Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

When the school bell rang in the afternoon, Han Chunming indeed rode his old bicycle and parked it steadily under the shade of the sycamore tree at the school gate, with half a bag of oranges he had just bought hanging on the handlebars.

……

Three months later, in the laboratory, several students were conducting an experiment on "measuring resistance using the bridge method" under the guidance of Professor Chen.

The courses available right now are all beginner-level, and you can learn them by following the textbook step by step without any problems.

For Qian Wentao and Xiao Yao, there was almost no need for a demonstration; they were quick and efficient at using it. Although the others were a bit more unfamiliar with it, they had never touched such instruments before, and after a period of frantic activity, they gradually got the hang of it.

Professor Chen strolled over, his gaze falling on the two men's hands—zeroing, connecting wires, reading the numbers, calibrating—their movements were crisp and efficient, the rhythm as precise as if measured with a ruler.

Experiments are all about finding the truth in the smallest details; turning a knob too far or shifting a reading by half a second can lead to vastly different results.

This instinctive proficiency comes from muscle memory honed through countless repetitions. Xiao Yao was only touching an electric bridge for the first time, yet he could naturally notice these details, which was clearly not luck; while Qian Wentao's parents spent years in the laboratory, so their skill was unsurprising.

Wang Yutong and Ji Fengnan represent a different style: they possess solid theoretical foundations, clear deductions, and are steady, accurate, and ruthless in their practical work; they are the kind of candidates who can handle both exam papers and instruments with ease. Xiao Yao and Qian Wentao have strong foundations, quick minds, and fast hands-on skills; they are the type who grasp things immediately.

After the experiment ended, Professor Chen raised his hand, signaling the four people to stay.

The other students immediately exchanged glances, some secretly giving them a thumbs up, others winking at them, all full of envy.

The four of them were feeling uneasy, wondering if something had gone wrong in one of the steps.

"After studying university physics, do you find this course interesting?" Professor Chen asked with a smile.

Everyone nodded in unison: "Interesting!"

He nodded: "What you're doing now is all 'cog-in-the-machine' work—the real big projects in the future will break down into just a few dozen of these small steps. You're not qualified to step into the real research field yet. So, if the foundation isn't solid, no matter how tall the building is, it'll still be a dangerous structure."

Xiao Yao and the others knew that those so-called "real experiments" were just routine procedures in cutting-edge research projects, only they were still separated from them by a thick glass wall.

Nobody knows when that door will open.

"Do you want to pursue a career in physics research in the future?" Professor Chen suddenly asked.

The four of them nodded in unison.

He chuckled and patted the podium: "Okay, come to my office anytime you're not in class. I'll show you how a 'live' experiment works."

The four of them felt a surge of excitement – ​​Professor Chen was a recognized authority on physics experiments within the university, and receiving his personal guidance was more effective than studying ten textbooks!

Seeing that the four of them were standing there in a daze, probably not understanding, he added, "In the future, when I do experiments, you can observe, ask questions, take notes, and even try it yourself. But the premise is—you must be able to do these 'small tasks' in front of you efficiently with your eyes closed."

The four nodded vigorously, their heads bobbing rapidly like ears of wheat swaying in the wind. Now they understood: the old professor intended to train them as his direct disciples!

Xiao Yao felt a surge of heat in his chest, and his fists clenched quietly—he was one step closer to the path he wanted to take.

Since he has chosen the path of scientific research, he must be ahead of others and see the true nature of scientific research in this era in order to find his footing.

Professor Chen looked at the children's bright eyes and waved his hand: "Alright, go back and review today's content."

"Thank you, teacher!" The four of them bowed in unison.

Professor Chen waved his hand, indicating that they could leave.

He has a strict rule for mentoring younger colleagues: if you want to join his group, you must first master every basic problem and every experimental operation until it becomes an ingrained habit.

Xiao Yao knew in his heart that the burden on his shoulders had become even heavier—except for eating and going to the toilet, he would basically have to stay in the laboratory or study room the whole time.

Once the goal has been set, there is no room for complacency.

The other students in the class had initially seen how hard Xiao Yao and his classmates were working, especially Wang Yutong, and many had secretly resolved to "bring him down from his position as class monitor." But now, watching their enthusiasm for morning runs, jump ropes, studying, and adjusting equipment, they felt a chill run down their spines: This wasn't studying; it was clearly a race against time!

Someone couldn't resist joining in: "Squad Leader Wang, aren't you afraid of rusting your brain from studying so hard all day? It's time to stretch your legs!"

Ji Fengnan didn't even lift her eyelids, and answered while flipping through the book: "Move, get up at 5:30 every day, run three laps around the playground, and then jump rope for fifteen minutes."

Running was a rule set by Qian Wentao—he said it was the age when people grow taller and their bones needed to be strong; skipping rope was an activity that Ji Fengnan brought in, saying it was to train balance, so that one could stand steadily and not have shaky hands.

"Oh, no, no, I didn't say you guys are stupid—I'm just wondering, with such smart brains, why don't you relax a bit in your free time? Always being on edge, you'll break down sooner or later!" The student thought about it and felt a tightness in his chest as he tried to catch up with the other two.

