CHAPTER 46: CHAPTER 46 PROVINCIAL CITY COMPETITION

"I walk straight and sit upright, say what you will." Xu Zhenzhen’s skin has gotten thicker these days, learning a lot from her aunt.

Tang Yue chuckled lightly and said no more.

Even with public criticism, Xu Zhenzhen’s reputation is now completely ruined.

But soon, a strange phenomenon was discovered; Xu Zhenzhen and the boys in the class were actually getting along famously.

Although the boys looked down on Xu Zhenzhen, they liked her quite a bit; she was bold and uninhibited. Sometimes when they joked around, Xu Zhenzhen would respond directly and wouldn’t shyly run away.

Xu Zhenzhen’s behavior made the girls stay far away from her, even her roommates like Zhang Minmin began to isolate her.

*

Just as the bell rang for the end of class, the math teacher said, "Tang Yue, next Wednesday, you and a few other students will represent Wangjiang First Middle School and go to the Provincial City to participate in a math competition."

"Provincial City?"

Tang Yue only heard these words; she had been longing to visit the Provincial City during the winter break, and unexpectedly, now the school was offering an opportunity?

"Yes, go to the Provincial City for the math competition, just perform as usual and try to bring honor to our school," the math teacher praised, as Tang Yue’s grades in various subjects were very good, and she often got full marks in math, making her the perfect candidate to represent the school.

Following that were a series of voices cheering her on.

...

"Tang Yue, we are going to the Provincial City together for the competition," Zhang Tingyu found Tang Yue during lunch break and excitedly brought up the event, saying, "This math competition will definitely have a lot of bonus questions, those are the hardest."

"Seeing how confident you are, I thought you had already won an award," Tang Yue teased; their relationship had become much closer after what happened that day.

"Uh-huh, I will definitely win an award," Zhang Tingyu raised the thing in her hand.

Tang Yue glanced at it and asked, "Test Papers?"

"Nonsense," Zhang Tingyu couldn’t help but roll her eyes, seemingly showing her most relaxed side in front of Tang Yue, she split the papers into two, saying, "These were specially brought by my family, there are a lot of bonus questions inside, and who knows, they might be used in the exam."

"Did you get the information earlier?" Tang Yue took the paper and flipped through it, noticing that Zhang Tingyu had prepared everything even though they were only informed today, she must have received the notice earlier.

"A bit earlier than you." Zhang Tingyu was slightly smug, saying, "These ten test papers, I will definitely finish faster and score higher than you."

"Let’s see then."

Tang Yue and Zhang Tingyu with great understanding pulled out the first paper, due to limited time, they only wrote on the front and didn’t do the back.

After finishing, the two compared their answers, and if they found any discrepancies, they began heated discussions.

On Friday, Tang Yue and Tang Mingli busily discussed the upcoming trip to the Provincial City for the competition next Wednesday.

Tang Mingli excitedly handed Tang Yue a set of clothes saying, "Xiao Yue, you are going to the competition, look, you need to take these clothes."

"Uncle, I already have many sets of clothes, keep these for selling." Tang Yue couldn’t help saying, ever since she started her street stall, Tang Mingli would set aside any attractive clothes for her, and now her clothes at school really stood out.

"It’s fine, these are all at cost price, just a few dollars. Xiao Yue, you’re going to the competition in the Provincial City, you mustn’t disgrace our Old Tang Family." Tang Mingli said cheerfully, "Look how nice this plaid coat is?"

Tang Mingli felt that whenever he saw beautiful clothes now, he wanted to keep a set for Tang Yue.

"The fabric is good, but the style isn’t that great." Tang Yue could tell at a glance that if the outfit had a more fitted waist design, a different style of collar, extended to knee-length, and paired with a belt, it would be a very fashionable coat.

"Xiao Yue, your standards are too high. I think this outfit looks very nice." Tang Mingli glanced at the clothes; he thought this was one of the trendiest pieces, and he had never even considered selling it.

He feared that once put out for sale, it would sell out.

"Uncle." Tang Yue voiced her thoughts just now, Tang Mingli imagined it in his mind, and it indeed seemed better than the current outfit before him. He looked at Tang Yue as if he had found a new continent and said, "Xiao Yue, you really do have a good eye."

"Of course." Tang Yue said proudly. Her designs in the past had sold very well, and they even made Xu Zhenzhen a famous designer.

Remembering the past, that little bit of pride in Tang Yue’s heart disappeared in an instant.

In a blink of an eye, it was Tuesday.

With Tang Mingli’s insistence, Tang Yue put on the plaid woolen shirt.

"Tang Yue, have you ever been to the Provincial City?" Zhang Tingyu and Tang Yue sat together.

Tang Yue nodded, playfully saying, "I’ve been to the bus station of the Provincial City, does that count?"

Zhang Tingyu chuckled and said, "Xiao Yue, going to the bus station means you’ve been to the Provincial City. Why didn’t you walk around? The Provincial City is much more bustling than our Wangjiang County, even their buildings are taller."

"Right, we’re going there today, and we might even walk around in the evening." Zhang Tingyu whispered, "I know a place right next to Wangjiang First Middle School, there’s a really tasty stall. The stir-fried noodles there have a particularly delicious flavor, sure to leave you wanting more."

"Shall we go together then?" Tang Yue also liked stir-fried noodles, although a bit heaty, but the taste was genuinely delightful, especially when cooked by a skilled chef with some green zucchini strips, bean sprouts, and some meat strips, making the flavor particularly aromatic.

Of course, adding some mushrooms would also taste very good.

"Sure." Zhang Tingyu chirped along the way like a little bird.

Tang Yue occasionally responded, but her mind was elsewhere, wondering if she could find the chance to look for clothing factories.

It was only morning now, reaching the Provincial City by noon, which left plenty of time in the afternoon and evening. Should she visit the clothing factories?

In the Provincial City, Tang Yue and others were arranged to stay in a hostel opposite the First Middle School.

"Xiao Yue, I’m going to visit my aunt’s place, do you want to come along?" Zhang Tingyu invited warmly.

"No thanks, I’ll just wander around." Tang Yue thought to herself, this was a good opportunity; otherwise, how could she explain to Zhang Tingyu why she needed to find a clothing factory?

"Come with me, my aunt’s place isn’t that far from here." Zhang Tingyu grabbed her hand and invited her warmly several times, but Tang Yue refused each time. Zhang Tingyu then said, "Let’s go eat stir-fried noodles together in the evening."

"Okay." Tang Yue agreed. Zhang Tingyu left first, Tan Yue told the teacher she wanted to go out for a walk, and then left the hostel right away.