Chu Xia’s eyes showed concern: “Today is Sunday; your parents should come by.”

Jiang Zhiyi shrugged nonchalantly: “Let them come. I’m not afraid of them showing up now.”

With Grandpa’s support and Qian Ran’s help, she wasn’t going home.

Her parents wouldn’t be able to pull the old tricks of trying to confine her.

However, Chu Xia didn’t share Jiang Zhiyi’s optimism.

But Jiang Zhiyi had made up her mind, and Chu Xia wouldn’t interfere.

Cen Huai’an had a heavier academic load now because they were going to advance to high school next year.

Therefore, this semester was spent racing through the syllabus, and they also had to study new high school content early to leave enough time for review later.

So, when Cen Huai’an arrived at Grandpa Jiang’s house, he only chatted for a while before heading to the study to work on exercises.

In addition to the new test papers from school, he also worked on various math Olympiad problems that Teacher Jiang had found for him, including past IMO exam questions.
Cen Huai’an knew that Teacher Jiang had a good reputation in the math Olympiad community, but finding so many papers, some of which he had never even heard of, made him realize how resourceful Teacher Jiang truly was.

The living room was crowded, and Chu Xia and Cen Zhengnian had also come to the study. One was reading a medical book, while the other was calculating on blank sheets of paper.

Later, Jiang Zhishu and Luo Peng entered the room as well.

Luo Peng smiled at Chu Xia, who had cast a glance her way: “It’s a bit chaotic out there.”

“Where’s Xi Xi?”

“She’s happily playing with Lu Lu and the others. She wanted to play with An An, but I told her that big brother An An is studying and can’t be disturbed, so she stopped looking for him.”

Luo Peng lowered her voice to speak to Chu Xia, her face showing a loving smile.

Although Jiang Weixi could be a bit mischievous at times, she hadn’t picked up any bad habits; she was lively and adorable, and Luo Peng always felt that she was the greatest treasure sent to her by heaven.

Chu Xia smiled back, also very fond of Xi Xi.

The two continued to read without further conversation.

Suddenly, a loud thud echoed from outside, causing everyone to look up in unison, their eyes filled with confusion: What was happening outside?

Even Cen Huai’an put down his pen and followed them out of the study.

However, as soon as they reached the doorway, they heard a shocked and furious voice: “Jiang Zhiyi! Do you even see me as your mother anymore?”

“Zhiyi, you’ve disappointed both me and your mother so much,” her Father voice followed.

Jiang Zhiyi retorted: “It’s because of you both that I didn’t tell you I was back.”

Chu Xia and the others stepped out to see the tense confrontation between Jiang Zhiyi and her parents.

Others were trying to mediate, while Qian Ran was standing protectively beside Jiang Zhiyi.

Zhou Huaying was so angry that she could barely maintain her composure, directly scolding Jiang Zhiyi: “I see you really don’t want us as your parents anymore. Fine! If you want to cut ties with us, go ahead and do it in front of everyone!”

“Huaying, don’t say things in anger,” Jiang Shengnan quickly advised.

Grandpa Jiang also interjected: “Huaying, it was I who asked Zhiyi not to tell you right away. I wanted her to stay here for a few more days. Don’t be angry with her.”

“Dad, can you stop protecting her?” Zhou Huaying was completely ungrateful, pressing Jiang Zhiyi to speak.

Just as she was about to respond, Qian Ran pulled her back.

In truth, Chu Xia could understand Zhou Huaying’s anger.

She had been fuming because Jiang Zhiyi hadn’t returned home.

Now that Jiang Zhiyi was back, hiding in her grandfather’s house and showing no intention of contacting her parents, it was no surprise that Jiang Yi and Zhou Huaying were furious.

Since Jiang Zhiyi was back, Jiang Yi and Zhou Huaying would find out sooner or later; it would have been better if she had just told them.

“Zhiyi, what you did was indeed wrong. No matter what your mother and I are like, you should have told us when you returned. We are still your parents!” Second Uncle Jiang looked at Jiang Zhiyi with disappointment and sadness.

Jiang Zhiyi felt a pang in her heart from his gaze.

She was just afraid—afraid of her parents’ anger, and she still couldn’t escape it.

However, she realized her mistake and directly apologized to Zhou Huaying and Jiang Yi(Second Eldest Uncle).

