From Science to Magic

It's a little after 6 PM.

Star City.

At Liu Shiling's home.

The mother and daughter had just finished dinner. After cleaning up and washing the dishes, Shiling's Mother sat down in the living room. Liu Shiling then brought over a thick, colorful, hardcover encyclopedia with glossy paper and asked her mother to read it to her.

This thick, brick-like encyclopedia was a New Year's gift that Xiang Kun sent to the Little Chubby Girl.

To be honest, when Shiling's Mother first received this book, she was a little surprised. She didn't expect it to be so thick, with so many volumes, and she certainly didn't expect the contents to be so rich.

Based on past experience, Liu Shiling wouldn't be interested in books with a lot of words—she couldn't understand them anyway.

Basically, the books Xiang Kun gave us are just for decoration. We'll see if Liu Shiling will take them out to read when she starts elementary school and can understand them.

Unexpectedly, on the very day she received the books, Liu Shiling took one of them to her and read it.

At first, Shiling's Mother was naturally very happy. What parent wouldn't be happy that their child loved reading and was interested in "science"?

Although she herself is not highly educated and has not attended university, she believes that since Xiang Kun said it is an "encyclopedia suitable for preschool children," then she should have no problem explaining it.

But as the conversation went on, problems arose.

Shiling's Mother had no problem with simply reading the book's content, and she was equally adept at answering simple questions and clarifying vocabulary.

However, Liu Shiling's problems came one after another.

For example, she read a sentence from the book, "Space includes the entire universe—planetary, satellite, star, and galaxy..."

Liu Shiling would then ask, "What are planets?"

Shiling's Mother flipped through the explanation in the book and read it aloud.

Liu Shiling then asked, "What is a satellite?"

Shiling's Mother flipped through the book but couldn't find it, so she picked up her phone and searched it on Baidu, then explained it to her daughter.

Liu Shiling then asked, "What are stars?"

Shiling's Mother couldn't hold back any longer. "You'll find out later..."

Then I read, "The universe originated from a Big Bang 13.7 billion years ago."

Liu Shiling then asked, "How much is 13.7 billion?"

Shiling's Mother then used her age as a starting point to introduce the concept of numbers to her, and then went on and on, spending half an hour just explaining what one hundred million is...

So now, every day when Liu Shiling comes running over with that encyclopedia in her arms, Shiling's Mother gets a headache.

But no matter how big the problem is, I still have to bite the bullet and go for it.

Today, I noticed that the page Liu Shiling had opened contained content related to electricity and magnetism.

Shiling's Mother then turned the page forward. "We haven't finished the previous lessons yet, let's talk about geography. Today we'll talk about Asia..."

But Liu Shiling's chubby little hands resolutely flipped the page back to the section on electricity and magnetism, and she looked up at her mother. "Mommy, I want to learn this."

"You'll learn this when you go to school later; it's no use learning it now..." Shiling's Mother flipped back through the pages.

"But I want to learn now." Liu Shiling flipped through the pages again.

Shiling's Mother had no choice but to read aloud what was on the screen, "Everything in the universe is made up of atoms that we can't see, and each atom has particles that can carry electrical charge..."

"... The atomic nucleus contains positively charged protons and uncharged neutrons, while electrons orbit the nucleus..."

"... When static electricity accumulates to a certain level in dark clouds, lightning is produced. Negative charges accumulate at the bottom of the cloud layer, while positive charges accumulate at the top. Finally, the negative charges fall to the ground as lightning..."

"... Whenever there is electricity, there is also magnetism. This invisible, mysterious force can attract some metals together, and also cause other metals to repel each other and separate..."

Shiling's Mother became increasingly confused as she read on. Was this really intended for preschool children? Yet the cover clearly stated: ages 3 to 6.

She hated physics and math the most when she was in school. She could read these subjects simply without any problem, but if they were to be explained in depth, it would never end.

She was starting to feel sleepy after reading just a few paragraphs, but her daughter listened intently, her eyes shining.

Why is Shiling suddenly interested in these things? Wouldn't history and geography in books be more interesting for a child? It would have been so much better if Mr. Xiang had given her something like Grimm's Fairy Tales, One Thousand and One Nights, or a collection of Zheng Yuanjie's works.

Sure enough, Liu Shiling's series of problems soon followed:

"Mom, what is an atomic nucleus?"

"Mom, what is an electron?"

"Mom, what is electric charge?"

"Mom, is magnetism like magic?"

"Mom, what's the difference between lightning and the electricity in our house?"

Shiling's Mother gave up on searching on Baidu. Looking at her daughter's wide, inquisitive eyes, she said helplessly, "These books don't have this information. You'll learn about it when you go to school. It's useless to look at it now. You can ask your teacher after kindergarten starts."

Liu Shiling thought for a moment, then decided not to press her mother any further, and said, "Mom, could you help me get a QQ account? I want to add my teacher and the bald uncle on QQ and ask them questions."

