The International English Competition

Ji Chuxing had promised Zhou Sixue that she would attend the event to watch the competition. Fang He drove her to the competition venue in his car.

There were quite a few people already there. The students from Class 16 had arrived early, and even Old Huang had come in person. Wu Hao was holding a pack of red T-shirts: "Come on, everyone, take one and put it on. When we stand together as a class to support Xiao Zhou, it will be an impressive sight, unmatched by anyone else! No matter what, we need to make a big impact!"

Many people had already put on the specially designed T-shirts, which were red with white lettering, bearing the words "Nan High School, Class 16" in large characters. Ji Chuxing noticed that Old Huang was also holding something that looked like a banner.

Wu Hao was brimming with excitement, while Lu Xing stood by, directing everyone. Ji Chuxing, chewing on a milk candy, suddenly felt like avoiding the crowd.

Sure enough, a breeze swept through, and Lu Xing directed two boys: "You two, unfurl the banner and show some spirit!"

The red and yellow banner unfurled with a swoosh. It read: "Strive for Excellence, Create Glory! Nan High School, Class 16, Zhou Sixue, Go for it!" and "Surpass Yourself, Fight for First Place! Nan High School, Class 16, Zhou Sixue, You're the Best!"

Ji Chuxing turned to enter through a side door, but Wu Hao and Old Huang had already spotted her.

"Classmate Ji, you're here!"

"Ji God, over here!"

Wu Hao ran over with a T-shirt, "Here, Ji God, this is for you!"

Ji Chuxing: "..."

Old Huang, upon seeing her, didn't let her go easily. He pulled her aside and talked for five minutes about her sleeping during the exam a few days ago.

"Next time, don't do that. Make sure to get enough sleep the night before. What if you fall asleep during the college entrance exam..."

Old Huang continued to chatter on.

"Let me tell you, Classmate Ji..."

Ji Chuxing, feeling drowsy, said, "I finished it."

"What?" Old Huang paused, then his face lit up with excitement, "Classmate Ji, are you serious?"

Ji Chuxing, half-asleep, waved her hand, "Don't worry."

She had only skipped the essay, but she had completed everything else, and she was confident that Old Huang would be satisfied with her score.

Although Old Huang was shocked, he knew that Ji Chuxing never spoke without meaning. If she said she had finished, then she had indeed finished.

Still, he couldn't help but ask, "You didn't just guess, did you?"

Ji Chuxing gave him a look, as if asking, "Do I seem like the kind of person who would do that?"

Old Huang smiled and said nothing, "Alright, alright, the competition is about to start. Let's all go in and cheer for Zhou Sixue from our class!"

This competition was highly significant. After the previous round of school selections, 100 participants from Nancheng had made it to the city finals. Today, many parents and classmates of the contestants had come to support them.

However, the group from Nan High School, Class 16, in their bright red T-shirts, stood out as the most distinctive presence, drawing every eye.

This was a 100-to-3 selection, and everyone was a competitor, including students from the same school. Nan High School also had Wen Xinyue and Tang Chuxin participating in the Nancheng district finals.

Wen Xinyue was the top scorer in the Nancheng district, and Liu Xiuping had personally come to support her. Because Tang Chuxin was also competing, many of her fans and students from Qihang Class had come along, including Zhou Ru.

However, when they saw the group from Class 16, they looked quite disdainful.

"Is this it? What good is all this flashy stuff?"

"Face reality. You're just here to make up the numbers. The winner is already clear."

The students from Qihang Class sneered at the elaborate display from Class 16. Though they didn't speak loudly, their words were audible.

Lu Xing, hearing this, was not happy!

He turned around abruptly, and if Old Huang hadn't held him back, he might have gone after those who had been talking.

But Old Huang stopped him.

Though he was angry, he still smiled at Liu Xiuping, "Teacher Liu, please control your students. This is a competition site. Such uncivilized remarks reflect poorly on the school and you. After all, if the teacher is not strict, it is a failure on their part."

Each contestant and their supporters had fixed seats in the audience area. The students from Class 16 had arrived early and taken the best spots, while the students from Qihang Class had to sit in the back.

Liu Xiuping's face darkened, "Sit down and stop talking nonsense!"

This small commotion seemed to catch the attention of some judges, including Xie Yiming, who turned to look.

Liu Xiuping, recognizing Xie Yiming, immediately changed her expression and smiled politely.

Xie Yiming didn't react much and turned back. He noticed the students from Class 16, scanned the crowd, and, not seeing Zhou Sixue, sighed in disappointment.

Zhou Sixue had arrived a bit late, brought to the venue by Zhao Feifei on a motorcycle. When they entered, they were surprised by the red T-shirts.

But Old Huang, Lu Xing, and Wu Hao were thrilled!

"Come, come, Zhao and Zhou, here are your T-shirts."

Both shook their heads: No, we don't want them!

In the end, they were both forced into the red T-shirts. Zhao Feifei, who had been coolly dressed in a leather jacket and black pants, now looked deflated and slumped in her chair.

Ji Chuxing sighed and gave each of them a piece of milk candy.

Tang Chuxin and Wen Xinyue were also competitors. Besides the Qihang Class, their parents had come as well. Tang Chuxin's mother and some of her fans were there, and Zhou Ru had come to support Wen Xinyue. Zhou Ru was sitting and chatting with Tang Chuxin's mother.

Ji Chuxing sat in the front, slumped in her chair, only her head visible. For now, Zhou Ru hadn't noticed her.