5 Objectives

Page 1/3

Chen Ran woke up groggily, rubbing his eyes as he opened the door. Fang Shouyi stood outside, his tall frame almost enveloping Chen Ran in shadow. "Xiao Ran, get up. Today we have to see Uncle Chen off."

"Mm." The cold air made Chen Ran’s small body shiver slightly. Fang Shouyi looked at him and couldn’t help but say, "Xiao Ran, wear more clothes."

"I know, thank you, Brother Shouyi." Chen Ran’s expression was calm. Fang Shouyi gently closed the door behind him and stood outside, pulling a cigarette from his pocket and lighting it. In the faint glow, smoke curled around him. He seemed lost in thought or perhaps deep in contemplation. When Chen Ran opened the door again, he saw Fang Shouyi leaning against the wall, a cigarette dangling from his lips, one hand holding the butt, the other in his pocket.

"Brother Shouyi." Chen Ran called softly. Snapping back to attention, Fang Shouyi looked at Chen Ran, now dressed warmly, and whispered, "Let’s go, Xiao Ran."

"If anything happens in the future, remember to call Brother Shouyi, Uncle Fang, or Aunt Yang, okay?" Fang Shouyi had been working in Linjiang City for over two years, starting at nineteen. The incident had come too suddenly, and Fang Zhentian had called on Fang Shouyi for help. The Chen family had few relatives in Ningchuan; it was just a widow and her children. Handling the aftermath wouldn’t be easy. Fang Shouyi was about to return to work, and Fang Zhentian had to leave too. Today was the last day of the funeral. While Fang Zhentian was talking to Luo Mingxiu, Fang Shouyi wanted to speak to Chen Ran.

Just as his parents, Fang Zhentian and Yang Meiyue, had said, it was a pitiful sight—an orphan and a widow. Besides, Aunt Luo’s health had never been good. If Uncle Chen hadn’t held the family together, Chen Qingyan wouldn’t have had the chance to attend university. Now that Uncle Chen was gone, only the mother and her three children remained. The Fang and Chen families had been neighbors for decades; if anything happened to the Chens, they would help as much as they could. Fang Zhentian and Yang Meiyue had planned to return to Linjiang City after a while, but a sudden call forced them to go back immediately—work couldn’t be put off.

"Mm." Chen Ran gave a soft response, but he knew his mother’s personality was very strong-willed. She disliked troubling others and would never ask for help. Deep down, Chen Ran was just like his mother—he didn’t like imposing on people. Many things he would just bear alone, seeing no need to seek assistance.

Fang Shouyi squatted down, gently stroking Chen Ran’s head. Seeing the determination on the small boy’s face, he sighed quietly. Aunt Luo was strong-willed, and so was Chen Ran—life was going to be tough. Fang Shouyi said no more, stood up, and walked ahead. Chen Ran followed him downstairs as mournful music played. He saw his mother’s hands wrapped in black burlap. An aunt came over, crouched beside Chen Ran, and tied a black cloth around his arm.

"Xiao Ran, we’re about to give your father his final farewell," the aunt’s voice trembled slightly. "Be good, okay?"

"Don’t worry, Auntie. I will be good."

"Such a good child," the aunt said, patting Chen Ran’s head as if sighing.

His mother held his father’s portrait, sobbing uncontrollably. Chen Ran followed closely behind her, head bowed, tears streaming down his cheeks.

In his memory, the funeral procession seemed endless, as if walking a century—winding and without end. But in reality, it was only a little over ten minutes before they reached the cemetery. There, his father’s urn was placed. His mother knelt before the headstone, crying aloud. The gloomy sky drizzled rain steadily. Fang Shouyi stood beside Chen Ran, holding an umbrella for him. Chen Ran wiped his tears, crying silently.

No one spoke; all were silent. By the time they left the cemetery, his mother was nearly fainting.

Yang Meiyue helped Luo Mingxiu, whispering, "Mingxiu, try to be strong. Old Chen is gone now. If there’s any trouble, come to Linjiang or call us. Old Fang and Old Chen were comrades and classmates for decades. Your matters are our matters."

Luo Mingxiu sighed, forcing a faint smile. "I will."

Yang Meiyue said no more, seeing Luo Mingxiu’s expression showed no intention of seeking help. Indeed, Luo Mingxiu had always been strong-willed. Now only the widow and her children remained, with one still studying out of town—whom they dared not tell. The road ahead could be very difficult. Fang Zhentian pulled Chen Ran aside and spoke softly, "Xiao Ran, if anything happens at home, don’t be afraid. Tell Uncle Fang right away, okay?"

Page 2/3

"Mm." Chen Ran nodded gently. Fang Zhentian stroked Chen Ran’s small head and smiled, "Xiao Ran, do you want to be a police officer when you grow up?"

