Summary of “Imperial Relatives”

1. Key Plot Points

• Li Dong returns to class after a trip, exhausted. The math teacher, Old Cai, has put a Chinese Mathematical Olympiad final-round problem on the blackboard.
• Li Dong mentally solves it almost immediately (answer: C = 1/8) without even taking out a pen.
• Old Cai deliberately ignores Li Dong and calls on the class genius Qin Yan to present. Qin Yan takes about three minutes, then solves it using the local adjustment method, earning admiration from classmates.
• Old Chen arrives to take Li Dong to the lab. Li Dong casually says he already solved the problem before Qin Yan even started, deflating the class’s excitement.
• Meanwhile, in Chengdu, Li Yang, owner of a small hardware factory, visits Chengfu Precision Components to collect payment for a huge order he had gambled everything on.
• Chairman Liu Chengfu initially refuses, citing the company’s quarterly payment policy. But he suddenly remembers that Director Lin Wei of Huaxuan Technology had personally ordered him to give Dongyang Hardware a monthly payment cycle.
• Realizing Li Yang has powerful backing (“imperial relatives”), Liu Chengfu panics and rushes out to greet Li Yang warmly.

2. Character Developments

• Li Dong: Shows casual, almost effortless mathematical brilliance; uses math to relax and does not care about classroom norms.
• Qin Yan: A strong, conventional genius, but his slower, methodical solution is completely overshadowed by Li Dong’s instant answer.
• Old Cai / Old Chen: Teachers accustomed to Li Dong’s exceptional ability; Old Chen routinely “steals” Li Dong for lab work.
• Li Yang: A hard-pressed, risk-taking factory owner who leveraged everything on a major order; anxious to collect payment.
• Liu Chengfu: Initially strict and dismissive, but immediately becomes deferential once he realizes Li Yang has important connections.

3. Significant Themes

• Brilliance vs. conventional talent — Li Dong’s instant insight dwarfs even a national training-team genius like Qin Yan.
• The power of connections (“guanxi”) — A small factory owner becomes untouchable simply because a powerful person spoke on his behalf.
• Class dynamics in a classroom — classmates swing between pride and despair because of one exceptional student.
• Survival of small businesses — Li Yang’s desperation highlights the fragility of small workshops dependent on big corporations.

4. Character Interactions

• Old Cai ignores Li Dong and calls on Qin Yan; Qin Yan gives a clean solution and wins applause.
• Li Dong’s offhand remark (“I finished it when I first sat down”) shocks Mi Ge and the rest of the class.
• Old Chen interrupts class to take Li Dong to the lab; even Old Cai has accepted this routine.
• In Chengdu, Liu Chengfu’s cold response to Li Yang shifts completely after recalling Lin Wei’s instructions, leading him to personally welcome Li Yang.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Yang's factory receives a significant payment, marking a turning point in his fortunes.
• Li Dong, unaware of his uncle's newfound wealth, declines an invitation for dinner due to academic commitments.
• Li Dong continues his physics research and genome analysis, making significant progress in both fields.

Character Developments

• Li Yang: Becomes more determined to improve his sister and nephew's lives after receiving a substantial payment.
• Li Dong: Demonstrates maturity and dedication to his studies, prioritizing his academic goals over social events.

Significant Themes

• Perseverance: Li Yang's struggles and eventual success highlight the power of perseverance.
• Academic Pursuits: Li Dong's dedication to his studies underscores the importance of academic pursuits and the pursuit of knowledge.
• Family: The bond between Li Yang, Li Qin, and Li Dong emphasizes the importance of family and supporting loved ones.

Character Interactions

• Li Yang and Li Dong: Li Yang's desire to treat Li Dong and his mother to a meal shows his affection and responsibility towards his family. Li Dong's prioritization of his studies over the dinner invitation demonstrates his focus and dedication.
• Li Dong and Old Chen: Their interactions in the physics lab showcase Li Dong's growing understanding and intuition in physics, challenging Old Chen's role as a teacher.
• Li Dong and Sun Xiang: Their collaboration in the lab highlights Li Dong's ability to work with others and his adaptability in different environments.

Summary: "His Goal Was to Be Top Scorer?"

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Dong returns home on New Year's Eve to find his apartment renovated: fresh paint, new leather sofas, and appliances (robot vacuum, air purifier) purchased by his uncle.
• His uncle Li Yang has also upgraded Li Dong's bedroom with new furniture and a desk, and secretly slips him a red envelope (10,000 yuan) for New Year's, telling him to hide it from his mother.
• The family (Li Dong, his mother Li Qin, and Uncle Li Yang) shares a warm New Year's Eve meal together; his grandparents are away with his eldest aunt.
• Li Qin asks about direct university admission through Olympiad competitions. Li Dong explains that his earlier national competition win was a commercial cup, not one of the five recognized academic competitions, and that it's too late to enter the Physics Olympiad now.
• Li Dong states that ordinary Strong Foundation Plan students and barely-qualifying competition students "really aren't as impressive as the top scorer of the Gaokao."
• After the meal, Li Dong leaves to pay New Year's respects to his teacher, carrying bird's nest, sea cucumbers, and instructions to buy liquor and fruit.
• After he leaves, Li Yang realizes the implication of Li Dong's words: his nephew may be aiming to become the provincial top scorer in the Gaokao, leaving Li Qin and her brother stunned.

Character Developments

• Li Dong: Shows maturity, practical thinking, and confidence about his academic path. He is respectful of family but strategic about his future, downplaying his ambitions in front of his mother while subtly revealing them to his uncle.
• Li Qin: A caring but somewhat naive mother who doesn't grasp the implications of her son's words; she is protective and frugal, still trying to save his New Year's money for his future.
• Li Yang (Uncle): Warm-hearted, generous, and perceptive. He understands the deeper meaning behind Li Dong's statement and is the first to suspect his nephew's top-scorer ambition, becoming excited about the family's rising fortunes.
• Family dynamic: Despite past hardships (father's death, debt, relatives cutting ties), the family is close-knit, and Li Yang's success is being shared with them.

