Study Monster Cultivation System

Chapter 166 - 165 What scares me is not losing, but winning.

In the last days of November, Li Zheng once again devoted himself entirely to the embrace of chemistry.

He could feel the path forward gradually narrowing.

It was almost impossible to find any widely accepted textbooks or exercise problems.

More often, he would proactively seek textbooks on undergraduate and graduate studies based on the syllabus, and with practice problems, each one solved was one less available.

If he dug deeper into his studies, it would involve research papers.

For example, the reverse synthesis problem of (+)-Nakadomarin A set by Zhou Yi was not from any textbook but from a prize-winning paper published over a decade ago.

Li Zheng couldn’t help but think that Shi Yang had stepped into the realm of paper-based learning a long time ago and had even published some minor papers through unofficial channels.

This level, it seemed, was perhaps the end of basic studies.

In this sense, rather than saying Li Zheng’s chemical studies during this period were about seeking breakthroughs, it was more about anticipating conclusion.

The end of basic studies in chemistry.

So in these days, he would learn everything he could, and give it his all.

Then he would cleanly and neatly say goodbye to chemistry.

Although he eagerly wanted to immerse himself in physics soon.

But couldn’t help it, who among those who entered the Dragon Pearl Group wasn’t a perfectionist?

...

At one o’clock in the afternoon on December 1st, Jijing Chemical Society’s representative team assembled at the South Station.

The team included 13 competing students, one team leader, one observer, one representative from the Chemical Society, and three guest representatives.

Interestingly, the team leader was none other than teacher Sun Leyang.

Simply because Zhou Yi, a person of such stature, had directly joined the finals committee as an important figure.

Add to that, Zhou Yi himself was one of the paper setters for the finals, and at this stage, it was inappropriate for him to be too close to the Jijing Team.

Of course, based on past experiences, the one who ultimately led the national team to the Icho was still Zhou Yi.

As for the observer of the Jijing representative team, it was Sun Leyang’s old nemesis, Yu Zhiqiang, the Chem Competitions teacher from City First School.

Furthermore, Yu Hong had also managed to secure a guest representative role, likely to specifically motivate Li Zheng.

The group, chatting and laughing, took the high-speed train and a bus; in less than four hours, they had arrived at the Southern Suburb Hotel in Jinan City.

As a hotel designated by the organizing committee, the lobby was already filled with a Chem Competitions atmosphere.

Welcome banners hung high, and a large chemical Olympic backdrop was set up in the center of the lobby.

When Li Zheng and his group entered, an entire provincial team was taking a group photo in front of the backdrop, and two other teams were gathering to talk.

The teachers of the Jijing Team then collected everyone’s IDs to go and check in.

Li Zheng, Shi Yang, Wu Shu, and Ou Xingzhuo found some sofas to sit on and began discreetly observing the members of other provincial teams.

But soon, they realized there was absolutely no need to observe.

Because 90% of the people were plain-looking men with buzz cuts and glasses, dressed in nondescript athletic outfits.

Completely indistinguishable.

As for the girls, apart from the hotel staff and teachers.

Throughout the lobby, there were four provincial teams.

Only Wu Shu was alone.

Fortunately, everyone present was a timid, unaggressive crew-cut man; otherwise, Li Zheng and Ou Xingzhuo might have had to play "Guarding Athena."

Shi Yang was different; he was already guarding.

He seemed to intentionally place himself right in front of Wu Shu, using his body to shield other provincial crew-cut men’s gaze, "Brothers, join me in blocking them, All Hail..."

"I won’t be Hailing that," Li Zheng said, sitting on the couch, texting his parents, teachers, principal, and chatting group, ensuring them everything was fine, "Don’t worry, anyone who has the confidence to come here definitely lacks the courage to hit on a girl."

"Look at what you’re saying!" Shi Yang glared, pondered a bit, and realizing it was true, still couldn’t relax, "Well Li Zheng, if someone does come over, you must stop them."

"That task should go to the Dog Group Leader," Li Zheng nodded towards Ou Xingzhuo.

"I am going through data from previous years," Ou Xingzhuo said, turning his tablet around to show everyone, "Focusing on the past three years’ data, Xiangnan, Zhejiang, and Jibei are the top tier, especially Xiangnan, which is significantly stronger than other provinces due to tilting of educational resources."

"It’s actually improved in the past couple of years," Wu Shu said, pulling out some chocolate crisps from his bag and handing them around, "In previous Chem Competitions, the national team didn’t have the policy of only allowing one person per province, until one year, when seven out of the top ten were from Xiangnan..."

"Hehe, how about we monopolize the top four this year?" Shi Yang took a chocolate crisp and carefully put it in his bag.

Wu Shu stretched lazily, smiling, "Well... you keep trying. I’ve been binge-watching shows this half-month... can’t help it, just can’t get excited about chemistry, barely grabbing a national gold is enough."

