Outside Fudan University's Physics Building.
In the rest area for the team leaders, the atmosphere was exceptionally relaxed.
Compared to the Gaokao or CPhO, this kind of commercially backed cup competition was more like a friendly match for top students to sharpen their skills and broaden their horizons, in the eyes of coaches from most key high schools.
The teachers gathered in small groups, while the natural focus of the entire rest area was on the only two super high schools participating in this cup competition.
Chengdu No. 7 High School and Shanghai Middle School.
One was the invincible overlord that had dominated Southwest physics competitions for years, and this time they had purely brought their "alts" out to see the world.
The other was a behemoth with home-field advantage and the top educational resources of the Yangtze River Delta at its back.
Naturally, the team-leading teachers from these two schools were surrounded by coaches from other provinces and cities seeking conversation.
"Teacher Su, your batch from Chengdu No. 7 this year is really impressive. That kid named Qiao Fan is already this steady in his first year of high school. Next year's national finals will probably secure him another training camp spot."
"Not at all, not at all. He's still not good enough. He needs more experience."
Listening to the waves of commercial mutual flattery drifting over, along with the relaxed air of people who did not take this competition seriously at all...
Old Zhou, the head of the Huaxuan Cup problem-setting team standing in the corner, silently took a sip of coffee.
"They're pretty relaxed. But this time won't be like before."
Just then, Old Chen walked up to him.
"Hello, are you Director Zhou from the Huaxuan Cup Organizing Committee?" Old Chen greeted him politely. "I'm the