Jiang Yubai reluctantly possessed some etiquette for hosting guests.

He led his classmates into his home.

Lin Zhixia was the first to exclaim: “Such a high ceiling.”

She looked up at the chandelier hanging overhead. The branches of the chandelier were all trimmed with gold thread, and the bulbs were crafted in the form of white jade, creating an extremely luxurious and elegant appearance.

Lin Zhixia kept her hands behind her back, hesitantly stepping onto a floor tile.

The floor tiles seamlessly integrated with a tea table in the center of the hall, both made of pure white marble, cut as whole pieces with exquisite craftsmanship. Black sofas were placed around the tea table, so clean they seemed to transcend the mortal world.

Lin Zhixia couldn’t help but walk toward the tea table. A cloisonné vase sat on the table with a bouquet of vibrant roses, and Lin Zhixia reached out to touch the rose petals.

“We have a rose garden,” Jiang Yubai told Lin Zhixia, “if you like roses, you can go pick a couple.”

Lin Zhixia shook her head: “I’m not studying botany at the moment.”

Jiang Yubai put his left hand in his pocket, secretly sighing that Lin Zhixia was indeed his worthy competitor.

In the southeast corner of the hall, two housekeepers were still cleaning. They were around forty years old, dressed in uniform, using soft cloths to wipe a marble statue.

It was a three-meter-tall statue of Plutus—the Greek god who presided over knowledge and wealth. He was sculpted vividly, standing silently beside the stair railing.

All the children were stunned.

Except for Jiang Yubai.

Jiang Yubai had grown up in this environment. He had long since become accustomed to it. He led his five guests to his family’s cinema.

Dong Sunqi, as the class monitor of Class 1, Grade 4, considered himself a worldly person. But Jiang Yubai’s family wealth had exceeded all his imagination. He exclaimed: “Jiang Yubai! Your house even has a cinema?”

Jiang Yubai didn’t answer.

Dong Sunqi grabbed Nie Tianqing’s hand: “Brother Nie, tell me, how much money would it cost to build a house like this!”

Nie Tianqing said: “Several hundred million, probably.”

He stepped into the entrance of the cinema and smiled: “This home theater alone exceeds the total living space of my entire family.”

Nie Tianqing was the only one among the visitors who still carried a backpack. He didn’t look like he was visiting, but rather like he was going to school. Compared to the other four classmates, Nie Tianqing was more restrained and formal. He sat down with Dong Sunqi on the cinema sofa, straightened his back, and waited for the movie.

At this moment, Jiang Yubai opened a room-temperature preservation cabinet and took out a glass bowl. The bowl was filled with plump, bright red strawberries. He held the glass bowl with both hands, carefully placing it in front of Lin Zhixia.

Lin Zhixia sat in her seat, looked up, and stared at him blankly.

He said casually, “No need to thank me. I happened to buy strawberries yesterday.”

Lin Zhixia picked up a strawberry, took a bite, and smiled with her eyes curved: “So sweet.”

She asked: “Have you tried them too?”

Jiang Yubai paused, then replied: “Right after I bought them… I tried them.”

“Thank you,” Lin Zhixia’s clear gaze seemed to penetrate his soul, “thank you for knowing that I like strawberries, for preparing them specially for my visit, and for tasting them in advance. You washed the strawberries clean and even put them in the preservation cabinet. You are my best friend.”

Jiang Yubai’s breath stalled.

Yes, Lin Zhixia was smart, smart to an unusual degree. He had always been clear about this.

The screen in front displayed changing light and shadows, familiar music entered their ears, and the movie Jiang Yubai had prepared for everyone was “Doraemon: Nobita’s Dorabian Nights.”

The reason Jiang Yubai chose Doraemon from among many animated characters was precisely because Lin Zhixia’s backpack and pencil case were both Doraemon-themed. To defeat an opponent, one must first understand them.

As the movie began, Jiang Yubai turned his head to observe Lin Zhixia, and indeed, her eyes were shining, completely absorbed.

