During the break between the second and third periods in the morning, Chen called Jiang Xiaoli and Xu Xing to his office. "How did you two manage to get in touch with Teacher Shang from Peking University High School?"

The two exchanged a glance, and Jiang Xiaoli asked with a look of surprise, "Did Teacher Shang reply to us?"

Chen suddenly realized, "So it was you who wrote the letter to the teacher first."

Xu Xing nodded. "We saw the problem set by Teacher Shang in the Mathematics Newspaper, wrote our own reflections and sent them to him. Teacher Chen, did Teacher Shang reply to us?"

Chen laughed and said, "So that's how it is. He called just now specifically to ask about the two of you, which gave me quite a fright. You should call him back."

Jiang Xiaoli pressed the speakerphone button and dialed back the number Chen Zhe had written down. The call was answered after only two rings, by a gentle male voice, "Hello, who is this?"

She spoke politely, "Hello, Teacher Shang, I am Jiang Xiaoli from Xijing No. 20 Middle School. Our teacher told me that you just called."

Shang Run's tone revealed surprise, "Yes, yes, I am Shang Run. I saw your letter and Xu Xing's letter yesterday, especially the question you asked, which surprised me a lot."

Jiang Xiaoli raised her eyebrows at Xu Xing with a smug look.

Her expression was arrogant, but her tone was very humble. "Teacher Shang, thank you for contacting us. Our initial intention in sending you this letter was to learn more about math competitions, because there are relatively few people in our area who pursue this path, and the training materials we can obtain are very limited."

I stumbled upon your competition problem section in the *Mathematics Newspaper* and really liked it. Xu Xing and I are both your fans.

"Haha." Shang Run's gentle laughter came from the microphone. "I created this section in the Mathematics Newspaper to promote the International Mathematical Olympiad nationwide and attract outstanding students like you. I am very happy."

You just said your study materials are limited, right? Well, I'll send you a set of the latest study materials this afternoon, hoping they'll provide some inspiration for you and Xu Xing.”

Jiang Xiaoli's eyes lit up when she heard this, "Really! Teacher Shang, thank you so much!"

"It's nothing, as long as you learn something from it." He paused for a few seconds. "You and Xu Xing are planning to participate in next year's math competition, right? Are you in your second or third year of high school this year?"

Jiang Xiaoli stuck out her tongue. "Um... Teacher Shang, Xu Xing and I are both in our first year of high school this year."

"What? Only in the first year of high school?" Shang Run's voice rose an octave.

“Yes, we are both freshmen who just started high school this September,” Jiang Xiaoli replied.

The sound of fingers lightly tapping on the table came from the other end of the phone; Shang Run seemed to be thinking.

He quickly said, "Well, I'll be traveling to several cities across the country soon to give presentations on math competitions. I originally planned to go to Xi'an in December, but I'd like to reschedule for next week. I really hope to meet with you and Xu Xing. Can we talk in person?"

Jiang Xiaoli looked at Chen Zhe and Xu Xing. Chen Zhe nodded frantically at her, mouthing, "Yes—"

She nodded quickly and said into the phone, "That's great! We would love to welcome Teacher Shang."

She was very perceptive. "Teacher Shang, here's the thing, I'll hand the phone to my teacher, and you can discuss the specific arrangements with him, is that alright?"

Shang Run agreed, and Jiang Xiaoli turned off the speakerphone and handed the phone to Chen Zhe.

She pulled Xu Xing aside, saying, "Teacher Shang is coming to Xi'an next week!"

Xu Xing's joy was even greater than hers, clearly like a little fanboy eagerly anticipating meeting his idol. "I'm going to give Teacher Shang two questions to look at this week too!"

After Chen finished talking to Teacher Shang and hung up the phone, he called the two of them to his side. "You two really gave me a pleasant surprise. Teacher Shang will be giving a lecture in Xijing next week, and the venue will be our school!"

Jiang Xiaoli asked excitedly, "Really? They'll arrange for me to be at our school?"

Chen nodded with a smile, "That's right, if it weren't for the two of you, we really wouldn't have had this opportunity. You two are really lucky. Do you know who this Teacher Shang is?"

Jiang Xiaoli and Xu Xing shook their heads at the same time. Chen laughed and said, "You two are just lucky! Teacher Shang is the promoter of the International Mathematical Olympiad. He is currently teaching a math competition class at the High School Affiliated to Peking University. In recent years, almost all the people who represent the country in the International Mathematical Olympiad have been his students."

Jiang Xiaoli nodded knowingly, and said with a grin, "It doesn't matter if it's a black cat or a white cat, as long as it catches mice, it's a good cat. Teacher Chen, isn't it great that we've seized this opportunity? I was a little worried that without systematic study of the competition subjects, I might fall behind others. Now, thanks to Teacher Shang's connections, we can catch up on all the new question types and tutoring content at once!"

Her optimistic smile infected Chen Zhe and Xu Xing. Chen Zhe laughed and said, "Yes, yes, now you two don't have to worry about not having books to read or problems to do. I can also lighten my burden a bit. You know, I also feel a lot of pressure every time I give you competition problems."

When Jiang Xiaoli saw him say he was under a lot of pressure, she subconsciously touched her bald head. She was a little concerned and said, "Teacher Chen, you should take more rest and not overwork yourself."

Chen waved his hand with a smile, "It's nothing, I'm willing to go through all this trouble. If every student could let me go through this much trouble, that would be wonderful!"

After they finished their conversation, Ms. Liu, the teacher, became a little jealous. "Are you two now focusing on math? Do you think the tutoring materials and question types I gave you aren't fresh enough?"

Teacher Liu was a little jealous, while Xu Xing stood silently to the side with his head down.

Jiang Xiaoli said with a smile, "How could that be! Teacher Liu, I can see that the materials you gave us include a lot of tutoring materials from schools in other places, such as Peking University Affiliated High School and Huagang Middle School, which are very well-known schools."

"You must have pulled some strings to get this; you care so much about us! With a teacher like you, we'll definitely get good grades to repay you!"

Everyone loves flattery, and Teacher Liu was so flattered by her heartfelt praise that he felt light as a feather and was no longer able to criticize them at all.

He smirked, "Your mouth really should be used in speech or debate competitions! It's such a waste otherwise!"

"Hehe, if there's a chance, Teacher Liu, please recommend me!" She also thought her speaking skills were pretty good.