After receiving the rejection letter, Zhang Lijun has been afraid to go out for the past few days.

Neighbors would always ask at the top of their voices when they passed by: "Lao Zhang, did your son Lijun get into Jianda?"

Mr. Zhang quickly forced a stiff smile and waved his hands awkwardly: "Still waiting for news, it will be soon."

"Didn't you say you would treat everyone to a buffet when we received the notice? We all remembered what you said!" The neighbors joked with a smile.

Old Master Zhang felt bitter, but he promised. If his grandson didn't pass any of the exams, it would be a disgrace to his grandmother's family.

Mr. Zhang was under so much pressure, let alone Zhang Lijun, the person involved. He had been on pins and needles for the past few days, unable to sleep at night. The young man, who was once so energetic, had visibly lost weight.

His parents saw it and were worried, but there was nothing they could do.

The more desperate people are, the more they place their hopes in the gods and spirits. Somehow, they desperately longed for Zhuang Li to be a truly capable master, pointing out a path that would lead them to the highest heavens.

"You can pass the exam. Zhuang Li has said that as long as you follow his instructions, you will definitely pass." Grandpa Zhang could only use these words to comfort his grandson.

After waiting for almost a week in extreme anxiety, Zhang Lijun finally received a reply from the school and Professor Norton.

"Rejected." He seemed to have lost all his strength and collapsed on the desk. Before he could even take off his glasses, tears started to flow uncontrollably.

This was the first time in his life that he cried because of academic problems. There was even a hint of despair in his extremely disappointed expression.

Zhang's father and mother were both stunned, their faces paler than each other.

Old Master Zhang muttered, "That can't be! Didn't Zhuang Li say that if you submit your paper to Professor Norton, you'll definitely get in? He patted his chest and promised me that!"

"If I didn't pass the exam, I didn't pass. Zhuang Li is not a god. What can he decide? Can he hold down Professor Norton's head and force him to sign the admission letter?" All of Zhang Lijun's negative emotions burst out at this moment.

He smashed the mouse, threw the keyboard, and gasped for breath.

Old Master Zhang also got angry and pointed at the tip of his nose and asked, "Why are you being so stubborn with me? Huh? Why are you being stubborn with me? You've never let anyone say a word to you since you were a child! I'm asking you this because I care about you. Why are you so angry?"

Zhang Lijun looked at his grandfather's angry, heartbroken face and finally regained his composure. He lowered his head and said in a hoarse voice, "Grandpa, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have lost my temper with you. I'll ask Dr. Norton why he didn't accept me. Once I find out, I'll have a direction to work towards."

He picked up his mouse and keyboard and sent an email to Dr. Norton, asking what was wrong with his paper.

Dr. Norton was actually online and immediately pointed out many of his shortcomings. His requirements for recruiting graduate students this year seemed to be more stringent than in previous years.

Zhang Lijun read these replies and gradually became convinced. He hadn't expected his thesis, which took him over six months to write, to have so many problems in his supervisor's eyes. It seemed he really needed to work harder.

Thank you for your guidance. I――

Before he finished writing, Zhang Lijun's fingers paused, their constant tapping on the keyboard. Somehow, he suddenly remembered Zhuang Li's "bright path." After much deliberation, he tentatively added, "I've also been rejected by Professor Wilson before. Perhaps my knowledge seems superficial to you. I will continue..."

After sending the email, Zhang Lijun took off his glasses, leaned back in his chair, and cried silently.

The first setback in my life ended just like that. To be honest, it was really uncomfortable, like being repeatedly picked up from the ground by a monster, thrown into the sky, and slammed to the ground, smashing all the bones in my body. It was a kind of pain that had its self-esteem and self-confidence completely destroyed, but could not be rebuilt.

He closed his eyes, pinched the bridge of his nose, and sighed weakly.

Zhang's father and mother came up one by one to hug him.

