Jiang Shaoqi had fallen deeply in love.

For a full three months, Jiang Shaoqi hadn’t touched his violin. He traveled around the world with Jessica. He gave her his first kiss, his first night. In Jiang Shaoqi’s view, he already belonged to Jessica—his heart and soul were hers, and whether they got married or not was inconsequential.

Jessica insisted on having a wedding, and Jiang Shaoqi certainly wouldn’t object. They set their wedding date and solemnly met both sets of parents. They stayed in Singapore for half a month, then returned to Beijing, moving into the mansion of Jiang Shaoqi’s father.

Only at this point did Jiang Shaoqi remember his nephew.

He hadn’t contacted his nephew for a long time.

As the best uncle in the world, Jiang Shaoqi wanted to make it up to Jiang Yubai. When he learned that Jiang Yubai was about to take the IELTS exam, he immediately jumped in: “Good nephew, Uncle will take you to your IELTS exam.”

Jiang Yubai responded coldly: “Thank you, I have a driver.”

Jiang Shaoqi put his arm around Jiang Yubai’s shoulders: “Little Jiang, Uncle bought you many gifts while traveling, and Jessica has asked about your academic performance. We both care about you very much.”

“Uncle,” Jiang Yubai pointed out his discovery, “now you can’t say three sentences without mentioning Jessica.”

Jiang Shaoqi immediately corrected his nephew: “Little Jiang, she’s your aunt. Don’t call her by her first name anymore, call her Aunt.”

Afterward, Jiang Shaoqi enthusiastically described his travel experiences with Jessica. They prayed at a temple in Chiang Rai, Thailand, walked near the Taj Mahal in India, and visited every blue-domed church on Santorini Island in Greece… Jiang Shaoqi described his future wife this way: “She is the bow, I am the string. In my music, there is her shadow.”

Once upon a time, Jiang Shaoqi was someone who constantly boasted about himself.

And now, Jiang Shaoqi had become someone who mentioned his wife at every moment.

Jiang Yubai found it somewhat difficult to adapt.

Jiang Yubai even suspected that his family genes contained elements of “easily being blinded by love.”

Fortunately, Jiang Yubai was different from his father and uncle. Jiang Yubai would not be blinded by love. He hoped that his adult self would be a calm, self-disciplined, mature, and rational man, making steady progress step by step, achieving professional success, and winning Lin Zhixia’s approval.

Jiang Yubai recognized this point—he sincerely hoped for Lin Zhixia’s praise and encouragement.

*

On the day of the IELTS written test, Jiang Yubai sent Lin Zhixia a text message: “I’m going to take the IELTS exam.”

Lin Zhixia instantly replied: “Great! You’re the best!”

Jiang Yubai was very happy inside. In the IELTS exam room, he wrote with passion, his thoughts flowing freely. A boy sitting next to him stared blankly throughout the exam; eventually, the boy simply adjusted his posture and foolishly watched Jiang Yubai write his essay.

The pencil in Jiang Yubai’s hand seemed to have come alive, giving birth to a soul in this vast examination hall. The pencil tip scratched against the answer sheet, making a “swoosh swoosh” sound—this was the cry of a champion, representing near-perfect ability.

Jiang Yubai had practiced his English handwriting. His writing was neat, well-proportioned, and had a flowing beauty. The candidate next to him glanced at him, expressing amazement, just as Jiang Yubai finished writing the last word.

Over all these years, Jiang Yubai’s English lessons had never been interrupted.

The money spent hiring private tutors had not been wasted.

Jiang Yubai sat up straight, capped his pen, and thought: Nailed it.

After the IELTS written test, Jiang Yubai walked out of the classroom and happened to meet several of his high school classmates. Many of his schoolmates had registered for today’s exam. Someone asked Jiang Yubai how he had done, and Jiang Yubai replied with particular modesty: “Not bad.”

By now, autumn had arrived in Beijing. On such a clear, crisp autumn day with high skies, light clouds, heavy frost, and strong winds, Jiang Yubai’s mood was as bright and open as the sky. He exchanged a few words with his classmates, then took out his phone from his backpack and told Lin Zhixia via text message: “I finished the IELTS exam, and I did well.”

He waited for a few minutes, and Lin Zhixia replied with a long message: “That’s great! I knew you would do well. You’re the best! You’re always so well-planned and able to achieve your goals. You’ve been testing for almost three hours, are you tired? You should rest a bit first. Eat something good tonight…”

Jiang Yubai was more concerned about Lin Zhixia: “Have you been tired lately?”

Lin Zhixia said that in recent days, the school had initiated an accident investigation for the laboratory. Senior Yang Shuwen from their group had taken the main responsibility, while Tan Qianche and another senior had taken secondary responsibility. The school had also reimbursed Lin Zhixia’s medical expenses. She felt her foot was almost healed, and she wanted to return to work at the laboratory.

Jiang Yubai knew that Lin Zhixia was destined for scientific research. He supported her decision but repeatedly cautioned her to be careful.

She happily agreed: “Okay! See you next month!”

Jiang Yubai also said: “See you next month.”

