My IQ has been increasing year by year.

4:30 PM.

The metal gate of the Sunshine Family Compound was wide open.

A white Santana stopped in front of a tree by the roadside. The door opened, and four people got out.

Even after being exposed to the sun all day in July, the asphalt road surface still felt warm underfoot.

Chen Zhuo walked at the front with a backpack on his back.

Following behind him were Lao Zhao and Lao Zhou, with Fang Yuanming walking at the very back.

The family compound is still the same as it was before Chen Zhuo left.

Along the wires strung between the buildings, washed clothes and patterned quilts from each household were hanging out to dry.

The loofah vines in the first-floor courtyard were covered with bamboo poles.

Workers finishing their early shifts pushed in a heavy bicycle, with freshly bought scallions and half a watermelon tied to the spring clip on the back seat.

Several children were chasing and playing in the stairwell, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Old Zhao and Old Zhou walked in the middle, and the two of them didn't talk much along the way. When they arrived at Chen Zhuo's building, their pace slowed down a little.

The hallway was dimly lit, exuding the distinctive smell of old-style buildings mixed with the cool, damp cement floor. The walls were covered with posters of various drain cleaning and appliance repair services. The four of them walked up the stairs, their footsteps echoing through the hallway.

Before I even reached the third floor, a rich aroma of meat wafted down through the crack in the door.

The aroma of braised pork belly, a blend of star anise, cinnamon, and dark soy sauce, comes from the rendered fat of the pork belly.

The roar of the kitchen range hood mingled with the sound of a wok sizzling.

Go up to the fourth floor.

The security door of the house on the left was open, and the wooden door inside was ajar, leaving a narrow gap.

Chen Jianguo's loud voice came through the door, revealing the efficiency of a worker.

"Xiuying, give me the washed garlic. Old Zhao called this morning and said he'd bring the person back around 4 a.m., so he should be here soon. Turn up the heat and get this dish done first," Liu Xiuying's voice followed.

"Take it easy, the oil is splattering all over the stove. Turn the heat down a bit, the braised pork is already mushy, don't let the broth boil away." Chen Zhuo stood outside the door.

He turned around, glanced at the three people behind him, and knocked on the door.

The sound of stir-frying in the kitchen paused for a moment.

"Coming, coming!" Chen Jianguo responded from inside, accompanied by the sound of slippers quickly walking on the floor.

The wooden door was pulled open from the inside.

Chen Jianguo was wearing a clean white tank top and loose trousers.

He was holding an oil-splattered iron spatula in his hand, and an old towel draped around his neck to wipe his sweat.

As soon as the door opened, a smile spread across Chen Jianguo's face.

He was about to call the two teachers in when his gaze swept over the doorway, and his words suddenly stopped.

He saw Chen Zhuo.

I saw Lao Zhao, and I also saw Lao Zhou.

But standing next to Lao Zhao and Lao Zhou was a completely unfamiliar old man.

She had gray hair, wore half-rimmed glasses, and was looking at him gently.

Liu Xiuying, wearing a floral apron and holding a dishcloth, quickly walked out of the kitchen.

"Who is it? Is it Xiao Zhuo who's back...?"

Seeing the scene outside the door, she stopped, switched the rag to her other hand, and looked somewhat bewildered.

The range hood was still whirring in the kitchen.

Old Zhao coughed.

He took a step forward and looked at Chen Jianguo, who was covered in sweat.

"Jianguo, sister-in-law," Old Zhao said, his voice steady.

"Chen Zhuo took the exam this time and got the highest score in the country in mathematics, and also ranked first in physics 4."

Chen Jianguo's hand holding the spatula suddenly trembled.

Old Zhao didn't give him much time to react. He turned to the side, stretched out his hand, and pointed at Fang Yuanming next to him.

Let me introduce you.

"This is Ms. Fang, the admissions officer from the University of Science and Technology of China."

Old Zhao's voice echoed in the hallway.

"Professor Fang came all the way from Shanghai with us today. When the new students start school in the fall, he will take Chen Zhuo directly to Huazhong University of Science and Technology."

