CHAPTER 52: CHAPTER 52: ACCIDENT

The next morning, Fu Yaoyao was going to fly to the border of Y State, a place that Rong Zhi was not familiar with, so he gave her a few more instructions.

After seeing her off at the airport, Rong Zhi turned his attention to contacting someone about Rong Jiazze’s school enrollment.

She called Zeus.

The phone rang for a long time with no answer. Rong Zhi figured the other party might be busy, so she didn’t call again and drove back to Huqing District.

Zeus returned the call around lunchtime.

She set down her bowl and chopsticks, picked up her phone, and walked to the balcony.

The balcony was quite large. Rong Fengmian had grown many green plants there, and Fu Yaoyao had also bought a swing online to adorn the space, making it quite pleasant to look at.

Rong Zhi didn’t sit on the swing; instead, she stood by the railing, basking in the mild autumn sun. Her eyes squinted slightly against the light, voice cool, "On a mission?"

Zeus rarely didn’t answer her calls unless he was on a mission.

"Yes," Zeus’s mechanical doll-like voice was particularly eerie, yet could not hide the fatigue in his tone, "I staked out a research institute for over half a month, and just when it was about to reach a conclusion, the institute blew up. Mission incomplete."

The familiar name and method made Rong Zhi’s gaze pause slightly, "S Research Institute?"

Zeus was surprised, "Does President Fei know?"

Rong Zhi lowered her brows in irritation, tapping on the railing, "Yes, where are you now?"

Hearing that she was aware of the institute’s existence didn’t surprise Zeus much, as he always saw President Fei as omnipotent.

Zeus glanced at the barren and broken surroundings around him, clicking his tongue in impatience, "A State Danadan Desert."

The Danadan Desert is in the northern peninsula of A State, composed of several gobi and rock deserts. It’s the largest desert in the world.

It’s the complete opposite of the border of Y State.

Now Zeus said the S Research Institute was in the Danadan Desert; then, which research institute had Fu Yaoyao found in Y State?

Could it be that their influence had grown enough to support research institutes, launching projects simultaneously around the world?

No, there’s another possibility that the research institute address Fu Yaoyao got was a false lead.

Rong Zhi tapped the railing faster, her mind racing.

The clues couldn’t be false, so it could only be the first possibility.

Tsk.

Rong Zhi rubbed her temples.

Her injured leg had given her six months of recovery, but it also gave that group time to grow, daring to encroach on her territory with their research institutes.

Zeus didn’t hear her voice and asked, "President Fei, did you need something from me?"

"No," Rong Zhi, knowing he was busy with his mission, didn’t intend to disturb him, "Just come back if the mission’s not complete, that research institute is as cunning as a snake, no need to worry about it for now."

Zeus, quite obedient to her, responded, "Alright then, I’ll get back to my mission. Call if there’s anything."

Rong Zhi: "Mm, bye-bye."

After hanging up, Rong Zhi made contact again, finding Zhao Hecheng on WeChat and sending him a message.

Zhao Hecheng replied quickly: [School enrollment? Sure, how old is he, which school?]

Rong Zhi: [Nine years old, primary school, his situation is a bit special, I’ll take care of him for a period before he enrolls next month]

Zhao Hecheng: [You’ll take care of him? Alright, I’ll arrange it for you. By the way, if you have time, could you help me with editing two pictures?]

Rong Zhi thought since she needed a favor, she agreed.

She sent Fu Yaoyao the latest information about the S Research Institute, then returned to the dining table to discuss the school matter with Rong Jiazze.

The kid happily agreed.

In the afternoon, Rong Zhi was going to listen to Bai Su’s lecture, leaving the task of teaching Rong Jiazze to Rong Fengmian for the time being, until she had the time to teach him herself.

On Monday, the start of school, Rong Zhi entered the classroom as usual, expressionless, right on time.

During breakfast, Ying Hengyu, feeling bored, had gathered Bai Yang for a card game, causing the whole second class to be noisier than class sixteen. Even Old Li’s entrance went unnoticed.

