Scholar’s Advanced Technological System

Science reality show? Sounds boring.

You want me to get out of bed for fifty grand?

Maybe add another zero and I’ll think about it.

Lu Zhou finally ditched the female reporter and got on the metro.

Every time he went home, he could not help but appreciate how comfortable China was. Plane to the subway, subway to high-speed rail, the high-speed rail took him directly back to home.

China’s public transportation was unprecedented.

This type of transportation was impossible in America.

When Lu Zhou got off the high-speed trail train, he was too lazy to take the bus. So he called for a taxi outside the station.

When he arrived at his house, he looked at the familiar willow trees outside his house, and it was like he never left.

As Lu Zhou dragged the suitcase to the doorsteps, he felt both excited and nervous. He took a deep breath before he pressed the doorbell.

Ding…

Immediately after, footstep sounds came from behind the door.

Soon after, the door opened, and a familiar face appeared.

“Who is it… Son?”

When Fang Mei saw her son, her face lit up. She said, “You’re here already? Come in! Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

“I wanted to surprise you!”

Lu Zhou smiled and dragged his suitcase inside.

Fang Mei grabbed the suitcase and shouted toward the bathroom, “Honey, hurry and go buy some fish, we’re making fish for your son tonight.”

“What? My son’s back?”

Dad’s voice traveled through the bathroom, followed by the sound of the toilet flushing.

Lu Zhou quickly waved his head, “Mom, it’s fine. I don’t care what we eat, so you don’t have to work so hard.”

Fang Mei smiled and said, “What do you mean, I’m in great shape! I want to cook!”

Lu Zhou’s father washed his hands. When he came out of the bathroom, he shouted, “Son! Let’s see if you grew taller!”

“Taller taller… Come, dad, I bought you a gift, I bought some for sis and mom as well,” said Lu Zhou. He then opened his suitcase and took out two bottles of red wine and two boxes of skin care products before giving them to his parents.

His father said, “… You bought wine? Didn’t I tell you not to waste money? How much is this?”

“It’s not expensive, a couple of hundred USD, and they’re not luxury brands. It’s not my money anyway. It’s leftover money from the trip funding,” said Lu Zhou with a smile.

He could not keep the money from the school anyway, he might as well spend it.

“USD?” asked Old Lu. He added, “You… bought this from America?”

“Yeah,” said Lu Zhou. With a smile, he said, “I went to Princeton to attend that conference, right? I bought it over there.”

Old Lu looked at Fang Mei and smiled as he said, “I thought you were talking about some hotel called Preston or something… You went to America? Why didn’t you tell us?”

Lu Zhou: ? ? ?

There was no tutoring during the winter vacation, so Xiao Tong came back home at half past six.

When she saw Lu Zhou sitting in the living room, her eyes lit up and she shouted “Brother!” before she rushed over excitedly.

She had not seen him in a long time.

Lu Zhou did not remember her ever being so attached to him.

However, they had not seen each other in a year.

At night, Fang Mei cooked up a table of dishes as if it was Chinese New Year.

Old Lu took out some alcohol from the cupboards and placed it on the table.

“Come, drink with dad.”

“Cheers!”

As Xiao Tong looked at the two guys drinking, she said, “Dad, don’t drink so much. Same with you, bro. Dad finally quit drinking, and you brought two bottles of wine back.”

“It’s fine. It’s the holidays. Come, eat,” said Fang Mei as she smiled and placed food into her son’s plate.

“Mom, it’s fine. You don’t have to take care of me,” replied Lu Zhou.

His family was so enthusiastic that he was almost a little embarrassed.

Xiao Tong said, “Oh, I see. Once my brother comes back, he’s the favorite child. No, I have to get into a good university as well.”

Lu Zhou knew her competitive personality too well, so he did not reply. He grabbed some fish and placed it into her plate.

“I wish you the best. Here, eat some fish. It’s good for your brain.”

“Haha, bro, you’re too kind to me.”

“Haha, you’re welcome.”

“…”

Dinner was very lively.

The joy of a long-awaited reunion lit up the dining table.

Lu Bangguo drank a lot that night.

It was rare for him to get that drunk.

After dinner, Lu Bangguo sat on the sofa and watched the news. He spoke with emotion.

“Son, the biggest wish in my life is to see you become better than me. I didn’t even graduate high school, I’m uneducated. You’ve already done that! From now on, your life is yours, you have to make your own decisions!”

Lu Zhou did not drink much, but he was slightly intoxicated as well. He smiled and replied, “What do you mean you’re uneducated? You’re a mathematician’s father, that makes you educated as well.”

“Hey, when you put it like that… It makes sense? Does that mean I’m educated as well?”

Soon after, Lu Bangguo started to snore on the sofa.

Lu Zhou picked up the remote and lowered the TV volume.

Once Xiao Tong finished helping her mom with the dishes, she ran to the sofa and eagerly asked her brother.

“Bro, you really went to America?!”

Lu Zhou rolled his eyes, “Of course I did. Don’t tell me you don’t know what Princeton is either?!”

Xiao Tong suddenly grabbed his arm and smiled as she asked, “Then brother, where is my gift?”

Lu Zhou was well aware of her tricks. He sighed and said, “Your gift is in my suitcase, but should I give it to you?”

Xiao Tong said pitifully, “What do you mean by should? I’m your dearest sister.”

Lu Zhou replied, “Because I’m afraid that you won’t study well after getting a new phone.”

Xiao Tong’s eyes lit up and she asked, “New phone? Is it Apple?!”

Lu Zhou replied, “What did you get for the mathematics exam?”

“145!” replied Xiao Tong quickly. She added, “I’m not lying!”

Lu Zhou replied, “Are you sure?”

Xiao Tong, “Yes, yes, I really did!”

Lu Zhou waved his hand and said, “Fine, it’s in my suitcase. Go and grab it yourself.”

“Wow! Brother, you’re the best!”

Xiao Tong pecked Lu Zhou’s cheek before she climbed down from the sofa.

As Lu Zhou watched his sister jumped, he smiled.

Home is the best.