Chapter Five Pre-Competition Agreement

  As soon as September arrived, Xia Meng suddenly realized that the cicadas' cries had stopped, and also that the endless heat was gone. It seemed that in just a moment, the whole city had entered a warm and elegant autumn. Although there were no chrysanthemums blooming everywhere with golden petals, nor did she have time to go to Yangcheng Lake to taste crabs, but the cool breeze blowing through the curtains brought a refreshing melody amidst the gentle rain.

  Xia Meng and Zhang Li came to the riverbank behind their school on the eve of the math competition. The palm of September gently stroked the autumn water, attentively listening to the whispers of autumn, softly singing a intoxicating autumn song that made the sky a brilliant blue and the air crystal clear.

  "What are your plans for the future?" Zhang Li asked Xia Meng with a serious expression.

  Xia Menglian stopped, how could Zhang Li ask her about her future plans? She had never seriously considered the future before. Out of curiosity, she was full of longing for big data, but her father's intention was to hope that she would stay in college and become a teacher in the future.

  Looking at Xia Meng's dazed eyes, Zhang Li continued: "My initial idea is that I'll go to Tsinghua University first, and then go to MIT in my junior or senior year. How about you? Do you have a dream school?"

  Summer dream nodded vaguely.

  "Don't you want to go to T University? Or don't you want to go out?" Zhang Li looked at Xia Meng warmly, brushing away the hair on her forehead.

  "I don't know," Xia Meng shook her head, "My dad wants me to be a teacher."

  "What do you want to do then?" Zhang Li looked at Xia Meng with a doting gaze, his palm gently placed on her head.

  Xia Meng's eyes lit up: "Actually, I want to go directly to MIT to study knowledge related to big data or market marketing. Europe has the EU, why can't we establish an ASEAN dominated by China? The EU has the euro, shouldn't ASEAN have a yuan too? And China will need such big data as a research foundation." Xia Meng said excitedly, "In the future, I hope to develop my own business in this land of China and make my own contribution to China's rapid development."

  A few crisp bird calls overflowing from the golden veins of September, accompanied by the rustling of leaves, compose a dirge for the withering flowers and falling leaves of September. Standing amidst the fallen leaves discussing ideals, her eyes shining brightly, make her look exceptionally beautiful and sacred.

  Zhang Li nodded frequently, "I think that in our Chinese traditional cultural heritage is extremely profound, it's very necessary to finish university at home before going abroad for further study."

  "Hmm, actually it's okay like this, but my father doesn't want me to go out." Xia Meng's eyes dimmed, then suddenly lit up, "But aren't you also going to T University? I'll work hard, let's go to T University together."

  "This math competition is very crucial, if we can get the first place, we will have the opportunity to be admitted to Tsinghua University. The third year of high school doesn't have that much time to prepare for the competition, so this chance in the second year must be grasped firmly." Zhang Li said to Xia Meng.

  "Yes, sir!" Xia Meng replied spiritedly. In fact, math was not Xia Meng's strong suit, and she didn't have the confidence to come in first; as long as she could make it into the finals, she would be satisfied, and T University, because of Zhang Li, was also filled with longing.

  "Zhang Li, you still have to win back the champion for our school." Xia Meng said with a smile.

  "Actually, this task is also yours, Xia Meng!" Zhang Li said with a laugh.

  Two people were frolicking and packing their bags. "Tomorrow's the competition, go for it!" Zhang Li said, grasping Xia Meng's shoulder, "After the competition, we still need to continue running to exercise our bodies. A healthy body is the basic guarantee for entering T University." Xia Meng smiled and nodded.

  Zhang Li and Xia Meng walked back to school one after another. Huang Yi Qi stood on the track field, craning her neck and searching hard.

  "Zhang Li, gege!" Huang Yiqi saw Zhang Li and bounced towards him excitedly, warmly wrapping her arms around his arm. "I've been waiting for you here for a long time———" Zhang Li walked forward with his hands behind his back, making a heart shape at Xia Meng. Xia Meng watched from behind as Huang Yiqi and Zhang Li were so affectionate, feeling extremely displeased in her heart. However, seeing Zhang Li's secretly romantic gesture, the corners of her mouth rippled with a smile.

  "Come on, follow me to the Literature Society's office." Li Han said coldly, standing silently behind Xia Meng without anyone noticing when he got there.

  "You scared me to death!" Xia Meng covered her chest and said, "How come you're like a ghost, walking without making any noise?"

  Li Han didn't say a word, turned his head and walked straight to the office. He looked back and saw Xia Meng still standing in place without moving, Li Han's heart was secretly burning with anger, "If she doesn't follow up within three seconds, I'll...". Just as Li Han counted to three, "Bai Dan, what have you been busy with lately? Why can't I see you anywhere? Does the Literature Club have a new task?" Xia Meng chased after Li Han, running and asking questions from behind.

  Seeing Li Han's gloomy face, Xia Meng closed her mouth and stopped talking.

  Xia Meng sat in a chair, flipping through a book on the desk. Li Han closed the door and sat across from her, with his arms crossed over his chest, leaning against the table, staring at her intently. Xia Meng wore a sporty outfit, wrapped up tightly, with her hair tied high, radiating youthful energy.

  Silence or silence, Xia Meng discovered for the first time that the atmosphere between the two was so awkward and strange.

  "Bai Dan, what's going on? You came to find me today, what's the matter?" Xia Meng raised her head, her small mouth slightly pursed, and her already large eyes widened even more, her pure and brave gaze meeting Li Han's scorching stare.

  Today's Li Han, wearing loose sleeveless sportswear, his solid abdominal muscles faintly visible, his dense hair combed back, black hairs exposed on his calves, exuding a flavor between boy and man. Is this what others call "sexy"? Thinking of this word, Xia Meng couldn't help but want to laugh.

  Xia Meng's unbridled and uninhibited gaze made Li Han feel a little embarrassed. "What are you staring at me for?" Li Han said, "I haven't done anything wrong!"

  "What have you really done wrong? Why didn't you even come to school for a whole holiday?" Xia Meng asked in an intimidating tone.

  "No, I...I really didn't do anything wrong." Li Han found himself being led astray by Xia Meng and quickly pulled back, "Girl, are you in love recently?"

  "What are you talking about?!" Xia Meng's face turned bright red as she stood up and hastily denied it.

  "This is what you said with your own mouth, no romance!" Li Han stared tightly at Xia Meng's eyes and said, "I believe you, you won't lie."

  "I don't want to answer you!" Xia Meng shouted, pushing away Li Han and trying to make a run for the door.

  "You can't go, you have to answer me!" Li Han grabbed Xia Meng suddenly.

  "What's wrong with you!" Xia Meng scratched and clawed at Li Han.

  Li Han tightly hugged Xia Meng and said in a low and firm tone: "You are mine!"