Xue Jiao looked at him with some guilt. She also wanted to spend time with him every day, to eat together, but she felt there were still many things waiting for her.

She had observed other couples around her, and most of them spent a lot of time together.

In contrast, she and Lin Zhihua seemed to spend relatively little time together.

Their time together consisted of him picking her up every day and driving her home. They rarely had private dates or meals, especially when Xue Jiao was busy.

Lin Zhihua was indeed feeling down. Yesterday, he had consulted a dating handbook and made many plans for their summer vacation.

Those dates, just thinking about them would make his lips curl up in anticipation…

But clearly, they might not happen at all.

However, at this moment, Lin Zhihua suddenly thought of Yi Tianyu for some reason.

That boy who had once almost won Xue Jiao’s heart ultimately failed because he didn’t understand her.

Because of this, Lin Zhihua had been trying hard to control and suppress his surging emotions.

He wished he could spend all twenty-four hours of the day with her. He wanted to take her shopping, to the movies, or to visit an underwater world—anything would do, as long as they were together.

But Xue Jiao was too busy.

Lin Zhihua had been suppressing his feelings. He needed to understand Xue Jiao and couldn’t make her feel constrained or uncomfortable like Yi Tianyu had.

She was still young and might not have patience for a partner.

So Lin Zhihua suppressed all his emotions. If she was busy, so be it. One meal a week, or after moving, the daily commute from school to home, plus video calls—these became all their time together.

She was about to start her sophomore year, and she would be even busier.

Lin Zhihua never thought he would one day want to ask—

What to do when your girlfriend is too busy to spend time with you?

Lin Zhihua had been driving without speaking. Xue Jiao’s heart tightened, and she turned to look at him.

“Zhihua…”

After a long while, Lin Zhihua finally forced a smile and said: “It’s nothing, just thinking about some work. What would you like to eat tonight?”

Xue Jiao tilted her head toward him and said softly: “Anything is fine.”

After speaking, she felt it was too perfunctory and added: “Everything you make is delicious.”

Lin Zhihua smiled and drove Xue Jiao to his new house.

The building he lived in was identical to the one Cheng Shuo had bought, very close to each other, with only three buildings in between.

However, upon opening the door, Lin Zhihua’s decorating style was completely different from the Cheng family’s.

The Cheng house, after all, was home to a large family and had to consider everyone, resulting in a warm and eclectic style.

But Lin Zhihua’s place was different. Xue Jiao had been to his apartment in C City, which had the same decorating style—cold, hard, mechanical, and spacious.

Very simple, but also very austere.

Lin Zhihua smiled as he got her a pair of slippers, a white pair with cute rabbit ears. It was the only pair of women’s slippers in the shoe cabinet.

“Put these on, they’ve been washed.”

Xue Jiao couldn’t help but smile: “You bought them for me?”

“Of course, who else would come to my place?” Lin Zhihua raised an eyebrow.

Xue Jiao covered her mouth and laughed, changing into the slippers, which fit perfectly.

“I’ll wash my hands and start cooking. Help yourself if you want water.” Lin Zhihua gently touched Xue Jiao’s nose, speaking indulgently.

She nodded, and he went into the kitchen.

Xue Jiao walked around, looking at everything, feeling that the house was extremely simple.

She slowly approached the coffee table, where there were two washed couple mugs with turtles printed on them.

She thought of how he often affectionately called her “little turtle.”

Xue Jiao couldn’t help but smile. She poured a glass of water and carried it slowly toward the kitchen.

Lin Zhihua had just taken the ingredients out of the refrigerator and turned his head when he heard the sound.

There was Xue Jiao in a t-shirt and jeans, wearing the slippers he had bought for her, holding the turtle couple mug…

Lin Zhihua’s heart softened, and he couldn’t help but smile at her affectionately.

His feelings of disappointment and suppression seemed insignificant in this scene, his heart swelling with satisfaction and happiness.

After they looked at each other for a moment, Lin Zhihua suddenly said: “I’m thirsty…”

Xue Jiao was stunned for a moment, then approached him with an embarrassed smile, bringing the cup to his lips.

Lin Zhihua chuckled, took a sip, and then smiled: “Sweet.”

Xue Jiao’s cheeks flushed slightly as she put the cup down nearby. “Let me help you, let’s do it together.”

“Sure.”

She could also cook, but with Lin Zhihua’s skills, she could only wash vegetables or hand him a bowl, not providing much substantial help.

He was quite content though, the smile never leaving his face.

About an hour later, the meal was ready.

There was black-bone chicken soup that had been simmering since morning, freshly made steamed fish, a plate of stir-fried vegetables, and a plate of lettuce with meat slices, all Xue Jiao’s favorites.

“Dinner’s ready!” Lin Zhihua put the food on the table as Xue Jiao came out after washing her hands.

She walked up behind Lin Zhihua and gently pressed against his back: “You always make what I like, not what you like.”

“What you like is what I like.”

Xue Jiao pouted but said nothing more.

Lin Zhihua grabbed her hand and had her sit next to him, then skillfully ladled a bowl of soup for her.

They had eaten together many times, but this time it was at Lin Zhihua’s home. Both were in good spirits and enjoyed the meal thoroughly.

After cleaning up the dishes, it was already eight o’clock, and Xue Jiao needed to go home.

“I’ll walk you back.”

“Okay.”

