Chapter Fifteen: Was It a Mistake?

When the parent-teacher conference ended, Lin Lang and Lin Nan, as usual, headed to the track of QS County No. 1 Primary School for their nightly running training. Nothing had changed because of this special day; for the past month, Lin Nan had never skipped his morning and evening training, and today was no exception.

But things were different for some of the other parents who attended the conference. This night was destined to be anything but peaceful.

Zhang Yuxin was the class president of Class 6. She had often ranked first in the year, and her outstanding grades and elegant demeanor made her the secret crush of countless boys. It was rumored she could play the piano as well—truly a multi-talented young lady, the very image of a refined woman from ancient times.

All along, Zhang Yuxin's mother believed herself to be the world's best mother, having raised such an exceptional daughter: well-read, courteous, always at the top of her class, and class president since childhood. Though she was a girl, she already displayed remarkable leadership skills. In her mother's plans, Zhang Yuxin was destined to become a powerful woman of the new era.

Sometimes, her mother would even daydream: I wonder which lucky man in the future will marry my daughter? He must be a successful entrepreneur! No, an outstanding young businessman! He must come from a good family, be talented, filial, understanding...

That was until tonight, when she heard Lin Nan's parent speak.

At first, she scoffed. She was used to being the one giving speeches at these meetings; why had Teacher Mei changed her mind today? Still, the man was handsome enough for her to listen patiently.

The initial talk about the spirit of craftsmanship resonated with her—after all, she was a college graduate and understood such ideas well. But as the speech continued, she found it increasingly dubious. This Lin Nan child loved basketball that much? He was inspired by engines and light bulbs to love physics? And he could improve academically while playing basketball every day?

No matter how she looked at it, she decided Lin Nan’s recent improvement was a mere fluke; next time, the boy wouldn’t be so lucky.

Of course, reality wasn’t exactly as Lin Lang described it, but he could only say so much. In the end, how to raise a child was the parent’s prerogative—no one else had the right to interfere.

When Zhang Yuxin’s mother returned home, she saw her daughter under the desk lamp, working on exercises. The sight filled her with pride.

But then she glanced at the piano in the living room, now covered in a layer of dust.

Ever since Zhang Yuxin entered the third year of middle school, she had rarely played the piano. At first, her mother was the one who stopped her, urging her to focus on her studies and wait for the holidays to play.

But even during vacations, her daughter seldom played. It was as though, out of consideration for her mother’s feelings, she simply stopped.

At this, Zhang Yuxin’s mother looked again at her daughter, hunched over her desk, and recalled the words of that man.

Perhaps, while studying, she could also pursue other interests.

Her daughter’s grades were so good—why not let her play the piano more often? If her grades dropped, she could always stop her then.

So, Zhang Yuxin’s mother softly called out to her daughter, “Yuxin, come out and take a break before you continue studying. The teacher praised you again at the conference tonight. It’s been so long since I’ve heard you play—why not play a piece for me?”

At her mother’s gentle voice, Zhang Yuxin’s pen paused mid-stroke. There was a faint ripple in her calm gaze, but it quickly faded.

Without turning her head, she replied quietly, “It’s not necessary, Mom. I haven’t finished my assignments tonight.”

With that, her steady pen resumed its work.

Once again, Zhang Yuxin’s mother felt comforted—her daughter was truly so sensible.

After the high school entrance exams—no, after the college entrance exams—her daughter could then pursue what she loved. As a student, her sole duty now was to study.

She was convinced that everything she did was for her daughter’s own good; she was not wrong.

...

Li Tie was a boy in Class 6 with barely any presence—perhaps only his deskmate knew he existed. His grades were below average, his features unremarkable, his height ordinary, and he spoke softly—altogether, he was easily overlooked.

Li Tie’s father was a worker at an auto repair shop. He had only finished junior high, never received higher education, and went straight to work at the shop after leaving school. Over the years, he rose from apprentice to the most skilled technician in the shop.

But that was all he could be—a worker.

He knew this well, which is why he always hoped his son Li Tie would go to college and receive a good education.

Every year, when the shop recruited new employees, those with college or graduate degrees would quickly be promoted, assigned to offices, or even start out as managers. Some walked in and were given office positions straight away.

Witnessing this every year only strengthened his resolve to make Li Tie study hard and go to college.

