My IQ has been increasing year by year.

July 20th.

An afternoon at the Sunshine Family Compound.

The ceiling fan was on in the room, its blades spinning rapidly and making a whooshing sound.

The television was connected to an old Famicom.

Chen Zhuo sat cross-legged on the floor, holding a rectangular plastic handle in his hand.

The screen was playing Contra.

Chen Zhuo rapidly pressed the red button with his thumb, controlling the little figure on the screen to jump and fire.

Next to it was half a watermelon that hadn't been eaten, with a spoon stuck in it.

Liu Xiuying sat on the sofa with a winnowing basket on her lap.

Selecting green beans.

With a snap, I broke off a string bean and threw it into the plastic basin next to me.

"Try to play less; do you even care about your eyes?" Liu Xiuying said.

"We'll clear this hurdle soon." Chen Zhuo didn't turn around.

A series of chaotic footsteps could be heard coming from the stairwell outside.

The footsteps stopped outside the door, indicating they weren't regular neighbors.

"Bang bang bang".

Someone knocked on the door, and quite forcefully.

Liu Xiuying put down the green beans in her hand, wiped her hands on her apron, and walked over.

A security door separated by an iron fence.

There were three people standing outside the door: two men and one woman.

The woman was holding a notebook, and the two men had black cameras hanging around their necks; they didn't look like locals from Zeyang.

Liu Xiuying looked at them through the security door.

Who are you looking for?

The woman immediately put on a smiling face.

"Big sister, is this Chen Zhuo's home?"

The woman took a step forward, pulled a sign with a string from her pocket, and waved it.

"We are reporters from the provincial capital's evening newspaper. We came all the way from the provincial capital to interview you about our country's number one."

Liu Xiuying did not open the door.

"No interviews," Liu Xiuying said.

"My house is messy, it's inconvenient."

The female reporter wasn't angry; instead, her smile deepened.

"Big sister, don't be confused, we don't mind."

The female reporter peeked into the room through the iron bars.

I saw Chen Zhuo sitting on the floor playing games.

"This must be Chen Zhuo?"

The female reporter raised her voice.

"This child is very handsome, ma'am, we won't take up your time."

The female reporter pointed to the camera behind her.

"We'll just take a few photos so we can put them in the newspaper when we get back. Is that alright with you?"

The female reporter gestured with her hands as she spoke.

"Have Chen Zhuo take a broom or a rag, stand next to the coffee table, pretending to do housework while holding an English book, and we, the reporters, can add some captions."

"Just write something like, 'A child prodigy from a poor family becomes a genius, and a child prodigy also takes care of his family.' Look how good and positive that title is!"

The expression on Liu Xiuying's face disappeared.

She looked at the smiling woman outside the door.

He glanced again at the two men who had raised their cameras and were pointing the lenses at the men inside the house.

Liu Xiuying turned around and grabbed the handle of the wooden door.

The eyes are so tight.

She slammed the door shut, blocking the view from outside.

Liu Xiuying turned the door lock and locked it twice.

There was silence outside the door for a few seconds.

Then came the female reporter's voice, muffled through the door.

"Big sister! Open the door! Please cooperate, this is a good thing, it can be in the provincial newspaper! Big sister, just let the child come out and pose for a moment! Bang bang bang."

People outside started knocking on the door.

Liu Xiuying ignored her and walked to the window.

I pulled the living room curtains shut, and the room went dark, with only the television screen flashing its light.

The game character in Chen Zhuo's hand accidentally hit a bullet and died.

The screen displayed "GAMEOVER".

Chen Zhuo put down the handle and turned to look at Liu Xiuying.

Liu Xiuying walked over and picked up the watermelon from the coffee table.

"Don't go near the window," Liu Xiuying said, "and don't make a sound. Let them knock."

She carried the watermelon into the kitchen.

The knocking on the door continued for more than ten minutes before finally stopping.

Faint voices could be heard outside, as if they were discussing something.

It's 5:30 in the evening.

Chen Jianguo returned home from get off work, pushing his bicycle, and had just entered the building corridor of the Sunshine Family Compound.

He was blocked by three people; the two men and one woman were sitting on the stairs smoking.

When the female reporter saw Chen Jianguo come up, her eyes lit up. She stubbed out her cigarette and went to greet him.

