He Gui’s voice came through the line.
It was a subdued tone, with little emotional fluctuation—none of the wild joy or the sharp edge that Zhou Kai had.
"First place overall, plus best in theory."
Chen Zhuo’s tone was warm, tinged with the familiarity of a close friend.
"Captain He, you’ve really caused a stir this time. I bet from now on, high school physics teachers all across China are going to be worshipping you like a god."
He Gui was silent on the other end for two seconds.
Chen Zhuo could clearly hear his somewhat heavy breathing, tinged with a suppressed sniffle.
"Captain."
He Gui said his title again, the word tight and deliberate.
"We got the gold medal."
Just that one sentence.
No extra embellishment, no exaggerated descriptions. He was simply making good on the simple promise he’d made into a receiver in an empty hallway last time.
Chen Zhuo’s grip on the receiver tightened slightly.
An image flashed in his mind: He Gui on the TV screen, standing on the highest podium with a slightly shy smile.
The boy who used to quietly record data in the provincial team’s lab, never competing or vying for the spotlight, was now standing at the very pinnacle of his peers worldwide.
"I know."
Chen Zhuo’s voice was clear.
"You did beautifully. The true world number one. You deserve it."
"So what’s the plan now?"
Chen Zhuo asked.
"With a medal like that, you guys should be able to take your pick of any top university in the country, right?"
"Yeah."
There was no trace of boasting in He Gui’s voice, only the calm of someone stating a fact.
"The team leader said that admissions officers from Shuimu and Kyodai have already been calling his room long-distance. He expects we’ll be able to sign the direct admission agreements right at the airport when we land back in the country."
A smile played on Chen Zhuo’s lips.
"That’s great. Now Zhou Kai doesn’t have to worry about his discretionary admission application anymore. And I bet Wang Huashao’s ego is through the roof right about now, huh?"
"Huashao was just in the next room flipping a coin to decide between Shuimu and Kyodai."
He Gui paused.
"Zhou Kai has already decided. He signed with Kyodai’s School of Physics."
"What about you, Captain He?"
Chen Zhuo’s tone was teasing.
"Where are you planning to go?"
He Gui fell silent on the other end for two seconds.
"Haven’t decided yet."
His voice was steady.
"But the admissions officer from Shuimu talked to our team leader. They said if I go to Shuimu, the School of Physics’ key laboratory will be open to me 24/7."
Chen Zhuo leaned against the wall.
"Alright, take your time and choose well."
"You’ve all been wound so tight these past few months. Get some rest when you get back."
"Okay."
"He Gui! Hurry up! The chairman is here!"
In the background, Wang Huashao’s voice yelled out.
"I have to go."
He Gui said.
"Go on. I’ll treat you all to spicy chicken when you’re back."
"Mm."
CLICK. The line went dead.
A long dial tone droned from the receiver.
Chen Zhuo placed the receiver back on its cradle.
Silence returned to the hallway. A hot summer breeze drifted in through the window, rustling Chen Zhuo’s clothes.
He stood there, feeling the searing heat that had been transmitted through the phone call, a heat intense enough to set the whole summer ablaze.
Chen Zhuo was happy for them.
His friends... they had worked so, so hard. They were truly, truly incredible.
Chen Zhuo turned, ready to go back to his dorm to grab his water bottle and head to the library.
Just as his hand touched the doorknob of Dorm 215.
RRRRRING—
The public phone behind him began to ring again with terrible timing.
Chen Zhuo stopped in his tracks.
He glanced back at the phone, a little puzzled.
’Could it be Wang Huashao, shamelessly calling back because he had more nonsense to spout?’
He walked back to the phone and picked up the receiver.
"Hello? What is it now?"
The line was quiet for a second.
Then, what came through wasn’t Wang Huashao’s voice, but an extremely loud, crisp CRUNCH, CRUNCH, CRUNCH.
It sounded like someone was chewing something forcefully.
Along with it came the opening theme song of *My Fair Princess* playing from a TV.
"Hello? Brother Zhuo? It’s me!"
A boisterous, slightly hoarse and rough voice came from the other end. It was loud, full of a reckless, boyish energy.
Chen Zhuo froze for a moment.
He leaned against the white wall of the hallway, listening to this voice, and the nerves still buzzing from the "world champion" atmosphere were instantly brought back down to earth.
Zhang Qiang.
"Brother Zhuo, how’s it going over there? You eaten? Is it hot? Summer vacation’s almost over, how can you stand staying at school?"
On the other end of the line, Zhang Qiang swallowed a mouthful of something and let out an incredibly loud burp.
"I just finished half a cold watermelon. It was amazing!"
One minute ago, this phone line had connected him to a luxurious banquet hall in Spain. It had connected him to three peerless geniuses representing China at the pinnacle of the world stage. They competed with the greatest minds of their generation, for the honor of their country.
One minute later, the same line connected him to a landline in an apartment building in Zeyang City. It connected him to a childhood friend in baggy shorts, his mouth full of watermelon juice, talking about how refreshing it was to eat cold watermelon.
This extreme, sudden shift in tone made Chen Zhuo burst out laughing.
"What are you laughing at? I’m serious!"
Zhang Qiang clearly didn’t understand the meaning behind Chen Zhuo’s laughter and complained at the top of his lungs from the other side of the line.
"I’m not laughing at anything."
Chen Zhuo shifted into a more comfortable leaning position, his tone naturally switching back to that of a streetwise kid.
"School provides meals, so I just ate. Not hungry. It’s hot, but it’s bearable. You finish your summer homework? You seem to have a lot of free time to be calling me."

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