I Think It's a Boy

The next question is, how much of high school students' study time should be devoted to academic competitions?

Should we focus on developing one or two subjects to reach the highest level, or should we distribute our efforts and develop them evenly, reaching the average level in each subject?

If I apply to a foreign university for undergraduate studies, will they care about my academic competition results in China? For example, what aspects does Princeton, where Shen Qi studied, value most when admitting foreign high school graduates?

During the Q&A session, Shen Qi shared his personal experiences and insights, and spent a pleasant hour with his classmates.

"Through these 10 questions, I discovered that our No. 2 High School is truly a gathering place for top students. I originally thought you were all bronze-level students, but I didn't expect you to be all kings, even considering things like going to Princeton for your undergraduate studies. I've never even studied at Princeton University for my undergraduate degree, so I'm probably a bronze-level student." Shen Qi began his summary, which made all the students burst into laughter.

These 10 questions are the common concerns of students at No. 2 Middle School. They don't ask how to improve their academic performance; they are more concerned about how to plan their future after reaching the highest level.

Finally, Shen Qi shared his views on the two most prestigious universities in China: "Many people like to compare Yenching University and Tsinghua University, insisting on determining which is better, but I don't think that's necessary. The common saying is that liberal arts and science students go to Yenching University, and engineering students go to Tsinghua University, and I personally think that's basically the case."

"In conclusion, I'll give a brief summary: Peking University is alright, Tsinghua University is good, but ultimately, it depends on my mood."

Veteran top students shared their "mood-based learning method" with new top students, and some of the new students actually agreed with it.

"Hey, there are actually some students nodding in the audience. Are all high school students these days this terrifying? You think you can just go to Wudaokou like that?" Shen Qi looked quite surprised, then said seriously, "What I really want to say is that no matter where we study, domestically or internationally, in prestigious or ordinary schools, each of us is unique. Enjoy every day of your student life, transform as much knowledge as possible into your lifelong wealth, and live up to your youth. That's all. Thank you, that concludes my speech."

The entire audience stood up, and the students applauded enthusiastically. Senior Shen Qi had given them a vivid lesson.

Before leaving the stage, Shen Qi checked his watch. "It's been a great pleasure to meet and chat with so many junior students from No. 2 Middle School today. It's only a little past eight o'clock. I just received a notification from Principal Zhang that everyone should return to their classrooms for evening self-study. Please leave in an orderly manner."

The younger students exclaimed, "Principal Zhang's tricks are impossible to guard against..."

Shen Qi returned to Nangang to visit relatives with a heavy heart, but is about to return to the capital in a relaxed state.

A little over a week ago, Shen Qi was feeling conflicted and uneasy because his father was going to have a major surgery that involved bones and tendons, and the surgery carried certain risks.

With his father's surgery a success, Shen Qi felt relieved and has been enjoying a pleasant and carefree time these past few days.

Old Shen's surgery is over. An expensive biological material was injected into his bone. He can barely get out of bed, but walking is still difficult, and he needs to stay in the hospital for observation and recuperation for a period of time.

Shen Qi's Mom was taking care of Old Shen at the hospital, and Shen Qi said goodbye to his parents in the ward.

"You're about to become a father, so don't wander around when you get back. Take good care of your wife and our grandchildren," Shen Qi 'Shen Qi Mom instructed him.

Old Shen said, "Our eldest grandson is out, and he called us immediately to tell us."

"Dad, how did you know it was your eldest grandson?" Shen Qi asked.

Old Shen said confidently, "Didn't you post photos of Xiao Ou's pregnancy? She's eight months along now, right? From what I've observed, the shape and size of her belly definitely indicate a boy."

"Old Shen, you're predicting the baby's gender in front of me, a professional doctor?" Shen Qi's Mom rolled her eyes at Old Shen and said, "When I was pregnant, you predicted with absolute certainty that we would have a daughter, and what happened?"

Old Shen: "Back then, I was just a greenhorn with no experience, but later my predictions became incredibly accurate, hitting the mark every single time."

Shen Qi's Mom asked casually, "So you have quite a few female friends outside, and your experience is getting richer and richer?"

Old Shen explained, "Yes, many. My own sister, my cousin, my sister-in-law, and your sister, your brother's wife... Hey, wife, we've been married for so many years, don't you know my character? Ouch, my back hurts, I'm going to lie down for a while... Shen Qi, remember this: as soon as our grandson is born, spread the good news immediately."

