Chapter 249: 240 Choosing you or Ying Zijin, don't you know who's better? [1 more update]

A single sentence brought all three teachers’ movements to an abrupt halt.

Especially Teacher Deng, who seemed to have never anticipated being questioned so directly by Ying Yuexuan.

Teacher Xu’s eyebrows furrowed.

He had just praised Ying Yuexuan for her academic improvement, and then she confronted him with this challenge.

Moreover, they were only discussing the matter, and had not yet made a final decision on who would get the slot.

Of course, Teacher Xu also believed that there was no one in Verdant Middle School more suitable than Ying Zijin.

If anyone else were to go, they might lead comfortably in domestic competitions, given that Verdant Middle School is one of the top three high schools in Hua Country.

But at the international level, it would be perilous.

The Head of the Physics Group was the first to respond, and he seemed almost amused by anger: “This, Ying Yuexuan, do you know what you are saying? ‘Personal interests’?”

“I know,” Ying Yuexuan frowned, somewhat perplexed by the Head of the Physics Group’s expression, “which is why I want to ask what the selection criteria for this slot are.”

“If I remember correctly, this competition is of utmost importance, and it’s open to high schools and public schools all over the world.”

“Verdant represents the highest level of education in Hua Country, so the selection of representatives should be taken even more seriously, right?”

Yesterday afternoon, students in the Elite Class were already discussing this matter.@@novelbin@@

It is an international academic competition.

The full name is the International Science Competition, abbreviated as ISC.

ISC is currently the only competition in the world that is titled solely with the word “science.”

The domains covered by ISC include, but are not limited to, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, linguistics, psychology, archaeology, computing, and so on.

ISC even addresses anything that can be classified under science.

ISC is akin to a composite of other competitions like IOI (International Olympiad in Informatics), IMO (International Mathematical Olympiad), and the like.

Because it covers such a broad range of knowledge, ISC was initially only an idea and has struggled to be organized.

It was only this year that the first edition of ISC was finally settled and announced on various academic websites.

The organizers of ISC include the top universities in the world, excluding Norton University.

Imperial Capital University, though not yet in the top ten, was specially invited due to being the highest institution of learning in Hua Country.

Together with international academic organizations, these institutions are the callers of this academic event.

They issue a challenge to the youth of all nations across the world.

Of course, even a genius cannot have an all-encompassing understanding of every field; there will always be blind spots.

Thus, a team of six people will ultimately be formed to compete in the final.

Ying Yuexuan knew about ISC earlier than the other students in the Elite Class.

Because she joined a scientific research team in O continent, where her senior brother gave her a heads-up.

Her senior brother lamented that he had already graduated from public school and entered the university, which made him ineligible for the competition, or else he would not have missed it.

So, Ying Yuexuan was aware that the organizing committee would distribute slots to high schools and public schools in different countries.

Thereafter, schools would evaluate and select the appropriate students to participate.

This slot would provide direct entry into the international competition, bypassing the preliminary and semifinal rounds.

Ying Yuexuan knew that Verdant Middle School would definitely get a slot, but she didn’t expect to get only one.

However, Yilan Public School, where she was an exchange student, secured a full ten slots.

But as a temporary exchange student, and not an actual student of Yilan Public School, she was not eligible to claim any of Yilan’s slots.

Ying Yuexuan knew she couldn’t compare with the top students from Yilan Public School, but she wasn’t lacking at Verdant.

After Zhong Zhiwan dropped out, she became the top student in her grade.

So why hadn’t Teacher Deng mentioned her when considering the candidates for the slot?

If it were any other student from the Elite Class, she wouldn’t have been so reactive.

At least the students in the Elite Class were all capable of competing in the ISC.

But Ying Zijin?

Ying Yuexuan couldn’t think of a single justifiable reason.

However, she also learned that in her year away from Verdant, Teacher Deng had always taken a special interest in Ying Zijin.

Giving such a precious opportunity as an ISC slot to Ying Zijin, if not for personal interests, then what?

Teacher Deng slowly regained composure and looked at Ying Yuexuan with a hint of disappointment.

But being of mild temper, she did not react explosively and replied calmly, “So, you think I am acting out of personal interest?”

“Yes,” Ying Yuexuan’s heart jumped as she met her gaze, “but I might have misjudged Teacher Deng, which is why I’d like you to explain what the criteria are.”

