The bag contained three models, representing three developmental forms of quantum computers.
Lin Zhixia took out all these models and displayed their extremely intricate internal structures.
Jiang Yubai’s father was very interested in high-tech industries, as venture capital markets worldwide were pursuing emerging technologies, he had some familiarity with the concept of “quantum computing.”
Currently, many countries are participating in a global “quantum computing competition.”
In 2015, both China and the United States invested over three billion yuan in non-classified quantum computing projects. By 2016, countries were racing to increase their investment amounts and intensity. The European Union’s “Quantum Flagship Program” cost 7.7 billion yuan, the U.S. “National Quantum Initiative Act” had research funding as high as 8.7 billion yuan, and countries like Russia, India, Germany, and Japan had all invested over 5 billion yuan in the quantum computing field.
Once the functions of a true quantum computer were realized, the current generation of universal supercomputers would likely be eliminated. Therefore, the valuation of the entire “quantum computing” industry far exceeded the tens of billions in investments made by various countries.
Jiang Yubai’s father picked up one model, and Jiang Yubai said, “Xiaxia spent over nine months making these three models, starting from the beginning of the year and just recently completing them.”
With Jiang Yubai’s introduction, his father skillfully took over the conversation—he first thanked Lin Zhixia for thoughtfully preparing the gifts, then praised her for her accomplishments at a young age, and subsequently engaged in conversation with Lin Zhixia’s father, Lin Fugui.
They all gradually moved toward the dining table.
Lin Fugui didn’t know how to address his in-laws. In their rural hometown, the term “qingjia gong” (father-in-law) could be used directly, but his daughter had just gotten engaged to Jiang Yubai, and he wasn’t sure about the in-laws’ preferences. He began: “Jiang…”
Jiang Yubai’s father smiled and said, “Jiang Shaofeng.”
Jiang Shaofeng was Jiang Yubai’s father’s full name.
Previously, Jiang Shaofeng had already introduced himself once, and Lin Fugui certainly remembered his name. Lin Fugui also remembered that Jiang Yubai’s mother was called Guan Xunmei, his uncle was called Jiang Shaoqi, his aunt’s Chinese name was Yang Huan, and her English name was Jessica… Wealthy families didn’t use the characters “fugui” (wealth and prosperity) in their names.
Lin Fugui tightened his jacket and sat down next to Lin Zeqiu.
From entering until now, Lin Zeqiu hadn’t spoken a word.
Lin Zhixia was much more outgoing and cheerful than her brother. She sat beside Jiang Yubai, answering every question from the elders. She keenly noticed that Jiang Yubai’s uncle and aunt were particularly kind—his aunt even deliberately sat on Lin Zhixia’s other side and made plans with Lin Zhixia to go out together when they had time.
Even so, the conversation at the table remained intermittent.
All six members of Jiang Yubai’s family were skilled at conversation and smoothing over awkward moments. However, whenever the topic shifted to Lin Zhixia’s parents and brother, the entire gathering would inevitably fall silent for a few seconds. During these moments, Jiang Yubai would serve as a bridge. He always intentionally or unintentionally guided the direction of the chat, trying to help Lin Zhixia’s parents relax. Jiang Yubai’s grandfather teased him: “Xiaobai is still very considerate.”
In Jiang Yubai’s memory, nobody had called him “Xiaobai” since he turned seven.
However, Lin Fugui thought “Xiaobai” was Jiang Yubai’s nickname and quickly said: “This child Xiaobai is good in every way, good in every way.”
Jiang Shaoqi immediately responded: “Not at all, qingjia, don’t be modest. Xiaxia is truly impressive—an associate professor at twenty-two and the leader of a national-level project. I know many friends, but I’ve never heard of any child as outstanding as our Xiaxia. Worthy of being my…”
He almost said, “worthy of being my nephew’s future wife.”
Fortunately, he stopped himself in time.
He corrected himself: “Worthy of being specially appointed as a teacher at our province’s best university.”
Lin Fugui’s face broke into a smile, and he toasted another glass of wine to Jiang Shaoqi.
Lin Zeqiu, who rarely spoke, suddenly blurted out: “Our Lin Zhixia has a high IQ and is pure-hearted and kind. If you spend a few more days with her, you’ll know… how good she is.”
This single statement from Lin Zeqiu nearly brought tears to Lin Zhixia’s eyes.
In her twenty-two years, Lin Zhixia had never heard Lin Zeqiu speak about her in such a humble tone.
She still remembered that over a decade ago, when Lin Zeqiu spoke about his sister to his elementary school classmates, he always had a teeth-gritting expression. He often said: “Lin Zhixia is so damn annoying! She drives me crazy!”
Yet now, in front of everyone, Lin Zeqiu could speak such sentimental words.
Lin Zhixia was deeply moved.
Jiang Yubai also noticed that whenever Lin Zhixia’s strengths were discussed, her parents and brother would become relatively relaxed, no longer tense.
Therefore, to give Lin Zhixia more opportunities to shine and to make her family more comfortable at this meeting, Jiang Yubai naturally said: “Yes, she has so many virtues I can’t count them all.”
For the first time, Jiang Yubai opened his heart to his family, explaining his life experiences over the past decade or more. When he mentioned “Xiaxia and I exchange diaries every year, and her understanding of me is probably greater than my own,” his mother’s gaze softened. However, his grandfather suddenly asked: “How is that company you two run together doing? A few days ago, my secretary compiled news for me, and Chai Yang was all over the front pages.”
