125: Chapter 125 Thousands of Households

In front of televisions in thousands of households.

When the name "Professor Chen Youhua" was spoken by Su Qing amidst the solemn broadcasting voice of *Xinwen Lianbo*, the reactions in countless families varied.

In a small city in ZJ Province, at the home of Chen Youhua's parents.

The small living room was filled with the aroma of dinner.

Mother Chen placed a plate of freshly stir-fried vegetables on the small dining table, while Father Chen was picking at the rice in his bowl while facing the television.

The background audio of *Xinwen Lianbo* was playing on the TV.

"Hey, what do you think Youhua has been busy with lately? How long has it been since he called home?"

Mother Chen sat down, picked up a piece of meat and put it into Father Chen's bowl, her tone filled with deep longing and a hint of worry.

"Last time we video chatted, he looked like he had lost some weight."

"He's busy with work every single day, and I don't even know if he's eating properly."

Father Chen snorted, his eyes fixed on the television screen.

"I don't know what he's tinkering with all day, acting all mysterious. When I ask him about his work, he just says he's doing experiments and research."

He shoveled a mouthful of rice into his mouth; although his tone was harsh, his eyes betrayed his concern.

"Don't worry about it blindly. He's a grown man; he won't let himself go hungry, will he?"

"That may be true,"

Mother Chen sighed.

"But what mother doesn't worry about her son?"

"I was thinking, once the weather gets a bit warmer, I'll go visit him."

"I'll bring him some of the cured bacon and pickled vegetables we smoked at home, and stew some soup to help him build up his strength."

Father Chen nodded, his gaze still on the news.

"Hmm, that's fine. But remember to call ahead and ask clearly when he's free."

"Don't just rush over recklessly; if he happens to be busy with work, it wouldn't be good to disturb him."

He paused, then added.

"This kid, when he works, he's just like his grandfather used to be—forgetting to eat and sleep."

Just then, the male anchor's voice came clearly from the television.

"...Next, we broadcast an exclusive interview by our reporter Su Qing with the renowned mathematician, Professor Chen Youhua."

"Chen Youhua?"

Father Chen's chopsticks, which were holding a vegetable, froze in mid-air. His eyes widened instantly as he stared at the television screen in disbelief.

Mother Chen was also stunned for a moment, subconsciously setting down her bowl and looking at the TV.

The scene switched to the interview between Su Qing and Chen Youhua.

That young man sitting in front of the antique bookshelf, wearing simple casual clothes, accepting the interview with a calm and focused expression—if it wasn't their son Chen Youhua, then who could it be?!

"You... Youhua?!"

Mother Chen cried out, and the chopsticks in her hand dropped onto the table with a "clatter."

She stood up abruptly and rushed to the television, staring intensely at the screen as if to confirm whether it was a hallucination.

"It's Youhua! It really is Youhua! He... he's on *Xinwen Lianbo*?!"

Father Chen was also completely dumbfounded, his mouth slightly agape, having forgotten to swallow the rice in his mouth.

He looked at his son on the television, speaking eloquently and being called a "renowned mathematician" who had "solved a century-old problem," then looked at his equally shocked wife; his mind was buzzing.

Renowned mathematician? Chen Youhua?

Their son, who was smart since childhood, but never showed anything earth-shattering?

Solved a century-old problem? What problem? And he's on *Xinwen Lianbo*?! The impact was too great!

On the TV, Chen Youhua was speaking in a calm and clear tone.

"...The Navier-Stokes Equation describes the fluid motion that is ubiquitous around us..."

They didn't understand those profound terms, but their son's familiar face and the calm, confident demeanor he held in front of the camera were as real as could be.

"You... Youhua!!"

Father Chen finally found his voice. With immense shock and unbelievable excitement, he slapped his thigh hard.

"He... he did such a big thing behind our backs?! A mathematician?! And he solved a century-old problem?! My God..."

He didn't know what to say; he only felt a surge of hot blood rushing to his head, feeling both proud and finding it all too unreal.

Mother Chen's eyes were already red with excitement; she gripped Father Chen's arm tightly.

"I told you! I told you our son would make something of himself! He's been smart since he was a kid! Look! Look! He's on *Xinwen Lianbo*! The whole country is watching!"

She pointed at the television, her hand trembling.

Just then, the landline phone in the house started ringing like crazy!

The ringing broke the shock and excitement in the living room.

Just as Father Chen was about to answer it, Mother Chen's mobile phone, which was on the sofa, rang too!

Immediately after, Father Chen's own mobile phone also started vibrating frantically!

"Hello? Big Brother! Did you watch *Xinwen Lianbo*?! It's Youhua! It's Youhua!"

On the other end of the line was Chen Youhua's aunt, her voice cracking with excitement.

"My God! A renowned mathematician! A century-old problem! My nephew has made it! This brings honor to our ancestors!"

