Genius of the Rules-Style System

Chapter 117: Chapter 111: The Letter from Oxford University

Zhao Yi returned home and immediately began assembling the robots and telescope.

He opened a box of robot parts, saw a plethora of intricate components, and decided to temporarily abandon the task.

The robot was just too complicated.

This blank, uncoded robot, whose interior could be essentially described as a computer, was far more complex than a regular one due to all its custom parts.

The most complex aspect was not the inside, but the external pair of mechanical arms. Just as Zhang Zhen had explained, these arms were the most expensive and undoubtedly the most complex -- a mass of wiring, a profusion of unusual connectors and nuts; each wire had to be installed individually.

"Let’s start with the telescope!"

As a product available on the market, the telescope certainly wouldn’t be of the highest precision, but it would suffice for stargazing at night.

Zhang Zhen had supplied all the necessary parts.

Many of the parts were lenses and prisms; installations like the zenith prism and the erect image prism could be added as needed.

Once the main body was set up and the primary components installed, it was ready to go.

Downstairs.

Lin Xudong had just returned home in his car.

He parked and cast a glance towards Zhao Yi’s new house, noting the lights on in the living room. He could see a figure half-squatting, though he wasn’t sure what the figure was doing.

"Has he already moved in?" Lin Xudong lingered a moment longer before returning home to tell Zhao Hongjuan about this.

Zhao Hongjuan was a little taken aback, "Didn’t he just look at the house a few days ago?"

"I have no idea." Lin Xudong shrugged.

"Should we go over, see if they need any help?" Zhao Hongjuan walked towards the window and spotted a long, black object across the street, "Xudong, come see, what’s that?"

Lin Xudong walked over, his cup of water in hand, sipped once before peering outside. His expression froze, his face quickly turning pale, his muscles tensing up.

"I knew it, that boy is up to no good - is that a telescope? That long tube, it must provide such a clear view!" He shouted out.

Hearing her father roar, Lin Xiaoqing emerged.

"What happened?" Lin Xiaoqing asked, sliding into her slippers and padding out, "Why are you yelling?"

"Zhao! Yi!."

"Zhao Yi? You saw him?" Lin Xiaoqing blushed and almost turned to retreat.

Lin Xudong didn’t notice Lin Xiaoqing’s bashful reaction, he beckoned her over, "Qingqing, get a glimpse of Zhao Yi’s true colours today!"

"Dad, what are you talking about?"

Lin Xiaoqing was totally confused, but it seemed her father was onto something that he didn’t like.

She walked over to the window, light from the opposite side drenching in as she caught sight of a figure rushing around inside - it was Zhao Yi.

"Zhao Yi?"Lin Xiaoqing’s mouth opened wide in surprise.

"Exactly, that’s Zhao Yi, the con-artist. He bought the house across street, and even set up a telescope, damn it... That’s low!"

Lin Xudong shook with fury, tea splashing out of his cup.

Lin Xiaoqing was still a bit confused, she had received too much information at once. After sorting it out, she turned to her father, her eyes sharp, "Dad, are you saying that Zhao Yi moved just across from us?"

"Isn’t he right over there?" Lin Xudong pointed out of the window.

Lin Xiaoqing glared at the figure across street. Upon recalling what Zhao Yi had said about driving her home just a while ago, her face took on the same expression as Lin Xudong’s.

Father and daughter looked at each other, fists clenched tight.

Lin Xudong was the first to speak, "No way, I have to check this out!" He was about to head over there.

"Zhao Yi, you dare to lie to me!"

Lin Xiaoqing deflated, shouting out before rushing off to put on her shoes, "Wait up, I’m coming with you!"

"You all..."

Zhao Hongjuan, who had been trailing behind them, finally piped up, "Let’s all go together then!" freёwebnovel.com

The family of three hurriedly headed over.

Zhao Yi, who was about to examine the user’s manual of his new telescope, jumped at the sudden ringing of his doorbell. He peered through the peephole and quickly took a deep breath to compose himself.

Smile!

Stay calm!

Maintain this expression!

Zhao Yi opened the door with a look of surprise, "Uncle Lin, Auntie Zhao, what brings you all here? Lin Xiaoqing, you too?"

Lin Xudong barely managed to give him a grin.

Zhao Hongjuan, though, was genuinely smiling, "Where are your parents?" she asked, glancing about the entranceway.

"I moved here by myself."

"By yourself? Can you manage living alone?"

Zhao Yi let them into the room before turning to Lin Xiaoqing, his face adopting the prepared expression.

Lin Xiaoqing, seething with anger, glared back at him, her eyes virtually shouting, "How would you like to die?"

Zhao Yi then enthusiastically told her, "Your arrival is opportune, come see my telescope. It’s new, and perfect for stargazing."

"Really?"

Even though her laugh felt insincere, Lin Xiaoqing was still captivated by the high-tech looking telescope and hastily walked over for a close-up look.

Zhao Yi, in the meantime, placated Zhao Hongjuan, talking about his moving experience.

Lin Xudong was still wearing a gloomy expression, he walked over to check out the telescope as well, before casually asking, "Zhao Yi, can this thing see across the street?"

Zhao Yi was taken aback.

See across the street?

What does he mean?

He suddenly realised what Uncle Lin was getting at, and hastily explained, "Uncle Lin, this is an astronomical telescope and is meant for celestial observations."

"Is that so?" Lin Xudong seemed uncertain.

Walking over to the telescope, Zhao Yi continued, "It’s best for observing the moon, especially when it’s full. It shows up as big and round, and one could see it very clearly. You could also observe celestial bodies like Venus and Jupiter. The main reason behind purchasing this was to appreciate the night sky."