“How can I discuss a matter that’s not yet decided?” the Head of the Physics Group said with his hands behind his back. “However, there is one thing I can be sure of, even if the nomination reaches the principal, the only student he would choose is Ying Zijin. Do you understand?”

Apart from Ying Zijin, who else could score a perfect mark on the Elite Class exam?

It was fortunate she wasn’t a teacher, otherwise he would have been out of a job.

Ying Yuexuan felt her heart grow colder by the moment: “If this is the decision you teachers have made, then I respect it, but at the same time, I have the right to question it.”

“The ISC spot is extremely precious, and I don’t want to lose it without even competing for it. I hope to be given a fair chance to compete.”

After she finished speaking, she bowed to the three teachers and left the office.

“This is…” the Head of the Physics Group found it beyond comprehension and after a long while, finally spoke slowly, “does she not realize the gap between her and Ying Zijin?”

Indeed, Ying Yuexuan was the top scorer on this mock exam and had even managed to widen the gap with the second placer by more than ten points.

Compared to before, she had made significant progress.

But if she were to take the Elite Class exam, that’s the level of Zhong Zhiwan – scoring a perfect mark would be absolutely impossible.

They had chosen Ying Zijin, after all, for the school’s and Hua Country’s interests.

But whether they could defeat the public schools from O Continent was still far from certain.

They had received word that several high school students from O Continent had already joined their national research teams.

“Who knows?” Teacher Deng shook his head, “Maybe she’s not aware of it because she’s just returned from O Continent. Since she requested it, we’ll inform the head of academic affairs when the time comes.”

“That’s all we can do,” Teacher Xu nodded in agreement, “But I can understand her; after all, her relationship with Ying Zijin is…quite complicated.”

“Enough, don’t get involved in other people’s family affairs,” the Head of the Physics Group stood up. “My wife and son are waiting for me; I’ll be going first.”

**

At the Wen Family’s.

Ying Zijin leaned on the sofa, staring at the laptop on the coffee table.

On the screen was the hidden section of the NOK forum.

She had logged in again with her abandoned alias.

Cola Fries Milk Tea.

Almost at the same time as she went online, a message popped up in her friends’ list.

It was from the Third Poison Master, who sold sunscreen under the Bevin Family.

[I’ll Treat You to a Pill]: Wuuwuu, Great God, I’ve been waiting for you so desperately, ying.

Ying Zijin looked at the last “ying” word and fell silent for a moment.

The forum’s built-in translator was perhaps too powerful, able to convey even the nuances of tone very well.

[Cola Fries Milk Tea]: I need to buy some stuff from you.

[I’ll Treat You to a Pill]: Okay, Great God, just tell me, and I can immediately change and rush to your place.

[Cola Fries Milk Tea]: The new poison you’ve developed.

[I’ll Treat You to a Pill]: That’s not possible, I did develop a new poison, but I haven’t succeeded with the antidote yet; it’s lethal.

[Cola Fries Milk Tea]: It’s fine, just sell it.

[I’ll Treat You to a Pill]: Okay ba, Great God, since there’s no antidote, it’s only a semi-finished product, I’ll give it to you for free. But Great God, can you do me a favor?

[Cola Fries Milk Tea]: Speak.

[I’ll Treat You to a Pill]: [Excited.jpg][Joyful.jpg]

[I’ll Treat You to a Pill]: I have an old buddy, a Face-changing Artist, who took a job at the IBI headquarters building and is now stuck in International Prison. Your computer skills are so strong, could you hack in and get him out?

[I’ll Treat You to a Pill]: To be honest, I went to ask the boss of the Anonymous Hackers Alliance, damn it, forget it, he’s too cowardly. As soon as I mentioned IBI, he just ran off. What a wimp.

On reading this, Ying Zijin’s eyebrows raised slightly.

Her gaze left the computer screen and settled on the man beside her.

The September sunlight was warm but not intense, accompanied by a gentle breeze.

Flecks of light from the foliage darted across his white shirt, creating mottled patterns of light and shadow.

He was engrossed in his book, his slender fingers holding a page, while strands of black hair on his forehead fluttered in the wind.

His features were handsome and his presence serene.

Time seemed to stand still at this moment.

It was too peaceful and beautiful, making it hard to break the tranquility.

Ying Zijin’s eyes lifted, and she called out in an even tone, tinged with a measure of ease and nonchalance.

“Officer.”

“Someone asked me to hack your security system; what do you think?”