Qian Wentao slammed the textbook shut, tapping his fingertips twice on the cover: "Li Feng, it's precisely because you're so bright that you can't be lazy. Otherwise, what's the point of having such a good brain? Do you know how many people try their best but still can't even get close to our school? Talent is a spark, but without firewood, even the brightest flame will go out. One part talent, ninety-nine parts hard work—that saying holds true everywhere. Now that you're in this classroom, you have to put all your effort into it."

Li Feng: "..."

As soon as Qian Wentao said this, he felt as if he had been stuffed with cotton. He opened his mouth and closed it again and again. In the end, he just coughed and shrank back into his seat, his shoulders slumped.

Ji Fengnan suddenly turned to the side, her clear gaze falling on Xiao Yao: "My uncle mentioned it just the other day—our class is made up of 'the best of the best,' personally selected by the Ministry of Education and closely monitored by the principal's office. If they really go astray and fall behind, they'll probably be ashamed to face their teachers, parents, and even themselves. You've heard of Zhong Yong, right?"

Wang Yutong immediately chimed in, "Listen! I could flip through Andersen's works by myself when I was two years old!"

Xiao Yao swallowed silently—when he was two years old, he was squatting at the gate of the yard, molding mud into a crooked tank, and his grandmother even took a picture of him in her album with a smile.

"Good that you understand." Ji Fengnan nodded, her tone steady. "Nobody wants to become like the 'tragic Zhong Yong,' right? The opportunities the country gives us aren't free; our schoolbags carry a responsibility, not a burden. Only by making a name for ourselves can we be worthy of this school uniform." After saying that, she lowered her eyes and turned the page, her pen scratching across the paper.

Xiao Yao glanced at the row of portraits on the wall—Qian Xuesen, Deng Jiaxian, Wu Jianxiong… and suddenly grinned: “Judging from this, our class’s graduation photo will probably be framed and put directly into the school history museum for future generations to admire!”

Everyone in the room looked up following his finger, and upon seeing those sallow yet bright-eyed faces, burst into laughter. The laughter subsided, and they all buried themselves back in their books. Xiao Yao's ambition was certainly bold—while others were thinking about scholarships, he was concerned about being remembered a hundred years from now.

Director Gao stood by the door, listening to everything they said, and felt a warmth in his heart: even geniuses are young, full of vigor, and competitiveness is their true nature. When someone is having fun, everyone naturally joins in; but when someone is engrossed in writing at their desk, the tension in others' hearts unconsciously tightens—this kind of undercurrent of competition is what truly nourishes people.

The school bell rang, and Su Man had already propped up her bicycle at the school gate. A string of wind chimes hung from the handlebars, tinkling softly. Seeing Xiao Yao coming out from afar, she waved her hand, and Xiao Yao pushed his bicycle and quickly went to meet her.

……

After three months, Xiao Yao had finished all the main courses for the first semester of her freshman year: English, Ideological and Moral Cultivation, Advanced Mathematics, Linear Algebra, Introduction to Computation, and University Physics.

It all depends on the watertight teaching method in the system space—going in every night to listen to lectures, do calculations, and review, like a clock that's been wound up tightly.

He persevered through monthly mock exams, relying on his tenacity to climb to second place in the class.

But in this group of people, being "second" is not a halo at all.

He knew very well that Qian Wentao, who came in third, was quick-witted; if it weren't for his love of playing basketball, joining in the fun, and telling lame jokes, Xiao Yao wouldn't even have had a chance to "catch the tail".

His achievements are all the result of hard work and dedication—he studied while others slept, he practiced while others played, and the system space is an extra segment of his life.

Are we really going to put everyone on the same starting line? It'll probably be like the starting gun fired and everyone's already out of the game.

Thinking of this, Xiao Yao gripped the strap of his schoolbag tightly, his heart burning: From now on, he must engrave the word "effort" into his very bones, and never let up for a moment.

"Host, some core capability modules can now be activated." The system's voice sounded without warning.

"The price?" Xiao Yao paused.

"Memory, observation, concentration, logic, and imagination."

"How do I exchange it?" he asked in a low voice, knowing that gold bricks wouldn't fall from the sky.

"A perfect score in a single subject in the virtual space can be redeemed for a comprehensive leap forward. I will provide full-process tutoring, including exam prediction, question breakdown, and filling in any gaps in knowledge—leaving no stone unturned."

Immediately, a string of numbers appeared before his eyes:

记忆力110｜观察力105｜专注力98｜逻辑力99｜想像力103

"This score isn't too bad, is it?" he couldn't help but ask.

"Host, you've misunderstood." The system's tone was calm. "The minimum threshold in the class is 140—only those who break 140 in all five dimensions can be considered to have a foothold. Your overall intelligence value is just over 100. Taking the research path? It's like trying to fill a basket with water. In fact, everyone has talent, it's just that their five dimensions haven't kept up with the pace."

Xiao Yao's Adam's apple bobbed: "Then how will the exams be arranged?"

"It's all prepared—a course package plus a quiz. Just follow the instructions."

Before the words were even finished, the entire set of textbooks for the next semester was already neatly stacked in the center of the desk, the pages pristine and the faint scent of ink lingering in the air.

Xiao Yao glanced down at the screen, said nothing, and directly opened the system's teaching interface. He knew that he needed to build a solid framework first before daring to delve into the more intricate details.