The two walked hand in hand toward Xue Jiao’s home like a young couple.

Under the dim streetlights, Lin Zhihua said softly: “If only every day could be like this… how wonderful…”

Xue Jiao turned her head and pressed her lips together: “When I’m free in the evenings, I’ll try to come back for dinner.”

The words “come back” pleased Lin Zhihua. His lips curved upward, and he seemed satisfied again.

The three buildings were close together, and they soon arrived at Xue Jiao’s building.

“I’ll go in now. Good night.” Xue Jiao pressed her lips together, somewhat reluctant.

Lin Zhihua bent down, face to face with her, his eyes smiling: “Aren’t you forgetting something?”

Xue Jiao blushed and stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek.

Lin Zhihua also lowered his head and kissed her forehead, light and gentle.

His voice was equally gentle: “Good night.”

“Good night.”

This was the first time Lin Zhihua had walked her to her door. Only after seeing Xue Jiao enter did he turn to leave.

His silhouette, compared to earlier, appeared lonely and cold, solitary and isolated.

But the warmth of Xue Jiao’s touch still lingered in his palm, making him feel warm somehow.

——

Early the next morning, the first day of Xue Jiao’s summer vacation.

She hurriedly went to school with her backpack, heading straight for the laboratory.

Chu Sheng and Zheng Jiakun had already arrived. Zhang Han and Yang Zhan hadn’t arrived yet, but they didn’t have to wait long before they also showed up.

This was the first group meeting of the summer vacation.

“Little junior sister, long time no see. Are you on summer break now?” Yang Zhan asked with a smile as soon as he entered.

Xue Jiao looked up and said seriously: “Officially, yes.”

“Hahaha, officially? Is little junior sister complaining that we don’t have a vacation? I’m quite dissatisfied too.” Yang Zhan raised an eyebrow jokingly.

Xue Jiao shook her head, not bothering to respond to him.

Zhang Han sat down next to Xue Jiao and noticed her notebook: “Notes?”

“Yes, things we’ve tried, successes and failures, and some occasional thoughts.”

Zhang Han indicated she wanted to see it, so Xue Jiao handed it to her.

Even someone as demanding as Zhang Han found Xue Jiao’s notes valuable. They documented what they had done, what had succeeded, what had failed, and why it had failed.

Zhang Han finished reading and returned the notebook.

“Let’s each talk about our current progress, problems, and thoughts.”

“Sure.”

They began to take turns discussing their recent situation, but honestly, none had made much progress.

The project was indeed promising, but it was too broad, requiring step-by-step exploration.

Xue Jiao listened attentively, occasionally taking notes, sometimes frowning, relaxing her brow.

The discussion continued until noon when they went to the cafeteria for lunch and then returned to continue.

“I think we’re unlikely to succeed with this project now. It might just be a waste of time and energy.” After discussing for so long, Yang Zhan suddenly said seriously.

This project was Chu Sheng’s labor of love and his wish, so he couldn’t help but object: “How long have we been at this? How can we give up so easily?”

“This isn’t giving up easily; it’s about prioritizing. And it’s not about abandoning it but postponing it. With our current age and experience, the difficulty is too great. After a few decades, with more materials and information, when our knowledge reserves are sufficient, that would be the time to start.” Yang Zhan argued.

His words were sincere and incisive.

Chu Sheng fell silent, not knowing how to counter, but he was very reluctant.

Zheng Jiakun looked at Yang Zhan: “I’ve never given up in a situation like this. We’re just getting started.”

Yang Zhan shrugged and spread his hands: “Fine, that’s your opinion, but can we find a direction? We’ve been at this for a while now, and even with many distractions, having made no progress at all—doesn’t that tell us that we truly have no way forward?”

Zhang Han fell silent. After a long time, she stood up and said: “Let’s leave it at that for today. Everyone go home and think it over. Tomorrow when we meet again, share your thoughts and decisions.”

She was a rational person who knew that the most important aspect of research was direction, so she wasn’t in a rush to start working. Determination and approach came first.

“Alright, it’s good to think about it today, especially the little junior brother and sister. You two have just finished your exams, take a night to rest.” Yang Zhan also stood up.

The meeting ended before four o’clock, and while it wasn’t an unhappy parting, everyone left with different emotions.

“Gu Xue Jiao!” Just as she reached the door, Chu Sheng’s voice sounded behind her.

Xue Jiao turned around and smiled: “What is it?”

“You…”

Xue Jiao seemed to know what he was about to say and interrupted him: “Chu Sheng since I agreed to help you initially, there’s no reason for me to give up halfway.”

Chu Sheng was stunned for a moment, then scratched his head and smiled: “Thank you.”

“No need to thank me. I benefit too, and it’s my honor that you thought of me.” After saying this, Xue Jiao paused, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now…”

“Are you in a hurry?” Chu Sheng asked, puzzled.

Xue Jiao smiled embarrassedly: “I do have something urgent.”

After saying goodbye to Chu Sheng, she immediately took a taxi home. It was just after four o’clock.

No one was home when she arrived. Xue Jiao went straight to the kitchen, and around five o’clock, she came out with a thermal container.

She walked quickly to the entrance of the community and waved to hail a car—

“To Lin Corporation.”

She knew that Zhihua was feeling down because she wasn’t a qualified girlfriend.

But she would try, to be a slightly more qualified girlfriend.