Jiang Yubai relaxed.

The Doraemon theme song was playing, and Lin Zhixia softly sang along: “Konna koto iina dekitara iina, anna yume konna yume…”

She sang while smiling.

Gan Shuli, sitting beside Lin Zhixia, asked: “Can you speak Japanese?”

Lin Zhixia answered: “Nihongo ga motto umaku naritai.”

Gan Shuli was confused: “What does that mean?”

Lin Zhixia translated: “I hope my Japanese can get better.”

“How old were you when you started learning?”

“Last year.”

“How many foreign languages do you speak?”

“Four at the moment.”

Gan Shuli was extremely surprised: “You’re so amazing!”

“No, I’m not amazing at all, it’s hardly worth mentioning,” Lin Zhixia insisted firmly, “foreign languages are tools and bridges. For example, French theoretical mathematics has a strong foundation, so some mathematicians learn French to understand French works and papers. Have you heard of natural language processing algorithms? That’s natural language processing. The most outstanding scientists researching in this direction all know several languages, and I’m looking up to them. They master foreign languages to promote world development, reduce cultural barriers, and ensure that most people on Earth no longer need to have headaches over foreign languages.”

Gan Shuli was half-believing: “Do you… Do you self-study at home?”

“Yes,” Lin Zhixia honestly revealed, “self-study is the fastest way to learn.”

*

At this time, Jiang Yubai had already returned to his seat.

He shifted his attention to the screen, watching with relish. But Ding Yan secretly asked in his ear: “Jiang Yubai, you only brought strawberries for Lin Zhixia?”

Jiang Yubai said, “There are other fruits in the cabinet. If you want to eat, go get them yourself.”

Ding Yan was extremely shocked: “You’re so nice to Lin Zhixia… personally bringing her fruit, do you want to defeat her?”

“Shh,” Jiang Yubai raised his index finger to his lips, “no talking during the movie.”

Ding Yan warned him: “Jiang Yubai, don’t forget your original intention to fight.”

Jiang Yubai stretched lazily: “I haven’t forgotten my original intention. I also have something I want to protect.”

Ding Yan questioned: “What is it?”

Jiang Yubai couldn’t answer. He leaned back, lying on the soft and spacious seat. In the enclosed and dim screening room, only the screen emitted a gentle light.

Jiang Yubai knew that Doraemon and Nobita in the movie would achieve final victory, and Gian would definitely sway between justice and evil. Shizuka would stand up for others. And Suneo, no matter how timid, would have a brave side. Years later, the current audience would grow up, while the animated characters would remain in that year.

He couldn’t help but recall a question Lin Zhixia had mentioned.

She had once asked him: Do you think consciousness and time can measure this world?

Can consciousness?

Can time?

By what standard should this world be measured?

Jiang Yubai fell into deep thought. He even felt that, at this moment, Lin Zhixia might have a feeling that resonated with his—this was the “quantum entanglement” that Lin Zhixia often mentioned.

He turned back to look at Lin Zhixia.

Lin Zhixia had her arm around Gan Shuli’s shoulders, excitedly saying: “Little kitty… Shizuka found a little kitty.”

Gan Shuli said, “The kitty is so cute.”

Lin Zhixia said: “Keep it, keep it, keep it! Nobita should keep the kitty.”

Unexpectedly, Lin Zhixia now seemed so much like a fourth-grade girl, which slightly surprised Jiang Yubai. He turned his gaze back to continue watching the movie.

The movie made time pass quickly.

After the screening ended, Jiang Yubai sincerely invited all classmates to have lunch at his home.

Jiang Yubai’s home had several dining rooms. One of them was located within the rose garden, the entire building in the shape of a hexagon, with all six walls made of floor-to-ceiling windows. The floor was covered with a layer of light brown wooden flooring, and the decorations were mainly based on the imagery of “grass, trees, flowers, and silk.”

