Ethan Carter saw Anna Ward greet her proactively, so she had no choice but to say, "Hello, senior."
Anna Ward said, "During the competition, you're not allowed to wear watches or sunglasses. Junior, you should take them off in advance."
Ethan Carter shook her head. "Thank you, but my eyes aren't good. These aren't sunglasses. They're..." Under Anna Ward's gradually pleased gaze, Ethan Carter calmly said, "glasses for blind people to protect against light sensitivity."
Anna Ward saw that she didn't seem self-conscious, and Chad Sullivan beside her didn't find it strange either, so she frowned slightly.
At exactly nine o'clock, the competition officially began.
The contestants all adjusted their seats and sat down at the tables in front of the art museum. Parents could still watch from the lounge area.
Since it was the first time the competition was open, everyone had an easel in front of them.
The host said, "Everyone, please remain quiet. No cheating of any kind is allowed. If discovered, it will be dealt with severely. The competition officially begins now. You have one hundred and fifty minutes to answer. You may begin now."
~
At the start of the competition, things were fine; all the parents were focused on their own children.
But by the middle, Brian Foster was about to go crazy. He complained, "Damn, this is worse than being in jail. I can't take it anymore." He pulled out his phone, ready to turn it on.
Chad Sullivan casually snatched his phone away. "Behave yourself."
"......"
Brian Foster turned his head. "Tan, Jack Miller, want to play rock-paper-scissors?"
Alan Bennett said, "Idiot."
Jack Miller also said, "Not playing."
Brian Foster felt life was as lonely as snow, so he could only look toward the competition area.
The two people he knew, Anna Ward and Ethan Carter, were both sitting far away, and he could only see their upright backs. Suddenly, he got interested. "Who do you guys think will win?"
Alan Bennett glanced at Chad Sullivan and said nothing.
"Come on, let's make a bet. The loser..." His eyes darted around. "Isn't today Thanksgiving? They're selling that foreign vanilla ice cream outside. The loser has to buy some for the winner's girl."
That actually sounded kind of fun.
Alan Bennett said, "I think Anna Ward will win."
Jack Miller thought for a moment. "It's not that I look down on Ethan Carter, but I heard this competition is pretty tough. Anna Ward said she's been studying for almost eight years and has been champion for several years. I think she'll win too."
Brian Foster's mouth twitched. "Seriously? You all think Anna Ward will win, then what's the point of betting? Tan, you bet on Ethan Carter."
"Why don't you bet yourself?"
In the end, Brian Foster looked at Chad Sullivan. "Nin-ge... who do you think will win?"
Chad Sullivan's gaze shifted to the pink ice cream shop outside the window. After a while, he lazily said, "Whatever."
Brian Foster had no choice but to bite the bullet and bet on Ethan Carter. He thought, oh well, if I lose, I lose—just for fun.
At eleven thirty, everyone handed in their papers.
There weren't many people who could make it to the finals; there were only fifty-five students in the high school group, and the results came out ten minutes later.
The host smiled. "Thank you for your hard work, everyone. After more than two hours of intense competition, I now have the list of the top three in my hand. Are you all excited?"
The lounge area was already getting noisy. Even though the students were nervous inside, they still looked pretty calm on the surface.
After enough suspense, the host opened the card in his hand and swept his gaze over everyone. "Now, I announce that the third place in this year's high school math olympiad is Dylan Bennett! 132 points."
A boy stood up, joy in his eyes. After bowing, he sat back down.
The host smiled and said, "Now, the second place."
Ethan Carter looked up.
"Her name must be familiar to everyone. She wins awards every year. Congratulations to Anna Ward, 136 points."
Anna Ward looked over in disbelief.
She had been the champion every year, but this time... how could she be second? Her expression changed instantly, and she stood up and gave a quick bow. If she was second, then who was first?
Author's note: After not writing an author's note yesterday, your reactions suddenly made me realize—
Other people's readers: Ah, it's updated! The story is so good, I'll read it a million times.
My readers: Ah, I see an update, frantically clicking through as fast as possible, finally reaching the last page—author's note, author's note, author's note!!! Damn... no author's note today. What's the point of you as an author, are you getting cocky, not even writing an author's note anymore?
Me...???
Doesn't Jinjiang have an author's note blocking function? I bet if you counted the stats, Zhizhi's author's note block rate would be ridiculously low, because...
Devil readers: Zhizhi started a new story, let's go read her author's note.
(manual goodbye.jpg)
————
Thanks to the following little fairies for the tips, hugs to each of you, and thanks to the cuties who watered the nutrient solution:
☆, Overbearing
"The first place in this year's competition." The host paused. "Ethan Carter, 142 points."
Ethan Carter stood up.
She hadn't expected to actually succeed.
Her heart was beating a little fast—eight thousand yuan...
Down below, Brian Foster was also dumbfounded. "Holy crap... I won?"
Alan Bennett and Jack Miller were stunned too.
Brian Foster: "She's that amazing? Oh my god."
Chad Sullivan let out a laugh with an unreadable meaning.
Jack Miller said, "Nin-ge, where are you going?"
Chad Sullivan didn't answer him and just walked out.