Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Red Envelope Rain
If Newton had asked Li Dong to explain the principles or provide an analysis, Li Dong would have been stumped.
But providing the data on Mercury’s perihelion precession? That was incredibly easy.
He immediately switched out of WeChat, opened his browser, and searched for "Mercury perihelion precession observational data + General Relativity verification."
In no time, he had downloaded a PDF document so detailed that he couldn’t understand a single word of it.
It contained not only the observational records but also the theoretical values calculated using General Relativity. The two were a perfect match.
[The Senior Grinder]: Sir Newton, this document contains detailed records of the deviation in Mercury’s orbit. You can use it for your calculations.
[File Sent Successfully: Mercury_Orbital_Precession_Data.pdf]
After the document was sent, the group went silent for a full five minutes.
Li Dong just assumed Newton was examining the data.
After all, some of the terms in the PDF would be unfamiliar to Newton, so it would naturally take him some time to understand.
Finally, Newton’s avatar lit up in the chat.
[Isaac Newton]: The data... How can this data be so precise? Every single observational record points to that one, unique deviation...
[Isaac Newton]: I just attempted a rough calculation using the "field equations" from the document. While the mathematical tool of tensor analysis is quite foreign to me, the logic holds.
[Isaac Newton]: Although I still find it difficult to accept the absurd idea that spacetime is curved, numbers do not lie. It seems God truly did conceal more variables in the air... no, in the cosmos.
[Isaac Newton]: @Albert Einstein, very well, you curly-haired whelp. I will re-derive my formulas. Once I have verified this data, I will return to argue my case with you!
[Albert Einstein]: I await you with pleasure, my dear Isaac. But do remember to bring your apple. I’d like to see if having it fall on my head might spark some new inspiration for me as well!
And just like that, an academic debate that spanned across time and space was temporarily quelled, all thanks to Li Dong’s mediation.
However, no one noticed that besides Newton and Einstein, there was one other person among the file’s recipients.
His ID was [Urbain Jean Joseph Le Verrier].
The very same celestial mechanic who had once calculated the position of Neptune with the tip of a pen, yet was left with lifelong regret over the problem of Mercury’s precession.
Just then, Joule, who had been too intimidated to speak, finally piped up.
[James Joule]: Whew... That scared me to death! When those two titans were arguing just now, I felt like the atmospheric pressure shot up by several hundred pascals!
As Joule’s message appeared, a red firework suddenly exploded on the screen.
[Isaac Newton has sent a special red packet.]
Li Dong’s eyes lit up.
Newton might be arrogant, but he was a man of principle.
Since he had taken the data and accepted the favor, he would never be a freeloader.
This was exactly what Li Dong had been waiting for.
[You have received Isaac Newton’s thanks.]
[Item Obtained: Concentration +1]
[Description: Truth often yields only to the focused. When you use this, you will once again stand on the shoulders of giants and perceive the truth. Duration: One hour.]
’It’s here! It’s finally here! A trial pass to godhood!’
But the surprises weren’t over yet.
[Albert Einstein]: !!! Thank you for the data, my good sir! This is the key evidence needed to verify Relativity! Since Isaac has already expressed his gratitude, I can’t be stingy either.
[Albert Einstein has sent a special red packet.]
With a trembling hand, Li Dong tapped it open.
[You have received Albert Einstein’s gift.]
[Attribute Gained: Logic +0.1 (Permanent)]
[Description: A spark of brilliance from one of the greatest minds. Logic is not merely the chain used to derive formulas; it is the very brush used to paint the cosmos.]
At that moment, Li Dong felt as if a fog in his mind had been blown away by a strong wind.
Even the concepts from *New Introduction to Mathematical Analysis* that he’d previously struggled to connect through sheer rote memorization now seemed incredibly clear.
Before he could fully process this change, there was more activity in the group chat.
[James Joule]: I’m ashamed to say that I, too, benefited from our senior’s guidance, yet I have offered nothing in return. That is most improper.
While I may not have grand theories like those two, I have lived my life by one belief: as long as one conducts experiments with diligence, even the smallest amount of energy can accumulate into a current of heat.
[James Joule has sent a special red packet.]
Li Dong was grinning so wide he could hardly close his mouth.
[You have received James Joule’s shared gift.]
[Special Passive Skill Acquired: Physical Perception (Basic Edition)]
[Description: This is a gift from an experimentalist.]
[From this day forward, physics formulas will no longer be dull symbols in your eyes, but tangible levers, gears, and currents of heat. You will possess the "heart of a craftsman," no longer fearing profound theories, but instead willing to build your grand edifice of physics step by step, like laying bricks.]
Looking at this string of rewards, Li Dong felt as if his entire world had changed.
He opened the transparent attribute panel again.
[Core Attributes]
Concentration: 0.1
Logic: 0.1
Memory: 0.1
[Passive Skill: Physical Perception (Basic Edition)]
Concentration, Logic, and Memory.
The combination of these three, even with such a small boost, was enough to cause a qualitative leap for an academic slacker like him. And now, he even had the passive skill [Physical Perception] on top of it all.
"Next..."
Li Dong’s gaze fell upon the physics test paper on his desk.
’Let’s unleash a physics storm.’
That day, the light in Li Dong’s room stayed on until the early hours of the morning.
...
On Monday morning, inside the faculty office at Jiangcheng Seventh Middle School.
The physics teacher, Jiang Yang, was holding a thermos, sidling up to Old Yang’s desk like a thief.
"Hey, Teacher Yang," Jiang Yang began, "that graduate school prep center you mentioned, the one looking for a part-time math teacher... what’s the story with that?"
Jiang Yang wore a look of misery.
"You know my situation. My second kid was just born, and everything from formula to diapers costs money. It’s really tough to make ends meet on just this salary. Think you could put in a good word for me?"
Old Yang was grading assignments. He looked around guiltily upon hearing this.
Only after confirming the dean of students wasn’t nearby did he sigh.
"Teacher Jiang, let’s not be hasty. I checked out that center. The pay is high, but their standards are strict. Besides, we’re public school teachers. If word got out..."
KNOCK, KNOCK.
The sudden sound of knocking made both men jump.
They followed the sound to the doorway, where a boy with huge dark circles under his eyes was standing.
Old Yang’s brow furrowed slightly.
"Li Dong? The morning self-study session is about to start. Why are you here at the office instead of in your classroom?"
Old Yang was actually quite concerned about this particular student.
"Teacher Yang, I’m looking for Teacher Jiang," Li Dong’s voice was a bit hoarse.
"For me?"
Jiang Yang was taken aback.
He certainly knew Li Dong. The boy was ranked third in physics in Grade 12, Class 2. At Seventh Middle School, that made him one of the good, studious ones.
"What can I do for you? Do you have a question? First period is physics. We can go over it in class."
Li Dong shook his head.
"No, Teacher Jiang. Last Friday, you mentioned in class that the school had a few spots open for the physics competition, right?"
"I’d like to sign up."
