The mountain breeze blowing from the villa was quite cool. Shao Yue wiped away her tears: “I was the one who accompanied you through everything, Huo Xu. Six years—we’ve been together for six years, and now you’re telling me it was a slip of the tongue?”

Huo Xu said: “I’m sorry. I’ve just been under so much pressure lately. You know how ruthless that crazy woman Jiang Huaqiong is when it comes to suppressing people. She’d rather both sides suffer losses than let me have peace.”

Shao Yue studied his expression carefully: “You’re lying. You were just thinking about her, weren’t you? It felt good, didn’t it?”

Huo Xu’s expression shifted: “Shao Yue!” For the first time, he felt this impatient. Huo Xu was even thinking—the company matters were already exhausting enough, and he still had to deal with this woman when he came home. He had completely lost his patience.

Huo Xu’s voice turned cold and harsh all at once, and Shao Yue’s heart sank halfway down.

Huo Xu said: “You’re right—we’ve been together for six years, so I won’t abandon you. As for this jumping-off-buildings trick, don’t try it on me. Shao Yue, I’m not young anymore. I’m not some teenager. Try mentioning Bei Yao’s matter one more time and see what happens.” Did she think he felt good about it? That woman would rather marry a cripple than marry him!

This was the first time Huo Xu had spoken so bluntly. Shao Yue felt chilled to the bone. Yes, Huo Xu had grown up. In places she couldn’t see, he had taken over the entire Huo family for a full year and more. His heart had grown harder and harder. In the past, he would never have said such things.

Before, whenever she cried, Huo Xu would immediately coax her and agree to any request. But now, because of Bei Yao—someone he couldn’t have—he couldn’t even be bothered to keep up appearances.

Shao Yue climbed down from the windowsill, silent.

Huo Xu didn’t look at her either and went straight into the bathroom to shower.

Shao Yue laughed coldly. Men—when they love you, you’re the treasure of their heart; when they don’t, you’re grass on the ground. However, she wasn’t stupid either. She knew that right now, only Huo Xu could resist Jiang Huaqiong for a while.

But what about after this while passed? Where would they hide then? Shao Yue knew all too clearly in her heart that Huo Xu losing to Jiang Huaqiong was only a matter of time.

Perhaps it was time for her to make plans for herself.

Shao Yue felt especially unwilling. Whenever she thought of Bei Yao, she clenched the bedsheets tightly. Why? She had accompanied Huo Xu for a full six years—her best youth had been spent during this time.

But Bei Yao hadn’t done anything and yet had Huo Xu hopelessly infatuated.

Even if Huo Xu wouldn’t admit it with his mouth, Shao Yue had been with him for so many years—how could she not understand what words were true and what were false?

And it wasn’t just Huo Xu. She’d heard that Bei Yao’s newlywed husband also loved her especially. Wasn’t that man a cripple? Marrying such a great beauty—could he even handle it? But this was also the last consolation Shao Yue could give herself.

Even though Shao Yue had only met Bei Yao once, she always felt that her life had been defeated by this woman. The most hateful thing was that while she hated her to the point of gnashing her teeth behind her back, Bei Yao might not even remember who she was.

Shao Yue listened to the splashing water sounds from the bathroom and threw her pillow on the floor.

*

The research institute’s work was very busy. No matter how early Pei Chuan arrived, once he got busy, he would be busy until quitting time.

Most of the researchers knew he was newly married. Cheng Zenghai had also been in this research institute before, and someone joked: “Little Pei, didn’t you take your wife on a honeymoon?”

Pei Chuan was installing a chip. Hearing this, his fingers paused.

That researcher laughed heartily: “Just now when I talked to you, you couldn’t hear anything, but the moment I mention your wife, you hear it. I’m telling you, young man, don’t work too frantically. When you should be keeping her company, keep her company.”

They always felt Pei Chuan was a workaholic. Such a young researcher, only twenty-three years old—why be so dull and stodgy?

Although the institute also had a PhD who, for the sake of his bacterial strain, reportedly drove to the lab even on his wedding night.

But scientific maniacs who neglected their families weren’t good either.

Since Pei Chuan had gotten married in his hometown of C City, no one had seen his wife. Basically, Pei Chuan had come to the research institute right after getting married, without any honeymoon period. This led everyone to unanimously think that Pei Chuan was also a workaholic.

Pei Chuan finished installing the chip, his gaze lowered slightly: “She has to go to school.”

Everyone was very surprised. That young?

So it wasn’t that Pei Chuan didn’t want to go—it was that his wife’s side wasn’t convenient. Several senior colleagues exchanged glances, understanding in their hearts.

Just married, but his little darling wife had to attend school every day. Pei Chuan probably had tears he couldn’t express.

There was a researcher also working on electronic technology named Liu Mao. Liu Mao asked: “Which school?”

Pei Chuan’s hands didn’t stop moving: “B University.”

Liu Mao smiled and walked over to pat his shoulder: “Want an opportunity?”

Pei Chuan looked up.

People in this field didn’t need to wear masks and protective suits all day like the people next door. However, Pei Chuan’s stern features looked utterly devoid of human warmth, like a working machine.