"Your father used to tell me you wanted to be a policeman when you grew up. He was a good officer. If you become a policeman, you’ll be a good one too," Fang Zhentian sighed. Not long ago, Old Chen had proudly shown off, saying his son kept asking to see his uniform, claiming he wanted to be a policeman. Who would have thought… so soon, Old Chen was just a cold corpse.

[Hello, the Learning System is here to serve you wholeheartedly!]

[Please note: The Learning System’s content is heavily science-oriented, aiming to cultivate you into an outstanding scientist. By accepting the system’s educational plan, your goal should align—to become an excellent scientist!]

A scientist? Chen Ran was stunned. The Learning System might be a trivial feature in the novel, seemingly useless beyond urging him to study hard—no other special powers. Everything seemed self-driven; the system’s greatest function was to plan his studies and supervise him.

Yet, even as a trivial system, it helped him a lot. In his moments of confusion, it gave him direction and set goals. Even if those goals might not truly be what he wanted or could achieve, it was still a boost—at least he had a target and wouldn’t lose himself.

Fang Zhentian asked worriedly, "What’s wrong, Xiao Ran?"

"Nothing." Chen Ran lowered his head, recalling that he had told his father he wanted to be a policeman. But his health was poor. Although he seemed much better now than in his past life, he wasn’t sure if he still wanted to be a policeman. Like the system said, its entire plan was to make him an excellent scientist. Whether he could become one or not, Chen Ran didn’t know, but why not try?

"Uncle Fang," Chen Ran said softly, "I might disappoint you. I… I want to be a scientist."

"A scientist?" Fang Zhentian was first surprised, then smiled warmly, clapping his hands, "That’s great! Scientists make the country strong and prosperous—they’re ambitious!"

"As expected of Old Chen’s son," Fang Zhentian laughed heartily. "Xiao Ran, hearing that makes me feel at ease."

"But to become a scientist, you have to study hard," Fang Zhentian crouched down, patting Chen Ran’s fuzzy head, looking at his youthful face. "Promise Uncle Fang you won’t trouble your mother and will study well."

"Mm!" Chen Ran nodded firmly. "Uncle Fang, don’t worry. I will study hard. Even… for Dad, I must study well." Mentioning his father, his voice trembled with tears.

Fang Zhentian felt his heart ache for the mature child and said anxiously, "Xiao Ran, if there’s any difficulty at home, promise to tell Uncle Fang, okay? Don’t keep it to yourself. Your mother is still sick. Your sister is away at university. You’re not an adult yet. If anything happens, call Uncle Fang immediately. Do you remember Uncle Fang’s phone number?"

"Yes." Chen Ran nodded earnestly. Uncle Fang’s family was truly kind.

Fang Zhentian stood, said a few more words to Luo Mingxiu, and then the family drove back to Linjiang City.

Luo Mingxiu held Chen Ran’s hand gently, her voice soft, "Xiao Ran, let’s go home. What do you want to eat today?"

Page 3/3

"Mom, anything is fine."

"Mm." Luo Mingxiu’s smile was strained, a mixture of laughter and tears that made Chen Ran’s heart ache.

On the bus ride back to the police compound, dusk was falling. The persistent drizzle was dreary and unpleasant. His mother cooked in the kitchen while Chen Ran studied in his room.

In the past, whenever his father was free, he cooked and took his mother to the hospital. Mother rarely cooked. The kitchen echoed with clattering sounds. Chen Ran put down his pen and walked in. The kitchen was clean, with an iron wok, a gas stove, and an electric rice cooker—nothing else. The home was simple, filled with furniture over ten years old. The only newer item was a color TV.

In his past life, Chen Ran was quite skilled at cooking. Due to poor health, he had few friends and rarely went out. Because he liked Fang Shouyong, he remained single. Besides work, his favorite pastime was experimenting with cooking. Mother’s cooking was never good; Father usually prepared meals. If Father was at work, they’d get food from the canteen. Mother seldom cooked. Worried about her, Chen Ran said, "Mom, let me help."

Luo Mingxiu put down her knife, looking at the small figure at the kitchen door. Tears welled up, but she whispered, "Xiao Ran, hurry and study. School starts tomorrow."

"You only need to focus on your studies. Don’t worry about the rest."

"Mom, I can do it."

"Go study now." Luo Mingxiu fought back tears.

"Okay, Mom." Chen Ran turned away without another word. He knew his mother was strong and probably missed his father. He returned to his room and resumed reading as his mother continued cooking.

The cooking smoke curled upward. Chen Ran, immersed in his books, caught the aroma of the food.

After the rain clears, it isn’t necessarily a sunlit day. Under the gray sky, Chen Ran, still half asleep, was gently awakened by his mother.

"Xiao Ran."

Under the dim light, Luo Mingxiu stood thin and resolute by his bedside, softly nudging him.

"It’s past six. Morning study is about to start. Get up and eat."