Chapter 304: Unwilling to Give Up (Part 1)

Li Ping’s decision left the principal and others infuriated.

The principal even wondered if he had misjudged Zhao Qingfeng, thinking perhaps the provincial top scorer was a bit too blindly confident.

“…”

The principal sighed deeply, frowning at Zhao Qingfeng, “Student Zhao, are you really sure?”

This was not just a simple question, but a decision on a certain stance.

From the principal’s perspective, approaching Zhao Qingfeng for a talk was not a request but rather a form of notification, a respect for the provincial top scorer. As a student, Zhao Qingfeng was expected to comply with his wishes.

Zhao Qingfeng understood that the principal was putting the school’s honor first, “Principal, I am really sure, and I can guarantee that senior Li and I will make it to the finals and not disgrace our school.”

Even if they were eliminated in the finals, it wouldn’t matter as long as they reached that stage.

The principal, however, was skeptical, “Student Zhao, with hundreds of universities nationwide, there are only thirty spots in the finals. And as Teacher Zhou might have told you, our school’s best achievement was thirteenth place in the finals, and that was before last time, when we had a full team and just happened to encounter questions our students were proficient in. But I’ve heard through the grapevine that this competition won’t have a pre-released question bank for practice, especially for the finals, where the problems will require thinking, verification, and collaborative development of new solutions. You… why do you have to be so… ah… never mind, the Mid-Autumn Festival celebration is about to start, I have to go give a speech, you and Li Ping have two more hours to think it over…”

He wanted to question why Zhao Qingfeng had to be so blindly confident.

Zhao Qingfeng shrugged, watching the principal put on a smile and take the stage, then turned to Teacher Yu and Teacher Zhou, raising his eyebrows.

Teacher Zhou, unaware of Zhao Qingfeng’s full capabilities, looked worried and muttered, “Little Feng, you’re young and don’t understand that there are always bigger fish.”

Teacher Yu chuckled secretly, “Old Zhou, let Little Feng participate if he wants to. I believe making it to the finals shouldn’t be a problem, and who knows, they might even win a prize.”

Teacher Zhou was displeased, “What do you mean, Old Yu? Are you saying you no longer care about Ji Province University’s honor? One must not be too selfish, neglecting the bigger picture for the sake of one’s students. And to talk about possibly winning a prize, that’s completely baseless. Just their participation in the finals would be extremely difficult!”

Teacher Yu’s eyes twinkled, “How about a bet? If Zhao Qingfeng and Li Ping make it to the finals, you give me this year’s Outstanding Teacher Award, dare you?”

Teacher Zhou laughed, “Why wouldn’t I dare? It’s not just the Outstanding Teacher Award; I’d bet my life on it. But from tomorrow, Li Ping, you’re no longer in my lab class, you’re out.”

Without Li Ping’s agreement, they could have smoothly withdrawn.

Teacher Zhou glared resentfully at Li Ping before returning to watch the celebration.

For him, the stakes were not small.

If Li Ping and Zhao Qingfeng failed miserably in the competition, even placing very low, he, as their teacher, would also be implicated since the training room’s details were on the submission form. A complete failure would embarrass him in front of colleagues nationwide.

“…”

Li Ping felt upset, even regretful.

Zhao Qingfeng patted his shoulder, “Senior Li, don’t be discouraged, we can definitely do it.”

Li Ping shook his head, “Actually… I want to win, really want to win. But now, having offended the principal and the head, my path after graduation won’t be easy. I’m also afraid they’ll hold back my diploma and degree certificate at graduation. My family’s situation is just so-so, I… I really feel terrible…”

No one seemed to be in a more complex emotional state than him at that moment.

Zhao Qingfeng smiled, “Senior Li, since your mood might affect our future competition, let me give you a guarantee now. Just focus on preparing for the competition, and I’ll handle everything else in the future, including finding you a job. After graduation, I’ll arrange for you to work at Lingfeng Technology, how about that?”

“What? Lingfeng Technology! Little Feng, you’re… you’re not joking, right?”

“Of course not. If you don’t believe me, ask Teacher Yu. One of Teacher Yu’s students works at Lingfeng Technology, and they’re currently recruiting talented individuals. I think you’re well-suited in terms of both ability and perseverance. Daring to challenge and eager to climb is exactly what Lingfeng Technology looks for. Teacher Yu, what do you think?”

Teacher Yu naturally agreed.

Li Ping was stunned, feeling a strange sensation, almost as if Zhao Qingfeng was commanding Teacher Yu, yet it seemed so unreal.

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