Chapter 71

After completing three levels, Shen Mingyou’s family drew “start from the beginning”, Fang Tang’s family drew “move forward one level”, Zhong Yao’s family drew “go back one level”, and Gu Aifei’s family drew “stay in place for five minutes”.

After the lucky wheel spun, Shen Mingyou’s family, which was initially in first place, fell to last place.

But the final outcome was still unknown until the last moment.

Returning to the starting point, Shen Mingyou and her family remained determined, eager to finish the next race as quickly as possible.

Having already completed the first three levels once, they were familiar with the route. As a result, they completed the second level much faster than the previous two hours. However, accounting for the driving time back, the round trip still took two or three hours. By a little after two o’clock in the afternoon, Shen Mingyou’s family finished the first three levels again and reached the fourth level—a major test of memory.

This level is quite challenging for both parents and children, and it is the most time-consuming one.

Due to the setback from the lucky wheel, Shen Mingyou’s family spent nearly three hours longer than others. They thought they had no chance of winning, but upon reaching the memory challenge, they discovered that Zhong Yao’s family and Gu Aifei’s family were still attempting to pass the level.

The memory test at this level requires children to participate. There are two tasks: one for children and one for parents. Challengers need to complete their respective tasks as quickly as possible to move to the next level.

For children, the task is “The Twelve Chinese Zodiac Signs” ^[1]is a traditional group of twelve animals used in Chinese astrology.. The animals must be placed into a grid of three rows and four columns. Children need to remember the position of each animal. After memorizing, they apply to the director, who will randomly announce three animals. The children must accurately point out the positions of these three animals to pass the level.

The parents’ task is much harder. Instead of a three-by-four grid, they have a nine-by-nine grid, totaling eighty-one squares. Each square contains different elements like animals, numbers, plants, and colors, with no apparent pattern. Challengers must remember the content of each square and then identify eleven randomly announced elements correctly to succeed.

As the rules became clear, the viewers on the live broadcast began to discuss:

[This level looks like it’s going to be difficult.]

[I just came from another live stream. This memory test level is indeed hard. Fang Tang’s family took the longest, over two hours, and needed some luck. They guessed correctly a few times before passing. Zhong Yao’s and Gu Aifei’s families are still stuck.]

[I was wondering why Zhong Yao’s and Gu Aifei’s families haven’t moved on yet. It turns out this level is very tough.]

[Now it’s Shen Mingyou’s family’s turn. This level might take them a long time too.]

[Don’t forget, Nian Nian is a child prodigy. This level might not be as difficult for her, but it is tough for adults due to the complex and chaotic elements. It will take some time. Jiang Xu’s family will likely win first place and end the competition.]

[So, Jiang Xu’s family is sure to be in first place!]

…

Zhong Yao, seeing Shen Mingyou approaching, sighed and said, “Mingyou, this level is really exhausting. I thought it would be easy for me since I used to memorize scripts quickly as a host, but it’s much harder than expected.”

“The problem is that Zhao Heng keeps second-guessing me. A few times, I remembered the positions correctly, but he kept saying I was wrong, which made me doubt myself. In the end, I found out I was right. Now we’re still stuck. It’s so frustrating.”

“It was clearly you who was hesitant and asked me for help,” Zhao Heng said, feeling wronged.

Zhao Yiyang, who had completed his task and was waiting for his parents, said sadly to Nian Nian, “It looks like my family will be in last place.”

“Ah – we passed!” Nian Nian was about to talk to Zhao Yiyang when cheers erupted from Gu Aifei’s side of the stadium.

Gu Aifei had just finished the level after more than two hours. She hugged Zhou Jingxing excitedly, while the twins gathered around their parents’ feet, cheering and celebrating.

Zhong Yao looked at Shen Mingyou and said with a resigned smile, “It seems we won’t be the car’s new spokesperson.”

Shen Mingyou smiled back.

“How many steps are left for Jiang Xu’s family and Zhou Ziyu’s family?” Jiang Chen suddenly asked.

Zhao Heng replied, “The memory test is the fourth level. Everyone still has two levels to go.”

“Is that so?” Jiang Chen smiled. “If that’s the case, it’s not entirely impossible.”

Zhao Heng and Zhong Yao were puzzled by Jiang Chen’s comment. Although this was the fourth level, the remaining two levels were relatively easier. With only their two families left at this level, catching up seemed unlikely.

Jiang Chen didn’t explain further. He took Nian Nian’s hand and walked towards the stadium.

“Nian Nian, it’s up to you,” Jiang Chen said.

“Yeah,” Nian Nian nodded firmly. She glanced at her mother, Shen Mingyou, who smiled and gave her a cheering gesture. Nian Nian returned the smile.

Zhong Yao’s family was tired after working for a long time, so they stopped to watch Shen Mingyou’s family finish their task.