"Sister-in-law! It's me! Quickly, watch TV! Youhua! Youhua is on *Xinwen Lianbo*! He's being interviewed! They said it's some Millennium Prize Problem! Oh my mother! This kid has really brought honor to our Chen family!"

This was Chen Youhua's uncle.

"Old Chen! Brother Chen! Did you see the news?! Your Youhua! He's incredible! A mathematician! He's on *Xinwen Lianbo*! You must treat us to a meal later! A big one!"

This was Father Chen's old colleague and neighbor.

Calls came one after another, mobile phone ringtones rose and fell; they were all from relatives, friends, and neighbors!

There was only one topic.

Confirming whether the radiant, renowned mathematician Chen Youhua on TV was indeed their son, Chen Youhua!

Their tones were filled with shock, ecstasy, envy, and unbelievable congratulations.

Father Chen and Mother Chen answered the phones in a flurry, laughing and crying, repeating the same thing over and over.

"Yes! It's Youhua! It's him! Yes, yes, yes! We just found out too!"

"This kid... this kid kept it so well hidden! Sigh, yes, yes, yes! Thank you! Thank you all!"

The small living room was instantly flooded with immense glory and the deluge of congratulatory calls.

Father Chen and Mother Chen stood in the ocean of phone calls, watching their son on TV—so familiar yet seemingly a bit like a stranger—feeling a complex mix of emotions.

Their son, whom they had worried about not eating well and being too tired from work, had, in silence, already reached such a dazzling height.

...

Z University.

Wang Zhe was burying his head, working hard on a large bowl of beef noodles, while Li Wei sat opposite him, sipping soup in small mouthfuls.

The television hanging in the cafeteria was playing *Xinwen Lianbo*.

When the scene cut to the interview and Chen Youhua's face appeared on the screen, Wang Zhe nearly choked on a mouthful of noodles, coughing violently, his face turning bright red.

He pointed at the TV, his finger trembling.

"Cough, cough... Sister Wei! Look! Youhua! Youhua is on *Xinwen Lianbo*! And it's an exclusive interview!"

Li Wei also looked up abruptly, watching Chen Youhua on the screen calmly describing the journey of solving the Navier-Stokes Equation. Her expression was extremely complex.

Shock? Yes.

Admiration? Even more.

And a hint of understanding, as if she had expected it.

She put down her spoon and gently started to clap, a relieved yet proud arc appearing at the corner of her mouth.

"This guy... really..."

The professors and students eating nearby also noticed the TV one after another. The noise in the cafeteria instantly died down; everyone looked up at the television screen, listening to Chen Youhua's plain yet powerful words.

I don't know who started it, but scattered applause began, and soon it converged into a wave of enthusiastic applause! This was the most direct respect from his colleagues and students around him!

On the internet.

Clips of *Xinwen Lianbo* and the interview content were rapidly edited and spread across major platforms.

"High-energy content ahead! Nuclear-level alert ahead!"

"Taking a photo for memory! God Chen is awesome!!!"

"Holy crap! Is this the legendary 'kid of someone else's family'? A master of mathematics, biology, and computer science?!"

"'A natural exploration... Boss, you call this natural? [Kneeling] [Kneeling]'"

"Key point: Scientists have a motherland! I'm tearing up, family!"

"The look God Chen gave the camera felt like he was making eye contact with me! Mom, I've made it!"

"The background is an ancient masterpiece; it's so profound! A fusion of ancient and modern wisdom!"

"From today on, Chen Youhua is my only idol! I won't accept any rebuttals!"

"Where are the people who questioned the project before? Come out and walk a few steps? Does your face hurt?"

"I'm devastated! I'm still struggling with final exams, and he's already solving a Millennium Prize Problem! The gap between people..."

"He speaks so calmly, so powerfully. This is the true pillar of the nation!"

"Ahhhhh!! Husband Youhua is so handsome!! I want to have your babies!!!"

"That last sentence about enjoying the process and laying a solid foundation was so well said! This restless society needs this kind of voice!"

"Location: Z University, I'm already preparing to check in at the entrance of the library's ancient books reading room! Soaking up some of the academic god's aura!"

"As someone who has lost an arm, seeing Professor Chen say the prosthetic project is a natural exploration, I really cried. Thank you! Looking forward to your results!"

"Chen Youhua: I just solved a Millennium Prize Problem in passing. Netizens: Boss, please accept my knees!"

"Aren't you all saying every day that your talents are unrecognized? Now the human race's top cultivation manual is right before your eyes, why don't you learn it?"

"I'm in a bad mood today, I don't want to cultivate [Smile]"

"Remember to study when you wake up tomorrow"

"I'll go deliver food when I wake up tomorrow [Smile]"

Occasionally, there were voices of doubt, voices urging calm, and comments like "What does this have to do with my 3,000 yuan monthly salary?"

But they were soon drowned out by this massive wave of cheers carrying the popular will.