Significant Themes

• Family loyalty and support: Li Yang uses his newfound success to help his sister's family; despite past isolation from relatives, the three share genuine warmth.
• Academic ambition vs. alternative paths: The chapter highlights the hierarchy of elite admissions (recognized competitions, Strong Foundation Plan, Gaokao top scorer) and challenges the online narrative that only direct-recommended students are top-tier.
• Subtle communication of goals: Li Dong hints at his ambition indirectly, leaving his uncle to piece it together—showing modesty and carefulness about expectations.
• Class and social mobility: The renovated apartment and expensive gifts symbolize the family's improving circumstances; Li Yang's reverent excitement about a potential top scorer reflects the weight of academic achievement as family pride.

Character Interactions

• Li Dong and Li Qin: His mother nags and frets, showing affection through food and practical concerns; Li Dong patiently explains academic realities without dismissing her.
• Li Dong and Li Yang: A warm, respectful relationship—Li Yang gifts generously and discreetly (hiding the money from Li Qin), and Li Dong accepts without false modesty.
• Li Qin and Li Yang: A close sibling dynamic; Li Qin is unaware of her brother's excitement, while Li Yang gently tries to clue her in at the end, demonstrating their closeness and his protective, amused role in the family.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Dong visits his former teacher, Old Yang, during the Spring Festival.
• Li Dong brings gifts and expresses gratitude for Old Yang's past help.
• Old Yang introduces his daughter, Yang Ning, to Li Dong.

Character Developments

• Li Dong: Shows maturity, confidence, and a thirst for knowledge. He's struggling with connecting different mathematical concepts.
• Old Yang: Feels accomplished as a teacher upon learning that Li Dong still needs guidance in mathematics.

Significant Themes

• The differences between mathematics and physics: Mathematics is more flexible and subjective, while physics follows objective truths.
• The teacher-student relationship: Old Yang feels a sense of accomplishment in guiding Li Dong, and Li Dong values Old Yang's guidance.

Character Interactions

• Li Dong and Old Yang: They discuss Li Dong's struggles with mathematics and physics. Old Yang shares his insights about the differences between the two fields, helping Li Dong understand how to approach mathematical problems more effectively.
• Li Dong and Yang Ning: They greet each other politely, with Yang Ning calling Li Dong "Big Brother."

Qin Yan's expression flickered subtly.
He had not seen Li Dong for nearly half a month. The last time they crossed paths was during the final exam rankings announcement, when Li Dong's score had been so inconceivably high that it had sparked a week of heated discussion among the entire grade.
Holding the brick-thick Algebraic Geometry monograph, Qin Yan hesitated for a moment, then still walked toward the corner seat.
The sunlight slanted across Li Dong's profile, casting a soft halo over his features. His ten fingers were dancing across the keyboard, the speed at which English text filled the screen causing even Qin Yan, who had always prided himself on his composure, to feel a flicker of unease.
He stood behind Li Dong, catching a glimpse of the dense formulas on the screen.
"Hysteresis Loop..." Qin Yan's eyes narrowed slightly, "Wait, did you derive the bifurcation set for the perturbed nonlinear system?"
Li Dong's hands paused.
He turned his head, meeting Qin Yan's gaze. There was no surprise in his eyes, only a calm inquiry: "You've studied bifurcation theory?"
"I've flipped through some of Strogatz's Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos." Qin Yan set down his book, sitting down across from Li Dong without ceremony. His gaze was complex as he looked at the latter, "If I remember correctly, this kind of rotating mechanical system is a field theory problem. When did you start working on things beyond the Gaokao syllabus?"
"It's a project I've been doing," Li Dong replied casually, turning his attention back to the screen. "Old Chen is helping me polish it. I'm submitting it to a preprint server soon."
This time, Qin Yan could no longer maintain his poker face.
"Old Chen actually helped you—" He instinctively wanted to say something, but then remembered that Chen Lao had been personally mentoring Li Dong this year. For the first time, a bitter feeling rose in his heart.
The former top scorer of Jiangcheng No.6 High School, now sitting across from Li Dong, was already far behind him in terms of resources and academic level.
When he thought of how he'd only just started reading French mathematical literature on algebraic geometry this month, while Li Dong was already writing English papers...
Qin Yan inhaled deeply, suppressing the sourness in his heart, and asked, "What about the competition? Are you planning to sign up for the physics Orsay?"
"Orsay?" Li Dong closed the document, saving it before turning around. "Maybe not. I don't have much time to spare for those."
"..."
Qin Yan felt a faint pain in his temples.
Not much time to spare?
The entire Elite Class was fighting over registration slots, treating the physics Orsay regional round as a crucial stepping stone for the Gaokao bonus points. Yet here was this guy, saying he didn't have time for it.
But when he thought about it carefully, Li Dong was indeed entitled to say such things.
Even he himself knew that Li Dong's current academic level had already far surpassed the high school Orsay competition realm. Let alone regional rounds, even the national finals were probably just a formality for him.
"The school might have something to say about it." Qin Yan's tone was a bit dry.
"Old Chen has already helped me apply for a leave of absence." Li Dong delivered a near-fatal blow. "I'll only go back to class when it's time for the self-study sessions before the Gaokao."
Qin Yan fell silent for a long while.
He thought of the pile of practice papers on his desk and the competition packets he had yet to finish. Then he looked at Li Dong, who was studying topics he couldn't even dream of touching. In this instant, a profound sense of defeat welled up inside him.
"Alright, you win." Qin Yan stood up, a smile tinged with a hint of helplessness tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I won't disturb you anymore."
Li Dong nodded slightly in response.
Watching Qin Yan's retreating figure, he paused for a moment in thought, then turned back to his screen.
What Qin Yan thought of him, he didn't care much. Right now, his focus was entirely on completing this paper. Only once it was done could he shift his attention to studying that mysterious paper, the NGND Program, which had made Old Yang behave so strangely.
His fingers danced across the keyboard once again.
In the quiet corner of the library, the sound of tapping became a unique cadence. Sunlight crawled across the desktop, slowly shifting from morning to afternoon.
Before he knew it, the sun was setting in the west.
Li Dong stopped typing, stretched, and looked at the nearly complete paper on the screen, a satisfied smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
"Draft done."
"Tomorrow, I'll have Old Chen take a look. Once the formatting is finalized, I can post it on arXiv."
He closed his laptop, packed up his things, and was about to leave the library when his phone buzzed.
A message from Sun Xiang:
[Boss Li, the co-cultivation seedlings have grown new shoots! I took photos, they're pretty good. I'll send them to you later. But something's off, I got a call from Director Wang at the school's office today, he said a physics professor from Huazhong University of Science and Technology came looking for you. He had an accompanying letter from the Ministry of Education recommending you to participate in some plan. Do you want to go check it out?]
Li Dong's eyes flickered.
"Ministry of Education recommendation... a physics professor from Huazhong University of Science and Technology?"
These keywords instantly reminded him of the NGND Program paper.
After all, among the paper's authors, the institution that appeared after the name Jiang Yubai was precisely Huazhong University of Science and Technology.
And Zhou Shenzhi's affiliated institution was the Beijing Institute of High Energy Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
"If Old Yang turned pale just from seeing those two names..."
"Then this physics professor from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, who's come all the way to find me, must know something inside."
Li Dong put away his phone and headed straight for the school administrative building.
The autumn afternoon.
In the meeting room on the third floor of the No.6 High School administrative building, an unfamiliar middle-aged man sat upright in a chair. He wore a gray suit, his bangs slightly long, with a scholarly air about him. Beside him sat Director Wang, who was entertaining him with tea.
Hearing footsteps, the man looked up.
When he saw Li Dong walking in, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a warm smile.
"So you're Li Dong?"
The man stood up, extending his hand, "I am Professor Zhang Shengli from the School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. I'm also a student of Professor Jiang Yubai."
Hearing this familiar name, Li Dong's pupils shrank slightly.
Professor Jiang Yubai's student...
The paper's first author's teacher?
He also shook hands with Zhang Shengli and sat down. Before Director Wang could ease the atmosphere, Zhang Shengli directly stated his purpose:
"I heard from your physics teacher, Academician Chen, that you've completed a very interesting paper on a rotating mechanical system, and he mentioned that you're also very interested in the NGND Program."
"To be honest, Li Dong, I've come precisely because of this paper and because of the NGND Program."