*

Lin Zhixia recovered from her foot injury and, just like before, rushed around campus all day. She attended classes on time, was diligent in her thinking, often went to the laboratory to learn from teachers and seniors, and continuously absorbed knowledge. She could achieve high scores in exams and shine in group collaborations, fully demonstrating her exceptional mental agility.

Lin Zhixia got to know all the seniors in the quantum computing group. At first, they treated her like a child, but later, most of them were quite polite to her, with a few exceptions—such as Senior Yang Shuwen.

Ever since blowing up the laboratory, Yang Shuwen had lived in constant anxiety, at one point thinking he would be expelled. But the school had been lenient with him, not making any cruel and heartless decisions, and hadn’t even made him pay compensation.

He decided to completely dedicate himself and light the torch of scientific research.

He became one of the most hardworking students. He ate, slept, and lived in the laboratory, working until eleven at night and getting up at five in the morning to work. Even Tan Qianche looked at him with new respect.

Even so, Yang Shuwen’s rate of progress still couldn’t match Lin Zhixia’s.

Whenever Yang Shuwen encountered Lin Zhixia, he would mostly take a detour.

He strictly adhered to the principle of “not interfering in each other’s affairs,” coexisting peacefully with Lin Zhixia.

However, on a certain day in late November, Yang Shuwen heard that Lin Zhixia had already proposed an innovation and had sent the first draft of her paper to Professor Gu Likai for review.

Yang Shuwen found Tan Qianche and chatted with him. He developed deep self-doubt and couldn’t help sighing: “I saw a saying on a forum that suits me perfectly—’The greatest contribution I can make to academia is to exit academia.’ Don’t you think so?”

Tan Qianche had just returned to the laboratory from outside. He carried his fragrance and said lightly: “I’ve wanted to tell you for a long time, don’t always compare yourself with others, compare more with yourself.”

Yang Shuwen murmured: “Lin Zhixia…”

Tan Qianche tried to shift his attention: “My paper citation count is much higher than Lin Zhixia’s. Stop fixating on her, focus on me instead.”

They mentioned the three words “Lin Zhixia.” Lin Zhixia, not far away, heard their voices and snuck out of the operating room, secretly running behind them.

She heard Tan Qianche say: “Pressure is a good thing, pushing you to run forward, but you can’t let pressure ride on your neck. You’re too tense, you need to relax, you’re a Peking University alumnus…”

But Yang Shuwen said: “Only undergraduates count as alumni, not master’s or doctoral students.”

“Your time at school might be longer than an undergraduate’s,” Lin Zhixia interjected.

Yang Shuwen wiped a cold sweat: “I just want to graduate soon. Ah, Lin Zhixia, don’t talk to me, I get anxious when I see you.”

Lin Zhixia didn’t understand where his anxiety came from.

Lin Zhixia wrote her laboratory observations in an email and sent them to Jiang Yubai. Jiang Yubai replied to Lin Zhixia by text, saying that when they went on the autumn outing the day after tomorrow, they could invite Yang Shuwen along.

Jiang Yubai believed that Yang Shuwen was the chief culprit in the last explosion accident. Yang Shuwen needed to adjust his mindset and not blow up the laboratory again, threatening Lin Zhixia’s life safety. For this, Jiang Yubai was willing to sacrifice his personal time to personally untie Yang Shuwen’s psychological knot.

When Jiang Yubai was nine years old, he had already understood how to rebuild self-esteem. He would impart his thinking method to Yang Shuwen.

He told Lin Zhixia: “On the day of the autumn outing, which is Sunday, you can invite several doctoral students.”

Lin Zhixia first consulted with the class monitor and the Youth League secretary. When they heard that doctoral students would join, they both responded positively. The class monitor even made a phone call to the quantum computing laboratory, sincerely inviting those top-level seniors to participate in the autumn outing.

The class monitor accidentally invited Tan Qianche.

Tan Qianche kindly brought Yang Shuwen along.

Yang Shuwen accepted Tan Qianche’s invitation like a shy bride.

The outdoor temperature in late November was rather low, but it couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of young people. Lin Zhixia’s classmates and the friends they each brought converged at an outdoor barbecue shop near Shangzhuang Reservoir, chatting and laughing merrily.

A recent rain had just filled the reservoir. Willows drooped along the shore, branches sweeping down, permeated with post-rain autumn mist. From a distance, lush reeds surged in the wind like boundless, smoky waves. The silhouettes of willows, reeds, and flying birds reflected on the water’s surface, weaving a scene of profound artistic conception.

Suddenly, the Youth League branch secretary from Lin Zhixia’s class stood up.

With his back to the reservoir, the Youth League branch secretary greeted everyone: “Seniors from the quantum computing group, friends from other schools, hello, my name is Ji Bohan…” He spoke indistinctly, as if exhaling: “I am the Youth League branch secretary of this class.”

As soon as Ji Bohan finished speaking, Lin Zhixia applauded and cheered for him: “Secretary Ji! Secretary Ji!”

Following Lin Zhixia’s lead, her three roommates shouted: “Secretary Ji!”