"Are you Mr. Chen, Chen Zhuo's father?" The female reporter handed over the microphone.

Chen Jianguo stopped and leaned his bicycle against the wall.

He looked at the three men and the cameras around their necks.

"Yes," Chen Jianguo said.

The female reporter smiled.

"Mr. Chen, we are from the provincial newspaper. We knocked on the door this afternoon, but my wife at home probably didn't hear us. We would like to take some photos of Chen Zhuo studying hard. Could you please open the door and let us in to take a few shots?"

Chen Jianguo didn't move. He stood at the top of the stairs, blocking the way up.

"The door is locked because we don't want you to come in."

Chen Jianguo's voice was not loud.

The female reporter's smile froze.

"Master Chen, this is a great opportunity to promote your business."

"No need for publicity," Chen Jianguo interrupted her.

"The child is just going to school, no different from others, there's nothing to film."

A male reporter raised his camera and pointed the lens at Chen Jianguo.

With a click, the flash went off.

Chen Jianguo frowned, and he reached out to block the camera.

Having worked in the factory year-round, he had a strong grip; the male reporter was pushed back a step and almost lost his grip on the camera.

"Don't take pictures."

Chen Jianguo stared at the male reporter.

"We do not give interviews, you should go back."

After saying that, Chen Jianguo turned around and took out his keys.

He walked to his own door, opened it, went inside, and then turned around and slammed the door shut.

They completely locked those three people out.

The next morning.

Chen Jianguo went to the factory and asked the workshop director for half a day off.

He wasn't wearing the oil-stained work clothes anymore; instead, he wore a clean white short-sleeved shirt and gray trousers.

I rode my bicycle out of the factory area and along Jiefang Road all the way to the gate of the Municipal Education Bureau compound.

Several black cars were parked in the courtyard.

Chen Jianguo locked his bicycle in the bike shed and went into the building.

I went up to the third floor and found the director's office.

Knock on the door.

"Enter."

Chen Jianguo pushed open the door and went in.

The office is spacious and air-conditioned, so it's quite cool.

Behind the desk sat a middle-aged man wearing glasses, Director Ma of the Education Bureau.

The principal of the city's No. 1 Middle School, who had previously sent Chen Zhuo to the provincial capital, was also sitting on the sofa next to him.

"Director Ma," Chen Jianguo said.

Director Ma raised his head.

Upon seeing Chen Jianguo, he immediately stood up with a warm smile on his face.

"Comrade Jianguo is here! Please have a seat."

Director Ma walked around the desk, pulled Chen Jianguo to sit down on the sofa, and the principal also greeted him with a smile.

Director Ma picked up a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes from the table and handed one to Chen Jianguo.

Chen Jianguo took it and clipped it to his ear.

"Comrade Jianguo."

Director Ma personally poured a cup of tea and placed it in front of Chen Jianguo.

"The city has already made the decision. Chen Zhuo did exceptionally well on the exam this time, bringing great honor to the education sector of Zeyang City."

Director Ma pointed to a document on the table.

"The city has decided to give Chen Zhuo a special bonus of 10,000 yuan."

Director Ma leaned back on the sofa and said with a smile.

"We're planning to call the city's TV station tomorrow, go to your residential compound, put up a banner, hold an award ceremony, and have the mayor personally hand over the money to the children. What do you think?"

Chen Jianguo looked at the steam rising from the teacup, but he didn't drink the tea.

He looked at Director Ma.

"Director," Chen Jianguo said in a steady voice.

"I thank the city for the money on behalf of my child, but could we please cancel this award ceremony?"

Director Ma paused for a moment, and the smile on his face faded slightly.

"Comrade Jianguo, this is a token of the city's goodwill, and it also needs to be publicized to set an example."

Chen Jianguo shook his head.

"It's not that we don't know how to lift up our sleeves."

Chen Jianguo leaned forward and placed his hands on his knees.

"Director, yesterday afternoon, reporters from the provincial newspaper blocked my stairwell."

Chen Jianguo looked into Director Ma's eyes.

"They wanted my son to hold a broom, pretend to be working, and also hold a book in his hand, saying they wanted to take pictures of him studying hard despite the hardships and exhaustion." Director Ma frowned.

Chen Jianguo continued.

"I drove them away, Director. Chen Zhuo is going to Huizhou next month. That's Huazhong University of Science and Technology."