But tonight, the words spoken by Lin Nan’s parent struck a chord deep in his heart.

Because of his father’s job, Li Tie had played in the auto shop since he was little, developing a deep interest in cars and their parts. At seven or eight, he could identify nearly every component of a car. By eleven or twelve, he was already helping out, practically a qualified mechanic.

The workers all said Li Tie was gifted and would one day perfectly inherit Old Li’s trade.

But those words always made Old Li uncomfortable. Inherit what, exactly? A life as a technical worker?

Toil every day? Disheveled and dirty?

So, by ninth grade, Old Li had forbidden Li Tie from going to the auto shop.

But the mention of “craftsmanship” tonight truly startled him.

Old Li realized he might have been wrong. Perhaps he should respect his son’s choices—he knew his son well.

Li Tie was passionate about cars, and that interest had only grown over the years. He was exceptionally talented—at least better than Old Li himself, the “shop’s best technician.” He was unafraid of hardship, willing to persevere; he could spend an entire sweltering afternoon in the shop, just to watch his father’s repair methods.

Wasn’t this the perfect seedling for an “automotive craftsman”?

Old Li deeply recognized his mistake and felt grateful to Lin Lang. He decided that, starting tomorrow, he would no longer oppose Li Tie’s passion for auto mechanics. He would teach him everything he knew.

Tonight, he would go home and share this decision with Li Tie.

And, as Lin Lang suggested, he would let his son study academics and pursue his interest in mechanics simultaneously. At worst, Li Tie could attend an automotive technical school in high school. He remembered a graduate from a prestigious university at the shop mentioning that his school had once made an exception and admitted a student from a technical college because the student’s drone research was so advanced—almost on par with professors. That student graduated in less than two years and started a company called DJI. Apparently, it was now thriving.

Old Li believed Li Tie could carve out his own path in the world of auto mechanics.

Must a craftsman necessarily be unsuccessful?

...

Many parents attended the conference that evening, each listening to Lin Lang’s speech.

Some, like Zhang Yuxin’s mother, clung to their own methods, convinced that everything they did was for their child’s benefit.

Some, like Li Tie’s father, recognized their mistakes and resolved to respect their children’s choices.

Others thought Lin Lang made sense, but not entirely—education could not be uniform, and each child was uniquely different. The best method was what suited the child.

But no matter what, all parents love their children and want the best for them. None of them are truly wrong; if there are mistakes, they are in the methods, not in the love they pour into their children.

Of course, there are those rare parents who neglect their children as though they were not their own, but such cases are few and far between.

Meanwhile, Lin Nan, running on the track, was untroubled by such concerns. Under Lin Lang’s guidance, the last month had been full of happiness.

Running was exhausting, but he had learned perseverance.

Waking early was hard, but his basketball dreams helped him overcome his struggle to get up.

Despite being in his final year of middle school, he felt no pressure at all.

Balancing work and rest, this life made Lin Nan feel truly fulfilled.

He was grateful to have a wonderful father.

The next day, Monday, as Lin Nan arrived at school, he noticed many classmates had changed dramatically.

Li Tie, usually expressionless, was now smiling brightly, absorbed in an automotive magazine, completely engrossed.

Zhang Lin, always buried in books or homework, now sat with a blank sheet of paper and a box of colored pencils, drawing!

Ye Dongyang—his deskmate, of all people—had taken out a PSP and was playing Contra under the desk!

Catching Lin Nan’s surprised look, Ye said, “What are you staring at? I’m going to be a man like Sky one day!”

But most students remained unchanged; only a handful showed such transformations.

In this tense third year, most kept their heads down, studying hard in a slightly stifling atmosphere, hoping for higher scores, better rankings, and, ultimately, admission to their ideal high school.

As always, Lin Nan opened his physics textbook, leafing through page after page, making circles, immersing himself completely in the vast ocean of physics, seeking new discoveries and treasures.

He studied with ease and joy, curiosity leading the way—what better way to learn?

Suddenly, as he turned another page, Lin Nan realized with a hint of surprise that he had finished reading the entire “Physics for Grade Eight, First Semester”!

With a slight smile, he took out “Physics for Grade Eight, Second Semester” from his drawer and, with a sense of anticipation and excitement, began reading the first page.