"Okay, Master Shen, take good care of yourself. Mom, I'm leaving, bye-bye."

As Shen Qi left the ward and closed the door, he noticed his Mom coldly picking up a fruit knife...

Then Mom peeled an apple for Dad. This old married couple has been through thick and thin together for so many years; they are truly loving.

Shen Qi arrived at the hospital building and saw Chen Xiaoting looking out from the pavilion.

"Is your dad still in the hospital?" Shen Qi asked.

"He was discharged from the hospital today," Chen Xiaoting said. "You're dragging your suitcase; are you going straight to the airport?"

Shen Qi nodded. "Yes."

Chen Xiaoting asked, "Do you need me to drive you to the airport?"

"If you take me to the airport, who will pick up your dad and take him home?"

"My dad has a personal driver."

"Oh yeah, your dad is such a big boss, of course he has a driver." Shen Qi knew that Chen Xiaoting's dad was also a businessman. Back when he was in high school, he could tell that Chen Xiaoting's family was well-off. When Shen Qi's dad was driving Mercedes-Benz worth over 400,000 yuan, Chen Xiaoting's dad was driving a Range Rover worth over 1 million yuan.

These two children from wealthy families didn't really rely on their fathers' connections when it came to their studies and exams. Shen Qi has achieved academic success and received various prestigious honors, so he no longer needs to rely on his father's connections. His father is even earnestly praying that he will inherit the family fortune and carry on the Shen Family's legacy.

"Xiaoting, I appreciate your kindness, but a friend is taking me to the airport. His car is already at the hospital entrance." The friend Shen Qi mentioned is his father's personal driver. Everyone has a father who's in business; which father doesn't have a car and a driver?

"Really? Then have a safe journey." Chen Xiaoting with a hint of regret.

"Take care, Chen Da Ka." Shen Qi waved and prepared to leave.

Chen Xiaoting sighed, "Sigh, I guess my time as a big shot won't last much longer."

"What's going on?"

"My dad brainwashed me every day while I was in the hospital, saying that I'm his only daughter and it's too dangerous for me to travel all over the world. It would be safer for me to take over his job. He said that if I didn't take over his job, he would not want to live anymore..." Chen Xiaoting looked a little troubled.

"It seems we're facing the same problem," Shen Qi said with a helpless smile.

In TV dramas, the children of wealthy families fight tooth and nail for the inheritance, engaging in all sorts of conspiracies, backstabbing, sibling rivalry, and tearing each other apart.

In real life, Shen Qi and Chen Xiaoting's situations are completely different. No one is competing with them for the family property. As an only child, the family property is yours, whether you want it or not.

Shen Qi is passionate about his scientific career, while Chen Xiaoting is obsessed with traveling the world and writing travelogues.

They really didn't want to take over the family business and manage a company.

"Let nature take its course. I'm leaving now, bye-bye." Shen Qi said goodbye to Chen Xiaoting. He didn't ask Chen Xiaoting if she was married or had children. Chen Xiaoting, apart from being concerned about Shen Qi's father's health, didn't ask much about Shen Qi's personal life.

Shen Qi dragged the suitcase for several dozen meters, then looked back and saw Chen Xiaoting still standing there. She took out a pair of large sunglasses from her bag and put them on, covering half of her face.

Shen Qi waved again, and Chen Xiaoting turned and left.

The plane arrived safely at the Capital Airport, where Zhou Yu'an was there to pick them up.

Zhou Yu'an had just dropped Witten off at the airport and was picking up Shen Qi to go back home.

Zhou Yu'an asked with concern, "Is your dad alright?"

"The surgery was a success. By the way, where is Witten going today?"

"He and his wife went back to the United States for their son's wedding and said they would come to China again in a while."

"Didn't his son get married?" Shen Qi remembered that when he was pursuing his Ph. D. in Physics at Princeton Institute for Advanced Study Witten studying under Witten, Witten told him that his son had gotten married. He was very happy and then went back to his hometown in New York State for half a year before returning to Princeton.

Zhou Yu'an said, "This is the second marriage of the eldest son of the Witten family."

"A second marriage is being handled with such a grand ceremony?"

"The eldest son of the Witten family is getting married for the second time, but it's his wife's first marriage, so we still need to make it a bit more grand. Besides, Americans have different views than us. What's wrong with getting married for the second time? It's not shameful."

"Speaking of which, the divorce rate in the United States is very high, and second marriages are actually quite normal there," Shen Qi texted Ou Ye, saying that he had landed safely and was on his way home.