Chapter 88 Preparations
This year's IMO is being held in France. In the past two years, China not only won the most gold medals, but also achieved the highest team score. If they win again this year, it will be a three-peat.
Countries around the world are paying close attention to China. They haven't even seen the contestants' faces yet, but they've already memorized their names. Unfortunately, most of this year's contestants are newcomers who have never appeared in international competitions, so they have no information to study them.
"I heard that Zhang is not participating in the competition this year, and the list of contestants from Rabbit Country this year consists entirely of new names that I've never even heard of."
"Aren't they being too perfunctory and looking down on us?"
"We didn't get first place last year, and Zhang isn't here this year, so first place is definitely ours!"
In the hotel lobby, a group of people pushing suitcases were checking in in an orderly manner. Among them, a blond, blue-eyed boy leaned against the marble countertop and whispered to a tall man in the line.
The man mentioned Zhang, who was the top scorer in the IMO competition for the past two years but withdrew from the competition this year due to age.
"Ryan, don't underestimate them." Clive put away the documents handed to him by the receptionist, turned his head to look at the blond, blue-eyed boy, frowned, and spoke.
Ryan is the youngest member of their team, 17 years old this year. This competition is his second IMO competition. He also won a gold medal last year. At such a young age, he certainly has the right to be arrogant. However, the IMO competition is a gathering place for mathematical geniuses from all over the world. A slight mistake can lead to complete failure.
He had studied the history of the Rabbit Kingdom, a country with a long history and no shortage of geniuses. Even without Zhang this year, the young contestants who were selected must be formidable.
Moreover, among the young contestants from the Rabbit Country, there was one who was only fourteen years old. To be able to participate in the competition at such a young age, her strength must be considerable. Clive intuitively felt that she was a formidable opponent in this competition.
She Ning, still on the plane: ...
Oh dear, the plane hasn't even landed yet, and the enemy has already locked onto him.
"Okay, okay." Seeing Clive's serious expression, Ryan waved his hand casually, pretending to obey him.
Clive is the senior member of their team, earnest, enthusiastic, and meticulous. He is also the team leader for this competition. Last year, he narrowly missed out on Zhang by one point, finishing second, which was a real pity. This year, he is still one of the favorites to win the championship. On weekdays, apart from the coach, everyone listens to him the most.
Although he didn't think much of it, Ryan still agreed to Clive's suggestion. He didn't believe that, apart from Zhang, the Rabbit Kingdom could find another person as capable as him.
After checking in, everyone pushed their luggage and waited for the elevator to go upstairs.
"Hey, isn't this Clive?" As soon as the elevator doors opened, the person inside looked up and saw Clive and his group, and greeted them warmly.
Clive looked at the other person and gave a polite smile. "Tsui, long time no see."
Ryan wasn't as good at managing his expressions as Clive. His eyes stung by the fake smile of the man surnamed Cui, so he turned his face away and wrinkled his nose in disgust.
Choi Jong-hoon was the team leader of H country's IMO last year. That country is notorious for its petty people and shamelessness. Inheriting their will, the excellent Choi is naturally one of the best.
Having suffered many injustices at their hands last year, Ryan harbored no goodwill towards the people of H country. Clive tugged at his sleeve, silently urging him to leave quickly.
Clive didn't want to exchange pleasantries with a two-faced person like Choi Jong-hoon, so he led the M country team to the side and made way for them.
Seeing that Clive and his group weren't very welcoming, Choi Jong-hoon didn't mind. He nodded and led the people from Country H out of the elevator.
The elevator doors slowly closed, separating the two groups of people, and the numbers on the side panel of the elevator kept changing.
"Clive, do you think that Choi is up to something again?" Ryan asked in a low voice.
Clive shook his head slightly. "I don't know, but we must be careful."
"During the competition, please pay attention to your diet and avoid going out unnecessarily. If you need to go out, please be sure to go in pairs." Recalling the situation last year where someone suddenly had diarrhea and got lost and missed the competition time before the competition, he turned around and glanced at his companions, giving them serious instructions.
Inside the elevator, even the members of Country M, including Ryan, who was always difficult to manage, nodded obediently.
On the other side, She Ning and her group rushed to the hotel as soon as they got off the plane. When they arrived at the restaurant, the H country team had just finished eating and came out of the restaurant. The two groups bumped into each other at the door.
In the group, She Ning looked up at the person who had reached out to stop them. The contestants who had participated in the previous two competitions recognized the person and couldn't help but frown. Then, they lowered their heads and whispered to She Ning and the others about the identity of the person on the other side.
Knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to victory in every battle. Just as countries study China, they also have in-depth research on the athletes from various countries.
As soon as her companions mentioned it, She Ning and her friends immediately matched the person with the name, and instantly recalled the disgusting things they had done in the past two years. Their faces remained expressionless, but their eyes clearly showed a hint of disgust.
"Are you the representatives from Country C this time?" Standing in the hall, Cui looked She Ning and her team up and down with disdain.
"It doesn't look like much." He turned to his teammate and said, spreading his hands with a look of disdain.
Country H has always had a strict social hierarchy. As the leader of the Country H team, and the richest and smartest among them, Cui always followed the lead of the team.
Upon hearing this, his teammates, who were a few steps away from him, also came over. Their gazes toward She Ning and her group were exactly the same as his, filled with provocation and contempt.
"Has Country C declined without Zhang? They're sending even a kid who hasn't even grown his first beard to fight?"
Among the team, She Ning, the shortest and most youthful-looking, was the one who got shot while lying down.
"Zhang boasts so much, but it's all just luck. Senior Cui was tricked by him last time, which is why he didn't get first place." The lackey flattered Cui Zhongxun.
