CHAPTER 392: CHAPTER 391: GO ABROAD

Gu Xiaojie immediately said with smug delight, "Yeah, Mom, Sis, I also have strengths, at least my specialty is computers."

Li Xuemei rolled her eyes and said, "How is computers considered a specialty? You might as well say your specialty is playing games. I see you spend way more time playing games in front of the computer than studying. If you put all that energy into your studies, you might have been one of the top students by now."

Gu Xiaojie shut his mouth after being reprimanded, though his expression was displeased.

Feeling somewhat sullen being criticized by his mom.

Gu Xiaoqing smiled and said, "Xiao Jie, come sit next to me."

She wasn’t trying to force Gu Xiaojie to study; sometimes everyone has their own path and doesn’t need to be coerced into being like her.

Gu Xiaoqing now is different from back then; she more acknowledges everyone’s individuality and freedom, not just believing that attending college is the only way out.

At least Gu Xiaoqing knows that in a few years, there will be university graduates everywhere, and finding a job will be difficult.

What’s more important is ability; that’s the foundation for survival. Plus, the Gu Family isn’t short of money now. Spending some money to send Gu Xiaojie abroad for further education means he’d return as a fresh graduate with overseas experience. But importantly, Gu Xiaojie must have self-worth.

A flashy degree doesn’t prove anything without real skills.

Gu Xiaojie shrank his neck slightly and sat next to Gu Xiaoqing, feeling somewhat anxious.

"Second Sis, please don’t scold me; I know I’ve got it wrong. But studying also requires talent. I see those books and just want to sleep. You can’t blame me for that, can you?"

Complaining with grievance.

Gu Xiaoqing smiled and said, "I know. It’s not that Second Sis wants to scold you; I’m just thinking if you truly have a gift for computers, we could enroll you in a computer programming course. At least it’s something you like. Compared to forcing you to learn knowledge from books you don’t like, maybe you have strengths in other areas."

This instantly brightened Gu Xiaojie’s eyes, and he looked at Gu Xiaoqing with less fear and more hope.

"Sis, really, are you serious?"

"Yes, it’s true."

Gu Xiaoqing replied affirmatively.

Li Xuemei hurriedly said, "Xiaoqing, you shouldn’t spoil Xiao Jie like this. It’s time for school now; if you don’t go, what can you do in the future?"

In Li Xuemei’s mind, university is the right path.

Couldn’t you see how smart and capable Gu Xiaoqing is?

To Li Xuemei and Gu Ruhai, it’s all the result of knowledge.

Gu Xiaoqing calmly said to Li Xuemei, "Mom, don’t worry. It’s not about not letting Xiao Jie go to school; it’s about providing selective nurturing. Xiao Jie, look, at your age, school is definitely unavoidable. But we can find ways to help you fulfill your interests."

Stating the facts honestly.

Gu Xiaojie’s hopeful glance turned somewhat disappointed again; it seems the child has developed a psychological barrier toward school.

"Sis, can’t I just not go to school? I only want to learn computer-related knowledge. Those languages, math, English, and physics and chemistry have nothing to do with computers. I get a headache just looking at them. How can I learn them?"

Gu Xiaojie simply doesn’t want to attend school.

At thirteen years old and refusing school, it really troubles Li Xuemei and Gu Ruhai.

"Not going to school, not going to school, what can you do without school? Computers can’t feed you. When we’re gone one day, and you have no skills, won’t you starve? Just looking at our family’s restaurant, if you remain ignorant, when your dad and I pass on, I worry it might go bankrupt." Li Xuemei wouldn’t allow her son to skip school, angrily scolding Gu Xiaojie for his lack of ambition.

Gu Xiaojie pouted and stayed silent, but his facial expression showed defiance.

Gu Xiaoqing pulled Gu Xiaojie over and said, "Xiao Jie, don’t you think attending school is useless? But do you know those computer programs are all in English, and the structure and connection between various programs follow certain patterns? This pattern relates to those seemingly useless math, physics, and chemistry you mentioned.

If you don’t know any of this and only rely on your hobby to learn computers, it definitely won’t work. You might think I’m fooling you and just want to trick you into going back to school.

How about this, it’s too late for winter break, but next summer I can help you get a spot as an exchange student in the United States. You can spend three months in the birthplace of computers to see and learn deeply, and also check out how those computer heroes in your mind actually study.

Is their computer knowledge based on the same foundation I’ve mentioned, or am I deceiving you?"

Gu Xiaoqing had this plan early on; Gu Xiaojie needs broad horizons, not settling for being satisfied just in a big city like them.

The Gu Family’s future growth cannot solely rely on her guidance but requires leaders with comprehensive and advanced knowledge, keen minds, and the capacity to embrace new concepts.

Gu Xiaojie is the heir of his parents’ high hopes, so it’s essential for him to see the vast world and unique lives beyond.

Education isn’t the most important thing, but it’s at least a necessity.

To make Gu Xiaojie realize this, he mustn’t only see a small piece of the sky and world.

Witnessing the world outside will encourage Gu Xiaojie to shoulder this responsibility.

He cannot be limited by moving from rural areas to a city; this would only restrict Gu Xiaojie’s life in the future.

Gu Xiaojie immediately grew interested, given the United States represents the legendary origin of hackers to him, basically a paradise for computers in his mind.

He nodded energetically, eyes sparkling with this young age eager for absorbing new information and knowledge, nearly ecstatic about such prospects.

"Sis, you really mean it."

"I’m not lying to you; when have I ever lied to you?" Gu Xiaoqing said with a smile.

Li Xuemei said worriedly, "You kids, you don’t discuss these things with us. Is it so easy to go abroad? Plus, Xiao Jie is barely thirteen; if anything happens, how can we rest assured?"

Li Xuemei is truly worried; the United States.

In Li Xuemei’s mind, it’s a place out of reach.

Still filled with guns, violence, and ****, a capitalist country entirely different from here.