As a worker, I don't understand any grand principles, but I know that if the city holds a big commendation ceremony, and it's on TV and in the newspapers, then the residential compound will really become a spectacle.

Chen Jianguo spoke sincerely, but with a stubborn streak.

"The children are watched by these people every day and forced to do those staged photos. If their mentality is ruined, they won't be able to keep up in Huizhou and will be sent back."

Chen Jianguo looked at Director Ma.

"I don't want this to happen, and I'm afraid the city doesn't want to see this outcome either."

There was not a trace of the pedantry of a cultured person; it was all the honest truth.

But every word struck a chord with Director Ma.

Chen Zhuo is now a genius who's been registered in the province. What if the child is ruined because of excessive publicity in the local area? Who will take the blame then? Director Ma pondered for a while and glanced at the principal next to him.

The principal nodded but didn't say anything.

"you're right."

Director Ma slapped his thigh.

"Protecting people is the top priority; we can't let the children be jeopardized for the sake of publicity."

Director Ma stood up.

"The bureau intervened and negotiated with those provincial newspaper reporters, asking them to go back and canceling the commendation ceremony."

Director Ma walked to his desk, picked up the document, quickly signed his name, and handed it to Chen Jianguo.

"Take this to the finance department on the first floor and collect the money directly."

Chen Jianguo took the document and stood up.

"Thank you, Director."

Chen Jianguo stepped out of the elevator on the first floor and turned left.

The door to the finance department was open, and inside there was a row of windows fitted with iron bars.

Chen Jianguo walked to the window and handed the document in.

The cashier inside glanced at the documents, then at Chen Jianguo.

"Did you bring your ID card and household registration booklet?"

"I brought it."

Chen Jianguo took a plastic bag out of his pocket.

The document contained the household registration booklet and ID card, which were then handed inside.

The cashier checked the documents and took out a thick, hard-covered notebook.

Financial accounts.

Turn to a new page and hand it out the window.

"Sign here, and here too."

Chen Jianguo picked up the black pen on the table.

In the column, he carefully wrote the three characters "Chen Jianguo".

I wrote very slowly and with great effort.

"Put your handprint."

The cashier handed over a box of red inkpad.

Chen Jianguo extended his right thumb, and there were still faint traces of engine oil in the fingerprint.

He pressed his hand firmly into the inkpad, then stamped it over his name, leaving a clear red fingerprint.

The cashier collected the money.

He turned around and opened the safe behind him.

He took out a coin, a brand new 100-yuan bill.

One hundred.

It was bound together with white paper strips in a crisscross pattern, and the paper strips were stamped.

The cashier slipped the money out of the window.

Chen Jianguo took it.

The bills were thick. They had a unique smell of new banknotes.

Ten thousand yuan, right there in my hand.

He put the money into the plastic bag, along with his household registration booklet and ID card.

He stuffed the plastic bag into the pocket of his underwear, covering himself up completely.

Even in the sweltering summer heat, Chen Jianguo didn't feel hot while walking outside.

I just felt a heavy weight on my chest.

12:30 PM.

The security door on the second floor was half open, and the wooden door inside was also half open.

The floor fan in the living room was blowing loudly.

Chen Jianguo pushed his bicycle downstairs, parked it, and went back upstairs.

He walked into the house and closed the door behind him. Inside, Liu Xiuying had just put two dishes on the table.

Chen Zhuo sat on the sofa, holding the remote control in his hand, and was turning on the TV.

Chen Jianguo walked to the washbasin stand, turned on the tap, and washed his hands and face.

He walked to the dining table, pulled out a chair and sat down. He then took out the plastic bag containing 10,000 yuan in cash and his household registration book from his inner pocket.

put it on the table.

Liu Xiuying took three sets of bowls and chopsticks out of the kitchen.

She glanced at the plastic bag.

"Is it done?" she asked.

"It's done."

Chen Jianguo picked up a towel and wiped the water off his face.

"The note was personally approved by Director Ma, and the cash was received directly from the finance department."

Chen Zhuo switched the TV to a channel showing martial arts dramas, put down the remote, and sat down at the dining table.

Just at this time.

Footsteps came from the hallway outside, followed by two ordinary knocks on the door.

"Jianguo, are you home?"

Old Zhao's voice rang out from outside the door.

Chen Jianguo stood up and went to open the door.