These were among Ji Bohan’s few supporters.

Ji Bohan cherished this opportunity to speak publicly. He cleared his throat and suggested: “Classmates from our class, why don’t you introduce… the outside school friends you brought today?”

To set an example for the masses, Ji Bohan took his girlfriend’s hand: “This is my spouse, from Renmin University. She studies insurance.”

Lin Zhixia’s roommate Yuan Wei loudly asked: “How many years have you been dating?”

The classmates all burst into laughter. Ji Bohan and his girlfriend both raised their hands to cover their mouths, hiding the awkwardness on their faces. Ji Bohan rubbed his chin and admitted, “We started dating in the second year of high school. I was the top student in the science class, and she was the top student in the liberal arts class.”

Ji Bohan’s girlfriend felt quite embarrassed and said: “I didn’t perform well in the college entrance exam, originally wanted to enter the Guanghua School of Management…”

Ji Bohan quickly said, “It’s my fault, I called your home the night before the college entrance exam.”

Their appearance of budding first love stirred Tan Qianche’s thoughts. Tan Qianche held a can of beer and lowered his head to set up the barbecue stand.

Tan Qianche didn’t speak, and none of the other seniors from the quantum computing group who were present today opened their mouths. Thus, the atmosphere inexplicably stagnated.

Lin Zhixia bravely stepped forward. She said: “I brought my best friend, Jiang Yubai!”

Jiang Yubai stood beside Lin Zhixia and briefly introduced himself: “I’m Jiang Yubai, currently in the second year of high school…”

Before Jiang Yubai could finish, Ji Bohan interrupted: “How old are you?”

“He’s the same age as me,” Lin Zhixia proudly answered.

Jiang Yubai’s height exceeded that of many undergraduates. Jiang Yubai’s appearance and temperament were the best at the gathering; even Senior Tan Qianche couldn’t match him. He was born to be the center of attention.

Everyone’s gaze focused on Jiang Yubai, but Jiang Yubai didn’t mind at all. He sat beside the barbecue grill and called out: “Lin Zhixia, come sit over here, it’s warmer on my side.”

Lin Zhixia dragged her small stool over.

Classmates gathered in groups of three or five and began chatting. Some walked to Tan Qianche’s side, deliberately striking up conversations with the various seniors from the quantum computing group. All the seniors gave out their contact information, only Tan Qianche repeatedly declined.

Yang Shuwen asked him quietly: “Eh? Tan Qianche, you… You flirt endlessly, flirting up to the sky, and when a girl asks for your phone number, you don’t give it?”

Tan Qianche took a sip of beer, slightly intoxicated: “Who says I flirt? I’ve comforted so many lonely girls, the International Humanitarian Organization should give me an award.”

Yang Shuwen did not comment, just shook his head.

The owner of this barbecue shop, hearing they were university students, treated them with extra favor. They ordered vegetables, lamb, beef, sausages, chicken wings, and other ingredients, and the shop owner additionally gave them sweet potatoes and green peppers.

The classmates sat in several circles, barbecuing by themselves. The aroma of food drifted everywhere. Tender beef and lamb were grilled until sizzling, emitting wisps of white smoke. The smoke dissipated suddenly, while the smell grew stronger.

The barbecue stove had been used for many years and was covered with a layer of mottled rust. Ji Bohan held a pair of iron tongs and gently scraped the edge of the stove, scraping off a ground full of rust dust. He smiled and said: “It’s like the stove in my home.”

Lin Zhixia joined in: “We also have a stove at home, we light a fire every winter.”

Yuan Wei said: “Oh, my family used to heat the kang bed…”

Jiang Yubai couldn’t join this topic. He silently picked up a plate, took several already grilled dishes, sprinkled some seasoning, and then handed the plate of food to Lin Zhixia.

Ji Bohan’s girlfriend pouted: “Bohan, look at them.”

Jiang Yubai smoothed things over: “I’m not hungry, just happened to prepare a plate of food.”

“Don’t you want to eat anything?” Lin Zhixia asked him quietly.

He immediately said: “I’m just about to eat.”

In fact, before going out today, Jiang Yubai had eaten lunch in advance. When he heard that this barbecue would be held outdoors, he couldn’t accept it—Jiang Yubai’s mild obsession with cleanliness wouldn’t allow him to eat barbecue outside where dust was floating. But he didn’t want Lin Zhixia to think he was picky. He calmly picked up a stick of sweet potato.

In the cold, desolate autumn wind, Jiang Yubai took a small bite of sweet potato, unhurried, chewing slowly. He ate the sweet potato as if it were truffle caviar. Ji Bohan watched his actions and suddenly suggested: “Let’s play Werewolf Kill.”

Lin Zhixia’s roommate Feng Yuan had never played Werewolf Kill. Feng Yuan immediately agreed: “Sure, let’s play Werewolf Kill.”

Ji Bohan stood up and called out: “Does anyone want to play Werewolf Kill?”

Tan Qianche responded: “Count me in!”

Yang Shuwen reluctantly said: “Me too!”

Lin Zhixia excitedly shouted: “I want to play too! I want to play too!”