My IQ has been increasing year by year.

mid-July.

The weather in Zeyang City was muggy and there wasn't a breath of wind.

3 PM.

In the third workshop of the First Machinery Plant, the roar of the machines was deafening.

Chen Jianguo was wearing a blue factory uniform with a towel draped around his neck.

He was bent over, holding a large adjustable wrench, tightening a nut on a lathe base.

"Build a nation!"

The workshop director's loud voice came from behind, drowning out the roar of the machines.

Chen Jianguo straightened up and wiped the sweat from his face with the towel around his neck.

He turned his head away.

The workshop director strode over, a smile on his face.

Following behind the director was the factory manager.

The factory director rarely comes to the workshop, but today he not only came, but he was also followed by several deputy factory directors and the chairman of the labor union.

The group was quite large.

The workers on the surrounding machine tools all stopped what they were doing and looked over.

Chen Jianguo was stunned for a moment.

He put down the wrench he was holding.

He vigorously rubbed the oil stains off his hands on the trouser legs of his work clothes.

"Factory Director, Chief Director," Chen Jianguo greeted them.

The factory manager stepped forward.

Without being bothered by the oil stains on Chen Jianguo's body, she reached out and grabbed Chen Jianguo's hands.

It shook up and down twice.

"Comrade Jianguo."

The factory manager's voice was loud, filled with barely suppressed joy.

"You've really given our First Machinery Factory a lot of credit!"

Chen Jianguo was a little confused by this situation.

"Factory manager, this...machine isn't finished being repaired yet..."

"What machine do you want to fix!" the factory manager waved his hand.

The union chairman next to him stepped forward.

He took a newspaper out of a briefcase tucked under his arm.

Zeyang Daily.

Today's front-page headline.

The newspaper was handed to Chen Jianguo.

The factory manager pointed to the large, bold characters above.

"have a look!"

"First in the nation for two subjects! Huazhong University of Science and Technology's Junior Class!"

"Chen Zhuo!"

The factory manager patted Chen Jianguo on the shoulder with great force.

"Is this your son?"

Chen Jianguo glanced at the name on the newspaper.

He nodded.

The workshop erupted in chaos.

The workers around, who were listening intently, all gasped in shock.

First in the country.

Huazhong University of Science and Technology.

These words are too distant for these workers who spend their days in the workshop dealing with lumps of iron.

It was like it fell from the sky.

The factory manager took a red envelope out of his pocket.

It was quite thick, so I just stuffed it into Chen Jianguo's shirt pocket.

"This is a reward from the factory."

The factory manager looked at him.

"In all the years our factory has been established, we've never produced such an outstanding employee's child."

"You have cultivated talent for the country and brought honor to our factory."

Chen Jianguo wanted to take the envelope out.

"Factory manager, this won't do, I can't accept this money..."

"Take it!"

The factory manager held his hand down.

"This is not just about money, it's about honor."

The factory manager glanced at the lathe behind him.

He turned to the workshop director and said.

"This afternoon, we're giving Jianguo a day off."

"Go home and spend quality time with your children. This is a joyous occasion that deserves a proper celebration."

Without further ado.

Chen Jianguo was pushed by the workshop director to the changing room to change his clothes.

Chen Jianguo, still somewhat dazed, pushed his old-fashioned bicycle out of the factory gate.

Four o'clock in the afternoon.

The sun was still blazing overhead.

Chen Jianguo rode his bicycle all the way back to the Sunshine Family Compound.

As soon as he entered the gate of the residential compound, he sensed that something was wrong.

At this time of day, there are usually a few idle people who don't work playing chess under the big tree.

When I see him come back, I'll just say hello and say, "Old Chen, you're off work."

But today.

Chen Jianguo had just ridden his bike inside.

The people under the tree stood up and stopped playing chess.

They all stared at him.

His eyes held an indescribable light.

"Old Chen is back!"

Grandpa Li, who lives in the front row, shouted out, his voice trailing off.

That shout.

The shouts even made the women who were washing clothes in the courtyard on the first floor look up.

