Chapter 479: Underestimated

Chapter 479: Chapter 479: Underestimated

"Get it now?" Ye Ling raised an eyebrow, looking quite pleased. "We’re not that far apart in age. When we get to college, we can even meet up here in Shencheng!"

Huo Ze nodded repeatedly. "I think I get it now. So *that’s* why your grades are so good and you’re improving so fast. You want to get into a great university and come to Shencheng!"

Ye Ling smiled. "Of course. Look how interesting Shencheng is. It’s totally different from Beijing. In many ways, they’re two completely different environments."

Huo Ze nodded. "I know about that. My grandpa says Beijing is the political center, while Shencheng is at the forefront of the country’s economic reforms and development. They have two completely different atmospheres."

"Right, that’s it. It’s more open, more dynamic." Ye Ling smiled. "Dad said that since we grew up in Beijing, we’re very familiar with it. If we go to college here for four years, we’ll get to know this place too, which will be a huge help for our futures."

Han Xiaorui, having cut up some fruit, brought it over to them and overheard the three boys’ conversation.

’Is this what it means to have a strong family background?’

’It’s not just the protection afforded by their parents’ power, but also the developmental boost from being constantly exposed to this kind of thinking.’

"Here, have some fruit." Han Xiaorui called out. "Are you guys hot? Make sure you don’t take off your sun hats, or you’ll get a sunburn."

"We know, Sister-in-law. We’re experienced with this and just reminded Huo Ze," Ye Ling said with a laugh, his tone deeply respectful.

"What are you all talking about?" Han Xiaorui asked.

Ye Chen quickly answered, "Sister-in-law, we love it here! Dad said if we get into college, we can stay here for a few years, and maybe even work here in the future. To make that happen, we’re studying really hard now."

As he spoke about studying, Ye Chen’s eyes filled with pride, and he waited expectantly for Han Xiaorui to ask about his grades.

Han Xiaorui was always one to play along, especially since her two brothers-in-law were so good to her.

"Oh, really? Tell me, how did you do on your weekend test?" Han Xiaorui asked, playing her part perfectly.

Ye Chen said proudly, "Sister-in-law, I got perfect scores on both tests! I was first in my class. Well, two others also got perfect scores, but the teacher said my handwriting was neat, so I could get two extra points for presentation."

In fact, his handwriting had been poor last year, but his sister-in-law had bought him a calligraphy copybook and made him practice every day.

He improved a lot over one summer vacation.

After he went back, he continued to practice daily.

When doing his homework, he would unconsciously treat it as handwriting practice, and his teacher often praised him for it.

Now, Ye Chen was incredibly confident.

Han Xiaorui clapped. "That’s wonderful, Ye Chen! Keep up the good work. Your sister-in-law has a reward for you!"

"AHEM! AHEM!" Ye Ling coughed, making his presence known.

Ye Chen quickly said, "Sister-in-law, my brother is even more amazing. He did great on his tests, too. He even solved the hardest bonus questions in physics and chemistry. The only subject he lost points in was Chinese, and he only lost two points there."

"It wasn’t *that* great," Ye Ling said modestly. "I didn’t get perfect scores on everything."

Han Xiaorui chuckled, pursing her lips. ’This Ye Ling really knows how to be modest.’ "Ye Ling, you’re amazing too. Your sister-in-law has a reward for you as well."

Huo Ze grew nervous. He was worried Han Xiaorui would ask about his grades.

’Other than passing Chinese, he had failed everything else.’

’If she said that in front of everyone, it would be so embarrassing.’

But how could someone as astute as Han Xiaorui not notice?

She pointed into the distance. "Look, there are whales over there! A whale is spouting water! Come on, stand over here and I’ll take a picture for you."

"Thanks, Sister-in-law," Ye Ling said, quickly posing for a photo with the spouting whale in the background.

She took several pictures—some of them individually and some of them as a group.

