Chapter 13: I Refuse

Chu Qiao arrived at Director Zhao’s office door. Before she could knock, she heard her mother, Liu Xinyao’s voice from inside:

“Director, you’re right.”

“I know my daughter well. Her doing so well this time must be just luck!”

“She doesn’t have the ability to qualify for the exchange competition!”

“Don’t worry, we will definitely convince her to withdraw. Her father and I don’t want her to embarrass herself!”

Director Zhao’s voice sounded kindly, almost gentle: “It’s good that you understand.”

“I’m also considering the reputation of your family and Chu Qiao.”

“If Chu Qiao were as outstanding as Chu Han, I wouldn’t say a word or trouble you to come discuss this.”

“After all, luck is so fleeting. Just because Chu Qiao was lucky this time doesn’t mean she’ll always be.”

“Isn’t that right?”

Chu Zhenting quickly agreed: “You’re absolutely right!”

“We should actually be grateful for your kindness!”

“By the way, I heard Dean Zhao recently returned home? We were thinking of paying a visit; we hope it won’t inconvenience him?”

Director Zhao replied: “Don’t worry.”

“I’ll check with my father about when he’s free, and we can all have a meal together.”

Chu Zhenting said: “Ah! Great! Thank you so much!”

The office was filled with harmony.

In just a few words, they had made a decision about Chu Qiao without so much as asking for her opinion.

Chu Qiao curled her lips in irony, did not knock, and pushed the door open to enter.

The three people inside fell silent for a moment upon seeing her.

Then Liu Xinyao scolded: “Child, how careless of you! Don’t you even know to knock?”

Before Chu Qiao could respond, she went on: “We heard you got lucky this time, ranking eighth in the entire school, taking the spot reserved for Director Zhao’s nephew at the exchange competition.”

“Your father and I discussed it—given your results, there’s no point competing. You should just apply to withdraw.”

“Be obedient, and after you graduate, your mother will find you a good hospital job.”

Chu Qiao said nothing, only looking at Liu Xinyao with a subtle, sardonic smile.

Liu Xinyao felt uneasy under her gaze, frowned, and raised her voice: “How many times have I told you to speak politely when people talk to you?”

“Behave like this and no one will like you; everyone will hate you. Do you understand?”

“Now answer me—do you understand?”

Chu Qiao nodded: “I understand.”

Before Liu Xinyao could relax, she added: “But I refuse.”

“I earned the eighth place on my own merit, and I fought for the spot at the exchange competition.”

“Attending the competition is my right, so I won’t withdraw.”

Liu Xinyao hadn’t expected Chu Qiao to openly and relentlessly defy her in front of others. She was more shocked than angry, staring at her daughter in disbelief.

What’s going on with this child?

Why is she suddenly so disobedient?

Chu Zhenting was also surprised. In his impression, Chu Qiao was ordinary in both studies and character, unremarkable.

Though she envied Chu Han, she was usually obedient and easy to manage.

Since when did Chu Qiao become so sharp-tongued?

“Chu Qiao, how do you speak to your elders?” Liu Xinyao snapped back to anger.

She stood up, instinctively wanting to slap Chu Qiao.

Director Zhao, smiling gently, stopped Liu Xinyao: “Please calm down. Let me talk with the child properly.”

Once Liu Xinyao sat back down, Director Zhao turned to Chu Qiao and spoke earnestly:

“Chu Qiao, I understand how excited you must be to finally get this spot.”

“After all, it could be the best chance to change your future. If I were you, I’d be excited too and wouldn’t want to withdraw.”

“But you must think carefully... The main subject for this exchange competition is pharmaceutical theory.”

“I’ve noticed that in your exams, you barely pass this subject.”

“If you stand before top students from all schools and only score just passing marks...”

“Not only will you embarrass our school and your parents, but you’ll also become a laughingstock yourself.”

“Even so, do you insist on going?”

Director Zhao’s tone was calm and reasoned.

For a student unscathed by the harshness of society, his words were indeed persuasive.

But as he spoke, Chu Qiao’s mind began to fill with pharmacological knowledge—not only modern, but ancient as well.

Though written in classical script, she inexplicably understood it.

She paused, then realized this was the result of her novice-level expertise in poisons, which had increased her experience!

Her eyes sparkled.

She was certain that the pharmacology knowledge in her mind now far surpassed the basic knowledge taught at university.

Not to mention the ancient medical knowledge, which modern medicine sorely lacks!

Previously, after staying up late analyzing all past exchange competition projects and honestly assessing her strength, she thought first place was a stretch but second place was doable.

But if the competition truly emphasized pharmacology, then first place was hers for sure!

“Yes, I’m going!”

Chu Qiao declared resolutely, ignoring the calls from Chu Zhenting and Liu Xinyao behind her, and strode out of the office.

Outside, she saw Chu Han standing not far away at a corner, eyes fixed on her, seeming hesitant to speak.

Chu Qiao ignored her completely and turned away.

Chu Han frowned.

In the past, Chu Qiao would have eagerly come over to greet her. What was wrong these past few days?

Could it still be because of that night at the banquet, when their mother asked Chu Qiao to be her companion?

But the parents couldn’t be blamed. If Chu Qiao were as outstanding as her, their parents wouldn’t be biased!

Just then, a displeased Chu Zhenting and Liu Xinyao also emerged.

Once outside the political education building, Liu Xinyao immediately complained:

“Chu Qiao is getting more and more willful!”

“We didn’t want her to attend the exchange competition mainly because we feared she’d be ridiculed by others. She really doesn’t understand a parent’s hard work!”

Chu Zhenting sighed.

Even he felt Chu Qiao had gone too far this time.

Withdrawing from the competition would cause her no harm, and attending might only lead to embarrassment.

Clearly, Chu Qiao wasn’t competing just to compete, but to defy her family!

“Xuan Yu will be back soon. When he returns, we’ll have him persuade Chu Qiao.”

“Chu Qiao fears her eldest brother the most and listens to him the most.”

“Sigh... She’s already a senior. She should just graduate obediently and find a hospital job, instead of wasting time competing with Han. It’s really not right.”

Chu Han heard this and felt a growing annoyance toward Chu Qiao.

It seemed Chu Qiao’s sudden insistence on joining the exchange competition was just to spite her!

So annoying!

When would Chu Qiao focus on herself instead of constantly comparing herself to her?

...

Four days later.

The exchange competition is held annually at a different university each year.

This year, it was Lu’an University’s turn.

The day before heading to Lu’an University, Chu Qiao and several other participants suddenly received an additional notice from the school concerning new rules for the exchange competition—