"Old Chen, you're really something!"

Grandpa Li came over, holding a palm-leaf fan in his hand.

"He's usually so low-key, but his son's in the newspaper!"

"My grandson, who just started high school, brought the newspaper home at noon, and I read it three times while wearing my reading glasses!"

"Number one in the country!"

Grandpa Li gave Chen Jianguo a thumbs-up, almost poking him in the face.

Several women nearby also gathered around.

She was still holding clothes that hadn't been wrung out yet.

"Engineer Chen, when is your husband Chen Zhuo going to Huizhou for the banquet?"

"A golden phoenix has flown out of our Sunshine Family Compound."

"That child usually seems so quiet, how come he's so smart?"

Everyone started talking at once.

Some of them were laughing even more heartily than Chen Jianguo.

Some of them had obvious envy in their eyes.

Even a few neighbors who rarely spoke were standing not far away, staring intently at Chen Jianguo.

Surrounded by people, Chen Jianguo felt as if the air had become thinner.

He could only nod repeatedly.

"Thank you, thank you everyone."

"It's too hot, we'll reschedule the banquet later."

He pushed his bicycle and finally managed to squeeze out of the crowd.

I walked quickly to the entrance of my building.

Park the car properly and lock it.

Chen Jianguo rushed up to the fourth floor.

He took out his key and opened the door.

In the living room, the floor fan was on the second setting, oscillating back and forth.

The TV was on, and they were showing "Water Margin".

Wu Song is fighting a tiger on Jingyang Ridge.

Chen Zhuo was wearing a loose tank top, a pair of shorts, and slippers.

He slumped onto the old sofa without any regard for his image.

Holding a mung bean popsicle in my hand.

They were enjoying their meal.

I heard the door open.

Chen Zhuo turned his head and glanced at Chen Jianguo, who was covered in sweat.

"Dad, why are you home so early today?"

Chen Zhuo took a bite of his popsicle and asked vaguely.

The sound of stir-frying came from the kitchen.

Hearing the noise, Liu Xiuying came out with a spatula.

"Is there no work at the factory today?" Liu Xiuying asked.

Chen Jianguo closed the door, walked to the shoe-changing stool, sat down, and changed into slippers.

He walked to the coffee table and took out the red envelope from his pocket.

Place it on a glass surface.

He then pulled out the slightly crumpled copy of the Zeyang Daily from under his arm.

It was spread out on the coffee table.

"A red envelope from the factory manager."

"It was also published in the newspaper."

Chen Jianguo breathed a sigh of relief.

"The entire factory, and the neighbors downstairs."

"I know everything."

Liu Xiuying walked over.

I glanced at the large print on the newspaper, then at the thick envelope.

She didn't burst into tears like in the movies.

It's just that you switch the spatula to your other hand.

He wiped his hands on his apron.

"How much is this?" Liu Xiuying asked, pointing to the envelope.

"I don't know," Chen Jianguo said.

Chen Zhuo sat on the sofa.

I craned my neck to look at the newspaper on the coffee table.

"oh."

Chen Zhuo responded.

"They printed my name quite big."

Done.

He leaned back against the sofa.

I kept staring at Wu Song on TV.

"Mom, what are we having for dinner? I smell tomatoes," Chen Zhuo asked.

Liu Xiuying looked at her son's nonchalant attitude, as if he didn't care even if the sky were to fall.

It's a bit frustrating, but also a bit funny.

"Stir-fried eggs with tomatoes, and a cucumber salad."

Liu Xiuying folded the newspaper and placed it on the TV cabinet.

"I'm going to cook. After we eat, let's rest early today."

The first day passed by with this ordinary meal of scrambled eggs with tomatoes.

but.

The matter is not over.

Fermentation has only just begun.

the next day.

Seven o'clock in the morning.

The sun outside is already very strong.

Liu Xiuying was holding a vegetable basket.

After changing my shoes, I prepared to go downstairs to the market to buy groceries.

Chen Jianguo has already gone to work.

