Huo Yanxi frowned and said, "Why did you bring up Lu Xia again? Are you at the same level as her?"

Huo Yao tapped the table gently with her finger casually and replied. "Aren't you the one who brought her up?"

Huo Yanxi went speechless and felt that there was no way for him to communicate with Huo Yao properly. Still, he drew in a breath and patiently tried to explain to her. "Xiaxia did it for the sake of getting recommendation into Tsing University. What about you? It seems... pointless to participate in the competition with grades like yours."

After pausing for a second, Huo Yanxi added further. "If you have spare time, you should take some tuition. The most important thing for you now is to improve your grades."

Although he was somewhat disappointed with his younger sister, he hoped she could focus on getting onto the right path instead of harboring any fantasies and looking for shortcuts.

Huo Yao casually laughed as she looked at him and replied. "So are you trying to say that I don't have the right to participate in the quiz?"

Huo Yao's laughter sent Huo Yanxi into a flurry. He instinctively answered. "... That's not what I mean. I'm just saying you shouldn't bite off more than what you can chew."

"Sure, I get it," said Huo Yao as she nodded. Then she lowered her head to continue finishing off the bit of porridge left in her bowl.

Huo Yanxi looked at his baby sister. Although she seemed calm and sensible, she deliberately kept a distance from him, which made complicated emotions rise in his heart.

Lu Xia would never have placed him in such an awkward situation and would have at least tried to understand what he said.

The mood at the dining table became somewhat awkward post this conversation.

Huo Yanxi lost all appetite a while later and stopped eating breakfast. Then he looked at Huo Yao and said, "Why don't I hire a tuition teacher for you?"

Huo Yao raised her head quizzically and asked him. "Hmm?"

"Since you're so persistent about joining the competition, I won't talk you out of it. I have a friend who works for the Education Association and might be of some use to you," said Huo Yanxi slowly.

Those who made it into the Education Association were either college teachers with advanced teaching licenses or academics from various fields who had contributed to society. If she accepted guidance from a member of the association, it would save her a lot of effort.

"Thanks, but I don't need him." Huo Yao rejected his offer politely but decisively.

Huo Yao could not fathom why her older brother was so certain that her grades were lousy enough for her to need tutelage from someone belonging to the Education Association.

Huo Yao's rejection caught Huo Yanxi by surprise. He had reckoned that his thoughtfulness would have moved her.

But Huo Yao was completely untouched and even refused Huo Yanxi without a moment's hesitation.

Huo Yanxi looked angry and could not help saying, "Do you know what a boon it is to receive guidance from someone from the Education Association?"

Huo Yao looked at him calmly without saying a word.

Huo Yanxi held his forehead with his hand and felt infuriated by the sight of her indifference.

Then he said sternly, "Do you know..."

It suddenly dawned on Huo Yanxi that Huo Yao had lived in a small county all her life and probably knew nothing about the Education Association. Hence, his voice came to an abrupt halt as he shook his head and said, "Forget it. I don't even know why I bothered trying."

Huo Yanxi stood up and said to Huo Yao, "Since you don't want my help, just forget that I even asked."

He could not be bothered with this little sister of his anymore.

Huo Yao watched as Huo Yanxi flicked his sleeves and left angrily. Then she took out her phone moments later to type a text message and hit send.

[Is the Education Association a big deal?]