“Xiao Lan, you were amazing!” As soon as Xia Xiao Lan came off stage, Zhong Cai rushed to her.
Backstage, they were the only two from Huaqing, naturally creating a close bond.
Zhong Cai wasn’t petty—she didn’t envy Xia Xiao Lan’s high score despite her own lower one. She was genuinely excited because Xia Xiao Lan’s highest score wasn’t just personal glory but brought honor to their school!
Everyone had a strong sense of collective pride.
Usually, when introducing themselves, they’d say they were so-and-so from Huaqing University. Today on stage, how was Xia Xiao Lan introduced? “Contestant number 17, Xia Xiao Lan from Huaqing University.”
Not only had she not brought shame to Huaqing, but she’d brought glory to the school.
Xia Xiao Lan’s score put immense pressure on the remaining three contestants. Under such pressure, some performed poorly while others excelled. The 19th contestant’s performance was also widely acclaimed. While the judges were scoring, Zhong Cai held Xia Xiao Lan’s hand, even more nervous than Xia Xiao Lan herself.
Though she wouldn’t say it aloud, Zhong Cai was secretly hoping the score wouldn’t exceed Xiao Lan’s!
“Contestant number 19, final score… 98.0 points.”
Zhong Cai nearly jumped up.
With only contestant 20 remaining, even if they scored higher than Xia Xiao Lan, she would still securely place second, winning a “Special Prize” in this competition!
When contestant 19’s score was announced, the competition’s suspense dropped to a minimum.
Now it was just a question of whether Xia Xiao Lan would place first or second.
While Zhong Cai was excited, others were disappointed. Contestant 1 dominated most of the competition with 97.9 points, but starting with Xia Xiao Lan at number 17, their score was repeatedly surpassed.
When Xia Xiao Lan scored higher than number 1, they could still get a Special Prize.
Now that number 19 also scored higher, contestant 1 had lost their chance at a Special Prize.
All being students around 20 years old with strong competitive spirits, having fought so hard only to lose the “Special Prize” at the final moment—how could they feel good?
Xia Xiao Lan didn’t offer insincere consolation to number 1—they were already feeling bad, and that would only make their mood worse.
Contestant 20’s performance was average, scoring 97.1 points, certainly in the top 10.
When the host announced contestant 20’s score, Xia Xiao Lan knew everything was settled—she had become the first-place winner of the inaugural National College English Competition… Her English level wasn’t invincible; it was half luck, half ability. Zhong Cai hugged Xia Xiao Lan, who was equally excited.
The rankings were compiled, and everyone’s scores and names were posted.
The host invited Xia Xiao Lan and contestant 19 on stage. Zhong Cai released Xia Xiao Lan:
“Go collect your prize, it’s yours!”
Pushed by Zhong Cai, Manager Xia, usually thick-skinned and shrewd, felt her steps falter.
It still felt unreal.
Just like when she’d ranked first in the province for the college entrance exam.
She had worked hard, but the reward exceeded her expectations, filling Xia Xiao Lan with delight and surprise.
The stage lights were too bright, the host’s smile radiant, and the judges no longer as serious. Xia Xiao Lan had waited over four hours for her 15-minute answer time, prepared for over two months for this competition… No, not just two months—this included accumulation from her previous life.
However, in her previous life, she hadn’t participated in competitions or taken TOEFL or IELTS.
Hard work always pays off, sometimes it’s just slower in coming!
In the audience was a Ministry of Education official who came on stage to present Xia Xiao Lan’s award—a certificate and a gold-plated trophy.
“Miss Xia Xiao Lan, you performed excellently. Congratulations, you’re this competition’s Special Prize winner!”
The official’s expression was kind. The young lady looked spirited, had good stage presence, and had sufficient skill level. This Special Prize winner would make for good publicity—the award was well-deserved.
A Special Prize was already an effective pass.
The Ministry of Education would treat competition winners well to promote the importance of learning English.
With this “Special Prize,” when Xia Xiao Lan applied to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after graduation, would they reject her just because she studied architecture?
What proves a student’s excellence?
Academic performance.
Recognition and awards, one after another.
Xia Xiao Lan was currently collecting peripheral awards because she couldn’t yet participate in architecture-specific competitions!
But these general awards could be quite useful sometimes.
For instance, now, Xia Xiao Lan’s first thought was—Director Wang’s underhanded tactics had helped push her to win first place and the Special Prize. Was Director Wang in the audience? How uncomfortable they must feel now!
Well, that was quite embarrassing indeed.
At any time, the first place always attracts the most attention. If there were 100 units of attention, first place would claim over 90. The audience wanted to see the first-place winner, and the host was happy to interview them more.
“Miss Xia Xiao Lan, can you share your feelings about winning?”
Xia Xiao Lan gripped her trophy and gave the camera a genuine smile:
“Of course, I’m very happy to win. First, I want to thank Huaqing for nurturing me, thank my teachers for their guidance, and thank our country for getting better and better, allowing me to study English.”
And thank you, my enemies—without your motivation, I wouldn’t have worked so hard!
…
“I knew it!”
Grandmother Zhou had been certain Xia Xiao Lan would take first place. When it was officially announced that Xia Xiao Lan won first place Special Prize, Grandmother Zhou didn’t hold back her enthusiastic applause.
The old lady stood up and applauded with everyone else, her movements so vigorous that Hui E Guan worried she might throw out her back.
Hui E Guan could only stand up to support her.
She was truly happy for Xia Xiao Lan.
Even if Xia Xiao Lan didn’t become a Zhou family daughter-in-law in the future, she was currently Cheng Zhou’s girlfriend. The more excellent Xia Xiao Lan proved to be, the better it reflected on Cheng Zhou’s judgment. Her son wasn’t just dazzled by beauty—Xia Xiao Lan had substance. The girl was smart and hardworking—who could dislike her?
As for that “colorful” past, Hui E Guan’s initial slight concerns had been completely digested over these days.
She just couldn’t bring herself to admit it, using the excuse of accompanying Grandmother Zhou to watch the competition.
If she truly didn’t want to come, she could have easily made an excuse about being busy at work to Zhan Ai Qun.
Xia Xiao Lan’s claim about learning English from old dictionaries had deeply moved Hui E Guan. She knew Xia Xiao Lan’s current achievements hadn’t come easily. The more she learned about Xia Xiao Lan, the more deeply she felt the girl’s struggles.
After the Special Prize, they awarded First Prizes, then Second Prizes.
After the awards ceremony, Xia Xiao Lan couldn’t leave immediately. The program director invited Huaqing’s teachers on stage for photos. The stage was chaotic, and no one paid attention to the judges anymore.
Zhan Ai Qun took the opportunity to come down to the audience, finding Hui E Guan with relief:
“I thought you hadn’t come today. You’re so low-key, sitting in the back—Xiao Lan doesn’t even know you and the old lady came to watch!”
“It’s fine if she didn’t see us. It might have affected her performance if she had.”
Hui E Guan wasn’t here to show off; wasn’t quiet support enough? Being too conspicuous would seem fake.
Zhan Ai Qun looked around before pulling her aside:
“I have something to tell you, but first promise you won’t get angry!”