Bab 42: 42. Meeting the Prodigy Again.
Aren't you afraid that I'll be lazy that way? I believe in you, replied Aiden. Aiden's
unhesitating trust touched her.
She looked determined. In that case, I'll be brave enough to take the job. But try not to
blame me if I don't do well.
Seeing her confidence weaken, Aiden laughed kindly. He reached out his hand to her and
said, Welcome to the Midnight Snack Corner restaurant. Serena Matthews was stunned
for a moment, then smiled and shook Aiden's hand.
Okay, boss. That day, Serena Matthews sent Aiden out of the library, attracting the
attention of many onlookers. Ding! Received beauty's gratitude.
Flirting skills, plus one. Ding! Recruiting staff, leadership, plus one. Current progress, one
out of ten.
Current level, beginner. Ding! Staff and position match. Business management ability,
plus one.
Current progress, one out of ten. Current level, beginner. Aiden decided to find time to
prepare his own computer and phone, as well as Serena's laptop.
Time flew, and it was Friday. Just as Aiden was preparing to open the new restaurant, in
high spirits, some news disrupted his plan. According to an emergency notice from the
Math Society, the county math competition will start at nine o'clock this Saturday
morning.
Contestants should prepare accordingly, and arrive on time tomorrow. Although Mr.
Harvey was talking about the participants from junior year, he was looking straight at
Aiden. Alan had been disqualified, and only Aiden was qualified to participate now from
junior year.
Looking at Mr. Harvey's pleading eyes, Aiden really couldn't bear to refuse. It looked like
the restaurant would have to wait until Sunday to move. Aiden looked a little reluctant,
which infuriated the rest of the class.
After all, they hadn't qualified to participate in the competition even if they wanted to.
Many of them would have liked to replace Aiden, especially as there were cash prizes for
the winners. But when they thought about the difference in ability between them and
Aiden, they were secretly relieved.
In a corner, out of Aiden's sight, Alan appeared uninterested. But a flicker of resentment
and complacency flashed in the depths of his eyes. Aiden, he thought, we're not done
yet.
Wait and see. I'll show you what it's like to have a grievance. That night, Aiden told his family about the competition.
Morris and Clara immediately sent him off to his room to revise. Aiden did not think he
needed to revise. He believed that with his 60 plus points in math, he'd be able to get a
good result in any competition at all.
But no matter what he said, his parents didn't believe him. It's a county math
competition. If you can get a bronze reward, our family will be so honored.
Son, don't be nervous. Take it easy. Hearing their words, Aiden had to pretend to study
with the book in his hand.
Otherwise, they would probably have carried on nagging him all night. He had already
made an appointment with Viola to visit Mia, but it looked like he would have to wait for
the next time. The next morning, Aiden left the house with enthusiastic encouragement
from Morris and Clara.
According to the information provided by Mr. Harvey, there were a total of 10
participants in the Otis team. Aiden was the only one in the first grade. Coincidentally,
the teacher leading the team was Mr. Harvey.
He yawned as he walked towards the meeting place. At 830 in the morning, when Aiden
arrived at the designated gathering point, the entrance of the Bayside District Education
Center, he found that it was already crowded with students from Brockway, Valley Forge,
Dorseyville, South Orfield, Radnor High, Harrington High, and Otis High. The flags of each
school fluttered in front of the entrance.
The participating students were either excited, nervous, or worried. They lined up in
rows. After activating his sight strengthening function, Aiden easily spotted Mr. Harvey's
shiny bald head in the crowd and found Otis High's line, but discovered that he was the
last to arrive.
Aiden, here! Mr. Harvey waved at Aiden from afar. The other nine participants from Otis
High looked at Aiden curiously. Aiden felt little kindness in their eyes.
Jealousy Aiden more or less knew why they were jealous. He had been allowed to
compete, and perhaps win $5,000, even though he was only in the first year of high
school. It made these people in the second and third years resentful.
Aiden ignored their looks and went to greet Mr. Harvey. Everyone's here. Mr. Harvey
looked at his watch and frowned.
