A genius? I just love studying.

Chapter 130 Going Home
Thunder roared and lightning danced wildly.

The high-speed train blended into the darkness, like a silver lightning bolt, swiftly cutting across the plains and speeding into the distance.

The world outside the car window was pitch black, with thick clouds descending from the sky as if to crush the earth.

Chen Hui placed his paper on the small table and, unusually, started playing on his phone.

He needed a computer to write his thesis, but he didn't know much about computers and wasn't comfortable buying one on Xianyu (a second-hand marketplace). New computers were too expensive. Even though he had just received a bonus of over 100,000 yuan, he decided to be frugal, having lived a life of hardship. So he was caught in a dilemma.

The week-long National Middle School Mathematics Summer Camp has ended. After the seminar that day, the follow-up activities returned to normal, which were mostly popular science lectures. Chen Hui was thinking about how to solve the problems raised by Professor Yun Wei while starting to write his first paper.

They were originally going to fly back to Chengdu, but unexpectedly, Beijing was hit by a violent storm these past few days, and all flights were canceled.

Some classmates excitedly suggested spending a few days in Beijing, but Ma Jingtang rejected the suggestion without hesitation.

He was in charge of leading the team to participate in the CMO event, and he would be responsible if any problems arose along the way. Right now, he just wanted to get these little guys back to Chengdu as soon as possible, and then his mission would be complete.

So they bought high-speed rail tickets at the last minute.

In terms of time, it doesn't take much more time. The high-speed train from Beijing to Chengdu takes only a little over seven hours. If you include the time spent waiting for the flight and traveling to the airport, the two modes of transportation take about the same amount of time.

However, buying tickets at the last minute makes it difficult to choose seats that are next to each other, and the contestants and teachers are currently scattered in various corners of this high-speed train.

Sitting next to Chen Hui was an old man with a seven or eight-year-old boy. The boy and the old man were sitting in the same seat.

To make her grandson more comfortable, the old man tried to curl up.

The little boy didn't cry or make a fuss, but he would occasionally look curiously in Chen Hui's direction.

"Boss, are you still going to participate in the IMO?"

My phone vibrated; Li Zehan had sent me a WeChat message.

After that seminar, he has now become a complete fan of Chen Hui, greeting her morning and night. Chen Hui is not a goddess, but he has already experienced the treatment of having a simp.

"join."

After replying, he immediately set Li Zehan's WeChat account to Do Not Disturb mode.

Then, as soon as I exited the settings interface, I saw Li Zehan's new reply: "That's great, I'll be able to see the boss again in a few days!"

As is customary, the top 60 CMO participants are selected for the national training team. They then undergo two rounds of selection during a two-week training camp. The first round selects 16 people from the 60, and the second round selects the final six representatives of China to participate in the IMO from the remaining 16.

"Attention passengers! Our train has just passed Baoding Station. Next stop food preview: Authentic Inner Mongolian milk clam and vacuum-packed roasted duck with secret recipe. Nutritious and delicious, try before you buy!"

A train attendant pushed a cart to the front of the carriage and called out in a high-pitched voice.

Chen Hui was somewhat surprised. He had always thought that the scene of selling things on trains only appeared on old-fashioned green trains, but he did not expect that it would also exist on high-speed trains.

Unfortunately, people are now well-informed and online shopping is so prevalent that no one is interested in these so-called local specialties. No matter how much the train conductor talked, no one was interested.

"Grandpa, why don't you buy some Peking duck to take home for your family to try?"

The train attendant, being experienced, turned his attention to the elderly people in the carriage.

The elderly man sitting next to Chen Hui in the first row naturally became the focus of attention.

However, no matter how flowery and tempting the train conductor's words were, the old man remained unmoved, simply shaking his head and waving his hands.

The train attendants were somewhat disappointed. They weren't much different from regular salespeople; they only received commissions for selling goods. Unfortunately, business was getting harder and harder these days.

"How about we buy some milk shells? The kids love them."

The train conductor stood up, said something reluctantly (though he didn't expect to succeed), unlocked the brakes, and pushed the train to leave.

"Give me a bag."

The old man looked up and said something to the train conductor.

"Hey, okay!"

The train conductor didn't know why this change had happened, but having business was always a good thing.

He took a bag of milk capsules from the cart and handed it to the old man, saying, "15 yuan!"

Chen Hui glanced at it; 150 grams of Korqin probiotic milk powder cost 15 yuan, which wasn't cheap, but considering that this was on a high-speed train, the price was reasonable.

The old man took the milk container, then took out a bunch of change from his pocket, carefully counted out a ten-yuan note and a five-yuan note, and handed them to the train conductor with a pained but happy heart.

And so, a seemingly inexplicable deal was made willingly.

