The mathematics topic sparked Lin Zhixia’s intense interest.

Lin Zhixia soaked in the hot spring pool for more than an hour, still wanting more. At the dinner table, Lin Zhixia and Jiang Yubai chatted about the “Bolzano-Weierstrass theorem,” which was also common in “Mathematical Economics.” She gave Jiang Yubai several problems, and he answered them quickly, making Lin Zhixia very happy.

After dinner, Jiang Yubai found a copy of “Mathematical Economics” in his suitcase.

The bedroom was completely silent. Jiang Yubai sat on the soft bed, leaning against the headboard, reading under the lamp. The cool night breeze blew into the room, and his mind gradually became immersed in the world of mathematics.

As Jiang Yubai turned a page, Lin Zhixia extended a finger and pointed between the pages.

“Do you want to play a game?” Lin Zhixia asked him.

Jiang Yubai suddenly became very restrained and chaste. He had originally rolled up his sleeves. Hearing Lin Zhixia’s words, he methodically adjusted his sleeves. He lowered his cuffs, tightly covering his wrists. He was conservative, upright, and distant from female charm, refusing her with a calm mind: “Early tomorrow morning, we’re going to climb the snow mountain. Let’s rest early tonight.”

Lin Zhixia pointed to the wall clock: “Eight o’clock at night, and you want to rest already?”

Jiang Yubai closed the book and asked her: “What game do you want to play?”

Lin Zhixia sat properly on her knees: “Truth or dare.”

Jiang Yubai clearly remembered his torment and struggle in the hot spring pool. He knew in his heart that there might be a deep abyss waiting for him ahead, but he still charged forward without hesitation. He acquiesced to Lin Zhixia and asked her, “How do we play?”

Lin Zhixia took out a deck of cards: “Probability and permutation combination game.”

Jiang Yubai muttered to himself: “Is there any chance I can win against you?”

Lin Zhixia smiled and admitted honestly: “No.”

For a full eight years, in front of Lin Zhixia, Jiang Yubai’s desire to win had been suppressed to the lowest point. However, at this moment, Jiang Yubai’s competitive consciousness was once again aroused by Lin Zhixia. He smiled casually: “You set the rules, and we’ll play several rounds.”

Lin Zhixia immediately agreed.

She introduced a casino card game called “pontoon”—an advanced version of “blackjack.” It is said that “pontoon” makes it impossible for players to count cards, and winning or losing depends solely on luck.

Jiang Yubai and Lin Zhixia played three rounds.

He lost all three rounds.

Lin Zhixia proudly straightened her back.

Jiang Yubai maintained his composure, as if the loser wasn’t him: “Truth or dare… I choose dare.”

Lin Zhixia had originally thought that Jiang Yubai would choose truth—in that case, she could thoroughly question him about his psychological activities in the hot spring pool. His thought process should be written into “Human Observation Diary.” He had grown up; unconsciously, he had become an adult.

But he didn’t choose “truth,” so Lin Zhixia settled for second best and played “dare” with him.

First, she asked for his opinion: “After soaking in the hot spring for over an hour today, I’ve become increasingly curious about you. We’re going back to school tomorrow night, and while we still have the chance, can you let me study you?”

Jiang Yubai knew he couldn’t go back on his word.

From the start of the game, he couldn’t withdraw.

He turned off the bedroom light and silently covered himself with the blanket. To be honest, he would rather Lin Zhixia was attracted to his appearance, not merely driven by curiosity, trying every possible means to thoroughly study him.

When they were soaking in the hot spring today, Lin Zhixia’s eyes sparkled with light. Years ago, when she and Jiang Yubai built the “Lin-Jiang” robot together, she had a similar expression on her face—Jiang Yubai suddenly felt that this line of thinking wasn’t correct. Lin Zhixia’s smile was always sweet when chatting with him; she always told him, “I like you so much,” and wanted to write forty thousand love poems for him. Her determined efforts to study him stemmed entirely from genuine feelings.

He should try to cooperate as much as possible.

Jiang Yubai willingly and without complaint unbuttoned his clothes.

Under the cover of darkness, Lin Zhixia happily crawled under the blanket.

She guessed that Jiang Yubai already knew what she was going to do. Because she could faintly hear his intensified breathing, which made it very interesting, she quite enjoyed seeing him uncover his calm facade.

It was stuffy and airless under the blanket. Lin Zhixia moved forward a distance.

Her exploration journey of the opposite sex began with his collarbone.

She quietly kissed him once, followed by an extremely subtle, inexperienced sucking sound.

In the boundless darkness, Jiang Yubai gripped the headboard with one hand. He used all his strength, nearly crushing his knuckles, but fortunately, this state only lasted for a few seconds. He seemed to adapt to the stimulation brought by Lin Zhixia. He released his hand, tilted his chin slightly upward, but kept his voice very low: “Xiaxia.” He called her nickname: “Let’s turn on the light.”

Lin Zhixia whined indistinctly: “No way.”

Jiang Yubai tried to persuade her: “No room for negotiation?”

Lin Zhixia became stubborn: “When I say no, it means no.”

Jiang Yubai’s hand reached into the blanket and found her shoulder: “I want to see.” His tone seemed coaxing: “Let me see you.”

