Chapter 269 The Real World (Part 8) What exactly is reality? ...

Du Xidun smiled and nodded, giving an affirmative answer: "That's right. Before coming here, we talked with Song Ce and found that he has a great talent for physics. Therefore, on behalf of the Institute of Physics, I would like to invite him to study in Beijing. Ms. Song, please rest assured that the Institute of Physics will provide him with the best resources and guidance. We came here today to discuss this matter with you in detail and hear your opinion."

Lin Anliang added from the side, "Ms. Song, Song Ce's talent in the field of physics is extremely rare, and our Institute of Physics values ​​him very much! As long as you agree, we will take good care of Song Ce's tuition and living expenses after he goes to Beijing, so you don't need to worry."

Song Yuanshuang's gaze dazed for a moment before she said blankly, "Professor Du, Dr. Lin, thank you for your high regard for Xiao Ce, but he has been in poor health since childhood, and he had to take a break from school before because of this. If we go to Beijing, I... I'm worried about his health..." Before she could finish speaking, her eyes reddened.

As a mother, she hoped her son would achieve great things, but she was also worried about his health and only wanted him to live a peaceful and happy life.

“Ms. Song, we completely understand your feelings.” Du Xidun smiled and said gently, “Song Ce is an outstanding student, not only talented but also very composed. Rest assured, the institute will provide him with a dedicated medical team for regular checkups, and he will also have personal medical staff monitoring his health! If Song Ce feels unwell in any way, he will receive immediate treatment! We assure you that he will receive the best care at the Institute of Physics!”

Seeing Song Yuanshuang's expression soften, Du Xidun added fuel to the fire: "Moreover, we've arranged a family compound for you in Beijing. You can go there anytime you want to be with your child!"

Upon hearing this, the principal of No. 3 Middle School, who was accompanying him, quickly chimed in, "Yes, Madam Song! Since Song Ce has such high talent, why not let the country help him cultivate it properly? Who knows, he might even contribute to the cause of physics in our country in the future! This would be a great thing!"

"Song Ce is an exceptionally good student at school. He not only excels academically but also cares deeply for his classmates. Ms. Song, if you have any concerns, please feel free to share them!"

Song Yuanshuang looked up at the sincere faces of the group, and her anxious heart gradually calmed down. She took a deep breath and then nodded gently.

"Professor Du, Dr. Lin, from now on, I'll have to trouble you to take good care of Xiao Ce."

Upon hearing this, Du Xidun immediately smiled. "That's wonderful! Ms. Song, thank you so much! Please rest assured, our Institute of Physics will take good care of Song Ce! Xiao Lin, please arrange everything for Song Ce's trip to Beijing immediately!"

"Yes, Professor Du!"

Liu Fengmei stood there blankly, her previous arrogant demeanor vanishing instantly. She was filled with anger and jealousy. She couldn't believe that Song Yuanshuang's sickly son was so capable; even a prestigious institution like the Beijing Municipal Institute of Physics was actively inviting him! She had originally thought this would embarrass Song Yuanshuang in public, but it turned out to be her moment of glory! And what about herself? She'd been suspended by Teacher Cui with just a single sentence!

Thinking of this, Liu Fengmei stopped talking nonsense and could only clench her teeth and glare fiercely at Song Yuanshuang.

Comparing yourself to others is truly infuriating!

Seeing Song Yuanshuang surrounded by everyone, Li Yuli and Zhao Baiying, who were quietly hiding in the corner, exchanged a glance, not daring to say anything. They quietly took advantage of Teacher Cui's inattention and quickly returned to their respective work positions with their heads down.

More than an hour later, Du Xidun and his group left, and the laboratory became quiet.

When lunch break arrived, Song Yuanshuang clearly sensed a change in her colleagues' attitudes. The previously inquisitive and gossipy glances had all disappeared, replaced by genuine admiration and envy.

On the other side, there's No. 3 Middle School.

