Chapter 96: 064 Trickery (Second Update) _3
Translator: 549690339
Song Yinzhang sighed, “It looks like you’re going to be first again this time.”
A hint of a smile appeared in Ming Jing’s eyes, “It’s fine, there’s always next time.”
Song Yinzhang shook his head and laughed.
“Hey, can you two give it a rest? I can’t enjoy the taste of this crab while you’re discussing math problems. It feels like chewing wax, no flavor at all,” Tao Xingxing said with a mournful face.
“In the eyes of us academic losers, there’s no such thing as the last big question. What even is that?” She seemed more and more like she wanted to cry.
Ming Jing laughed and said, “Alright, we’re done talking. You eat slowly.”
After finally calming Tao Xingxing down, Song Yinzhang said, “The mathematics competition training lasts for 15 days and prepares you for the nationwide competition in the middle of next month. If you rank in the top five throughout the province, you can join the provincial team and get a ticket to the Winter Camp. The Winter Camp takes place at the end of December, and January and gold medal winners from the camp can join the national team to participate in the International Mathematical Olympiad next March and April.”
With shining eyes, Song Yinzhang looked intently at Ming Jing, “This is a thorny path so many students dream of. Let’s walk it together.”
Ming Jing frowned, “I’m not familiar with the format of the Olympiad questions. I might…’
“I’ve seen your math exam papers. You have a sharp mind and flexible thinking.
Many of your methods are often unexpected. If you’re not suitable for the
Olympiad, no one is! Moreover, if you win an international prize, you can not only get into top domestic universities but also choose from prestigious ones abroad.”
Tao Xingxing burst into tears, “I can’t go on living like this…”
What’s the point of enjoying crabs when you’re in the company of two
academic gods? She should just eat exam papers instead.
Song Yinzhang’s driver came to pick him up.
Ming Jing took Tao Xingxing home.
Her family lived in a high-end residential building in the south district, where most of the residents were middle-class professionals like lawyers, doctors, and university professors.
Tao Xingxing touched the leather seat and sighed, “This BMW cost more than a million yuan. It looks like your mom’s favoritism is cured.”
Even when she got out of the car, she was still somewhat reluctant, “It is definitely more comfortable than my mom’s Audi, which only cost a few hundred thousand yuan.”
“Ming Jing, we’re at my doorstep now. Come in for a cup of tea before you leave.” Tao Xingxing swung Ming Jing’s hand back and forth.
Ming Jing hesitated, “Uncle and Auntie are home, right? It might be inconvenient.”
“My mom’s on a business trip, and my dad’s working at the hospital.”
Tao Xingxing’s mother ran a law firm, and her father, still young, was already an assistant director of a department. The family was full of social elites.
Unable to resist Tao Xingxing, Ming Jing followed her upstairs.
The area of Tao Xingxing’s home was not very large, about 150 square meters, three bedrooms, and two living rooms. The decoration was warm and cozy, full of warmth and happiness.
As they entered, a wedding photo hung on the wall. The woman was gentle and beautiful, and the man was handsome and gentle. The two leaned on each other, truly a match made in heaven.
Tao Xingxing took out a brand new pair of women’s slippers for Ming Jing to change into and then went to the kitchen to boil water.
Ming Jing never drank that kind of junk drink; she only drank hot water.
The living room and dining room were very clean, and it was obvious that the hostess was diligent and virtuous.
There were many photos on the TV wall, almost all of Tao Xingxing, arranged neatly by age, from infancy to toddlerhood, and now a graceful young girl.
Time was truly magical. As Ming Jing looked at these photos, she could imagine the indulgence and satisfaction in the eyes of her parents when they looked at them.
She glanced at the busy girl in the kitchen, smiled, and thought that only a happy family and loving parents could raise a lively and adorable personality like Tao Xingxing’s.
Suddenly, her gaze focused.
There was a potted money tree half a person tall near the TV cabinet. The surface was layered with various sizes of goose egg stones. She dug around in it and found a small white pill that was barely visible among the white goose egg stones.
Ming Jing held the pill between her fingers and examined it. She glanced around and saw a small box on the dining table with various common medications. She picked up a bottle of vitamin B, unscrewed the cap, and sniffed the bottle.
Her eyebrows twitched slightly.
Tao Xingxing came out and saw Ming Jing looking at the pill bottle. She felt a little strange but didn’t think much of it. She said, “My mom takes those. She works so hard that her health isn’t great. My dad often gives her vitamins and supplements to eat.”
Ming Jing put down the pill bottle and smiled, “It’s alright.”
From an angle Tao Xingxing couldn’t see, Ming Jing held a flashing white pill between her fingers.
“Are Uncle and Auntie usually busy at work?” Ming Jing asked.
“It’s not too bad. My mom’s busier, so my dad spends more time with me.
Whenever he has time, he cooks delicious food for me and takes me to amusement parks. He even encourages me to be a star chaser. I have the best dad in the world.” Tao Xingxing hugged her stuffed bear with a proud, happy look on her face.
Ming Jing laughed, “You really are enviable.”
Recalling Ming Jing’s family situation, Tao Xingxing realized that it wasn’t very kind of her to brag that way.
She stuck out her tongue, hugged Ming Jing’s shoulder, and said, “From now on, my parents are your parents, too. I’ve told them about you, and they both like you a lot. In the future, whenever you have time, come over to our house for dinner. My dad’s cooking is delicious, and he’ll definitely like you.” Ming Jing didn’t stay long and left.
Returning to the car, she stared at the pill in her hand thoughtfully.
Zheng Qing asked, “What are you holding in your hand?” Ming Jing replied, “Amitriptyline.”
Zheng Qing raised an eyebrow, “Where did you get it from?”
This stuff is used to treat depression, but because of its serious side effects, it’s not commonly used in clinical practice, and only severe depression patients would take it.
Zheng Qing knew this because she had used it too.
However, that was in the past. She had made it through now.
There’s nothing more important than living.
Ming Jing pinched the pill and muttered, “Why hide it from her husband?”
Zheng Qing probably understood, “Hey, life is so fast-paced these days, and with all the stress, who doesn’t have depression? What’s the point of worrying about it? Are you scared your classmate would get hurt?”
They say the heartless are the most ruthless.
But deep down, she was full of compassion..