JFWCM Chapter 38

The Competition

After receiving the invitation to participate in the physics competition, Yi Shang didn’t show much emotional fluctuation, still maintaining her aloof and composed appearance. However, Jiang Wan’yuan was even more excited than she was, jumping up and down in the classroom, telling everyone she met, “Did you know? Yi Shang has been invited to participate in a super amazing physics competition! She’s definitely going to win!”

Zhang Yao and Lin Jichuan also came over to congratulate her. Zhang Yao pushed up her glasses, looking envious, “Yi Shang, you’re so awesome. This competition gathers physics geniuses from all over the galaxy.” Lin Jichuan joked with a smile, “When Yi Shang returns in glory, we’ll have to bask in her light.”

Yi Shang looked at the enthusiastic crowd, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, “Don’t get ahead of yourselves, the competition hasn’t even started yet.” However, Jiang Wan’yuan patted her chest confidently, “Yi Shang, just go and compete with peace of mind. I’ll be at school cheering you on. If there’s anything you need help preparing, just ask!”

The news of Yi Shang’s invitation to the physics competition spread throughout the school, and everyone was proud of her. Jiang Wan’yuan was especially excited, constantly buzzing around Yi Shang, helping her prepare all sorts of things. Just as Yi Shang was about to depart, a boy named Lin Yu and a girl named Qin Yao came to the school gate, also to participate in the competition.

Lin Yu was tall and thin, wearing a pair of smart glasses, behind which hid a pair of eyes that revealed intelligence and cunning. Qin Yao had neat short hair, her eyes bright and confident, exuding a spirit of unwillingness to admit defeat. They found Yi Shang, stating that they wanted to go to the competition venue with her, so they could exchange and learn from each other on the way.

As soon as Jiang Wan’yuan heard this, she immediately stood in front of Yi Shang, like a mother hen protecting her chicks, “What do you want? Don’t even think about tripping Yi Shang up along the way.” Lin Yu waved his hand with a smile, “Of course not. We just think that traveling with an expert like Yi Shang will allow us to learn from each other and help with the competition.” Yi Shang looked at them and nodded slightly, “Okay, let’s go together.”

Thus, the three of them embarked on the train to the competition venue. This was no ordinary train, but a high-speed train traveling on an interstellar track. The carriage was equipped with advanced facilities, and the dazzling interstellar scenery flashed by outside the window.

As soon as they got on the train, Lin Yu couldn’t wait to start a conversation, “Yi Shang, what are your thoughts on the latest application of quantum entanglement communication in interstellar navigation?” Yi Shang pondered for a moment, then slowly said, “In theory, the spooky action at a distance of quantum entanglement can achieve instantaneous communication, providing more accurate positioning for interstellar navigation. But currently, it faces the problems of quantum state stability and interference, and new materials and technologies need to be found to solve them.”

Qin Yao’s eyes lit up when she heard this, “I think so too, but I think we can also optimize it from the perspective of spacetime curvature, maybe we can find a breakthrough.” The three of them talked back and forth, discussing enthusiastically.

Jiang Wan’yuan listened to the conversation, feeling completely lost, but still looked at Yi Shang with a proud expression. She turned to Lin Jichuan and Zhang Yao beside her and whispered, “Look, Yi Shang is so amazing, she’s talking to them so knowledgeably.”

However, as the discussion deepened, some of Lin Yu and Qin Yao’s views began to become somewhat extreme. They seemed to be overly pursuing the extreme application of theory, while Yi Shang insisted on finding practical and feasible solutions within the existing scientific framework. The atmosphere gradually became a little tense.

“Yi Shang, you’re too conservative. According to your ideas, it’s impossible to achieve a revolutionary breakthrough in interstellar navigation,” Lin Yu said with a frown.

Yi Shang responded calmly, “Science needs to be rigorous. Overly radical ideas lack a practical foundation and are likely to be just castles in the air.”

Just then, the train suddenly shook violently, and the lights in the carriage flickered. The train conductor’s anxious voice came from the broadcast, “Attention passengers, the train has encountered unknown energy interference and is currently urgently investigating the cause.”

Yi Shang and the others immediately realized that something was wrong. Lin Yu’s face changed, “Could it be that someone is deliberately targeting us contestants?” Qin Yao also became nervous, “No matter what, let’s see if we can help.”

Yi Shang quickly got up and went with Lin Yu and Qin Yao towards the train’s power room. Jiang Wan’yuan, Lin Jichuan, and Zhang Yao also followed closely behind. They knew that on this strange and dangerous interstellar journey, they had to work together to overcome the difficulties. And at this moment, waiting for Yi Shang at the destination, in addition to a fierce physics competition, there were also unknown challenges quietly descending…

They arrived at the power room, where the technicians were frantically checking various instruments. Yi Shang observed the data on the instruments for a while and found that the source of the interference seemed to be a mysterious energy field outside the train.

