Chapter 8, Genius is not innate

Zuo Xue had his mouth stuffed full and said, "Do you only want a man and not a son?" The soup in Zhong Bi's mouth nearly spurted out, "When did I give you that impression? If I did, I apologize. You are overthinking it." Zuo Xue put down his chopsticks, "Then why do you stay out all night?" He had waited for dim sum and his mother for more than half the night, only to grow increasingly disappointed, ultimately falling asleep alone in hunger.

Zhang came to see them after work and found Zuo Xue bent over the desk solving equations, a small figure sitting on a stool with her little legs not reaching the ground. Zhong Bi was curled up on the sofa reading a romance novel, almost sinking into it, completely unaware of Zhang's arrival until Zuo Xue called out "Uncle Zhang," which brought her back to her senses

Zhong Bi has a headache, so we changed the topic. "Left Xue is about to go to school and needs to add some things. Come along with us and teach him how to obtain a doctor's degree before turning twenty."

Zhang said halfway through, he snatched it, flipped through it, and threw it into the trash can, "Change your clothes and go out for dinner"

Zuo Xue was neatly dressed, sitting at the dining table enjoying fresh milk puffs with cheese sauce, eating with his mouth full, and without looking up, he asked: "What time did you come back last night?" Zhong Bi felt dizzy, her mind still somewhat hazy, and ignored him. He threw down his fork and huffed: "Where are my snow cream cakes and durian pastries?" How could she leave him all alone!

In terms of educating children, she has always been trustworthy and leads by example, which is why Zuo Xue dared to explode in anger and overturn the table when she promised to bring Snowy Mian and Durian Pastry but then forgot.

He is unwilling to divorce

Zhong Bi saw him coming and called the waiter to come in and tidy up the room. The three of them moved to the restaurant. Zhang said to serve the snow cream and durian pastry on exquisite plates, and also ordered a cup of sour plum juice, handing it to Zuo Xue, "I have to rush to work. Your mother is very angry, and the consequences are serious. Take care of yourself." He patted his shoulder and left.

Realizing how troublesome this little ancestor was, Zhong Bi was taken aback and immediately became alert. Tilting his head and pondering for a moment, he slapped his thigh and said: "It must have been left on Zhang's vehicle."

Hearing the name mentioned by Zhang, Zuo Xue became even angrier. Could this man be more important than him? He stood on the stool, swept the tablecloth aside, and with a clatter, everything was in disarray, with remnants of his milk cake scattered everywhere, juices flowing, creating a mess on the floor. He cast a cold glance at his mother and said, "What do you think we should do?"

Zhong Bi cast a disdainful glance at him, this little chubby boy, eating like a round ball, could roll on the ground with just a kick, yet he still didn't know to lose weight! She ran up and brought out a pile of books, pulled one out, and threw it in front of Zuo Xue, "If you don't memorize the essay 'Da Xue' today, you will have to kneel on the keyboard for me"

Zhang said immediately: "I am not a genius; I merely started school early and studied diligently." Graduating with a master's degree at the age of twenty is not particularly remarkable, as there are many high-IQ talents at Peking University. However, few individuals at his age have become one of the 'global digital figures,' which undoubtedly involves unseen hard work and effort. No one achieves success casually. However, few individuals at his age have become one of the 'global digital figures,' which undoubtedly involves unseen hard work and effort. No one achieves success casually.

Zhong Bi smiled, yet this person remained so oblivious to humor, his serious demeanor making her feel restless and eager to act. She couldn't help but want to tease him, intensely desiring to break through the calm composure beneath his icy exterior. She leaned in, wrapping one arm around his waist, her right index finger tracing back and forth across his lips, alternating between light and heavy breaths against his ear, whispering softly: "What kind of job... hmm—" The drawn-out tone, voice, movements, and expressions were extremely enchanting and provocative, making one feel a shiver down their spine. Whispering again: "What kind of job... hmm—" The drawn-out tone, voice, movements, and expressions were extremely enchanting and provocative, making one feel a shiver down their spine.

Just as she was about to take his soft earlobe into her mouth, Zhang pushed her away, his face flushed, heart racing, and his gaze towards her was filled with restraint, clearly struggling to control himself— the door was not closed, Zuo Xue was still outside, and they could not disregard the situation. He spoke, his voice hoarse and laced with desire, "I spoke with Zuo Si on the phone." Zhong Bi felt a chill run through her body, her expression changing drastically, "Oh, what did he say?" Hearing that name felt like a nightmare.