Yet he was also capable—many thought processes others couldn’t figure out, he could understand. The senior colleagues at the research institute were extremely fond of him.

Liu Mao said: “You see, our research institute rarely gives time off. The president of B University is my student. Last week he invited me to give a lecture at their school. My daughter is coming back this weekend and I need to pick her up at the airport. How about you go instead?”

Pei Chuan nodded, finally showing some smile on his face.

The people at the research institute couldn’t help but laugh.

Liu Mao was also amused: “Then why don’t we skip the lecture? Anyway, you’ve been working on software lately, right? Why don’t you go teach classes at B University instead? I’ll tell Little Zhao, and you can substitute teach for half a month, how about it?”

This operation…

Obviously he was joking and teasing Pei Chuan. Who ever heard of someone doing scientific research going to teach at a university?

Pei Chuan said: “I don’t have a university diploma.”

He said this very calmly. Everyone was startled for a moment. Usually they all knew he was brilliant, but precisely because he was so brilliant, everyone had forgotten that this “gaokao top scorer” had never even experienced university life.

Liu Mao had originally been joking, but now he felt somewhat sympathetic toward him.

He said: “What does not having a diploma matter? When you come out of our place, everyone has to call you Professor! How about this—you just go teach at the university for half a month, consider it experiencing school life. Look, you don’t even have to be a student—you can go straight to being a professor. How impressive is that!”

Everyone was very friendly.

“Little Pei, go ahead. The research institute isn’t busy recently anyway!”

“That thing you worked on a while back, Liu Mao couldn’t figure it out in a month. Go ahead without worry!”

Liu Mao laughed: “What are you saying! I’m your senior.”

Pei Chuan said: “Thank you.”

“Hey, why be polite? You’re newly married, and when you go to the school, you can keep her company too.”

Pei Chuan felt a strange feeling in his heart. The fact that the country could give him this opportunity—he wasn’t without feelings about it. But his life experiences made him feel this job was dispensable. The research institute’s salary wasn’t even particularly high—at least in his view, it wasn’t enough to support Yao Yao, so he usually took time to make additional software to sell for money.

However, this was the first time he had also experienced the kindness of others in society.

In early May, Liu Mao helped Pei Chuan arrange things with the B University president.

The president was especially happy! Simply overjoyed!

Someone from the First Scientific Research Institute coming to give a lecture at their school would be an extremely glorious thing. After all, things like “scientists entering campus” could make the news. Who would have thought that this time, the professor they’d invited would actually be willing to come teach classes!

For the entire school, this was a great thing. They heard that the researcher was particularly young.

Every profession has its specialization. Since Pei Chuan was coming, naturally he would teach students from the Computer Science College.

Therefore, two days in advance, the president contacted the counselors—the atmosphere must be proper! They absolutely must be very respectful toward the visiting professor!

After all, a “professor” coming out of a research institute was an honorific title, different from the senior designation for university teachers. These were people who made contributions to national and societal progress.

The counselors were also happy. Listening to one class from a professor of this level would benefit them for several years.

The president coughed: “I heard that professor has a bit of a strange temperament—doesn’t talk much, rarely smiles, not very good at interacting with people. So besides the atmosphere, discipline also needs to be regulated!”

The counselor said: “Of course! At this level, having a bit of a strange temperament is normal. Don’t worry, I’ll go communicate with the teachers right away. When Professor Pei teaches, it’ll be directly linked to professional performance scores!”

The president nodded with satisfaction.

Actually, he wasn’t particularly worried. After all, any student with a brain would know that listening to the class would be greatly beneficial and wouldn’t dare cause any trouble.

*

Bei Yao had midterm exams these past few days. University was different from high school and middle school—these two days of exams were all in the evening, so Bei Yao didn’t go home. After all, it would be very late after finishing the exams, and it wasn’t safe for her to go home alone. She also knew Pei Chuan was working very hard at the research institute and didn’t want him to pick her up and drop her off. She’d wait until her exams were finished and then go home to stay.

After three nights of exams, on the fourth day when she was liberated, the school was talking about one big matter!

A large red banner was hung up—”Warmly Welcome Professor Pei Chuan to Our School!”

This news was also scrolling non-stop on the announcement board.

Wang Qiankun saw the news and came back, saying enviously: “The Computer Science department has such good fortune. When will we get to hear a class from an industry giant?”

While their major was still taking exams, Pei Chuan had already taught for two days.

Wang Qiankun talked about industry news with particular interest: “But what’s really funny is, I heard that professor is very young, not much older than the students, yet he’s like sexually frigid or something. There’s a girl in Computer Science called Duan You who once participated in the campus beauty pageant with Bei Yao and got third place in votes. She repeatedly went to ask the professor questions, and that professor kept saying, ‘It’s after class time, go ask your own teacher.’ Hahahaha, so damn awkward!”

Bei Yao hadn’t gone out and was making a birthday present for Pei Chuan. Hearing this, she asked curiously: “A computer-related researcher?”

“Yeah, are all programmer-type men more straight and clueless?”