Old Zhao stood at the door, holding a folded paper fan in one hand and fanning himself with it, while his other hand held the old briefcase.

"Teacher Zhao, perfect timing! I was just about to eat, come in and have something with me."

Chen Jianguo turned his body to the side.

Old Zhao smiled, waved his hand, and went into the house.

"I'm not eating anymore. My wife has cooked dinner, and I'll go back to eat in a bit."

Old Zhao walked to the coffee table.

He placed the briefcase he was carrying on the coffee table and unzipped it.

He took out a thick envelope and a checkered financial document.

"Jianguo, the principal just finished a meeting at the Education Bureau this morning and called my office as soon as he got back to the school."

Old Zhao placed the envelope and receipt together on the coffee table.

"The principal said that you reached an agreement with Director Ma at the bureau, and the city's commendation has been cancelled."

Old Zhao looked at Chen Jianguo.

"Since the city has set the tone and will not make a fuss about it, our school will not join in the fun either."

Old Zhao pointed to the brown paper envelope.

"This is the 5,000 yuan bonus that the school promised to give Chen Zhuo. The principal directly had the finance department approve the receipt."

"He asked me to bring it to you on my way, so you wouldn't have to go to the school's finance office in the scorching sun this afternoon."

Old Zhao pushed a receipt and a pen in front of Chen Jianguo.

"Sign this receipt, and I'll take it back to the finance department."

Chen Jianguo nodded.

He picked up the pen, glanced at the contents of the receipt, and signed his name in the blank space at the bottom right.

Old Zhao picked up the receipt, blew on the ink, folded it, and put it back into his briefcase.

He turned his head and glanced at Chen Zhuo sitting at the dining table.

Chen Zhuo was holding chopsticks, picking up a piece of green vegetable and putting it in his mouth.

"Chen Zhuo, rest well at home. Pack your things for Huizhou in advance, so you don't forget anything before you leave."

Old Zhao gave a word of advice.

"Understood, Teacher Zhao."

Chen Zhu swallowed his food and replied.

Old Zhao zipped up his briefcase.

"Alright, I've finished my business, I'm going back now. You and your family can have dinner."

Chen Jianguo saw Lao Zhao to the door.

"Thank you for your trouble, Teacher Zhao, for making this trip in the middle of the day."

"It's on my way."

Old Zhao fanned himself as he went downstairs.

Chen Jianguo closed the door.

He walked to the coffee table and picked up the brown paper envelope.

Walk to the dining table and sit down.

He placed the envelope on the table, and then took out the red envelope containing three thousand yuan from his pocket.

The city bureau's 10,000.

The school's five thousand.

Three thousand from the factory.

Eighteen thousand yuan.

He divided the money into three piles and placed them on the edge of the dining table.

Liu Xiuying put down her chopsticks and looked at the three piles of money.

The only sounds in the room were the whirring of the electric fan and the clanging of swords coming from the television.

Chen Jianguo didn't touch his chopsticks. He looked at the money on the table and tapped his fingers on the surface twice.

"I don't feel safe leaving this money at home."

Chen Jianguo raised his head and looked at Liu Xiuying.

"I'll ask the workshop for leave again this afternoon, take my household registration book to the bank, and deposit the money."

Liu Xiuying nodded.

"Okay, I'll feel more at ease depositing it there."

After lunch, Chen Jianguo found a black cloth bag and put all the money on the table into it.

I took my household registration booklet and pushed my bicycle out the door.

The afternoon sun was even stronger.

Chen Jianguo rode his bicycle to the nearest Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.

evening.

As darkness fell, the heat in the residential compound subsided somewhat.

In the courtyard on the first floor, someone was watering the ground with a hose. The water splashed onto the dry soil, giving off an earthy smell.

Dinner was laid out on the Chen family's dining table.

A plate of cold tomato salad sprinkled with white sugar, a plate of stir-fried greens with minced garlic, and a few pieces of salted ribbonfish left over from lunch.

Chen Jianguo came home from get off work.

After washing his hands, he walked to the dining table and sat down. Liu Xiuying placed the rice she had served in front of him.

Chen Zhuo sat opposite him and picked up his chopsticks.

He picked up a piece of cold tomato salad and put it in his mouth.

He took a couple of bites and raised an eyebrow.

