Chapter Two: Youthful Arrogance

Early in the morning, Lin Nan woke up and climbed out of bed, his eyes still drowsy with sleep. The moment he entered the dining room, he was greeted by a lavish breakfast spread—fried dough twists, savory fritters, and longevity noodles.

With a broad smile, Lin Lang said to him, “Awake at last? Happy birthday to our son! Thirteen already!” Beside him, Ye Xinlan’s face was all smiles as well, any trace of the previous day’s anger completely gone.

Lin Nan beamed with joy. “Thank you, Mom and Dad!”

Lin Lang watched his son’s face, the dimples deepening as he smiled. His once round, plump cheeks were growing thinner and sharper with the onset of adolescence, the very picture of a cheerful youth. Lin Lang’s heart brimmed with happiness—what could be more comforting than a child’s pure smile, especially when it was your own?

Amid laughter and pleasant chatter, the family finished breakfast. After tidying up and packing their bags, they set off for their hometown.

The night before, Lin Lang had pondered for a long time: where should he take Lin Nan for his birthday? Should they climb a mountain and take in the grand view? Visit the sea to feel its boundless vastness? Tour a big city and marvel at skyscrapers? Or… In the end, he decided to return to the place where he himself had grown up. Knowledge, after all, springs from life and from nature.

Driving the familiar yet now somewhat foreign Santana down the rural road, Lin Lang felt a mix of nostalgia and novelty. The car was almost obsolete now—he recalled that he’d replaced it with a brand-new Audi not long after the New Year one year—but for the moment, the old Santana had its own unique charm.

The mountains and forests on either side of the road were tinged with ever more gold amidst the green; autumn was drawing to a close. Up ahead, Lin Lang glimpsed the blurred outline of a four or five-story building on the right. As they drew closer, the characters for “Longteng Technology Park” came into view.

Lin Lang smiled. He knew this building well, as well as the “Longteng Technology Company” behind it—a local star enterprise. But his smile was not for the company itself; it was because, when Lin Nan first rode with him to the county seat, this building had already stood here. Back then, Lin Nan had been so awed by the sight of such a grand structure that he couldn’t help but stare at it every time they drove by.

Until one day, passing by as usual, Lin Nan blurted out something that left both Lin Lang and Ye Xinlan half amused, half exasperated: “Dad, when I grow up, I’m going to buy a building just like that one.”

Ah, the brashness of youth. Lin Lang figured that building must be worth at least tens of millions now, and in a few years, its value would skyrocket.

Later, Lin Nan finished middle school in the city, grew older, broadened his horizons, and learned more. When the family next passed the building, he was silent.

Recalling this, Lin Lang took his left hand from the wheel and gently ruffled Lin Nan’s hair with his right. “Son, do you remember that building? I believe in you!”

A shy smile tinged Lin Nan’s young face. He remembered his boast from three years before and felt a bit embarrassed, now aware of just how valuable the building was—perhaps even his father’s life savings wouldn’t suffice to buy it. Yet in his pure eyes, a surge of confidence and vigor welled up, clearly inspired by those words: “I believe in you.”

After a pause, Lin Nan declared boldly, “A gentleman’s word cannot be taken back!”

Lin Lang laughed heartily. What is youth without a touch of audacity?

Hearing all this from the back seat, Ye Xinlan, for once, refrained from her usual habit of dashing cold water on her son’s dreams. Instead, she smiled and said, “Mom believes in you too!”

The light of hope in Lin Nan’s eyes shone even brighter.

The car continued along the country road. Ahead, a flashing camera hung over the asphalt, blinking steadily. Lin Lang seized the opportunity and said, “Son, do you know why there are speed limits on so many roads?”

Lin Nan answered immediately, “Of course! For safety. If you drive too fast, you’re more likely to cause an accident.”

Lin Lang went on, “But do you know how the police measure your speed?”

Lin Nan turned his head, a puzzled look on his face, then glanced around. Soon his eyes landed on the flashing camera. Pointing at it, he grinned. “I get it! It’s that camera up ahead. It keeps taking pictures and records the car’s position. By calculating the difference in distance and the time between shots, it can figure out the car’s speed.”

Lin Lang was delighted and praised him, “That’s right!” Lin Nan’s mind was still as quick as ever, especially when it came to math. Strictly speaking, what he’d just described was high school physics, though there was some mention of it in middle school.

“Master math, physics, and chemistry, and you can go anywhere in the world without fear.” There’s truth in that old saying. Knowledge springs from life and enriches life. Children are naturally curious about the world; if that curiosity can be channeled into learning, then learning becomes a joy, not a chore. It isn’t just about cold formulas in books or the red marks on test papers.

A thousand books are not worth a thousand miles of travel. Lin Lang already had a “learning plan” for Lin Nan mapped out for the day.

