Qin Jing was sincere with her goodwill when she said this.
However, an ominous feeling soon came over her.
“It’s okay,” Yao Tangsaid with a smile. “I won’t be that busy at all. I can leave after I’ve finished assigning you the test papers.”
Qin Jing took a slow, deep breath to keep from slapping herself.
Why did she have to rile Yao Tangup like that? Now, she would have to suffer the consequences.
Since it had come to this, Qin Jingcouldn’t just stand by and letYao Tangenjoy her free time by herself.
“Has the school approved your leave of absence? It’s a whole week, after all.”
“Not yet.”
It was just as she had expected. Qin Jingburst out laughing. “Well, I’m telling you now, the school will never permit you five straight days of absence for a single competition.”
But Yao Tang’s next words left her stunned.
“I didn’t say there will only be one competition.”
“What?”
The smile froze on Qin Jing’s face, and her eyes grew wide as saucers.
Other than the Math Olympiad, what other competition was being held?
If it was another interschool contest, then that would be more difficult to work out a schedule.
“It’s not related to the school. I’m competing with my band.”
Yao Tang glanced atQin Jingand added, “Don’t worry, I’m sure the school will approve my request for leave. They should be aware of the other competition as well.”
Qin Jing could feel her blood pressure rising.
This was just too much!
“And don’t worry about feeling lonely in the coming days,” Yao Tangsaid, annoying her further.
“I will prepare a study plan for you and cram as many lessons as I can in five days. I guarantee that this will be a very fulfilling period for you.”
Qin Jing was seething.
This wasn’t what she wanted at all! She didn’t want to be trapped in Yao Tang’s devious scheme!
Why did she have to run her mouth off like that?
There was no hope for her now. She could only do her best and accomplish each task before Yao Tangreturned.
As promised, Yao Tang handed her the test papers barely a day later, as well as reviewers and chapter summaries. By the looks of it, she seemed to have accounted for every minute of the next five days.
Qin Jing stared at the papers, helpless and dejected.
Meanwhile, Yao Tangmet up with the other competitors for the Math Olympiad and boarded the plane to Beijing.
Of course, Xi Yanwas considered the VIP teacher ofNo. 1 High School.
This time, the school wasn’t so frugal in choosing their accommodations. While the other schools were vying for the double-bed rooms, No. 1 High Schoolhad already reserved single-bed rooms for their participants.
Yao Ran didn’t show up that day.
Instead, she appeared just an hour before an exam. She wore a mask to cover the injury on her face, but it did little to hide her pallid color.
When she spotted Yao Tangamong the crowd, her eyes immediately filled with loathing.
“Hello, Sister. You must be having the best time these last couple of days. Unlike me, who had to stay at the hospital all by myself and recuperate.”
Yao Ran had removed her mask and was now smiling atYao Tang, though her eyes remained glacial.
She was still sporting a limp. There hadn’t been any signs of her conditions improving in the foreseeable future.
Qin Man had pinned her hopes on the neighbor’s wife and had busied herself preparing for the surgery, which inadvertently kept her from seeingYao Ranat the hospital.
But Yao Ranknew there was more to it than that.
She had always known that Qin Mannever truly cared for her. What the woman cared about wereYao Ran’s results and the prestige that came along with them.Qin Manonly wanted something to show off among her circle of socialites.
This Math Olympiad Competition was no different.
Despite her bruised state and her injured leg, Yao Tangknew thatQin Manwouldn’t let her bow out of the competition.
Every time something like this happened, Yao Tangwould find herself wondering ifQin Manwould treat her the same way if she had been her biological daughter.
As for Yao Tang,Qin Manwas bent on hating her no matter what she did.
Even so, Yao Ranwas starting to realize that she wasn’t satisfied with beingYao YuanandQin Man’s daughter. She also wanted the kind of warmth and security thatYao Rong and Jiang WanprovidedYao Tang.
But for some reason, she was unable to reach the second couple lately.
The last time she had tried to pay them a visit, the neighbors told her that Yao Ronghad moved his family to a different address.
And before Yao Ran could begin searching for them, her leg got severely injured and her movements were restricted.
It was all because of Yao Tang. Everything was her fault.
Even now, Yao Ranstill couldn’t understand what had really happened back at the Yang residence. At most, she would have only gotten a sprain, so how did she end up getting crippled?
The only person who could have caused it was Yao Tang.