CHAPTER 281: CHAPTER 278: CINDERELLA’S COMEBACK AGAINST THE ODDS 23

Teacher Li spoke to other teachers but felt it wasn’t enough.

He then made a phone call to Mr. Gu, telling him about Anning’s participation in the Olympiad Mathematics.

Mr. Gu was still puzzled at that moment.

He had no idea what Olympiad Mathematics was.

Teacher Li then explained to him, "It’s like this, Anning is truly brilliant. If nurtured well, she might even represent our country in international competitions and win gold medals. Mr. Anning, all the teachers at our school think highly of Anning. However, education requires effort both from the school and the family. You should pay more attention to Anning at home, allowing her more time to study, and try not to let trivial matters disturb her. Also, pay attention to her mental health. We aim to work together with the parents to educate our children well and cultivate talents for the country."

While listening, Mr. Gu nodded in agreement, "Okay, I understand. I and Anning’s mom aren’t educated, we don’t know about these things. We will need more reminders from the teacher in the future."

After hanging up, Mr. Gu searched for information about Olympiad Mathematics on his phone.

After reading, his expression worsened.

He felt guilty and repeatedly sighed to Mrs. Gu, "We have delayed Ningning."

"What happened?"

Mrs. Gu didn’t understand why Mr. Gu would say such a thing out of the blue.

Mr. Gu sighed again, "Today Teacher Li called me. He said our Ningning is a genius who hasn’t even been exposed to Olympiad Mathematics before. The first time she tackled Olympiad Math problems, she completed one of the toughest sets of recent national problems and scored full marks. If we had nurtured her well before, Ningning wouldn’t just be at this level... Maybe she would have already joined the junior class and started working on research projects."

Mrs. Gu was astonished, "Our Ningning is really that impressive?"

She always knew Anning was excellent in her studies, but she didn’t realize to what extent.

"Would the teacher lie about that?"

Mr. Gu, sitting on the sofa, was very upset, "It’s our fault as parents. We’ve let her down. From now on, we need to be careful. Teacher Li also said we should manage Ningning properly, let her study diligently, and not let household matters disturb her. We might not be able to do much, but we should at least let Ningning study peacefully."

Mrs. Gu also nodded vigorously, "Yes, we’ll take note."

She then nudged Mr. Gu and asked, "What exactly is Olympiad Mathematics?"

Mr. Gu explained what he found online: "It’s the Olympic Mathematics Competition. I think it’s sort of similar to the Olympics, but while that’s about sports, this is academic. It basically involves the country selecting talents through city, provincial, and national competitions, choosing thirty students for national training, and finally, six top individuals represent the country in international competitions, where they can also win medals. As long as you get into the national team, you can essentially get into top-ranking universities, and if you win a gold medal abroad, that’s even more impressive."

Mrs. Gu’s eyes lit up, "So our Ningning can really participate in this Olympiad Mathematics?"

"Ningning said she wants to try." Mr. Gu was quite happy, "Teacher Li said he gave Ningning the hardest set of problems, and she scored full marks."

Mrs. Gu was so excited she couldn’t sit still, "I didn’t realize our daughter was so capable. If she wins a gold medal abroad, that would be an honor for the country. We don’t want much, but for her sake, we must encourage Ningning to study hard."

When Anning got home, Mr. and Mrs. Gu fussed over her.

One offered her water, "Ningning, sit down and have some water. What would you like to eat tonight? Dad will cook."

The other quickly took her backpack, "Oh, this backpack is really heavy! Carrying it to and from school every day must be hard on you."

Mrs. Gu was smiling at Anning, "Ningning, tell us whatever you want to eat, Mom will try to make it for you. Also, do you want to buy a couple of new outfits?"

Anning was confused.

"What’s gotten into you all?"

"It’s nothing, nothing."

Mrs. Gu quickly waved her hand, "We’re just worried you might find studying in high school tough. I’ve heard people say high school is really grueling."

Anning didn’t understand why Mrs. Gu was suddenly talking about this.

She picked up her backpack, "I’m going to my room to do homework. Also, I would prefer something light for dinner tonight."

"Alright, we’ll make something light tonight."

Mr. Gu was smiling, "Go do your homework. Later, your mom will prepare some fruit for you."

Anning went into her room.

