Among the 12 Chinese candidates, there were two girls and ten boys. They stayed in six double rooms on the same floor.
As Ye Jian and Yang Ye entered their room, the first thing they did was to take out the books and exam papers, some of which were in English, from their luggage and put them next to the head of their beds.
They didn’t pack other clothes, except for their blue and white school uniforms. The short-sleeved shirts and long trousers had a refreshing sports style.
It was lunchtime at 12 o’clock. When Ye Jian and the other 11 Chinese candidates walked to the cafeteria of the hotel, they found that all the candidates from the different countries had gathered there!
As a token of their hospitality, the students of Australia, which was the host country, talked with the students from other countries in the cafeteria.
Ye Jian glanced around the cafeteria. There were several groups of black-haired Asian students, but the Vietnamese students were not seen. She must know their whereabouts to keep an eye on the Red Scorpion.
At the sight of so many students in one cafeteria, Yang Ye whispered to Ye Jian, “Tut, tut, tut. I’m going to have stomachache due to the pressure…”
“Do not…” Before Ye Jian could finish her words, a commotion came from behind. And then, she heard Gu Fan, a Chinese candidate, saying in a deep voice, “You need to apologize!”
All the students participating in the competition spoke fluent English. And Gu Fan spoke standard American English. Ye Jian knew it was him by listening to him speak.
As she turned around, she saw a Vietnamese boy glaring at Gu Fan. There were several books scattered on the floor. Gu Fan brought them over from China.
“Why should I apologize?!” said the Vietnamese boy in a fierce tone. Sneering, he continued, “This is a public place. And you have blocked our way by standing here!”
The viciousness of the boy and the hatred in his words were a bit absurd.
And the other Vietnamese students were just like him. It seemed as if the Chinese students in front of them were their enemies.
“You are a group of impolite invaders. I will not apologize to you,” said the boy, escalating a simple matter to the conflict between the two countries.
All of a sudden, the Chinese students shot sharp and fierce glances at the Vietnamese students.
Invaders? How dare he claim that the Chinese were invaders?!
Ye Jian had a calm look on her face, but her black eyes were shooting a sword-like gaze at the Vietnamese student.
She approached the stone-faced Gu Fan and whispered to him, “Go and get the teachers. Let’s not argue with them about this kind of matter.” If these Vietnamese students wanted to discuss the conflicts between China and Vietnam in the past 30 years, she wouldn’t mind talking with them.
Gu Fan lowered his head to look at his books which were knocked over on the floor. He thought that now that he was in Australia, he should not have disputes with the students of other countries. As he bent over to pick up his books, Ye Jian grabbed him by his wrist. Smiling, she said, “They should apologize and pick up your books. It has nothing to do with international conflicts. We don’t need to treat these people of ill manners kindly.”
She spoke in English with composure in her tone. But the look in her eyes was fierce.
“I will go and find the teachers. Boys, help Ye Jian! Don’t let anyone bully her!” said Yang Ye sternly. She had realized that the Vietnamese were provoking them intentionally. “I don’t believe they have the guts to play any tricks in this place!”