Chapter 20: The Competition Begins!

"Good, the problem analysis is spot on, and the calculation results are also completely correct. The only drawback is that the method is a bit roundabout, with a few steps that could have been simplified. However, for the first time tackling such a problem, it's already very impressive. Wait a moment, and I'll explain the standard solution for you to listen to."

Despite some doubts, Xu You's method was indeed entirely different from the reference answer, so it couldn't have been a problem he had solved before.

"Okay, thank you, teacher."

Knowing he had solved the problem correctly, Xu You felt a sigh of relief.

But Xu You wasn't particularly happy about getting the problem right.

He had been in a deep learning state when he solved the problem, taking nearly an hour.

At this pace, he was far from the level needed to win awards in the semifinals.

Xu You silently resolved to study even harder in the future.

After Gao Shang finished grading Xu You's problem, Hu Shucheng also came up with his notebook.

Gao Shang was pleased with Hu Shucheng's answer sheet.

Hu Shucheng was a typical competition participant, solving problems in a very standard way.

With just a dozen formulas, he neatly solved the problem.

"Good, you're close to the standard answer. Full marks."

Seeing Hu Shucheng's answer sheet made Xu You realize his own gap.

This was what a true competition-level student looked like.

And when Hu Shucheng saw Xu You's solution process.

He felt even more disheartened.

Hu Shucheng had thought Xu You might be bluffing, secretly preparing for the competition early on.

But Xu You's solution process was clearly unconventional.

He had not worked on similar problems before and relied solely on his analytical skills to solve it.

And he did it faster than Hu Shucheng.

Such a person was truly formidable!

In hesitation, Hu Shucheng couldn't help but scratch his head with his left hand.

Seeing Hu Shucheng's behavior, Gao Shang was reminded of his past.

Once, he too had curly hair like Hu Shucheng.

But over time, as he scratched, his hair gradually thinned.

Becoming the "bald curl" he is today.

With the empathy of someone who had been there, Gao Shang advised Hu Shucheng:

"Hu Shucheng, stop scratching your hair. I had this bad habit when I was young."

Glancing at Gao Shang, Hu Shucheng was scared enough to immediately stop his action.

After returning to their seats, Hu Shucheng couldn't help but ask about Xu You's problem-solving.

"Xu You, did you really solve it just like that?"

"Yeah, I haven't started working on the semifinal problems yet, just tried my own approach. Your method is better; I need to practice more."

What Xu You said was indeed the truth, but to Hu Shucheng, it sounded somewhat hurtful.

After nearly two years of hard work in competition study, he was still not as fast as a newcomer.

This made Hu Shucheng feel somewhat lost.

He wasn't even in the mood to listen to the lecture that followed.

It wasn't until the bell rang that Hu Shucheng perked up again.

Next up was the physical exercise break.

No matter what, the exercise break was undisputedly Hu Shucheng's moment.

When Hu Shucheng stood on the lead platform, he gathered the attention of the whole school.

This was the reign of an exercise king.

Xu You also quickly packed his books and went to the playground to line up for the exercise.

At this moment, several PE teachers approached Xu You.

"Is this the kid?"

"Yes, that's him."

After confirming Xu You's identity, a PE teacher said to him:

"Today you lead the exercise. I've noticed you're pretty good at it, especially inspiring."

Xu You was also surprised.

His exercise skills had caught the attention of the PE teachers?

Since the PE teachers had personally invited him, Xu You couldn't refuse and walked to the lead platform.

At this point, Hu Shucheng had already arrived at the platform, ready to lead.

"Hu Shucheng, take a break today, let someone else lead for a day."

Hu Shucheng was startled; he hadn't mentioned being tired.

Why suddenly was he not leading the exercise?

He had wanted to use the exercise break to vent his frustrations.

"Let's give the juniors a chance."

Thinking to himself, Hu Shucheng reasoned he was still the exercise king, his position unshakeable.

But when Hu Shucheng saw who was replacing him, he was shocked.

"Xu You?"

Just now, Xu You had defeated Hu Shucheng in the academic competition.

Now, was he going to take over his position as the exercise king too?

"It

 was their idea."

Xu You glanced at the PE teachers, indicating he had no intention of usurping the throne.

Hu Shucheng, having no choice, stepped down from the lead platform.

Originally, the PE teachers had asked Hu Shucheng to lead the exercises mainly to boost students' enthusiasm.

But over time, they noticed.

More students were mocking Hu Shucheng's exaggerated moves rather than being inspired.

Not having the intended positive effect.

Seeing Xu You's serious performance recently, the PE department decided to let him lead for a day to see the effect.

With the lead person changed, everyone curiously looked towards the platform.

As the exercise music started, Xu You began his movements.

Unlike Hu Shucheng's exaggerated motions, Xu You's were more spirited and inspiring.

This encouraged many students to seriously join in the exercise.

"The effect is good!"

Seeing the students' state during the exercise, the PE teachers felt they had chosen the right person.

Although Hu Shucheng was sent back to the ground, he still diligently participated.

However, compared to Xu You on the lead platform, Hu Shucheng seemed much less noticeable.

...

As days passed, summer vacation finally arrived.

For the new senior three students, there was only a two-week break.

But for those preparing for competitions like Xu You, even this brief rest was forfeited.

Xu You didn't mind; to him, studying was a joy.

Without the exercise breaks, Xu You and Hu Shucheng continued to practice daily, sharing techniques.

Hu Shucheng and Xu You grew familiar with each other. Even though Xu You had taken his position as the exercise king, having a like-minded friend was a good thing.

"Xu You, let's set a goal to make it to the national team together and get recommended to Ji University. The physics department there is the best in the country, and we can continue to exercise together at Ji University. Wouldn't that be great?"

Xu You wasn't particularly interested in exercising together at Ji University with Hu Shucheng.

But if there was a chance for a direct recommendation to a prestigious university, Xu You would definitely strive for it.

On September 5th, the preliminary round of the physics competition began.

The preliminaries were held locally, with a nationwide standardized test.

From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., a three-hour duration for a total of 200 points.

Based on past results in Ningjiang Province, the cutoff score for advancing to the semifinals was around 110 points.

Xu You had prepared thoroughly, practicing with several sets of preliminary exam papers and nearly finishing the semifinal questions.

(End of Chapter)