“The fluctuations of this energy field are very strange, it doesn’t seem to be naturally formed,” Yi Shang said.

Lin Yu nodded in agreement, “That’s right, and its frequency is constantly changing, we must find the pattern as soon as possible to break the interference.”

Qin Yao was nervously operating a small analyzer next to her, “I’m analyzing the spectrum of the energy field to see if I can find a breakthrough.”

Although Jiang Wan’yuan, Lin Jichuan, and Zhang Yao didn’t understand these complex technologies, they also helped to hand over tools, pass on information, and provide assistance to the best of their ability.

Time passed by, and the train shook more and more violently. The passengers’ panic was also spreading. Yi Shang and the others could feel the pressure increasing, but they did not give up and were still focused on finding a solution.

Finally, Qin Yao exclaimed excitedly, “I found it! Although the fluctuations of this energy field are complex, there will be a short period of stability every once in a while. We can use this opportunity to adjust the frequency of the train’s energy shield to resonate with it, thereby offsetting the interference.”

Yi Shang and Lin Yu exchanged glances and immediately began to act according to Qin Yao’s plan. They skillfully operated the control panel of the power room, adjusting various parameters.

With everyone’s joint efforts, the shaking of the train gradually stopped, and the lights returned to normal. The train conductor’s voice came again from the broadcast, “Passengers, the train has returned to normal operation, thank you for your cooperation and support.”

A cheer erupted in the carriage, and Yi Shang and the others also breathed a sigh of relief. But they knew that this was just a small episode in the journey, and waiting for them ahead, whether it was a competition or an unknown crisis, they needed to face it with all their strength.

As the train slowly headed towards the competition venue, Yi Shang’s eyes became firmer. She understood that this competition was not only a test of her physics knowledge, but also a challenge to her adaptability in the face of various complex situations. And Jiang Wan’yuan, Lin Jichuan, and Zhang Yao were also silently cheering for Yi Shang in their hearts. They believed that Yi Shang would definitely achieve excellent results in the competition and be able to cope with all possible difficulties…

The train arrived smoothly at the competition venue. Yi Shang, Lin Yu, and Qin Yao got off the train, and Jiang Wan’yuan, Lin Jichuan, and Zhang Yao accompanied them to the outside of the competition venue.

“Yi Shang, good luck! We’ll be waiting for your triumphant return outside.” Jiang Wan’yuan clenched her fists and looked at Yi Shang with anticipation.

Yi Shang nodded slightly, a subtle smile appearing on the corner of her mouth, “Don’t worry.”

The competition venue was a magnificent interstellar building, radiating high-tech light. The three of them walked into the venue, where top players from various galaxies had already gathered, each with confident and nervous expressions.

The competition began, the first round was a written test of theoretical knowledge, the topics covering various cutting-edge theories from microscopic quantum mechanics to macroscopic cosmology. Yi Shang answered calmly, her mind like a high-speed quantum computer, quickly analyzing and answering each difficult question. Lin Yu and Qin Yao were not inferior either, they focused on writing their answers, their pens flying across the answer sheets.

After the written test, the next was the practical operation session. The contestants needed to use the given materials and equipment to complete a complex physical experiment in a simulated interstellar environment – building an energy conversion device that can operate stably in a strong gravitational field.

Yi Shang quickly formulated a plan and began to assemble the equipment in an orderly manner. She skillfully connected the circuits, debugged the instruments, her eyes revealing focus and determination. Lin Yu and Qin Yao next to her also showed their skills, their operation methods were skillful, showing a deep practical foundation.

Just as Yi Shang was about to complete the key steps of the device, suddenly, abnormal fluctuations occurred in the energy supply of the experimental site. The other contestants suddenly panicked, and some even stopped their operations. Yi Shang’s heart tightened, she immediately realized that this might be another man-made interference.

“Calm down, everyone, don’t panic!” Yi Shang shouted loudly, while quickly analyzing the pattern of energy fluctuations. She remembered her experience in dealing with energy interference on the train and judged that this was a similar energy field interference method.

“Lin Yu, Qin Yao, let’s find a way together!” Yi Shang shouted. The three of them quickly gathered together, after a brief exchange, they decided to use the existing parts of the experimental device to build a temporary energy stabilizer.

They cooperated, Lin Yu was responsible for adjusting the circuit structure of the device, Qin Yao assisted Yi Shang in fine-tuning the energy frequency to resist external interference. With their joint efforts, the energy stabilizer gradually took shape, successfully offsetting the abnormal fluctuations, and the experiment could continue.

