Three or four days later, Qiu Xi and Yu Xin Xin, accompanied by two team leaders, got into a car and headed for J City.
In the car.
"This competition is earlier than scheduled, so the rules might be greatly changed. You two should be mentally prepared and try not to be too nervous when you're there."
This was one of the team leaders, Teacher Huang.
"Of course, don't be too nervous. Remember, it's the rules that change, not the people."
"And from another perspective, this isn't necessarily a bad situation."
The two, who had been silent, nodded in unison after Teacher Huang finished speaking, "Thank you, Teacher. We understand."
When they were back at school, the teachers had analyzed the situation with Qiu Xi, and she herself had a clear understanding of the circumstances.
New rules might present an opportunity for most people, as not everyone was fully prepared to participate in the competition.
In such a scenario, a large portion of participants could compete on the same starting line.
However... for a very small number of people, the changes, or lack thereof, made no real difference in their eyes.
This was all due to their strength!
Take Qiu Xi, for instance; her mood was very calm at the moment.
The change in rules was merely a new method of competition for her. Whether it changed or not, it made no difference.
What she needed to do now was to follow the teachers' advice, stay relaxed, and wait for her turn to perform.
"Teacher Huang, it seems the schedule is out," Teacher Zhang, the other team leader, said as he held his phone, pointing at a message to Teacher Huang.
"Wait a moment, I'll take a look."
After confirming it was a new notification, he immediately took out his phone from his pocket.
A few minutes later, the two teachers put down their phones.
"Xiao Qiu, Xiao Yu, Teacher Zhang and I have just received the notification regarding the latest schedule arrangements."
"Since we still have time, we wanted to let you know. What do you think?"
Seeing the two students looking at their notes or out the window, Teacher Huang asked.
As soon as he finished speaking, both students immediately turned their attention to Teacher Huang.
"Of course, we're willing!"
"Teacher, please just tell us, we're listening."
They had been waiting for this news before setting off, but it hadn't appeared until they departed. Now that it was available, not only Qiu Xi and her companion but also the two teachers were quite excited. That's why they wanted to inform the students immediately.
"Alright, then I'll briefly explain it to you. Just to get it clear in your minds; the detailed arrangements will be handled by us two teachers."
"First, regarding the duration of the event, it's about as we estimated, roughly a week in total. However, the actual competition time is only the middle three days."
"The first two days we're traveling are for everyone to rest and acclimatize, and to get familiar with the venue. The actual competition starts after the third day."
"As for the extra two days, the organizing committee deliberated and arranged them. Strictly speaking, it's not two full days, but half a day. So, if we wish, we can head back to school directly on the seventh day."
"So, the information above is about the time arrangements for this event. You just need to be aware of it."
"It's the change in the competition rules this year that's truly a bit strange. Compared to previous years, this year's changes are quite significant..."
He couldn't bring himself to say "changed beyond recognition," so he phrased it more subtly as a teacher.
After all, in previous years, the traditional format of speech competitions was followed, with two parts: the assigned topic and impromptu speeches.
But this year, the entire format was altered so much that it seemed to change daily. They had to reconfirm the details several times when they first saw them.
Ultimately, they suspected the organizing committee was playing games this year...
Despite their thoughts, when they spoke, they still explained it earnestly to the two students.
"This year's three-day competition is divided into three rounds, one round per day."
"The first day is a written speech competition. Although the rules call it a '擂台赛' (arena competition), it actually requires a group arena competition."
"Group?"
Upon hearing this, the two students asked in surprise.
It wasn't surprising that they reacted this way; the two teachers themselves were taken aback for quite some time when they read it.
Teacher Huang nodded affirmatively, "Yes, group!"
"And these groups are not self-assembled; they will be drawn by lot on-site."
"Ah!"
"How can it be like this?!"
With such a change, what else could they possibly strategize?
This sounded like they were here to perform in a grand opera...
Teacher Huang replied, "Although we teachers don't understand it either, that's what the notice says."
"We'll discuss this later. Let's finish explaining the remaining two rounds first."
"Okay..."
"The second day is naturally the second round. However, this day's event is quite normal; it's a regular speech. The organizing committee will inform everyone of the topic at the end of the first round. You'll have one night to prepare, and then you'll compete the next day."
This was indeed normal, with no issues.
"Teacher Huang, what about the third day?"
"The third day... it's a bit strange..."
As soon as he said this, Qiu Xi and her companion's hearts tightened.
Strange? Why strange?
Looking at the two students, Teacher Huang continued, "The third round requires everyone to bring their own topic and their own prepared speech."
"Bring your own topic?!"
This was even more astonishing than the group arena competition.
Frankly speaking, don't blame them for their lack of experience; in all these years, they had truly never encountered anything like this.
"Yes, bring your own topic."
Teacher Huang's statement caused the two students, who had straightened up in surprise, to slump back down.
This was truly... more than just strange...
This felt like malicious intent from the big players, didn't it?
"Alright, we'll send you the relevant details for the three-day schedule later. If you have time these two days, you can study it together."
There was no other way; since things were this way, they could only try their best...
"Okay... Thank you for your trouble, Teacher."
Although... however...
Alright...
It was nothing!