"Milk Baby Milk Baby, concentrated calcium from grassland milk! Perfect for families with growing children or elderly people with leg pain. Just tear it open and eat it without sticking to your teeth!"

The train attendant pushed his cart, shouting advertising slogans as he went to the next carriage. Having made a sale, he even raised his voice a bit louder.

The old man tore open the packaging bag, took out a milk shell, and put it into his grandson's mouth.

As soon as the milk biscuit entered his mouth, the little boy squinted his eyes, looking as satisfied as a cat basking in the sun.

Seeing his grandson like this, the old man's eyes curved into crescents, and a sunny smile appeared on his rough face.

"Is this milk cake really that delicious?"

Chen Hui was a little curious; the train conductor had just said that the child loved to eat it, and it seemed to be true.

He had never eaten milk shellfish.

So, will Rui Rui and Qing Shan like it?
He had already bought the Peking duck, and he even went to Quanjude specifically to buy it. It was sliced ​​on the spot and then put into a vacuum bag.

Not only did he buy roast duck, he also specially bought several kilograms of Changping strawberries. He had never seen such large strawberries in his life, and they were well-shaped and fragrant. Rui Rui would definitely be happy to see them.

"Zixuan, let your brother have a taste."

Noticing Chen Hui's gaze, the old man lowered the opening of the milk carton packaging bag so that the little boy could easily reach inside. While speaking, he gestured with his eyes for the little boy to give it to Chen Hui.

The little boy turned around, blinked his eyes at Chen Hui, and then reached out without hesitation, took out a milk shell, and handed it to Chen Hui.

"Thank you."

Chen Hui did not refuse. He did want to try the taste so he could decide whether to bring some back for Rui Rui and Qing Shan as well.

Even before the milk biscuit enters your mouth, the rich aroma of milk fills the air.

Put it in your mouth, take a gentle bite, and the fermented, slightly sour taste mixed with the aroma of milk fat rushes into your nasal cavity. Suddenly, the burnt taste of milk being boiled in a tin bucket on the grassland rises in your throat, as if you can see a herd of cattle grazing on withered grass under a thin layer of frost.

As the last bit of milk foam slid down my throat, the crumbs stuck between my teeth continued to slowly exude a salty taste, like holding a small piece of melting snow in my mouth.

It's not delicious in the normal sense.

But it's special enough.

Just that one bite was enough to make Chen Hui change his mind.

So he got up and chased after the train conductor.

He bought five bags, giving one to Rui Rui, Qing Shan's uncle and aunt, and the other bag to the little boy next to him.

Perhaps because he hadn't expected to get a whole bag of milk in return for just one milk candy, the little boy's face was full of smiles, which even seemed to dispel some of the gloom outside the car window.

After putting away the milk bottle, Chen Hui turned his attention back to the paper on the small table.

Buying a computer can wait. Writing the paper can be done at an internet cafe. He just needs to set up the framework and organize the derivation process on draft paper, and he can finish the paper in a few hours. His mathematical papers at this stage are different from other papers. They won't be too long and tedious. A two-hundred-page paper like Wiles' proof of Fermat's Last Theorem is naturally beyond Chen Hui's reach at this stage.

As time passed, Chen Hui, immersed in his studies, naturally shut out all external distractions.

After an unknown amount of time, Chen Hui noticed that the high-speed train had slowed down significantly, and only then did he turn his attention away from his thesis.

Looking up through the car window, I saw a setting sun hanging in the distance, radiating a warm red light that wasn't glaring even when looked at directly, like a kind old man standing on a mountaintop watching his children return home.

The setting sun seemed to be standing on the mountaintop, welcoming Chen Hui and his companions back.

After arriving at the station and getting off the bus, there were already buses waiting outside the station to take Chen Hui and the others to their respective schools, and then everyone went home.

"Teacher An, this is roast duck I brought for you."

After getting off the bus at Rongcheng No. 2 Middle School, Chen Hui took out a bag of roast duck from his schoolbag and handed it to An Chengzhang.

An Chengzhang was taken aback. He knew Chen Hui had bought roast duck, but he didn't expect him to have one prepared for him as well.

"Why are you buying me anything? I've already bought something for myself."

An Chengzhang waved his hand in refusal, saying, "Take it back for your uncle and aunt to eat."

"anything else!"

Chen Hui patted his backpack; it was bulging and quite full.

He had eaten Quanjude's roast duck before, and it was indeed very good, so even though it was quick, he still bought quite a lot, not only for Teacher An, but also for many other people.

"Oh well!"

An Chengzhang hesitated for a moment, but still accepted the roast duck. He said no, but his body language betrayed him.

He wasn't really craving the roast duck; he was just happy for Chen Hui's thoughtfulness.

Goodbye, Teacher An!

