At 8:15, the team leaders’ meeting officially began with the arrival of Competition Committee Director Zang Xianyong.
Besides reviewing important reminders and clarifying the responsibilities of team leaders, one major item on the agenda was to announce which student would speak on behalf of all participants at the opening ceremony the next day.
Fan Shiguang, noticing how attentively Xu Jing was listening, rolled his eyes and couldn’t resist trying to dampen his spirit.
“Don’t even think about it. You think Jiang Fuyue will get to speak on stage? That kind of opportunity usually goes to local students from the Imperial Capital. I heard they even need a certain family background. For outsiders like us? Not a chance.”
Just then, Director Zang Xianyong began to speak—
“This year, let’s have Jiang Fuyue from Linhuai give the speech. Any objections?”
Xu Jing froze.
Fan Shiguang was already gaping: “He-he-he… who did he say? Did I hear that right?”
Xu Jing grinned, his smile radiant: “Hehe, you can start thinking about it now.”
Deputy Director Qin Bing, sitting next to Zang Xianyong, nearly failed to register the name “Jiang Fuyue” when he first heard it.
Once he did, his expression subtly shifted. He quickly interjected, “Director Zang, since this is your first time overseeing the CMO, you might not know—traditionally, the speaker’s spot goes to a local student from the Imperial Capital, as a gesture of hospitality.”
“Oh? That’s the tradition? I wasn’t aware.”
“Uh…” Qin Bing wiped his sweat, forcing a smile. “It really is.”
Several others nodded in agreement.
Zang Xianyong replied, “I see…”
Just as Qin Bing thought he might change his decision and revoke Jiang Fuyue’s opportunity, Zang suddenly laughed heartily—
“Traditions can be broken. We don’t have to do things the old way, right? It’s a new CMO, we need new energy and a fresh outlook. Maybe even some new results. Don’t you agree, Director Qin?”
“Y-yes, of course! You’re absolutely right. The CMO has been around for decades—it needs constant innovation. But since we are the host, having a local student speak is also a kind of tradition…”
“Eh,” Zang Xianyong raised a hand to interrupt. “In my opinion, the CMO is, at its core, a platform for competition. Hospitality and warmth aren’t necessary. What matters is putting forth our best, trying our hardest on the exam—that’s the greatest respect we can show this stage, don’t you think?”
The others chimed in immediately: “Director Zang is absolutely right! The CMO is a competition. Being too friendly only dilutes the necessary tension. When we get to the IMO, international competitors certainly don’t care if we’re hosts. It’s fierce combat and sharp rivalry from the get-go.”
“Exactly. Better let them get used to that early.”
“I agree with Director Zang.”
“I think it’s time the CMO had some new elements.”
“…”
Zang Xianyong nodded with satisfaction. “Since we all agree, and since Jiang Fuyue ranked first in the joint exam with a perfect score, is there any issue with her representing all participants on stage?”
“No problem at all.”
“I think it’s a great choice!”
“Yes, Student Jiang’s influence online is no small thing. For us at the CMO, this is also a kind of positive publicity!”
Everyone agreed, and finally Zang Xianyong looked over at Qin Bing with a smile: “What do you think, Director Qin?”
Qin Bing beamed: “Director Zang is the thoughtful one here. I absolutely, one hundred and twenty thousand percent, support and agree!”
“Good, then it’s settled! Where’s Jiang Fuyue’s supervising teacher?”
Xu Jing stood up. “Director Zang.”
“Oh, so it’s you, Xu Jing! I recognize you! At the Romanian Masters two years ago, your student left quite the impression.”
“Director Zang, what a memory—you still recall after so long.”
“No wonder you could teach an outstanding student like Jiang Fuyue. Have her prepare to give a speech on stage tomorrow.”
“Alright.”
….
Inside the room.
“On stage?” Jiang Fuyue raised her brows. “Me?”
Xu Jing nodded. “Yes.”
Tan Jiaxu and Chen Cheng, who came along with her, both lit up. “Wasn’t it said that only students from the Imperial Capital had the qualification to give a speech?!”
Xu Jing chuckled. “They changed it this year.” (Changed specifically for Jiang Fuyue.)
Tan Jiaxu: “First time ever!”
Chen Cheng: “Sister Yue is the best!”
Jiang Fuyue was indifferent. A speech was nothing much. “Alright.”
