CHAPTER 423: CHAPTER 423; HONEYMOON PHASE 3 (I)

"Congratulations," Minghao said, moving to step around them. "I’m sure you’ll do well."

"Wait," Chen Lihua said, not quite blocking their path but making it awkward to leave. "We heard you might be considering registering as well. We wanted to... talk to you about that."

"Talk to me about whether I should participate in an academic competition?" Minghao’s voice was perfectly polite, but there was an edge to it. "How considerate."

"It’s just that the competition only allows one team per school," Wang Meiling explained, her tone suggesting she was being perfectly reasonable. "And we’ve already done all the groundwork. It would be... awkward if you registered separately and we had to compete against each other for the school’s spot."

"Awkward for whom?" Minghao asked. "The selection process is merit-based. The best team represents the school. That’s how it should work."

"Of course," Zhang Yiren said quickly. "We’re not suggesting otherwise. We’re just saying that you might want to consider joining our team instead of forming your own. We could use someone with your... analytical skills in a support role."

"A support role," Minghao repeated, her voice dangerously calm. Qin Xinyu tensed beside her, recognizing that tone.

"Research assistant, perhaps," Chen Lihua suggested. "You’re quite good at gathering data and statistics. You could help Meiling with the background work."

"Let me make sure I understand correctly," Minghao said, her voice taking on the quality of a lawyer cross-examining a witness. "You want me to work as a research assistant, gathering data and statistics for your team, while you three take the speaking positions and the credit?"

"It’s not about credit," Wang Meiling protested. "It’s about team efficiency. We’ve already established our dynamic."

"Your dynamic," Minghao observed. "Tell me, what’s your proposed argument for this year’s resolution about artificial intelligence regulation?"

The three girls exchanged uncertain glances. "We’re still developing our position," Chen Lihua hedged.

"Still developing," Minghao repeated. "The registration deadline is in three days. You’ve been preparing for weeks, but you’re still developing your core argument?"

"We have several possible approaches," Zhang Yiren said defensively.

"Name one," Minghao challenged.

An uncomfortable pause followed. Finally, Chen Lihua said, "We’re considering arguing for minimal regulation to promote innovation."

"Interesting," Minghao said. "And how do you address the counterargument about algorithmic bias and discrimination? Or the concern about AI systems making life-altering decisions without transparency or accountability?"

Another pause. "We’ll address those in our rebuttal," Wang Meiling said, though she sounded less certain now.

"Your rebuttal," Minghao said. "Which Zhang Yiren will deliver. Tell me, Yiren, what’s your strategy for handling a rebuttal when the opposing team brings up the European Union’s AI Act as a successful regulatory framework?"

Zhang Yiren’s face flushed. "I... we’ll argue that China’s situation is different."

"Different how?" Minghao pressed. "Be specific."

"We haven’t... that is, we’re still researching the specifics," Zhang Yiren admitted.

"I see," Minghao said. "So you’ve been preparing for weeks, but you haven’t researched the most significant piece of AI legislation passed in the last decade? The one that every debate team will reference?"

"We’ve been busy," Chen Lihua said defensively.

"Clearly," Minghao said dryly. Then her voice sharpened. "Let me be very clear. I don’t need to join your team in a ’support role.’ If I decide to compete, and I haven’t decided yet—I will form my own team. And if we both register, we’ll compete fairly for the school’s spot. May the best team win."

"That’s hardly collaborative," Wang Meiling said, her friendly mask slipping slightly.

"Collaboration implies mutual benefit," Minghao countered. "What you’re proposing is that I do the intellectual heavy lifting while you take the stage. That’s not collaboration. That’s exploitation."

"We’re just trying to avoid unnecessary competition," Chen Lihua insisted.

"Why?" Minghao asked. "Are you afraid you can’t win in a fair selection process?"

The three girls’ expressions hardened simultaneously.

"It’s not about fear," Zhang Yiren said coldly. "It’s about practicality. We have connections....."

"Connections?" Minghao interrupted. "Are you suggesting you’ll use family influence to secure the spot rather than winning it on merit?"

"That’s not what I said," Zhang Yiren backtracked quickly.

"But it’s what you meant," Minghao observed. "You’re concerned that if we compete fairly, you might not win. So you’re trying to eliminate the competition before it begins by either co-opting me or intimidating me into not participating."

"No one’s intimidating anyone," Chen Lihua protested.

"Really?" Minghao’s voice was cold now. "Then why are three of you surrounding Qin Xinyu and me in the courtyard? Why the veiled suggestions about ’awkwardness’ and ’connections’? You’re trying to make me believe that competing against you would be more trouble than it’s worth."

She stepped forward, and the three girls instinctively stepped back. "Let me save you some time. I don’t get intimidated that easily. And I don’t accept subordinate positions when I’m qualified for leadership. So if you want the school’s spot in the competition, you’ll have to earn it. Just like everyone else."

"We’ll see about that," Wang Meiling said, her voice tight with anger. "I heard your mother didn’t even pick you up today. Too busy to be bothered?"

The barb was clearly meant to wound, to suggest Minghao wasn’t as important or loved as she thought. But Minghao didn’t even blink.

"My mother is handling important business," Minghao said evenly. "But I notice all three of your mothers are here for Parents Day planning next week. How nice that they have so much free time."

The subtle implication, that Minghao’s mother was too important and busy with significant matters to attend routine school functions, while their mothers had nothing better to do, hit its mark. All three girls flushed.

"Speaking of Parents Day," Chen Lihua said, recovering with a sharp smile. "The committee is organizing presentations from prominent families. Will your mother be able to attend? Or is she too... busy?"

It was another probe, trying to make Minghao feel uncertain or embarrassed about her mother’s absence.

"My mother’s attendance depends on her schedule," Minghao said calmly. "But I’m sure if she can’t make it, my father will attend. Or perhaps both. They tend to prioritize things that actually matter."