During the first class in the afternoon, Song Ce listened to the history teacher talk about the Qin Dynasty's reforms while pondering how to change Fang Xiwen's fate. Coincidentally, the moment he had this thought, a talisman called the "Yin-Yang Substitute Heart Talisman" appeared out of thin air in his mind.

Song Ce frowned slightly and subconsciously drew the image from his memory into his notebook.

The Yin-Yang Substitution Talisman, as the name suggests, embodies the interdependence and transformation of Yin and Yang. This talisman consists of two Yin-Yang fish connected end to end to form the base. The talisman artist only needs to write the names or birth dates of the two individuals involved on it to confuse and alter their auras and presence, causing everyone outside to mistake them for each other.

After thinking for a moment, Song Ce slowly wrote down the names of Fang Xiwen and her younger brother Fang Xiaobao.

After the Yin-Yang Substitute Heart Talisman was completed, the notebook in his hand immediately emitted a faint golden light. The next second, the talisman vanished into thin air without warning!

Song Ce was taken aback, his eyes widening as he stared intently at the blank space in his notebook. Could it be that the so-called Yin-Yang Substitute Heart Talisman had taken effect? ​​He subconsciously glanced at Fang Xiwen not far away, who was currently taking notes diligently in class, her profile serene, seemingly no different from usual.

It wasn't until the last class ended and the school bell rang that Song Ce got up, packed his things, and walked slowly out of the school.

He had just reached the entrance of the Third Middle School when he heard a slightly shrill female voice shout: "Xiwen, come here quickly! Mom went to the market today and bought your favorite ribs!"

Fang Xiwen turned her head and saw that it was her mother. A flash of fear quickly crossed her eyes, and she paused slightly in her tracks.

"Mom, what are you doing at my school...?"

Fang's mother walked over quickly, a gentle smile on her face like never before. She reached out and took Fang Xiwen's arm, saying affectionately, "You silly child, I waited for you at the school gate for half an hour just to pick you up from school, and you're still not happy? Come on, come home with me. There's a troublemaker waiting for us at home!"

"A debt collector?"

Fang Xiwen was stunned, her voice trembling slightly: "Mom, who...is this you're talking about?"

"Who else could it be? Your younger brother, Fang Xiaobao!"

Mrs. Fang rolled her eyes, her tone full of disdain, "A little money-loser, always loafing around at home, throwing tantrums and refusing to do any work, and he still has the nerve to say that I'm biased? Tell me about this child, he's already in elementary school and he's still so immature, what else could he be but a troublemaker?"

Fang Xiwen stumbled, thinking she was dreaming.

Mom has always doted on Xiaobao, spoiling him like a little emperor at home. No matter what mistakes his brother makes, Mom always protects him, either blaming her for not watching over him properly or scolding her for being stubborn and arguing with her brother. Why has everything changed today? It's like...

They treated me like a younger brother, loving and caring for me.

Fang's mother didn't notice anything unusual about her daughter at all, and was still muttering to herself: "Xiwen, who does that brat take after? He has a lot of bad habits. He throws things when he's in a bad mood, and he doesn't respect you, his older sister. I think he deserves a beating! He's so young and already not learning good things. What will he be like when he grows up?"

Fang Xiwen followed beside her mother, her mind a complete mess. She bit her lip and secretly pinched her arm hard.

Instantly, a sharp pain shot through me.

"Hiss..."

Hearing the noise, Fang's mother quickly turned around and saw her beloved daughter pinching herself. She immediately exclaimed in surprise and grabbed her hand.

"My dear daughter, why are you pinching yourself? Come on, let me blow on it for you, whoosh—whoosh—it doesn't hurt anymore, it doesn't hurt anymore—"

Fang Xiwen's hand trembled, and she stared blankly at her mother carefully blowing on the back of her hand, her eyes suddenly reddening.

