Chapter 938: Chapter 938: Qiao Yun Asserts Her Dominance in This Manner

The competition has drawn a lot of attention from the get-go, and now even the chance to witness it live has become a fierce grab.

Those who couldn’t get tickets started calling up the Lu Family trying to pull some strings.

It left the Lu Family people both troubled and proud.

Look, this amazing girl is from their family, unlike anyone else’s.

On the day before the exchange event, Qiao Yun received a phone call from Wu Xianfeng, which left her a bit surprised.

Why was her former homeroom teacher looking for her?

“Qiao student! You’ve become a celebrity now, and I’m incredibly proud to think I taught such an outstanding person as you,” he said.

Wu Xianfeng’s voice couldn’t conceal his excitement.

Qiao Yun’s newfound fame had blown in his direction too. These days, more and more people were approaching him to inquire about Qiao Yun, asking how he taught such an exceptional student.

Wu Xianfeng thought to himself that he’d like to know that too.

Qiao Yun didn’t need his teachings at all; she was very smart from the beginning.

To be honest, carrying the title of Qiao Yun’s homeroom teacher made him feel a bit guilty.

Because he felt he was not as smart as Qiao Yun.

Wu Xianfeng chuckled and said: “The school has organized students to visit the event, even preparing support gear. I will accompany them, and as a teacher, I’ll cheer for you with all my might.”

Qiao Yun was taken aback and asked, “Who organized it?”

Wu Xianfeng replied, “The school board did. I hear the board director is a fan of yours.”

Qiao Yun: “…”

Wu Xianfeng said with concern, “Don’t be nervous when the time comes, just approach it with a normal mindset. The participants in this exchange are no ordinary people, and accomplishing this much at your age is already impressive.”

Like most people, Wu Xianfeng didn’t think Qiao Yun would win by a landslide. It wasn’t that he doubted her abilities, but simply looking through the participants list, with Future Alliance in it, was daunting enough.

Wu Xianfeng was worried that such an outstanding student might get discouraged and lose her confidence afterward, which would be rather unfortunate. That’s why he made this call.

“Thank you, teacher. Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine,” Qiao Yun appreciatively acknowledged that Wu Xianfeng still kept her in his thoughts after graduation.

Ever since she returned to the Lu Family, she had encountered many bad people, but also many kind ones.

It’s the presence of these good people that kept her from losing all faith in humanity and motivated her to continue exploring the nature of people.

After giving a few more pieces of advice, Wu Xianfeng reluctantly ended the conversation.

Qiao Yun stared blankly at the phone that had just been hung up, then she pressed the dial button to contact Pei Ya.

As soon as the call connected, Qiao Yun bluntly asked, “Did you arrange the school’s support?”

“Eh, boss, how did you find out?” Pei Ya was surprised, “I was planning to surprise you later; how was it discovered so quickly?”

Qiao Yun: “…Don’t arrange support.”

Pei Ya exclaimed, puzzled, “Why not?”

Qiao Yun pursed her lips, saying, “No reason.”

It’s just that…

For a mere exchange event, everyone is taking it so seriously, she just finds it a little awkward and embarrassing.

Thinking about many people coming with high hopes to cheer for her…

Professor Qiao feels uncomfortable, a rare moment of shyness for her.

Pei Ya asserted righteously, “Boss, you don’t get it. This is called ‘overwhelming with numbers’. Before it even starts, we’ll scare them off with our momentum.”

Qiao Yun: “…” Is it not just you wanting to stir things up?

Pei Ya: I’m not, I didn’t, I’m not that kind of person.

Pei Ya continued, “Besides, it’s beneficial for the students to witness such an international exchange.”

Qiao Yun thought for a moment and nodded, “Okay then.”

For the future flowers of the motherland, she compromised.

“By the way, taking advantage of this technology craze, I had the institute develop a quiz game with levels. Check it out later and see if anything needs to be improved.”

Pei Ya is a true businessman, always finding ways to make money.

Qiao Yun responded with an okay and hung up the phone.

The next day.

The weather was very good, as if even the heavens were trying to please.

Qiao Yun got up at her usual time, freshened up, changed into a simple T-shirt and jeans, pushed open the door, and sleepily descended the stairs.

When she saw the whole family in the dining room, Qiao Yun was momentarily stunned, her gaze falling on Lu Zhanxing, wondering how he had returned.

Seeing such a cute and pretty sister first thing in the morning put Lu Zhanxing in a great mood, his eyes curved in a smile, and he said cheerfully: “Sister, good morning.”

“Good morning,” Qiao Yun pulled out a chair and sat down, “When did brother get back?”

“Just got home.” Lu Zhanxing pushed the milk in front of him towards Qiao Yun, “Here, the milk of love that brother personally prepared for you.”

