Chapter 141: The Lazy Girl

Page 1 of 3

Yan Guofeng glanced at them. “All right, let’s look at the range hood first.”

“Good idea.” Song Man followed his lead and stopped asking questions. They had indeed lost their composure just now. Since Doggie was a classified invention, it was only natural that its construction and components could not be casually questioned.

“All right, Grandpa Yan, Uncle Yan, Auntie Yan, please come this way.” Zhong Yuxiu rose and gestured for them to follow. Yan Rushan stood as well, and Yan Ruhai followed his grandparents and parents.

“Doggie, go to the kitchen, turn on the range hood, and stir-fry something so they can see it in action.”

“Beep.”

Doggie restarted and followed them into the kitchen. Yan Hejun, Song Man, and the others automatically stepped aside, leaving Doggie ample room to move. It walked up to the range hood and pressed the power button.

“Range Hood No. 001 at your service.”

“It can talk too!”

Those who had never seen such a thing before reacted like country bumpkins, astonished for quite some time simply because the range hood had spoken.

Zhong Yuxiu smiled. “They installed an initial voice-control system in it. This is only one of its minor functions. Their understanding of the technology is still incomplete, so for now, this is all they can make use of.”

The corners of Old Master Yan’s mouth twitched. When dealing with a genius, one had to be prepared to be humbled at any moment.

And this was only an initial voice-control system? What would a complete one look like?

Yan Hejun and Song Man exchanged a glance. Hearing from their father how capable and brilliant this young woman, Zhong Yuxiu, was had been one thing. Facing her mind directly was another. Only now did they realize how unfathomable she was. No outsider could ever know where her limits lay.

“Sister-in-law, is a voice-control system really that amazing?” Yan Ruhai’s eyes shone as he stared at Zhong Yuxiu, waiting for her answer.

Her smile did not fade. She said unhurriedly, “It is not particularly amazing. When I first gave them the blueprints for the range hood, I thought they would be able to produce a complete voice-control system. Unfortunately…”

Giving them the blueprints was essentially the same as giving them the entire manufacturing process, yet they still could not build one. She had been somewhat disappointed when she first saw the results, but by now, she had come to accept it.

This was Yan Ruhai’s first time experiencing the impact of a true genius’s mind. His thoughts became exceptionally clear. If even a voice-control system was nothing remarkable in his sister-in-law’s eyes, then it was obvious how extraordinary she was.

“Sister-in-law, I want to become a researcher too.”

“Then you will have to work hard.” Otherwise, he might be crushed by the setbacks before he had even set foot on this path.

The scientific research community had never lacked geniuses. Making a name for oneself was difficult, and reaching the very top was harder still.

Page 1 of 3

Page 2 of 3

“I will work hard.” Having set himself a goal, Yan Ruhai’s eyes held a clarity they had never possessed before. “I may not become a researcher like you, Sister-in-law. I am interested in firearms and machinery. That is the path I want to take.”

“Having a clear goal is a good thing. Work toward it. Success will always favor those who strive for it.”

Whether hard work would actually bring results was another matter.

Zhong Yuxiu did not say the rest aloud. It would only dampen his dreams and enthusiasm.

Yan Hejun’s expression softened slightly. “Since you want to research firearms and machinery, you should start learning from your sister-in-law now. No one in our family understands scientific research. From now on, she is the person you should strive to emulate.”

“Comrade Brigade Commander Yan, Yan Ruhai acknowledges the order. I shall take Sister-in-law as my goal of achievement… one of them.”

Zhong Yuxiu could not help laughing, her face blooming like a flower. Yan Ruhai was quite amusing. His personality was entirely different from that of his elder brother, Yan Rushan. They shared the same blood, the same genes, and the same upbringing, yet the sons they had raised were worlds apart.

Yan Rushan was calm and self-controlled, solemn and rational.

Yan Ruhai was lively and cheerful, with little skill at hiding his thoughts.

