"Calm down, calm down."
Lin Xiangdong reassured Zheng Xia, though he himself was extremely anxious inside. He knew he couldn't show his panic at this moment.
Zheng Xia wanted to calm down, but she just couldn't: "We got up a little after six and sat here, which means Chenchen left home before six? Where has he gone, what is he up to?..."
"Uh... sorry to interrupt."
Lin Qian interrupted Zheng Xia's rambling. She saw how tense Zheng Xia and Lin Xiangdong were about their child and tried to soothe them: "Lin Beichen is about to head off to university, so you really don't need to worry this much. Maybe he just went out for a morning jog or to exercise. Why don't you call him and ask where he is?"
As the saying goes, family troubles should not be made public!
Zheng Xia regarded Lin Beichen's illness as a family matter, not something to broadcast to everyone, especially since her son was diagnosed with stress-induced depression, and the person in front of her was a reporter from the provincial TV station. What if they reported it too?
However, Lin Qian's words woke her up.
Call him first!
In her anxiety, she had forgotten this!
Just as she was about to dial Lin Beichen's number, she remembered she was still on the phone with Sun Qing, so she hurriedly asked Lin Xiangdong to call instead.
"Haha, normally this kid always tells us if he's going somewhere, but today he left without a word, on such an important day and so early. No wonder we're confused and acting out, we've lost our composure."
While Lin Xiangdong was calling Lin Beichen, Zheng Xia casually explained to Lin Qian, hoping to avoid any misunderstandings about her family and potential biased reporting.
Lin Qian nodded with a smile, showing her understanding.
Before she could say anything else.
Lin Xiangdong's excited and relieved voice drew everyone's attention.
"Chenchen, where are you now?!"
"Dad, don't worry, I'm in North Mountain now."
On the other end of the phone came Lin Beichen's voice.
North Mountain is a landmark of North Mountain City, which got its name from the mountain. It's less than thirty kilometers from Lin Beichen's home, not very tall, with the highest point only a bit over 200 meters from the ground. The mountain is covered in dense trees and has fresh air, making it a favorite spot for locals and tourists alike.
At this moment, the sky was dark, the weather gloomy, more like early evening between six and seven rather than eight in the morning. Light black clouds floated like thin veils covering the sky above North Mountain. The breeze carried a chill and dampness, rustling the branches with a snapping sound, with the scent of soil indicating impending rain.
Midway up the mountain.
Lin Beichen, with his backpack, continued towards the summit, replying on his phone as he walked. He had expected his parents to call since he sneaked out at dawn, so he kept his phone handy to quickly answer and relieve their worries.
"North Mountain?"
Lin Xiangdong, hearing Lin Beichen's voice, breathed a sigh of relief, his tone softening: "Why are you at North Mountain? And when did you leave? Why didn't you tell us?"
"I couldn't sleep; I woke up very early. Knowing it would rain today, I suddenly decided to come here to observe and research the thunder."
Lin Beichen explained what he had planned to say.
However, his reply felt different to different people.
Research thunder???
Lin Qian and the provincial TV station's reporters, along with the homeroom teacher Sun Qing on the other end, were surprised but impressed.
As expected from the first student in history to score a perfect score on all subjects in the college entrance exam!
Just finished the exam and already starting research!
And...
Researching natural phenomena like thunder!
An aspiring scientist!
...
For a moment, a scene formed in their minds.
Lin Beichen standing in the rain, holding an umbrella, setting up a tripod with a camera, constantly observing the lightning, his finger pressing the shutter.
Exactly a researcher at work!
However, knowing what crazy things Lin Beichen had done before, Zheng Xia and Lin Xiangdong felt a chill. Research thunder at North Mountain?!
Could this be dangerous?
They thought his condition had stabilized after not doing anything outrageous recently, but it seems...
Ah!
What should we do!
Nonetheless, they knew now was not the time to think too much; the urgent task was to bring Lin Beichen back.
Lin Xiangdong immediately said: "Where exactly are you on North Mountain? I'll come and get you!"
"No need, Dad, I'll come back myself later..."
"What do you mean no need!"
Worried that his son's condition might worsen and lead to reckless behavior, Lin Xiangdong's tone became stern again: "Tell me where you are on North Mountain right now!"
Fearing that Lin Xiangdong's harshness might aggravate Lin Beichen, Zheng Xia glared at him, then gently said over the phone: "Chenchen, it's not that we're pushing you to come back, it's because reporters from the provincial TV station are at our home to interview you, and they're all waiting."
"Provincial TV station reporters?"
Lin Beichen was taken aback. What's happening? Has my research on thunder and creation of the Cultivation Method been exposed already? But I haven't told anyone about it...
While he was lost in thought,
Zheng Xia explained: "Yes, today is the day the college entrance exam scores are released. Your homeroom teacher Ms. Sun and the provincial TV station reporters say you are the province's top scorer, the first person in history to achieve perfect scores on all subjects. The provincial TV station wants to interview you and they are waiting at home. Did you check your scores yet, son, is this true?"
College entrance exam scores are out??
Lin Beichen suddenly realized that today was not just the day for his thunder research on the mountain, it was also a day of provincial significance!
What a coincidence!
"Not yet, I'll check now, mom."
Having memorized his exam ID through two lifetimes, he navigated to the score checking site, entered his ID number.
The screen flashed.
The scores appeared.
[Chinese: 150]
[Math: 150]
[English: 150]
[Science: 300]
[Total Score: 750]
Indeed, a perfect score in all subjects!
From the moment the college entrance exam ended, Lin Beichen had no doubt about being the top scorer. Everything was under control, as heaven-defying comprehension wasn't just a joke.
But he wasn't entirely sure about getting a perfect score.
After all...
Some scores aren't guaranteed to be full marks just by writing well; it depends on the graders' judgement.
For instance, the Chinese and English essays!
But now, it seems he performed well!
While it would be a lie to say he wasn't happy, he wasn't overwhelmingly excited. He glanced at the sky; the thin black clouds were slowly gathering, the cloud layers lowering. The real excitement was yet to come!
"Mom, I checked. Whether I'm the top scorer isn't confirmed, but I did get perfect scores in all subjects."
Lin Beichen briefly reported, thinking about convincing his dad not to come get him. But if he suggested coming back himself, he might have to return immediately, and the rare rainy weather would be wasted.
Better let dad come!
While he gets here...
He can observe for quite a while!
With this thought, he continued towards the summit and lied: "Dad, better if you come get me. I'll wait at North Mountain, see you shortly."