Thankfully, the journalists had some restraint and only exposed Xia Xiao as an individual. However, after Xia Xiao found out, she also gained the reputation of being an educator.
Xia Xiao pressed her hand to her forehead.
Yet Xia Xiao also knew that this was because of Shitou, which earned her the title of an educator.
At the same time, Xia Xiao was even more aware that some people with ulterior motives had concocted this, and both she and Shitou were nearly being praised to the skies.
Shitou was only four years old now, and there were plenty of cases of such early promise leading to later disappointment. If Shitou didn’t grow up as expected, this title of educator would become a joke.
Moreover, by then, not just Xia Xiao, but even the Gao family, and the criticism received by Shitou would be even greater. After all, even if he was a genius, one misstep could become the classic case of forced growing.
That day, everyone from the Gao family returned home, and they were all shocked by Shitou, their shock naturally followed by joy. But mixed with this joy was also a hint of worry.
Feiyang and Li Min even took Shitou back to the room to have a serious talk, obviously concerned about their son.
Xia Xiao looked at Gao Jiaxing and asked, "Did you find out which family it was?"
"The Gong Family, they now control all the media outlets," Gao Jiaxing said.
The Gong Family? Xia Xiao frowned. She was naturally aware of the Gong Family’s significant influence and their high regard from above; otherwise, they wouldn’t hold the lifeline of the media.
"We have no dealings with the Gong Family," Xia Xiao said.
"The Gong Family and the Li Family have different political views. Shitou is the Li Family’s grandson; the Gong Family won’t touch the Li Family, and they haven’t actually done anything other than praise you and Shitou."
Gao Jiaxing was nonchalant, but Xia Xiao scoffed, "Yes, they praise on the surface, but it’s actually overpraise with the intent to kill. They’ve indeed employed a clever tactic, and now we are supposed to be grateful to them?"
"They have their limits. They haven’t really done anything, so we can’t take any action against them," Gao Jiaxing touched Xia Xiao’s face, trying to soothe her.
Xia Xiao of course understood that now the national media was singing her and Shitou’s praises, stopping just short of elevating them to the heavens.
They had given her great fame, and if she showed discontent, people would think she was playing coy while reaping benefits.
"We need to be wary of the Gong Family in the future," Xia Xiao said.
Gao Jiaxing nodded, "This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. At least now we know the Gong Family is paying attention to us, which gives us a heads up for defense. Otherwise, if the Gong Family played dirty in the future, we’d be completely unprepared."
Xia Xiao curled the corner of her mouth. The Gong Family thought they could play a clever game with their tactic of overpraising, but they had miscalculated. If Shitou were a mere average genius, perhaps Xia Xiao would have been worried, but she wasn’t at all concerned about this extraordinary child.
"However, now you and Shitou are very famous, not just domestically, but foreign journalists and media too," Gao Jiaxing added.
After Gao Jiaxing finished speaking, Xia Xiao said, "Although fame has its drawbacks, like the saying goes, ’a pig fears fattening,’ yet if fame is used well, the benefits are substantial. Since we’re famous already, we’ll face challenges as they come. I will use it to our advantage."
In the afternoon, Li Zhenchuan and Ning Hui came over too. With Shitou becoming so famous, Li Zhenchuan and Ning Hui couldn’t just sit by, and they felt a sense of pride in their grandson’s accomplishments.
"But I have a lot to deal with, and you have been doing charity work all this time; you have more experience in this area." Xia Xiao still had to manage the sprawling Gaoxia Group, and although Feiteng was helping, there was no shortage of matters to attend to with such a large group.
"No problem, you help me and I can manage it for you. Besides, you are the chairperson anyway."
As soon as Ning Hui finished speaking, Li Zhenchuan also chimed in, "Yes, Xia Xiao, you should be the chairperson. When you’re busy, Ning Hui can step in."
Finally, the matter was settled, with Xia Xiao as chairperson and Ning Hui as vice-chairperson.
Xia Xiao never would have imagined she would reach such heights, let alone conceive of it, because without reaching that level, one wouldn’t even consider it.
After the interview, Xia Xiao invited the reporters and photographers to a meal, and then had her secretary see them out.
The main purpose of this interview was to discuss Xia Xiao and also to talk more about Shitou, especially as Shitou had drawn public attention for becoming the Asia-Pacific Region Math Olympiad champion at the age of four.
Xia Xiao didn’t let Shitou appear; she didn’t want Shitou to face the media exposure so soon, which would complicate his learning and life in the future.
Shitou completely agreed. Ever since winning the Asia-Pacific Math Olympiad championship, he had become a celebrated figure at school.
Furthermore, the Genius Youth Class had been established by Technology University specifically to nurture talent, and Shitou becoming famous really did cause some troubles because everywhere he went, he attracted attention.
Especially Professor Yang, who treated Shitou as a national treasure. In front of Shitou, he was no longer the stern teacher but rather excessively affectionate.
Shitou relayed this to Xia Xiao, "Professor Yang is being too good to me now, often giving me special treatment."
Xia Xiao laughed, "That’s not a bad thing; others can’t even ask for it."
"But the professor is too enthusiastic, and it’s too obvious. He often makes delicious food to nourish me, and there are only eleven of us in the class."