The sound of the range hood suddenly seemed distant, like the sound of another world, but Chen Jianguo's ears were ringing.

His gaze moved back and forth between Lao Zhao, Fang Yuanming, and Chen Zhuo.

Full marks.

Huazhong University of Science and Technology.

Go to college.

These words exploded in his mind like a series of thunderclaps.

He thought his son getting first place in the province was the best he could hope for, and he was cooking this nice meal to reward his son and thank his teacher. Now, the university professor himself has come to his door.

Chen Jianguo's lips trembled a few times, and a muffled syllable came out of his throat.

He couldn't even hold onto the iron spatula in his hand.

A loud thud.

The spatula fell to the ground.

The sharp sound snapped him back to his senses.

His face flushed crimson with sudden excitement and bewilderment. He ripped the towel from his neck and hastily wiped his hands and face. "This...this..."

Chen Jianguo stammered for a moment, then quickly bent down to pick up the spatula and put it aside, his voice trembling slightly.

"Teacher Fang, Teacher Zhao, Teacher Zhou, come in quickly! Oh dear, look at the mess this has made, the house is a complete disaster."

He stepped aside, quickly making way for the door.

"Xiuying, stop standing there! Quickly pour some water and get that box of good tea!"

Liu Xiuying then seemed to snap out of her daze. While agreeing, she hurriedly turned and walked into the house, forgetting to put down the rag in her hand. Chen Zhuo led the three people into the living room.

The living room wasn't big, but it was very tidy.

An old sofa covered with a crocheted fabric, a color television with a large back, and a floor fan in the corner oscillating and blowing air. Fang Yuanming placed his briefcase next to the sofa and sat down, followed by Lao Zhao and Lao Zhou, who sat down on the wooden chairs nearby.

Chen Jianguo rubbed his hands vigorously on his vest and took out a pack of unopened Hongtashan cigarettes from the drawer of the coffee table.

He tore open the packaging, pulled out one, and handed it over with both hands.

"Teacher Fang, are you smoking?"

Fang Yuanming waved his hand and smiled.

"Thank you, I've been abstinent for many years, you can smoke as you like."

Chen Jianguo didn't insist and put the cigarette pack on the table.

The aroma of braised pork in the kitchen grew stronger and stronger.

Liu Xiuying came over with several washed glasses, poured in hot water, and added some tea leaves.

"Teachers, please have some water first."

Chen Jianguo glanced at the clock on the wall, then at Fang Yuanming, and rubbed his hands together.

"Teacher Fang, Teacher Zhao, Teacher Zhou, it's almost five o'clock, right around lunchtime. The braised pork in the pot is stewed until it's very tender, and the vegetables are all chopped. We absolutely can't leave today, so let's just have a quick meal here. I'll go and cook a couple of dishes right away, it'll be ready in no time!"

Old Zhao was about to decline.

Fang Yuanming smiled and nodded.

"Alright, the smell of this meat makes me a little hungry. I'll be shameless and have a meal at your place. We can chat while we eat." With Fang Yuanming saying this, Old Zhao and Old Zhou couldn't refuse any longer.

Upon hearing this, Chen Jianguo was so happy that he slapped his thigh.

"Okay! Teacher Fang, please sit and rest for a while, I'll be right back!"

Chen Jianguo turned and went into the kitchen, looking like he had inexhaustible energy.

Before long, the sizzling sound of hot oil popping in the pan filled the kitchen, along with a wonderful aroma.

In less than half an hour, the food was served.

A folding round table was set up in the center of the living room.

A large bowl of bright red braised pork sits in the center, surrounded by stir-fried shredded pork with garlic sprouts, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, cucumber salad, and a steamed sea bass. All are simple home-style dishes, but the portions are generous, and the food is piping hot.

Chen Jianguo took out a bottle of Xifeng liquor that had been stored for several years from the cabinet and insisted on pouring it for the teachers.

Fang Yuanming didn't refuse, and poured a little wine into a small cup. Old Zhao and Old Zhou also poured themselves a cup.

Everyone sat down around the round table, and Chen Zhuo sat next to Fang Yuanming, quietly eating with his chopsticks.