Shiling's Mother nodded in agreement without hesitation. Actually, many kindergarten children already have QQ accounts, but in most cases, they apply for them mainly to log in to play games. It's truly unique for someone like Liu Shiling to apply for a QQ account to ask someone for help with "learning" questions.

Watching her daughter walk back to her room carrying an encyclopedia, Shiling's Mother was momentarily dazed.

The kindergarten had already closed for the holidays. A while ago, she was going to take Liu Shiling to register for extracurricular classes. Generally speaking, according to past habits, the Little Chubby Girl is most interested in dancing, ball games, roller skating, and rope skipping. Although she is not very good at these activities, they are more exciting and she likes them.

But this time, the Little Chubby Girl took the initiative to enroll in a literacy class, and she was very focused during class. Every time Shiling's Mother picked her up, she could hear the teacher praising her. And just like in kindergarten, after only a few days, all the other children in the class were swarming around her.

How did my daughter, who used to love watching cartoons, enjoying company, making friends, disliking studying, not using chopsticks, being a glutton and a bit clumsy and adorably silly, suddenly change so drastically?

Just a few months ago, Shiling's Mother was worried that her daughter's personality might lead to her being bullied when she started elementary and middle school. Who would have thought that in the blink of an eye, that Little Chubby Girl who always followed other children around has become someone that other children look up to and try to please.

Before, when I came home, my mind was filled with cartoons and delicious food. Now, however, I always quietly play with Coin and origami, and I do my homework on my own initiative. I'm no longer noisy like before, and I've even developed an interest in learning. I've also become much more sensible. Perhaps the only thing that hasn't changed is my love for delicious food.

When she truly realized that her daughter, who had always followed her like a little chubby quail, would one day spread her wings and fly high, Shiling's Mother couldn't help but feel a little lost... and confused—shouldn't this feeling only begin after middle school? This girl is still in kindergarten!

For some reason, Shiling's Mother suddenly didn't think the young male actors in period dramas on TV were that handsome anymore.

For the first time, she felt a pang of regret for not studying harder when she was in school.

Back in her room, Liu Shiling pressed her ear against the door to listen. After confirming that her mother was watching the TV series she had been following, she went to the table, put down the encyclopedia, and then took out the two Coin, an A4 sheet of paper, and a pair of chopsticks that her bald uncle had given her and placed them on the table.

She first pointed to the edge of one of the Coin with her left index finger and said, "'Chocolate,' let's fight side by side today!"

Then, as if summoned, the Coin slid up her fingers and "crawled" onto the back of her hand.

She then pointed to the edge of another Coin with her right finger. "'Ice Cream,' are you ready?"

The Coin also "crawled" up her finger to the back of her hand, fitting snugly against it.

Then she looked at the creased A4 paper and read, "Magic Carpet, Magic Carpet, what kind of enemy are we going to face today?" With that, she puffed out her cheeks and gently blew a breath.

The A4 sheet of paper was blown about, lifted up by one side and moved forward. Suddenly, it trembled slightly, contrary to the direction of its movement, and then stopped abruptly in mid-air.

Liu Shiling stared at the A4 sheet of paper, seemingly holding her breath. After a few seconds, her face turned bright red, and the paper fell back onto the table. She let out a long breath, beads of sweat appearing on her forehead. Then, as if she had received feedback, she said thoughtfully, "I understand. Today we're dealing with the Dark Demon King."

With a serious expression, she looked at the Coin stuck to the back of her left hand and said, "Chocolate, the enemy will be very strong today. Which wand should we use?"

Then, as if hearing a sound, she turned to look at the Coin on the back of her right hand. "Ice Cream, you said the 'Lightning Wand' would be better at countering it? Okay, I'll take your advice. Your suggestion last time was good too."

After saying that, she reached out and picked up a chopstick, then walked to the window, parted a corner of the curtain, and slipped inside. She wrapped herself in the curtain and cautiously looked outside. Her gaze locked onto a tree on the roadside outside the community, its bare branches swaying in the cold winter wind. Then, she held the chopstick and pointed at the tree through the window, muttering something to herself.

In Liu Shiling's "magical fantasy system," the two Coin Xiang Kun gave her were both defined as "Little Sprite Guardians" and named "Chocolate" and "Ice Cream." The A4 paper was called a "Magic Carpet," a magical treasure like the "magic mirror" in Snow White. As for the chopsticks, one was a "Lightning Wand" and the other a "Fire Wand," each representing a corresponding spell. However, for now, she hadn't fully unlocked the magic spells.

This "magical world" is Liu Shiling's current favorite "game," or rather, "Training." She plays it for a while almost every night. If conditions allow, she can play it all day without getting tired.

She could clearly feel her progress. Her ability to control the Coin remotely was becoming stronger and more skillful, and as long as she concentrated enough, the interference with surrounding Coin equipment was greatly reduced. She vaguely felt that she seemed to make significant progress every week.

She also discovered that holding the chopsticks given to her by the bald uncle made it easier for her to concentrate, whether she was studying or playing with Coin.

