Competing in the International Math Olympiad, Top-tier Lab

In a secluded corner of the school,

Ji Chuxing had just rounded a bend when she spotted someone in the distance. Without hesitation, she spun on her heel and started walking away. But Teacher Ouyang had already caught sight of her retreating figure.

"Ji, wait!" a voice called out from behind her.

Ji Chuxing quickened her pace.

Panting heavily, Teacher Ouyang chased after her. "Ji, wait for me!"

With no choice but to stop, Ji Chuxing turned around with an exasperated look. "What do you want?"

Her irritation was unmistakable, evident even to the most oblivious observer.

"How about the competition? Have you thought it over?" Teacher Ouyang asked with a warm smile, deliberately ignoring the girl's obvious reluctance.

Ever since Ji Chuxing aced that test in the principal's office, Teacher Ouyang had been keeping tabs on her. Yesterday, when she went to request access to the lab, she happened to bump into him. They struck a deal: if she completed the set of problems he gave her, she'd get full access to the lab.

Of course, Ji Chuxing solved them effortlessly—without so much as a scrap of scratch paper. Her mind-blowing mental arithmetic skills made Teacher Ouyang wish he could drag her straight to the International Mathematical Olympiad.

As a result, after gaining access to Nan Middle School's independent lab, she found herself relentlessly pursued by Teacher Ouyang to join the competition.

"No," Ji Chuxing replied curtly, rejecting him once again.

Competitions led to more competitions—it was all too troublesome.

She turned and walked off.

Undeterred, Teacher Ouyang continued to trail her. "Ji, with your mathematical talent, this is your first chance to compete internationally during high school. Doesn't that excite you?"

"Not at all," Ji Chuxing responded flatly.

"This is an opportunity to bring honor to our school!"

Ji Chuxing popped a milk candy into her mouth. "Not interested."

"If you make it to the national level, you could secure a direct admission offer to Beicheng University—or any prestigious university, domestic or international. You can go wherever you want!"

"Still not interested," Ji Chuxing said dismissively.

Even without competing, she could still go wherever she pleased.

At his wit's end, Teacher Ouyang resorted to pleading, practically groveling like a child. A grown man, utterly disregarding his dignity, trailed behind the young girl, making low, desperate requests.

Not far away, Wen Xinyue and Wu Fangying were heading toward the chemistry office when they glanced over and saw Teacher Ouyang following Ji Chuxing, though they couldn't hear what was being said. Ji Chuxing, meanwhile, walked ahead with an air of indifference, clearly annoyed.

Wu Fangying noticed Wen Xinyue slowing down. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Wen Xinyue shook her head, suppressing a strange feeling in her chest.

Had she seen incorrectly? Was Teacher Ouyang actually pleading with Ji Chuxing?

Impossible.

Teacher Ouyang was a senior math teacher known for his strictness. He wouldn't spare a second glance for someone like Ji Chuxing, who was considered academically mediocre.

It must be that Ji Chuxing had done something wrong and was being reprimanded. Reassured, Wen Xinyue followed Wu Fangying into the chemistry lab.

Meanwhile, Teacher Ouyang, still chasing Ji Chuxing, was truly desperate.

"Ji, participating in the competition and winning will earn you not only three million yuan from the organizers but also five hundred thousand yuan from the school!"

Though students might not care much about money, Teacher Ouyang was grasping at straws.

To his surprise, Ji Chuxing stopped dead in her tracks.

"Prize money?" Her eyes sparkled, and her previous annoyance vanished completely.

Caught off guard, Teacher Ouyang nodded eagerly. "Yes, the rewards are quite substantial..."

Before he could finish, Ji Chuxing interrupted, "Alright then, sign me up."

Teacher Ouyang froze, then erupted in excitement. "Ji, you really mean it? You'll definitely participate, right?"

Ji Chuxing nodded. "Don't worry—I'll compete, and I'll bring home the prize money."

Overjoyed, Teacher Ouyang hurried off to inform the principal. This year, Nan Middle School was sure to rank among the top in the national competition. Among all the students he'd coached, Ji Chuxing showed the highest potential.

He left happily.

Ji Chuxing shook her head.

If only he'd mentioned the prize money sooner—she would've agreed immediately. After all, she needed a lot of money to buy medicinal herbs. Ugh, spending it hurt.

She headed toward the lab.

The lab had been personally approved for her use by the principal yesterday. At Nan Middle School, lab access was tiered: the highest level was reserved for senior teachers, the next for regular subject teachers, and the lowest for student classes. There was also a public-use lab.

Ji Chuxing had received the highest level of access. When the principal learned she wanted to conduct experiments, he granted it without hesitation.

As she passed a certain lab, she saw Wen Xinyue stepping out.

Wen Xinyue, spotting Ji Chuxing, paused and smiled. "Big Sister, what brings you here? Don't you know this is a high-level lab—not somewhere you belong?"

Uninterested, Ji Chuxing tilted her chin, signaling her to move aside. "Stop calling me that. I'm my father's only daughter. Get out of my way."

Wen Xinyue's smile faltered. "Big Sister, stop being angry with Mom."

"Can't you understand plain language?" Ji Chuxing shot her a cold glare.

After being repeatedly met with Ji Chuxing's icy demeanor, Wen Xinyue's expression darkened. "Big Sister, did I do something to make you hate me so much? Are you upset because I took Mom away? But..."

"Are you done yet? What does any of this have to do with me? You're worse than a parrot. Do I need to punch you to shut you up?" Ji Chuxing snapped, her temper flaring.

Meeting her steely gaze, Wen Xinyue instinctively stepped aside, allowing Ji Chuxing to pass.

Watching her walk away, Wen Xinyue realized Ji Chuxing had turned another corner. That area housed the top-tier labs. What was she doing there? Who allowed her to enter?

She wanted to follow, but Teacher Wu was already calling her from the lab.

Putting the thought aside, Wen Xinyue reasoned that Ji Chuxing might simply be cleaning the floor—or, if she had entered unauthorized, would surely face punishment from the school.

There was no way she could enter the top-tier lab, right?

Ha! Impossible.

Even Teacher Wu couldn't access the top-tier lab. If she remembered correctly, only the principal had clearance.

Reassured, Wen Xinyue returned to the lab.

"What are you thinking about?" Wu Fangying suddenly asked.

Holding a vial, Wen Xinyue snapped out of her thoughts. "Teacher Wu... I..."

Wu Fangying's expression hardened. "Focus is critical in experiments."

He was always strict, especially at the lab bench. Even a moment's distraction could lead to failure.

Wen Xinyue composed herself. "Yes, I understand. I'm just feeling a bit unwell."

Glancing at her, Wu Fangying said nothing more.

The top-tier lab required facial recognition and iris scanning for entry. Fully equipped, it allowed users to either request materials from the school or bring their own, provided they didn't damage the facilities.

Surveying the lab, Ji Chuxing found it satisfactory. She pulled a bundle of materials from her backpack. The ingredients for her hair growth serum, whitening mask, and special scar-removal gel had arrived yesterday!

Finally, she could start earning some cash!