This was the first time in her life her mother had been so gentle with her. Before, her mother would never have shown her any concern, not even when she fell off a dirt slope learning to ride a bicycle and scraped her chin, leaving a scar; her mother would have only impatiently scolded her as a "jinx," a "good-for-nothing," and a "troublemaker"...

Normally, the walk home from school takes at least twenty minutes, but today, Fang Xiwen felt it was exceptionally short, as if she were walking on a pile of cotton, which felt very unreal.

As they approached their home, Fang Xiwen saw her younger brother, Fang Xiaobao, sitting in the stairwell with his schoolbag on his back and a paper toy with the cardboard signs for east, west, south, and north in his hand. He was humming and muttering something under his breath.

Hearing footsteps coming upstairs, Fang Xiaobao immediately looked up. Upon seeing his mother and Fang Xiwen, he slammed his chubby face down on the ground and demanded in a loud voice, "Mom! Why didn't you pick me up from school today?"

In the past, Fang's mother would have rushed over early, hugging and coaxing her precious child. But today, she not only didn't move, but instead frowned and scolded him.

"You brat, why are you picking up the phone? Your school is just across the street from our neighborhood, only a few steps away! Everyone else can get home by themselves, why are you making such a fuss? Why are you so delicate?"

These words left Fang Xiaobao frozen in place, his eyes wide with shock.

"You're so stubborn, why are you blocking the door? Get out of my way!" Mrs. Fang said impatiently, shoving Fang Xiaobao aside and taking out her keys to open the door.

Fang Xiaobao stared blankly, taking a long time to react. He sniffled, and tears welled up instantly.

"Waaaaah—Mom, Mom—!!"

"Stop crying! All you do is cry! How old are you? All you do is wail and be miserable!! If you cry again, you're not eating dinner tonight!"

When Fang Xiaobao heard that he wouldn't be allowed to eat, he trembled with fright and stopped crying.

He couldn't understand it at all. Yesterday, his mother had been so indulgent towards him, buying him his favorite toy excavator. How come she was acting like a completely different person today? Not only did she not come to pick him up from school, but she was also being very mean to him. It was really scary.

Fang Xiwen bit her lower lip, forcing herself not to look at Fang Xiaobao's expression, and followed her mother into the house with her head down.

"Xiwen, go back to your room first. Mom will stew your favorite braised pork ribs and stir-fry two of your favorite dishes! Go and rest for a while, and I'll call you when it's done!"

That simple sentence froze Fang Xiwen in place.

Every day before today, when she came home from school, she was always greeted by her mother's impatient urging and scolding.

"What are you standing there for, you brat? Didn't you see your brother's dirty clothes on the sofa? Go wash them right now, and remember to hand wash them, otherwise you won't get rid of the bacteria!"

"Xiao Bao is your own brother. What's wrong with him wanting your things? Can't you just give in to him? How can you fight with your brother?"

"You're such a good student, why don't you go and tutor your younger brother?"

"Why can't you be as considerate and obedient as your younger brother?"

...

"Silly girl, what are you daydreaming about? Come back inside!" Fang's mother poked her head out from the kitchen and gave her a standard motherly smile.

"Okay, okay, Mom."

Fang Xiwen returned to her room, and everything was the same as before. A single wooden bed, an old desk piled high with textbooks and exercise books. She put down her schoolbag, walked to the window, and drew back the curtains, quietly watching the children playing jump rope downstairs. Their laughter was so clear and crisp, it went straight into her heart.

Soon, Fang's mother had prepared dinner.

Fang Xiaobao realized that crying was useless, so he stopped crying early on. He glared at Fang Xiwen, who had walked to the table and sat down, and shouted, "Fang Wenzi, I want a Coke! I want potato chips! Go down and buy them for me!"

Before Fang Xiwen could speak, Fang's mother slammed down her chopsticks and bowl, raised her hand, and delivered a resounding slap to Fang Xiaobao's head!

Snap—

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Author's note: Who's so unlucky as to have to work overtime on the weekend? [crying emoji] It's me! I'll write a little more tomorrow (kneeling emoji)