1. Key Plot Points

• Qin Yan, a proud top student from Jiangcheng No. 6 High, initially dismisses Li Dong, a transfer student from No. 7 High.
• Days earlier, Qin Yan saw Li Dong’s draft calculations in Teacher Chen’s office: a “rotating loop-ball” dynamical system using Lagrangian mechanics to model phase transitions via spontaneous symmetry breaking.
• Qin Yan realizes he could solve the problem if assigned, but would never have conceived the approach himself, and it would take him far longer than Li Dong.
• In the library, Qin Yan secretly reads Li Dong’s English paper for the global finals, titled “Phase Transitions” in Mechanical Systems.
• Li Dong finishes the paper, including practical applications: high-sensitivity rotational speed sensors, vibration/acceleration sensors, and mechanical threshold switches.
• Li Dong celebrates, claiming he solved “something even Newton couldn’t solve.”
• His phone then buzzes: a file from “Johann Carl Friedrich Gauss” has finished downloading (100%), with analysis complete.
• Old Chen interrupts, asks about the first draft, and offers to treat Li Dong to lunch, prompting Li Dong’s hungry stomach to growl.

2. Character Developments

• Qin Yan: His arrogance is undermined. He transitions from dismissing Li Dong to feeling suffocating helplessness and intellectual inferiority after witnessing Li Dong’s work.
• Li Dong: Shows his intense focus, rapid productivity, and boastful pride. He also appears to be on the verge of unlocking a mysterious new development via the Gauss file.

3. Significant Themes

• Intellectual humility: even a top student can be humbled by true genius.
• The gap between “knowing” and “creating”: understanding a solution is not the same as discovering it.
• Competition and academic ambition: the pressure to compete with national and global prodigies.
• The mysterious/systemic element: Li Dong’s hidden “progress bar” suggests an ongoing plotline involving advanced knowledge or an external system.

4. Character Interactions

• Qin Yan → Li Dong: Observes and analyzes Li Dong from afar, eventually feeling defeated by Li Dong’s intellectual edge.
• Old Chen → Li Dong: Approves of Li Dong’s progress, interrupts his secretive phone moment, and invites him to lunch.
• Li Dong ↔ Internal thoughts: His self-congratulatory internal monologue contrasts with the outside interruption, adding humor.

Summary: “Riemann’s Manuscript”

1. Key plot points and events

• Li Dong is eating lunch with Old Chen at Jiangcheng No. 6 High School’s cafeteria. He abruptly gives Old Chen a USB drive containing his final paper and data, then leaves without ceremony. Old Chen is baffled by Li Dong’s casual attitude toward a major physics/Fields Medal-level opportunity.
• Li Dong hurries back to his single dorm room, locks the door, and opens a WeChat file sent by Gauss.
• The file turns out to be Bernhard Riemann’s final manuscript, containing:
  • The complete original derivation of the Riemann–Siegel formula.
  • Riemann’s calculations of the first 1,104 nontrivial zeros of the Riemann zeta function.
• Li Dong is shocked because historical records in his world claim Riemann manually calculated only the first three zeros before his death.
• The number 1,104 matches exactly: in 1953, Alan Turing used an early computer to verify the Riemann Hypothesis and also stopped at 1,104 zeros.
• Parallel-universe Riemann apparently did the work of a computer with only pen and paper, while dying of tuberculosis.
• System warnings about dimensional overload and an “unknown anchor” appear.
• A red packet from Bernhard Riemann appears; Li Dong claims it despite the risks and gains +0.1 to all basic core attributes (permanent).
• The system reveals that in that unknown parallel universe, Riemann survived, because Li Dong became an external buffer storage zone for his immense final computations.
• Riemann formally joins the Azure Dragon Study Group after sending the red packet.

2. Character developments

• Li Dong: Shows a maverick, bold personality—casual toward conventional academic honors, but determined and courageous when it comes to accepting unknown risks. His mind becomes noticeably clearer after receiving the attribute boost.
• Old Chen: Acts as the concerned mentor figure, bewildered by Li Dong’s lack of concern for a prestigious prize.
• Gauss: Functioning as a mysterious senior figure, he transmits mathematical knowledge across dimensions to Li Dong.
• Riemann: Though historically dead in Li Dong’s timeline, the parallel-universe version is hinted to have survived because his computational burden was partially transferred to Li Dong.

