When Yi Tianyu returned from Beijing, his face carried an indescribable desolation, mixed with a firmness that came after everything had settled.

“Dad, I’m ready to book my flight over there,” Yi Tianyu said.

Yi’s mother’s eyes reddened. Even though this was a good decision, as a mother, she still couldn’t bear to let him go.

Her son had been by her side since childhood. When he went to university in Shanghai, they still visited him frequently.

But now that he would be in a foreign country, it wouldn’t be so convenient for them to visit him anymore.

Would he eat well? Would he adapt to the different water? Would he get used to the local customs and culture? Would he suffer hardships?

Yi’s mother had too many worries and fears in her heart.

“Well, if you’ve decided, then start packing. When are you leaving?” Yi Dafa sighed, his voice soft.

“Tomorrow,” he said with a smile. “It’s just two years. I’ll be back soon.”

“What? So soon?!” Yi Dafa responded, and after a while, added, “Take care of yourself.”

Yi Tianyu nodded with a smile, then went upstairs to pack.

His acceptance letter had arrived long ago, but he had never planned his trip or packed his things.

He had still been hoping for an impossible answer.

Yi Tianyu shook his head and casually tossed a few things into his suitcase.

Downstairs, Yi Dafa and his wife exchanged glances, their eyes reddening.

“It’s good for him to go out, to leave early, to get far away from that person… it’s better to let go sooner…”

Yi Dafa sighed. He had quite liked Gu Xue Jiao. If that well-behaved and sensible girl could have become his daughter-in-law, he and his wife would have treated her well.

But… it was just not meant to be.

For the past two years, neither of them had mentioned Gu Xue Jiao to Yi Tianyu, but they had been paying attention to her privately. That child had become so outstanding and had met another excellent man. Her life didn’t need their son’s interference.

Yi’s mother looked anxiously at the upstairs. Her thoughts were similar to Yi Dafa’s. Even though Yi Tianyu was suffering from heartbreak, they couldn’t blame Gu Xue Jiao at all.

She was a good girl. Because of her, their young and inexperienced son had learned to work hard and strive.

It could be said that if Yi Tianyu hadn’t met this girl in high school, he might have muddled through those years, then been sent abroad with their money to study finance, and then returned to be guided by Yi Dafa into the company.

But now, all of this was the result of his efforts.

He liked this person, and although it ultimately led to sadness and heartbreak, he had become more excellent.

Falling in love with the right person is a good thing; it makes you better.

Although the Yi couple regretted that Xue Jiao couldn’t become their daughter-in-law, they were still grateful to her.

——

The day Yi Dafa and his wife saw Yi Tianyu off, the weather was fine, completely at odds with their mood.

They didn’t dare to show their sadness in front of Yi Tianyu and kept forcing smiles.

Yi Tianyu also smiled, afraid that his parents would worry.

“Son, why are you bringing so little?” Yi’s mother asked worriedly.

Yi Tianyu’s suitcase was extremely small, with very limited space, which made the couple very concerned.

Yi Tianyu smiled: “Mom and Dad, don’t worry, I don’t have much to bring.”

He reached out and hugged his parents: “I’m a grown man now, don’t worry about me. Take care of yourselves, and video call me when you miss me.”

“Okay…” Yi’s mother’s eyes reddened again, but she held back her tears.

Yi Tianyu picked up the little boy standing nearby: “Little man, take good care of Mom and Dad.”

The adopted child was already in tears, his hand tightly clenched: “Yes! Brother, take care of yourself.”

Yi Tianyu smiled, heard the boarding announcement, put down the boy, took a deep look at his parents, waved, and left with his suitcase.

What did he have to take away with him?

It seemed that apart from disappointment and sadness, there was nothing to take.

And apart from good wishes, there was nothing to leave behind.

Goodbye.

——

After boarding the plane, Yi Tianyu sent a message to Lin Zhihua before preparing to turn off his phone.

The message read:

[If you don’t treat her well, I definitely won’t let go next time.]

Lin Zhihua saw it, snorted, and calmly replied with two characters:

[Needless.]

He replied so quickly that Yi Tianyu hadn’t yet turned off his phone.

Lin Zhihua’s two characters were fairly polite, but Yi Tianyu clearly understood the subtext—huh, you’re overthinking.

