On the fifth day after enrolling,
Leon stood on the stage at his graduation ceremony.
The morning sun was warm, and the auditorium was empty.
Wearing doctoral robes, the smiling principal stood on the platform and moved the tassel on Leon's cap as he held his diploma.
Then he gripped Leon's hand tightly and said, "Congratulations on graduating, Leon. Don't forget to visit your alma mater often. I believe the twenty million dollars in financial aid you donated to the school yesterday will help more outstanding students like you!"
Leon smiled. "Thank you, Principal. I'll definitely come back next year and donate a building."
The row of professors seated nearby immediately began applauding.
Leon had impressed them with his knowledge yesterday morning, and by evening, they had received a substantial amount of research funding.
Thus, all of Leon's required courses had been completed overnight, not a single credit was missing, and the express train to graduation had sounded its horn, lit its engines, and departed in the middle of the night.
They clapped with complete conviction now.
Some of them even had the urge to rush over, hug Leon's thigh, and applaud at the same time.
A melodious symphonic piece began to play, its weighty sense of history spreading across the three-foot-high stage with the music.
Below the auditorium stage,
only three family members sat in the hundreds of burgundy velvet seats, all in the front row.
Tony, Pepper, and Sherry each wore different expressions.
Pepper clapped along with the professors onstage, both annoyed and amused.
She had sent Leon to college to experience youth, to experience the bittersweetness of friendship and romance.
Yet the kid had agreed readily enough, only to pull a fast one behind her back.
He had indeed enrolled, completed all his courses, rushed through his