3. Significant themes

• Parallel universes and historical divergence: Small changes can let a genius like Riemann survive and accomplish vastly more.
• Human limits vs. computational ambition: Riemann’s flesh-and-blood body was pushed beyond human limits; he becomes almost a “human computer.”
• Knowledge as dangerous/hidden legacy: The “complete manuscript” contradicts official history and breaks the current dimension’s logical limits.
• Courage and responsibility: Li Dong accepts the red packet despite warnings, choosing boldness over caution.

4. Character interactions

• Li Dong ↔ Old Chen: Brief cafeteria exchange; Li Dong hands over his completed paper and leaves, leaving Old Chen speechless.
• Li Dong ↔ System/Gauss/Riemann: Through WeChat and system notifications, he receives the manuscript, endures garbled warnings, claims the red packet, and indirectly saves parallel-universe Riemann.
• Riemann ↔ Group: Riemann appears in the Azure Dragon Study Group chat and sends Li Dong an exclusive red packet, marking his first direct impact on the group.

Summary

Key Plot Points / Events

• Li Dong notices that Bernhard Riemann has joined his group chat, but Riemann’s avatar—like Gauss’s—is grayed out.
• His permissions as Group Owner (Trainee) increase: he now has 10 invitation slots, but file upload/data transfer remain locked.
• Li Dong studies the Computational Fragment on the Nontrivial Zeros of the Zeta Function, realizing Riemann’s real goal was discovering the distribution pattern of prime numbers via the zeros.
• He tries to manually compute the first nontrivial zero using the Hardy Z-function, but quickly realizes hand calculation is impractical (requires Gamma functions, Stirling expansions, high-precision decimals, dense sampling).
• Switching to his laptop, he codes a brute-force Euler–Maclaurin summation in Python. The code works at first but bloats memory (4G → 14G) and crashes with a MEMORY-MANAGEMENT blue screen.
• Discouraged by his own poor code, he re-examines Riemann’s manuscript and discovers Riemann’s true secret: an algorithmic complexity reduction using the method of steepest descent / saddle-point approximation, cutting complexity from O(t) to O(√t)—this is how Riemann calculated 1,104 zeros by hand.
• Li Dong realizes that embedding this lost algorithm into modern code could shake both the mathematical and computer science worlds, but he lacks advanced computer science knowledge to implement it.

Character Developments

• Li Dong: Experiences frustration, then awe, then ambition. His attributes are now 0.3 (one-third of a Newton). He shows stubbornness, self-deprecating humor, and a growing drive to master both math and programming.
• Riemann (off-page): Revealed as an even more brilliant innovator than history recorded—not just a theorem-prover but an algorithmic pioneer who invented a computational shortcut a century ahead of his time.

Significant Themes

• Human computation vs. modern computing: The irony of a 21st-century laptop crashing while Riemann achieved more with paper and pen.
• Lost knowledge and rediscovery: Riemann’s algorithm was buried with his manuscripts; Li Dong now possesses it.
• The nature of mathematical discovery: Prime numbers are “ghosts,” and zeros are “frequencies” governing their distribution—mathematics as hidden truth.
• Limitations of naïve code: Brute-force approaches fail without algorithmic sophistication.

Character Interactions

• Li Dong ↔ Group system: Permission-based progression; rewards granted for carrying Riemann’s computational power.
• Li Dong ↔ Riemann (indirect): Through Riemann’s manuscripts, Li Dong converses across time, decoding his methods.
• Li Dong ↔ himself: Internal monologue, self-criticism (“Stupid-ass Lenovo”), and eventual acceptance that he needs to learn deeper computer science.

Ending Note

The chapter closes on Li Dong’s resolution to study computer algorithms seriously so he can encode Riemann’s lost technique—setting up the next stage of his journey.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Old Chen reviews Li Dong's physics paper and finds it flawless.
• He sends the paper to his old classmate, Professor Cao, for a second opinion.
• Professor Cao praises the paper, finding no issues.
• Meanwhile, Su Wan and Qiao Fan complete their physics paper on droplet bouncing.
• Li Dong, after reinstalling his system, starts working on Riemann's algorithm and decides to ask Old Chen for access to the school's high-performance computers.

Character Developments

• Li Dong shows exceptional mathematical and problem-solving skills, tackling complex topics like Riemann's zeta function and parallel computing.
• Old Chen demonstrates his dedication to his students' academic growth, seeking external reviews for Li Dong's paper and being open to Li Dong's unusual request.

Significant Themes

• Pursuit of Knowledge: Li Dong's insatiable curiosity and drive to understand complex mathematical concepts.
• Mentorship: Old Chen's role in supporting and guiding Li Dong's academic pursuits.
• Academic Competition: The intense competition among students and schools, as seen in the Fields Medal and the Huaxuan Cup.

Character Interactions

• Li Dong and Old Chen: Li Dong approaches Old Chen with a unique request, showing respect and trust in his teacher's influence.
• Old Chen and Professor Cao: They discuss Li Dong's paper, highlighting Old Chen's professional network and commitment to his students' success.
• Su Wan and Qiao Fan: They collaborate on a physics paper, showcasing their academic partnership and mutual respect.

Summary: The King of Hell Is Calling Names

Key Plot Points

• Setting: Late May, Jiangcheng. The Gaokao (college entrance exam) is nearing, and senior students at No. 6 High School's Elite Class are under intense pressure.
• Li Dong's return: The physics competition national champion, who has already secured guaranteed admission to Tsinghua University, returns to class to prepare for the Gaokao.
• The "King of Hell" pattern: Li Dong begins asking classmates for help on test problems, but his questions intentionally expose how "primitive" their solution methods are compared to his advanced mathematical techniques. He asks one boy how he used tedious algebraic methods for a conic-section problem, explaining he himself used an affine transformation and Pole-Polar Theorem to solve it in two steps but was docked process points.
• The nickname is born: Students now treat Li Dong's approach as "the King of Hell calling names" — being asked a question means being publicly humiliated as the dumbest thinker in class.
• Improved Chinese scores: Li Dong's Chinese score has risen from low to roughly 130 after intense study; his teacher praises his essay, demolishing the last area where classmates once privately felt superior to him.
• Mysterious disappearance: Li Dong vanishes from class and spends days in the computer lab, maxing out server clusters and running CPU/GPU at 100% — his activity unknown to anyone.
• The teacher's complaint: The informatics coach (Little Li) complains to Li Dong's physics teacher (Old Chen) that Li Dong is monopolizing lab resources and asking advanced low-level computing questions (GPU bank conflicts, MPI cluster communication, L1/L2 cache optimization) far beyond high school competition level — questions the coach himself can't even answer.
• Chapter ends with Old Chen puzzled about what Li Dong is actually working on.

