"Alright, that little interlude can be completely ignored," Shen Xi said, affectionately ruffling his hair and quickly changing the subject. "Seeing so many young contestants, do you feel confident?"
"Yes. Mommy, don't worry," Shuo Shuo smiled at her, full of confidence.
"Good." Shen Xi took a three-by-three Rubik's Cube from her bag and handed it to him. "Before the competition starts, you can practice a bit more."
"Okay." Shuo Shuo took it and began to turn it rapidly.
Shen Xi watched his focused and skilled movements, her eyes filled with tenderness and a sense of assurance.
Just then, a young mother with a ponytail, her face filled with shock, walked over, pulling a boy of about seven or eight. "Hello, is this your child?"
"Yes. Hello," Shen Xi replied politely, turning her head slightly.
"He's not very old, but he plays the Rubik's Cube so skillfully. Where did he learn to do that?" the mother asked curiously.
"We didn't attend any training classes, he's self-taught," Shen Xi replied with a smile.
Upon hearing this, the mother found it hard to believe. "How is that possible? A child who hasn't received guidance from a professional teacher can play the Rubik's Cube at this level? Isn't he a genius?"
Her own child was already in the second grade of elementary school and had been learning the Rubik's Cube for four years, yet he couldn't achieve such speed.
The boy beside her was also amazed by Shuo Shuo's movements, his eyes wide open, staring intently at him.
Shuo Shuo, however, was unaffected by their conversation. His expression was calm as he continued to focus on manipulating the Rubik's Cube in his hands.
"See? This young man is entirely self-taught, he didn't spend a single penny of his family's money, and he's already so good. And then there's you. I think all the money spent over the past few years has gone down the drain," the boy's mother said, tugging his arm and looking at him with disappointment.
The boy's fair face immediately turned red, and he shrunk behind her.
Seeing this, Shen Xi felt a pang of sympathy for the child. "Ma'am, please don't say that to your child. Perhaps he's also working very hard, but you just haven't seen it. A child's potential is infinite. I believe that giving them more space and time, and more encouragement, is beneficial for unlocking their potential."
When the little boy heard this, a flicker of light instantly appeared in his eyes as he looked at her. He had never heard words like that from his own mother.
The mother glanced at her child and looked a bit embarrassed. "What you're saying does make sense. Perhaps I've been too strict with him."
The two women felt an immediate connection and found common ground, naturally exchanging their children's names. The boy's name was Geng Han.
As the two mothers were chatting happily, the host's voice sounded from the stage, announcing that the competition was officially starting.
The competition was divided into three rounds: preliminary, semi-final, and final. The rounds would use three-by-three, five-by-five, and seven-by-seven Rubik's Cubes, respectively. Each preliminary group consisted of 20 participants, with the top 8 advancing to the semi-finals.
Shuo Shuo participated in the third group. Without any apparent effort, he secured second place in his group, successfully advancing to the semi-finals.
Shen Xi was very pleased. After he came down, she hugged him tightly. "Son, you're amazing!"
"Mommy, I didn't get first place," Shuo Shuo mumbled, his small mouth pouting slightly, appearing displeased.
Shen Xi understood his competitive spirit. She gently turned his small shoulders and said, "Shuo Shuo, don't think like that. Look, among the children you competed with just now, you are the youngest. And yet, you only lost to one person and successfully advanced, which is already very outstanding."
"Really?" Shuo Shuo looked at her with his clear, water-like eyes. "I was a bit slow to react at first, otherwise, I think I could have gotten first place."
"Mommy knows your abilities. It's normal to be slow to react when you're participating in such a competition for the first time," Shen Xi said, squatting down in front of him and hugging him again. "Look, you can already summarize your own experiences. I believe you'll perform even better in the upcoming matches."
Just then, Geng Han's mother, pulling Geng Han, ran towards them. "Shen Zi Shuo, you're so impressive. You're so young and you advanced with second place. Auntie congratulates you!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Xi quickly stood up and exchanged a smiling glance with Shuo Shuo. Shuo Shuo immediately understood and replied politely, "Thank you, Auntie."
"Geng Han also performed very well. I see he has also advanced to the semi-finals," Shen Xi added.
"Yes. He advanced with fourth place in his group. I never expected him to perform so well today." Geng Han's mother couldn't hide her joy, her eyes shining as she looked at her son.
"Come, let the two children hold hands. We'll conquer the finals together," Shen Xi said with a smile, placing the children's hands together and cheering them on.