Chen Zhuo was still sleeping in the bedroom, the door was closed, and the sound of even breathing could be heard from inside.

Liu Xiuying pushed open the door and went out.

I just got to the third floor.

Then I ran into Aunt Wang from the third floor.

Aunt Wang was holding an enamel basin filled with freshly washed green beans.

I saw Liu Xiuying.

Aunt Wang's eyes lit up instantly.

They placed the enamel basin on the steps, blocking the way.

"Oh, Sooyoung!"

Aunt Wang's voice was shrill and somewhat grating.

"You really kept it a secret!"

"Your Chen Zhuo usually seems so quiet and unassuming, turns out he's been holding back some big surprises at home!"

Liu Xiuying smiled and tried to step aside.

"I didn't hide it; the child took the test himself."

Aunt Wang wouldn't let it go and grabbed Liu Xiuying's arm.

"Tell your aunt the truth."

Aunt Wang lowered her voice, speaking mysteriously.

"What kind of magic pill did your Chen Zhuo eat? How come his brain is so different from everyone else's?"

Liu Xiuying was somewhat embarrassed.

"I didn't eat much, just simple home-cooked meals, the same as what we eat."

"Don't lie to me."

Aunt Wang pursed her lips, giving off an expression that said, "I know everything."

"Did you secretly buy that 'Life No. 1' thing? I see it on CCTV every day; they say if you drink it, you'll get a perfect score on your exams." "Tell me where you bought it, I'll go buy two boxes for my grandson too."

Liu Xiuying sighed helplessly.

"Aunt Wang, he really didn't buy any. He hardly drinks any milk at all. (Zhang Qiang: Hmm... but probably quite a lot, right?)"

"I just eat some meat and vegetables normally."

After much persuasion, Liu Xiuying finally managed to break free from Aunt Wang's grasp.

Continue walking downstairs.

This departure marked the beginning of the encirclement and containment operation.

We walked to the iron gate of the family compound.

Old Li, the security guard at the gate, came out carrying a teapot.

"Chen Zhuo's mom, let's go buy groceries."

Old Li was all smiles.

"Your family has been making headlines these past few days."

"Tell me, how do you and Lao Chen usually teach him? Do you watch him do his homework every day? If he gets a question wrong, do you hit his palm with a bamboo stick?"

Liu Xiuying had no choice but to stop.

"Uncle Li, we never hit him. We both have to work, so we don't have time to watch him every day. He learned it all on his own."

Old Li shook his head, looking disbelieving.

I left the residential compound and walked towards the vegetable market.

It's just a short street.

I ran into three acquaintances.

They were all asking the same questions.

"How were you taught?"

What foods are good for the brain?

"Is there any secret?"

Liu Xiuying could only keep a smile on her face the whole way.

He kept repeating those few sentences.

"I didn't take any supplements."

"I haven't really managed it."

"I just learned it myself."

I arrived at the entrance of the farmers' market.

It was chaotic inside, packed with people.

Liu Xiuying walked to the pork stall she frequented.

The stall owner was a big fat man, holding a shiny pig-slaughtering knife in his hand.

Seeing Liu Xiuying coming over.

The stall owner slammed the knife onto the cutting board.

He shouted loudly.

"Hey everyone! Look who's here!"

People buying groceries around them turned to look.

"This is the mother of the top student from our Zeyang City, the one from the whole country, the prodigy from Huazhong University of Science and Technology!"

The pork stall owner's shout.

It immediately attracted everyone's attention.

For an instant.

Liu Xiuying felt like a monkey in a play, surrounded by people.

The stall owner cut off a piece of excellent pork belly.

He threw it directly into the bag and handed it to Liu Xiuying.

"Chen Zhuo's mom, this piece of meat is yours for free! It's free!"

The stall owner waved his hand generously.

"Consider it an extra treat for the top scholar!"

Liu Xiuying quickly took out her money.

"No, no, how can you buy meat without paying?"

"Take it if I tell you to!" The stall owner refused to take the money.

