eurekapd Chapter 149 Without Butcher Zhang, we eat hairy pork.
Chapter 149 Without Butcher Zhang, we eat hairy pork.
"The rules have changed so much this year?"
Upon hearing Lin Chen's translation, Xiao Li and Teacher Zhu both frowned.
Neither of them had heard beforehand that this year's IMO competition would undergo such significant changes.
Lin Chen then asked on their behalf, "Ms. Marina, why were the rules changed so much this time?"
Ms. Marina said helplessly, "I'm sorry, this was a decision made internally by the foundation... but I can reveal some inside information to you. This decision was originally proposed by the United States."
Lin Chen translated what he said, and Xiao Li immediately understood.
"It seems the Americans are aiming for a complete turnaround this time!"
In this timeline, Chinese athletes consistently win the most IMO gold medals every year.
This has made the United States, which prides itself on being the world's beacon of hope, feel embarrassed.
Although they can remotely control colonists to promote IMO gold medals online, it's useless.
However, they were unable to control public opinion within the country.
But all of this has changed with the recent inauguration of a new US president named Donald.
This president's catchphrase is "Make America Great Again," so making America the first team champion in the IMO should also have become one of his political goals.
Chen Xiaoxiao laughed from the side.
"The Americans would never have imagined that we have Lin Chen with us this time."
Upon hearing this, both Xiao Li and Teacher Zhu turned their gazes toward Lin Chen.
Then, the two of them laughed together.
That's right, although the Americans started planning for this IMO competition very early on.
They even went so far as to poach two of their key players.
But they could never have imagined that this year's Chinese Mathematical Olympiad team would have Lin Chen as their ace!
After saying goodbye to Marina, everyone returned to their dormitory.
"Since this is a team competition, the average score of everyone is very important."
"It's alright. Fortunately, we had Lin Chen give everyone some guidance beforehand, so the team competition is actually more advantageous for us!"
On the way, Xiao Li and Teacher Zhu both had smiles on their faces.
They were all glad that they had asked Lin Chen to give them tutoring questions earlier.
Prior to this expedition to Australia, the coaching staff organized a mock battle test.
It is used to make a final check on everyone's condition before setting off on a campaign.
As expected, Lin Chen and Chen Xiaoxiao both received full marks, while the other four team members all showed significant improvement compared to the past.
In their words, ever since they did the math Olympiad problems set by Lin Chen, all other problems seem much easier to solve.
"Teachers, what you're saying puts a lot of pressure on me."
Lin Chen gave a wry smile.
But Chen Xiaoxiao directly exposed him: "You still feel stressed? You were the one who slept the most soundly on the plane."
Xiao Li and Teacher Zhu immediately burst into laughter.
But at that moment, the two suddenly stopped laughing, and their expressions changed.
Following their gaze, Lin Chen also looked over.
It turned out that all four members of the math Olympiad team were standing outside the dormitory.
Lin Chen was about to greet them when he saw that the four of them had serious expressions and were gritting their teeth.
The culprit behind all of this was a group of young people, about the same age as them, dressed in Stars and Stripes.
"Is that the US team? Why are they all black-eyed and yellow-skinned?"
"What's surprising?"
Chen Xiaoxiao said dismissively.
"Americans are only good at higher education these days. When it comes to basic education, which country in the world can compare to us? So isn't it normal that their team is full of Chinese people?"
"Makes sense!"
Lin Chen nodded repeatedly.
But since the opposing team is the US team, then wouldn't that mean...?
Lin Chen immediately understood why his teammates all looked so serious.
Sure enough, when Xiao Li approached, the two young men opposite him immediately looked embarrassed.
"Team Leader Xiao?"
"Zhang Qing, Tang Ming! I never expected to run into you here! What, you've already obtained US citizenship?"
Xiao Li looked at the two of them coldly, her eyes full of regret.
Zhang Qing and Tang Ming were originally two genius students personally selected by Xiao Li to join this year's math Olympiad team.
Xiao Li was very optimistic about their future and even personally secured their admission to Tsinghua and Peking Universities in advance.
Unexpectedly, the two of them went abroad during winter break and then voluntarily asked to withdraw from the math Olympiad team after returning.
Only Xiao Li herself knows the true feeling behind this.
Upon seeing Xiao Li, Zhang Qing immediately lowered her head in shame.
Tang Ming, however, forced a smile and said, "Team Leader Xiao, don't blame us. You know how much room for development there is in the US. Our families are both quite ordinary, so how difficult it was for us to get this opportunity?"
Zhang Qing echoed, "Yes, Teacher Xiao, we are just ordinary people. We made this choice because we want a better future."
When Xiao Li was too angry to speak, Chen Xiaoxiao stepped forward, her eyes full of disdain:
"A better space? Hasn't Professor Xiao helped you enough? I heard he even prepared the qualifications for you to be recommended to Tsinghua and Peking Universities! You've all grown up under the guidance of the Chinese government to get to where you are today. Just because of the so-called better conditions in the US, you're going to leave without a second thought?"
"You must be senior Chen Xiaoxiao, right? I've heard of you."
Tang Ming sneered, "I know you come from a wealthy family, so you can't understand what coming to the United States means for two ordinary families like ours!"
You, a pampered young lady, have no right to criticize our right to pursue a better life!
Chen Xiaoxiao sneered, "Pursuing a better life? That doesn't mean you should switch to another country right before the competition. How can you face the teachers who nurtured you?"
The two were speechless, and a hint of awkwardness flashed across their faces.
"Anyway, we're already on the US team now, so we'll give it our all in this competition."
Chen Xiaoxiao was about to speak when Lin Chen suddenly interrupted her.
"Xiaoxiao, let's call it a day. Without Butcher Zhang, we're just going to eat hairy pork? It's better that those two traitors are gone. If they hadn't left, we wouldn't have had a chance to participate in this competition."
"Who is the traitor?!"
"Kid, watch your mouth!"
"Whoever betrays the country is a traitor! They have the guts to be traitors, but not the guts to admit it? Ignore them, Xiaoxiao, and Yang Zongyuan, you all go back!"
Lin Chen's prestige within the team is probably higher than Xiao Li's now.
Hearing his words, Yang Zongyuan and the others, still seething with anger, turned and walked back.
Xiao Li sighed and went back with them.
Watching their departing figures, Zhang Qing's face flushed red and then paled.
The word "traitor" was like a thorn stuck in my heart.
But then, Tang Ming put a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't mind them, let them talk! These people have never been to the United States, so naturally they don't know how wonderful the outside world is!"
Compared to Zhang Qing, Tang Ming never felt that he had betrayed the country.
He said, "Don't be fooled by the fact that China's basic education is now among the best."
However, in terms of university education, China and the United States are not even on the same level.
So what's wrong with us choosing to go to the US to receive a better education?
It's rare that Americans need us now. What's wrong with using our knowledge to gain some tangible benefits for ourselves?
At worst, we can go back to serve our country after we finish university.
Let's focus on this competition for now. Don't forget, we've only just obtained our green cards.
"If we don't win this competition, the Americans might revoke our green cards!"
Upon hearing Tang Ming's words, Zhang Qing's initial sense of guilt vanished instantly.