Should the Math Modeling Competition Spot Be Given to Zhou Yi

Zhou Yi said calmly, "Then let's wait until it's over to see, Su Ning."

He picked up the chalk and began quickly writing the solution process on the board. Beside him, Xu Cong's eyes lit up.

This kid's problem-solving method was quite innovative—an approach and logic he had never taught before.

Xu Cong nodded repeatedly. "Not bad. This line of thinking is very clear, a bit simpler than the method I taught."

Everyone looked at the scene in astonishment.

A flicker of surprise flashed in Su Ning's eyes as she carefully examined Zhou Yi's solution.

Xu Cong didn’t doubt Zhou Yi at all. This test paper was one he had written himself, and no one else knew the answers.

This ruled out any possibility of Zhou Yi having prior knowledge of the answers.

"Well done. Both of you can return to your seats. Today, we’ll use Zhou Yi’s answer as the standard solution to review the test. Everyone, check how you did."

After Zhou Yi returned to his seat, the girl behind him gently tapped his shoulder with her pen.

"Zhou Yi, could you write down the solution for the last question for me? I forgot my glasses today and can’t see the board clearly."

Zhou Yi’s deskmate was a girl with twin ponytails named Yao Xiaotao. The two had barely spoken before.

Yao Xiaotao was an average student who spent most of her time and energy on studying. She paid no attention to class gossip—her goal was to get into graduate school.

In her eyes, Zhou Yi was just an ordinary classmate. She had never mocked him, so Zhou Yi had a decent impression of her.

"Sure. Should I write it directly on your test paper?"

"Yeah, that’s fine."

Zhou Yi gave her a faint smile, took her test paper, and wrote down the solution for her.

Zhang Wu, however, was seething with resentment. No matter what, he couldn’t accept the sudden transformation of his "useless" deskmate.

His face darkened as he crumpled his test paper into a ball, staring silently at the blackboard, lost in thought.

"Xiaotao, I’ve written it down for you. I also included the alternative method the teacher taught—it should be easier for you to understand."

"Wow, thank you, Zhou Yi!"

"You’re welcome."

Zhou Yi glanced at his system panel—both his affection points and attribute points had increased slightly. It seemed Yao Xiaotao was the one who contributed to it.

On the podium, Xu Cong began explaining the answers one by one, using Zhou Yi’s solutions as reference. When he reached the last question, his gaze lingered on Zhou Yi for a moment.

"We won’t go over this question using Zhou Yi’s answer. His method goes beyond what we’ve covered in class—it’s not necessary for us."

As soon as Xu Cong said this, some students immediately voiced their doubts.

"But how would Zhou Yi know something beyond the university curriculum? Teacher, I don’t think he came up with that answer himself."

"Yeah, how could someone who’s always been at the bottom suddenly improve so much?"

"I don’t believe Zhou Yi is that good either."

...

Many in the class began questioning Zhou Yi. Xu Cong looked at him, but the young man remained composed, showing no sign of panic.

"Coincidentally, I have another test paper here. Everyone, finish it in class today."

This way, they could test Zhou Yi’s true level.

Xu Cong handed out the test papers. Zhang Wu glared at Zhou Yi and sneered, "I’ll be watching you. Don’t even think about cheating."

Zhou Yi smirked, giving him a look as if he were a clown.

This time, Zhou Yi finished the test in just ten minutes.

Zhang Wu watched as he filled in answer after answer without even needing to calculate, convinced that Zhou Yi was just writing nonsense.

He couldn’t wait to see Zhou Yi humiliate himself!

Unsurprisingly, Zhou Yi was the first to hand in his paper.

The top students sitting near the front were stunned to see him finish so quickly.

"What’s this guy doing? Ten minutes isn’t enough to solve even a few problems."

"He must be guessing."

"Just showing off."

"It’ll be hilarious when the scores come out."

Zhou Yi pretended not to hear the whispers as he placed his test paper on Xu Cong’s desk.

"Teacher, I’m done."

"That fast? Don’t you want to check it over?"

"No need, teacher. I’m sure there are no mistakes."

"You’re pretty confident, kid."

Xu Cong set down his thermos, picked up Zhou Yi’s test paper, and began grading it with a red pen.

"Hmm..."

A few minutes later, his expression turned intrigued.

What was going on with Zhou Yi?

A test finished in ten minutes—and every answer was correct!

But why had his grades been at the bottom before? It was truly baffling.

The man adjusted his glasses and asked, "Zhou Yi, I’m curious—with your ability, why were your grades so poor before?"

Xu Cong’s voice was loud enough for the front-row students to hear.

Zhou Yi’s ability? What ability?

Did the teacher just imply that Zhou Yi was some hidden math genius!?

Zhou Yi couldn’t exactly say it was because of a system, so he played it vague. "Teacher, there’s a reason, but it’s hard to explain."

His mysterious answer only deepened the confusion.

Xu Cong didn’t press further. Instead, he smiled and pulled out a stack of test papers from his textbook. "Can you solve these by tomorrow? If you perform at today’s level, I’ll give you the spot for the Mathematical Modeling Competition in the Visual Communication program."

This announcement sent the top students into an uproar.

This was a competition they had been fighting tooth and nail to enter—prize money in the hundreds of thousands! Who wouldn’t be tempted?

Even just making it to the national level guaranteed bonuses from the province and the school—at least 30,000!

And now this golden opportunity was being handed to Zhou Yi!?

"Teacher, that’s unfair!"

"Yeah, why should Zhou Yi get it?"

"Either let us all take another test to decide fairly!"

Xu Cong was usually easygoing, always speaking with a smile, so the students felt free to voice their objections.

Faced with their protests, Xu Cong waved his hand. "Finish this test first. We’ll discuss it next class based on your scores."

This was about prize money—in other words, their personal interests.

The class had already been embroiled in underhanded competition over spots in various art contests. Since they weren’t art students, they never had a chance to participate. Now, finally, it was their field of expertise—so why was it being given to a "loser" like Zhou Yi?