In the most secluded classroom on the top floor of the teaching building, apart from the sound of the teacher lecturing on the podium, there was only the sound of flipping books and the rubbing of the pen tip against the paper.
The voices of the next class over reading English text came through the wall, covering up the whispers of a few boys in the corner of the last row:
ââŠ..The news from Chenghua is absolutely reliable.â
âThen He Qianjian rushed out of school just like that?â
âItâs too tragic. He was the last to know that his own birthday party was canceled, if I were him I wouldnât be able to stay in school either.â
While they were whispering to each other, the class was coming to an end. The homeroom teacher packed up the lesson plans and said with a smile: âThe first round of review is over today, and we will start the second round of review tomorrow. At the same time, all courses that are not related to the main subjects will all make concessions to the main subject courses, including the work of your club and some students from the student unionâŠ..â
ââRing, ring, ring.
The teacher paused, waited for the bell to pass with a smile, and then said: âSo this physical education class will be your last physical education class in high school, students, so cherish it! Class is over!â
For a moment, cheers and wailing intersected, and almost all the students stood up, and only a few boys in the back row still sat together.
Shen Xuâs height had skyrocketed since the beginning of his third year of high school. In just over three months, he grew from 1.7 meters to 1.82 meters. Every time the seating changed, he would move to the back of the classroom a little, and finally moved from beside Jiang Chen to in front of Luo Ze. While class wqs going on, he heard them talking behind him, but he didnât know what they were talking about. It was the last physical education class, and Luo Ze still sat still and didnât rush out.
Shen Xu bumped Luo Zeâs desk with his stool: âWhat are you talking about? Itâs the last physical education class, so why arenât you racing against time to play ball?â
âTsk.â Luo Ze didnât raise his head: âDonât make noise, Iâm chatting.â
âIf you continue to gossip, you will become a busybody.â Shen Xu took out the basketball under his table, spun it around a few times impatiently, and said, âWill you go or not, if you donât, Iâll go first.â
âYou go first, you go firstâŠ..â Luo Ze waved his hands like he was chasing a chicken, and moved closer to the speaker: âThen what do you think the He family is thinking, the rich peopleâs banquet invitations should not be a small number. And those who would attend He Qianjianâs birthday party must be famous and reputable people, so they have to at least give an explanation.â
Shen Xu, who had already walked two steps away, turned on his foot and moved his head closer: âWho are you talking about?â
âHe Qianjian.â A boy said, âThe one who ranks below God Jiang every time on the big joint exams.â
âHe Qianjian from Chenghua?â Shen Xu was lying on the table with the ball in his arms, and became interested: âWhatâs up with him?â
âHeâŠ..â
âŠâŠ
âJiangzi, Jiangzi!â Shen Xu sat down at the table in front of Jiang Chen, âIâve got a gossip for you!â
Without raising his eyes, Jiang Chen casually said, âWhat gossip?â
âHe Qianjian, Little Brother Minâs brother, he will share your birthday with you tomorrow, do you know?â Shen Xu leaned over and said, âHis birthday party was canceled for some reason, and he left school in anger. I heard he even smashed his phone.â
Jiang Chen paused: âWhatâs going on?â
âI donât know.â Shen Xu rubbed his chin and laughed a few times: âDo you think Little Brother Min knows about this? Although he is his own brother, their relationship is so bad, say, if I tell Little Brother Min, do you think he will be happy or unhappy about this?â
A few guesses flashed through Jiang Chenâs mind, but he couldnât figure out what it was. Tomorrow was the day when he officially turned 18. Regardless of whether the He family canceled He Qianjianâs birthday party because they knew something or not, he had the absolute right to choose freely.
âJiangzi?â Shen Xu waved his hand, and seeing Jiang Chen staring at the formula on the draft book thoughtfully, he clicked his tongue and said, âWhat kind of problem is it that makes our God Jiang so obsessed? Not even resting for a moment in so many days. Ai, forget it, you continue to be addicted to your math formulas, I will go down first and look for Little Brother Min. See you at the basketball court.â
Everyone in the classroom had almost left. Jiang Chen took out his mobile phone from the drawer, got up and went to the rooftop in the corridor on the other side.
âD? Since the end of our cooperation last time, we havenât contacted each other for a long time. What need could you have with me?â
On the empty rooftop, Jiang Chenâs voice was blurred by the whistling wind: âHelp me find out why the He family canceled He Qianjianâs birthday party. Thereâs quite an uproar so I believe you will find the answer within ten minutes.â
âYou really think highly of me.â The other side laughed a few times: âBut in order not to disappoint the big-spending old customers, I will do my best.â
After hanging up the phone, Jiang Chen turned around, lay on the railing and looked at his classmates playing ball on the court. Seeing Shen Xu hit a three-pointer then jumping up and hugging Luo Ze next to him, Jiang Chen couldnât help smiling.
In less than five minutes, the phone rang.