Qiao Yun held the cup in her hands, her eyes sweeping over the faint tiredness around Lu Zhanxing’s eyes. She didn’t say anything, but her heart felt warm.

Lu Jingzhi saw it and was a bit annoyed with himself for not thinking of preparing something for his sister beforehand, letting this silly brother get the jump on him.

It seemed that he could never win against Lu Zhanxing when it came to pleasing their sister.

Just like this time, in order to go to the venue and cheer for Qiao Yun, Lu Zhanxing had rushed over overnight, sacrificing his rest days for the foreseeable future, just for one day’s time.

After Su Mian brought out the breakfast, the family began to eat.

“Qiaoqiao, eat more, so you’ll have the strength later,” said Su Mian, casually putting a boiled egg into Qiao Yun’s bowl.

Qiao Yun obediently ate, not explaining that she didn’t rely on physical strength but brainpower.

After breakfast, Qiao Yun planned to head to the venue first.

Lu Zhanxing grabbed the car keys, “Sister, let me drive you.”

Qiao Yun apologized: “Zhouzhou is taking me, I’ll have brother pick me up on the way back.”

“All right, just don’t run off with someone else when you come back. We agreed that you’d let me pick you up,” Lu Zhanxing didn’t ask for much, just for Qiao Yun not to run off with Li Hanzhou.

Qiao Yun nodded obediently: “Okay.”

It was only then that Lu Zhanxing was content to let Qiao Yun go.

Watching Qiao Yun’s small figure walking away, he suddenly sighed, “Sister has grown up.”

Grown up in various senses.

Su Mian laughed and said, “Why, can’t bear to let her go?”

Lu Zhanxing humphed: “It’s not just me who can’t bear it, but this is good too. I was always worried that she would be alone in the future. Although I will always be nice to her, something would still be missing.”

Qiao Yun always lacked a bit of liveliness, although it was still missing now, it was much better than before.

The other members of the Lu family were quite emotional too, as a year had just passed by.

Suddenly, Lu Zhanxing remembered that his sister’s birthday was coming up and mentioned it to the family.

Su Mian of course remembered and had already planned it well, intending to celebrate grandly on that day.

Lu Zhanxing felt the same, but the most important thing at the moment was still the conference, as it was related to Tianqi’s reputation. He even called on fans to cheer online.

…

From afar, Qiao Yun saw Li Hanzhou.

He was dressed casually today, his hair draped over his forehead, making him look several years younger, though he wasn’t old to begin with. His usual commanding presence often gave people the wrong impression.

Li Hanzhou lazily raised his eyebrows and waved his hand towards Qiao Yun, “Come here.”

With his deep gaze fixed on her, Qiao Yun calmly responded with an “Oh,” and then walked up to Li Hanzhou. Her sight again fell on Li Hanzhou’s beautiful fingers–fair, with well-defined joints, very beautiful.

For no clear reason, she thought she might have a thing for hands.

In the split second that Qiao Yun was lost in thought, Li Hanzhou took the opportunity to plant a light kiss on her eyelid.

Qiao Yun’s expression became increasingly bewildered, failing to catch up with the conversation.

With a successful surprise, the man’s lips curved upward: “Let’s go.”

Qiao Yun spoke slowly: “Okay.”

Li Hanzhou opened the passenger door for Qiao Yun to get in, waited until she was seated, then walked around to the driver’s seat, settled in, and started the car.

Just as the car started, Qiao Yun received a message.

It was from Simon.

[Q, do you need me to pick you up?]

Qiao Yun replied: [I’m on my way.]

[Ah~ such a pity, I’ve been tied up with too many dinner engagements these days, it’s truly bothersome, I didn’t even have time to meet with you, let’s catch up later.]

[Okay.]

Qiao Yun didn’t refuse Simon. She mumbled to herself that although Simon claimed to be annoyed, he probably wished there were dinner parties every day.

Then, Simon expressed his regret for not being able to attend with Qiao Yun and mentioned Adrian, indignantly saying that Adrian is an egomaniac who already believes he will win before the competition even begins.

Qiao Yun: “…”

Qiao Yun’s temples throbbed twice as she knew Simon was getting into his nonsense talk again. She directly closed the chat window and selectively ignored Simon’s messages.

Then, she opened a game and started playing.

Qiao Yun’s focused expression made Li Hanzhou unable to help but glance over at her: “What are you playing?”

Without lifting her head, Qiao Yun hummed: “A trivia game, made by Pei Yao for this exchange event. It’s quite popular.”

Li Hanzhou remarked: “As expected of a shrewd businessman.”

Qiao Yun nodded in agreement.

Li Hanzhou smiled, eyes filled with affection, “Are you feeling any pressure?”

Qiao Yun put down her phone and said earnestly: “I don’t know what pressure is. If wanting to win is considered pressure, then yes, I suppose I have it.”

