My IQ has been increasing year by year.

The auditorium has a large backstage area with a high ceiling, crisscrossed by various black steel frames and cables.

It wasn't as chaotic as I had imagined, but it wasn't empty either.

Several rows of folding chairs were stacked against the wall, and next to them stood several huge flight cases labeled "Fragile" and "Provincial Song and Dance Troupe".

A heavy, deep red curtain hung down, like a soft wall, blocking out the lights from the front desk and letting in only a few beams of light, in which countless tiny dust particles swirled and danced.

There was a dry wood smell in the air, as well as the burnt smell of a high-powered light bulb heating up the air.

Chen Zhuo, wearing his dark blue school uniform, stood in a slightly open area.

There was no folding chair, so I just stood there, hands in my pockets, watching the light shining through the gaps in the curtain.

Not far from him, about two or three meters away, stood a girl.

She leaned against a stack of wooden crates, one leg straight, the other slightly bent, her toes touching the ground, swaying back and forth.

The sleeves of her light blue school uniform were rolled up, revealing a slender, white wrist.

She was holding two rolled-up official documents in her hand, fanning herself in the face.

Her bangs fluttered in the wind as she squinted, as if she were resting or lost in thought.

Backstage, staff members were walking around, whispering into walkie-talkies about things like preparing the lights or someone going to urge someone to hurry up.

But in the small area where Chen Zhuo and the girl were, the quiet was somewhat abrupt.

"Why."

The voice was very soft, with a slightly hoarse tone, as if the person was still half asleep.

The girl didn't turn her head; she kept staring at the light bulb.

"How did you come up with that rice cooker?"

Chen Zhuo glanced at her profile.

"Repaired."

Chen Zhuo replied.

The girl finally turned her head.

Her eyes, which were always half-open, were now fully open, and she looked Chen Zhuo up and down as he sat on the wooden box.

My gaze lingered on his face for two seconds.

"Have you repaired it?"

She raised an eyebrow.

"The springs inside that thing are pretty stiff. I only took it apart once when I was a kid, and I almost couldn't put it back together."

"Use pliers to pry it open," Chen Zhuo said.

The girl was stunned for a moment.

Then, the corners of his mouth curled up very slightly.

"oh."

She nodded, seemingly finding the answer reasonable.

"Pliers are a good thing."

She changed her posture, leaning her shoulders against the curtain, looking like a soft, cooked noodle.

He pointed the paper tube in his hand at Chen Zhuo.

"What about that challenging math problem? The analytical method?"

"Um."

"You're so patient."

She clicked her tongue. "When I drew that auxiliary line, I was thinking, if this line is wrong, I'll hand in my paper and go to sleep. And it really is wrong."

She looked at Chen Zhuo, a faint smile curving her lips.

"Looks like I'll have to prepare some draft paper next time, that clumsy method."

Chen Zhuo looked at her.

"It's not exactly a stupid method; analytic geometry is designed to solve situations where you can't come up with auxiliary lines."

She didn't reply.

She took a piece of chocolate out of her pocket, unwrapped it, broke off half, and popped it into her mouth.

After chewing a couple of times, his cheeks were bulging.

He then handed the remaining half to Chen Zhuo.

"Want some? I've been standing there for ages, I'm starving."

Chen Zhuo looked at the chocolate, then looked at this.

Take it.

Thanks.

Put it in your mouth.

It's a bit bitter, it's dark chocolate.

Are you going to the provincial team training camp?

She asked vaguely.

"go."

"oh."

She swallowed the chocolate.

"See you then. Hopefully we can find a place with air conditioning; it's too hot today."

......

"Attention! Attention!"

A teacher wearing a name tag was holding a megaphone, speaking in a low but urgent voice.

"Third prize winners, get ready to go on stage! Hurry up and follow the order we just lined up!"

The backstage door was pushed open.

A large group of students rushed in.

Liu Kai and Zhao Chen were inside.

Today, Liu Kai had his hair slicked back and was very shiny. He had also zipped his school uniform all the way up, so tight that the flesh on his neck was bulging out.

But he doesn't care.

His face was flushed, and when he saw Chen Zhuo standing there, he waved excitedly, but didn't dare to shout, only mouthing, "Team Leader!"

"Let's go! Stop dawdling!"

The teacher urged them on.

Dozens of students who won third prize lined up in two long rows, like soldiers waiting to be inspected.

The music started playing.

The stirring "Athletes' March".

Chen Zhuo stood in the shadow of the side curtain, watching Zhao Chen and the others walk onto the stage.

The lights were bright, shining on their faces, making everyone's expressions clearly visible.

Liu Kai walked with a proud and imposing air. When he received the certificate, he bent over at a ninety-degree angle, unable to suppress the smile on his face.

Zhao Chen was a little nervous and took a couple of steps with his hands and feet moving in unison. Then he quickly composed himself, hugged the certificate, and grinned foolishly.

"The following awards will be presented to the second-prize winners of the mathematics competition."

The host read it aloud.

Another group of people went up.

Nan Xiaoyun and Lin Xiao went up.

Both girls had their hair tied up high today, making them look especially energetic.

Nan Xiaoyun walked ahead. When she received the award, the female leader who presented it said something to her. Nan Xiaoyun smiled shyly, her face flushed, and she hugged the red booklet tightly in her arms.

Lin Xiao appeared calmer, but as she stepped off the stage, Chen Zhuo saw her secretly lower her head and kiss the cover of the certificate.

"The following awards will be presented to the second-prize winners of the Physics Competition."

Li Hao and Zhang Wei went up.

Although the two brothers were a little disappointed that they didn't win the first prize, standing on the stage now and looking at the hundreds of eyes below, that disappointment had long since vanished.

Li Hao stood tall, his glasses reflecting the light.

Zhang Wei went even further, actually waving towards Lao Zhou in the audience.

Chen Zhuo could imagine that Old Zhou in the audience was probably cursing this brat while frantically pressing the shutter button.

"First prize! Ready!"

The teacher raised her voice a little.

Wang Yang took a deep breath.

He was queuing not far from Chen Zhuo.

"Team leader..."

Wang Yang whispered something, his voice trembling slightly.

"What's wrong?" Chen Zhuo turned around.

"I... my legs are a little weak," Wang Yang said with a pained expression. "I'm afraid I'll fall when I go up there."

Chen Zhuo looked at him and smiled.

"It's okay if you fall, you still get first prize even if you fall."

Wang Yang paused for a moment, then laughed.

"Too."

"Now, the first prize in the mathematics competition will be awarded!"

"Students whose names are called, please come to the stage!"

"Wang Yang, Zeyang No.1 Middle School!"

Upon hearing his name, Wang Yang felt as if he had been electrocuted.

He took a sudden step, almost missing his foot on the first step, but he quickly regained his balance.

He walked onto the stage.

The lights were focused on him.

Chen Zhuo watched from the side of the screen.

The boy who was usually timid and even a little self-conscious in front of me was now standing in the center of the stage.

He accepted the large red certificate with both hands, turned around, and faced the audience.

He was laughing so hard his eyes disappeared from his grin.

It was a pure, heartfelt joy.

That was the best reward for his countless days and nights of studying.