Old Master Zhang sat aside and sighed, "Ah, feudal superstitions are killing people! I will never believe in fortune-telling again. Fortunately, I didn't give money to Zhuang Li. Junjun, you are right, we have to rely on ourselves for everything. If we fail this time, we will keep working hard next time!"

Zhang Lijun closed his eyes and nodded, tears bursting out again.

Just then, the computer dinged and a new email was sent.

Zhang Lijun quickly wiped away his tears, put on his glasses, and looked at the specific content of the email through the layer of mist that had not yet evaporated in his eye sockets. Then his mouth slowly opened wide.

"Fuck!" For the first time in his life, he cursed in front of his parents and grandfather.

But he really couldn't help it!

"Fuck, why?" He grabbed the two tufts of hair on his forehead tightly, and his glasses became bigger than copper bells.

Seeing his crazy look, Zhang's father and mother were frightened, and Mr. Zhang also became nervous.

"Junjun, what's wrong with you?" the three asked hurriedly.

"I, I was accepted by Professor Norton as an exception!" Zhang Lijun choked out, his cheeks flushing purple. "I was accepted by Niu University!"

"What's going on? Didn't you get rejected just now?" Zhang's father and mother were surprised and couldn't believe it. The expressions on their faces looked like they were crying and laughing at the same time, which seemed very strange.

Zhang Lijun trembled and said, "Grandpa, I think I know what's going on. Please don't scold me when I tell you. I didn't do what Zhuang Li taught me before. I didn't tell Professor Norton that I was rejected by Professor Wilson. That's why Professor Norton didn't accept me. I explained this matter clearly when I replied to his email just now, and Professor Norton said he would make an exception and admit me! Grandpa, I'm running out of ideas! What's going on? Why are Zhuang Li's words so effective? If I don't do what he says, I have no hope. If I do what he says, I can still be admitted again even if I'm rejected. What's going on?"

Zhang Lijun scratched his scalp frantically, feeling that his head could no longer move.

This matter completely goes beyond the scope of scientific explanation.

Shit! He couldn't help but curse again! Who the hell was Zhuang Li? Why did his words work so well?

Mr. Zhang opened his mouth wide with an expression of disbelief.

Zhang's parents both gasped. If they hadn't experienced it themselves, they wouldn't have believed it.

It’s terrifying that one sentence can change someone’s life destiny!

Thinking of all the ridicule and questioning they had directed at Zhuang Li, Zhang's parents felt a burning pain in their cheeks. Zhuang Li was indeed no longer a human being; he had become a living god!

Old Master Zhang was stunned for a long moment before clapping his hands vigorously and booming, "Liao Qi and his son really were doomed by Zhuang Li! It wasn't just a blind cat catching a dead mouse; it was truly his plan! Do you believe it now? And you still accuse me of being superstitious? If I hadn't taken Junjun to see Master Zhuang, Junjun wouldn't even have a place to go to school!"

The more he thought about it, the more he felt that this matter was too amazing, and his decision was too wise and brave, and a surge of excitement surged in his heart.

This is enough for him to brag about for the rest of his life!

Having witnessed a miracle with his own eyes, Zhang Lijun could only remain silent. His high IQ was simply unable to explain the mystery of this incident.

Not knowing what he was thinking about, Old Man Zhang said anxiously, "Oh no! Master Zhuang showed me the way, but when I left, I didn't pay him for the fortune-telling and even drove all his customers away! It's over, it's over. This is so unethical!"

Old Master Zhang slapped his thigh with a pale face, as if the sky had fallen.

Zhang Lijun then remembered what good thing he had done that day, and suddenly looked embarrassed.

Zhang's parents were even more anxious than the old man. They quickly dug out all the cash in the house, sealed it in red envelopes, and picked out many expensive gifts. They hurriedly said, "Let's go, let's go apologize to Master Zhuang!"

The family knocked on Zhuang Li's door in a hurry, explained their purpose, and had expressions of fear and trepidation on their faces.

Even Zhang Lijun, who believed in science, had a look of surprise and fear in his eyes.