Although Zhou Huaying’s anger didn’t subside immediately, it wasn’t as intense as before.

However, just when the atmosphere hadn’t yet calmed, Zhou Huaying found out about Jiang Zhiyi’s relationship with Qian Ran, and her anger flared up again.

“Jiang Zhiyi, you’ve really done well, haven’t you?!”

With that, she stormed off in her high heels, while Jiang Yi quickly followed after her.

Jiang Zhiyi frowned at their retreating figures, feeling as if her chest were stuffed with cotton, making it hard to breathe.

Chu Xia had been watching the chaotic scene unfold, and by the end, she sighed inwardly.

She had anticipated this situation.
The rift between Jiang Zhiyi and her parents was only growing wider and had become increasingly difficult to resolve.

Qian Ran looked at Jiang Zhiyi with worry, his eyes filled with unease: “Zhiyi.”

“I’m fine.” Jiang Zhiyi forced a big smile: “I had already predicted my parents’ attitude.”

But anyone could see that Jiang Zhiyi was forcing a smile.

The atmosphere at Grandpa Jiang’s house was not as good as before; everyone’s mood was clouded by the argument between Jiang Zhiyi and her parents.

Chu Xia’s family discussed it on their way home.

“What will happen with Zhiyi and her parents?”

“This isn’t something we can worry about,” Cen Zhengnian said calmly.

The family affairs of Jiang Yi’s family were none of their business.

“I know.”

Cen Huai’an said, “Mom, I’m about to start my first round of training soon.”

Chu Xia immediately shifted her attention and asked him what he needed to prepare for the first round of training.

The first round of training was in April.
It lasted a total of seven days, and Cen Huai’an took a leave to attend.

The content of the training wasn’t much different from the first round: classes, exams, and other activities.

However, the knowledge required was deeper, and Cen Huai’an’s roommate was complaining about the immense pressure in their dorm, feeling like he could hardly keep up with what the teachers were teaching.

“Cen Shen, do you find it difficult?”

Ever since Cen Huai’an shone brightly in the training squad, many people found it hard to keep up with him.

The nickname “Cen Shen” began from somewhere, and more and more people started to call him that, thus giving him a fixed nickname.

Before Cen Huai’an could respond, another roommate quickly spoke up: “What kind of question is that? How could Cen Shen find this difficult? Right, Cen Shen?”

Cen Huai’an put down his pen, turned to look at the two, and said, “I actually find it difficult.”

Both were shocked: “Oh my! Cen Shen, you think it’s difficult? I can’t believe I’m having the same thoughts as Cen Shen. Which points do you find difficult?”

“Wait a minute.” One roommate caught on: “Cen Shen, every time in class when the teacher asks questions, you always know the answers.”

Cen Huai’an replied, “Just because I know doesn’t mean it isn’t difficult. For our current knowledge base and thinking, it really is challenging.”

The two roommates: …

The challenges that a big shot like him faced were not the same as what they faced.

Cen Huai’an was more composed in the training squad; he knew this was a critical time and couldn’t afford to relax.

If he did, all his previous efforts would be wasted.

Fortunately, after finishing the last exam, Cen Huai’an ranked first, and overall, he remained first as well.

Previously, a boy and a girl who had the same score as him in the national competition were also selected to be part of the six-member IMO team.

Cen Huai’an didn’t know them well yet; he was naturally a bit cold, while the girl was even colder, and the other boy wasn’t lively either.

Huang Ling looked at the selected members and laughed: “You all speak less than the other; this team is going to be so quiet!”

The girl in fourth place immediately raised her hand and jumped up: “Teacher, I’m lively! I’ll be responsible for cheering everyone up!”

The boy in sixth place, who was also Cen Huai’an’s roommate, jumped up as well: “Teacher! Teacher! Me too!”

Huang Ling laughed heartily at the two, and the others in the class joined in the laughter: “Great! With you two, I won’t have to worry!”

With more than two months left until the IMO exam, Cen Huai’an, like the other selected candidates, was doing various math Olympiad practices.

The IMO was too important; the school had given Cen Huai’an exemptions from some classes, but he didn’t take advantage of that.

Cen Huai’an only stopped doing the regular assignments from class; he still attended all his classes.

Zhang Lu observed how busy Cen Huai’an was and felt tired just watching him.

