Otaku Translation: Literary Genius: This Kid Was Born Smart C71

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Chapter 71: The High-End Game

"What kind of joke is this?" Wang, the reporter, stared at Mr. Li in disbelief. Only after a moment did he realize his tone had been too sharp. He took a deep breath and softened his voice. "Aren't there parent-teacher meetings every semester in middle school?"

"...Yes," Mr. Li nodded hesitantly. "But during those six meetings over three years of middle school, it was always Gu Lu himself sitting in the seat, listening."

What was the point of that? That was Wang’s first thought. Parent-teacher meetings were meant for teachers and parents to exchange ideas about education—having the student sit there was useless. But Wang kept his thoughts to himself.

With his extensive experience, Wang now realized this interview assignment might be part of a high-profile operation—a "high-end game."

"Gu Lu's parents are very busy," Mr. Li explained diplomatically.

Wang understood immediately. "Is there any other way to contact Gu Lu's father?"

"The father is unreachable, but we might have some luck with the mother," Mr. Li replied. "I remember Gu Lu mentioning once that his mother works at the Tianci Huatang Hot Spring Hotel. I’m not sure if she still does, but you could check there."

"Thank you, Mr. Li," Wang said sincerely. If he hadn’t learned about Gu Lu's family situation beforehand, he would have simply asked for Gu Lu's phone number.

"Mr. Wang," Mr. Li hesitated, "Gu Lu is still just a student. Regarding the report..."

"Please rest assured, Mr. Li. I’m a reporter from Young Pioneer Newspaper, an official media outlet. We carefully consider the consequences of everything we report." Wang reassured him before politely declining Mr. Li’s invitation to dinner.

Mr. Li watched as the reporter disappeared into the crowd before the small teahouse (which doubled as a mahjong parlor) below his apartment. Wang’s voice blended seamlessly into the background, like a drop of water merging into the ocean. Even a reporter wasn’t particularly remarkable in such surroundings.

For a fleeting moment, Mr. Li’s mind wandered. He only knew about Gu Lu’s mother’s workplace because of a request the boy had made in the second semester of eighth grade: how to send a birthday gift to his mother.

At the time, Mr. Li found it strange. Bishan was only about thirty kilometers away from Dockside District, not another province, and there were short-distance buses available. Why not deliver the gift in person?

"If I give it to her in person, she might refuse to take it," Gu Lu had responded, leaving a lasting impression on Mr. Li.

"Probably because she’d think you’re wasting money. Parents can be like that," Mr. Li had replied.

Indeed, some parents would react that way. It didn’t matter whether the child had no income or was already working; even when using their first paycheck to buy a gift, the parent’s instinctive reaction might still be to scold them for being wasteful.

"What a thoughtful child, remembering his parents’ birthdays and saving up to buy gifts. Why doesn’t he receive the same care in return?" Mr. Li muttered to himself, finishing his tea before leaving.

The chairs in the teahouse were old-fashioned bamboo armchairs, and the tables were small, uneven squares with one leg propped up by makeshift supports. Playing cards or mahjong here was free, but everyone had to order a pot of tea, paying a nominal fee for the service.

In reality, this arrangement still carried risks. By the legal definition of gambling, any form of profit-sharing exceeding five thousand yuan in total could qualify as illegal assembly. However, it was 2012, and Chongqing’s enforcement wasn’t nearly as strict yet…

Around three o'clock in the afternoon, Wang arrived in Bishan by car. The area looked somewhat desolate compared to Dockside District, which was considered one of the nine most promising urban zones in the city. Yet, Bishan itself held even greater potential for development.

The Tianci Huatang Hot Spring Hotel wasn’t hard to find—it was located near the famous Bishan hot springs, part of Chongqing’s "five regions, ten springs" tourism initiative, and nestled within the Jinjian Mountain Forest Park.

"Hello, I’m Wang Pengju from Young Pioneer Newspaper. Here’s my ID," Wang announced confidently as he approached the hotel reception desk, presenting his charcoal-gray press card (the 2009 edition).

Issued by the central bureau, the card bore his name, photo, and anti-counterfeiting features. Of course, the twenty-something receptionist likely wouldn’t know all the details.

A journalist! At this time, the profession hadn’t yet lost its mystique, and people instinctively associated reporters with power and prestige. The young receptionist grew visibly nervous.

"May I help you? I don’t know anything—I’ll go find our lobby manager. Please wait a moment, Mr. Wang."

The receptionist wasn’t entirely naive. What if the journalist was there to expose something negative about the hotel? On her meager base salary of fifteen hundred yuan, she felt powerless and clueless.

"I just wanted to ask..." Wang began, but the receptionist vanished in an instant.

Fine, he’d wait. Wang settled into a single sofa in the lobby.

About ten minutes later, a woman hurried over from the bar area. Dressed in a tailored waist-cinching suit, white blouse, and high heels, she exuded professionalism. In her early thirties, she was none other than the lobby manager, Sun Xia.

"Good day, Mr. Wang." Manager Sun glanced briefly at the press credentials. "May I ask what brings you to the Tianci Huatang Forest Hot Spring Hotel? Are you conducting an interview?"

"No need to worry—we’re a legitimate newspaper, not one of those sensational tabloids that twist facts," Wang reassured her, noticing how tense her body language remained despite her polite tone.

He continued, "Could you tell me if Zheng Yanfei works here? Her name includes the character for 'swallow' and 'fly.'"

Zheng Yanfei—the name of Gu Lu’s mother.

"Zheng Yanfei?" Manager Sun didn’t know every employee by heart, but this name rang a bell. "If there’s no mix-up, Sister Zheng is the head of our housekeeping cleaning team. May I ask why you’re interviewing her?"

Good, she still worked here. Wang felt a wave of relief. "Sister Zheng Yanfei’s son is exceptionally talented. He recently won the national first prize in the Ye Shengtao Cup. We’re here to learn more about her excellent parenting experiences."

Ah, so it was good news! Manager Sun relaxed visibly, impressed by the mention of a national award. She couldn’t help but marvel inwardly—what an outstanding achievement!

It seemed Zheng Yanfei must have remarried into a good family after her divorce.

During lunch breaks and casual chats, Manager Sun often heard Zheng Yanfei praise her stepson for his accomplishments: scholarships, admission to Bashu High School, and more.

"Oh, I see! Please follow me to the conference room on the second floor while I notify her." Manager Sun scurried off to relay the message.

The Tianci Huatang Hot Spring Hotel had numerous meeting rooms, likely due to its frequent use as a corporate retreat venue.

Tea snacks and tuocha tea were promptly served, reflecting the hotel’s attentive hospitality.

When Zheng Yanfei received the notification, she was utterly bewildered. Listening to Manager Sun’s explanation, she walked toward the meeting room, her mind racing.

The Ye Shengtao Cup… Hadn’t her daughter mentioned something about it? Zheng Yanfei’s thoughts churned endlessly.

Before long, they reached the meeting room. Manager Sun poured tea for Zheng Yanfei, then quietly closed the door and left.

"Ms. Zheng, hello," Wang introduced himself again.

"Mr. Wang, hello." Zheng Yanfei fidgeted nervously, clutching her paper cup.

"I apologize for the sudden intrusion. I truly couldn’t reach Gu Lu’s father, so I came to speak with you instead," Wang explained. "Gu Lu’s educational journey is something worth sharing."

At the mention of Gu Lu’s name, Zheng Yanfei froze, as though struck by an invisible hammer. With great care, she asked, "Did he win first place nationwide for his essay?"

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