“Christopher, did you also choose C?” the host asked again.
Christopher nodded. Three people had already chosen C, so even if he hadn’t chosen C, he had to pick the same answer now.
They would either all be right, or all be wrong together.
The host asked everyone who chose C to speak up, and then loudly asked again, “Does anyone have a different answer?”
However, no one spoke, which meant they all agreed with answer C.
But a large portion of them chose to remain silent because they were unsure of the answer.
“It seems all the answers are the same as Tongtong’s. So, is C really the correct answer? I won’t announce it yet. Please, everyone, look at the big screen, and it will tell you the answer.”
After the host finished speaking, the large screen displayed the same painting again. The peonies in the painting were circled with red lines, but the number of peonies was not counted, so everyone had to count them.
Everyone simultaneously turned their gaze to the painting on the screen and began to count seriously.
Seeing that some people had finished counting, the host asked, “How many peonies did you all count?”
From the audience, a chorus of voices replied, “Twenty-two!”
This answer surprised everyone. They hadn’t expected Tongtong to be correct.
Their gazes towards Tongtong shifted from initial doubt to extreme shock.
They truly couldn’t believe how a child as young as Tongtong had managed to do this.
Liu Yifeng also counted and confirmed there were indeed twenty-two peonies. He was overjoyed, as he knew Tongtong would not make a mistake.
However, Mother Song did not feel ashamed for her earlier words because Tongtong had answered correctly. Instead, she maintained a disdainful expression, “Hmph, maybe he just got lucky.”
“Mother Song, is it that difficult to acknowledge another person’s child?” a parent couldn’t stand it anymore.
“I’m not refusing to acknowledge him. It’s just that he’s so young, do you believe he could actually see how many flowers there are?
And he answered so quickly, is his brain a machine that can immediately process data upon seeing it?” Mother Song’s words left others speechless.
Because, what she said did have some logic. The child was only about three and a half years old. How much brain capacity would he need to remember so many images?
Seeing that everyone had fallen silent, Mother Song let out a cold snort.
Liu Yifeng didn’t want to argue with them. Mother Song, from the bottom of her heart, was unwilling to admit that Tongtong was more outstanding than her son. Therefore, no matter what he said, she wouldn’t believe it.
Only by his future performance could Tongtong truly put her in her place.
The host, seeing that everyone agreed on 22, exclaimed excitedly, “Let’s congratulate Tongtong, he answered correctly!
He is also the youngest and fastest contestant, taking less than a second.
Now, I would like to interview Tongtong on behalf of everyone. I know you all must have many questions right now, wanting to know how Tongtong managed to answer so quickly.
This is also my question. In all my years in this profession, I have never seen a child as young as Tongtong and yet so intelligent.”
He then walked directly towards Tongtong and asked with a smile, “Tongtong, can you tell us how you were able to accurately calculate the number of peonies in such a short time?
Do you have the ability to foresee the future, knowing that I would ask about the number of peonies, so you focused your attention on them?”
Of course, he was joking to liven up the atmosphere and to ease Tongtong’s potential nervousness.
Tongtong picked up the microphone and said in a soft voice, “Uncle Host, can I ask you a question?”
His words surprised the host, who wondered what Tongtong wanted to ask him, but he smiled and indicated that he could.
However, Tongtong’s question left him bewildered, “Uncle Host, what is the name of this program I’m participating in?”
“The Brain,” he replied, “Doesn’t everyone know that?” He couldn’t understand the purpose of Tongtong’s question.
But he, and everyone present, would soon find out.
Tongtong blinked his big, dark eyes, looking innocent, “Since it’s ‘The Brain’ program, it means that my brain and the brains of my brothers and sisters are all very smart, otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to participate in such a program.
Since that is the case, isn’t it normal for me to answer this question correctly? Otherwise, what qualifications would I have to sit here and answer questions?”
His answer elicited thunderous applause from the audience. The child’s mind was so clear that he had left the host speechless.
Even they couldn’t find any fault with what he said. Tongtong was right. They couldn’t forget the core of the program just because he was young.
The word “Brain” was certainly not just for show. Since Tongtong could appear here, they could not question his ability based on his age.
Initially, some people suspected there might have been some inside dealings for Tongtong to be here, but now it seemed they had overthought it and underestimated Tongtong.
The host, after being momentarily speechless, quickly regained his composure. “Tongtong, I apologize. I shouldn’t have asked you that question. Everyone has witnessed your abilities.
We have completed the first round of competition, and there are two more rounds to determine the top sixteen contestants who will advance.
Do you have anything you would like to say to your brothers and sisters who are competing with you?”
Tongtong held the microphone, looked up at the other contestants, and said earnestly, “Although we are rivals on the competition stage,
learning has no end. I hope that regardless of winning or losing, my brothers and sisters will continue to learn happily.”
“Tongtong said it wonderfully. Learning has no end.
If you wish to reach the summit of the towering mountain of knowledge, diligence is the only path to the top.
This competition is not the sole measure of your abilities, nor should you negate your past efforts because of a poor performance. Let’s all keep going.
Now, please, Tongtong, return to your seat. And now, may our four review teachers provide their comments on the remaining contestants.”
Tongtong leaped lightly from his seat and returned to his own.
As he passed his mother, he didn’t even spare her a glance, treating her as if she were a stranger.
Meanwhile, Yun Duor, upon witnessing Tongtong’s performance, felt a sense of crisis for the first time.
Seeing that Tongtong wasn’t looking at her, she suppressed her disappointment and could only wonder how Tongtong had become so intelligent.
When she was raising him, he seemed no different from any other child, and she hadn’t noticed any extraordinary talents.
Especially the recent exchange with the host was impeccable.
If she hadn’t personally seen Tongtong answering questions on stage, she would never have believed Tongtong could be so capable.
Had this child been hiding his true abilities from her all along, or had Liu Yifeng discovered his talent after he started living with him?
But now that she was a special guest invited by Song Yicheng, in terms of personal interests, she still hoped that Tongtong would not be as capable as Song Yicheng. She absolutely could not let Xia Qianqian gain such an advantage.