After passing the “speed camera knowledge checkpoint,” Lin Lang continued, “Son, I’ve been driving this Santana for years now. Soon I’m planning to get an Audi.”

But before he could ask a question, Lin Nan jumped in, “I know! That’s the car with the four rings in a row!”

Lin Lang chuckled, “And do you know why an Audi is better than a Santana?”

Lin Nan blurted, “Because it looks cool! This Santana is so ugly. Remember that black Audi in ‘Car Wars’? It’s awesome!”

Lin Lang burst out laughing, and Ye Xinlan, in the back, joined in—though she stayed silent, watching Lin Lang’s performance with quiet amusement.

Smiling, Lin Lang pressed on, “Besides looking cool, what else?”

Lin Nan thought for a moment. “It’s faster!”

Lin Lang nodded. “Anything else?”

Lin Nan shook his head. “Nope!”

Just as Lin Lang was about to say more, they stopped at a red light. A black Mercedes pulled up alongside. Lin Lang held his tongue.

Lin Nan noticed the luxury car too, his big eyes darting curiously at it through the window. The two cars made a stark contrast at the light, but the old Santana seemed unbothered, perhaps because its owner didn’t feel inferior in the least.

The light turned green; the black Mercedes shot ahead, leaving the Santana far behind.

Lin Nan, who’d been watching all along, exclaimed, “Dad! I get it, too—good cars accelerate faster. Look at that Mercedes—zoom, and it’s gone!”

Lin Lang was delighted. Lin Nan had given the answer he’d been hoping for.

Lin Lang explained slowly, “That’s called acceleration. It’s a physical quantity that describes how quickly speed changes. What you just called acceleration is exactly that. You’ll study it in high school.”

He looked for all the world like an award-winning lecturer, but a discordant voice soon broke the mood.

“Dad, didn’t you only graduate middle school? How do you know stuff from high school?” Lin Nan asked in genuine confusion.

From the back, Ye Xinlan looked on with equal curiosity. Since when did her husband know so much?

Lin Lang realized at once he’d slipped. He couldn’t just say, “Actually, I’m from another world, son! After you left, I became an education expert and learned all sorts of basic knowledge!” Years of experience came to his rescue, and he replied casually, “Yes, I only graduated middle school. Back then, my family couldn’t afford more schooling. But I always loved learning and read about high school topics too. Besides, I’ve been driving for over a decade—of course I know plenty about cars!”

Before the subject could shift, Lin Lang asked, “Nan Nan, do you know why better cars accelerate and go faster?”

Lin Nan shook his head. This time, he really didn’t know. He suspected it had to do with the engine but wasn’t sure how.

Once more, Lin Lang donned his teacher’s hat. “Cars have three main components: the engine, the transmission, and the chassis.

“The engine is the most crucial part, and it’s the most technically demanding. It’s the source of a car’s power, turning chemical energy in fuel into mechanical energy to set the car in motion.

“Nowadays, the mainstream engines are naturally aspirated (L) and turbocharged (T). Naturally aspirated engines have a long-standing reputation—responsive and reliable. Turbocharged engines are powerful and quick to accelerate, reaching maximum torque even at low RPMs. For the same displacement, they’re stronger than naturally aspirated engines, though less reliable and smooth.

“Transmissions come in manual and automatic. Manual transmissions respond faster, save fuel, and give a better driving experience when shifting yourself. Automatics are more convenient but use more fuel and respond a bit slower.

“The chassis is made up of the drive, suspension, steering, and braking systems. Many people compare the chassis to a car’s skeleton, which shows just how important it is.

“Quick acceleration depends on torque; top speed depends on power. Cars with larger engines accelerate faster! Turbocharged cars accelerate faster! Lighter cars accelerate faster!

“This is just like the power formulas you’ve learned in middle school physics: P=W/t=F*S/t=FV. In high school, you’ll learn about acceleration, a=F/m…”

Lin Nan listened, wide-eyed and fascinated. He was amazed to discover how much there was to learn about the cars he saw every day, and how closely it was tied to his physics lessons.

But Lin Lang didn’t go on. If he were to explain everything about cars, it would take until nightfall. Instead, he wrapped up, “But do you know, Nan Nan, that most of the cars around us are foreign brands? A major reason is that domestic engine technology still lags far behind that of developed countries abroad. It’s up to your generation to close that gap. Now do you see why learning matters?”

Lin Nan nodded, half-understanding. Lin Lang knew well enough that his son probably wouldn’t pursue physics or automobiles in the future—he lacked the talent and interest—but the lesson had to be taught.

Then again, who could say? Unlike his previous life, this time Lin Lang wanted Lin Nan to have a broad perspective from a young age. Who knew what the future might hold—what Lin Nan would love, or which path he would choose?

As time passed, their car finally reached its destination: a small village by Clear Water Lake, the very place where Lin Lang had grown up.