At the same time, both sides assigned a scorekeeper to verify answers using calculators.
One hundred questions were quickly prepared. The ten people on the opposing side, along with Li Yang—eleven in total—sat neatly at the table usually used as the judges’ panel. Each had a fountain pen, two sheets of answer paper, and several sheets of scratch paper.
The questions were posed first by Aqi’s side. Right from the start, he unleashed a difficult one, clearly aiming to throw everyone—including his own team—into confusion.
Only he knew that his real intention was to make Li Yang give up from the very first question. Unexpectedly, it became her moment to shine.
First question: 3367 × 534 ÷ 267
Everyone quickly picked up their pens and began calculating on scratch paper.
Even the audience started counting on their fingers.
No one expected Aqi to start with such a difficult problem.
The scorekeepers on both sides furiously pressed buttons on their calculators.
While everyone else was writing intensely, Li Yang alone seemed almost possessed, raising her left hand as her five fingers moved rapidly.
In just a few seconds, she wrote down seven digits on the paper, then raised her hand to signal she had finished.
The two scorekeepers, seeing someone had already completed it, gestured for her to wait and hurriedly continued pressing their calculators, sweating.
Aqi and Zhao Guoqiang walked over to Li Yang, then looked at the scorekeepers verifying the answers.
After confirming, Zhao Guoqiang read out Li Yang’s answer.
The two scorekeepers nodded simultaneously—it was correct.
Excited, Zhao Guoqiang signaled to Jiang Nianxin, “Director Jiang, Li Yang won the first question—mark it!”
Jiang Nianxin drew the first stroke of a tally mark next to Li Yang’s name on the board.
Since Li Yang had already given the correct answer, the others’ answers no longer mattered.
Aqi immediately announced the second question: 355 × 255
Everyone hurried to calculate again, while Li Yang once more stood out, repeating her rapid finger movements.
The next moment, she clearly stated the answer.
Her result came almost simultaneously with the calculator. The scorekeepers nodded—it was correct.
Colette only gave an answer ten seconds later…
No one could understand how Li Yang could calculate such complex three-digit multiplication in an instant.
Her left hand had merely moved briefly, yet she produced the correct five-digit answer.
Aqi refused to believe it and gave another difficult question.
Again, Li Yang arrived at the correct answer before the calculator.
From then on, her performance was overwhelming. Others had barely started writing when she would raise her hand, flick her fingers, and already know the answer.
Just over half an hour later, the Indian team couldn’t withstand the pressure and conceded.
There was no point continuing—Li Yang had already answered seventy questions correctly.
Even if they got all thirty remaining questions right, they still couldn’t surpass her.
Like a defeated rooster, Colette walked up to Li Yang.
“Miss, how did you do that?”
Imitating her finger movements, he asked sincerely,
“Is this another kind of finger calculation method from your country? As far as I know, the multiplication table isn’t like this.”
Li Yang understood these foreigners well—how could she possibly teach them everything? Once they learned it, they would claim it as their own invention.
She smiled without warmth. “No comment. Now, shouldn’t you fulfill your promise? Leave the seven thousand dollars and publicly apologize to the Chinese people.”
At this point, Aqi couldn’t return home with a reputation for breaking his word. Gritting his teeth, he gathered everyone’s money, counted it carefully—exactly seven thousand dollars.
“Miss Li, very well. I’ll remember you.”
Li Yang counted the money twice in front of them, then said,
“Your people forgot to apologize.”
Knowing this was Aqi’s first time being humiliated like this abroad, Rose didn’t dare resist the pressure from her teammates.
With reddened eyes, she stepped onto the stage and sincerely apologized to everyone present.
Having lost all face, they had no reason to stay. The group left the art troupe in disgrace.
Everyone had never felt so proud before. The way they looked at Li Yang now carried newfound respect, and they began asking about her background.
Holding the money, Li Yang felt uneasy, so she called Zhao Guoqiang over.
“Uncle, take this money back to your unit as investment funds. You can discuss strengthening English education resources in schools or adding sports equipment—anything that contributes to Nancheng’s education, I support.”
People of the 1980s were simple and devoted, willing to sacrifice everything for the collective.
Zhao Guoqiang, eyes reddened, took the thick stack of money from her, deeply moved.
“Yangyang, this…”
Li Yang patted his hand. “Don’t worry, Uncle. I can decide what to do with this money. I can’t keep it all—it should be used for everyone.”
Zhao Guoqiang understood that Li Yang’s current situation made it unwise to attract jealousy. Donating the money was the best solution.
He hadn’t expected her to hand over such a large sum so easily. With this investment, he would gain many opportunities at work…
“Alright, I’ll report this money and let the leadership decide how to use it. Yangyang, be prepared—today’s events will definitely spread. Reporters may come to interview you. It’s a good opportunity. Maybe you can use this to help get into the art troupe.
After all, you helped them greatly today.”
Li Yang nodded. This was a necessary step toward becoming a public figure. Gaining a good reputation early would only benefit her.
Zhao Guoqiang’s superior was quite insightful. Upon seeing the donation from his niece, he urgently arranged for a commendation banner and secured her the title of “Model Individual with Great Love” in the name of the Education Bureau.
That very evening, Zhao Guoqiang proudly brought the banner and certificate home.
That is a story for later.
…
At that moment, the system, silent for days, suddenly chimed.
Li Yang had almost forgotten about her special advantage.
Opening it with her consciousness, she found seven thousand points added to her account.
She wondered whether to exchange them for money or items.
Seeing the current exchange rate—1 to 10—meant ten points for one yuan.
She felt it wasn’t worth it. She wasn’t short of money anyway.
With no time to choose now, she decided to look through the options later.
Meanwhile, Jiang Nianxin deeply regretted not agreeing earlier to Zhao Guoqiang’s request.
If Li Yang had already joined the troupe, that money might have gone to them.
Many costumes and props needed updating…
But it was too late for regret. She had to secure this talent.
“Alright, girls, continue rehearsing! Back to your positions. Work seriously and devote yourselves to the great revolutionary cause!”
Inspired by Li Yang’s performance, everyone threw themselves into practice with renewed determination.
After a brief motivational speech, Jiang Nianxin turned to Zhao Guoqiang and Li Yang.
“Alright, Old Zhao. Bring your niece to my office—we’ll talk.”
Meanwhile, Li Yao, who had gone to make a phone call and ended up delayed, missed the entire scene.
Otherwise, who knows if she would still have the same confidence when facing Li Yang in the troupe afterward?