Chapter 8, Section 1

He Junming couldn't help but chuckle: "These girls don't look that great."

They smiled and said, "It's still early, no one else has arrived, you'll just have to wait." Yet, in their hearts, there was a hint of appreciation; arriving this early at least proved that they cared.

Jiang Ren lit a cigarette: "I came to find a friend, she is in a competition"

Jiang Ren's gaze passed through the glass doors and windows, landing on Meng Ting

She has been the champion every year, so this time... how could she be in second place? Her expression changed instantly, and she stood up to give a hasty bow. If she is in second place, then who is in first?

Jiang Ren has a strong presence, and many people are looking this way. She had no choice but to pretend not to know him and lowered her head again

This is indeed quite interesting

His jacket zipper was undone, and with his hands in his pockets, he exuded a somewhat annoying air of swagger

However, by the time it reached the midpoint, He Junming was nearly driven to madness. He complained, "Damn it, this is worse than being in prison; I can't take it anymore." He took out his phone, preparing to turn it on.

He Junming had no choice but to press on Meng Ting with a stiff upper lip. He thought to himself, well, if I lose, I lose; at least I can have some fun.

Lu Yue could not help but glance at Jiang Ren, a sense of joy rising in her heart

The break area has already begun to buzz with noise, and although the students feel tense inside, they appear quite composed on the surface

Haha, in any case, it is impossible to come to the competition

Lu Yue followed along, her gaze also landing on Meng Ting. She did not know Meng Ting, but when she saw her eyes, her gaze flickered slightly: "You are a second-year student from Qizhong, right?"

They seem to be here to cause trouble, and the security does not allow them to enter

She was taken aback when she saw him looking at her, seemingly afraid of getting involved with him, and quickly turned her head away

He was just about to say, then let's not go in, Ren Ge, let's wait outside.

Meng Ting shook her head and said, "Thank you, but my eyesight is poor; these are not sunglasses. They are..." Under Lu Yue's gradually pleasant gaze, Meng Ting calmly stated, "glasses for the visually impaired that provide light sensitivity protection."

Meng Ting raised her eyes

Meng heard Lu Yue greet him actively, so he had no choice but to say: "Hello, senior."

Meng nodded slightly

At around 8:40, people gradually gathered. They were mostly students, primarily teenagers aged seventeen to eighteen, as they belonged to the high school group

He Han also said: "I won't play."

He Junming smiled broadly: "Lu Yue, we are here to cheer you on."

He couldn't help but laugh

Her name is surely familiar to everyone, as she wins awards year after year. Congratulations to student Lu Yue for scoring 136 points

The security guard saw that Jiang Ren was silent and was even less likely to let them in

She was already sitting in the corner, the place closest to him

He Han was taken aback for a moment: "What is there to see in this?"

Due to the relatively cold morning, she wore a light yellow knitted sweater, with a small rose winding around the collar, its green leaves entwined with the branches. It inexplicably exuded a sense of soft elegance.

He couldn't help but smile

Meng Ting felt extremely uncomfortable being so close to him

It is quite frustrating, as if the pent-up frustration in my heart has suddenly dissipated effortlessly

At that time in November, behind the small fountain of the art museum, the sun rose, creating a beautiful array of colors in the morning light

The sky had not yet brightened, and Meng Ting dressed and went out. She saw a blurred figure in the living room and was momentarily taken aback, only to realize that it was her stepbrother, Shu Yang

The number of participants who can enter the finals is already limited, with a total of fifty-five students in the high school group, and the results of the competition were announced ten minutes later

Unlike Lu Yue, Meng Ting does not have the money to stay in a hotel

Jiang Ren hung his helmet on the vehicle and got off. There was a hint of mischief in his eyes as he asked, "What, not allowed to enter?"

Since it is the weekend, Shu Zhitong did not go to work, and the house is quiet.

... ...

Her voice is soft and gentle, like the delicate touch of fingertips gliding over spring water

Lu Yue said: "During the competition, wearing watches and sunglasses is not allowed. Junior, please take them off in advance."

Jiang Ren furrowed his brow and fell silent

After several hours of competition, they still could not understand it

Meng Ting pressed her lips together: "Jiang Ren."

Meng Ting took the bus over, and when she arrived, it was 8:20. There were still very few participants for the competition. A few staff members at the art gallery were somewhat surprised to see her: "Little girl, are you here to participate in the competition?" Their gaze couldn't help but glance at her blindfold.

Why don't you suppress it yourself

In He Junming's perception, it is indeed rare to find someone who is both academically outstanding and beautiful, thus it is evident that Lu Yue is a remarkable individual

Another boy was somewhat speechless: "Have you become foolish from studying? You speak without knowledge; that mountain bike is worth as much as a supercar."

He Junming twitched his mouth: "No way, everyone thinks Lu Yue will win, so what’s the point? Tanzi, you should bet on Meng Ting."

After discussion, the security guards finally nodded in agreement and then turned to Jiang Ren and the others, saying: "You may enter, but please turn off your mobile phones, refrain from smoking, and do not make noise"

A bespectacled boy whispered, "If you want to show off, drive a car; why ride a motorcycle."

Inside, there was also a clamor of chatter.

Some parents are allowed to enter, but Jiang Ren and his group, with their smoking and dyed hair, clearly appear to be delinquents

As a result, Jiang Ren pressed the cigarette butt against the fountain pool, then threw it into the trash can, and walked in with his hands in his pockets

He Junming finally looked at Jiang Ren and said, "Ren Ge... who do you think will win?"