"Actually, I’m also interested in astronomy. The boundless universe is captivating. Zhengyang’s air quality is pretty good, and the night sky is always picturesque..."

"Being able to observe the beauty of the night sky after returning home each day, is undeniably... "

He started blathering.

Truthfully, he bought the astronomical telescope only to explore opportunities to earn Study Coins and Research Coins. This could potentially open up a new way to accumulate coinage. Appreciating the night sky was secondary.

Besides.

Having an astronomical telescope in the living room did give off a posh vibe.

As for Lin Xiaoqing who lived opposite...

Zhao Yi hadn’t made the connection yet. But now, he was considering whether he should research the lens a bit. Maybe there was a lens for regular telescopes among the extras?

Cough cough.

Astronomical telescopes definitely can’t be used for that - my telescope doesn’t have that function either.

Zhao Yi steered the conversation towards ’looking at stars as a means of cultivating one’s sentiments’, emphasizing the romanticism of admiring the night sky. He strenuously avoided the question of whether the opposite side could be seen clearly.

Lin Xudong felt a lot easier in his heart.

So, the telescope Zhao Yi bought was an astronomical one, made especially for star-gazing!

This is great!

Zhao Hongjuan gave Lin Xudong a fierce glare, reproaching him for having such negative assumptions.

Zhao Yi is such a good kid!

Most high school boys are addicted to computer games. Who would have such high-end aspirations to ’observe stars and cultivate their sentiments’?

Of course.

Economics is also an essential reason.

Zhao Hongjuan doesn’t worry about all those things. She finds Zhao Yi quite appealing, so she warmly asked him if he needed any help and about him going to and from school with their daughter.

...

The family of three stayed for half an hour.

Seeing that it was already half-past ten, they decided to excuse themselves and leave.

They all went downstairs together.

Lin Xiaoqing suddenly said, "Dad, Mom, you go ahead. I left my phone upstairs. I’ll go get it."

She ran back up.

Knocked on the door.

Zhao Yi saw that pair of dangerously flashing eyes and almost slammed the door closed on her.

But he controlled himself.

"Haha, Beautiful Lin, why did you return?"

"Don’t think this situation is over!" Lin Xiaoqing ’humphed’ softly and said menacingly, "I’m still so angry!"

She kept staring at Zhao Yi.

Both of them locked eyes.

Zhao Yi spoke softly, saying earnestly, "Xiaoqing, the truth is I moved here because I wanted to go to and from school with you. Really."

"And, I wanted to give you a surprise, but I didn’t realize you..."

Lin Xiaoqing abruptly stepped on his foot.

"Hiss~~"

Zhao Yi gasped in pain.

"Stop buttering me up, I don’t trust you! Remember this is not over yet! We’ll see how it goes when I’ve thought things through!"

"And, wait for me downstairs tomorrow morning!"

Having said that, Lin Xiaoqing turned and left. Her expression wasn’t as fierce as before, but she was showing a sweet smile.

Downstairs.

Lin Xudong anxiously kept looking upstairs. He suddenly stopped and furrowed his brows, "Isn’t that right?"

"What’s wrong again?" Zhao Hongjuan asked impatiently.

"That kid rambled on for so long, but he never said whether his telescope could see the opposite side. Why do I feel like I’ve been duped?" Lin Xudong mumbled perplexedly.

Zhao Hongjuan disdainfully said, "An innocent high schooler managed to fool a criminal police captain like you? You’ve been a cop too long, you’re always seeing the worst in people."

"Let’s go already, why are we lingering here? Our daughter’s legs are long enough for her to make it home by herself."

Unwillingly, Lin Xudong was dragged away. But not before he glanced back, and only after seeing Lin Xiaoqing exit the building did he feel relieved.

The next day.

Zhao Yi and Lin Xiaoqing rode their bikes to school together.

Lin Xiaoqing didn’t speak and just rode her bike with her lips pouted the whole time.

Zhao Yi rode beside her.

The image of two people riding side by side was indeed a beautiful sight, but it felt odd without the sound of laughter and banter.

It was the same even when they reached the school.

Lin Xiaoqing seemed to still be holding a grudge and purposely ignored Zhao Yi.

Zhao Yi didn’t mind.

Although he didn’t understand why Lin Xiaoqing was acting this way, it was probably, or rather definitely related to yesterday’s incident, and probably had something to do with him moving in as well.

It’s a teenage girl’s thing!

Some pettiness is normal.

In his spare time, Zhao Yi teased Zhao Linlin instead, saying he would find her a boyfriend as handsome and as good-natured as himself, preferable with the exact same ID number too.

Zhao Linlin burst into giggles upon hearing that.

Lin Xiaoqing’s expression worsened even more, occasionally shooting Zhao Yi malesvolent glances as if nursing an everlasting grudge.

At noon.

Zhao Yi and Sun Liang went out to eat, but as they returned, they were stopped by the guard.

"Zhao Yi, you have mail!"

"Mail?"

Zhao Yi took it, looking puzzled.

It was a beautifully crafted large envelope with several layers inside, making it quite thick.

Sun Liang leaned closer and saw the emblem of a book on the top left of the envelope with the words, ’University-of-Oxford’.

"Oxford? Which university?"

"Oxford."

"Oxford University?"

"Yes."

"The Oxford University in the UK?"

"Yes."

"The Oxford University that’s ranked among the top ten in the world?"

"Yes?"

Zhao Yi looked at Sun Liang, puzzled.

Sun Liang suddenly caught on and couldn’t restrain his excitement, shouting, "Come and see! Zhao Yi! Zhao Yi! He’s been accepted by Oxford University!"