In the end, Yi Shang took the lead in completing the construction of the energy conversion device with her excellent performance and adaptability in the crisis. After testing, her device had the best performance and perfectly met the competition requirements.

When the competition results were announced, and Yi Shang won the championship, warm applause rang out throughout the venue. Lin Yu and Qin Yao were also happy for her. Although they didn’t win the championship, they gained valuable experience and friendship with Yi Shang in this competition.

Walking out of the competition venue, Yi Shang saw Jiang Wan’yuan, Lin Jichuan, and Zhang Yao waiting anxiously at the door. Jiang Wan’yuan rushed over and hugged Yi Shang tightly, “Yi Shang, you’re amazing! I knew you could do it!”

Lin Jichuan and Zhang Yao also came up to congratulate her. Yi Shang looked at them, her heart full of warmth, “This time I was able to win the championship, thanks to your support along the way, and the experience of everyone facing difficulties together on the train, which gave me a lot of help.”

The crowd laughed and joked, walking on the streets of the interstellar city. This physics competition was not only a brilliant achievement in Yi Shang’s academic career, but also a witness to their common growth. They knew that there would be more challenges and unknowns in the future, but as long as they unite, nothing can stop them from exploring the mysteries of the galaxy. And this journey full of challenges and surprises will also become the most unforgettable memory of their youth, inspiring them to keep moving forward on the road of interstellar exploration.

After Yi Shang won the championship, she walked out of the arena with Lin Yu and Qin Yao. The crowd was crowded, and Yi Shang couldn’t stand still for a moment. Lin Yu subconsciously reached out to help her. This scene happened to be seen by Jiang Wan’yuan, who came to greet her.

Jiang Wan’yuan’s smile froze instantly, and a sourness surged into her heart. She looked at Yi Shang and Lin Yu being so close, her heart was as uncomfortable as if a cat was scratching it. Although Yi Shang quickly stood firm and politely thanked Lin Yu, Jiang Wan’yuan still felt that the picture was particularly dazzling.

On the way back, Jiang Wan’yuan was silent all the way, completely different from her previous liveliness. Yi Shang noticed her strangeness and was a little puzzled, but she didn’t know what the problem was. Zhang Yao and Lin Jichuan also noticed that the atmosphere was not right, but they didn’t dare to ask rashly.

After returning to school, Jiang Wan’yuan began to deliberately avoid Yi Shang. When Yi Shang went to the classroom to find her, she hurriedly left on the pretext of having something to do; when Yi Shang wanted to sit with her in the cafeteria, she also took her plate and went somewhere else. Yi Shang was increasingly confused, and finally, after school one day, she blocked Jiang Wan’yuan, who was about to slip away.

“Wan’yuan, what’s wrong with you? Why have you been avoiding me?” Yi Shang frowned slightly, her eyes full of worry.

Jiang Wan’yuan turned her head away and said angrily, “You have new partners, why do you care about me?”

Yi Shang was stunned for a moment, then reacted, and couldn’t help laughing softly, “Are you jealous because you saw Lin Yu helping me?”

Jiang Wan’yuan’s face turned red all of a sudden, and she said loudly, “Who…who’s jealous! Don’t be so sentimental.” But her evasive eyes betrayed her.

Yi Shang looked at her cute appearance, her heart full of tenderness. She gently took Jiang Wan’yuan’s hand and said seriously, “Wan’yuan, Lin Yu and I are just partners in the competition. In my heart, you are the most important person. There were too many people at the time, and I accidentally almost fell, he just helped me casually, there really is no other meaning.”

Jiang Wan’yuan raised her head, looked at Yi Shang’s sincere eyes, and the jealousy in her heart gradually dissipated, but she still pouted unhappily, “Then you stay away from him in the future, I feel uncomfortable looking at it.”

Yi Shang nodded indulgently, “Okay, I promise you. But you can’t hide from me silently like this in the future, I’ll be very worried.”

The corners of Jiang Wan’yuan’s mouth rose slightly, and she said softly, “Got it.”

Zhang Yao and Lin Jichuan, who were next to them, smiled at each other when they saw this scene. Zhang Yao joked, “Oh, you’re finally reconciled, we were so worried.”

Lin Jichuan also said with a smile, “Yes, you two can’t have this kind of little quarrel again in the future.”

After this small storm, the relationship between Yi Shang and Jiang Wan’yuan became even deeper. They were like usual, studying together in the school, exploring various wonderful scientific research projects together, and continuing to write their campus science fiction story. And this small episode caused by jealousy also became an interesting and sweet experience in their future memories.