Chapter 84: Why Should My Sister Yield?
Ji Tingting’s father grinned. "Teacher Li, are you free for dinner tonight?"
"I am, of course I am! If President Ji is asking, I’ll definitely make time!"
President Ji chuckled. "I hear the Math Olympiad is about to begin. I hope Teacher Li can give my Tingting some extra attention."
"No problem. Ji Tingting’s math scores have always been excellent. I’ll certainly do my utmost to coach her and help her strive for a national gold medal."
Hearing this, Cheng Qianqian grew a little upset and mumbled under her breath, "Ji Tingting’s scores are good enough that she doesn’t need any special treatment. Sending her to the Math Olympiad is just a waste of a spot. It would be better to give it to a student who actually needs it."
As if she’d heard Cheng Qianqian, the rear window of the Porsche suddenly rolled down. An exquisitely made-up girl poked her head out and shot Cheng Qianqian a scornful look.
"Cheng Qianqian, did your family bring you on an electric scooter?"
"What my brother rides is none of your business! Bro, let’s go. We can let them stay stuck here!"
Cheng Yuan glanced coolly at Ji Tingting. ’So snobbish at such a young age. She’ll definitely be a gold digger when she graduates.’
Cheng Yuan twisted the throttle, and the electric scooter weaved through the traffic, entering the campus smoothly.
With Cheng Qianqian leading the way, the two made their way to Class 1 and sat down at her desk.
Gradually, other students and their parents trickled into the classroom.
Ji Tingting’s dad must have had some influence, as the other parents all flocked over to greet him.
In an instant, Ji Tingting and her father became the center of everyone’s flattery.
This really annoyed Cheng Qianqian.
Noticing Cheng Qianqian was in low spirits, Cheng Yuan asked, "Qianqian, what’s wrong? Are you embarrassed because I brought you on the electric scooter? I can go get my driver’s license and drive you next time."
Cheng Qianqian quickly shook her head. "No, it’s not that. It’s just that Ji Tingting is so annoying, and there’s nothing I can do about it. She’s pretty, her family is well-off, her grades are good... she’s always first in our grade. Every year, Luocheng First High School has one guaranteed admission spot for Beijing University, and it’ll most likely go to her."
’Guaranteed admission to Beijing University?’
’That’s certainly impressive.’
However, Cheng Yuan believed that with his help, his sister would be just as outstanding.
"Qianqian, I just heard Ji Tingting’s father and Teacher Li discussing the Math Olympiad. If you win a national gold medal, both Beijing University and Qinghua University will be extending you offers."
"Okay! I’ll work hard to bring home a gold medal!"
Hearing their conversation, a parent named Li Bo sitting nearby couldn’t help but roll his eyes dramatically. ’Are these two for real? They sure talk big.’
’Do they think a gold medal in the Olympiad is some kind of joke?’
’Something you can get just because you want to?’
"My friend, do you have any idea what a national gold medal in the Math Olympiad is worth? The national and provincial competitions are on completely different levels. My son placed tenth in the provincial competition last year and made the team, but when he went to the nationals, he was utterly crushed! He couldn’t even solve a single problem!"
Cheng Yuan glanced coolly at the parent. "Your son is that good, huh? A member of last year’s provincial team? What did he score on the last math test?"
Li Bo said, his face beaming with pride, "The last math test was incredibly difficult. It had several problems that simulated the provincial competition, and my son got a high score of 119!"
"119? Wow, that’s amazing! Qianqian, what did you score on the last math test?"
In truth, Cheng Yuan already knew Cheng Qianqian’s math score. He was deliberately asking to embarrass Li Bo.
Cheng Qianqian, of course, understood her brother’s intent. She said, a little sheepishly, "Bro, I scored 145 on the last math test. I carelessly missed one multiple-choice question."
"How could you be so careless? How many times have I told you to be meticulous? Why don’t you ever remember? Since you didn’t get a perfect score this time, I’ll have to punish you. Your punishment is to do twenty practice tests for the provincial competition when we get home."
"Okay, Bro."
Hearing Cheng Yuan and Cheng Qianqian’s exchange, Li Bo’s face turned beet red.
’Damn it!’
’She nearly got a perfect score, and here I was, acting all high and mighty in front of them. What a total embarrassment!’
Li Bo was too embarrassed to stay near Cheng Yuan and Cheng Qianqian any longer. Just then, Li Yankui walked into the classroom. Seeing him was like grabbing a lifeline, and Li Bo quickly took his son and walked over.
"Teacher Li, I hear registration for the provincial Math Olympiad has started? I’d like to sign up my son, Li Xin."
Li Yankui nodded slightly. "Li Xin placed tenth in the provincial competition last year. I will take that into consideration."
Hearing this, Cheng Yuan quickly led Cheng Qianqian forward. "Teacher Li, our Qianqian would also like to sign up."
Li Yankui frowned instinctively. Luocheng First High School had a total of three spots for the Math Olympiad this time, and Li Xin and Ji Tingting had already claimed two of them.
That left only one spot, and he couldn’t just hoard it for his own class.
Otherwise, the teachers from the other classes would be cursing his name.
"Cheng Qianqian’s guardian, each participant has to undergo special training at a well-known tutoring center in Beijing before the competition. It involves a considerable fee. I wouldn’t really recommend that Cheng Qianqian participate."
Cheng Yuan was instantly displeased. "What do you mean by that, Teacher Li? Are you saying we can’t afford it?"
"Not entirely. There are only three spots for the competition this time. Ji Tingting and Li Xin from our class have already taken two of them, so we need to leave a chance for the other classes."
Cheng Yuan’s expression darkened. "I can understand leaving a chance for other classes. However, our Qianqian placed first in the entire class on the last math test. On what grounds is she being denied this opportunity? Even if someone has to give up a spot, it should be one of a choice between Ji Tingting and Li Xin!"
Li Yankui was left speechless.
The parents of Ji Tingting and Li Xin were not ordinary people; he couldn’t afford to offend either of them.
But he couldn’t just come out and say that.
Seeing Li Yankui’s face go pale as he was backed into a corner by Cheng Yuan’s words, Ji Tingting’s father, Ji Yanjun, stepped forward.
"What does one test prove? My Tingting’s math scores have always been number one in the class. She only got second on the last test because she had an off day! If they took the test ten times, my Tingting would beat Cheng Qianqian nine of them! The math competition doesn’t rely on a one-time stroke of luck or a sudden burst of performance. It relies on consistency and a strong mentality! My Tingting’s spot in the competition is well-deserved!"
Li Bo, not to be outdone, chimed in.
"President Ji is right! What does doing well on one test count for? Consistency is what really matters! And I’d like to add, experience in major competitions is also very important! My son has placed tenth in the provincial competition and has even competed at the national level! This time, he will definitely achieve even better results!"
Hearing the two parents’ words, Li Yankui immediately regained his confidence. He said in a grave voice, "Cheng Qianqian’s guardian, what President Ji and Chief Li have said makes a lot of sense. It’s true that Cheng Qianqian deserves praise for placing first in class on the last math test. However, looking at her overall record, Cheng Qianqian’s math scores don’t even place her in the top five of the class. With that level of instability, she is definitely not suited to participate in the Math Olympiad."