Several women who were buying groceries nearby gathered around.

They pushed Liu Xiuying directly in front of the meat stall.

"Big sister, how exactly do you feed your child?"

A woman with curly hair stared at Liu Xiuying as if she were looking at something rare.

"Do you give him stewed walnuts every day?"

"Should I buy the deep-sea fish oil instead?"

Another short-haired woman chimed in.

"I think it must be due to prenatal education. Did you listen to symphonies every day when you were pregnant?"

"How late does this kid study at night? Is he staying up until the wee hours?"

Everyone was talking at once, giving Liu Xiuying no chance to speak at all.

All the sounds intertwined, buzzing together.

Liu Xiuying felt that she could hardly breathe.

Those gazes.

Some were enthusiastic, some were curious, and some even harbored a hint of jealousy and curiosity.

They kept calling him a "child prodigy".

They kept calling him a "genius".

In this noisy market, those two words sounded particularly jarring.

Liu Xiuying forced the money for the meat under the cutting board.

Carrying a basket.

Head down.

He squeezed out of the crowd without saying a word.

"Hey, big sister, don't go! Share some more of your experience!"

The voices behind me were still shouting.

Liu Xiuying did not turn around.

Her pace quickened.

I walked all the way back to the Sunshine Family Compound from the vegetable market.

My forehead was covered in cold sweat, and the back of my clothes was soaked with sweat.

As she walked down the stairwell, she even felt that the walls on both sides of the staircase were covered with eyes.

I ran up to the fourth floor in one breath.

Take out the key.

My hand trembled a few times before I finally aligned it with the keyhole.

"Clatter."

The door opened.

Liu Xiuying rushed into the house.

He turned and closed the heavy wooden door behind him.

It's usually hot in the summer, so ventilation is necessary.

All the wooden doors in the house were open, except for the outer iron security door.

Let the cross breeze from the hallway blow in.

But today.

Liu Xiuying not only closed the wooden door tightly.

They also turned the deadbolt knob on top.

"Clang, clang."

Both paths were locked.

There wasn't even a crack left in the security door.

In the living room.

Chen Zhuo has already woken up.

He was wearing slippers and standing next to the coffee table, pouring himself a drink.

The TV is off.

It was a bit stuffy inside.

Chen Zhuo took a sip of water.

Turning his head, he saw Liu Xiuying leaning against the door, panting heavily.

"Mom, why did you close the door so tightly?"

Chen Zhuo put down his water glass.

"The fan isn't cooling me down enough; I need to leave a gap for ventilation."

Liu Xiuying put the vegetable basket in her hand on the ground.

His chest heaved violently.

Her face was a little pale.

She walked to the sofa and plopped down on it.

His hands were on his knees, and his fingers were still trembling slightly.

Chen Zhuo sensed something was wrong.

He walked over.

He sat next to Liu Xiuying.

"What's wrong?"

Chen Zhuo lowered his voice a little.

"Is someone causing trouble outside?"

Liu Xiuying shook her head.

She turned her head and looked at Chen Zhuo.

Looking at her son's calm face, devoid of any childishness.

I'm going to buy groceries today.

Liu Xiuying's voice was a little hoarse.

"From going downstairs to coming back after buying groceries."

"I was stopped eight times."

Liu Xiuying held up a few fingers and gestured.

"Eight people pulled me aside and asked me questions."

"They ask you what you want to eat, how you study, and what time you go to bed at night."

"The butcher at the market called you a child prodigy in front of dozens of people."

Liu Xiuying's fingers twisted together tightly, and her breathing became somewhat rapid.

"I don't like them calling you a child prodigy."

Liu Xiuying looked at Chen Zhuo with a primal fear and wariness that belonged to a mother.

"The way they look at you is like they're looking at a monkey in a zoo."

"Everyone is looking for something that makes you different from others."

Liu Xiuying took a deep breath.

The air inside the room became somewhat stuffy because the doors and windows were closed.

"Mom didn't have much schooling."

Liu Xiuying's tone became very heavy.