All the tableware on the rectangular dining table, as well as the cushions of the seventeen chairs around the table, were made with the same pattern—dark green branches as the background and crimson roses as accents.

“Wow,” Ding Yan exclaimed, “just like a European palace.”

He pulled out a chair, about to sit down, when from the corner of his eye he glimpsed Jiang Yubai’s mother.

Today, Jiang Yubai’s mother was at home. So, she was also one of the hosts.

Ding Yan hurriedly stood straight and called out: “Hello, big sister!”

Jiang Yubai introduced: “This is my mother.”

Ding Yan was surprised: “So-so young.” In his heart, he wanted to ask: Is she your biological mother?

Upon careful observation, Jiang Yubai and his mother did indeed have several similarities, or rather, they were simply both very good-looking.

The classmates took their seats one after another, and Jiang Yubai’s mother sat in the main position. The butler placed several menus printed as letterhead in front of the guests.

Ding Yan, Gan Shuli, Dong Sunqi, and others began to feel uneasy, as they had never seen such a grand setup. Only Lin Zhixia picked up the letterhead and happily read: “Matsutake mushroom soup, beef salad, fish maw and flounder, mango sago… so abundant! Thank you for your hospitality.”

Jiang Yubai’s mother asked her: “Are you Jiang Yubai’s desk mate?”

“Yes!” Lin Zhixia described, “All of us sit very close to Jiang Yubai.”

Mother smiled and said: “That’s wonderful, friends all around. What games do you all like to play at school?”

Jiang Yubai answered before Lin Zhixia could speak: “The same as what I played in Singapore, no difference. We play chess, army chess…”

Lin Zhixia hesitated to speak.

As far as she knew, Jiang Yubai never touched board games at school. Jiang Yubai preferred to run to the playground during breaks, excitedly going to the horizontal bar and parallel bars like a fool. Why was he creating such an image of himself in front of his mother?

In any case, no one at the table exposed Jiang Yubai.

Everyone ate quietly.

Firstly, because they were still young, with limited life experience, and had nothing much to say. Secondly, because this meal was truly impressive, once chopsticks were picked up, one was reluctant to put them down.

Jiang Yubai’s mother was very good at dealing with children. She chatted with them, taking care of everyone. However, when she spoke to Nie Tianqing, his spoon fell into the soup bowl. Hot soup splashed onto the table.

“Be careful when eating, don’t burn yourself,” Jiang Yubai’s mother reminded.

The butler replaced a set of tableware for Nie Tianqing.

Nie Tianqing expressed his thanks repeatedly. He continued eating with his head down, never raising it again.

*

After the meal, although Jiang Yubai hesitated slightly, he still led his classmates into his entertainment room.

Pushing open the double doors, everyone’s eyes lit up.

The spacious room was carpeted with a soft, deep blue rug, the surrounding walls were completely covered with murals of spaceships, and the four chandeliers on the ceiling were all spherical, representing the sun, moon, Venus, and Mars respectively.

Forts, slides, suspended tunnels, bubble ball pools, plastic castles, and indoor zip lines were built everywhere—this was simply a “Star Wars” themed amusement park!

“My goodness!” Ding Yan exclaimed, “This could be opened as an amusement park for citizens! Tickets at 10 yuan each, Jiang Yubai, you’d make money hand over fist.”

Dong Sunqi said: “Jiang Yubai, the ‘Children’s Paradise’ in the Walmart on South East Street isn’t half as fun as your home!”

Jiang Yubai calmly closed the door. Initially, he felt a bit embarrassed, a bit shy. At the age of six, when he went abroad to Singapore, what he missed most was this amusement park that had grown up with him.

Now, at nine years old, he wanted to play with his classmates, but would it make him seem childish?

Before he could speak, Lin Zhixia dove headfirst into the bubble ball pool.

She giggled, sending many bubble balls flying out. She also said: “There are six of us in total! Let’s divide into two groups! Group A and Group B!”

