Chapter 18: The Preliminary Round

Page 1/3

"It's only eight o'clock now. Are you still going to review a bit, Ran? Is today's exam important?" Luo Mingxiu tidied up while talking to Chen Ran.

"It's a math competition," Chen Ran patiently explained, aware that his mother had been busy lately and not wanting to sound reproachful. "Mom, I told you before, when I went to the office, I overheard the teachers discussing it. I asked if I could participate, and they said yes."

Luo Mingxiu smiled and said, "A math competition, huh? Our little Ran is really impressive. Your sister never took part in such exams."

"Mom, this is just the Ningchuan preliminary round, nothing big. Anyone can participate," Chen Ran patiently explained. "If I make it to the semi-finals, I might have to compete with some of Ningchuan’s top students. The final round would be held in Lin Province."

"Really?" Luo Mingxiu, unfamiliar with these events, was surprised. "You’d have to go all the way to Lin Province for the exam? If that happens, I’ll go with you. You’re only thirteen, Ran..."

"Mom, I’m nowhere near that yet. I’m not even sure if I’ll make it to the semi-finals, let alone the finals," Chen Ran said with a wry smile. "I’ll probably get eliminated in the prelims."

Wang Weidong opened the door to the room and saw Chen Ran standing in the living room helping his mother. Feeling a bit awkward, he thought how sensible Chen Ran was, which made himself seem somewhat immature.

"Good morning, Chen Ran. Good morning, Auntie!" Wang Weidong greeted from outside the door, feeling a bit constrained since it wasn’t his own home.

"Good morning, Wang Weidong," Luo Mingxiu said kindly, feeling a bit close since Wang was a child from the neighborhood and Chen Ran’s classmate. "Wang Weidong, what would you like for breakfast? Auntie can go buy something for you."

"No, no need," Wang Weidong quickly declined. "I really don’t need anything, Auntie. I’ll just eat whatever is available."

"How can you just eat anything?" Luo Mingxiu shook her head. "You’re still growing. You can’t just eat whatever. Wait here, I’ll go buy you some milk."

Luo Mingxiu left the house, and Wang Weidong came out of the room and sat on the sofa, watching Chen Ran finish tidying up. Feeling a bit shy, he said, "Chen Ran, can I help you with something?"

"No need," Chen Ran shook his head. "I’ll be done soon."

"Chen Ran."

Chen Ran turned to Wang Weidong with a puzzled look. "What’s up?"

"Nothing... I just think your mom is really nice."

Chen Ran smiled but said nothing; of course, his mother was the best.

After tidying up, Luo Mingxiu returned with milk and buns. The two ate heartily. Chen Ran and Wang Weidong put on their shoes by the entrance.

"Mom, Wang Weidong and I are heading to school."

"Take your time. Are you coming back for lunch?"

"Yes, we’ll come back for lunch," Wang Weidong, already wearing his shoes, waited for Chen Ran. Chen Ran waved and said, "Let’s go!"

Luo Mingxiu kept chatting but, seeing the two children already disappeared from sight, shook her head and said, "Those two kids."

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Because Chen Ran’s personality was quiet and he had few friends, this was truly the first time he brought a friend home. Since Wang Weidong was a neighborhood child and a classmate, Luo Mingxiu didn’t object.

When they arrived at school, there weren’t many people. There were originally few participants in the math competition; most were from advanced classes, and not all of those students chose to compete. Still, many from the first and second-year advanced classes came. The playground was mostly empty, but the classroom was somewhat noisy.

If it weren’t for the third-year students preparing for their high school entrance exams, many of them might also have come to the math competition.

Yesterday afternoon, Chen Ran went to the office to get his admission ticket from Teacher Liu. The preliminary round was open to all schools and grades. When Chen Ran took his seat, he noticed the desks were arranged close together, separated by just one desk—the setting was no different from the monthly exams.

He didn’t recognize any students here, nor were they from first or second years. Some familiar students were chatting among themselves. Chen Ran, wrapped in thick clothes, quietly sat in a corner and listened silently.

Once in the classroom, Chen Ran was not that nervous; after all, it was only prelims, so it shouldn’t be too hard. He put his pen and pencil aside and watched others talking.