"But I've listened to storytelling on the radio."

She tried hard to recall that name.

"In ancient times... there was a child named Zhongyong."

"She was born smart and could write poetry at a young age."

Liu Xiuying stared into Chen Zhuo's eyes.

"His father thought he was a rare talent, so he took him around every day to show him to this family and that family, and listened to people praising him as a child prodigy."

"What happened in the end?"

Liu Xiuying's voice rose a little, tinged with lingering fear.

"You've ruined a perfectly good child! When he grows up, he won't even be as good as an average person."

"Such promising talents have been ruined by all those compliments."

She grabbed Chen Zhuo's hand.

My palms are very cold.

"Our Chen Zhuo cannot become another Zhong Yong (a child prodigy who failed to live up to his early promise)."

Liu Xiuying's eyes became extremely firm.

It even carried a hint of resoluteness.

"You're smart; you can get the top score in the country and go to Huazhong University of Science and Technology."

"But you are still a person, a living, breathing person, not the Wenquxing (a mythical being) they describe who never eats or sleeps."

She turned her head and glanced at the tightly closed wooden door.

"Some of those people might genuinely like you."

"But there are definitely people who are envious behind the scenes."

"Who knows what ulterior motives are lurking in those malicious eyes?"

Liu Xiuying gritted her teeth.

"We can't afford to get involved in this situation."

Chen Zhuo listened quietly.

He let Liu Xiuying hold his hand tightly.

He did not refute it.

They didn't laugh at their mother's overly cautious and paranoid behavior.

She didn't understand calculus or what a gifted youth program was.

All she knew was that she couldn't let anyone ruin her son.

Chen Zhuo grasped Liu Xiuying's hand in return.

The warmth from my hands was transferred to him.

"mom."

Chen Zhuo's voice was very steady.

There was no arrogance of someone who achieved early success, nor any impatience.

"I can't be a prodigy who fails to live up to his potential."

Chen Zhuo looked at her.

His tone carried an air of self-assured confidence, along with a hint of mockery.

"Zhongyong's father took him everywhere."

"You're not going to drag me around everywhere."

Chen Zhuo pointed to the wooden door that was locked from the inside.

"You've locked the door tight, who can get in?"

He released Liu Xiuying's hand.

Stand up.

I walked up to the coffee table, picked up a water glass, and handed it to my mother.

"Let them talk about child prodigies if they want."

"Their mouths are on their bodies."

"I'll just stay at home."

Chen Zhuo walked to the television.

I pressed the switch and tuned to a channel playing cartoons.

Tom and Jerry.

Talking Tom is being slammed against a wall by a door and turned into a piece of paper, with exaggerated sound effects coming from the TV.

Chen Zhuo walked back to the sofa and sat down next to Liu Xiuying.

I picked up the remote and turned the volume up a bit.

"Who's knocking?"

Chen Zhuo was watching TV.

"We won't open it."

Liu Xiuying looked at Chen Zhuo's nonchalant attitude and then glanced at the cat and mouse running around on the TV.

My tense nerves suddenly relaxed.

Yes.

The child is watching TV right under my nose.

The door was locked.

Who can take him away?

Liu Xiuying let out a long breath.

Stand up.

He walked to the vegetable basket on the ground and picked it up.

"I went to the kitchen to wash the meat."

Liu Xiuying walked towards the kitchen.

As she reached the kitchen doorway, she paused, turned her head, and glanced at the entryway.

"The next few days."

Liu Xiuying set a strict rule.

No matter how hot it is.

"No one is allowed to open this wooden door."

Done.

She went into the kitchen.

Not long after, the sounds of running water and chopping vegetables came from the kitchen.

The sound of chopping vegetables was rhythmic, one stroke at a time.

Chen Zhuo leaned back on the sofa.

As he watched the cartoon on TV, the oscillating fan stopped shaking and started blowing directly at him.

The cicadas outside are still chirping.

Sunlight shone through the tightly closed glass windows, separated by a heavy wooden door.