His grandmother added: “It’s quite a big fuss.”
A quantum computer model sat in front of his grandfather. He picked it up, examining it from all angles, then asked: “Professor Lin, what’s your view?”
Lin Zhixia answered candidly: “Actually, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. With all this commotion from Chai Yang, our company’s visibility has increased. Chai Yang doesn’t acknowledge quantum computing, but countries worldwide are investing in the quantum industry. Quantum computers have a huge impact, affecting the development of various industries. Let me give an example—the core of the biomedical field is chemical reactions, which are established at the quantum level. If we fully master quantum computing technology, we could design a series of chemical reactions to mass-produce the safest and most effective drugs. Also, Bitcoin—everyone has probably heard of Bitcoin. The underlying technology of Bitcoin is blockchain, and blockchain’s basic algorithms include hash algorithms, symmetric and asymmetric encryption… Quantum computing can break these encryption mechanisms, fundamentally shaking Bitcoin’s security. In short, quantum computing can drive the development of multiple industries, including biology, chemistry, physics, medicine, finance, and the internet. I believe its impact should be no less than the first and second industrial revolutions, and it’s a hurdle that must be overcome in the history of human technological development.”
After finishing this long explanation, Lin Zhixia exchanged glances with Jiang Yubai.
She asked softly, “How was my explanation?”
Jiang Yubai said, “Very good.”
Lin Zhixia’s voice was barely audible: “Was it easy to understand?”
Jiang Yubai poured her a glass of strawberry juice: “Yes, please continue like this.”
Lin Zhixia took a sip of strawberry juice and exclaimed: “So sweet.”
Grandfather’s expression was very kind: “Quantum computing is indeed excellent, a cutting-edge technology industry. Little Jiang, how did you and Chai Yang fall out? Jiangke Software was your highest-return investment. I’ve been busy the past few months and didn’t ask your father or you. Today we’re all eating together as a family, with no outsiders at the table, so we don’t need to be formal. Just speak directly if you have something to say.”
Jiang Shaoqi was particularly excited: “Yes, there are no outsiders at this table.”
Grandfather glanced at him.
Jiang Shaoqi picked up his chopsticks and lowered his head to eat.
Jiang Yubai smiled before saying, “Jiangke Software is a subsidiary of a parent company. Chai Yang wanted Jiangke Software to ‘spin off and go public,’ but I didn’t agree. Jiangke has independent accounting, sufficient cash flow, and the share incentive system has just been implemented. It’s not suitable for going public at this time.”
Grandfather nodded slightly.
Jiang Yubai continued: “Chai Yang contacted internet startup teams from the United States and the United Kingdom. He wanted to recruit talent from overseas teams…”
“You didn’t agree to that either?” Lin Zhixia interjected.
Before Jiang Yubai could answer, Lin Zhixia said, “Teams poached from abroad might not achieve the effect Chai Yang wants, after all, they still need to adapt to the local team, and their work habits and styles are quite different.”
Jiang Yubai clinked glasses with her.
The two of them discussed “the development of the localized internet industry” and “team cultivation and management rules” one after another. Lin Zeqiu occasionally interjected a comment, and with Lin Zhixia’s father having emptied a glass of wine, he finally opened up. The atmosphere in the private room gradually became lively, with no more awkward silences.
*
After the meal ended, Jiang Yubai and Lin Zhixia said goodbye at the restaurant entrance.
Jiang Yubai had prepared gifts for both sets of parents in advance—these gifts used identical tote bags, but the contents of each bag were different.
Jiang Yubai’s aunt opened her package on the spot and found a beautiful gift box. She embraced Lin Zhixia with particular enthusiasm and said to her, “Thank you, Xiaxia, you shouldn’t have spent the money.”
Lin Zhixia was somewhat confused. She didn’t even know what was inside the gift box and was about to speak when Jiang Yubai grabbed her wrist. His fingertips brushed over the ring on her ring finger, and Lin Zhixia remarked for the ten-thousandth time: “You’re so good.”
After a moment’s hesitation, she said: “I need to return to school now, to the laboratory. My doctoral student has encountered some problems…”
“Research is more important,” Jiang Yubai said. “See you tomorrow.”
Lin Zhixia nodded: “See you tomorrow.”
Despite saying this…
Jiang Yubai still drove Lin Zhixia back to school, and then took his father-in-law and mother-in-law to their residential compound entrance. By the time he finished these tasks, it was around three-thirty in the afternoon. He drove back to the Jiang family estate, where his parents, uncle and aunt, and grandparents were all sitting in the council hall waiting for him.
This situation was quite rare.
Jiang Yubai pushed open the main door of the room. He walked slowly on the carpet, making almost no sound. His grandfather said, “Hearing that you got engaged, your grandmother and I rushed back overnight from the Maldives, and your grandmother met her granddaughter-in-law for the first time.”
Jiang Yubai caught his grandfather’s implied meaning.
At today’s meeting between the families, Jiang Yubai’s family had all been very respectful, but this didn’t mean the elders were satisfied with Jiang Yubai’s actions. And Jiang Yubai’s only request was: “Whatever opinions you have, let me coordinate. Don’t tell Lin Zhixia directly.”