With the complete blueprints for YC-2130, the difficulty of constructing the Sanctuary was significantly reduced for Su Junxin.
She worked all night to modify the blueprint, and by the time she lifted her head, the day had already broken.
Her brain had long adapted to the sleepless state in the post-apocalyptic world, but her body hadn't caught up. Thus, by the third class in the morning, her strong will power couldn't overcome the assault of drowsiness.
The fan overhead in the classroom turned into the best lullaby, her head nodding like a pecking chick, in the end, she succumbed and closed her eyes.
Suddenly.
"Su Junxin, please read the third paragraph."
People are always most sensitive to their names. The moment she heard these words, Su Junxin reflexively opened her eyes and looked at the podium.
Jiang Rushi looked at her, with a faint smile on her face. She repeated, "Please read the third paragraph of the textbook."
Su Junxin gathered her thoughts, and as she glanced down, she took a quick look at Qin You's desk.
He made a page-turning action, lightly pointing at the beginning of the third paragraph of a certain text.
She understood, and quickly turned to the back while picking up the textbook, clearing her throat.
The rest of the classroom, more or less, had expressions that suggested they were watching a spectacle, with a few whispers passing below.
But when she started speaking, everyone was so surprised they no longer talked.
With a fluent standard British accent, each pause and emphasis were just right, coupled with her inherently cold voice, it was even enjoyable to listen to.
When she finished the last sentence, Su Junxin put down the textbook and looked at the podium.
Jiang Rushi had a look on her face as if she had discovered an unexpected treasure, starting the applause.
"Who would have thought our class had such a high hand hiding in plain sight, you really surprised me," she smiled and looked at the rest of the class, "What's the matter? Are you all mesmerized? Doesn't Su's performance deserve everyone's applause?"
The rest of the class reacted and thunderous applause quickly rang out in the classroom.
Su Junxin responded with an indifferent expression of thanks.
As soon as she sat down, she found herself glancing to the left unconsciously.
When she saw that Qin You was staring at her again, the smile that had just risen at the corner of his mouth quickly receded.
"What?"
Qin You didn't mind her cold attitude towards him, and curiously leaned over.
"Where did you learn your English accent? It's amazing!"
Su Junxin's action of writing notes paused a little, and after a moment of silence, she replied, "Tutor."
He understood and praised her again, "It really sounds good, it's like listening to a foreign speech."
She gave a slight tug at the corner of her mouth, no response.
Her English teacher was not a private tutor, but an old British professor who had traveled with her in the post-apocalyptic world.
The old professor was named Qiao Xiufu, a Nobel laureate in literature, very famous.
At the time of the post-apocalyptic arrival, he was engaged in friendly exchanges in China and was accidentally saved by Su Junxin. The two traveled together in the post-apocalyptic era for more than two years, during which Su Junxin learned her spoken English from him.
But later, while searching for food, the elderly Qiao Xiufu was injured and infected by zombies due to inconvenient legs. Su Junxin had to pull the trigger on his head herself.
It wasn't her first time killing a living human being, but it haunted her nightmares for almost a year after.
*
Withdrawing from her memories, Su Junxin's expression grew more exhausted.
When the off-duty bell rang, she planned to wash her face to refresh herself, but was stopped by Jiang Rushi.
"Su Junxin, could you come with me?"
Following her into the teacher's office, Su Junxin sat down in a chair.
"Is there something you need from me, teacher?"
Jiang Rushi nodded, "Do you know our school is hosting an All-English Hosting Contest?"
Su Junxin thought for a moment, vaguely remembering something, "Yes, I know."
"Your recitation today was very astonishing. I've also seen your first-year English grades; they're very solid, and your written essays are of a high standard." She adjusted her glasses, "So I want to recommend you to participate in the hosting contest."
She took out a brochure for the All-English Hosting Contest from a stack of files and handed it to her.
"Your English pronunciation has a very infectious power. It stands out amongst everyone else's American accents. That is your biggest advantage. I believe that as long as you perform at your normal level, winning a prize is certain… of course, this competition is entirely voluntary. I won't insist if you don't want to."
Su Junxin quickly scanned the content on the brochure, and she made her decision.
Her main concern now was about building the Sanctuary, while juggling her studies. Time was not sufficient, and the hosting contest had three rounds of selections. Just preparing and practicing would take up much of her free time.
To her now, there was no benefit.
She looked up at Jiang Rushi, "I'm sorry, but I—"
Her words hung in the air as she suddenly glanced at the top file of the stack—the Qing University recommended admission application.
The highlighted sections about qualifying for recommendation requirements were in bold letters, and one instantly caught her eye: [Provincial key high school students who have won awards in foreign languages].
The Experimental First Middle School was a provincial key school, and the Hosting Contest was a large-scale competition held by the school and precisely involved a foreign language!
If she could get the recommended status, it meant that she would have more time to build the Sanctuary for at least two more years!
Su Junxin's eyes brightened, and her words turned, "I will participate!"
Jiang Rushi showed a relieved smile upon hearing her words.
"Great, prepare well, feel free to come to me if you have any issues."
Coming out of the office, Su Junxin walked more lightly than before.
While pondering about the Hosting Contest, she turned a corner of the hallway.
After the corner was a skinny little boy squatted down.
He hastily gathered the scattered exercise books into his arms. As he stood up, he saw Su Junxin walking toward him. He instinctively shrank his neck and his eyes dodged downward.
Su Junxin caught a glimpse from the corner of her eyes and deftly caught a workbook that was about to slide off, putting it back on top.
Without saying a word, she passed by him.
Her movement brought along a gust of cold scent, unexpectedly entering Li Weize's nostrils.
He suddenly looked up, his eyes wide in surprise, and quickly turned around to look at Su Junxin-
Her retreating figure gradually overlapped with the figure under the streetlight last night.