Qin Dongni said with a laugh: “How could that be?”

Wang Qiankun shrugged: “Then maybe ‘Professor Pei’ is sexually frigid and doesn’t appreciate beauties.”

Qin Dongni was very interested in this “sexually frigid” man. She said: “This afternoon I’ll also go crash the Computer Science department’s open lecture and listen.”

Bei Yao heard the three words “Professor Pei” and instinctively asked: “What’s the professor’s full name?”

Wang Qiankun thought back, “Pei Chuan, I think.”

“…” Was it her Pei Chuan?

Bei Yao thought it was very possible.

So that afternoon when Qin Dongni wanted to skip her major class, Bei Yao said: “I’ll go too.”

Qin Dongni’s eyes widened: “Yao Yao, since when are you interested in gossip?”

Bei Yao didn’t know how to explain. If it was just someone with the same name, it would be very awkward.

Qin Dongni didn’t dwell on this: “Hurry, hurry. His class will definitely have a lot of people. Let’s grab front-row seats.”

Wang Qiankun wasn’t going. She was only interested in medicine. Shan Xiaomai didn’t dare go—she thought going to someone else’s class would be awkward.

However, when Bei Yao and Qin Dongni arrived, the multimedia classroom was already packed full with no seats left, and there were even people who had brought their own stools to listen to the lecture in the hallway.

Qin Dongni: “…”

Class hadn’t started yet, and Bei Yao also looked inside.

Someone shouted “Bei Yao” in surprise, not knowing who it was.

Everyone’s gazes looked over. Qin Dongni couldn’t help but laugh. See, the campus beauty’s fame was also quite significant.

A male student in the front row stood up and asked: “We have seats here. Do you want to come sit over here?”

Bei Yao was about to shake her head—she just wanted to glance and see if it was Pei Chuan.

Qin Dongni had already grabbed her arm and squeezed through: “Thank you, classmate!”

That male student looked at Bei Yao and blushed: “You’re welcome, you’re welcome.”

After a while, the male student’s roommate came rushing in and discovered that the seat the male student had saved had been given to Bei Yao. Several people gnashed their teeth—damn it, friendship can’t compete with beauty, is that it!

The male student would steal glances at Bei Yao from time to time, completely ignoring his roommates’ knife-like stares.

The large classroom was chattering noisily. Bei Yao was listening to the female students talking behind her.

“Professor Pei is quite handsome. He’s probably only in his twenties, right?”

“To be honest, his lectures are so profound, completely different from our textbooks!”

“What he’s teaching is ‘hacker’ knowledge! His voice is very pleasant to hear, like a deep cello, his bass voice just kills me!”

The girls laughed and teased: “Don’t get aroused. He’s just here to teach a few classes. You saw how Duan You proactively went up to ‘ask questions for advice,’ and he didn’t even lift an eyelid. Can you compare to Duan You?”

One second before the class bell rang, someone said: “Professor Pei is here!”

Bei Yao also looked toward the door.

In early May summer, he wore a white shirt and walked into the classroom without carrying anything.

Because he wore a prosthetic on his lower leg, he walked very slowly. However, in the eyes of those who didn’t know, it became a kind of aloof and indifferent temperament.

As soon as he entered, almost everyone fell silent.

Pei Chuan didn’t look at the densely packed crowd below and picked up the chalk: “Supplementary lecture on ‘esolang’ programming languages.”

Indeed, as the female students had said, his voice was very cold and detached.

Bei Yao looked at him seriously. The man picked up the chalk. His characters were written with bold vigor, and his speed was also very fast. She watched his back, and her eyes seemed to contain scattered stars.

The “sexually frigid” professor wasn’t accustomed to electronic pens. Like an old-fashioned person, he used chalk throughout. What he taught was all operational summaries, without the slightest reservation. Although most people couldn’t understand, it didn’t prevent them from knowing that what Professor Pei was teaching was impressive.

Everyone quietly took notes.

Qin Dongni asked in a small voice: “Yao Yao, can you understand this?”

Bei Yao shook her head.

Qin Dongni: “…” Then why are you watching so seriously, with a gentle smile in your eyes?

The next moment, because Qin Dongni had spoken, that professor turned around.

He saw his little darling wife in the third row at a glance.

Pei Chuan froze. He never would have thought he’d see Bei Yao in a computer science major class. He knew she’d been taking exams these past two days and hadn’t dared disturb her.

Although he missed her very much, he still held back.

“Restraint” and “yielding”—these kinds of emotions were perhaps the things he’d done most in his entire life.

Bei Yao rested her chin on both hands, her almond eyes bright and sparkling as she looked at him.

This was during class—she couldn’t speak, but Pei Chuan understood the admiration in her eyes.

After all, he was a man, and a woman’s admiration was always something difficult to resist. Pei Chuan pressed his lips together with restraint, a smile spreading in his eyes. Liu Mao was right—after all, they were newly married. How could he not miss his darling wife? During the days when she returned to school for exams, he still went home on time every day, dreaming of her.

The classroom was quiet for a moment.

The female students in the back row stared blankly at the man on the platform. Did he just smile? Right?