Zhuang Li naturally didn't care about such a trivial matter and accepted the cash and gifts generously.

Seeing his calm and composed attitude, the Zhang family members became even more embarrassed.

People really can't help but believe in evil!

Before leaving, Zhang Lijun finally couldn't hold back and asked the question he desperately wanted to know: "Why do I know I'll definitely be admitted if I listen to you?"

Zhuang Li leaned back in his chair and asked slowly, "Do you have a photo of Professor Wilson?"

"I have it." Zhang Lijun quickly took out his mobile phone and found a photo on the Internet.

Zhuang Li looked at the person in the photo and said with a smirk, "Guess what I saw in him?"

"What did you see?" Zhang Lijun asked quickly.

"I saw his light fading. If he couldn't even illuminate himself, how could he illuminate others?" Zhuang Li shook his head and sighed.

"What light? What illuminates?" Zhang Lijun became more and more confused as he listened.

"You'll understand later." Zhuang Li waved his hand and warned carefully: "Remember, if you want to go further on the path of scientific research, you must never lose this light."

Zhang Lijun left the fortune-telling parlor, looking back every few steps. Arriving home, he locked himself in his bedroom, pondering Zhuang Li's words. He couldn't understand what Professor Wilson had lost, until three days later, when he saw his resignation statement and apology letter for abandoning M theory online.

He actually gave up his faith.

So that’s how it is!

The light that Zhuang Li mentioned turns out to be a scientist's unremitting pursuit and exploration of the ideas he firmly believes in, and it is the core force that enables them to continuously move towards the unknown.

Without this power, a scientist is no longer worthy of being called a scientist.

The spirit of science is the spirit of continuous exploration.

Without the light of Giordano Bruno, humanity wouldn't have known that the sun is the center of this tiny galaxy; without the light of Ceco da Scoli, humanity wouldn't have known that the earth is round. Amidst the blazing flames of science and reason, they used their lives to illuminate the path of exploration for a generation.

In their time, the theories they put forward were considered to be lies by everyone.

So who can know whether a theory that cannot be verified for the time being is correct or wrong?

Even if it is wrong, as long as we do not lose this faith, we will be able to return to the right path under its guidance.

Science is exploration!

Zhang Lijun put down his phone and let out a long breath.

In a state of emotional excitement, he wrote down all his thoughts in an email and sent it to Professor Norton. He didn't want any response, he just wanted to express his own ideas.

However, Dr. Norton wrote him a lengthy letter, explaining how he had accepted Zhang Lijun out of spite with Wilson. He concluded with a heartfelt sigh: "I initially felt a little regretful about my unprofessionalism and impulsiveness, but now I understand how correct my decision was to admit you. Although you still have many shortcomings, your spirit is strong enough to carry you far. I admire your dedication to science and eagerly look forward to seeing you."

Seeing this, Zhang Lijun covered his slightly red eyes and finally smiled with great relief.

Zhuang Li had insisted on adding that sentence; the secret lay there. He couldn't possibly have known the personal grudge between Professor Wilson and Professor Norton. So, he truly had seen the future.

He saw the light in Professor Wilson gradually disappear, and he warned himself not to lose it.

He seems to be a fortune teller on the surface, but is he also a scientist or philosopher hidden deep down inside?

This person is truly amazing.

Zhang Lijun was once again amazed by this extraordinary encounter. His parents and grandfather had already traveled throughout the village, spreading the story of Master Zhuang's miraculous deeds over and over again.

As a result, that night, Zhuang Li was held at the throat with a knife by Zhang Fuhai, who climbed over the wall and broke into his home.

"Master Zhuang, I heard you're a fortune teller. Can you figure out where Zhang Yanyan is hiding?" A furious Zhang Fuhai threatened in a deep voice, "If you don't tell me, I'll cut your neck!"

7480: "Oh no! Master, you didn't expect that you would face a life-or-death crisis tonight!"

Zhuang Li: “…” Is this the time to gloat over someone else’s misfortune?