"This is Director Chen from the provincial Education Department. Over here are the principals from several schools in Whitewood County."
Victor Deng and the others sat at their table, exchanging introductions all around.
Director Chen stood up, nodded slightly, and smiled broadly. "Whitewood County's education owes everything to everyone's hard work."
"Director Chen, you're too modest. The development of education here really depends on the attention and support of leaders like you."
"That's right. Director Chen came all the way from River City to our little Whitewood County—what a long, exhausting trip!"
At this table sat the Whitewood County Education Bureau staff, led by Victor Deng. Everyone kept their eyes on Director Chen, with Flora Huang chiming in now and then.
At the nearby tables, the regular teachers barely had a chance to speak to Director Chen. Every so often, someone would sneak a look over, eyes full of curiosity and speculation.
Right now, Flora Huang was in a great mood. Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Joy Zheng at the next table. When she noticed the brand-new phone beside Joy, a vague sense of annoyance welled up inside her.
In Flora's mind, Joy Zheng should've been stuck with that ancient flip phone or, at best, some cheap smartphone from the street. But as she looked closer, she quickly spotted the Apple phone box—and instantly felt a pang of jealousy.
Flora Huang carefully adjusted her tone, then smiled and said, "Director Chen, this year Whitewood County No. 1 High School produced a student who placed in the Math Olympiad. It's all thanks to the teachers' dedication! When we sent the students off to the Olympiad, my husband Victor was praying every day that they'd bring home a good result—and they really made us proud, didn't they?"
As soon as Flora Huang finished speaking, the principal of Whitewood County No. 1 High School perked up and nodded. "Exactly! That student, Martin Ma, has always worked hard at school. His family isn't well-off, but he's self-reliant and determined—and this time, he really brought glory to himself, our school, and all of Whitewood County."
Director Chen, who was chewing a piece of braised beef, set down his chopsticks when he heard this and nodded. "That's right. I haven't told you yet, but for this Math Olympiad, within the whole county-level region, only Whitewood County had a student win a prize. All the other second and first prizes went to the top students in the city high schools."
"Whitewood County's education budget has always been pretty tight, but to be able to nurture a talent like this is no small feat. That's exactly why I came down to inspect things this time. I'll do my best to secure more funding for you all."
Director Chen's words made Victor Deng beam with satisfaction, and the principal of Whitewood County No. 1 High School looked even more pleased with himself.
Education funding in Whitewood County had always been scarce, but thanks to Martin Ma, the school was finally in the spotlight. The principal was even considering giving Martin's math teacher a commendation, and maybe awarding Martin a certificate and a tuition discount as encouragement.
Only one student in the entire county region won a prize—no small honor, that much was clear.
Flora Huang suddenly piped up, "Actually, Director Chen might not know this, but Whitewood County No. 2 Middle School also had a student take part in the Math Olympiad this year. Maybe his results are pretty good too." As she spoke, she glanced over at Evan Lin, a smug little smile curling up inside.
"Oh? Does that mean there was another student who won a prize?" Director Chen put down his chopsticks, looking intrigued.
He'd come here specifically to check the winners list, and as far as he knew, the only name from the county was Martin Ma from Whitewood County No. 1 High School.
The moment Flora Huang spoke, Victor Deng's hand hesitated in midair as he reached for a dish. He only frowned slightly, though, and let Flora do all the talking.
He knew Flora Huang was talking about Evan Lin, since Evan had attended junior high at Whitewood County No. 2 Middle School—he was basically half a No. 2 kid.
"Another student from my school took the exam and did well? Ms. Huang, are you sure about that?" The principal of No. 2 looked surprised, curiosity written all over his face.
"I'm not mistaken at all. That student may not be at No. 2 anymore, but he attended junior high here." Flora Huang smiled, her tone calm and deliberate.
At the next table, Ivy Deng looked up from her meal and glanced at Flora Huang.
"That's true! Martin Ma actually did his junior high at No. 2." The principal caught on and quickly broke into a smile.
Either way, it was a chance to bask in a little reflected glory.
"Right, junior high math is the foundation. If you build it up in junior high, then you can really improve in high school." Director Chen replied with little interest, nodding absentmindedly. He was sure he hadn't made a mistake—the only county student on the winners list was Martin Ma, with a third prize.
"I'm not talking about Martin Ma."
Flora Huang paused for effect.
At all the nearby tables, teachers had already been half-listening in. As soon as Flora Huang spoke, they all turned their heads, unable to resist staring right at her.
Winning a prize in the Math Olympiad is way harder than any ordinary competition.
Even Director Chen paused, looking at Flora Huang with renewed curiosity. "Another student? Who is it?"
"When I came, I checked down the score sheet from the top."
Director Chen was about to change the subject, but Flora Huang jumped in first. "That kid is the child of a math teacher from my school."
"This teacher has been teaching elementary school for over a decade, and she's top-notch—she teaches math herself. So of course her kid should do great in the Olympiad."
"This kid went to No. 2 for junior high, and I heard his grades were pretty good. Later he transferred to Brightsea No. 2 High School in Minghai. He just got back a few days ago, and he's right here at this banquet."
Flora Huang finished with a big smile, then turned her head to look at Joy Zheng at the next table, her lips curling up in a smirk.
Ivy Deng, sitting nearby, shook her head when she heard this and glanced over at Evan Lin, who was quietly eating, with a hint of pity in her eyes.