Yi Tianyu: “…”

He turned off his phone, and shook his head, his eyes complex.

Lin Zhihua didn’t tell Xue Jiao about Yi Tianyu’s message, and at this time, Xue Jiao was also nervously preparing to visit Professor Tan’s teacher.

It was only now that Professor Tan told her who they were going to see.

“We’re going to see Academician Hu Sheng.”

Xue Jiao, carrying the gift prepared by Lin Zhihua—a standard box—widened her eyes in disbelief when she heard this.

“Academician Hu Sheng!!”

Her expression was extremely shocked as if she had heard something unbelievable.

Academician Hu Sheng, the only female mathematics academician in the country, with brilliant achievements.

Most importantly…

“Isn’t the Academician already ninety this year?” Xue Jiao asked, somewhat puzzled.

She remembered that the Academician was advanced in age, so in recent years, there had been almost no news about her.

Professor Tan nodded, with some emotion: “My teacher is 91 this year, and her health… sigh, I had originally planned to bring you when you were in graduate school, but after contacting her last time and mentioning you, she also wanted to meet you.”

Xue Jiao was moved; no one could meet such a great scholar without feeling something.

Professor Tan pushed his glasses and noticed the box in Xue Jiao’s hand: “What did you bring?”

Xue Jiao blinked: “A manuscript.”

“Oh, okay.” Professor Tan nodded in satisfaction. Actually, there was no need to bring a gift, but it was the child’s own thought, and he didn’t want to stop her. He had asked in advance because he was worried she might not understand and bring something too valuable.

Of course, after meeting Academician Hu Sheng later, his expression would be different.

He would want to go back to this moment, hold the box, and examine it thoroughly! Touch it several times before giving it away.

Academician Hu Sheng lived in a retirement home. When Professor Tan took her in, there were several other people inside.

The Academician’s husband had also been an academician, but he had passed away a few years ago. The people inside were her descendants and several students, who obviously knew Professor Tan and warmly greeted each other.

An old man around Professor Tan’s age looked at Xue Jiao and raised his eyebrows slightly: “Oh, is this Gu Xue Jiao, the student you talk about every day?”

Gu Xue Jiao stood straight and nodded with a smile: “Hello.”

She felt that this person looked somewhat familiar, but she didn’t know who he was, so she could only greet him politely.

But clearly, this person… about the same age as Professor Liu, must have been frequently provoked by Professor Tan.

“Gu Xue Jiao, don’t mind him. His student didn’t do well this year, so seeing you puts him in a bad mood.” After a pause, Professor Tan remembered to introduce him: “Oh right, this is Professor Li from Peking University.”

Xue Jiao: “…”

The reason he’s in a bad mood when he sees me is probably because you’ve been constantly provoking him!

Xue Jiao was nearly in tears; having a teacher who makes enemies everywhere can be quite intense!

At this moment, an elderly person was wheeled out. At ninety years old, she was frail, but her spirit was very good, with a smile on her lips.

The living room suddenly went quiet, everyone afraid of startling this teacher.

Xue Jiao, who had just sat down, couldn’t help but stand up again, her face full of reverence.

“Everyone’s here…” the old woman’s voice was very soft, with gentleness.

“Yes, we happened to arrange to come see you together. We take turns visiting, worried about disturbing you,” Professor Li stepped forward, crouched down beside the Academician, his voice tender, completely different from his earlier manner.

Academician Hu smiled and asked about their recent situations one by one. Even Professor Tan sat straight like a student and seriously reported his research situation.

Then the old woman moved her somewhat cloudy gaze toward Xue Jiao, saying kindly: “Gu Xue Jiao?”

“Yes!” Xue Jiao stood up, somewhat nervous.

The old woman had some difficulty speaking, so she beckoned with her hand. Xue Jiao quickly went forward and crouched down beside her.

It was only now that Academician Hu Sheng carefully examined her. Upon meeting the other’s clear and pure gaze, she nodded repeatedly: “You’re very good…”

“Thank you…” Xue Jiao didn’t say much, just looked at her with reverence.

“When I was your age, I didn’t have your achievements…”

Xue Jiao looked up, her eyes clear: “But you have worked hard all your life; I am far from your equal.”

