spoken earlier. His voice wasn’t loud, but since the teams were standing right next to each other, the distance between them was only about the size of one single member.
Everyone had heard what he had said.
“Look at their lineup this year. They’ve even brought kids.” It was obvious that their opponents were very young. “Are you here for a competition or just to make up the minimum number of competitors? Beijing University’s standards for the Chinese Department have really stooped low, haven’t they?”
“Okay, could we please just focus on ourselves rather than everyone else? This is your first competition, behave yourselves,” said senior Zhang. “If we win this year, I’m sure the school will have plenty of prizes prepared for you all.”
