"No need to say it, it's the same old story," A Lai said.
Fang Fang took out a textbook and shoved it into A Lai's hands.
Suddenly, she noticed a newly framed piece of calligraphy on the wall, which read, "When Heaven is about to place a great responsibility on a person, it first tests their will..." She asked, "When was this written?"
A Lai took a look and saw that his grandfather had carefully framed it. The wooden frame, perfectly sized and elegantly simple, was adorned with a red seal—A Lai's name. A Lai felt proud and muttered to himself, "Anything that passes through Grandpa's hands becomes a work of art."
Fang Fang asked, "Did your grandfather write this?"
A Lai boasted, "Grandpa is skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. I've just picked up a bit from him. I wrote this a while back, and I didn't expect Grandpa would go to the trouble of framing it and even hang it in my room."
Fang Fang smiled and gave him a thumbs-up, praising, "Not bad, it's beautifully written. It seems your calligraphy has improved a lot over the years."
A Lai had been influenced by his grandfather's teachings since childhood, and his calligraphy was famous in the surrounding villages. Every New Year, people would line up to request couplets from him. His writing was fresh and elegant, carrying the fluid and ethereal style of his grandfather, with hints of Buddhist philosophy from Elder Kong, aiming for simplicity and authenticity. It also reflected A Lai's bold, unrestrained, and determined spirit.
Feeling backed by Grandpa Lei, Fang Fang no longer felt alone in her efforts.
With newfound confidence, she pointed at the motto on the wall and commanded, "Whenever you're lazy, recite this to yourself. If you don't get into college, don't even think about touching me."
After saying this, she turned and went to boil water.
And so, except for Sundays, Fang Fang kept A Lai on a tight schedule.
She let A Lai tinker with his so-called secret weapons—homemade high-voltage shock devices and traps for catching small game. But whenever she saw him slacking off, she would point to the motto on the wall and recite it relentlessly.
The motto became A Lai's binding spell.
He could no longer go to the temple to play with Miyuki and Mi Le.
Grandpa secretly rejoiced. With Fang Fang holding the reins, he could finally relax.
Every time A Lai caught some small game, he would squint his eyes, have a sip of wine, and fall asleep on his own.
...
Thus, Fang Fang supervised A Lai's studies day and night.
She reinforced his lessons, consolidated problem-solving techniques, and thoroughly reviewed key exam topics and shortcuts.
Fang Fang noticed that after A Lai was struck by lightning, his mind became unusually sharp. She often rewarded him with a few secret kisses, and even the most difficult problems became solvable.
After closely observing A Lai's behavior and analyzing it from psychological and pathological perspectives, she found no signs of mental instability. She began to think that Director Li's diagnosis of A Lai might have been mistaken. However, she believed that his concern for A Lai came from a place of professional knowledge and genuine kindness.
With this realization, Fang Fang felt much more at ease.
Even though she was always busy, she still visited the courtyard every few days.
Time flew by.
One day, Fang Fang excitedly told A Lai that she had successfully been admitted to graduate school, and what's more, she had been awarded a full scholarship.
Fang Fang hugged A Lai, tears glistening in her eyes, and said, "Now it's your turn."
A Lai replied, "You've already made it. You can rest easy now."
"Haha..."
Fang Fang laughed and said, "This is just the first step in my life. After graduating from undergraduate school, I'll continue with my master's, then pursue a Ph.D., and if possible, I'll study abroad."
A Lai admired her and said, "You're really a strong woman, a true heroine."
Fang Fang silently reflected that perhaps, as A Lai had said, her strong personality was shaped by all the hardships and challenges she had faced in life.
However, Fang Fang's frequent visits to A Lai and her secretive returns to Shuguang Village eventually caught the attention of her mother, Li Xiuqin. One day, Li Xiuqin secretly followed her to the courtyard.
The ancient courtyard was empty, with a thousand-year-old osmanthus tree shading a large stone table, about 1.6 meters in diameter, covered with A Lai's textbooks.
Following Grandpa Lei's arrangement, Fang Fang began tutoring A Lai.
A Lai, distracted by Fang Fang's scent, was somewhat absent-minded, his eyes sneaking glances at her.
Fang Fang asked blankly, "Why are you staring at me? Are you listening?"
...
At that moment, Li Xiuqin quietly entered. Seeing the scene, she thought, "Seeing is believing. This brat A Lai is nothing but trouble, causing me constant worry." She suppressed her anger and coughed heavily, saying, "Fang Fang! You've been going back to the village to visit your grandma every few days without telling me."
Both of them turned around, shocked to see her there.
Fang Fang bluntly said, "I'm here to tutor A Lai."
Out of respect for Fang Fang, A Lai hurried to make tea and offered her a seat.
Li Xiuqin sat down without hesitation, stared coldly at A Lai, and said, "Do you remember what I told you when I visited you at Renxin Hospital?"
A Lai replied, "I remember, of course. I remember every word, Auntie."
Li Xiuqin, now even angrier, struggled to keep her emotions in check. She said, "So you just ignored what I said, huh? You think you can fool your aunt and drag Fang Fang here to get back at me, right?"
She then pulled out her phone, hinting at the recording of their previous conversation.
A Lai responded, "Auntie, I've been working hard. My grades are now among the top in my class and the entire school."
"Ha ha..."
Li Xiuqin laughed sarcastically, "A student from an ordinary high school, showing off in front of me."
Fang Fang quickly explained, "Even though it's not a top school, with A Lai's current grades, he should be able to get into college if he keeps it up."
Li Xiuqin snapped, "I'm not talking to you. Stay out of it. I'll deal with you later!"
A Lai timidly said, "Auntie, what have I done to make you unhappy? Tell me, and I'll change."
"Don't play the pity card with me. You're dodging the question. I know all your little tricks like the back of my hand." After saying this, Li Xiuqin noticed the three steamed buns on the stone table, her anger subsiding a bit. She coldly remarked, "Is this what you eat for lunch? Is it nutritious? No wonder your brain is so slow. I bet your father gave you a brain injury while you were still in the womb."
A Lai stared at Li Xiuqin in surprise. "Is that how you talk to someone?" he thought. "She only comes back a few times a year." Swallowing his pride, he said, "Lei Tianlai, sent from heaven. Do I even have parents? If you find them, I'll ask them myself if that's the case."
Li Xiuqin couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time. Realizing she had gone too far, she quickly changed the subject. She took out 2,000 yuan from her pocket and handed it to A Lai, saying, "From now on, I'll give you money every month to help with your nutrition."
A Lai firmly pushed the money back, coldly saying, "No, thank you. I don't need it."
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