Xue Jiao spoke very seriously yet calmly, but it terrified Zhang Han.

“W-what…” she stammered, dumbfounded.

Xue Jiao replied with composure: “Senior Zhang, it’s the boyfriend you met before, who is nine years older than me.”

Zhang Han had indeed met Lin Zhihua before, but it was one evening when the lighting was dim.

And when Lin Zhihua came to pick up Xue Jiao, he rarely wore a suit and tie. He was also extremely handsome, making him appear not much older than Xue Jiao.

Zhang Han remained silent for a long while before choking out: “Xue Jiao… why… would you be with him…”

“Because I like him, and he’s very suitable for me.” Xue Jiao’s lips curved into a smile, sweet and tender, with her eyes also filled with joy.

Zhang Han couldn’t recall the man’s face, but he was someone who made Xue Jiao smile just by thinking about him. It seemed he must be a good person.

“But… love wastes so much time…” Zhang Han had originally been determined to dedicate herself to science; Yang Zhan was purely an accident.

Xue Jiao shook her head: “It’s not too bad. Have you seen me troubled about wasting time because of romance? When I’m free, I go to his office, and we each do our work, then eat together. Occasionally when we have spare time, we make time to go on dates. Hmm… it’s something that makes me very happy and something I look forward to…”

Zhang Han froze, her gaze fixed on one spot, lost in thought.

“Senior Zhang, working hard for science is a lifelong pursuit, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have other aspects to our lives. Emotions can be part of life—don’t force them when they’re not there, but don’t fear or avoid them when they come,” Xue Jiao said with a light laugh.

Zhang Han was still somewhat afraid; this was territory she had never encountered in her first twenty-some years.

“But… he’s so much younger than me, I’m still afraid…”

Xue Jiao picked up her coffee and took a sip: “If you like him, you can consider him, but liking doesn’t necessarily mean you must be together. If he truly likes you and is truly suitable for you, you’ll feel it, and you’ll want to be with him forever.”

These words plunged Zhang Han into deep thought as she seriously considered the person Yang Zhan was…

“Actually… I feel quite happy being with him, and sometimes… when I haven’t seen him for a long time, I want to see him, but it’s also troubling, like now.” Zhang Han’s eyes were unfocused. “I don’t know if we’re suitable for each other, and I’ve never experienced love before. I’m also afraid… I won’t do it well.”

“Senior, there’s no right or wrong way to handle emotions. A future partner is a very important part of our lives—don’t rush, don’t be impulsive, and don’t hastily make decisions you’ll regret for life.”

Xue Jiao’s eyes were serious: “But you also don’t need to be so restrained. Cherishing the person in front of you is also very important.”

Zhang Han looked at her with a vacant expression, but she had taken in what was just said.

“Senior, do you know why I took such a long leave when we first met?” Xue Jiao suddenly asked.

Zhang Han was taken aback, shook her head, and felt somewhat embarrassed.

When they first met, she thought Xue Jiao wasn’t dedicated to her work, but after getting to know her, she realized she had misunderstood her. Xue Jiao couldn’t be more dedicated.

Xue Jiao smiled, but her eyes reddened again: “Because I had a friend…”

She slowly opened her mouth and gradually recounted the story of Shu Lan.

Shu Lan’s departure had left an indelible mark on the hearts of Xue Jiao and her two friends. She was someone they would think of in the quiet of the night, and thinking of her would bring tears streaming down their faces.

After Xue Jiao finished speaking, Zhang Han’s eyes were already red. She slowly opened her mouth: “I’m sorry…”

If she had known earlier the reason why the young woman before her hadn’t come in at that time, she would never have viewed her that way.

They had known each other for a year, and it was only now that Xue Jiao told Zhang Han the reason for her initial leave of absence.

Xue Jiao wiped the corners of her eyes and looked at Zhang Han, saying softly: “I don’t know your true feelings about being with Yang Zhan, but I hope that every decision you make, you won’t regret afterward—don’t make wrong decisions, and don’t miss out on the person right in front of you.”

Zhang Han nodded, her hands clasped tightly with Xue Jiao’s.