“You little rascal, now you are quibbling over words.” Song Man smacked him. “Look at your sister-in-law. She is barely in her twenties and has already achieved results worthy of admiration. Whom else do you want to take as your goal? There is already someone right in front of you worth striving toward for the rest of your life, yet you are acting as though there are not enough choices. You are aiming too high while lacking the ability to match it.”

“Mom, don’t hit people on the head. You’ll make me stupid.” Yan Ruhai jumped aside in pain and ran to Zhong Yuxiu’s side. “Sister-in-law, I didn’t mean anything by it. Who knows what the future holds, right?”

Song Man glared at him. “Go outside and see how many people can compare with your sister-in-law.”

“Just because there is no one now doesn’t mean there will never be anyone!”

Even after being hit, he refused to back down. He was remarkably resilient.

Zhong Yuxiu silently gave him a thumbs-up. Feeling that he had lost face, Yan Rushan lowered his head and whispered in her ear, “Ruhai has been unreliable since he was little. He speaks too bluntly and never thinks before he opens his mouth.”

“I noticed.” Zhong Yuxiu answered him with a radiant smile.

“Then you should discipline him more in the future.”

Zhong Yuxiu looked at Yan Hejun’s stern face, Song Man’s furious expression as she lectured her youngest son, and Old Master Yan’s look of utter helplessness. She gave a disdainful laugh.

“Better not. He is fine as he is. Anyone who chooses the path of research must be able to endure solitude. There is no need to demand too much from him when it comes to social niceties. Straightforward people actually fare better in scientific circles.”

She was gaining a younger brother, not taking on another son.

“Is that so?” Yan Rushan looked at her with a smile that was not quite a smile.

Page 2 of 3

Page 3 of 3

What a lazy girl, always afraid of trouble.

Zhong Yuxiu understood the hidden meaning in his words. Smiling, she wrinkled her nose and clicked her tongue at him.

The two exchanged flirtatious glances while Doggie began stir-frying a simple dish. Yan Hejun and Old Master Yan were busy examining the range hood, and Song Man was reprimanding her youngest son. Only Yan Ruhai kept glancing toward them from time to time. He had meant to seek help, but instead ended up being forced to watch their public display of affection. His life was truly difficult.

“Yuxiu.”

“Ah? Yes, Grandpa Yan. What is it?” The ambiguous mood was suddenly interrupted. Zhong Yuxiu’s face grew hot, and she was secretly relieved that none of the elders had noticed.

Yan Rushan smiled handsomely. He lowered his eyes to glance at her, then turned toward Old Master Yan and his father.

“Grandpa. Dad.”

“The range hood works quite well!” Old Master Yan praised it without reservation.

Yan Hejun nodded in agreement. “It really does. We should install one at home too. Then we will not have to worry about cooking fumes.”

“Exactly!” At the mention of that, Song Man immediately stopped scolding her youngest son. “Every time I make dinner, I feel like taking off my clothes and washing them all over again. Ideally, I would take a proper shower too, just to wash away the smell. With a range hood, I would not have so many worries and could cook with peace of mind.”

In truth, some people did not dislike cooking itself. They simply disliked the smell of cooking fumes.

For those with sensitive noses who also valued cleanliness, having the odor cling to their bodies was pure torture.

“Then let’s install one. If we place an order in advance, it should arrive quickly.” Yan Rushan had no objection to doing something good for his family. He had wanted to install one from the beginning, but the elders had not agreed, and he had not wanted to make the decision on his own. “That way, whoever cooks at home can use it.”

“Buy one.” Yan Guofeng made the final decision.

Song Man beamed with delight. She walked over and took Zhong Yuxiu’s hand.

“Yuxiu, how on earth did you grow such a clever mind? You are far too smart. Neither of my two sons can compare with you. From now on, Auntie will treat you like a daughter, so do not be afraid to marry into our family and become our Dashan’s wife.”

Zhong Yuxiu: “?”

The subject had changed far too quickly for her to keep up.

After looking over the range hood, the group left the kitchen and returned to the living room, where they sat down on the sofa and continued talking.

Page 3 of 3