He was stunned for a long time, then smiled and said: "Hmm"

The host, with a smile, said: "Students, you have worked hard. After more than two hours of effort, I now have the list of the first, second, and third places in my hands. Are you all looking forward to it?"

The security guard said: "Who is your friend?"

That year, motorcycles had already become popular, yet there were very few boys around the age of ten who could afford a small car

Fang Tan glanced at Jiang Ren, remaining silent

She smiled at him warmly and left the house with her backpack

The security guard hesitated for a moment, and Lu Yue said: "I am a champion from several years ago, can’t my friend cheer for me?"

The boy wearing glasses clearly does not believe it, yet many who heard these words turned to look.

Most of the participants in the competition are students with excellent academic performance; it is rare to see them displaying such a swagger akin to that of a group of delinquents.

Jiang Ren sat down beside her with her legs crossed

The host, having kept everyone in suspense, opened the card in hand and scanned the audience: "I now announce that the third place in this year's Middle School Mathematical Olympiad is awarded to Student Fang Di! 132 points"

He Junming did not expect that this cursed place would look down on people. He spat and was about to curse, but Fang Tan pulled him back, saying, "Keep a low profile, don't cause trouble today, and don't upset Brother Ren." He Junming immediately backed down

Lu Yue did not perceive any sense of inferiority in her, and Jiang Ren, who was beside her, did not find it strange either, lightly furrowing his brow

Hello, good student, you don't even greet acquaintances, how cold you are

At eleven thirty, everyone submitted their papers

Lu Yue pushed through the crowd and ran outside, saying to the security guard: "Uncle, they are my friends, can you let them in?"

He Han thought for a moment: "It's not that I look down on Meng Ting, but I have heard that this competition is quite difficult. Lu Yue said she has been studying for nearly 8 years and has been the champion for several years. I also believe she will win."

A faint smell of smoke wafted over, and Meng Ting was momentarily taken aback before turning her head away

Shu Yang put down the water cup, glanced at Meng Ting, and then returned to his room, showing no concern for where she was going

The host smiled and said, "So what about the second place?"

He Junming: "Ah? Really going?"

Is this a chaotic society? What are you doing here

Two acquaintances, Lu Yue and Meng Ting, were sitting quite far apart, only able to see their upright silhouettes. He suddenly became interested: "Who do you think will win?"

At the beginning of the competition, everything was fine, as the parents were all focused on their own children

Everyone was sitting in their respective resting areas chatting when suddenly the crowd became noisy

Jiang Ren and his companions rode mountain motorcycles. He wore a black tight-fitting suit, his silver hair was striking, and the black diamonds on his ears reflected light. On his wrist, he sported a pair of sports wristbands, making him the most dazzling presence.

He Junming was somewhat speechless, so does that mean going in is equivalent to going to prison

He first saw Meng Ting not wearing the uniform of the Seventh Middle School

Shu Yang has always maintained this attitude, to the extent that Meng Ting believed in her previous life that he particularly disliked her

Meng Ting should be.

"How about a bet? The loser..." He rolled his eyes and said, "Isn't today Thanksgiving? They're selling some foreign vanilla ice cream outside. The loser should buy food for the winner's girl."

The security guard could only say: "A competition is being held here"

Jiang Ren curved his lips and said, "Do you know what my name is?"

The term is a vulgar expression in Chinese, often used to express frustration or anger. It is not appropriate for formal translation.

He leaned in very close, and after a while, Meng Ting closed the book and quietly said: "Not familiar."

He Han burst into laughter: "Perhaps it's because the brain is functioning well, but other areas are not as effective."

The competition officially began at 9:00

Jiang Ren's gaze turned towards the pink ice cream shop outside the window, and after a moment, he lazily said: "Whatever"

Her tone carried a subtle hint of pride

As it is the first time the competition is open, there is an easel in front of each person

The participants have all adjusted their positions and taken their seats at the table in front of the art gallery. Parents can also watch from the lounge area over here

She could only choose to wake up a little earlier, as the mathematics competition was set to begin at 9:00. Meng heard that it would take one hour and forty minutes to reach the competition venue, so she got up at 6:00

He Junming turned his head and said, "Tan Zi, He Han, do you want to play rock-paper-scissors?"

It was said that way, yet a few people still lit a cigarette and followed in.

He Junming felt that life was as lonely as snow, so he could only look towards the competition arena

He Junming and the others entered at this moment and were very surprised to see Meng Ting: "Little blind... Meng Ting, you are also competing"

He exudes a strong aura, and at first glance, he does not appear to be a good person. The diligent students inside all made way for him.

Fang Tan said: "Fool."

A young man stood up, his eyes filled with joy, bowed, and then sat down

The host said: "Everyone, please remain silent. No cheating is allowed, and any violations will be dealt with severely. The competition officially begins now. You have one hundred and fifty minutes to answer. The answering period starts now."

Meng Ting leaned against the corner, took out a book from her bag, and continued reading

She sat in front of the glass window, her knees together, with a book spread open on her lap. Sunlight streamed in, casting a faint golden patch.

Lu Yue looked over in disbelief

Fang Tan said, "I think Lu Yue will win."

He Junming was laughing uncontrollably

Jiang Ren casually snatched his phone and said: "Be honest."

Meng Ting raised her eyes and saw Jiang Ren

Jiang Ren has entered