You guys should get in the right mindset. Don't be nervous. Just wait for the
announcement to go in.
With that, he left the students and went to smoke under a tree in the distance. Mr. Harvey was a hardened smoker and never went long without a cigarette. The 10
students stayed where they were and whispered to each other.
Aiden lost interest when he heard they were talking about math problems. He simply
closed his eyes and rested to strengthen his vitality rating. Gradually, however, their
conversation grew louder and louder.
Whether intentional or not, it drifted to Aiden's ears. What's the name of that arrogant
idiot over there? I've seen the list. His name is Aiden.
He's in the 11th grade, junior year. Is he really a junior year student? Has he got in
through family connections? Who knows? In any case, a junior year student won't win
the prize. I don't know what Mr. Harvey was thinking of giving one of the places to a guy
like that.
I know, right? If he'd given the higher grades another spot, we might have a better
chance of winning the prize and beating Radnor. Aiden frowned and opened his eyes. He
said coldly, I heard that people who say nasty things behind other people's backs get
tongue-tied.
The students' voice stopped abruptly. Their faces stiffened in embarrassment. What are
you talking about? You all know what I'm talking about.
They didn't bother to try to hide it any longer and looked at Aiden with disdain. We're
talking about you. What's wrong? Isn't it true? We're not impressed with people who use
their family connections to be selected.
Get lost. Don't make a fool of yourself. Aiden smiled contemptuously and countered.
Who's made a fool of themselves? Isn't it a bit early to tell? All right, everyone, stop
arguing. A male student who looked older appeared out of the crowd. He looked at Aiden
and frowned.
Aiden, I understand how you feel about taking part, but this is an annual county math
challenge. Everyone here is a math genius. You've only been in high school for a few
weeks.
How many questions can you really answer? If I were you, I'd go home now. I don't want
it to be embarrassing for us when the results are announced. Why is he famous? Aiden was baffled. Were this guy's parents celebrities or in
government? The two girls looked adoringly at Michael Benz and said, Michael's top in
everything. He's in the basketball and part 14
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Even a demon at math, no one at Otis can beat him. Last year, he competed here for
Otis and was only a few marks off bronze. It's the best result for Otis since it was
founded.
Initially, Aiden had thought that Michael was pretty impressive. But when he heard that
he hadn't even won a bronze award, he couldn't stop himself from laughing. Bence's face
darkened and the two girls glared at Aiden with hostility.
What's so funny? Bence asked slowly, his expression ugly. Aiden stifled his laughter and
said, I wish you every success today and hope you win a bronze medal. Despite his
apparent good wishes, everyone could hear the sarcasm dripping from his words.
You! Bence's face was furious, but just as he was about to go on, a child's voice could be
heard from behind him. Excuse me, can I come past? Michael Bence and the others
turned around and saw a slight boy about six years old, smiling shyly at the people
around him. Oh, what a cute kid.
Hey, are you lost? The two girls couldn't help smiling at the boy. They moved towards
him and one gave him a hug. The boy was annoyed and wanted to shake her off, but he
couldn't get away.
Let him go, said a firm voice, suddenly taking the two girls by surprise. They turned their
heads and saw it was Aiden speaking. His gaze was sharp and there was no warmth in
his eyes.
The girls felt uncomfortable, as if caught out doing something wrong. Okay, calm down,
Aiden. Yeah, we're only playing with the boy.
What's it to do with you? Although they answered back, they felt Aiden's disapproval and
could not help but let go of the boy. He took the opportunity to escape from their
suffocating hug and ran to Aiden, asking with a worried expression. Aidy, are they your
classmates? Aidy! Everyone suddenly realized that this kid knew Aiden.
No wonder Aiden was annoyed. Aiden glanced at the two girls and said indifferently, I
don't know them at all. Take no notice of them.
His words made the two girls grit their teeth in anger. Aiden ignored them. Instead, he
asked the boy in front of him.
Davy, why are you here? Yes, this sweet and charming child was, of course, the prodigy
David from the Wiles family, whom he had met once at the Kay's house. A few of them
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone