68: We will definitely win this time

We will definitely win this time

Qin Yan turned around as she heard this.1

She saw a team similar to hers trudging up behind them.

It seemed like that must have been one of the other four teams.

"Well, as mad as we get about Jixia Academy grabbing the championship away from us, other schools are angry because they aren't even deemed as worthy opponents," whispered Qiao Qing.

Pu Xinyan raised her hand and said, "Do any of you realize that our gap with Jixia Academy isn't actually that big? They think we're weak and have their eyes set on the first prize. But we're strong too."

*

"If Shengyang High school loses again, that will be so embarrassing."

"Agreed. I really think that the number one spot will just always belong to us Jixia Academy. They just can't compete with us at all."

"I heard that our team for this competition is one of the strongest for the past few years."

"Yeah, Zhang and Lin won the competitions last year and the year before. I also heard that Teacher Zhao brought out all the questions from the past three years and had them recite them thoroughly until they made zero mistakes."

"We've also got Wang. He organized all questions from the past five years into different categories and researched all the rules for those categories. After that, he split the team up into these categories. Different people would be assigned different categories. They might not have a full straight streak of scoring perfectly, but they'll get at least 90 percent right."

"With us being this prepared, there's no way we won't win."

"We're really about to put on a show for Shengyang High school, aren't we?"

"That's right. It used to be a close call in these competitions. But it seems that things are different this year, for our seniors really were determined to win solidly and bring pride to our school."

The students of Jixia Academy gossiped openly.

As he heard these students gossiping, Mr. Lao put on a wooden face and whispered, "Students, this competition is entirely in your hands. Make sure you pull out a good win for us and let them have a taste of our abilities. Give them a good show and make sure they suffer as they watch us claim victory. We have to let them know that the first place will always belong to us, those from Shengyang High school!

The crowd around him was silent.

Mr. Lao, maybe your attitude is a bit too straightforward and blunt.

Director Guo had just arrived. He was just about to ask why everyone was staring at Mr. Lao when a member of the staff came over and told them, "Everyone, please, would you make your way to the competition venue. Next up, I'll be explaining the rules for today's competition."

"This year's rules will be different."

Director Guo didn't even have time to fully understand what the staff member had said.

"Director Guo, could you please allow me to direct you to the distinguished guests' area. Mr. Lao, could you please head over toward the coaches' area. You will be in charge of the competitors during the competition."

Mr. Lao nodded his head. This indeed was his role to play.

Other schools had similar plans.

Despite all the directors arriving with their respective teams, many of them had only come to act as a stabilizing influence in order to assist their teams in remaining calm before the start of the competition.

"This way please, Director Guo." A member of staff guided him toward the seats of the distinguished guests.

The same member of staff then returned and took the students to the stage and said, "Once you hear the host announcing Shengyang High school, you can walk over to your assigned spots."

Right then, Jixia Academy's team was already waiting.

Upon seeing those from Shengyang High school approaching, two members of the Jixia team waved at Jing Zhao and Qin Muran. "The only faces we recognize are yours."

"How did your preparation go this time?" asked student Zhang.

"Pretty well." Jing Zhao tilted his chin slightly. "We're confident that we can beat you!"

Clearly, Jing Zhao often acted like this, which was why student Lin didn't pay attention to him at all. He scoffed, "It's good to be confident."

Qin Muran interrupted, "Student Zhang, Student Lin, don't mind what Jing Zhao said. He is just joking. Although we prepared well, nobody can say the definite outcome. By the way, it's nice to meet you."

The other students of Shengyang looked at Qin Muran angrily. By refuting Jing Zhao, wasn't she dragging their school down? They didn't know if they could win the championship, but Qin Muran was making them lose face even in a conversation.

Student Zhang looked at Qin Muran and nodded. Only she knew her place. He then turned to Jing Zhao, "We genuinely hope that you lot can reap the rewards you've sowed."

Jing Zhao started to get impatient. "We really have grown stronger this year. Why won't you just believe that?"

He was telling the truth. They had grown stronger.

"All right, all right, we got it." Student Lin was finding the entire situation hilarious.

Those from Shengyang High school had really been reduced to all talk and no action.

At this time, the staff members came to notify the Jixia team to start preparing for their entrance.

Not long after this, they heard the host announce, "Let us invite the defending champions, the team from Jixia Academy!"

Before the Jixia Academy team even made their entrance, a thunderous applause echoed through the stadium.

The members of the Jixia team grinned. Their faces were overflowing with unquenchable pride as they stepped forward.

Another two or three minutes went by. Then they heard the host announce, "Let us welcome Shengyang High school, the team that came in second last year."

Shen Hongshan thought that was ridiculous. "They didn't need to announce that we came in second."

He had his suspicions that the host had intentionally phrased it this way.

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