Zhong Bi glanced at Zuo Xue, who was buried in his studies in the living room, and said, "I took him to test his IQ; it is slightly higher than that of an average person, but it is more attributable to his hard work. I believe that with enough effort, anyone can become a genius in the end." Genius is not innate; it is largely the result of diligence, a truth known to everyone. She was unwilling to continue discussing this topic, brushed aside her slipping hair, and casually asked, "What have you been busy with today?"

Although Zhong Bi had already grown accustomed to this little ancestor's domineering and unruly behavior, he was still so furious that his face turned pale and his whole body trembled. "Alright, alright, alright—" he said while standing on the balcony making a phone call, "Zhang said..."

He decided to stand on the same front as Zhang from now on. The man from the wallet compartment of his mother is now transformed into a real person standing before him, tall, handsome, wise, decisive, and daring; in fact, he does not dislike him.

After finishing with the keyboard, the mother and son had lunch as usual. Left with a quick temper, it also dissipated just as quickly, as she described the story of the robot cat she had just watched at the dining table. Zhong Bi then said, "Why are you still watching the robot cat? I watched it when I was young. I suggest you watch Hayao Miyazaki's animations in the future." After a pause, he asked, "What made you flip the table this morning?"

Zhang's act of care alleviated Zuo Xue's intense hostility towards him. He lowered his head in silence, avoiding any glance at Zhong Bi, sulking as he indulged in his snacks.

Zhong Bi was applying makeup in front of the mirror, "Zuo Xue, I told Zhang that we are going out for dinner tonight, what about you? Just don't flip the table again and say that I left you to enjoy myself alone." Zuo Xue wiped her nose and pushed the exercise book in front of her for inspection. Today, Zhong Bi was determined to discipline him, having already made it clear beforehand that he would not be allowed to have dinner if he hadn't completed the equations in front of Zhang.

Zhong Bi sat down across from him, "In a couple of days, you will be taking the entrance exam for Beijing University Affiliated Primary School, so you must prepare in advance." Zuo Xue did not believe it, "The first grade of primary school tests 'The Great Learning'?" Zhong Bi snorted, "Who said it's the first grade? I'm putting you directly in the third grade. Do you think this is Hong Kong, where exams only test ABCD?"

Zhong Bi opened the computer and played music, "Once the album 'Worship' is finished, you can get up." He ignored it and sat on the keyboard with a set of 'Doraemon' to watch. Zhong Bi did not correct his incorrect posture; as long as the punishment was delivered, that was enough. After all, this was how the mother and son had always been at odds with each other.

Zhong Bi looked at the exercise book quietly lying next to a tissue and some fruit peels, feeling a sense of dissatisfaction. However, he never had the courage to pick it up. He glanced at the expressionless Zhang, sighed, and decided to let it go.

Zuo Xue pushed the book away, stood up, and left. Zhong Bi followed behind and asked, "What are you doing?" He replied resentfully, "Kneeling at the keyboard." To ask him to memorize it was no different from asking him to die; the only solution now was to obediently kneel at the keyboard.

Zhang entered and thought for a moment before saying, "Don't you think that Zuo Xue's educational approach could be... well, a bit more normal?" Zhong Bi was taken aback for a moment before realizing what he was trying to say. "To be honest, I have considered this issue. However, while I do not expect him to become a genius, I also do not wish to waste his potential for genius." Glancing at him, he added, "You yourself are also a genius—what are your thoughts on this? I would like to hear more about it."

Zuo Xue did not dare to show too much excitement; he had not finished writing, and Zhang Shuo knew but said nothing. Looking at the math workbook that had tormented him for an entire afternoon and had now turned into trash, he couldn't help but whistle, how cool! His admiration for what Zhang had said suddenly surged like a torrential river, endlessly flowing

Zuo Si cannot possibly give up custody of her son, nor can she abandon him. She has forsaken him once, and she will not commit such a grave mistake again

When Zhang arrived carrying a paper bag, the mother and son each occupied one side, ignoring each other, and were in a state of cold war

Zhong Bi defended himself, saying: "When have I ever not returned home at night? I just came back a bit late." Zuo Xue snorted, "A bit late? Do you know that I didn't eat dinner last night?" Zhong Bi was somewhat surprised, "Don't you have any money?" Zuo Xue, feeling impatient, replied, "That's not the issue..." He was still young and unable to clearly express the inner turmoil, frustration, and dissatisfaction he felt—he certainly wished that his mother belonged solely to him.

