Chapter 146: Domestic Matters

The family did not find Wu Tong’s stories the least bit dull or uninteresting. Even the mundane details—what she ate each day, the variety of dishes in the Jing University canteens, the locations of the dining halls, or what time the university quieted down—were all consumed with rapt attention, allowing them to vividly imagine her life on campus.

Xu Meifeng was filled with envy. Daughters truly were better; when she asked her son about his school life, he would always brush her off with a single sentence, perfunctory to the extreme, and hang up after just a few words. It was enough to make a mother’s heart ache.

"Oh my, this vehicle is so spacious!" Jin Yongqing exclaimed, looking around with delight as the family boarded.

From the outside, the vehicle looked like a standard mid-sized bus, but its interior was a different world; it was actually a custom-configured 14-seat Toyota Coaster. With windows on all four sides, it featured specialized sunshades to ensure both privacy and a view. The interior had one fewer row of seats than a standard bus, and the fully upholstered, custom-leather seats were both comfortable and grand.

This vehicle was typically reserved for university leadership when they traveled together for meetings. Knowing Professor Cheng had coordinated the request, the administrative office had certainly not been negligent and had dispatched this specific bus. During the National Day holiday, with no meetings scheduled for the university leadership, this was a clear sign of the special importance they placed on Wu Tong.

Jin Yuan and Wu Jingzhong exchanged glances, both sharing the same thought: had travel agencies become so extravagant? Wu Jingzhong dared to bet that even the leaders in their own county didn't have access to such transport for their meetings. For someone at their administrative level, such luxury was out of the question; public buses, bicycles, or old, rickety cars were the norm.

"My professor helped coordinate this loan from the university. Do you like it, Grandpa? We can buy a smaller one later; the model my uncle had last time would be quite suitable," Wu Tong said. A bus-sized Coaster was a bit too large for their family’s personal use. An 8- or 9-seater would be perfect for their group outings, making it easier to park, maneuver, and drive.

Wu Tong’s initial entry into dynamics had actually been sparked by a desire to see if she could optimize the parameters of domestically produced car engines to earn enough for a high-quality, multi-seat vehicle. It was a funny turn of fate; before she could even get her hands on an automotive engine, a flash of inspiration had led her from materials science straight into aeronautical engines. Fortunately, although the engines were vastly different, the end result was the same. The million-yuan bonus the university had awarded her was more than enough to buy a fine vehicle for her family. Research into mechanical engines would simply have to wait until she finished her current projects.

"My scholarship money has all arrived, and because I completed a special research project, the university added a bonus. I’ve decided: you all handle the research on what to buy, and we’ll get a comfortable car! That way, you can go on road trips and travel around in the future!"

With her and her brother away from home, she felt a sense of filial guilt. She had to find ways to make her family’s life more vibrant so they wouldn't feel lonely or bored in their absence. She didn't factor herself into the car search; she wasn't old enough to get her driver's license yet, and since she spent most of her time at school and had people to pick her up when needed, she had no current need for a vehicle of her own.

"Fine, I’ll take care of the old car later, and we’ll look around and get a new one!" her uncle said. His niece was an internationally renowned scholar now; they needed a nice car to pick her up in style. Only the best was good enough for her.

"Tomorrow is National Day. Let’s head out early to watch the flag-raising ceremony. I’m sure that’s a grand event none of you would want to miss. Since it’s a special day, after the ceremony, we’ll go have some traditional Old Beijing-style breakfast, and then..."

The family chatted happily while listening to An Wenshu outline the general travel itinerary. Soon, they arrived at their destination. The family toured Wu Tong’s apartment, marveling at the space, feeling proud of their daughter’s accomplishments, and grateful for the university’s generosity.

Wu Tong had contacted the residential complex’s service center to have the apartment cleaned, so they could move right in. She decided not to return to campus that night, choosing to stay with her family. With three rooms, it was just enough space for everyone. The grandparents took one room, the brothers Wu Jingzhong and Jin Yuan took another, and Wu Tong stayed with her mother and aunt in the third. The rooms were spacious, equipped with large 2.2-meter beds, so it didn't feel crowded at all.

They watched the flag-raising, visited the Monument to the People's Heroes, walked in front of the Great Hall of the People, toured the Forbidden City, visited the two top-tier universities near their home, explored the nearby Summer Palace, wandered through the old *hutongs* to experience the culture of Old Beijing, and sampled various unique local delicacies.

Cai Yi and his team had made the arrangements with great care and detail. With their background resources, the trip was even more meticulously planned and interesting than what a standard travel agency could offer, and the family felt they had truly feasted their eyes on the city.

On October 2nd, while visiting Jing University, the family specifically asked Wu Tong to take them to the School of Materials Science to thank Professor Cheng for his care.

"Brothers of the Jin family, it is I who should be thanking you for raising such an excellent Wu Tong, allowing me to have such an outstanding student. Let us share in this joy together!"

Cheng Huanan greeted them with a smile, treating Jin Yongqing like a brother as he accompanied them through the school, giving them a thorough tour. Only after the family felt they had taken enough of his time did they politely take their leave.

Before the holiday, Li Yisheng had promised his children a trip, so he and his wife, Professor Chen, were out traveling and not currently at the university. When they spoke on the phone, Li Yisheng complained with exhaustion, "Why even bother traveling? All you see are heads of people—crowds everywhere. You wait in line for two hours just to go on a ride for one minute!"

"Heartbreaking" didn't even begin to describe how he felt. They rushed through one spot only to hurry to the next; it was no different from racing through a schedule. Travel was no longer a relaxing pleasure, but a tense battle. Compared to that chaos, Li Yisheng would rather the holiday end immediately so he could return to school. He would prefer to teach a hundred classes than go on another holiday trip.

Well, the Wu family felt much the same. If it weren't for Cai Yi and his team helping to watch over them, and Wu Tong’s own efforts, they might have been crushed by the crowds during the flag-raising ceremony. Still, because they arrived early, they managed to stand at the front, fulfilling their wish to witness the ceremony. The resounding national anthem, the bright red flag, and the solemn soldiers—every Chinese person who witnessed this could not help but feel a surge of reverence, spontaneously and passionately joining in to sing the anthem.

On the 6th, the family planned to visit Fragrant Hills Park, and upon their return, they intended to stroll down Wangfujing Street to buy souvenirs for their neighbors and colleagues.

However, from that day on, Wu Tong would no longer be able to accompany them. The Chinese Mathematicians Congress opened that day, and Wu Tong was required to attend the opening ceremony.