CHAPTER 153: CHAPTER 153: THIS DEAL IS WORTH IT

Lyu Juncheng and his wife’s quarrels were something Xinyan had no interest in getting involved with. However, the chatterbox Zhao Jianlan would babble about them every day, and hearing that they were not doing well, Xinyan felt at ease.

Soon it was time to go to the city for the competition, this time led by the homeroom teacher of Class One, Mr. Gu.

Their Class Two’s Teacher Chu gave Xinyan plenty of advice before they set out.

The Mechanical Factory wasn’t far from the city, so they didn’t need to arrive the night before. They took the earliest bus and, by the time they arrived, the competing students from other schools were already there.

It was then that Xinyan learned that the top five in this math competition would go to the province next week for the finals.

Soon, Mr. Gu led them into the examination hall. After settling in, he advised, "Don’t feel pressured; just focus on doing each problem well. I’ll be waiting for you outside."

The first round lasted eighty minutes. Xinyan was there primarily for the rewards, so she was particularly attentive. After completing all the problems and thoroughly checking them, she handed in her paper.

Even so, she left the examination hall eight minutes early.

Seeing her come out first, Mr. Gu hurried over, "Why are you out so soon? Did you finish all the questions?"

Xinyan hadn’t intended to come out early, but she hadn’t used the restroom before entering the hall, and after checking her answers, she just couldn’t hold it any longer, so she submitted her paper.

Xinyan simply replied, "Finished them all. I’ll talk to you in a bit."

Then she headed straight towards the restroom.

Someone observing Xinyan remarked to Mr. Gu, "Coming out this fast, perhaps she didn’t finish all the questions. If the results of the first round are poor, it won’t matter how well the second round goes."

Mr. Gu felt anxious hearing this. When Xinyan returned from the restroom, teachers from other schools gathered around: "Did you finish all the questions, student?"

Xinyan didn’t want to draw too much attention, so she nodded slightly, "I don’t know if they’re right, but I did them all."

Just as everyone wanted to inquire further, the bell rang, signaling the end of the first round. Everyone rushed to the waiting area, leaving no time to question Xinyan further.

To avoid putting pressure on the students, Mr. Gu didn’t have them compare answers but instead reminded them of some details. Twenty minutes later, the second round began.

The second round lasted one hundred and fifty minutes. Xinyan stopped writing twenty minutes early and, after reviewing her answers, sat there without submitting her paper early this time, so as not to pressure her peers.

Initially, Xinyan had considered finding an excuse to visit the black market, but Mr. Gu had repeatedly stressed that they could not act alone, so Xinyan dropped the idea.

They each ordered a bowl of plain noodles at a state-run restaurant near the examination hall, and after eating, they took the bus back to the Mechanical Factory.

On the way back, the three of them finally compared answers.

*

Back in Beilan Village, as soon as the Yu Family returned, some nosy people came to inquire.

However, the Yu Family, wanting to obtain the compensation smoothly, didn’t disclose anything.

As soon as the Lyu Family returned, news of Lyu Juncheng and Xinyan’s divorce spread. When the Lyu Family heard the news, they went directly to the Yu Family. Yu’s mother eagerly said, "Since you’re back, hurry up and settle the money."

The Lyu Family naturally didn’t want to, but they were also afraid that the Yu Family would reveal Lyu Juncheng’s deeds, so reluctantly, they gave the money to the Yu Family.

The Yu Family was delighted with this outcome; not only did they pocket a two hundred yuan betrothal gift, but now they also got a hundred yuan compensation. What a bargain!