"Teacher Fang, this braised pork is my husband's specialty. Please try it."

Chen Jianguo enthusiastically took charge of the arrangements.

Fang Yuanming picked up a piece of meat, took a bite, and nodded with a smile.

"Hmm, it's fatty but not greasy, and stewed to perfection. This skill is much better than mine."

After a few drinks, the atmosphere at the dinner table gradually became more lively.

The nervousness and awkwardness of the first meeting dissipated considerably in the aroma of the hot food.

Chen Jianguo took a sip of wine, put down his glass, and his gaze fell on Chen Zhuo, who was engrossed in eating tomato and egg.

"Teacher Fang."

Chen Jianguo spoke, his voice very soft.

"It's such a blessing that this child got such good grades and got into Huazhong University of Science and Technology. It's a great thing that our Chen family's ancestral graves are emitting auspicious smoke. But... look at him, he's only ten years old, so young." Chen Jianguo sighed and put his chopsticks on the rim of his bowl.

"At home, his mother washes his clothes. Sometimes he gets so engrossed in reading that he forgets to eat. In college, everyone is a big kid of eighteen or nineteen. Who will take care of his daily life?" Liu Xiuying listened from the side, and her eyes suddenly reddened as she thought of something.

She put down her bowl and looked at Fang Yuanming.

"Yes, Teacher Fang, if he goes to the cafeteria to get food, he definitely won't be able to squeeze in with the older kids. If he gets sick or catches a cold, there won't be anyone around to take care of him." The table fell silent. Old Zhao and Old Zhou exchanged a glance but didn't say anything.

Fang Yuanming put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth with a tissue.

He looked at Chen Jianguo and Liu Xiuying with a gentle expression, like an elder neighbor.

"Master Chen, Madam, I understand your feelings as parents very well. Anyone would feel at ease sending such a young child to another place." Fang Yuanming's voice was calm and unhurried.

"However, our USTC's gifted youth program has been running for more than a year or two. The school has a special set of methods for these young children," Fang Yuanming explained earnestly, looking into Chen Jianguo's eyes.

"The children don't live in ordinary university dormitories. The gifted youth class has a special building, and each floor is equipped with a life teacher."

These teachers are like half-parents, available 24/7. They teach students how to do laundry, fold blankets, and tidy up their rooms, gradually cultivating their self-reliance. If anyone has a headache or fever at night, the dormitory supervisor will take them to the school clinic immediately, without delay.

Fang Yuanming picked up his water glass and took a sip.

"The cafeteria also has a special window for the gifted children's class, so they don't have to queue with the older university students. The meals are prepared by a nutritionist every day to ensure that these growing children eat well." Hearing these words, Chen Jianguo and Liu Xiuying finally felt a little relieved.

Chen Jianguo rubbed his hands together, then picked up the wine bottle and poured a little more into the wine cup in front of Fang Yuanming.

"Teacher Fang, the accommodation and meals have been arranged so meticulously, but the cost..."

Chen Jianguo was much calmer when talking about this. He was a key technical worker in the factory, and Liu Xiuying had been a long-time employee at the textile factory. Although their family wasn't wealthy, they had saved quite a bit over the years through frugal living.

"No matter how much the tuition and accommodation fees are, our family can afford them. My wife and I haven't had much education in our lives, and we're saving this money to support his studies," Chen Jianguo said earnestly to Fang Yuanming.

"Please give us a breakdown of how much money we need to prepare each year, so we can have a better idea of ​​what's going on. Even if we have to borrow, we absolutely cannot let our child suffer." Fang Yuanming smiled after hearing this.

He turned around and took a thick document from his briefcase on the sofa.

Letter of Intent for Pre-Admission to the Junior Class of Huaguo University of Science and Technology.

He placed the letter of intent in the empty space next to the dining table.

"Master Chen."

Fang Yuanming looked at him, his tone very serious.

"Chen Zhuo will go to USTC, and you won't have to pay a single penny of his tuition."

He pointed to a few lines on the letter of intent.

"The school will waive all tuition and accommodation fees."

"Not only do they not charge him money, but the school also gives him a living allowance and scholarship every month."

