Rebirth: Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Part 45：The Flowers of the Motherland

"Did the mayor personally come to congratulate you on receiving the Second-Class Merit Award?"
Li Guiqin and Jiang Jingguo's mouths dropped open in astonishment.
But how could this be possible?
They had heard that the Second-Class Merit Award was typically only granted to those in the military who made significant contributions to the nation.
Moreover, those who received this honor were usually wounded or maimed.
Yet their son was perfectly healthy and had never even served in the military—how could he possibly receive such an award?
"Son, are you making jokes too?"
Li Guiqin chuckled.
"Mom! Didn't I invent solar photovoltaic panels? They saved the country a lot of energy, and that's why I received the Second-Class Merit!"
This explanation was specifically given by Zhou Huaide, who had called to inform him.
Jiang Fan wasn't particularly fond of grand ceremonies for awards, but considering his parents' happiness, he agreed to the decision made by the higher-ups.
"Is that true? Son!"
Jiang Jingguo said, still in disbelief. They had never imagined that making an invention could earn such an honor.
"Yes."
Jiang Fan nodded.
Both Jiang Jingguo and Li Guiqin knew well that their son had always been prone to making up stories.
In fact, what he just said wasn't a complete lie—it was more of a half-truth. The state had simply instructed him not to disclose his actual achievement. After all, if he told them that he had developed controlled nuclear fusion, they would never believe him.
"That's amazing! My son has received the Second-Class Merit Award!"
When they heard their son confirm it, they were ecstatic.
Jiang Jingguo was so excited that he jumped up!
Hearing the sound of drums and gongs outside, he quickly rushed to the window and, sure enough, saw the mayor with a drum team standing beneath their building.
"Guiqin, hurry, let's go downstairs to welcome the mayor!"
Jiang Jingguo turned to find Li Guiqin rushing into the house, and moments later, she came out dressed in a beautiful outfit.
"Why are you changing clothes now of all times?"
"Son has received the Second-Class Merit Award; he's bringing glory to our family. I can't let him be embarrassed by me!"
"Stop talking, just hurry!"
"Shouldn't we take two boxes of cigarettes to give to the neighbors?"
"Right, right, I'll go get them!"
Jiang Fan smiled inwardly as he watched his flustered parents.
A minute later, Jiang Jingguo and Li Guiqin rushed downstairs.
When the mayor saw them, he immediately grasped Jiang Jingguo's hand.
"Congratulations! Congratulations!"
"Congratulations to Mr. Jiang for raising such a pillar of the nation!"
"Thank you, Mayor, it's all thanks to your leadership!"
Jiang Jingguo's heart soared with joy. Meanwhile, the neighbors in the street finally understood that Jiang Fan was the one who had earned the Second-Class Merit Award, and they began to gossip excitedly.
"I knew it! I guessed it right! It's the Jiang family's son who received the Second-Class Merit!"
"Jiang Fan is really impressive."
"Yes, he's so accomplished."
"Ah, if only I had such an accomplished son!"
"Just now, Old Wang's wife was bragging about her son receiving a Third-Class Merit, but the Jiang family got the Second-Class Merit! Haha..."
"..."
Jiang Jingguo felt proud hearing the compliments and quickly distributed cigarettes to the neighbors.
"Come, Old Li, have a smoke."
"Don't look at me, I've quit for a month, but this is celebratory smoke, I have to have one. Hehe..."
"Old Liu, here, have a smoke!"
"Congratulations! Your son is really impressive. After this, you'll be walking through the neighborhood with your head held high!"
"Haha..."
"..."
Jiang Jingguo passed out cigarettes to everyone, and the mayor, turning to the neighbors, said,
"Jiang Fan has invented solar photovoltaic panel materials and made significant contributions to the country. The relevant authorities have decided to award him the Second-Class Merit..."
At these words, the crowd erupted in applause.
Amidst the flashing lights of the award, a young girl, filled with admiration, looked at the mayor and said in a sweet voice,
"Uncle, when I grow up, I want to be a scientist too. Can you give me a certificate and a glowing five-pointed star?"
Everyone around her burst into laughter.
Mayor Deng smiled at the little girl and said, "Alright, when you grow up and make contributions to the country as a scientist, I'll give you a big certificate, okay?"
"Okay!"
The girl leaped up in excitement, and soon other children joined in, shouting,
"I want to be a scientist too!"
"I want to be a scientist and contribute to the country!"
Mayor Deng looked at the group of cute children, all eager to become scientists, and his heart filled with satisfaction.
If the younger generation of Longguo aspired to become scientists with the goal of strengthening the nation, how could Longguo's future not be prosperous?
He addressed all the children,
"Alright, you are all good kids. Later, Uncle Mayor will give each of you a little badge as a reward, how about that?"
All the children cheered in unison,
"Yes!"
Mayor Deng turned to his assistant and said, "Go to the car and bring the custom-made gold badges."
"But, Mayor, those are for..."
"Just go. I'll pay for another batch later!"
Mayor Deng looked at the future of the nation, the children, and wanted to offer them encouragement.
He hoped that they would stay committed to their current goals in their pursuit of knowledge.
The assistant quickly returned with the golden badges.
Mayor Deng handed one to each child. The badges, shining in the sunlight, caused each child to beam with joy.
The parents of the children praised Mayor Deng for his actions.
"Mayor Deng, let's go upstairs. Jiang Fan is usually quite low-key!"
"I know!"
Mayor Deng was not at all displeased that Jiang Fan had not come downstairs. On the contrary, he admired him even more.
As a researcher, those who can focus on their work tend to be low-key. It reminded him of Wei Shen, the mathematician from Longguo's Peking University, who lived on two steamed buns and a bottle of mineral water.
Mayor Deng followed Jiang Jingguo and Li Guiqin upstairs, accompanied by some of their neighbors, who were invited to join them.
Each of them wore a proud expression. They were thrilled to have such close contact with the mayor, all thanks to Jiang Fan.
Meanwhile, Jiang Fan sat in the living room, looking at the pile of admission letters on the coffee table. He finally picked up the one from Longke University and tucked it away.
Suddenly, the system's voice rang in his mind!
[System]: "Ding: Congratulations, host, you have received the admission letter from Longke University. Mission completed. Reward: Blue Star Super Mathematical Theory!"
[System]: "Do you wish to learn the Blue Star Super Mathematical Theory?"
"System, what is the Blue Star Super Mathematical Theory?"
[System]: "The Blue Star Super Mathematical Theory contains all the mathematical knowledge currently known to Blue Star!"
All mathematical knowledge?
Jiang Fan was stunned. As a researcher, he understood well that mathematics was the foundation of all scientific study.
If he mastered all the mathematical knowledge of Blue Star, wouldn't that make him an instant mathematician? This would greatly assist his future scientific endeavors.
Without hesitation, Jiang Fan spoke to the system,
"Learn it immediately!"
A beam of golden light descended, and a vast amount of mathematical knowledge flooded into his mind...

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