Chen Hui waved to An Chengzhang and walked towards Rongcheng No. 2 Middle School. It was summer vacation now, so the school was naturally empty, but security still needed to be handled by someone. His uncle still needed to patrol, but he didn't have to work the night shift today, so they could go home together.

"goodbye!"

An Chengzhang waved in response.

But goodbye?
Watching Chen Hui's retreating figure, An Chengzhang suddenly felt a pang of melancholy for some reason.

He already knew about Chen Hui's agreement with Jiangcheng University. If it weren't for the IMO, Chen Hui's student status would probably have already been transferred to Jiangcheng University.

It is highly likely that Chen Hui will not return to Rongcheng No. 2 Middle School next semester.

Goodbye, I don't know when we'll meet again.

An Chengzhang was overwhelmed with mixed feelings, feeling both sad and expectant. He was looking forward to hearing news about Chen Hui again and what kind of shock this little guy would bring to him and the world!
"Uncle Dayong, this is some Peking duck from Beijing that I brought for you."

Upon entering the gatehouse, Chen Hui noticed that his uncle, Li Tianhua, was not there; he had gone to patrol the courtyard. Chen Hui took a bag of roast duck from his schoolbag and handed it to Zhao Dayong, who was staying behind.

For more than a year, the other party had opened the school gate for him almost every time. Although they didn't talk much, he could feel the other party's kindness towards him.

Moreover, he has been taking care of his uncle Li Tianhua for the past few months, so it is only right and proper to send him this roast duck.

"Oh dear, this is too kind of you, I can't accept it."

Zhao Dayong waved his hands repeatedly and stepped back, as if what Chen Hui held in his hands was not a roast duck, but some kind of monstrous beast.

"It's just some local specialties, not worth much money, Uncle Dayong, please don't be shy."

Chen Hui stepped forward and forcefully shoved the roast duck into Zhao Dayong's hands.

"I knew you'd amount to something!"

Seeing that he couldn't refuse, Zhao Dayong stopped refusing and simply sighed, "Tianhua is truly blessed!"

Peking duck is a famous dish in China. He had eaten it before, so he knew how expensive it was.
How did you perform in the competition this time?

Li Tianhua hadn't returned yet, so it was just the two of them in the gatehouse. Zhao Dayong, like all old people, started chatting with Chen Hui.

"Not bad!"

Chen Hui answered with a smile.

"That's fine, that's fine..."

Zhao Dayong looked pleased, as if he were chatting with his own grandson.

As a middle school gatekeeper who frequently interacts with young people, he naturally understands the value of this achievement.

"Studying is still the best!"

"I just didn't understand this principle back then..."

Once he started talking, Zhao Dayong couldn't stop, and his words filled the entire guardhouse.

Chen Hui didn't get impatient; he listened attentively and occasionally responded with a few words.

Zhao Dayong felt that he hadn't had such a happy conversation in a long time.

"Xiaohui is back!"

At this moment, Li Tianhua walked in from outside, covered in sweat, but with a bright smile on his face.

Chengdu in late July is no different from the neighboring furnace city of Chongqing. In this weather, even just walking around the school is a terrifying physical task.

"uncle."

Chen Hui stood up, and Zhao Dayong also stopped rambling.

Li Tianhua smiled and nodded, also happy to see Chen Hui. However, he took out his phone to check the time and said to Chen Hui, "Wait for me a moment, I still have a few minutes before I get off work."

As he spoke, he walked toward Zhao Dayong and said, "Brother Yong, when I passed by the playground just now, I noticed a hole in the ground at the entrance. It's so dangerous. If the children step on it and fall, they'll definitely get hurt."

"Also, the emergency exit in the lab building is blocked by debris. I just tried to move it, but I couldn't. Let's go see if we can fix it tomorrow."

"There are some other minor issues, which I've written down in my notebook. Take a look."

Li Tianhua handed his notebook to Zhao Dayong.

He only has an elementary school diploma, so writing is very difficult for him. But recently he has been studying the laboratory safety management regulations and is preparing to take the exam to see if he can apply for a laboratory safety officer position. He thinks the job will be easier and his salary will increase.

This was certainly difficult for him, but it wasn't without effect. At least now he can record problems encountered during patrols in his notebook.

After giving my instructions, it was time to leave work.

Li Tianhua walked up to Chen Hui, picked up Chen Hui's bulging backpack, and said, "Give this to me. It's so hot. You've been traveling all day and you get carsick. You must be exhausted."

"It's okay, I took motion sickness medicine before getting on the bus, and I'm full of energy now!"

Chen Hui naturally wouldn't let his uncle carry his bag, so he slung the bag over his shoulder and headed home first.

Li Tianhua hesitated for a moment, but did not insist. He simply caught up with Chen Hui and said, "Your aunt went to pick up Rui Rui and the others. She also bought some groceries. We'll have something nice to eat tonight."

(End of this chapter)