Character Developments

• Li Dong: Reaffirmed as a once-in-a-generation talent. Now excelling in both STEM and humanities, he has shifted his interest to deep-cut computer systems/low-level computing. He is socially unaware (or playfully indifferent) about how his questions humiliate peers. His mysterious computer lab project remains unexplained.
• Old Chen: Li Dong's protective physics teacher; grants him maximum freedom and trusts his judgment.
• Little Li: An informatics competition coach in over his depth; frustrated and nearly in tears, he represents the limits of conventional expertise when confronted by Li Dong's intellect.
• The Elite Class students: Intimidated, humiliated, and demoralized by Li Dong's superiority; their last shred of superiority (Chinese scores) is also stripped away.

Significant Themes

• The gap between genius and ordinary students — Li Dong's innocent questions repeatedly highlight the chasm between his ability and his classmates'.
• Advanced knowledge vs. exam standardization — The Gaokao's "process points" punish elegant, high-level solutions in favor of tedious, conventional algebra; Li Dong must adapt to the system rather than the system adapting to him.
• The pressure of the Gaokao — Even elite students with provincial/national awards still face the hard cutoff of exam scores.
• Curiosity without bounds — Li Dong's relentless pursuit of knowledge (from physics to Chinese to low-level computing) shows a mind that refuses to stop expanding.

Character Interactions

• Li Dong → Classmate: A humiliating "help request" about a conic-section problem, in which the classmate realizes Li Dong sees his method as "stupidest" yet "best-fitting" the exam.
• Teacher Wang (Chinese teacher) → Entire class: Exuberant public praise of Li Dong's essay, contrasting sharply with his belittling of other students' work.
• Little Li → Old Chen: A comic, despairing complaint about Li Dong's computer lab behavior and unfathomable questions, revealing that Li Dong's new project is beyond what anyone around him can understand.
• Old Chen → Little Li: Dismissive and unconcerned; tells him to just endure until the Gaokao.

Chapter Summary: Gaokao

Key Plot Points and Events

• June 3rd: Final class of high school taught by Old Chen (physics teacher). He gives practical exam advice and warns students not to stubbornly waste time on hard problems. The dismissal bell rings, marking the end of classes.
• June 4th: Li Dong visits his exam venue (Jiangcheng No. 2 High School) in the morning, then goes to Wenchang Pavilion temple to pray for Gaokao success. He jokes to himself about using fortune sticks to decide between Tsinghua (physics) and Peking (mathematics), amusing nearby students.
• June 7th: Exam day arrives. Li Dong's mother, Li Qin, wears a red cheongsam (symbolizing good luck) and sees him off at the guarded exam site. Li Dong enters, begins filling in his information, and the exam bell rings, signaling the start of the Gaokao.

Character Developments

• Li Dong: Shows emotional attachment to high school, wishing the final bell would have rung later. He is highly confident in his academic options, treating choice between Tsinghua and Peking as a serious dilemma. Demonstrates a close, affectionate relationship with his mother.
• Old Chen: Transitions from a stern competition coach to a caring mentor, showing uncommon gentleness and personal attention to individual students.
• Li Qin (Li Dong's mother): Dresses in an ill-fitting cheongsam specifically for luck, showing her support and pride for her son.

Significant Themes

• Climax of academic pressure: Twelve years of study culminating in a single exam that decides students' futures.
• Superstition meets pragmatism: Students pray at temples ("materialism and mysticism") while simultaneously preparing practically; Li Dong humorously combines prayer with his own confidence.
• Parental sacrifice and support: Li Qin takes time off work and dresses symbolically for her child's success.
• Transition and farewell: Letting go of high school life and stepping into an uncertain future.

Character Interactions

• Old Chen → Class: Final lecture and advice, specifically singling out Li Dong with warnings about stubbornness on hard problems.
• Li Dong → Li Qin: She fixes his collar and encourages him; he reassures her with an "OK" gesture before disappearing into the crowd.
• Li Dong → Other students: He silently observes classmates praying with different ambitions (Sichuan University, "any Project 211," even vocational college), acknowledging everyone has their own path.

Chapter Summary: Competition for the Provincial Top Scorer

Key Plot Points

• Setting & Context: The chapter opens with a satirical description of Beijing's Subway Line 4, where schools are ranked by stop order—with Peking University (at Beigongmen Station) towering above all else.
• Score Release: Half a month after the Gaokao, scores are released. Li Dong's score is withheld because he ranks among the top fifty in the province's science track—a "high-score protected" status.
• Peking University's Response: Two recruiters (Teacher Li and Teacher Zhang) immediately travel to Li Dong's home in Jiangcheng to court him in person.
• Tsinghua University's Counter-Strategy: Tsinghua recruiters (Teacher Liu) head instead to No. 6 High School, planning to use insider connections: Li Dong's coach Old Chen (who has ties to Tsinghua's Physics department) and his classmate Qin Yan (a national gold medalist already guaranteed admission to Tsinghua, and Li Dong's idol).
• The School's Scheme: Principal Liu reveals that he has deliberately "coincided" both universities' visits to the school, playing the two elite institutions against each other for the school's prestige and media attention. Old Chen is uneasy but goes along with it.
• The Li Family: At home, Li Qin is extremely nervous awaiting the Peking University teachers. Li Yang calmly reassures her. The chapter ends with a knock at the door.

Character Developments

• Li Dong (off-screen, described by others): Portrait emerges of a rare genius—extraordinarily talented in science yet humble, courteous, and well-liked by everyone. He even asks lower-performing classmates about their thinking methods to broaden his own. "High IQ and high EQ."
• Principal Liu: Cunning and media-savvy. He sees the university recruitment war as a publicity opportunity for No. 6 High School and is unbothered by the ethical gray area.
• Old Chen (Coach): Loyal to his students but uncomfortable with the principal's manipulative strategy.
• Li Qin: Warm, protective older sister, visibly overwhelmed and anxious about the life-changing moment.
• Li Yang: The steady, pragmatic sibling who keeps his sister grounded. (Implied to be older brother or comes across as more worldly).
• Teacher Liu (Tsinghua): Overconfident, convinced his "insider connections" guarantee victory over Peking University.

