Chapter 247: National Competition ④
The second stage tested mental calculation. The invigilator would pose questions on the spot, and contestants had to provide the correct answers within a limited time. Only the top ten would proceed to the recording of the third stage program.
However, just like the competition, there were people recording it. In Nie Qiu’s opinion, such recordings were merely for playback when someone became the champion, runner-up, or third place, showcasing their journey through the trials.
In the first stage, one boy from Nie Qiu’s province had already been eliminated. The questions weren’t difficult, but perhaps due to extreme nervousness, mistakes were made.
The examination venue for the second competition zone was set up at a renowned university, and quite a few reporters were already seated in the audience.
“Wow… so many reporters, I’m so nervous!” the girl standing next to Nie Qiu said, nervously fiddling with the hem of her clothes.
Nie Qiu had nothing to say, as they were called onto the lectern one by one as the host had instructed. The mental calculation competition proceeded smoothly. Ai Si Yuan answered one more question correctly than Nie Qiu. After an hour-long competition, Nie Qiu and Ai Si Yuan remained.
By the end of the second stage, there were still participants from various provinces and municipalities directly under the central government. Now, only ten people remained. From Nie Qiu’s province, only Nie Qiu and Ai Si Yuan were left, immediately drawing significant attention.
The third stage involved entering the studio for recording. Nie Qiu knew that the ultimate purpose of this program was for the sponsors to increase product exposure, which is what is meant by promotion and advertisement. The television station aimed to boost ratings. Such programs were generally very popular with students who loved to study and parents who were concerned about their children. For schools, it was about enhancing their reputation, enrollment rate, and enrollment rate. After the director’s team and the stagehands briefed them on the precautions, they walked onto the studio stage one by one amidst the applause of the arranged audience.
Although there were minor unexpected incidents during the entire recording process, it went exceptionally smoothly.
Nie Qiu and Ai Si Yuan consistently ranked among the top. In the competition for the championship, Nie Qiu narrowly defeated Ai Si Yuan by 0.5 seconds.
Programs on the National Television Station always had high ratings. When Nie Qiu and Ai Si Yuan returned to A City High School, they were warmly welcomed by all the teachers and students.
This not only brought honor to themselves but also to the entire school. All the teachers and students wished they could put them on a pedestal. During the flag raising ceremony, the principal even had Ai Si Yuan and Nie Qiu hold the trophy and speak from the lectern.
Nie Qiu didn’t say much, only smiling and thanking her teachers, classmates, and parents. She stepped back amidst the applause of the entire school.
“I am very grateful to my school, my teachers, and my parents. Thank you all.” Then Ai Si Yuan stepped forward and said the same thing as Nie Qiu. After speaking, he added, “Of course, I also want to thank Nie Qiu… Without Nie Qiu, I wouldn’t have been able to win the competition or get this award.”
As soon as Ai Si Yuan said this, the entire school, filled with boys and girls in adolescence, began to gossip. Many people started whispering. Those from Class 10 exchanged glances, and many boys cautiously looked at Li Kai, whose expression was grim.
“Before the competition, I was very nervous. Although it might not have shown on the surface, I was truly very nervous,” Ai Si Yuan said with an embarrassed smile. “You see, I’m even rambling incoherently now due to nervousness. I’ve never been on television. Before the competition, I heard Nie Qiu tell those who were going to compete with us: ‘You were selected from the provincial competition, and you’re not worse than others, so why be nervous?’ At that moment, I thought, yes! Why should I be nervous? I’m not inferior to others. I just need to perform at my normal level, regardless of whether I win or get an award. As long as I have a clear conscience, I believe my family, teachers, and classmates won’t blame me.”
“During the first written exam, although I was still a bit nervous, if I ignored the cameras, the atmosphere was similar to a regular exam because in the first written exam, I adapted to the presence of the cameras,” Ai Si Yuan said with a smile. “So, I want to thank Nie Qiu. I hope Nie Qiu can get into the university she wants for her graduation exam.”
Nie Qiu smiled, took the microphone handed to her by the principal standing beside her, and said with a smile, “I also hope you can get into the university you want for your graduation exam.”
After saying these words, amidst a round of applause, Ai Si Yuan and Nie Qiu walked off the lectern and returned to their respective positions for the flag raising ceremony, where their classes were standing.
After the flag raising ceremony, the classmates returned to their classrooms in order. Teacher Yang called Nie Qiu over and, smiling, discussed many things with Nie Qiu, including her intended university choices. As she entered the classroom, she heard thunderous applause from the class.
“Nie Qiu, you’re amazing!” Huang Yan’s voice was quite loud, and she stood up.
“Nie Qiu, you’re in the newspaper this time. They’re all praising you as a genius!” Zhang Haiyang continued.
“Nie Qiu, I’m so envious you were on television. You’re truly amazing, winning a trophy for the country!” other boys continued.
The entire class had people clapping, whistling, and tapping their books on their desks. It was a cacophony, similar to the atmosphere when their class first got third place. Everyone was overly excited and jubilant, making the entire classroom incredibly lively.
This grand reception made Nie Qiu a little embarrassed. When the class’s average grade was third in the entire grade, they were excited and happy. But being praised individually made her somewhat shy. She felt helpless and could only look at Teacher Yang, who was standing beside her.
“Alright, students, let’s give classmate Nie Qiu another round of applause, be more enthusiastic, and more synchronized. Now, we’ll have Nie Qiu return to her seat, following my command,” Teacher Yang said, giving Nie Qiu a half-smile. He then said, “One two, one two one, one two, one two one.”
Following the teacher’s clapping rhythm, the classmates finally sat properly in their seats and clapped. Nie Qiu returned to her seat amidst the applause. After Teacher Yang stopped calling out the rhythm, the classmates gradually stopped. Teacher Yang glanced at Nie Qiu and said, “We’ll discuss any matters after class. We need to prepare for the lesson now, otherwise Class 9 will come to protest.”
The entire class burst into laughter and took out their Chinese textbooks from their schoolbags. Originally, Teacher Yang did not teach Chinese to their class; he was just their homeroom teacher. Since they started studying last year, Teacher Yang had applied to become their Chinese teacher.
Amidst the lively sounds, Li Kai felt that he and Nie Qiu were growing further and further apart.