"With that attitude, you definitely won’t get national gold," Ou Xingzhuo closed his laptop, adjusting his glasses, "The principal said we should strive to make it into the national team."

"Can’t stand it," Wu Shu said, shaking his head, "I can barely stand physics guys, but chem guys, I just can’t handle it..."

"Ah..." Shi Yang quivered, "Aren’t they... pretty much the same?"

"The thinking is fundamentally different," Wu Shu said, twirling a finger by his ear, "It’s like seafood and durian, totally incompatible."

"That comparison... is totally unreasonable!" Shi Yang quickly turned to Li Zheng for help, "Bro, you’re the empathetic one, what do you think?"

"Hmm... I need to go to the restroom," Li Zheng opted to sidestep the issue.

Shi Yang quickly added, "I didn’t really want to, but since you’re going, I might as well go too."

The two entered the restroom side by side, barely got started when they heard a noise from behind a cubicle door.

"Why are so many people from Jijing here?" asked a tender male voice.

Another more naïve male voice grumbled, "Well, they have connections, it’s not the first time Jijing people have had an advantage, their training camps are all led by Zhou Chenghuan."

"Zhou Chenghuan wouldn’t leak them the questions, would he?"

"Who knows," the naïve voice smacked his lips, "The guy from Jijing sitting on the couch, that one, looking all pretentious, I think he’s all about connections."

"How so? Directly handing out spots?"

"Not exactly, Jijing Chemical Society has ways to manipulate things," the naïve man snickered, "But at the nationals, he won’t be able to show off, I’ll crush him."

The tender voice laughed, "Haha, you should tell him that to his face."

"I... I don’t talk trash, let the competition scores speak for themselves, I’ll rub it in his face once I’m the champion."

"Haha, what if someone from Jijing becomes the champion?"

"Impossible," the naïve man laughed heartily, "The most threatening one from Jijing is that so-called Cobalt God, looks like a lump of Dragon Ball, I’ve seen his comments in several Chem Comp groups, nothing special, just shows off to the newbies, his reputation is all inflated, doesn’t count for much."

"Right, even the best from Jijing would barely make provincial second-tier in Xiangnan, hahaha."

"Calling them second-tier is even flattering them, don’t forget their scores are inflated, Jijing Chemical Society pumps them up just for looks, even passing around that Shit God got 99, as if I’d believe that nonsense! A perfect score is only 95!"

"Heh, once the final results come out, their true colors will show."

"Hmph, I really didn’t consider them as opponents, I almost made it last year, losing only to my own teammate. This time, I must aim for Prague," he declared.

"Yeah, the teacher and the principal are both counting on you to bring back an international gold medal for City First School," Sun Leyang replied.

"I dare not claim Icho, but I’m sure if I lose, I’ll lose only to one of our own, never to those two jerks," Li Zheng stated.

The more they talked, the more excited they became, until they received the teacher’s message to gather on WeChat. They hurriedly packed up and opened the door.

As soon as they opened the door, they saw "those two jerks" in person.

Li Zheng and Shi Yang had been restraining themselves for a long time to see them.

As soon as they came out, they began sizing them up.

The one with the younger sounding voice was a nondescript guy with glasses and a buzz cut, short if anything had to be mentioned.

Luckily, the one with the naive voice had distinctive features.

It was all because of his receding hairline and his fluffy natural curls.

Normally, when hair reaches a certain length, it falls down.

His hair, however, rebelliously twisted upwards as if electrified.

The two got a shock when they saw Li Zheng and Shi Yang.

They immediately became shy, exchanged glances, and were about to leave.

"Hey, bro, don’t rush off," Shi Yang chuckled, grabbing the curly-headed guy, "At least give your name before you go."

The curly-headed guy shrugged his shoulders, walked up to the sink, and started washing his hands without looking at them, "Wei Dongyang."

"Fair enough," Shi Yang edged closer, rubbing his hands together, "I admit, I do like to show off to newcomers because I don’t meet experts. How about we discuss something experts talk about? Organic, inorganic, crystal analysis... your pick."

"We need to gather," Wei Dongyang turned his head to look at Shi Yang, and glanced at Li Zheng, "I’m sorry for saying you look like Zhu Zaizai, my apologies if I offended you."

"It’s okay, I just wanted to get acquainted with the future champion," Shi Yang laughed, "Bro, you mean to say apart from Zhu Zaizai, everything else is just the objective truth?"

"Heh," Wei Dongyang smiled and pulled a piece of paper, "You know what I mean."

Little Glasses at the next sink also chimed in, "To be fair, if there weren’t a rule in the Chem Competitions national team that restricts only one participant per province, Jijing really wouldn’t stand a chance against us from Xiangnan."

"Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore," Wei Dongyang finally raised his hand, looking at them, "If you score higher than us in the finals, then we can talk."