Chen Jianguo didn't pick up chopsticks; instead, he put his hand into his pocket.

He pulled out a small red plastic notebook.

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) current account passbook.

A hard plastic bank savings card was visible in the inner compartment of the notebook.

Chen Jianguo placed the passbook and bank card on the table.

He pressed it down with his hand and pushed it across the middle of the table, stopping next to Chen Zhuo's rice bowl.

Chen Zhuo put down his chopsticks and glanced at the card on the table.

He looked up at Chen Jianguo.

Chen Jianguo leaned back in his chair and took a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket.

He took out a cigarette and lit it.

He took a sip and then exhaled.

"I went to the bank this afternoon and got it done."

Chen Jianguo spoke, his voice steady.

"Ten thousand from the city, five thousand from the school, and three thousand from the factory—every penny of it was deposited in."

Chen Jianguo pointed to the card.

"It was registered under your household registration book."

Chen Zhuo looked at the bank card in front of his rice bowl.

He didn't touch it.

"dad."

Chen Zhuo called out.

Chen Jianguo smoked a cigarette, looking at his ten-year-old son across the dining table.

"Chen Zhuo".

Chen Jianguo called his name.

"Your mother and I have spent most of our lives in the factory. I repair lathes, and she watches the looms."

Chen Jianguo pointed to the plate of salted ribbonfish on the table.

"All we know is to leave work on time every day, buy groceries, cook, and budget our household expenses."

"In the past, I thought raising children meant feeding and clothing them, sending them to a good school, and hoping they would take over the family business or get into a junior college. That was the best I could do," Chen Jianguo said, looking at Chen Zhuo.

"But these past few days."

Chen Jianguo flicked the ash from his cigarette.

"The bureau chief came to me, the principal gave me money, and the factory manager gave me a red envelope."

"I suddenly understood."

Chen Jianguo placed his hand, which was holding a cigarette, on the table.

"I've repaired machines my whole life, and I know which gear matches which shaft, but my brain can't compare to yours."

Chen Jianguo's words were straightforward, without any unnecessary embellishment.

"Your brain and your knowledge have long surpassed those of your mother and me."

"The two of us can't keep up with you."

Chen Jianguo looked at the bank card lying quietly on the table.

"This money was earned by your own abilities. Your mother and I discussed it and decided not to take a single penny; it will all be in this card."

"The password is your birthday."

Chen Jianguo looked at Chen Zhuo.

His tone conveyed a sense of complete letting go.

"You're going to Huizhou next month."

"When you get there, buy whatever books you want."

"I want to buy a computer, or even things whose names I don't know, I'll buy them too."

Chen Jianguo stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray on the table.

"You make the decision yourself, you don't need to ask us for permission, and you don't need to worry about how much money it is. If it's not enough, just tell me and I'll send you more money." "Your parents can't help you much."

Chen Jianguo looked at him with a deep gaze.

"But we will absolutely not be a stumbling block for you on this path. Do whatever you want."

Liu Xiuying, sitting opposite, did not speak.

She held her rice bowl, her eyes slightly red.

But she didn't shed tears, nor did she interrupt Chen Jianguo.

This was something the couple had agreed upon.

This was the best protection they could think of for their genius son.

Chen Zhuo sat in a chair.

Looking at Chen Jianguo.

Looking at Liu Xiuying.

He didn't say anything sensible, nor did he seem bewildered like other children.

He reached out and picked up the bank card.

The bank card was clutched in my hand, its edges slightly rough.

"it is good."

Chen Zhuo looked at his parents and said only one word in a calm tone.

He picked up his chopsticks and took another piece of cold tomato salad.

"mom."

Chen Zhuo chewed on a tomato and turned to look at Liu Xiuying.

"There wasn't enough sugar in these tomatoes, they're a bit sour."

The atmosphere in the room eased slightly because of those words.

Liu Xiuying wiped her eyes and chuckled as she cursed.

"It's good enough that there's anything to eat. If you think it's too sour, I'll add an extra spoonful of sugar tomorrow."

Chen Jianguo smiled, picked up his chopsticks, and put a piece of ribbonfish into Liu Xiuying's bowl.

"Have a meal."

The fan head turned around, and the wind blew across the dining table, dispersing the smell of smoke in the room.

Outside the window, the night had completely fallen.

A few barks came from the other end of the residential compound.