Rebirth 08: A Happy Life Begins in Elementary School

Chapter 115 I admire him very much

"This will be the classroom for Class 1 of Grade 7, which will also be the Experimental Class 1," Han Xu said, pushing open the classroom door.

An exceptionally clean and tidy classroom was displayed before everyone.

Like other classrooms, this room also accommodates 60 students, but both the books on the desks and the arrangement of the chairs look much better than other classrooms.

"I thought these kids, being so talented, would all have some quirks," said Wu Weisong's mother. "Isn't it said that geniuses are more free-spirited? Right, Li Zhao's mother?"

Zhou Xiaoyun smiled and nodded.

Wu Weisong's mother licked her lips, blinked, and remained silent for the time being.

"Actually," Wang Wenzhao began to elaborate when he was on his home turf, "the outstanding children in elementary school don't yet have very prominent special qualities. Or rather, their most prominent quality is their ability to concentrate on learning. At this stage, diligence can still make up for any shortcomings."

"Yes." Zhou Xiaoyun listened to Li Zhao's words and appropriately affirmed the other person's point of view.

"Things change in junior high. There's a lot more to learn. Getting high scores on regular tests might be enough with hard work, but if you want to excel in various competitions, hard work alone isn't enough. You need depth of thought." Wang Wenzhao looked at the two soon-to-be junior high students chatting animatedly in the back row. "Only by thinking deeply and building your own knowledge system can you go beyond the textbook content and explore deeper and more difficult problems."

Han Xu, standing to the side, expressed his approval with appreciation.

Wang Wenzhao is very capable, has innovative ideas, and is both resourceful and resolute in his execution. Initially, he attracted a lot of criticism, but as the overall performance of the experimental class improved in the first year, no one doubted him anymore. He proved himself with solid results.

"Only at times like these can we see the true qualities of a student, that is, the qualities that can truly be called geniuses."

Wang Wenzhao pointed in the direction of the two children.

This did not interrupt the lively exchange between Li Zhao and Wu Weisong.

Wu Weisong had just too many questions. He would ask three questions for every single point he mentioned. Li Zhao was getting carried away and just wanted to see when he would be unable to answer the kid's questions.

So they didn't notice the adults who suddenly quieted down.

"You're saying the Turing test is a bit outdated?" Wu Weisong continued to ask.

"Strictly speaking, it shouldn't be called outdated. Its introduction had historical significance, but in today's information explosion, it's not quite sufficient as a standard of intelligence. Imitating human conversation, triggered by just a single keyword, is enough to fool many people; the only question is how deep that keyword database is."

"Then how do we determine whether artificial intelligence truly understands the meaning of words? Or rather, how do we define 'understanding'?" Wu Weisong suddenly clapped his hands, his whole body trembling. "Is it possible that artificial intelligence doesn't necessarily need to be like a human?"

Indeed, you have unique insights into thinking, as a true sixth-grade elementary school student.

"Yes, I think instead of worrying about how to make artificial intelligence more human-like, we should think about what it can do as a super tool."

"He possesses an astonishing knowledge base and terrifying computing power!"

"Yes, so————"

The adults were stunned.

Wu Weisong's mother had never seen him like this before. Wasn't her son a bit awkward in social situations? Wasn't he particularly introverted? How could he be chatting so animatedly with someone he had just met?

Zhou Xiaoyun wondered what her son was saying, what Wu Weisong was so happy about, and what the other three were silently doing.

Han Xu kept lamenting how old he was. He thought, "Heroes have always emerged from among the young; the Yangtze River's waves push the old ones forward, and the wheels of time keep turning." He was only forty, a trendy guy who regularly worked out, and clearly keeping up with the times—yet these two elementary school students were talking about artificial intelligence!

"Among all the specially recruited children this time," Wang Wenzhao said, "Li Zhao and Wu Weisong stand out the most. Li Zhao is extremely confident and extremely calm, and his abilities are unbelievably strong. Even by the standards of a gifted elementary school student, his temperament, knowledge, and comprehensive abilities are definitely beyond the norm. Wu Weisong has the characteristics of many math geniuses I have seen: deep thinking, a talent for asking questions, and a tendency to get lost in his own world. If he can be properly guided, I believe he will be able to achieve great things in his field of expertise in the future."

"Where's Li Zhao?" Zhou Xiaoyun couldn't help but ask.

This made Wang Wenzhao quite nervous.

What do you mean? Do you want to know my assessment of Li Zhao's career development?

Is this a test of my understanding of career planning?

"Well, Li Zhao's mother, to be honest, I've never really met a genius like Li Zhao before—I feel like there are just too many things he can do, it's impossible to predict. It still depends on where his interests lie."

Zhou Xiaoyun was very satisfied.

"After all, you are involved in international trade and have a broad perspective. I believe that you and Li Zhao's father must have some plans for Li Zhao's future career development."

Huh? What international trade?

Zhou Xiaoyun was taken aback for a moment, but still complied with Li Zhao's request and nodded with a smile.

Wang Wenzhao breathed a sigh of relief.

"When the seating is arranged, you two can choose first." Han Xu walked over to the two children who were chatting about love without knowing what the world was like and interrupted them.

Li Zhao immediately returned to reality, but Wu Weisong clearly did not; he was engrossed in his own thoughts.

Kid, Li went a bit too far with what he said; there was a lot of information involved. Maybe you should go back and digest it a bit more.

"Li Zhao, where would you like to sit?" Wang Wenzhao asked.

"Don't you consider height?" Li Zhao asked back.