She needed to think carefully about her relationship with Yang Zhan. Xue Jiao was right; she shouldn’t make impulsive decisions, but there was also no need to worry or fear excessively.

When it hasn’t come, we shouldn’t rush; when it comes, we shouldn’t hide.

“Jiao Jiao, thank you. You’re a good girl.” Zhang Han said sincerely.

Come to think of it, Xue Jiao was also her first friend. She was very grateful to have met and gotten to know Xue Jiao.

Xue Jiao had already dried her tears, though her eyes were still a bit red. She revealed a smile: “I thought… it would be Senior Yang Zhan coming to thank me!”

Zhang Han blushed and glared at her.

After this meeting, Zhang Han seemed to have let down her guard. She agreed on a time for the celebration dinner and no longer avoided Yang Zhan.

Xue Jiao sat in the car, chattering away to Lin Zhihua—

“See! My emotional intelligence isn’t that low! Otherwise, how could I have helped Senior Zhang see things? Right?”

Her voice was very happy and a bit smug.

Lin Zhihua glanced at her from the corner of his eye, full of helpless affection.

“Jiao Jiao, do you know why you were able to help your Senior Zhang see things?”

“Hmm?” Isn’t it because I’m clever?

Lin Zhihua chuckled lightly: “Because—a blind cat stumbled upon a dead rat.”

Two people with low emotional intelligence came together, and their thought processes aligned.

Xue Jiao: “…”

——

The interview was released not long after it was conducted. At this time, the project still had “aftershocks” in the scientific community, so quite a few people were paying attention to the interview.

Fudan University.

At noon, several male students sat together eating lunch, discussing this interview.

“Yang Zhan is truly amazing. He’s just one year ahead of us; how did he become so impressive?”

“Why don’t you mention that Gu Xue Jiao is in the same year as you?”

“Haha, I still admire Senior Zhang Han more; she’s practically the number one senior in the physics field!”

“I’m so envious that they started teaming up so early to work on such a major project!”

“Speaking of which, is this project team selected based on looks? They’re all so attractive!”

“Yes, Senior Zhang Han and Goddess Gu both have incredible looks!”

“I wonder if they have boyfriends…”

“What? You dare to fantasize?”

…

The group chatted happily while nearby, a very handsome yet melancholic young man kept his head down, eating quietly.

Unfortunately, despite putting several spoonfuls into his mouth, he had yet to eat anything.

Everyone around was from the mathematics department. Yi Tianyu didn’t know why he had made so many friends from the math department. It seemed like loving the house for its inhabitant; because of that person, he had even started to like mathematics.

“Haha! Look at this interview. Goddess Gu speaks so professionally. Can laypeople understand? I’m in the math department, and I feel like I don’t understand!”

Yi Tianyu, who had been silent all along, relaxed his brow slightly, with a hint of a smile in his eyes, and said softly: “She’s always like this—very serious and very meticulous.”

Yi Tianyu’s voice was very gentle, filled with nostalgia and an indescribable flavor.

Everyone turned to look at him simultaneously. Yi Tianyu stood up: “I’m done eating. I have something to do, so I’ll leave first.”

“Brother Yu—” Someone wanted to stand up and chase after him but was held back by the person next to them.

“Give him some space.”

“What’s wrong with Brother Yu?” Everyone was confused.

Only the young man who had held the other back sighed lightly and said helplessly: “Do you know who Brother Yu’s unforgettable first love is, the one he’s been thinking about all this time?”

“Who?”

“Gu Xue Jiao.”

“…”

“Holy shit!”

“For real?”

Even though Brother Yu was very outstanding, in their impression, Gu Xue Jiao was now “Goddess Gu,” a distant, unattainable big shot.

“The photo that Brother Yu keeps in his wallet and cherishes immensely is of him and Gu Xue Jiao. The background image on his phone, which he constantly takes out to touch, is also a photo with Gu Xue Jiao.”

The others widened their eyes in shock.

The young man also felt somewhat emotional. Yi Tianyu had never mentioned these things; they were all observations he had made.

He didn’t know what exactly had happened between Yi Tianyu and Goddess Gu, but judging from the fact that the two hadn’t contacted each other for two years, he knew it was already a tragedy.

