The Selection Competition

Nie Chengfei hung up the phone and returned to his office. "It was President Wang from Yuedong Entertainment."

"Did he approach you for something?" Xu Guangyi inquired.

Yuedong Entertainment was a music company, and its music platform ranked among the top music platforms in the country. Their company operated within the media industry and had a partnership with Yuedong Entertainment.

"He's interested in QiaoYou. He expressed a desire to discuss the lullaby's copyright with either QiaoYou or our company," Nie Chengfei explained, placing his hands behind his back and sighing.

The lullaby's popularity remained robust. Some major music platforms had already taken the initiative to feature it on their platforms, but such broadcasts lacked copyright protection and were destined to be taken down sooner or later. As QiaoYou was currently streaming it on their Ordinary Streaming platform, it was only natural that other partners would approach them to discuss the music's copyright.

"What did you tell him?" Xu Guangyi inquired.

"What else could I say?" Nie Chengfei replied, sounding displeased. "I'm not even sure if QiaoYou will sign with our platform. I don't have time to entertain them."

Typically, after a new streamer began broadcasting, they would proactively pursue a contract with the platform. However, QiaoYou had shown no inclination to take this step, leaving it uncertain whether she was interested in signing with them.

"That's true," Xu Guangyi agreed, taking his seat at the desk. "Let's give it a bit more time."

...

The night was shrouded in mist. After glancing at her watch, Tang Qiao discreetly exited the classroom through the rear door.

She navigated the teaching building and arrived at a spacious classroom. She stood outside the window and peered inside. The classroom was well-lit, with some early-arriving students seated neatly. 

Tonight marked the Mathematics Olympiad selection for Feng City First High School, and all selected students were expected to participate.

Tang Qiao entered the classroom, where the tables and chairs were neatly arranged, and students sat attentively. Three exam proctors stood on the podium, with Lin Qingyu seated in the front row at the center. Upon spotting Tang Qiao's arrival, Lin Qingyu gritted her teeth. Tang Qiao truly dares to show up! Does she believe she can join the Mathematical Olympiad merely because she knows a few math terms? All the students who participated are genuinely talented!

Even Yan Ping, stationed on the podium, was in a sour mood. When she spotted Tang Qiao entering, she impatiently instructed, "Newcomers, please find a seat quickly. The exam will commence in ten minutes!" She couldn't fathom why Wen Guanjie had invited Tang Qiao to participate in the selection. Does he intend to embarrass himself?

Tang Qiao paid no heed to Yan Ping's remarks and took a seat near the classroom door. Wen Guanjie, meanwhile, glanced at Tang Qiao and smiled.

After some time, the forty-five students participating in the selection had all settled in their seats.

Wen Guanjie briefly outlined the exam rules, saying, "The examination will last for a total of three hours. Cheating, plagiarism, or any form of dishonesty is strictly prohibited. In case of exceptional circumstances, raise your hand and ask for assistance." After that, he began distributing exam papers, pens, and answer sheets.

Tang Qiao swiftly flipped through the exam paper, scanning each question from start to finish. In contrast to the standard Mathematical Olympiad competition, the qualifiers' questions were noticeably simpler and less challenging.

Without hesitation, Tang Qiao glanced at the first multiple-choice question and didn't bother to calculate on a separate sheet; she knew the answer instinctively. The same was true for the first ten multiple-choice questions. Yan Ping, discreetly observing from the side, couldn't help but sneer repeatedly. This is utter desperation.

She is merely guessing the answers to this type of test. But it makes sense—given her level, her calculated responses will likely be incorrect, so why not take a chance at guessing? Perhaps luck will favor her, and she may get some right.

Meanwhile, other students proceeded cautiously, some even laboriously calculating their answers to the initial multiple-choice questions.

As time ticked away, half an hour later, Tang Qiao reached the final page of the exam. There lay several theory questions. After a moment's contemplation, she recorded the steps for solving it on her answer sheet. 

Mathematics was the bedrock of Wanke. In her past life, Tang Qiao had delved into the realm of science, grappling with physics, chemistry, and biology. As a result, she retained some fundamental mathematical knowledge.

Ten minutes later, Tang Qiao subtly flexed her wrist, concluding her writing. After reviewing her responses one last time, she raised her gaze to the classroom's front-facing clock, which displayed 8:20 p.m. She signaled to the exam proctors, then spread her completed exam paper on her desk, rose from her seat, and exited the classroom.

Lin Qingyu, who had observed Tang Qiao's actions, found herself taken aback. Tang Qiao has turned in her paper. I have only just finished the multiple-choice questions! Can it be that Tang Qiao has given up due to the perceived difficulty of the questions?

Yan Ping, who had been lingering at the back of the classroom, furrowed her brow upon witnessing Tang Qiao's actions. Is Tang Qiao submitting her paper already? There are so many questions to tackle! Even Wen Guanjie's countenance darkened. He approached Tang Qiao's desk and cast a disapproving eye on the completed exam papers. He was taken aback.