Before the teacher arrived, many students looked around, seemingly trying to find friends. Then a student in front turned and looked Chen Ran over.

"Hey, hello there."

"Hello," Chen Ran replied. The other seemed a bit older, maybe a year or two; probably also a first-year student. His eyes showed some innocence and a shy smile. His looks were ordinary, someone easily lost in a crowd.

"Who are you?" the student sized Chen Ran up. "You’re not in second-year, right?"

"I’m in first-year."

"No way," he said, staring. "I’m in first-year too, but I’ve never seen you before."

It was clear this student was quite social and probably popular in class.

"Um..." he blinked. "I’m in Class Two, but I’ve never seen you either."

"I just know a lot of people, mostly from advanced classes. I haven’t seen you around."

Chen Ran smiled. "Sorry, I’m not in an advanced class, just regular."

The student gave a thumbs-up. "Wow, you’re really something, a regular class student competing."

"Um..." Chen Ran hesitated. "When I asked the teacher, they said anyone could join."

"That’s true," the student continued. "But many in my class don’t want to come, saying they probably won’t make the semi-finals, so it’s pointless."

"What about you?" Chen Ran asked curiously. "Do you feel the same?"

"Well..." the student’s youthful face twisted with uncertainty. "I’m just trying my luck. If I’m lucky, I might make the semis. If luckier, maybe the finals. There’s bonus points for the high school entrance exam."

"But it’s all luck," the student said cheerily, optimistic. "What about you? Why are you competing? I’ve never seen a regular class student join."

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"I overheard the teachers in the office talking about it," Chen Ran scratched his head. "I just wanted to try, see what it’s like. I don’t really expect to make the semis."

"You can’t say that. You have to have hope," the student smiled. "What if you do?"

"You’re right, hope is important. What if it happens?"

"Exactly," the student continued enthusiastically. "I heard that if you make the semis, the competition is at Seventh Middle School. I heard their facilities are way nicer, and the school is impressive. Too bad Seventh Middle School is a key school, different from ours."

Chen Ran said nothing, quietly listening to the chattering student. When the teacher entered with a sealed envelope, the student reluctantly turned away.

"Hey, what’s your name?"

"I’m Chen Ran. And you?"

"Shi Hao," the student turned around.

Shi Hao? Chen Ran paused. This talkative student might be the top student in the grade. Chen Ran recalled seeing this name in the office’s ranking list—he was probably number one.

The invigilating teacher, about forty years old, was a familiar face Chen Ran had seen a few times. Likely a teacher for the upper grades; Chen Ran didn’t know his name. The teacher wore a stern expression.

"I’ll explain the rules. You’re not kids anymore, so you should know. No whispering, no passing notes. Two hours."

"If I catch you cheating, the whole school will be notified," the teacher frowned and held up the sealed envelope. "Watch carefully. This is the sealed envelope. I’m opening it now."

After tearing the seal, the teacher took out the exam papers and a stack of scratch paper.

While handing out papers, the teacher said, "Put away all your belongings. Only pens, ink, and pencils are allowed on the desk. I’ll hand out scratch paper later. If you need more, raise your hand."

Chen Ran, sitting in the corner, received the paper passed from Shi Hao in front of him.

Holding the paper, Chen Ran faintly smelled ink. He didn’t start writing immediately but read through the questions first. They didn’t seem very difficult. To Chen Ran, these questions were almost too easy.

He had been worried he might not be able to handle the math competition problems, but seeing the paper surprised him.

This is way too easy! Just like this?

He had wasted so much worry on these questions. Not only could he finish them in an hour, but he could complete everything within two hours and still score a perfect 100. Moreover, the paper included 20 bonus points. Chen Ran was confident he could solve even the bonus problems, though they might take extra time.

After all, this was his first time in such a competition. His speed wouldn’t be fast yet. Once he gets used to this level and fully applies what he’s learned, his speed will improve a lot. But for now, he wasn’t quite there.

Scratch paper was handed down. Chen Ran spread out the paper. The first section was multiple choice.

For Chen Ran, this was very simple.