"Look, you're taller, so you can choose the last four rows."

"Are men and women seated together?"

"No, boys with boys, and girls with girls."

"Then I'll take this one." Li Zhao pointed to the second-to-last row, by the window.

The back row by the window, the hometown of the king.

"Okay, I'll save it for you," Wang Wenzhao said with a smile. "And you, Weisong?"

"To be Li Zhao's deskmate."

The four adults paused for a moment, then smiled with satisfaction.

Then Wu Weisong realized what was happening, "Li Zhao, is that alright?"

"sure."

I just feel like I'm going to get bombarded with questions in class from now on. But this guy is a real genius, and having him as my deskmate should be helpful for my own enlightenment.

With the conversation interrupted, Li Zhao was finally able to take a good look at New Taipei First Senior High School.

Look at this old-fashioned projector, look at these old-fashioned aluminum window frames, look at this small tiled floor—

Sigh, let's adjust our mindset, this is 2008.

Look at these mottled white walls, look at these tables and chairs with chips and cracks everywhere—

New Taipei First Senior High School is really old. It can't compare to the richer New Taipei Experimental High School next door. Li Zhao vaguely remembers when he was in junior high school, everyone praised the New Taipei Experimental High School for its new and high-quality desks and chairs. It even sparked a small war of words between New Taipei First Senior High School and New Taipei Experimental High School on the online forum.

As the group walked out of the classroom, Han Xu pointed to the small garden and introduced it, "This is the famous Sixian Garden of New Taipei First Senior High School, which has a long history."

"Many years old? It looks like it was built at the beginning of the century," Li Zhao said.

"Good eye!" Han Xu laughed. "Sixian Garden, like New Taipei First Senior High School, does have a history of sixty years. It was just rebuilt later. The garden you see now was indeed built at the beginning of the century. Li Zhao, how did you figure that out?"

Li Zhao could have argued that this idiotic, unprotected covered walkway was something from the early 20th century, but he chose the safer answer: "I've been here."

"Oh? When did you arrive?"

"National English Competition"

"Weren't you competing in the multimedia category? What are you doing here?"

"I handed in my paper early and came here with my teacher to take a look around."

————?

Wu Weisong's mother had a very interesting expression on her face and whispered to her son that he should get along well with Li Zhao.

"But isn't it said that New Taipei First Senior High School was founded at the end of the 19th century?"

"Oh, that's the result of tracing back to the source. There is indeed such a lineage, but it was not until more than sixty years ago that it was officially named New Taipei First Senior High School. Some of the old buildings from back then are still there. Look, the small canteen in this dormitory building is one of the remnants from back then."

Li Zhao's face fell immediately.

No, I would say it's because the school leaders are of good character that you left the office building, but how could you leave such an old canteen in the dormitory building?

Han Xu didn't notice Li Zhao's expression, but Wang Wenzhao did. "Li Zhao, this place is just for making simple breakfasts and serving as a small shop for the students living in the dorms. If you really want to eat, you have to go to the newly built auditorium over there. Students who are taking a lunch break also eat there."

"That's more like it," Li Zhao nodded.

Zhou Xiaoyun almost lost her composure.

"Speaking of which, do you choose to stay overnight?"

"No," Li Zhao and Wu Weisong said in unison.

It's not far from home, so there's no need to stay overnight, and I can use my computer at home anyway.

The situation is the same for both of them.

"The sports field is right across the street. Our New Taipei First Senior High School has very complete sports facilities—" Han Xu introduced confidently.

There are six basketball courts, the rubber surface of which has been worn down considerably. There is also a 200-meter running track and a small gymnasium with a wooden floor for flexible marking. Most of the time, it is used as a badminton court, but occasionally it is used for volleyball. Various nets are also used for grade-level meetings or performances.

"How are things? Do you two exercise regularly?" Wang Wenzhao asked.

Wu Weisong's mind wandered to the heavens.

Li Zhao nodded, "I've been working out lately and playing badminton. Actually, I'm happy to try any sport."

"What do you think of the sports facilities at No. 1 Middle School?"

"Why not try it?"

Upon hearing those four words, Han Xu and Wang Wenzhao's pupils immediately dilated, and a sense of tension instantly arose!

Han Xu immediately pulled Li Zhao aside and began to explain the advantages of New Taipei No. 1 High School's teaching strength compared to Experimental High School.

Li Zhao said helplessly, "I'm just stating the facts, Teacher Han. It's simply not as good as it is. Wouldn't it be much better if the school could find a way to patch up the exposed concrete on the basketball court?"

This was a development that Li Zhao hadn't expected. What did it mean? Although he hadn't enrolled in New Taipei First Senior High School yet, the privileges he possessed seemed quite substantial.

"Alright, it's lunchtime. The cafeteria is closed today, so I just asked the chef to prepare a table of dishes for us all to eat together. Then, Teacher Wang, could you ask Xiao Liu to bring over the things we need to process for enrollment?" Han Xu clapped his hands, beginning the closing part of today's meeting.

On the way to the cafeteria, Wu Weisong suddenly approached like a ghost, startling Li Zhao.

"Li Zhao, I heard you're also very good at Chinese?"

"Not bad, what's up?"

Do you read newspapers?

Wow, Xiao Wu really has a lot of questions to answer.

"I read it occasionally, like the South China Weekly or something —"

Wu Weisong made no attempt to hide his excitement. "Four Knives, have you read his articles?"

"That's more than just having seen it," Li Zhao nodded.

"I want to be like him; I admire him greatly."

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