The morning of the second day of the Lunar New Year was bright and sunny.
The family residential compound was bustling with people visiting relatives for the New Year, and the crisp sound of firecrackers echoed from the hallways from time to time.
Chen Jianguo had just finished mopping the living room floor when there was a knock at the door.
When he opened the door, a family of three was standing in the hallway.
Leading the way was Zhang Zhicheng, dressed in a sharp, black woolen overcoat. He carried two red boxes—Maotai liquor, by the looks of the packaging—and had two cartons of Chunghwa cigarettes tucked under his arm.
Following behind him was his wife, who had permed, curly hair. She was carrying two exquisitely packaged boxes of imported cherries and several boxes of health supplements.
At the very back was Zhang Qiang.
Zhang Qiang was wearing a brand-new, bright red sweater today, looking full of festive cheer.
The moment he stepped inside, his eyes darted around the room until they landed on Chen Zhuo, who was walking out of the kitchen with a teapot. His expression immediately lit up.
"Aiyo, Old Zhang, you shouldn’t have! Why bring so many things?"
Chen Jianguo hurried forward to take the items from Zhang Zhicheng’s hands.
"Old Chen, Happy New Year! I’m busy with business all year round, so the New Year is the only time I get a break. I had to come see my old brother."
Zhang Zhicheng let out a hearty laugh as he put the gifts down and changed his shoes.
Zhang Zhicheng was a shrewd businessman who was used to schmoozing and could easily make small talk, but today at the Chen family’s home, he adopted a very humble posture.
First in the nation, the prodigy class at Huake University, a college student not yet thirteen years old.
Having clawed his way up in the business world, Zhang Zhicheng knew better than anyone what a top-tier mind like that signified. This was the kind of network and potential that no amount of money could buy.
"Uncle, Auntie, Happy New Year."
Chen Zhuo came over with several clean glass tumblers, placed them on the coffee table, and lifted the teapot to pour water.
"Ah, good, good. Xiaozhuo has gotten taller again."
Zhang Zhicheng’s wife was all smiles, her eyes filled with a sense of wonder and admiration as she looked at Chen Zhuo.
The adults sat down on the living room sofa and began to chat warmly about everyday matters.
Zhang Qiang didn’t squeeze in with the adults. He pulled over a plastic stool and plopped down next to Chen Zhuo.
He started peeling peanuts from the fruit bowl on the coffee table and nudged Chen Zhuo lightly with his elbow.
Chen Zhuo turned his head.
Zhang Qiang winked and wiggled his eyebrows at him, then stuck a hand into the pocket of his new jeans and deliberately shook it a couple of times.
A metallic clinking sound came from the pocket.
It wasn’t a loud sound, but to Zhang Qiang, it was the most beautiful music in the world.
It was the sound of fifty arcade tokens.
He had secretly exchanged some of the lucky money his elders gave him yesterday.
The biggest arcade in the city center had just gotten two original *The King of Fighters ’97* machines on the first day of the New Year. The joysticks were brand new, and the buttons were so sensitive that a single touch would execute a move.
He had come to pay a New Year’s visit today, but his heart was already at the arcade. He was just waiting for the adults to finish their pleasantries, go through the motions, so he could justifiably drag Chen Zhuo out with him.
Chen Zhuo looked at Zhang Qiang’s barely contained excitement, smiled faintly, and said nothing, merely raising his glass for a sip of water.
Over on the sofa, the conversation had naturally shifted from business difficulties to the topic of their children.
This seemed to be an inescapable part of any conversation between parents in Hua Country.
"Old Zhang, your Qiangzi has really shot up. He looks a lot sturdier than last year. He’s in his second year at City No.1 Middle School now, right?"
Liu Xiuying set a plate of freshly sliced apples on the coffee table and asked casually.
As soon as she heard this, Zhang Zhicheng’s wife’s brow furrowed, and the smile on her face was replaced by a sigh.
"Oh, Xiuying, don’t even mention it. What’s the use of growing taller? If his brain were one-tenth as good as Xiaozhuo’s, I’d be laughing in my sleep."
Zhang Qiang’s mother slapped her thigh, her tone filled with exasperated frustration.
"The competition at City No.1 Middle School is so fierce now. After the second semester of the second year, they’ll be streamed into different tracks. If he can’t get into the school’s own high school division, he won’t even get a foot in the door of a good university later on."
Chen Jianguo tried to console her from the side.
"Qiangzi’s a good kid, too. He’s quick-witted. Boys are just late bloomers. He’ll know to study once he’s in his third year."
"If only he would have that breakthrough."
Zhang Qiang’s mother glanced at her son, who was sitting to the side peeling peanuts, and sighed.
"For the sake of his grades, Old Zhang and I have tried everything. Brain Gold, Life Number One... we’ve bought those oral supplements that cost several hundred yuan a box by the caseload. We even hired a retired teacher from a city-run middle school for one-on-one tutoring on weekends. And the result?"
The more she spoke, the angrier she got, pointing a finger in Zhang Qiang’s direction.
"The teacher is up there lecturing, and he’s down below dozing off. The moment school’s out, his mind is completely on those trashy games. He’s about to start his third year, and his grades are still hovering in the middle-to-lower ranks of his class. I’ve been so worried I haven’t been able to sleep for nights on end."
Zhang Qiang kept his head down, pretending not to hear. He tossed a peanut into his mouth, silently begging his mom to hurry up and end this annoying topic.
’If I can just get through these few minutes of nagging, freedom awaits outside.’
He was even starting to review Yagami Iori’s infinite combos in his head.
Chen Zhuo set down his glass of water.
He looked at Zhang Qiang’s anxious mother, a gentle smile playing on his lips.
"Auntie, there’s no need to be so anxious."
Chen Zhuo’s voice was steady, carrying a calm and convincing quality.
All the adults’ eyes immediately focused on him.
"Qiangzi is actually very smart. His logical thinking isn’t bad at all. It’s just that he doesn’t usually focus his mind on organizing the framework of what he’s learned. The exams at City No.1 Middle School may seem to have a lot of questions, but there are only so many underlying concepts being tested."

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