Significant Themes

• The Prestige Hierarchy of Chinese Universities: Dramatized through the Subway Line 4 framing—Peking University stands above all rankings.
• The Brutal Competition for Talent: Both top universities employ different tactics (direct charm vs. insider influence), showing that even elite institutions must "fight" for exceptional students.
• Image vs. Reality in Education: The contrast between Li Dong's genuine character and the political maneuvering around him.
• Family Support and Class Aspirations: The Li family's nervousness reflects the weight of this moment—a life-altering opportunity for an ordinary family.
• Strategic Deception in Admissions: The principal's "journalism" remark suggests the school is actively manufacturing a spectacle for its own benefit.

Character Interactions

• Peking University recruiters: Teacher Zhang praises Li Dong's character to Teacher Li, building a picture of a flawless candidate.
• Tsinghua recruiter (Teacher Liu): Confidently explains to his junior that "throwing money around" isn't enough—you need personal connections ("The timing, location, and people are all on my side").
• Principal Liu & Old Chen: A brief exchange revealing the school's manipulation—Old Chen is hesitant, Principal Liu dismisses his concerns.
• Li Qin & Li Yang: Sibling banter and emotional support, showcasing their close bond.
• The Final Beat: The knock at the door brings both universities' off-screen competition to the Li family's doorstep.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Peking University's admissions team visits Li Dong's home, offering him a full scholarship and freedom to choose any major.
• Li Dong is not at home; he has gone to Zhejiang University.
• Tsinghua University's admissions team visits Jiangcheng No. 6 High School, but Li Dong is not there; he has gone to Zhejiang University.
• No. 6 High School uses Tsinghua University's visit for school publicity.

Character Developments

• Li Qin (Li Dong's mother): Initially nervous and excited about Peking University's offer, she remains calm and honest about Li Dong's whereabouts.
• Li Yang (Li Dong's uncle): Skilled in social interactions, he presents himself as a successful businessman to the Peking University teachers.
• Teacher Li & Teacher Zhang (Peking University): They are taken aback by Li Dong's absence and Zhejiang University's involvement.
• Teacher Liu (Tsinghua University): He is surprised and upset to learn that Li Dong is not at No. 6 High School and has gone to Zhejiang University.
• Qin Yan (Li Dong's classmate): He feels uncomfortable being used as an idol to persuade Li Dong to choose Tsinghua University.

Significant Themes

• Social Mobility: Li Dong's family's humble background contrasts with the prestigious universities courting him, highlighting the theme of social mobility.
• Education and Opportunity: The competition among universities to recruit Li Dong emphasizes the importance of education and the opportunities it provides.
• Honesty vs. Deception: Li Qin's honesty about Li Dong's whereabouts contrasts with No. 6 High School's deceptive use of Tsinghua University's visit for publicity.

Character Interactions

• Li Qin and Peking University Teachers: They discuss Li Dong's prospects and the university's offers.
• Li Yang and Peking University Teachers: Li Yang skillfully interacts with the teachers, presenting a successful image.
• Teacher Liu and No. 6 High School Leadership: They discuss Li Dong's absence and the school's use of Tsinghua University's visit for publicity.
• Qin Yan and Teacher Liu: Qin Yan feels uncomfortable being asked to persuade Li Dong to choose Tsinghua University.

Summary: "Stop Them for Me"

Key Plot Points & Events

1. Urgent Experiment Call: Two days before Gaokao score release, Sun Xiang calls Li Dong with news that the Agrobacterium-infected Alpine Hawkweed calluses at Zhejiang University have successfully differentiated into T0 seedlings. Li Dong immediately abandons all thoughts of score-watching, buys a high-speed rail ticket, and rushes to Zhejiang University.
2. Lab Work: Li Dong performs meticulous work—extracting leaf DNA from hundreds of seedlings, preparing PCR reaction mixtures, and initiating gel electrophoresis to identify positive knockout lines. His skill impresses even third-year graduate students.
3. Score Revelation: While Li Dong works, his Gaokao scores drop: 723 points total (133 Chinese, 140 English, perfect 150 math, perfect 300 science), making him the top science student in the Sichuan-Chongqing region—including perfect scores on all science subjects.
4. Admissions Battle: Director Wang of Zhejiang University's admissions office learns Li Dong is in their own building. He rushes to Professor Zhang's office, hoping for an introduction. Zhang refuses to help recruit but allows Wang to approach Li Dong directly.
5. Rival Schools Blocked: Tsinghua and Peking University admissions teams arrive at Zhejiang's gate. Director Wang orders security to block them, claiming "confidential experiments" to keep them off campus.
6. The Pitch: When Li Dong exits the building, Director Wang offers him any major, a spot in Zhu Kezhen College's Advanced Program Class, the highest-tier freshman scholarship, and a direct master's/doctoral track under Professor Zhang.
7. The Refusal: Li Dong politely declines, stating simply: "Because I like physics." He walks past the stunned Director Wang, focused on returning to his gel electrophoresis.

Character Developments

• Li Dong: Demonstrates extraordinary dedication to research—prioritizing lab work over his own historic exam results. Shows exceptional hands-on skill and composure under massive workload. Reveals clear academic self-awareness: he values biology research but wants physics for his university education.
• Professor Zhang Minfang: Portrayed as a pure-minded researcher who despises admissions politics, yet holds genuine admiration for Li Dong's lab abilities.
• Director Wang: Desperate, resourceful, and personally invested in securing the top scorer. His excitement stems partly from finally competing with Tsinghua/Peking on equal footing.

Significant Themes

• The Cutthroat Battle for Top Students: Illustrates the intense competition between C9 League universities (Zhejiang vs. Tsinghua/Peking) for elite scorers, including blocking tactics and emotional appeals.
• Research Passion vs. Academic Choice: Li Dong's separation of his lab work from his university choice highlights that practical research interests don't necessarily dictate academic direction.
• The Unconventional Top Scorer: Li Dong's indifference to his record-breaking scores contrasts with institutional fixation on recruitment metrics.
• Institutional Politics vs. Pure Science: Professor Zhang's disdain for poaching versus Director Wang's instrumental view of the research relationship.