But what was most concerning was—

Once you’ve seen the vast ocean, all other waters pale in comparison; after leaving Fairy Mountain, no other clouds will do.

——

Xue Jiao had been relatively relaxed recently. The project was over, the school had just started, and there weren’t many courses.

The previous semester’s grades had all been released. Xue Jiao hadn’t maintained her position as the top student in her major, but at least she had only dropped to third place.

What surprised Xue Jiao most was that Professor Zhen had only deducted five points from her usual performance grade.

This professor… was tough on the outside but soft on the inside.

Since there were no failed subjects from the previous semester, there was no need for remedial classes. Xue Jiao looked at her schedule and added several more courses for herself.

She wanted to complete more subjects in advance so that by her junior and senior years, she might be able to free up time to do other things.

This way, she wouldn’t be as busy as she was during the final exams of the previous semester.

On Saturday, Xue Jiao and Lin Zhihua were in his office.

“I can’t have dinner with you tomorrow. Professor Tan and I are going to interview his teacher,” Xue Jiao suddenly looked up and said.

Lin Zhihua smiled: “It’s fine, you focus on your work.”

Xue Jiao rubbed her chin, looking curious: “I wonder who Professor Tan’s teacher is, such a distinguished person. It’s exciting.”

Lin Zhihua looked up and lightly flicked her forehead, saying indulgently: “You’ll know tomorrow. Right now, you should be thinking about what we’re having for lunch.”

“Anything is fine. Are we still eating in the office?”

“Mm, too lazy to go out.”

Xue Jiao nodded and continued reading her book.

Lin Zhihua rubbed her head: “Lift your head a bit. Your eyes already have some degree of nearsightedness. If you don’t pay attention, you’ll need to wear glasses.”

Xue Jiao quickly raised her head, sitting bolt upright with a terrified expression.

Lin Zhihua smiled and walked toward his desk.

At this moment, Xue Jiao’s phone rang. She took it out, looked at it, and froze, staring blankly at the phone.

Her expression was very strange, mixed with surprise, confusion, and some emotion.

Lin Zhihua had just sat down and looked up, asking curiously: “What’s wrong?”

“Someone invited me to lunch…” Xue Jiao explained.

“Who?”

“Yi Tianyu.”

In that instant, Lin Zhihua almost thought he had misheard. His pupils suddenly contracted, and he instinctively wanted to say—don’t go.

But he restrained himself, took a deep breath, and tried to keep his tone casual: “Oh, why did he suddenly think of inviting you to lunch?”

Xue Jiao shook her head, also somewhat confused: “He said there’s something he wants to tell me in person, and he must see me face to face.”

“Are you going?” Lin Zhihua’s voice was very soft, seemingly nonchalant, but his hand was tightly gripping the documents on the desk.

Xue Jiao thought for a moment. It had been over a year, and Yi Tianyu had never contacted her. It seemed he truly had something important to discuss.

“I think I’ll go see him, but… are you okay with me going?”

The last few words were spoken with a hint of playfulness in Xue Jiao’s voice.

Lin Zhihua forced a smile: “Why wouldn’t I be? I know you like me now, and that’s enough.”

Xue Jiao smiled, stood up, quickly walked over, and planted a “smack” on Lin Zhihua’s cheek.

“Then I’ll go meet him once. I feel like he has something important to discuss.”

Actually, over the past year and more, Xue Jiao had hardly thought about Yi Tianyu, and her feelings had naturally faded. This meeting would probably be the last time they would arrange to see each other.

She was Lin Zhihua’s girlfriend, so naturally, she couldn’t keep meeting with a guy she once had feelings for.

This was the first time, and also the last time.

Xue Jiao still wanted to know what Yi Tianyu had to discuss, and it would be a good opportunity to talk with him. She hoped both she and he could completely put the past behind them.

The sad look in that young man’s eyes was still in her memory. Now that she had found happiness, she naturally didn’t want him to remain stuck in the past. She hoped he could find happiness too.

Lin Zhihua agreed to let Xue Jiao go, but as soon as she stepped out the door, he immediately called Tan Qi—

“Prepare the car.”

Don’t worry.

It’s impossible not to worry!

Never in this lifetime!