Nian'an lowered his head shyly and whispered, "Mom, arithmetic isn't difficult at all. I think it's fun, like playing a game." Shen Tingzhou patted his head and said solemnly, "Nian'an, since you like arithmetic, you should study hard. In the future, Dad will send you to a good school in the county town so you can learn from the best teachers, okay?" Nian'an looked up, his eyes sparkling, "Dad, really? Can I go to school in the county town?" Shen Tingzhou nodded, "Of course it's true. As long as you study hard, Dad and Mom will definitely support you."
In the days that followed, Nian'an studied even harder. Every day after school, in addition to completing the homework assigned by his teacher, he would also ask Lin Wanqiu to teach him new arithmetic problems. Lin Wanqiu took out a modern elementary school math primer from his spatial storage and taught him little by little according to Nian'an's learning progress—from simple addition and subtraction to multiplication tables. Nian'an learned quickly and well, and sometimes he would even come up with some novel problem-solving ideas, which amazed Lin Wanqiu.
One day in early October, the commune held an arithmetic competition for primary school students, and Teacher Li recommended Nian'an to participate. On the day of the competition, Lin Wanqiu specially dressed Nian'an in a newly made blue shirt and prepared a piece of chocolate for him—she had found it in her spatial storage so he could replenish his energy before the competition. Shen Tingzhou rode his bicycle with Nian'an to the commune for the competition, while Lin Wanqiu anxiously awaited news in the workshop.
As evening fell, Shen Tingzhou and Nian'an returned. Nian'an held a certificate and a brand-new pencil case in her hand, her face full of smiles: "Mom, I got first place! Teacher Li said I'm the best elementary school student in the commune at arithmetic!" Lin Wanqiu took the certificate, which read "Shen Nian'an won first prize in the commune elementary school arithmetic competition," and her heart was filled with happiness and pride.
Shen Tingzhou said with a smile, "Nian'an performed exceptionally well in today's competition. He solved the last and most difficult question, which none of the other participants could answer. Even the judges praised him as a little math genius." Lin Wanqiu hugged Nian'an and kissed him on the cheek, saying, "Nian'an, you are truly your parents' pride. You must continue to work hard and live up to everyone's expectations."
That evening, Lin Wanqiu and Shen Tingzhou sat under the lamp, discussing Nian'an's future. Shen Tingzhou said softly, "Wanqiu, Nian'an is so talented in mathematics. The village primary school can no longer meet his learning needs. I think we should send him to school in the county town as soon as possible so he can receive a better education." Lin Wanqiu nodded, "That's what I think too. But if he goes to school in the county town, someone will need to take care of him, and we have so much to do at the workshop. What should we do?"
Shen Tingzhou thought for a moment and said, "I can rent a house in the county town first. I'll help you manage the workshop in the village during the week and go to the county town to be with Nian'an on weekends. When the workshop expands further in the future, we'll move our home to the county town. That way, I can take care of Nian'an and the workshop can also have better development." Lin Wanqiu looked at Shen Tingzhou, her heart filled with emotion: "Tingzhou, thank you. You always think of this family." Shen Tingzhou held her hand: "We are family. It's only right that I do these things for this family. As long as Nian'an can succeed, all our hardships are worthwhile."
Outside the window, moonlight spilled into the courtyard, coating the ground with a layer of silver frost. Lin Wanqiu looked at Nian'an sleeping soundly beside her, her heart filled with hope—she knew that Nian'an's mathematical talent was just the beginning. As long as they nurtured her well, Nian'an would surely become a successful person in the future, and their family would become happier and happier with their efforts.
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