Fang Yuanming looked at the stunned Chen Jianguo and his wife.

"This money is enough for him to eat, buy notebooks, and buy clothes at school. You can keep the money at home to improve your lives." The dinner table fell completely silent.

Chen Jianguo stared blankly at the letter of intent.

Tuition is free.

Meals and accommodation included.

There are also subsidies.

For Chen Jianguo, who had spent his entire life as a skilled worker, he was prepared to sell everything he owned to support his son's education. But now, not only does he not need to save any money, the government is even subsidizing his son's education.

Chen Jianguo suddenly picked up the glass of baijiu in front of him, tilted his head back, and downed it in one gulp.

The spicy liquor flowed down my throat, turning into a fire in my stomach.

He took a deep sniff.

"well."

Chen Jianguo said "good" twice, his voice trembling.

Fang Yuanming pulled a black fountain pen from his pocket and unscrewed the cap.

"Chen Zhuo has already signed it."

Fang Yuanming pointed to the blank space on the last page.

"Now, you, as parents, need to sign this document. Once you sign, his school registration can proceed with the transfer process."

Chen Jianguo looked at the fountain pen.

He stood up, walked to the kitchen sink, turned on the tap, lathered up with soap, and carefully washed his hands.

Wipe the water off your hands with a towel.

Walking back to the dining table, Chen Jianguo took the pen with both hands.

He bent down and brought his face close to the paper.

Look at the horizontal line indicating the guardian's signature.

He spent half his life signing blueprint acceptance forms at the factory, and his hand was always very steady.

But today, holding this pen in my hand, it feels heavier than I am today.

The pen tip landed on the paper.

One stroke, one line.

He wrote very slowly and very carefully.

"Chen Jianguo".

The three characters were printed neatly on the paper.

Liu Xiuying also took a pen and signed her name next to it.

After signing, she turned her back and secretly wiped away a tear.

Fang Yuanming took back the pen, capped it, and put the letter of intent into his briefcase.

By the time we finished our meal, it was already dark outside.

Fang Yuanming stood up, and Lao Zhao and Lao Zhou also stood up.

"The papers have been signed. At the end of August, a teacher will contact you to arrange your enrollment and registration."

Fang Yuanming looked at Chen Zhuo and said gently.

"Take good rest while you're at home."

Chen Jianguo and Liu Xiuying escorted the three teachers all the way to the gate of the family compound.

Watching the white Santana start up, its taillights disappear into the night.

Chen Jianguo turned around and walked back with Chen Zhuo.

Back inside, Liu Xiuying was clearing the dishes from the table.

Chen Zhuo walked to the sofa and opened his backpack.

He took out the sandalwood comb and handed it to Liu Xiuying, then placed the small black tin box containing the lighter on the coffee table in front of Chen Jianguo. "Dad, Mom, I bought it in Shanghai."

"This is brass, it will last a long time, and the comb is made of sandalwood, it's easy to use."

Liu Xiuying wiped her hands on her apron, took the comb, touched its smooth edge, and brought it close to her nose. A faint sandalwood scent wafted from it. "This wood feels heavy; it's much better than my plastic one."

She smiled with her lips pursed, and the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes smoothed out.

Chen Jianguo sat down on a small stool.

He looked at the black metal box on the coffee table.

Reach out, pick it up, and open it.

Lying on a black sponge mat, the kerosene lighter with a brass casing is quite beautiful.

He was an experienced technician with a natural fondness for such metal objects. He took it out and gripped the lid with his thumb.

"Clatter."

A crisp metallic clanging sound.

He flicked the grinding wheel downwards with his thumb, and a cluster of blue and yellow flames shot out.

Press gently, and the flame will be extinguished.

Chen Jianguo suddenly stood up.

He turned his head, his back to Chen Zhuo, and strode towards Yang.

"That little rascal..."

Chen Jianguo's voice was clearly choked with sobs, and his rough hands were haphazardly wiping his face.

"So quiet...it almost scared the soul out of me..."

He stood on the sun, watching the sky outside gradually darken.

My shoulder is twitching.