Another gust of wind blew outside. In Liu Shiling's imagination, the tree she regarded as the 'Dark Demon King' had been destroyed. Just as she was about to crawl out from under the curtains with satisfaction, she was attracted by the faint barking of dogs carried by the wind.

Then she saw an orange stray cat being chased and bitten by four stray dogs as it ran past on the non-motorized vehicle lane outside the residential area.

Liu Shiling was stunned. Before becoming a "magical girl," she had always been a very timid child. She was afraid of not only dogs but also cats—because she had been scratched by a cat in her neighborhood before, had to get a shot, and cried terribly. She didn't even dare to touch the hamsters kept by the two children of the tenants who used to live in Xiang Kun's apartment.

But now, as a "magical girl" whose mission is to "save the world" and "eliminate monsters with Uncle Baldy," Liu Shiling naturally has a strong sense of justice.

With great power comes great responsibility.

It seems like some Great Mage said that?

She glanced at the Coin on the back of her left hand. "Chocolate, we have to help it."

Having said that, she opened the window, and the cold winter wind immediately blew in, sneaking into her sweater collar and making her shrink back. It felt like a demon's sharp blade, scraping at her will, making her instinctively want to close the window behind her.

But thinking of her identity and the heavy burden on her shoulders, Liu Shiling gritted her teeth and persevered, picking up the "Lightning Wand" and pointing it at the four stray dogs chasing the orange cat.

Her brows were tightly furrowed, and her eyes seemed to be brewing with thunder. She gripped the chopsticks tightly... Her small hands, which were holding the "lightning barrier," trembled slightly, clearly indicating that she was using a lot of force.

The two Coin, "Chocolate" and "Ice Cream," which were originally pressed tightly against the back of her hand, slowly floated up into the air.

But apart from the howling of the cold wind and the barking of wild dogs, nothing changed, either inside or outside the house.

The orange cat was now surrounded by stray dogs, with no way to escape and its chances of survival slim.

Suddenly, the entire residential area, including the streetlights outside, went out.

The lights came back on in the next instant, as if only this area was blinking together.

Liu Shiling had already lost consciousness and collapsed backward.

But because she had wrapped herself in the curtains beforehand, the curtains supported her, like a semi-reclining hammock, preventing her from falling to the ground.

Hundreds of kilometers away, Xiang Kun, who was sitting on a high-speed train back to his hometown, suddenly felt something and subconsciously turned his head to look at the night sky outside the train window.

In an instant, he realized where this peculiar feeling came from.

Those were the two Coin and a pair of chopsticks he gave to the Little Chubby Girl. Judging from the emotional response to the chopsticks, Liu Shiling was very focused, excited, and even a little... impassioned?

He could often sense these emotions through the chopsticks, knowing that the Little Chubby Girl was indulging in her "magical world" daydreams again.

But today seemed different. From the sensory information fed back by the items with which he had established "Super-Sensory Link," Xiang Kun suddenly realized—

This Little Chubby Girl has "developed" new application capabilities for him!

Even though he had similar experiences before, Xiang Kun couldn't help but sigh inwardly once again, thinking how lucky this Little Chubby Girl was! She really had a special talent in this area.

It was like creating a language. Xiang Kun was still pondering grammatical structures, the pronunciation of individual characters, the composition of words, classifying nouns, verbs, and prepositions, thinking about how to build a system, and trying to construct sentences and write articles. Liu Shiling, however, had already combined the words he provided with her own understanding and context to create a poem that sounded quite catchy! Even though she didn't actually know 99% of these words.

Next, Xiang Kun only needs to make some modifications and minor adjustments to this "poem," improve it on this basis, or establish rules that conform to procedures and can be repeatedly applied, so that he can integrate the creative pattern of this poem into his own language system and create various "works."

Through previous exchanges and understanding, Xiang Kun knew that Liu Shiling had a rich imagination and a vivid mind. She was the kind of person who could conjure up a Star Wars story just by staring at a group of ants. In addition, she firmly believed in Xiang Kun's "magic theory" and had it verified. This should be the reason why she was able to "develop" new abilities repeatedly.

Xiang Kun was preparing to thoroughly verify Liu Shiling's newly "developed" abilities, a strange feeling suddenly welled up in his heart.

Thank you to the new deacon for "not knowing the autumn without looking back", "the squid in the cocoon", thank you to the book friends for cold water and sugar cubes, Yizuer R, book friends 20190704102437382, love~how embarrassing , Diamond Straight Man, Banli Gejiu, Book Friends 20190704102437382, Book Friends 160612185034994, The Forbidden Net Flow, The Scene is Before You, Start Reading iOS, Baofeng Xiaoqiang, Book Friends 20190704102437382, I am Fried Chestnut, Dream City, Attitude is the Mask of the Heart, Pride in the Rain, Qidian Reading iOS, Effie F. Mirandon, Qidian Reading iOS, Little Soldier Shoots, Qidian Reading iOS, Weird Rewards in the World.