The Academician couldn’t help but nod again. After thinking for a moment, she said: “Your teacher has told me about your situation. I have already contacted Academician Xi from the Academy of Sciences for you. When you have time, let your teacher take you to meet him. You should go study with him for the next year. I know that school learning is far from enough for you…”

Before Xue Jiao could respond, Professor Tan couldn’t help but show his delight: “If Academician Xi is willing to guide her, that would be wonderful.”

Xue Jiao looked at the Academician, then at Professor Tan, her voice soft: “Thank you all…”

She was truly grateful; she was so fortunate in this life to meet so many good teachers.

Academician Hu Sheng smiled, chatted a bit more with the others, and then said: “Gu Xue Jiao, come with me to the study?”

“Okay.” Xue Jiao was stunned for a moment, then quickly nodded.

Someone pushed Academician Hu Sheng in, and Xue Jiao could only quickly follow. She was still holding the small gift box that she hadn’t yet presented, so she carried it along.

After pushing the Academician into the room, the middle-aged man nodded to Xue Jiao and closed the door.

Xue Jiao felt somewhat awkward, not knowing where to put her hands and feet.

The Academician beckoned, and Xue Jiao moved a chair to sit down beside her so that the Academician could speak with less effort.

The Academician extended her hand, veined with blue, and Xue Jiao quickly extended her hand to hold it.

The Academician looked at her and said: “Do you know why I wanted to talk to you privately?”

Xue Jiao shook her head, looking back at her seriously.

“Because when I look at you, it’s like seeing myself when I was young. You are far more capable now than I was then. Gu Xue Jiao… in the future…”

The Academician took a couple of breaths and continued: “As long as you persist, your achievements in the future will surpass mine…”

Xue Jiao couldn’t help but speak: “You…”

The Academician’s hand tightened slightly, and she shook her head: “Your eyes are pure, rarely so pure. Do you like mathematics?”

“I do.” Xue Jiao nodded.

“That’s good.” The Academician smiled. “If you like mathematics, just keep persisting, okay?”

“Okay.” Xue Jiao didn’t hesitate; this was something she had already decided long ago.

“In our Mathematics and Physics Department, there are over 120 academicians in total, with only about 20 mathematics academicians. Is mathematics important? Very important, but also too fundamental, making it not as easy to produce results as other disciplines. So, mathematics is a bit more difficult to endure. Are you afraid?”

Xue Jiao shook her head, her voice firm: “I’m not afraid. When I chose mathematics, I was prepared.”

The Academician’s smile became more evident, showing her happiness: “That’s good. Mathematics…”

She began to earnestly tell Xue Jiao about mathematics, about her years of experience, the wrong turns she had taken, everything—the good and the bad, all clearly explained.

Xue Jiao listened attentively; this was an extremely precious treasure, the lifetime accumulation of an academician.

When the Academician’s breathing became increasingly labored, Xue Jiao quickly offered her water: “Academician, please have some water.”

The Academician accepted it, took a sip, and then said: “Gu Xue Jiao, never give up easily, no matter how many difficulties you encounter in the future.”

“I won’t.” For some reason, Xue Jiao’s eyes moistened.

“By the way, you brought me a gift? What is it?” Seeing her reddened eyes, the Academician asked with a smile.

Xue Jiao quickly stood up, placed the box on the desk in front of the Academician, and gently opened it.

There were only two thin sheets of paper. Xue Jiao wiped her hands before carefully taking them out and placing them on the desk.

This was prepared by Lin Zhihua; he seemed to have known long ago who they would be meeting today and had prepared this for her to bring.

To be honest, when she first learned what it was, Xue Jiao was also very surprised.

The Academician’s eyesight wasn’t clear, and she was curious, so Xue Jiao gently pushed her closer.

“Crash—” The sound of a cup falling and breaking on the floor.

Professor Tan and the others, who had been chatting in the living room, quickly stood up, opened the door, and rushed into the study.

The Academician was trembling as she caressed the two sheets of paper, her face showing disbelief, the veins on her forehead pulsing, her expression indescribable—somewhere between shock and joy.

She was still breathing heavily, not raising her head, her eyes wide open, fixated on the two sheets of paper.

“What’s wrong? Teacher, what’s wrong?” Professor Tan and the others were quite frightened.