Choi Jong-hoon patted the lackey on the back, quite pleased with what he had said.
In the previous competition, he tied for second place with Clive, both of whom were outscored by Zhang.
For him, who had always looked down on China, this was an utter disgrace. He had been eagerly waiting to crush Zhang this time, but when the list of participants was released, Zhang was not on it, which infuriated him.
"Senior Cui, without those petty people causing trouble, you would definitely have won first place this time."
"That's true. Everyone here is either a defeated opponent or a primary school student. There's not a single one who can fight. Although the participation prize is not bad, it would be a laughing stock if we came in last place."
Choi Jong-hoon stood with his hands in his pockets, glancing sideways at She Ning and the others, looking completely arrogant.
"Someone like you can represent Country C in the competition? I think Country C really has no one left." He laughed heartily, making no attempt to hide his sarcasm.
"Haha, that's for sure." The people around him laughed and echoed.
Chen Xinyi's face was flushed, and his fists were clenched. He had been outmaneuvered by Cui Zhongxun in the last competition, and now, hearing their sarcastic remarks, his gaze towards Cui Zhongxun and the others was filled with anger.
"Calm down," She Ning said calmly, pressing down on his hand.
When they are out in the world, especially at international events like this, they represent the face of the entire country, so they cannot act impulsively.
In particular, before going abroad, the instructors and seniors repeatedly reminded me to be careful while traveling. When they introduced the situation of each country and team, they specifically reminded me to pay attention to Country H, as they are despicable and love to do dirty tricks behind people's backs.
Choi Jong-hoon, a member of their team, is particularly cunning and unscrupulous. He often uses underhanded tactics in the competition, making him difficult to guard against. Everyone must be careful and vigilant.
Now that their accompanying teachers are not by their side, they need to be even more cautious.
Seeing that they remained silent, Choi Jong-hoon assumed that he had hit the nail on the head and they dared not refute him. He became even more smug and led his men past them arrogantly, muttering to himself, "What kind of trash dares to compete with us?"
Watching their retreating figures, She Ning looked away and turned to the others, saying, "Don't bother with them. Let's just do our own thing."
“But they went too far,” someone couldn’t help but complain.
“Yeah, they really think we’re easy to bully,” another person chimed in.
She Ning patted them on the shoulder, "Don't worry, the real test will be on the field, and then they'll have their turn to cry."
Hearing this, everyone felt a little better. The group entered the lobby and lined up in an orderly fashion to check in at the front desk.
In the group, She Ning glanced sideways at Cui Zhongxun and his group who were waiting for the elevator not far to her right. When she looked away, her slender fingers gently brushed against the silver chain on her left wrist.
On the other side, Choi Jong-hoon returned to his room with his men. The smug look on his face instantly vanished, replaced by a solemn expression. "Everyone must be careful of the people from Country C this time, especially that She Ning. Although she is young, her strength should not be underestimated."
"Understood, Senior Cui," the others replied.
Choi Jong-hoon nodded. "This time we are determined to win, and we absolutely cannot afford any mistakes."
"Yes," everyone responded in unison.
After checking in, She Ning and her companions pushed their suitcases toward the elevator.
"Ah Ning, do you think they might sabotage us behind our backs?" someone in the group couldn't help but ask in a low voice.
She Ning pushed her suitcase ahead, her back straight and her steps light as the wind. She didn't even turn her head when she heard the words. Her clear, cold voice came from ahead, "When soldiers come, we will block them; when water comes, we will dam it. Our country has always valued the friendship between gentlemen, but on the field, there is no need to be polite to petty people."
Everyone understood She Ning's unspoken message, and the group's expressions became more serious. They silently pushed their suitcases into the elevator.
The elevator doors slowly closed, shutting out the outside noise. Inside the quiet elevator, the atmosphere became somewhat tense.
She Ning stood at the very back of the elevator, her gaze calm as she watched the numbers inside the elevator keep changing.
Competitions are never just a test of learning ability, but more of a challenge to everyone's mentality and adaptability.
The underhanded tactics of the H country team, while unpleasant, were somewhat expected.
As the elevator ascended, a "ding-dong" sounded, signaling its arrival at the floor. She Ning's thoughts returned to reality. The elevator doors opened, and she followed the group out of the elevator.
"Everyone, go back to your rooms and rest for a bit to adjust to the time difference. We'll have another meeting tonight to discuss the competition," She Ning suggested, noticing everyone's slightly tired expressions.
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded and pushed their suitcases toward their respective rooms.
The room was for two people. After arriving at the room, my classmate couldn't resist the sleepiness and immediately changed into his pajamas and lay down.
She Ning opened her suitcase, hung her clothes in the closet, and then sat down in the chair by the desk. She closed her eyes, recalling Cui Zhongxun's words and the way he looked at her.
"Crow, do me a favor." In the quiet room, She Ning instructed the bird that was perched on her shoulder.
Meanwhile, in the M country team's room, Clive frowned slightly as he looked at Ryan, who was playing with a Rubik's Cube. "Ryan, stop playing for a moment and come here. I have something to tell you."
Hearing Clive's words, Lane reluctantly put down the Rubik's Cube and walked over to Clive. "What's wrong, Clive?"
Clive looked at Ryan, who was half his height and still had a childish face. His serious expression softened a bit. In the end, he just patted Ryan on the shoulder, said a few words, and then told him to go back to playing.
"What did the captain say to you?" a teammate asked curiously.
Ryan pushed him away and said listlessly, "It's nothing."
Seeing that he was in a bad mood, his teammates stopped asking questions and tactfully walked away.
Ryan thought of what Clive had said, pursed his lips, picked up the Rubik's Cube again, and began to twist it nimbly with his fingers.
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