Chapter 148 Winning First Place
When I got backstage, the applause was still going off. It was the same topic, but the latter was more than one level above the former. It was obvious to anyone with a discerning eye which one was better.
"You...you did this on purpose, didn't you?"
Several contestants surrounded Yunxia, and the one in the lead was none other than the girl who had initially belittled public schools and stolen the manuscript. She was hiding behind Yunxia, glaring at her through gritted teeth.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you. I always have a backup plan. I have to thank the girl behind you. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't have dared to speak my mind!"
After saying that, he walked around the group and went to the self-service counter. He picked up a small plate and started eating cake and fruit. He had been fasting until now to keep his voice clear, and he was starving.
"You...you...you've gone too far!"
"Alright, Sister Jiu Jiu, now is not the time to argue. It'll be your turn soon. Use your perfect London accent to knock her down and see how she dares to be so smug."
The girl named Jiu Jiu had spent some time in London, and her London accent was something she was always proud of. Upon hearing this, she raised her head and turned to practice her script.
When she went on stage, whether it was due to excessive nervousness or simply her natural way of speaking, she delivered her London accent in a theatrical manner, with her exaggerated and dramatic way of uttering words that amused the audience. Feeling utterly overwhelmed, she slunk off the stage before finishing her script. Fortunately, the experienced host managed to smooth things over with a few words.
Upon entering the backstage area, Yunxia was about to find an air pump to vent her anger, but she couldn't find him anywhere. Frustrated, she stomped her feet. At that moment, Liu Xiaonian pulled Yunxia along to identify him.
"Lin Li, Xu Jing, and Huang Ting are all my good friends. Yun Xia is my dad's niece. We grew up on the same street."
After introducing themselves, the group quickly became friends and started discussing the speech contest content, only separating when the teacher came to call for more participants.
When Yunxia stood on the stage, she was completely stunned. She never expected that she would win first place. She glanced at Feng Jingling and excitedly stood up, waving her hands wildly and waving the trophy in her hand to show him that she had seen it.
"The student surpasses the teacher, little girl, how about joining the city's English group?"
"Thank you for your kindness, teacher. No, I'm too busy with my studies and have limited energy. Focusing on my studies is the most important thing!"
"This young man is teachable and has his own opinions. He has a bright future ahead of him!"
Yun Xia didn't take his sentiments to heart. Holding the red envelope, she smiled brightly, while Jiu Jiu and the others could only stand below the stage and stare blankly.
Liu Xiaonian won third place and a prize of 30 yuan. She was very satisfied. She would use the money to treat her best friends to a meal. It would be enough for her allowance this semester.
After receiving their prizes, the group stepped off the stage one by one. Noticing the outstretched toes, Yun Xia raised an eyebrow and said to the second-place person behind her, "Hey classmate, watch your step, there's a rock in front of you."
The boy was stunned for a moment. Before he could figure out what the girl was saying, he was faced with a livid face. Looking down, he realized that he had stepped on someone else's foot.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to!"
After saying that, he withdrew his foot, smiled modestly, and then... caught up with the main group, much to the chagrin of the person who had tried to steal a chicken but ended up losing more than he gained.
"Yunxia, is it? Just you wait, I will avenge this sooner or later."
After the competition ended, each audience member received a bottle of Shengxun brand juice and dispersed. Gu Xun presented the girl with a large bouquet of pink roses.
"What...what are you doing?"
Although the flowers are beautiful and I like them very much, in this day and age, giving flowers in public is an outrageous act. Didn't you see the passersby pointing and whispering?
"Congratulations on getting first place! Hurry up and raise your hand, my arm is sore from raising it!"
Yunxia sighed helplessly, accepted the bouquet, and took a closer sniff. To her surprise, it really smelled wonderful!
"Little Butterfly, you're amazing! You even won first place on an impromptu performance. But... how come your piece was plagiarized?"
Every word and every grammar rule was determined only after consulting books and dictionaries. How could one not be angry when the fruits of half a month's hard work were stolen by someone else?
"Oh, I was careless and dropped the manuscript. Someone with malicious intent picked it up, but... it's no big deal. Anyway, I'm still in first place. The prize money is one hundred yuan. What do you want to eat? It's on me!"
"Let's get the fried chicken and burgers!"
Jiang Chao gave him a sharp rebuke, "So you're saying that no matter what you're celebrating, you always eat fried chicken and hamburgers? Can't you come up with something new!"
The boy covered his forehead, looking aggrieved, and said, "It's only 100 yuan in total. Do you expect me to make something fancy out of it? Flowers? Oh, right, Little Butterfly, use this bunch of roses to make a whole floral feast!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Xun, who was wearing a mask, twitched his lips slightly, rolled his eyes at the boy, and said unhappily, "A kind gesture, in your mouth, becomes a table of dishes. Isn't that inappropriate?"
"What's wrong with that? You've already given it to Little Butterfly. What happens to Rose is up to her!"
After saying that, she was about to pluck a petal when Yunxia dodged her by sidestepping. "Such a vibrant flower should be dried to preserve it forever. I have an idea for the celebration banquet that's both delicious and cheap."
"Huh, where?"
"Big brother, you forgot? There's a mala tang (spicy hot pot) place that opened next to the supermarket. Three skewers for just one cent, you can choose any you like. It's cheap and delicious!"
Upon hearing this, the boy slapped his forehead and exclaimed in sudden realization, "That's right! How come I didn't think of that? Let's go, let's hurry, or there won't be many good dishes left!"
His tendency to believe everything he hears caused the people behind him to shake their heads helplessly.
"Young Master Jiang, has Young Master Feng always been like this... so decisive and efficient?"
"How mature do you expect a teenager to be?"
After saying that, he strode after her, and Gu Xun and Yun Xia exchanged a smile and followed.
Back at the shopping mall, Feng Jingling immediately told the people in the store that Yun Xia had won first place.
"Good heavens! This is incredible! The city's number one! It's probably going to be reported!"
"Heh heh, it's not like she hasn't done it before. She's received the title of 'helpful citizen' twice!"
She nudged the boy lightly with her elbow, signaling him to tone it down, and gave an embarrassed laugh. "Oh, it was just luck. Aunt Wu, Aunt Yang, Aunt Qu, I'll treat you to lunch. Come on, let's go next door for a meal."
I must say, every time I stand at the door and smell the spicy aroma from next door, it makes my mouth water.
"Xiaxia, the shop can't be left unattended. You kids go eat first, and just bring back three portions to go."
"That's right, that's right. They're all teenagers. We women shouldn't get involved. It's uncomfortable for both sides to sit at the same table. We'll just bring some food back with us."
Yunxia thought about it and agreed. After asking them what they liked to eat, she led Jiang Chao and the others to the restaurant next door.
"Choose any vegetables, just pay by the skewer!" It's called mala tang, but it's more like a combination of skewers and mini hot pot. Each person has their own alcohol-fueled pot, so you can cook and eat as you go—it couldn't be better!
"Spicy and flavorful, even the soup base is delicious with bread!" the husky exclaimed, puffing out its cheeks.
"Yes, it's really good. The owner mentioned that the soup base is a family secret recipe that has been improved over the generations to reach its current state."
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