I was a top student in America.

Chapter 124 Embrace (Please Subscribe)

These long academic articles differ from short and quick academic bulletins. According to the normal review process, it usually takes one to two months to get the initial review results.

From the editor-in-chief assigning reviewers, to the reviewers' comments and suggestions for revision, and then to the theoretical derivation and numerical verification that may be needed later, every step must be taken carefully.

Once all revisions meet the requirements and are officially accepted by the journal, and after proofreading, it can be finally published online.

Although Professor Rudy and Amber helped revise and review the paper, and the paper itself was of extremely high quality, the research group's project had just been far ahead in the interim evaluation of the U.S. Department of Energy, and the subsequent written materials would inevitably be subject to more rigorous scrutiny from experts from all sides.

Having published two previous papers, Li Ao knew that rigor was paramount, especially in situations like this.

If this core article is rough in its details, it will actually drag down the competitive advantage that the research group has just established.

That's why he insists on doing his best in every closed loop of algorithm, theoretical estimation, and numerical verification, because he can't keep regressing as he writes.

"If I can successfully raise my reputation to 110, I might be able to unlock entries that improve my academic writing skills. This would be a great help for future application interviews and thesis defenses," Li Ao thought to himself.

With his academic plans in mind, Li Ao had already cycled back to the building of the School of Education.

Before long, familiar, light footsteps came from behind.

He turned his head and saw Emily walking towards him after finishing the first day of the exchange activities.

"Our schedule at the University of Chicago is all done for today, we can probably head back now." Emily smiled, pursing her lips. "Are you hungry? I still owe you a meal."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony, come on up."

Li Ao patted the car seat and greeted him gently.

Emily sat back on the back of the bicycle, somewhat shyly placing her hand back on his waist.

In the afterglow of the setting sun, a faint blush appeared on her fair cheeks as she nodded gently.

Not long after, the two walked along 61st Street to an open-air market. They hadn't gone far when they saw someone waving in the distance.

"Leo, over here!"

Li Ao recognized her as his grandmother, Liu Guifang, and quickly responded before pushing his bicycle and walking over.

"Did everything go smoothly at school? Let me help Grandma buy some groceries first, and I'll cook something delicious for you when I get home later."

-

Liu Guifang smiled broadly as she spoke, casually placing her large canvas bag into the basket of Li Ao's bicycle.

Emily stood to the side and greeted her politely, "Hello, Grandma Liu. I promised to treat Leo to dinner today, why don't you come with us?" Her voice was clear and sweet.

"That won't do. Mr. Brown has helped Leo so much, how can we let you treat us? Grandma will pay for everything we eat today." Liu Guifang led the way, shaking her head and declining repeatedly.

Li Ao pushed the cart, smiling as he looked at the elderly woman with light steps.

Compared to last winter, Grandma is dressed much more presentably now, with a brand new scarf around her neck, and she looks much more relaxed.

During this period, Li Aolai was in charge of the household accounts, and he knew better than anyone about the improvement in the family's financial situation.

In that old apartment building number 306, the broken old tables and chairs have been replaced, new cookware has been added to the kitchen, and a second-hand microwave oven has been purchased for easier heating of meals.

Although the insulin bills sent by the pharmacy on time are still a considerable expense, at least I no longer have to scramble to scrape together money every month like before.

Moreover, Liu Guifang listened to his advice and quit her dirty and tiring physical job in the laundry room, keeping only a leisurely cleaning job at a Chinese church.

With improved meals and a few new clothes, her health and complexion have improved significantly.

Only then did that cramped little apartment finally begin to resemble a place where one could truly live.

However, when it came to the matter of food, Liu Guifang ultimately couldn't persuade Emily otherwise.

At the girl's insistence, the three finally found a fried chicken restaurant on the street. Emily ended up paying for the meal.

"Oh, I can actually make this kind of fried chicken too. Come over to my place when you have time, I'll make it for you, I guarantee it'll be cheaper and tastier than what you get outside."

Liu Guifang felt guilty for taking advantage of the younger generation, so before leaving, she pulled Emily aside and gave her another piece of advice.

Emily smiled and nodded in agreement: "Okay, Grandma Liu, I'll definitely go next time."

As she spoke, she turned around, opened her arms generously to Li Ao, and said softly, "Leo, thank you for tutoring me in calculus, and for even bringing me to the University of Chicago today."

"You're welcome----"

Before Li Ao could finish speaking, the girl embraced him tightly. It was an extremely generous and firm hug.

Liu Guifang, who was standing to the side, saw this scene and the old lady's expression softened.

After seeing Emily off, the grandmother and granddaughter wandered around the market together for another ten minutes or so before heading to their familiar grocery store.

At the shop entrance, several neighbors were chatting together. When they saw Liu Guifang walking over, they all smiled warmly.

"Oh, Mrs. Liu, shopping for groceries?"

The proprietress greeted everyone warmly first.

They were all long-time neighbors from this area, and they knew each other very well.

"Yes, my grandson came with me today too."

Liu Guifang's face was full of pride as she pulled Li Ao aside and gestured to the others.

"This is Leo! He looks really handsome."

The proprietress's eyes lit up, and she quickly brought out two boxes from behind the counter. "Here, I specially reserved two boxes of discounted organic eggs for you. Take them home and give them to your grandson to nourish his body."

Although most of the shopkeepers and employees in the surrounding shops were seeing Li Ao for the first time, they had long heard that Old Madam Liu's family had produced an extraordinary prodigy. They immediately gathered not far away and began to whisper among themselves.

"Is this Grandma Liu's grandson? I heard he won some international mathematics gold medal a while ago."

"That's right, it was even in the newspapers this summer, and he's a key player on the basketball team."

"With such a promising grandson, the old lady can just relax and enjoy her retirement."

"Sigh, it's incomparable. My good-for-nothing son of mine spends all his time messing around on the streets. He's over twenty years old now and hasn't even gotten a high school diploma."

"I'll have to find a chance to ask Mrs. Liu if her grandson has a girlfriend now."

After exchanging a few pleasantries amidst the praise of neighbors, Li Aogang accompanied his grandmother as they walked out of the grocery store carrying groceries. Just then, they bumped into an old acquaintance on the street corner.

Harris, the owner of "Big Baby" sporting goods store.