….
Meanwhile, in Fang Liuliu’s room.
To make her daughter more comfortable, Liu Kaiyan had the front desk upgrade her to a top-floor suite when checking in.
Two spacious bedrooms, a large living room with floor-to-ceiling windows, a super-luxury bathroom, a steam room, a jacuzzi, and a visual LCD screen.
At that moment, Fang Liuliu was soaking in the tub. The milk bath made the whole surface milky white, lavender bath salts perfumed the air, and under the rising steam, the scent was even richer.
She sipped milk tea while watching a movie, with her phone and iPad set on the side table for easy reach.
“Why hasn’t the call come yet?” She glanced at the time and muttered softly.
Weren’t they supposed to call her around nine to notify her about speaking on stage tomorrow? Even if it was just a formality, and her selection was a sure thing, as long as she didn’t get the official notice, she couldn’t rest easy.
Another ten minutes passed, still no call.
Her patience wore thin. After a moment’s thought, she dialed Liu Kaiyan.
It rang for a long time before it was picked up—
“Hello, Mom, what are you doing?”
“…Having a facial. What’s wrong?”
“Why does your voice sound a little hoarse?”
“Oh, I choked on water earlier, coughed pretty hard. Probably strained my vocal cords.”
“Alright then.”
“What’s the matter? Why’d you call?”
Fang Liuliu pressed her lips together. “Mom… didn’t you say the notification call would come around nine? It’s already nine-thirty, I’ve almost soaked myself dizzy in the tub, and I still haven’t gotten it.”
“You mean the speaking on stage thing?”
Fang Liuliu was speechless. “What else would it be?”
“Your dad… he made a call. There shouldn’t be a problem. Just wait a bit longer.”
“…Alright.”
But even by eleven o’clock, after staring holes into her phone screen, the call never came.
Her mood shifted from anticipation and excitement, to disappointment and sinking dread. Now it felt like she was soaking in ice water, the chill seeping into her bones.
Just then, she noticed the group chat had 99+ new messages. Irritated, she tapped in—only to feel as if struck by lightning in the very next second.
【Is that the same Jiang Fuyue who got a perfect score in the joint exam, ranked first in the country?】
【Who else could it be?】
【Oh my god, we get to see her in person tomorrow, I’m so hyped!】
【My buddy who competed in Physics Olympiad always said Jiang Fuyue was insanely strong. Basically, any exam she took, she never scored below full marks. I thought after winning gold in both IPhO and IOI she’d retire from the scene, but who knew she’d show up at the CMO.】
【D*mn! Gold medals across three subjects, twice! Kneeling in worship.】
【Waaah! I’m a diehard fan of Goddess Yue. That video of her clapping back at that little R-country brat was so fierce—it got my blood boiling! Can I apply to be Goddess Yue’s leg pendant? I don’t need money, I come with tape, guaranteed to stick tight.】
【I-I-I’m a Yue-face fan! I have over a hundred of her pictures saved, and I can’t stop staring at my screen!】
【Upstairs, your drool’s about to spill, wipe it off. You’re welcome. Sister Yue is still in the group, mind your image.】
【Uh… so who’s bold enough to @Goddess Yue?】
【Definitely not me.】
【I don’t wanna get knocked out by her invisible aura. I’d better stay back.】
【You guys are cowards! Watch me—okay never mind, I’m out too.】
…..
This was the main CMO group chat. Over two hundred people, all talking at once, messages scrolling non-stop.
Fang Liuliu scrolled from the top. Turns out, the group had been buzzing since after nine o’clock, and the only topic was—Jiang Fuyue!
Her name ran through every message, the adoration and fawning practically spilling out of the screen.
What Fang Liuliu couldn’t accept was that the one giving the speech tomorrow wasn’t her, but this Jiang Fuyue!
“No… impossible…”
But the group had long since been flooded with the news—
【Support Goddess Yue!】
【In my heart, no one is more suited than Sister Yue to stand on stage and represent us.】
【That’s right, the people’s choice!】
Even the event organizers and competition committee leaders had chimed in, offering congratulations and encouragement.
And the most absurd part was that from beginning to end, Jiang Fuyue hadn’t said a single word, as if none of this fanfare had anything to do with her.
Yet no one showed even the slightest complaint or dissatisfaction.
Utterly bizarre!
