Rebirth: Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Part 22：No Interest

WeChat Group of the Residents of Xingfu Community

"I saw those people heading to Old Jiang's house!"
"Do you think Old Jiang could be that big shot?"
"Pfft! With his family background, how could he be? Last time we went out to buy fishing gear, anything over 20 yuan for bait had to be approved by his wife!"
"You don't get it. Big shots have transcended such trivialities. Look at Old Jiang's face—he has that classic, square jaw, the kind you see on influential people!"
"You're right. Now that you mention it, his face does look like a big shot. Isn't Old Jiang in this group? Why isn't he saying anything? Let me @ him and ask!"
Jiang Jingguo had previously muted the group chat because it was too noisy, so even when his friends tried @-ing him, there was no response.

At this moment, Li Guiqin, hearing Minister Zhou Huai'de mention that Jiang Fan would be going to Kyoto, felt a pang of reluctance.
After all, their son had never been this far from home. The thought of him going to Kyoto—thousands of kilometers away, to a city so unfamiliar—made her anxious and unwilling to let go.

Jiang Fan quickly packed two sets of clothes into his backpack, ready for the journey.
"Uncle Zhou, I'm ready!"
He had been in Blue Star for a year and was eager to see how far the technological advancements in Dragon Country had come.

At that moment, Li Guiqin walked over, holding Jiang Fan's hand and speaking with care.
"Son, when you go to Kyoto, make sure to take good care of yourself. Eat well, don't study like you did during your senior year... not constantly pushing yourself to the limit..."
As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes, a mixture of pride and sorrow, unwilling to let her son go yet knowing that this was an opportunity he couldn't miss.

Jiang Jingguo, who had been comforting his wife, patted her shoulder and said,
"Son, you've invented the solar photovoltaic material. So many top schools in the country want you. This is a good thing, why are you crying?"
Jiang Fan understood all too well the challenges his parents had faced because of him. He had been at the bottom of every exam, and his parents had borne the brunt of the ridicule. His mother had silently cried countless times on his behalf.

But now, with the activation of the system, Jiang Fan had made up his mind. From now on, he would make his parents proud.
"Mom, Dad, thank you for your understanding and all your sacrifices over the past year. I know my actions have brought shame, and I'm sorry for all the hardships you've endured because of me. Thank you."

Jiang Fan knelt before his parents and bowed three times, his words filled with gratitude and determination.
"Xiao Fan, please, get up. We're not suffering. Not at all!"
Li Guiqin hurriedly helped him up, her heart full of emotion. She had suffered alongside him, and now that her son was on the verge of achieving great things, she couldn't contain her tears.

Jiang Jingguo, his eyes also misted with tears, walked up and embraced his son.
"Good boy, finally, you didn't bring shame to your old man!"

Those nearby, especially Long Lao, couldn't help but feel moved, their hearts swelling with admiration. It seemed that they had not chosen the wrong person after all.
Looking at the vast history of Dragon Country, every loyal patriot had been one who loved their family and honored their parents. After all, how could one who didn't love their family be expected to love their country?

Zhou Huai'de, observing Jiang Fan's behavior, was deeply satisfied. Regardless of the scale of his scientific achievements, at the very least, Jiang Fan would never betray his country. This alone significantly raised his esteem for him.

After Li Guiqin had finished giving her final instructions, Zhou Huai'de handed her a card.
"This is the 1 million yuan award from the country for Jiang Fan's invention."

"How much? 1 million?"
Li Guiqin's mouth fell open in shock. She and Jiang Jingguo had worked for over ten years, saving just over 500,000 yuan. But now, their son's invention had earned a reward of 1 million yuan—more than their combined earnings in over a decade.

She was stunned, but her heart swelled with pride. She had never imagined that her son would achieve such greatness.
Li Guiqin took the card from Zhou Huai'de, smiling broadly as she said, "Thank you, Minister! Thank you, to the country!"

"Son, you've really made it. From now on, you must serve the country well."
"Yes, I will, Mom!" Jiang Fan nodded.

"Alright, it's getting late. Let's go!"
With that, Zhou Huai'de led Jiang Fan and the others away, while Li Guiqin and Jiang Jingguo saw them off at the gate of the community.

As they watched Jiang Fan board a helicopter, Jiang Jingguo couldn't help but feel envious. He muttered under his breath,
"This brat, he's got quite the presence! I've never even been on a helicopter!"

With Jiang Fan's departure, the blockade on Xingfu Community was lifted.
The residents, curious to know what had happened, rushed out to see. The community was old, and everyone knew each other.

They quickly gathered and began discussing.
"Who would've thought that Old Jiang was actually such an important figure? He's kept it well hidden!"
"Yeah! With all this fuss, he must be at least a major general!"
"What a shame, we won't see Old Jiang around anymore!"
"Old Jiang's great, but his son, the one who only scored 300 in the college entrance exam... what a disgrace!"
"True! No matter how influential the father, if the son is useless, it's the family's downfall!"
"That's true. It's better to have a good son than anything else. A good son can bring you a lifetime of joy!"
"Old Liu's son is really something. He scored 586 on the exam and got into a top-tier university!"
"My kid, although he went to a regular high school, he managed to get into a first-tier university! Haha..."

As they continued boasting about Old Liu's son, Jiang Jingguo and Li Guiqin walked over.
Suddenly, the smiles disappeared from their faces, replaced by shock.

One resident, the first to react, turned to Jiang Jingguo and asked,
"Old Jiang, weren't you taken away by the country?"
"Taken away? What for?" Jiang Jingguo asked, confused.
"Weren't those people heading to your house?"

At the mention of this, Jiang Jingguo could hardly contain his excitement.
He rolled up his sleeves and began bragging, to the astonishment of everyone around.
"Our community was locked down because of my son, Jiang Fan, who invented the solar photovoltaic material!"
"Really? They were after your son? You're joking! Those were top universities in Dragon Country!"

Just as the residents were expressing doubt, Principal Ma from Linzhou No. 1 High School arrived, asking,
"May I ask who is Jiang Fan's parent?"
"I am," Jiang Jingguo answered.

Principal Ma immediately grabbed his hand and said,
"Hello, hello! I'm the principal of Linzhou No. 1 High School. Congratulations! Your son, Jiang Fan, has been accepted by Kyoto University!"
"Kyoto University? Not interested."