The sound of water trickling from the fountain in the secluded garden filled the sunroom. Leon knelt on the soft rug, his mother's cool hands still cupping his face.
"What kind of place is this school at, Leon?" Li Mei asked in a shaky voice. "What are they making you do?"
Silence ruled, giving room for the burbling water to take charge.
Leon searched for words that wouldn't break them. He remained by their side, enjoying their comfort and losing track of time.
After a while, Lily tugged at his sleeve. "Leon, look what I managed to learn with Uncle Feng's help." She thrust a sheet of paper into his hands.
Leon's face turned pale when he stared at the complex mathematical calculations, equations, and the geometric proofs that were almost similar to what he remembered from his studies.
'This is something even I can't do.' The thought alone hit him like a thunderbolt. His eyes widened.
