Xue Yuantong's presence was icy and fierce, as if she were preparing for a climactic battle.
Dong Jiayi was taken aback. Then, in her raspy voice, she said, "I'm Dong Jiayi."
"Come on, the exam's about to start," Xue Yuantong said simply.
Dong Jiayi did not want to waste time either. "Mm, I think so too."
Ma Shicheng checked the time. There were still fifteen minutes before the exam began.
Shan Kaiquan looked nervous. Was there enough time? Could they leave draped in glory? But then—
In less than five minutes, Xue Yuantong had turned the chessboard into a bloodbath.
Dong Jiayi sat there blankly, looking dazed.
"Alright, go take the exam," Xue Yuantong urged.
She was used to scenes like this. When she had played chess with people by the roadside as a child, the losers had worn similar expressions.
By Xue Yuantong's estimation, Dong Jiayi's chess skills were average—about equal to one and a half Xue Chuchus, or one-tenth of a Jiang Ning.
She was no match for Xue Yuantong at all.
Dong Jiayi had only just snapped out of it. "It's over?"
"Yep, it's over," Xue Yuantong said.
Ma Shicheng checked the time again. "Let's go, let's go. Xue Yuantong is unbeatable."
They had used someone else's exam desk for their game, and that student had been waiting nearby for quite a while. To put him at ease, Ma Shicheng even gave him a piece of Green Arrow gum.
Shan Kaiquan said, "Alright, I'm satisfied with today."
Wang Longlong rose from his seat, ready to withdraw from Class 1.
But just then, Dong Jiayi's lips moved. Before she could speak, Wei Xiuyuan beat her to it.
"Wait!"
Shan Kaiquan stopped. "What is it?"
"She can't accept the loss," Wang Longlong said.
Wei Xiuyuan stopped them from leaving.