"Heh..." Shi Yang rubbed his chin and smiled, "The national finals are really intense. In all my years, I’ve never been trampled in chemistry, damn, it’s actually kind of thrilling..."

(Li Zheng mentally added: And it was on your home ground.)

"Alright, we’ve got to go gather, anything else?" Wei Dongyang asked as he threw away the tissue.

"Forget it, forget it..." Little Glasses hurriedly stepped forward to mediate, adding, "Both of you are number one in your own provinces, it’s not necessary."

"You’re mistaken, bro," Shi Yang pointed out, raising his hand, "Including trials, Li Zheng is the number one from Jijing."

"Oh?"

Wei Dongyang and Little Glasses were both stunned for a moment, taking a serious look at Li Zheng.

This jerk is good-looking like this, and he can beat the impeccably bred Cobalt God?

Li Zheng innocently shook his head, again feeling hurt because his appearance did not fit in with everyone else.

He just wanted to make friends with top students from around the country, why did they have to look at him this way?

Could not help it, he had already experienced the charm of fluffy hair.

Who could still have the heart to cut their hair back to a crew cut?

"Let’s agree." Wei Dongyang finally nodded, "If after the final results come out, and our scores are lower than yours, let us treat you to a meal and call you ’big brother,’ okay?"

"Bro, no need, it’s just a little verbal sparring, no big deal." Shi Yang’s eyes darted around, already forming a plan, "May I be bold to ask, are you really the top of Xiangnan?"

"Everybody from the provincial team is here; how could I lie?" Wei Dongyang nodded, "What are you trying to do?"

"Just a little something…" Shi Yang raised his eyebrows and rubbed his hands, "If Li Zheng and I, fortunately, score a bit higher, could you organize your provincial teammates to collectively request a change to the one-person-per-province rule?"

"What???" Wei Dongyang and Little Glasses were both shocked.

Wei Dongyang said incredulously, "Aren’t you setting yourself up for a loss?"

"Exactly, we in Xiangnan of course want to cancel this rule," said Little Glasses.

"Isn’t that perfect?" Shi Yang clapped his hands, "You guys go back and do some groundwork, and we’ll do ours. If possible, let’s get all the provincial teams to work on it. It’s a competitive event representing the country, it should be about meritocracy, not provincial protection."

"That’s true…" Wei Dongyang pondered and said, "But going over their heads to petition collectively, wouldn’t the teachers be unhappy?"

"There’s safety in numbers," Shi Yang raised his hand, "I will contact many people and draft a petition. Everyone just signs it."

"Hmm…" Wei Dongyang then slapped his thigh, "Okay, this can work. No matter who wins or loses, I am signing!"

"Dongyang!" Little Glasses quickly pulled on him, "The teacher is hurrying us, we should go first, talk later."

While pulling Wei Dongyang away, he shouted to Shi Yang, "I’m not signing, haha. Wei Dongyang can’t represent other team members."

Shi Yang simply smiled and waved goodbye to them.

It was only then that Li Zheng and Shi Yang started to wash their hands.

"You... had planned this all along?" Li Zheng couldn’t believe this was something Shi Yang thought up on the spot.

"Yeah." Shi Yang grinned and lowered his head to wash his hands, "I’ve handled everyone from our school, and with some time these few days, I’ll rally more people. Now the advantage for Xiangnan isn’t so daunting, it’s high time this stupid rule was changed."

"Hmm…" Li Zheng murmured, "Thanks."

"Thanks for what? Not for you, for myself," Shi Yang said with a laugh, pulling out a paper towel, "If you score higher than me in the provincial selection and study faster, if I lose to you in the national finals, wouldn’t I miss going to Prague? I have to fight, haha!"

"That laugh of yours is so fake." Li Zheng also shook his hands dry and pulled out a paper towel, "You’re not afraid of losing, you’re afraid of winning, right?"

"...Ah... why put it so bluntly…" Shi Yang’s face twitched as he vigorously wiped his hands, "Without you, I wouldn’t be here... yes, winning against you would make me feel bad."

"Because of that mindset, winning against you would make me feel worse," Li Zheng threw his paper towel down and punched Shi Yang hard, "We should both do our best and drop this sissy attitude, okay?"

"Your mom’s, it’s clearly you who’s being sissy, okay!" Shi Yang cursed, "Just don’t cry if you lose."

"That’d be you, chemistry is just a side hobby for me, just learning it for fun."

"Ha! Cool, I love some good trash talk."

"Then, let me end with something serious," Li Zheng said softly, holding the door handle, "Whichever of us wins and goes up to receive the award, dares to shout out the other’s name?"

"What’s that worth, fine fine fine, let you steal the limelight,"

"It’s clearly my charity."

"Come on, bring on more trash talk, haha."

"You look like a Zhu Zaizai."

"...not cool, that one hurts…" Shi Yang’s face stiffened, he turned to look in the mirror, "Damn, I kind of do."

"Hahaha!"