Training the Heavens

Chapter 154 Reporters are coming

He Chengxuan laughed again as he spoke, "I just received a notice from the school. It's not our affiliated primary school, but the Jiangsu Normal University where I used to work. The leaders informed me that I can go back to school after the New Year."

"After more than a decade, universities have resumed enrollment. Many schools are short of teachers. Fortunately, they haven't forgotten me. I can go back to the university to teach them advanced mathematics. I can recommend you as a university teacher. USTC should give you this opportunity!"

"Is this a good thing? Congratulations, teacher." Zhuang Tunan pretended to be confused.

"Thank you, thank you." He Chengxuan smiled so hard that he could hardly close his mouth. His knowledge of advanced mathematics finally had a place to be put to use.

"Let's not talk about me, let's get on with your business. Do you want to study at USTC? It's one of the best schools in our country, not much worse than Tsinghua University or Peking University. You'll definitely meet better teachers if you go." He Chengxuan continued to persuade, "If you agree, I'll go to your house and help convince your parents."

In his opinion, Zhuang Tunan's parents would be delighted to have such a good thing happen to them, and there was no reason for them not to agree. So many people worked so hard to take the college entrance examination, wasn't it just to go to college? Now the opportunity was before them, and as long as Zhuang Tunan could pass the interview, he could get it.

But Zhuang Tunan's reaction was beyond his expectations. He didn't answer immediately, but instead asked a question, "Teacher, where is USTC? Is it far from Suzhou?"

"It takes more than ten hours to get to Hefei, the capital of Anhui Province, by train. But don't worry, the teachers at the school will definitely take good care of you once you arrive in Hefei." He Chengxuan said, recalling his experience of attending a meeting at USTC that year.

Zhuang Tunan immediately shook his head. "It's too far. I won't go to USTC. If I leave, who will take care of my mom and Xiaoting?"

Then, feigning innocence, he asked, "Teacher, why do we have to go to USTC? Wouldn't it be better for me to follow you and go to Jiangsu Normal University?"

What I just said is only one of the reasons why Zhuang Tuanan did this. The more important reason is that he is different from other talented young people. He can become a great mathematician just by finding some of the later mathematical papers in his mind, digesting them thoroughly, and making them his own. He does not need the platform of USTC at all.

Moreover, if there are more talented young people, the school's attention will decrease. This year's junior class of USTC has recruited 21 talented young people. If I go there, I will be at most one of the 22nd, which is not enough for the school to give me extra treatment.

Ning Bi, Xie Yanbo and other outstanding students in the first junior class did not receive any special treatment.

If I went to Jiangsu Normal University, it would be different. I would probably be the only talented young man there, and the school would treat me like a treasure. This is what it means to be the head of a chicken rather than the tail of an ox.

"USTC is better than Jiangsu Normal University. It will definitely be better for you to go there than to stay in Suzhou. Besides, our school is not qualified to recruit students for the junior class, right?" He Chengxuan was confused for a moment.

"Why is USTC the only university that has a junior class? Why can't other schools do that? I'm only eleven years old and I don't want to leave my mother. If I can't stay in Suzhou, I won't go to the junior class. At worst, I can continue to study in middle school and wait for the college entrance examination. Then I can skip a few grades, which should be pretty fast." Zhuang Tuanan would never compromise on this issue.

"Even if you skip a grade, you'll still have to study in junior high and high school for at least two years. It's a shame to waste such precious time like this." He Chengxuan became more and more anxious as he thought about it. He took Zhuang Tunan's hand and stood up. "Come on, let's go to your house. I'll talk to your parents."

Back in the courtyard, the family of three was there. Zhuang Chaoying's high school was on winter break, so even if the senior class had to make up for the missed classes, they still had a few days off. Huang Ling had just gotten off work. "Teacher Zhuang, Tunan's mom, I have something important to discuss with you today." He Chengxuan explained the situation in detail as soon as he entered the room, not even bothering to drink water.

"Tuanan's level can definitely pass the screening, but he himself doesn't want to go. You are his parents, and he will definitely listen to you. Otherwise, it will not only be a loss for Tuanan, but also a loss for the country." He Chengxuan wanted to send Zhuang Tuanan to Hefei right away.

"Are you going to a place as far away as Hefei?" Huang Ling felt sorry for the child and didn't want him to leave home so far at such a young age.

Zhuang Chaoying's mood was very complicated. On the one hand, he was proud that their Zhuang family had produced a talented young man. On the other hand, he hated Zhuang Tunan's unwillingness to communicate with him. He was Zhuang Tunan's biological father, but as a result, no outsider, He Chengxuan, understood his academic level.

No matter what, being able to go to college is definitely a good thing, so he agreed without hesitation. "If there is such an opportunity, I will definitely support it."

Before He Chengxuan could smile, Zhuang Tunan burst into tears, "You dislike me and don't want me to stay at home. Mom and Dad want to drive me away. Can you please not drive me away? I want to stay by your side."

Zhuang Chaoying's face suddenly darkened. "How can you be so ignorant? Going to college is such a great thing. Many people beg for it but can't. Why don't you want to go?"

"Tunan, don't cry, don't cry." Huang Ling quickly hugged Tunan in her arms and couldn't help but get angry at Zhuang Chaoying, "Tunan is so young, and you have the heart to let him go so far away? How can you be so cruel!"

"I'm doing this for his own good. You know how important it is to go to college, right? Besides, Ning Bi is only 12 years old, only one year older than Tuanan. If he can go to Tuanan, why can't I?" Zhuang Chaoying was very depressed. Why didn't his family understand him?

"You just dislike me and want to drive me away!" Zhuang Tunan continued to cry.

"Why is Tunan crying?" Song Ying heard the crying and couldn't help but come over to help persuade him, "Can't you just talk it over properly? Why make the child cry?"

Being neighbors nowadays is different from that in later generations. In later generations, people might live next door to each other for more than ten years without knowing each other's names. But nowadays, many neighbors are closer than some distant relatives. Song Ying likes Zhuang Tunan's family of three, so when she hears the child crying, she will definitely come over.

Just then, someone knocked on the gate. "Tunan, is Tunan home? A reporter from the city newspaper is here for an interview."

Lin Wufeng hurried over to open the door. His neighbor, Wang Yong, walked in with a well-mannered middle-aged man. He introduced them as he walked in, "This is Comrade Fang Boliang, a reporter from the Suzhou Daily. Reporter Fang, the one crying is Tunan."

Fang Boliang was a little embarrassed. "I didn't disturb you, did I? How about I come back tomorrow?"

"No, no, Reporter Fang, please come in and sit down. I'll pour you some water." Huang Ling hurriedly welcomed him in.

(End of this chapter)