As soon as she entered, her phone buzzed twice.

It was a message from Xiao Yuan.

Xiao Yuan said he had gone to the Capital for some work and might not return soon. He asked Anning to remember to open the windows to air out his place and to water the plants on his balcony. He had left a spare key at the property management office and had called them so Anning could pick it up.

After reading the message, Anning replied with an "Okay" and then took out her books to start her homework.

A little while later, Xiao Yuan sent another message, this time with several pictures of scarves.

He asked Anning which one looked better.

Anning looked and picked one.

After that, Xiao Yuan did not send any more messages.

Two days later, it was time for the mid-term exams.

Anning went to school as usual, only to find that her classmates seemed quite nervous.

Many classmates in her class were furiously reading their textbooks, taking notes, or intensely practicing problems.

Even Wu Linna was reading English vocabulary.

Anning also sat down at her desk and took out a book to read.

Soon the teacher arrived, and he instructed all the students to put their study materials, textbooks, and such outside, then switched classrooms to begin the exam.

Anning stayed in Class One, while Wu Linna went to the second-year classes for the exam.

This exam was a citywide joint exam, and the school, as well as the city, took it very seriously; even the invigilators had been specially changed.

The teacher invigilating Anning’s class was from the Second Middle School.

The teacher was very strict, making the students in the class somewhat fearful.

Anning didn’t feel much different; she seriously answered the questions as usual. After two days of continuous exams, it was time for her appointment with Jiang Zhengwei.

The exams ended early on this day, and Anning had finished her paper halfway through the allotted time.

She submitted her test and pen case, took her backpack from the locker, and left.

Jiang Zhengwei was waiting at the gate of First Middle School.

Anning remembered the license plate he had sent her and found his car to get in.

Jiang Zhengwei turned and smiled at Anning: "How did the exam go?"

Anning smiled: "I performed normally."

Jiang Zhengwei started the car, and throughout the ride, he never stopped talking.

By the time they arrived, Anning felt a buzzing in her ears; she quickly got out of the car, and Jiang Zhengwei locked the car and led Anning into the residential area, saying as they walked, "My wife’s best friend, Song Yingying, used to have a very good temper. But recently, I don’t know what happened, her temper became terrible, she snaps at everyone, and she seems delusional. She even told my wife that there are ghosts in her house."

Anning nodded as she observed the surroundings of the residential area.

It was a villa area with a nice environment, and from a distance, she could see there was no dark or polluting aura, so it should not be a big problem.

When they reached Song Yingying’s house, upon entering, Anning saw a pale, haggard-looking woman.

She looked to be in her thirties, delicate in appearance, but she seemed to have not had a good night’s sleep for a long time; her dark circles were severe, her complexion poor, and her vitality frightfully weak.

Anning thought, this must be Song Yingying.

The woman beside Song Yingying had short hair.

She was about the same age as Song Yingying, but her features were more striking.

Anning glanced at the woman; she had clear, upright features and a hint of heroism between her brows, likely a very upright and determined woman.

She smiled at the woman: "Hello."

Jiang Zhengwei quickly went to introduce them: "This is my wife Liu Mei’er, and this lady is Ms. Song."

Anning then addressed them as sisters: "Sister Liu, Sister Song."

Liu Mei’er was particularly surprised.

She had heard about Anning from Jiang Zhengwei and found it miraculous.

She had also imagined what Anning might look like, probably someone frail and delusional.

Who knew upon seeing her, Anning, described by Jiang Zhengwei as a spiritual woman, was so beautiful, looking tender and soft, not at all like the swindlers people usually imagine.

"You are so beautiful."

Liu Mei’er, after her initial surprise, pulled Anning to sit down: "Zhengwei had always praised you, and I knew you must be quite pretty, but I didn’t expect you to be this beautiful in person. Oh, your skin is really so good, how do you maintain it?"

Anning smiled: "You flatter me, I haven’t done any special skin care, probably just a regular sleep routine, so my skin condition isn’t bad."

"That must be because you’re young."

Liu Mei’er pinched Anning’s cheek.

Anning felt a bit troubled and puffed up her cheeks, causing Liu Mei’er to pinch even more happily.

Eventually, Song Yingying, unable to stand it any longer, rescued Anning from Liu Mei’er’s clutches.