“An An, you’ve been writing for a long time; you must be exhausted! Come on, let’s take a break and play some basketball. You’ve been working your brain too hard.”

Zhang Lu had grown taller, perhaps because of practicing martial arts or because she was eating well, and she was now around 170 cm, with potential to grow taller.

She had also taken up a new campus sport, basketball, and sometimes also played soccer and volleyball.

Cen Huai’an raised his hand to press on his neck, feeling the fatigue; he indeed had been bent over writing for too long.

He stood up and looked out at the playground, where spring was in full bloom, and the trees on either side of the field were lush.

The students on the playground were also happily playing.

“Okay,” Cen Huai’an said, turning his gaze to Zhang Lu.

When they decided to play basketball, they couldn’t go alone.

Zhang Lu raised her hand to shout out, and in just a few seconds, they gathered enough players for two teams.

Zhang Lu formed one team, and Cen Huai’an formed the other. Both had a martial arts background, giving them an advantage in basketball compared to their classmates.

As the game started, both teams immediately fought hard for the ball.

They weren’t too concerned about the rules, as long as there were no obvious violations.

In addition to the players, other classmates helped by serving as referees and scorekeepers.

The game was intense and exhilarating, and by the end, Cen Huai’an was drenched in sweat, and his mind felt clearer, just as Zhang Lu had said.

Drinking water on the way back to class, he found that his thoughts flowed more clearly while solving problems again.

In contrast, Jiang Zhiyi and Jiang Yi’s family never reconciled; they quarreled every time they met, and their relationship grew increasingly strained.

It wasn’t until she left the capital with Qian Ran for Yangcheng that the knot remained untied.

On the other hand, Qian Ran’s family learned about Jiang Zhiyi and were very fond and caring towards her.

Mainly because their son was quite grown up, already in his teens, they had tried every possible way to find him a partner but had run out of ideas.

Now, the son has taken the initiative to find a partner, and it’s the daughter of the Jiang family, with whom he has always had a good relationship.

The Qian family is so thrilled they don’t know what to do with themselves; this surprise is just too great.

Thus, the Qian family is too happy to possibly trip up their son and Jiang Zhiyi.

After returning to Yangcheng, Jiang Zhiyi focuses entirely on her work, burying the pain her parents caused her deep inside.

Qian Ran already has a partner, and Jiang Zhida has returned to be relentlessly urged by Uncle Jiang and Yang Mei to get married.

Yang Mei forces him to meet girls non-stop every day; he doesn’t even remember how many girls he’s met.

“Mom! This is seriously affecting my work. I still have matters to handle in Yunmengze!”

He’s been tied up with blind dates and has no personal time left, let alone going to Yunmengze.

Yang Mei insists on efficiency and says, “You’d better find a girl to marry quickly, or I’ll let you return to Yunmengze.”

Jiang Zhida feels helpless: “Mom, finding a partner and getting married isn’t that simple. I can’t just find someone randomly and say we’re getting married; that’s disrespectful to marriage.”

Yang Mei shows no mercy: “Then you’d better continue your blind dates honestly.”

Jiang Zhida: painful face.

Finally, Jiang Zhida can’t stand it anymore and runs to Chuxia’s house to hide for a day.

“Is getting married really that important? My mom is driving me crazy trying to find me a partner.”

“Uncle, I think there are many other important things in life.”

Cen Huai’an, flipping through the professional materials Cen Zhengnian helped him find, says, “This isn’t a necessity in life.”

Jiang Zhida rubs his head hard and laughs loudly, saying, “Hey, don’t let the age fool you; what you’re saying sounds great!”

Cen Huai’an removes his hand and, somewhat helplessly, smooths his hair: “Uncle, if you read more, you’d know.”

Then he sits a little further away from Jiang Zhida.

Chuxia, serving fruits from the plate, says: “I agree with Huai’an. But unfortunately, your mother doesn’t share our views.”

Jiang Zhida sighs heavily: “You guys need to help me think of a way; this is really affecting my life.”

Cen Huai’an and Chuxia shake their heads together: “There’s no way.”

Chuxia adds, “Unless you can immediately find a partner to block your mom’s efforts, it’s useless to think of more plans.”

Jiang Zhida strokes his chin, showing a contemplative expression: “Sister-in-law, you’re right. If I could get a partner right away, that would be great.”

Chuxia: “Then keep dreaming.”