Lin Zhixia burrowed deeper under the blanket: “Then I won’t play anymore.”

Jiang Yubai had to give up. In this pitch-black night without a hint of light, his voice was hoarse: “I won’t turn on the light. Xiaxia, come here… don’t leave me hanging here.”

He wanted to say a few more words, but Lin Zhixia started again. The following sensation was like a potent stimulant injected into his blood, making him more alert than ever. At first, he was still looking at the blanket, but later he had to look away, listening intently with all his might, capturing every subtle sound, imagining her expressions and movements in his mind.

This exploration journey ended at his waist and abdomen.

Lin Zhixia didn’t dare to continue.

Even with her courage, she became timid.

She fell into Jiang Yubai’s arms, tightly embraced by his left arm. She finally found her conscience and consoled him with a sentence: “Are you uncomfortable?”

“It’s okay, I’m not uncomfortable,” Jiang Yubai claimed. “This is normal; it’ll be fine in a while.”

Lin Zhixia nestled against him: “You’re gentle.” She murmured: “I like you so much…”

Before Lin Zhixia could finish her sentence, Jiang Yubai tightened his grip on her waist, kissing her passionately and urgently, until she was dizzy and breathless. Her mind was in a haze; she didn’t know what time it was or when she fell asleep. She only knew that they slept in each other’s arms that night, and she had beautiful dreams all night long.

*

Early the next morning, the sun shone brightly, making everything feel renewed.

Lin Zhixia and Jiang Yubai went to climb the snow mountain together.

At the foot of the mountain, they saw a vast pasture with sheep scattered across the boundless green grassland. Lin Zhixia walked quickly along the fence, and surprisingly, a little lamb kept pace with her, running wildly on the other side of the enclosure.

Lin Zhixia laughed, “hahahaha.”

She held Jiang Yubai’s hand and walked with him along a mountain path. The temperature dropped lower and lower, and the cold wind howled past like bone-piercing steel knives. Lin Zhixia shivered, and Jiang Yubai took off his coat and wrapped it around her. She didn’t dare to stay long and pulled Jiang Yubai to run down the mountain.

This Swiss tour came to a hasty end.

That afternoon, Jiang Yubai and Lin Zhixia took a return flight back to their university location. Jiang Yubai even escorted Lin Zhixia back to her dormitory. After she closed the door, Jiang Yubai stood at her doorstep for a while before turning to leave.

The busy campus life unfolded once again.

Lin Zhixia sat at her desk, opened her laptop, and checked her emails. She received a reply from Han Guang—he was revising his paper. He wanted to add Lin Zhixia to the author list and planned to submit the paper next month.

Lin Zhixia wrote another email to Han Guang. She told Han Guang, “Don’t rush; the experiments and model aren’t major problems. You can put me in the ‘acknowledgments section’ of the paper. There’s still time, keep up the good work, and I wish you success.”

Han Guang replied instantly: “Thank you. When the article is revised, I’ll treat you to dinner.”

Lin Zhixia declined: “No need, don’t be polite. I’m your teaching assistant; reviewing your paper is something I should do.”

Han Guang didn’t email her again.

Lin Zhixia felt relieved. Good, her reviewer career was progressing very smoothly. Although journal reviewers receive almost no compensation and do volunteer work year-round, reviewing provides many opportunities for improvement and helps her maintain a broad vision, exposing her to the latest research trends worldwide.

*

At eight o’clock on Monday morning, Lin Zhixia arrived at the laboratory building on time.

Wen Qi was wandering in the corridor. He glimpsed Lin Zhixia, his eyes subtly revealing a plea for help. Lin Zhixia went over and asked him: “What’s wrong?”

Wen Qi raised his hand and rubbed his face: “A girl joined our group.”

“Is her name Wu Pinyan?” Lin Zhixia probed.

Wen Qi nodded once.

Lin Zhixia introduced openly: “I’m her teaching assistant. I’ve already spoken with our advisor. Wu Pinyan wants to pursue her PhD in our group, and she also wants to report on our advisor’s project for her undergraduate graduation design. She’s especially smart and has a lovely personality; don’t worry.”

Lin Zhixia had known Wen Qi for nearly half a year. She knew that Wen Qi’s social barriers were very severe.

Wen Qi had once said that he wasn’t good at lengthy conversations with others—unless he recited a script beforehand. He had studied academic works and papers for years, so most of the information accumulated in his brain was related to learning. He could make academic reports in front of people and pass all the tests given by their advisor, but he was a complete failure in social settings.

This morning, as soon as he approached the office, he was stopped by Wu Pinyan.

Wu Pinyan had many questions. Wen Qi couldn’t handle them and ran to the corridor for refuge. Fortunately, Lin Zhixia appeared just in time.

Lin Zhixia brought Wen Qi back to his office.

Wen Qi’s office faced the rest area, where sofas and armchairs were placed.

Wu Pinyan was holding a paper, sitting on the sofa, sincerely asking senior sister Aishwarya questions. Wu Pinyan also told Aishwarya that Lin Zhixia was her role model, and she hoped that by her second year of doctoral studies, the quality of her published papers would be the same as Lin Zhixia’s.