Seeing that Shen Mingyou wasn’t participating, Zhong Yao asked, “Mingyou, aren’t you going to help?”

Even though adults can’t help with children’s tasks, couples can work together on tasks meant for adults. With one more person to assist with memory, there’s a better chance of success. However, seeing Shen Mingyou standing on the sidelines, Zhong Yao wondered why she wasn’t joining in.

Shen Mingyou replied, “It seems there’s no room for me to perform at this level.”

Zhong Yao was puzzled, but Nian Nian soon started her challenge. She saw twelve squares with the twelve zodiac animals and quickly asked the director to begin.

The director asked, “Are you sure you’re ready, little Nian Nian?”

Nian Nian answered in a baby voice, “I’m ready.”

The director instructed, “Please point out where the dragon, monkey, and sheep are.”

Nian Nian walked forward and pointed to the lower left corner, “The dragon is here.”

“This is a sheep,” she continued, pointing to the next square, “And here is a little monkey.”

The director revealed the pictures Nian Nian had pointed to, and all three were correct!

[Nian Nian is amazing; all answers are correct!]

[I knew Nian Nian is a prodigy. This small challenge is nothing for her.]

[But three minutes is really fast.]

The director was surprised: “Congratulations, Nian Nian, you passed.”

Nian Nian smiled, walked to her father with her round belly, and looked at him proudly.

Jiang Chen smiled and patted her head.

“Oh, I forgot Nian Nian is a little genius,” Zhong Yao said in surprise. “She completed her task in just three minutes. Nian Nian is really amazing.”

Zhao Yiyang added, “It took me over 30 minutes, but Nian Nian finished in just three minutes.”

Even Gu Aifei’s family, who had just completed their task and were heading to the next level, was shocked by Nian Nian’s performance. They stopped to watch.

Zi Ai commented, “Sister Nian Nian is so amazing.”

The twins’ player, Zhou Ziyu, who took a long time to complete his task, said, “I wish I could be as good as Nian Nian.”

Zi Ai comforted him: “Zi Yu is also very good.”

Zi Yu felt better after his sister’s encouragement.

After Nian Nian completed her task, everyone turned their attention to Jiang Chen.

While Nian Nian was busy, Jiang Chen had started his task.

Seeing the arena was quiet again, Gu Aifei thought Jiang Chen would take a long time and needed to rush to the next location. She told Zhou Jingxing, “Let’s go.”

Zhou Jingxing agreed. They left quickly, heading to the parking lot.

Zhong Yao’s family was also preparing to move on, but just then, Jiang Chen spoke up.

“I’m ready,” Jiang Chen told the director.

Zhong Yao and Zhao Heng turned in disbelief. The timer showed only five minutes had passed!

How was it possible for Jiang Chen to complete the task in five minutes? It’s challenging to look at all 81 pictures in such a short time, let alone remember their specific locations!

The director asked, “Please tell me the locations of the dark clouds, waterfalls, maidenhair vines, roses, computers, foxes, eggplants, grapes, goldfish, water cups, and Tibetan mastiffs.”

Jiang Chen calmly pointed out the locations of the eleven items. Each time he pointed, the picture flipped to show it was correct. All the items, including the Tibetan Mastiff, were correctly identified.

The director exclaimed, “Correct! All are right!”

[Wow, brother-in-law Youzi is amazing!]

[How did he remember everything in just five minutes? These items are so scattered and different. Even if I remembered them accurately, I couldn’t do it in five minutes!]

[Don’t forget, Jiang Chen is extraordinary. He got into the world’s top university at fifteen and graduated top of his class. For him, this game is a piece of cake!]

[No wonder Shen said she didn’t need to perform. With her genius daughter and husband, she really didn’t need to take part!]

…

Zhong Yao’s family was stunned. They spent hours, but others finished in just five minutes. It was quite frustrating to feel outperformed.

Jiang Chen took Nian Nian’s hand and walked down. Nian Nian gave the pass card to her mother. Shen Mingyou happily took it, picked up Nian Nian, kissed her cheek, and praised, “Nian Nian is awesome!”

Nian Nian beamed and snuggled into her mother’s arms.

Seeing his daughter being kissed, Jiang Chen looked at Shen Mingyou and said, “…where’s mine?”

Shen Mingyou was momentarily confused: “What?”

Jiang Chen smiled, leaned closer to Shen Mingyou, and pointed to his face.

Since Nian Nian got a kiss for behaving well, Jiang Chen figured he deserved one too.

Shen Mingyou: “…”

[Hahaha, is Jiang Chen asking for a kiss? How cute!]

[Kiss, kiss, it’s already like this, how can I not kiss you?]

[Sister Youzi, please give our CEO Jiang a loving kiss!]