Character Interactions

• Li Dong ↔ Sun Xiang: Brief call that triggers his immediate departure for Zhejiang.
• Professor Zhang ↔ Director Wang: Zhang grudgingly permits Wang to approach Li Dong but refuses to act as a recruiter, clarifying the experiment is the real reason Li Dong arrived.
• Director Wang ↔ Security: Orders to intercept rival Tsinghua/Peking admissions vehicles—a comedic escalation of the recruitment war.
• Li Dong ↔ Director Wang: The pivotal confrontation. Li Dong is polite but firm; Wang is excited, then bewildered when Li Dong's reason (physics) contradicts his presence in a biology lab.
• Zhang ↔ Li Dong (implied): A prior conversation established Li Dong's decision not to attend Zhejiang, known to Zhang before this chapter.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Dong, the top science student, is approached by admissions teams from Tsinghua and Peking Universities outside Zhejiang University.
• He decides to join Peking University, choosing Yuanpei College directly.
• Li Dong successfully completes his experiment at Zhejiang University and returns to Jiangcheng.
• No. 6 High School submits Li Dong's physics paper to the Yau High School Science Award.
• Li Dong attends a graduation dinner at No. 7 High School, feeling a distance between him and his former classmates due to his new status.
• Li Dong's family's life improves with his winnings, and he invests in his uncle's factory.
• Li Dong departs for Peking University.

Character Developments

• Li Dong maintains his focus on his academic pursuits despite the distractions and becomes more confident in his decisions.
• Li Dong's family experiences significant improvements in their lives due to Li Dong's success.
• Li Dong's classmates and former teachers treat him differently due to his new status as the province's top science student.

Significant Themes

• The impact of success and change in social dynamics.
• The pursuit of academic excellence and personal goals.
• The evolution of family dynamics due to financial improvement.

Character Interactions

• Li Dong interacts with admissions teams from Tsinghua and Peking Universities, ultimately choosing Peking University.
• Li Dong visits Old Yang at No. 7 High School and attends a graduation dinner there, feeling a distance between him and his former classmates.
• Li Dong bids farewell to his family before departing for Peking University.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Dong, now a top student, travels to Kyoto by train, reflecting on his transformation.
• John von Neumann shares an image of a modern computer he built, sparking interest among other scientists in the Azure Dragon Study Group.
• Li Dong receives a 'Third Industrial Revolution Origin Fragment' for inspiring von Neumann's creation, granting him enhanced learning ability in computer-related fields.

Character Developments

• Li Dong's confidence and arrogance grow due to his recent achievements.
• John von Neumann successfully creates a pioneering first-generation electronic computer, showcasing his expertise and innovation.

Significant Themes

• The power of technology and innovation to drive progress, as seen through von Neumann's computer.
• Li Dong's growing self-assurance and ambition.

Character Interactions

• Li Dong interacts with the Azure Dragon Study Group members, witnessing their excitement and interest in von Neumann's creation.
• Li Dong claims an exclusive red packet from von Neumann, gaining a new skill and item.

Chapter Summary

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Dong boards a high-speed train and accidentally sits in the wrong seat (window seat A instead of aisle seat C). He apologizes and moves next to a fellow passenger, Qin Fei.
• Determined to "flatten garbage code," Li Dong opens his laptop and begins writing a C++ program to verify nontrivial zeros of the Riemann Zeta Function, using GMP/MPFR libraries for precision.
• Li Dong first writes a standard Riemann-Siegel formula implementation, then dramatically deletes more than half of it.
• He replaces it with an unorthodox algorithm: using a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) library, a dense evaluation grid, multipoint evaluation, Taylor expansions, and band-limited interpolation filters.
• This approach appears to radically reduce complexity and memory overhead, seemingly outperforming even the celebrated Odlyzko-Schonhage algorithm.
• Qin Fei, a third-year Computer Science student at Beijing Institute of Technology (specializing in High-Performance Computing), initially scoffs at the "ultrabook" and the amateurish project. He then becomes increasingly shocked, unable to follow the logic of the code, and ends up questioning whether the algorithm can even run—or if Li Dong is just writing nonsense.

2. Character Developments

• Li Dong: Confident and driven, empowered by his system-enhanced abilities (maxed-out base attributes and "Code Intuition (Basic Version)"). He demonstrates a revolutionary, almost intuitive grasp of low-level optimization, drawing on mathematical insights from "Riemann's Final Manuscript."
• Qin Fei: Starts as a condescending expert, silently mocking Li Dong's laptop and coding approach. His superiority crumbles as he realizes Li Dong's algorithm is beyond his own understanding—and possibly beyond known academic methods. He is reduced to deep self-doubt.

3. Significant Themes

• Intellectual Hubris vs. True Insight: Appearances can be deceiving; Qin Fei judges Li Dong by his cheap laptop and then by standard CS principles, only to be humbled by an algorithm that defies conventional theory.
• Breaking Established Paradigms: The chapter celebrates an idea that overturns the assumed mathematical limits of computation—suggesting that genuine breakthroughs come from outside textbook frameworks.
• Silent Competition and Observation: The interaction is mostly non-verbal; the real battle is fought on a laptop screen, highlighting the isolating yet intense nature of technical mastery.

4. Character Interactions

• The only direct dialogue is Li Dong's brief apology for taking the wrong seat.
• The core interaction is Qin Fei's silent, lengthy observation of Li Dong's coding. He mentally criticizes, then analyzes, then desperately tries to understand—ending in stunned disbelief. Li Dong remains oblivious to his audience, fully absorbed in his work. This creates an asymmetric dynamic: one is unaware of the other's judgment, while the other undergoes a profound psychological shift.

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• Li Dong spends over four hours coding on a train, implementing a novel algorithm that combines Riemann’s dimensionality-reduction idea with an FFT library for multipoint evaluation.
• He runs a verification program for nontrivial zeros of the Riemann Zeta Function in an extremely high range: t ∈ [10^20, 10^20 + 1.5×10^6].
• The program runs efficiently on a thin-and-light laptop, reaching 10 million zeros verified in about 3 hours — a result that astonishes Qin Fei, an HPC student from Beijing Institute of Technology.
• The laptop suddenly crashes/black-screens just as Qin Fei leans in to inspect it.
• When asked where he got the ultra-low-complexity algorithm, Li Dong replies calmly: “I thought of it myself.”
• They exchange WeChat before arriving at Beijing West Railway Station.
• In the background, a mysterious WeChat group chat appears and vanishes, with messages from figures like John von Neumann, Einstein, Bohr, Mendeleev, and Newton — and Li Dong’s title “Group Owner (Intern)” seems to be changing.