"Ahem ahem."

Old Li’s displeased booming voice startled Bai Yang and the others into stillness. Bai Yang, upon turning around and catching sight of Old Li’s dark face, let out a howl, which he forcibly swallowed back, face flushed as he returned to his seat.

Rong Zhi leisurely finished her vegetable bun, and Ying Hengyu, noticing, gathered her table trash and threw it away.

A very dutiful henchman.

Old Li, a middle-aged man, slightly plump, with a square face, could be stern when he wanted. His first class today was math, and with the recent focus on preparing for the Math Olympic Competition, he wanted the students to learn more, so he arrived early for the first period.

Who knew he would walk in to see the students in disorder; what a mess. Old Li’s temper flared, scolding them before getting down to business.

"The school’s Math Olympic pre-selection will take place on Wednesday. Is there anyone else who wants to sign up?"

The Math Olympic Competition, fully known as the Mathematical Olympiad, awards the top 20 to 30 students entry into the national training team to participate in the IMO abroad, bringing glory to the nation.

The students were all preparing for college entrance exams, and not many signed up after Old Li’s speech.

He wanted to encourage these kids, who, if capable, should give it a go. Even without entering the national team, getting a provincial or city award would be a nice touch.

Rong Zhi listened to Old Li’s earnest persuasion, feeling quite patient. Though Old Li could be stern, he was genuinely a good teacher.

As Old Li finished and lowered his gaze, he locked eyes with Rong Zhi’s black-and-white, fox-like enchanting eyes.

In all of class two, she was the most striking, a particularly beautiful presence. Old Li, finding it difficult not to notice her, began the lecture.

"Rong Zhi," he recalled Yao Xiaoshan discussing her last week, a probing look in his eye, his tone serious, "You come to my office after class."

The classroom fell silent.

Rong Zhi looked up, somewhat surprised but obediently agreed, "Okay."

With the bell signaling the end of class, Old Li gathered his teaching materials and left. Rong Zhi rose to leave, but her sleeve was tugged from behind. She turned to meet Ying Hengyu’s worried eyes.

"Bai Yang and the others will be just outside the office; if Old Li gives you any trouble, just shout, and we’ll rush in," Ying Hengyu said.

Rong Zhi’s eyes narrowed slightly, and she smirked, a tone of casualness in her voice, "You want to rebel against a teacher?"

Unexpectedly, Ying Hengyu clenched his fists, laughing, "Of course not, we’d just break in and rescue you."

Rong Zhi coolly refused, "No, I don’t want to stand on the flag-raising platform with you."

Standing on the flag-raising platform meant being reprimanded in front of the entire school and reading an apology letter aloud.

After speaking, she turned and left the classroom for the office, leaving Ying Hengyu with a pouting look.

Senior Teacher’s Office.

Rong Zhi knocked on the door, finding that there weren’t many teachers inside at the moment. Seated closest to the door, Old Li lifted his head, seeing it was her, and said, "Come in."

Rong Zhi entered, standing aside awaiting instructions.

Old Li couldn’t help but scrutinize her a bit more.

Calm, composed, though she appeared slightly arrogant, her demeanor indeed resembled that of a promising student, perhaps Yao Xiaoshan wasn’t wrong about her.

Old Li withdrew his gaze, pulling out a test paper he had prepared beforehand from his desk, handing it to her, "Here, find any spot and fill out this test paper."

Rong Zhi lowered her eyes to look at the test filled with math problems, a vague recollection surfacing, she nodded lightly, taking the test paper and sitting at a small designated desk for student punishment within the office.

During this time, other teachers passing by paused to glance at her.

"Isn’t that the last question from last year’s IMO? Why is Rong Zhi doing this?"

"Not just that, look at the previous problem as well; it’s from a past IMO as well."

The teachers spoke in lowered voices, initially thinking she was being punished, only to realize she was taking an exam. Not wanting to disturb her further, they moved on after exchanging a few comments.