She paused, then added: “I won’t let myself lose.”

Because this was the first time she was carrying so many people’s expectations.

If it wasn’t for driving, Li Hanzhou reckoned he’d be unable to take his eyes off her.

Qiao Yun’s serious demeanor was dazzling; every time, it could captivate him.

He shifted his gaze, his voice hoarse: “Hmm, you’ll win.”

…

Hotel.

Xu Qiao had only arrived in Shangjing City yesterday. Jiang Shaocheng didn’t come, and she argued with him angrily, accusing him of not caring about Jiang Jing’s future.

At that time, Jiang Shaocheng told Xu Qiao about who Adrian was, how he looked down on China’s technology all day, and though Jiang Jing could learn quite a bit with such a person, what good reputation could she have.

Xu Qiao thought he was exaggerating. Jiang Shaocheng considered her inexperienced, and even now, she was still furious: “Really, your dad, why bother paying attention to those foolish netizens.”

Jiang Jing dismissed it nonchalantly: “Actually, dad isn’t wrong. As long as I make achievements in the future and contribute to the country, all today’s biases will vanish. They might even think I’m enduring humiliation and heavy burdens.”

Xu Qiao, initially worried by Jiang Shaocheng’s words, felt relieved hearing Jiang Jing’s explanation.

“Jingjing, you’re smarter than your dad, always worrying about this and that.”

Jiang Jing didn’t look at her, frowning at her phone.

“What are you doing?” Xu Qiao noticed that Jiang Jing had been looking at her phone since earlier.

Jiang Jing spoke indifferently: “Playing a game.”

Xu Qiao furrowed her brows: “At this time, how can you still be playing games?”

“It’s a trivia game, produced by Tianqi. I just want to understand Tianqi better,” Jiang Jing fixated on the game screen with a troubled look.

True to Tianqi’s standards, the initial stages she passed with ease had now become challenging.

After a whole day, she had answered more than three hundred questions and made it onto the leaderboard.

Jiang Jing was about to put down her phone when a message suddenly crossed her screen.

[Congratulations, username: Qiao Yun has completed all levels…]

Jiang Jing’s expression changed.

Qiao Yun?

Could it be the Qiao Yun she knows?

Jiang Jing bit her lip fiercely, her face darkening.

She actually completed the game!

Suddenly, Jiang Jing felt a wave of panic as she once again realized Qiao Yun’s prowess, like a sobering splash in the face on this crucial day.

She had the illusory feeling that Qiao Yun was using this means to intimidate her, making her feel awful all at once.

Xu Qiao looked at Jiang Jing’s unpredictable expression with concern, “Jingjing, are you okay?”

Jiang Jing replied with a forced smile: “I’m fine.”

She took a deep breath, “I’m really fine, pretty good actually.”

Xu Qiao still felt unconvinced: “Really?”

“Yes.”

Jiang Jing felt as if something was stuck in her throat, unable to swallow or spit it out, and her chest felt oppressively uncomfortable.

After a deep breath, she felt much better.

“Mom, let’s go downstairs, my godmother is waiting for me.”

Jiang Jing was with Adrian’s team this time and obviously had to go together.

…

When Jiang Jing came downstairs, she saw Adrian talking to Huo Lin.

“Dr. Adrian, you should still be cautious this time.” No matter what, Huo Lin still hoped that this time, the Future Alliance would win over the Tianqi Research Institute.

As for the members of Huo Research Institute, as long as they could showcase their capabilities, that would be sufficient.

Adrian arrogantly said: “Mr. Huo, you don’t have confidence in me?”

Huo Lin expressed emotionlessly: “There’s an old saying in China, ‘Prudence leads to a long life at sea.'”

“Oh, so you think I should be wary of Qiao Yun?” Adrian laughed: “Ridiculously amusing.”

He suddenly remembered that Simon also thought the Future Alliance would lose, but that might just be because love is blind.

Now Huo Lin was also advising caution.

They must all be mad.

Adrian did not take Huo Lin’s warning to heart at all.

Seeing this, Huo Lin said no more.

Jiang Jing was also talking to Fu Yun, “Godmother, will you be disappointed in me if I lose?”

Fu Yun was puzzled: “Why would you say that?”

Jiang Jing pretended to be worried: “I’ve just realized that Qiao Yun is even more remarkable than I thought.”

Fu Yun spoke soothingly: “You’re just too stressed.”

Jiang Jing pursed her lips, “If only she hadn’t participated…”

Fu Yun frowned disapprovingly, if it were Yaoyao, she wouldn’t be so quick to lose confidence, the presence of a strong opponent would make her happier.

Fu Yun currently resented Qiao Yun, wishing she would lose and embarrass herself this time.

Now, Jiang Jing’s words gave her an idea.