"You boys be careful. Xiao Zheng, you keep an eye on them," Han Xiaorui instructed, then took the camera over to take pictures of Huo Guang and Chen Min.

Xiao Zheng smiled. "Don’t worry, I’m watching them. I’ll make sure they’re safe."

After Han Xiaorui walked away, young Huo Ze breathed a sigh of relief. "That scared me to death! I thought Aunt Ye was going to ask about my grades! It would be so embarrassing to admit how low my scores are."

Ye Chen patted Huo Ze’s shoulder, acting like a little adult. "You looked so guilty just now, my sister-in-law would never press you on it. Besides, that stuff isn’t even hard. You’re smart, you can learn it."

"Let me tell you, there are so many perks to having good grades. Not only do you get more candy and chocolate than usual, but you can also negotiate with your parents, and they’ll usually agree. If your grades are bad, you get nothing, your parents get called into school all the time, and you even get spanked."

Huo Ze scratched his head. "Ye Ling, Ye Chen, I’m really jealous of you guys. I’m an only child, not like you two brothers who get to hang out together. Oh, and I’m also jealous that you have an older brother and sister-in-law, and so many nephews and nieces..."

Hearing this made Ye Ling and Ye Chen very happy.

’Their big brother and sister-in-law were the best; it was a privilege others could only envy.’

「The next day.」

Ye Feng took his younger brothers, Huo Ze, and Chen Min to go shopping downtown.

Meanwhile, Han Xiaorui took Huo Guang to meet with Professor Xie.

When Professor Xie heard that Huo Guang wanted to farm seafood on saline-alkali land in the Northwest, his eyes lit up as if a whole new world of possibilities had just opened up to him.

Many research topics had already been covered by others, but when he stumbled upon the idea of farming on saline-alkali land, Professor Xie felt it had great potential.

However, after the research results came in, the costs proved to be very high, so most people preferred to farm in the ocean.

After all, the ocean was closer, and the principle of proximity meant it saved more time and effort.

As a result, the slightly more expensive method of farming seafood on terrestrial saline-alkali land became a rather unappealing option.

Now, it was as if a window had been thrown open for Professor Xie, and he couldn’t wait to go with Huo Guang to the Northwest and pioneer this new field.

"Professor Xie, are you really willing to go work in the Northwest?" Huo Guang could hardly believe his ears.

’This is going way too smoothly, isn’t it?’

’He had thought he would have to do a lot of convincing!’

But he had greatly underestimated the drive of a researcher who wanted to make his mark in the academic world!

Professor Xie smiled. "I’m like a brick, ready to be moved wherever I’m needed. My children at home are all grown up with their own families and jobs, so they don’t need me to worry about them."

"I’ll apply for a transfer to the Gansu Aquaculture Research Institute and contribute what I can there. If we can really popularize seafood farming on saline-alkali land throughout the Northwest, that would be a major accomplishment."

Huo Guang thanked him. "Thank you so much. It’s because of selfless experts like you that our country is able to progress and our national security is ensured."

"It’s what we ought to do," Professor Xie said modestly.

Huo Guang and Professor Xie came to an agreement. Huo Guang would go to the area first to take up his post, and once Professor Xie had settled his affairs here, he would apply for a transfer.

With the Huo Family’s help, Professor Xie’s paperwork would be easy to process.

The only project he was currently working on was the one on farming seafood on saline-alkali land; he had no others.

Professor Xie would also bring along anyone who was willing to go with him.

As for those unwilling to go, Professor Xie would do his best to arrange good positions for them elsewhere.

Before he left, Huo Guang said, "Xiao Min, you all stay and enjoy Shencheng for a while longer. I’ll go on ahead."

Chen Min was worried about Huo Guang. "We’ll go with you. We can come back and visit Shencheng anytime."

Other than the few years when Huo Guang had been serving in the army, the two of them had never been apart for more than three days.

Chen Min couldn’t bear to be parted from her husband, Huo Guang.