âFind it?â
âSorry, this incident is indeed a big one, but we havenât found out the reason for the time being.â The voice over there was a little bit low: âAlmost everyone is now guessing the reason why the He family canceled the party. The information is too mixed and as a result the truth has become difficult to filter out.â
âThe He family is now as closed as an iron bucket, and no news has been revealed. There is no movement from He Yanjun, He Yanya is still in the laboratory, and there is nothing unusual about He Yanfengâs Tunan Group. But what is suspicious is that the He Yanfeng couple took their youngest daughter who originally had cram school today to the He familyâs old house early in the morning, and they still havenât come out even now.â
âI am guessing, this should be a matter within the He family, and it is very likely that the incident happened suddenly but will have a great impact on the He family.â
The corners of Jiang Chenâs lips were lightly pursed, and after a moment of silence, he said flatly, âI see, the money will still be wired to your account, thank you.â
âNo need.â The other side chuckled and said, âOne canât accept a reward for nothing, and this news will be treated as an old customer benefit.â
âThanks.â
Jiang Chen put away his mobile phone, turned around and went downstairs. But as soon as he reached the court, he saw the class monitor Tang Qixun running over panting, âDirector Liu asked me to tell you to go to the principalâs office.â
Jiang Chen: âDo you know what it is?â
Seeing his unhurried appearance, Tang Qixun couldnât help pushing him towards the office building: âI donât know, but it should be an important matter. Director Liu is very anxious and has come out to look for you a few times in person. Hurry up and go. Lest he keeps coming out all the time and we canât even play in peace.â
Jiang Chen clicked his tongue, turned around and said, âSo youâre using me to dodge the bullet, huh?â
âHow could that be?â Tang Qixun smiled innocently: âIsnât this the last physical education class? Everyone just wants to relax. As soon as Director Liu comes out, those who are dating dare not hold hands. For the happiness of us brothers, you must sacrifice a little bit.â
Before even reaching the office building, Jiang Chen and Tang Qixun ran into Director Liu. Director Liu ran over immediately when he saw Jiang Chen, and said in a hurry, âWhere did you kid go, I couldnât find you at all, come with me quickly.â
Jiang Chen was dragged by Director Liu all the way to the door of the small conference room in the techersâ office. He took a breath, lowered his voice and said to Jiang Chen: âWhen you go in, just talk as usual, old professor Xiang is inside too, so donât be nervous.â
âGrandpa Xiang?â
âYes.â Director Liu patted Jiang Chen on the shoulder and smiled: âOkay, letâs go in.â
The door of the conference room opened, and there were five people sitting and standing all over the room. All of them looked towards this side at the sound of the door opening.
âStudent Jiang Chen, come in quickly.â The principal walked over, smiled kindly at Jiang Chen, turned around and said to the two people who were sitting and standing, âWeâll be going out first.â
The standing middle-aged man said: âSorry for the trouble.â
The principal smiled and patted Jiang Chen on the shoulder: âBehave well.â
Jiang Chen nodded slightly. His gaze swept over the shoulder straps of the middle-aged man standing by the window and the two young soldiers next to him, and landed on old Mr. Xiang.
The door of the meeting room was closed again, and old Mr. Xiang waved to Jiang Chen, and said with a smile, âXiao Chen, this is Major General Wu from the 17th National Defense Research Institute of the Ministry of Military Affairs.â
The imposing eyes of the middle-aged man glanced at him, and Jiang Chen raised his eyes, polite but not dodging, smiled and said: âHello, Major General Wu, I am Jiang Chen.â
âHello, Jiang Chen.â
After greeting, Wu Shao pulled out a chair, motioned to Jiang Chen to sit, and went straight to the point: âI learned from Mr. Xiang that you developed an image processing system by yourself, and I want to ask you to know more about it.â
Jiang Chen sat down calmly, and said, âWhat aspect does Major General Wu want to know about?â
âIn regards to military affairs.â Major General Wu said.
Jiang Chen smiled and said: âWhen developing this system, I did consider its multiple uses, including military and medical uses, but before answering you, I want to ask a question.â
Major General Wu: âGo ahead.â
âDid you come to me this time in the name of the country or as an individual?â
âAs an individual.â Major General Wu said, âBut after learning about your system, I will choose whether to report it to the National Military Research Institute according to the situation.â
Jiang Chen nodded slightly, and then said with a smile: âMajor General Wu, please forgive me for not being able to communicate with you the image processing system I am currently researching. As a scientific researcher, it is my responsibility to protect my own research results. I hope you can understand.â
Major General Wu paused, his tone difficult to distinguish: âLittle friend, do you think you are already a scientific researcher?â
Jiang Chen smiled: âIn your eyes, what is a scientific researcher?â
âOne at least must have produced certain results.â Major General Wu said: âSo coming to you today, I want to make sure whether you can become an excellent scientific research worker.â
âI already am.â
The young manâs brows were slightly raised, his tone was calm, and when the words that sounded arrogant came out of his mouth, it didnât make people feel displeased, instead it just felt high-spirited, and people couldnât help but feel a little convinced.
A trace of surprise flashed across Major General Wuâs eyes, but a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: âHow will you prove it?â
âIf you came in the name of the country, I can prove it at any time.â
âIn that case.â Major General Wu stood up, turned around and walked directly to the door: âProve it to me.â
The two soldiers who had been standing at the door saluted, and when Major General Wu went out, the young soldier who was half a step behind the other two quickly gave Jiang Chen a thumbs up, and then followed.
Old Mr. Xiang stood up, pointed at him, and said with a smile, âOh you, letâs go.â
Jiang Chen curved his eyes and smiled. He supported old Mr. Xiang all the way to the low-key off-road vehicle at the gate of the school.