2. Character Developments

• Li Dong: Revealed as a highly capable, self-directed coder with deep algorithmic insight. He remains modest but confident, and seems connected to something mysterious/supernatural (the group chat).
• Qin Fei: A top HPC student whose academic worldview is shaken. He moves from disbelief to curiosity and respect, ultimately seeking connection with Li Dong.

3. Significant Themes

• Genius vs. institutional knowledge: A “beginner” creates an algorithm that outperforms established computational methods, challenging formal academic assumptions.
• Breakthrough computing: The chapter highlights algorithmic elegance — clean memory management and complexity reduction enabling massive computations on weak hardware.
• Hidden fate / supernatural elements: The fleeting group chat implies unseen forces or a system watching Li Dong’s progress.

4. Character Interactions

• Li Dong and Qin Fei: Qin Fei secretly watches Li Dong code, asks probing questions, and receives a shocking four-word answer. He then initiates a WeChat connection.
• Background group chat: Famous historical scientists react to Li Dong’s work, hinting at a larger, hidden narrative — though Li Dong is unaware of it.

Here's a concise summary of the chapter:

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• Arrival at Yenching University: Li Dong arrives at Yenching University's Yuanpei College (its elite liberal arts/sciences program). He registers at the Qiu Deba Gymnasium and is guided to his dorm by an indifferent, businesslike upperclassman.
• Meeting the Roommates: Li Dong is the last to arrive in his four-person dorm. The roommates introduce themselves with their impressive Gaokao scores and backgrounds.
• Major Plans Discussion: The roommates discuss their intended sophomore-year majors. All three aim for pure mathematics; Li Dong says he prefers physics.
• Freshman Meeting: At the first college assembly, the homeroom teacher and counselor explain Yuanpei's flexible course-selection system. Li Dong browses the course catalog on his phone and spots Professor Gao Wen—a legendary academician in AI and computer architecture—offering a special course. Li Dong perceives him as a glowing "golden exclamation mark" figure (an important opportunity).

2. Character Developments

• Li Dong: Reveals that his immediate priority is studying computer science, not physics/math, because he needs to run the Riemann Zeta Function to upgrade his mysterious "group" permissions. He remains modest about his 723 Gaokao score and does not reveal his hidden agenda.

Roommates (Liu Qiang, Chen Nan, Wang Hao)

• Liu Qiang: 711, Ji Province, interested in algebraic geometry.
• Chen Nan: Exactly 700, E Province, wants fundamental theoretical math research.
• Wang Hao: 695 but a CMO (Chinese Mathematical Olympiad) gold medalist; subtly shows off his math background.
• Upperclassman: A practical, emotionless guide—unfazed by Li Dong's looks—highlighting the meritocratic, GPA-obsessed campus culture.

3. Significant Themes

• Elite Academic Hierarchy: The chapter showcases the stratification within top universities—province champions vs. Orsay medalists, pure math vs. applied fields, Gaokao-admitted students vs. the "Excellence Program" physics prodigies (who are recruited early and seen as superior).
• Social Atmosphere of Top Students: Polite surface-level respect masking competitive pride; everyone tries to appear humble while subtly flexing their achievements.
• Hidden Motives / Game-like System: Li Dong views the campus through a game lens (golden exclamation marks, "NPCs"), suggesting a system or quest mechanic tied to his knowledge upgrades.

4. Character Interactions

• Upperclassman & Li Dong: She acts as a detached tour guide, ignoring his appearance entirely. He briefly chats about dorm location.
• Roommates' Introduction: Wang Hao (CMO gold medalist) dominates the conversation, showing off; Liu Qiang and Chen Nan respond with polite but slightly competitive courtesy. Li Dong closes with a low-key 723, earning respect.
• Roommates' Reaction to Li Dong's Physics Interest: When Li Dong says he prefers physics, the roommates assume he didn't qualify for Yenching's elite physics track (which only accepts top competition prodigies) and offer him consoling praise for physics' practicality—revealing their subconscious competitiveness and the perceived hierarchy. Li Dong internally dismisses them ("the one with poor talent was his nephew").

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In summary: Li Dong arrives at Yenching, navigates the social dynamics of elite students, and secretly prioritizes acquiring computer knowledge (via Professor Gao Wen's course) to advance his hidden system/group ability—while staying silent about his true potential.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gao Wen, a renowned academician, teaches a multimedia class on low-level algorithms and high-performance computing architecture.
• The class is packed with students, including freshmen and top students from other schools.
• Gao Wen discusses complex topics like NUMA architecture, cache coherence, and false-sharing traps, leaving freshmen overwhelmed.
• He advises students to record the lecture on their phones instead of taking notes to keep up with his pace.
• After class, Li Dong, a student from Yuanpei College, approaches Gao Wen to ask about low-level algorithmic optimizations for calculating the nontrivial zeros of the Riemann Zeta function.
• Gao Wen explains memory alignment and cache prefetching to Li Dong.
• Li Dong asks about using the school's computer labs, revealing his lack of knowledge about shared resources.

Character Developments

• Gao Wen: Demonstrates his expertise and teaching style, showing he's a demanding and insightful educator who expects students to think deeply.
• Li Dong: Shows curiosity and a strong foundation in his field, seeking guidance from Gao Wen. He also displays a lack of knowledge about university resources.

Significant Themes

• The high expectations and rigorous teaching style of top-tier universities.
• The importance of understanding low-level hardware and software interactions for algorithmic optimizations.
• The concept of shared resources and the need for students to adapt to university environments.

Character Interactions

• Gao Wen and Li Dong: Gao Wen provides guidance and insights to Li Dong, while Li Dong seeks knowledge and shows appreciation for Gao Wen's expertise.
• Gao Wen and other students: Gao Wen interacts with other students, answering their questions and providing guidance, but he is particularly interested in Li Dong's unique approach.