Everyone, including Nie Tianqing, cheerfully agreed.

Lin Zhixia had originally thought that 13-year-old Nie Tianqing would be unwilling to play games with them, a group of children. But then she thought, 13 is still very young, 13 is still a child. Besides, what boy doesn’t like Star Wars?

Lin Zhixia set the game rules: “Alright! I declare! Group A’s base is in the castle, Group B’s base is in the fort! At the start, Group A has 40 red bubble balls, Group B has 40 green bubble balls, and we’ll place the bubble balls in the center of our respective bases. Then, personnel from Groups A and B will infiltrate each other’s bases to steal their bubble balls, taking at most two at a time… As for our own group’s bubble balls, it’s also at most two at a time.”

“Under what conditions do we lose?” Jiang Yubai asked.

Lin Zhixia continued to explain: “When two players from opposing groups meet, they must play rock-paper-scissors… the loser will be immediately frozen. Frozen players must remain stationary where they are, waiting for three minutes before they can move again. The entire game lasts for three hours. After three hours, we count the number of bubble balls in the central areas of Groups A and B; each ball is worth one point, and the group with the higher score wins.”

Jiang Yubai added: “If someone falls into the bubble ball pool during the game…”

“Then they will also be frozen,” Lin Zhixia answered quickly.

Jiang Yubai was eager to start: “Good! Let’s begin!”

The six people present were divided into two groups by drawing lots—Lin Zhixia, Jiang Yubai, and Dong Sunqi became Group A, while Gan Shuli, Ding Yan, and Nie Tianqing were Group B.

Lin Zhixia established central areas for Groups A and B, stipulating that bubble balls must be placed in the central area to count for points.

Then, Lin Zhixia shouted: “Game start!” Everyone scattered in all directions.

Jiang Yubai prepared to make his grand move. He departed from the castle, passed through the tunnel, sneaked into the fort, stole two bubble balls, and put them in his pants pocket. Ding Yan immediately chased after him like a madman.

Jiang Yubai moved with agility. He grabbed a ring with one hand and flew to the ground via the zip line.

Ding Yan sprinted after him in hot pursuit: “Jiang Yubai, don’t run! Give me back the balls! Give me back the balls!”

Jiang Yubai taunted: “Not only will I not return them, I’ll steal all your balls.”

Ding Yan was very angry but had no choice. Because he got lost in the tunnel.

Jiang Yubai excitedly ran back to his group’s central area. He placed the two stolen bubble balls in the scoring area, thinking: This is too easy.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Yubai made a careless mistake. Just as he turned to walk away, he slipped and fell into the bubble ball pool.

He had to freeze himself for three minutes.

At this time, Nie Tianqing was passing by a slide and suddenly descended from the sky.

Nie Tianqing only took two balls at a time. But he threw all of Jiang Yubai’s group’s bubble balls toward various areas of the castle.

In other words, Nie Tianqing scattered the originally concentrated bubble balls all over the place.

Jiang Yubai was shocked. He called out to Dong Sunqi, who had penetrated deep into enemy territory. Burning with rage, Dong Sunqi imitated the tactic, also scattering all the enemy’s bubble balls.

The battlefield on both sides became chaotic. Jiang Yubai called Lin Zhixia over: “Quickly use your 174 IQ to think of a solution.”

“What solution?” Lin Zhixia asked in confusion.

Jiang Yubai pointed at the chaotic interior of the castle: “The bubble balls are scattered. There are just over two hours left before the game ends, don’t you want to win?”

“I’m not afraid of losing,” Lin Zhixia answered, “games are about having fun, I’ve never cared about winning or losing. But this time, since you want to win, I also want to win. Now we’ll use Dijkstra and Floyd shortest path algorithms… We’ll be faster than them.”

Jiang Yubai hesitated: “I don’t have a pen or draft paper.”

“You have me,” Lin Zhixia looked steadily into his eyes, “I can calculate mentally super fast! Really!”