Although Zuo Xue has a better memory, is more perceptive, and has more insight, it is clearly unreasonable to expect him to memorize the difficult and obscure "The Great Learning" in a single day; this is merely a way for Zhong Bi to impose difficulties on him. He also understands that his mother is using this as an excuse to correct his "misguided tendencies," and of course he is unwilling to comply, pointing at the bound copy of "The Great Learning" and asking, "Why must I memorize this?"

Zhang's response was very brief: "Work"

Zhang cast her a sidelong glance and, considering the perspective of being a parent, chose not to say anything to her. Perhaps Zuo Xue could obtain a doctor's degree before the age of twenty; the material in books is not particularly difficult to read. However, all of this depends on his personal interests. He may not aspire to this in the future. True geniuses always have thoughts that differ from the norm. Zhang buried her words in her heart and did not express them.

Zuo Xue murmured softly "old witch", but did not dare to let her hear it

"What are you looking at? So engrossed." He poured himself a glass of water and drank.

As she closed the notebook, it seemed to evoke endless reminiscence, "An interesting story," Zhang casually inquired, "Oh, what is it about?" She stretched lazily and went to brew some coffee, "The emotional entanglements between men and women, encounters, partings, and reunions." Any story can be summarized with these few words, much like the monotonous analysis of paragraph themes in high school textbooks, yet she remained undeterred in her enthusiasm. A mundane life must seek out some interesting pursuits.

Waking up early in the morning, it is yet another new day. In my dreams, I faintly recall the events of my youth, indulging in fleeting joy.

Zhang said after a long silence, "This matter should be approached gradually. You must be prepared for a protracted battle." If Zuo Si insists on not compromising, then the only option left for both parties would be to take the matter to court, which is likely to result in a prolonged offensive and defensive struggle

She rubbed her slightly sore eyes, her head pounding. Why does she remember such distant events so clearly? They are vivid in her mind, as clear as if they were right in front of her. Like a wandering soul, she crawled down from the bed

Zhong Bi waved his hand to stop him, "OK, I understand, you just don't want to eat alone. I will take you along next time. But now..." She took away the charcoal-grilled beef tenderloin in front of Left Xue and replaced it with a glass bowl of green seaweed, "You can't eat meat anymore, be careful of high cholesterol." She then remembered something else, "By the way, you don't have to memorize 'The Great Learning', but you should memorize 'Three Hundred Tang Poems' as soon as possible, as it is highly likely to be on the entrance exam."

Zuo Xue was unaware of the specific situation in Beijing's elementary schools, always assuming it was probably as bizarre as his mother's, and thus remained silent. When he opened it, he exclaimed, "Why is it like this?" It was a vertical edition of the traditional Chinese text "The Great Learning," with annotations and commentaries, featuring varying font sizes, sometimes horizontal and sometimes vertical, leaving one dazzled and dizzy. Not to mention him, even those from the Chinese department might not be able to endure it; Zhong Bi had deliberately brought it to undermine his confidence. When he opened it, he exclaimed, "Why is it like this?" It was a vertical edition of the traditional Chinese text "The Great Learning," with annotations and commentaries, featuring varying font sizes, sometimes horizontal and sometimes vertical, leaving one dazzled and dizzy. Not to mention him, even those from the Chinese department might not be able to endure it; Zhong Bi had deliberately brought it to undermine his confidence. As for this version of the ancient text, she had only purchased it but never read it.

Mentioning this matter makes me feel upset. She rubbed her forehead and said: "In Hong Kong, although divorce is somewhat difficult, that is not the main issue. I have evidence of his infidelity. The most important thing is..." She glanced at the door outside, her voice involuntarily lowering, "Zuo Xue."

When Zhong Bi moved, she had already nimbly jumped aside, avoiding a disaster. She looked at him with a headache and squinted her eyes, saying: "Is this the attitude you have when speaking to me?" Zuo Xue maintained a cold expression, saying, "Don't try to change the subject. Where are my snow cream and durian pastry?"