Xue Jiao froze, staring blankly at Lin Zhihua as he approached.

A moment later, there was a sound from behind as Lin Zhihua opened the car door.

“Jiaojiao, get in the car.”

After saying this, he released her and took a step back.

“Oh, oh, oh, okay.” Xue Jiao sat down stiffly.

She had just thought…

Ah ah ah ah, don’t overthink it.

Xue Jiao took a deep breath, feeling her heart racing again. She breathed deeply several times before calming down.

Xue Jiao didn’t know that the man outside the car was breathing even harder than she was.

Lin Zhihua had to use all his strength to steady his excited heart. He had just nearly kissed her.

Xue Jiao hadn’t awakened yet; her current attribute was like a turtle. If his actions crossed the line, this little turtle would immediately retract her head and never emerge again.

Lin Zhihua continued to restrain himself.

Wait a little longer, don’t rush.

At noon in September, the weather was extremely hot. Combined with his frantically beating heart, Lin Zhihua’s back was soaked with sweat.

Restraint was a very difficult thing.

Lin Zhihua got into the car. As the air conditioning blew, he calmed down, his lips curling up slightly.

“Let’s go. That black chicken has been waiting for a long time.”

His voice sounded no different than usual. Xue Jiao let out a sigh of relief and also calmed down.

That strange heartbeat just now—she didn’t dwell on it, assuming she had just been frightened. Lin Zhihua was still her teacher-like friend.

The car drove steadily toward Wu Liu Lane.

It was still that familiar house, the courtyard with the “Gui” character. The two sat at a small table.

There were four dishes on the table: a black chicken that had been stewed overnight, a steamed fish, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, and a braised goose liver.

They were all simple dishes, but in the hands of the owner, they became unique delicacies of extraordinary taste.

Lin Zhihua first ladled a bowl of soup for her and handed it over. “Here, have some nourishment. These thirty days must have been exhausting, right?”

Xue Jiao smiled as she took it, nodding and then shaking her head. “It was quite tiring, but once it’s over, there’s not much feeling left.”

She took a sip of the soup and almost swallowed her tongue.

“It’s so delicious!”

Lin Zhihua chuckled lightly. “Well, you must have been exhausted to enjoy medicinal soup this much.”

“Medicinal soup?” Xue Jiao was stunned again, looking down at the bowl of soup. It was slightly yellowish, with goji berries and some other miscellaneous ingredients floating on top.

Lin Zhihua added a piece of fish to her bowl and smiled. “There are many kinds of medicinal herbs in it, but it seems you still like it.”

“I really couldn’t taste it.”

“I was afraid you wouldn’t like it. In that case, drink more.” Lin Zhihua said with a smile.

He had stewed this himself last night. Her military training had been very hard; although she didn’t say it, he knew.

This period was both a form of exercise for the body and a form of depletion. This medicinal soup was formulated by an old traditional Chinese medicine doctor, stewed into the broth with a very subtle taste. If she could drink more, then all the better.

“I like it.” Xue Jiao quickly finished drinking while blowing on it, and then Lin Zhihua ladled another bowl, putting it aside to cool.

Xue Jiao started eating first. It was still as delicious as ever.

“Although military training is very tiring, it’s also a rare experience. You won’t have such an experience again in the future,” Lin Zhihua said while picking up food.

Xue Jiao also extended her chopsticks, picking up food for Lin Zhihua. “Don’t just feed me, you eat too.”

They had become so familiar with each other that they no longer needed to use serving chopsticks.

Lin Zhihua looked down at the goose liver in his bowl and cherished each bite.

“Indeed, sometimes it’s quite interesting. Let me tell you something funny. I have a roommate who usually has an interesting personality, knows a bit of everything, and is quite spirited. But during military training, every time we marched in step, she would move her arm and leg on the same side together. Our instructor was furious. Later, during our break, our instructor walked with her, side by side. As they were walking, our instructor also started moving his arm and leg on the same side together. Hahaha!” Xue Jiao was all smiles, looking very happy.

Lin Zhihua watched her laugh, his lips involuntarily curling up, and he laughed along.

“Then what happened?”

“Then our instructor was laughed at by all of us. He stood there embarrassed for a long time, questioning his life. Fortunately, Jiajia eventually got the hang of it.”

Lin Zhihua smiled and picked up a piece of fish for her.

“What about you? How was your military training performance?”

Xue Jiao raised her eyebrows slightly, with an adorable hint of pride. “Of course, I was the best, the team leader.”

Lin Zhihua gave her a thumbs up. “Alright, alright, Jiaojiao is amazing.”

Xue Jiao became a bit embarrassed again, picking out food for Lin Zhihua, then saying, “You should eat quickly too.”

Lin Zhihua smiled and shook his head, his eyes full of doting affection.

“Jiaojiao, tomorrow is the opening ceremony. What are your plans after that?”

Xue Jiao paused for a moment, her chopsticks stopping, and then she looked up at Lin Zhihua.

“Attend classes, all of them. Then go to Professor Tan’s place during my free time, and then squeeze out some more time—”

“Hmm?” Lin Zhihua was curious.

Xue Jiao revealed a faint smile. “To try Fermat’s Last Theorem.”

Lin Zhihua was slightly surprised. “You’re going to try?”

“Would I lie about this?” Xue Jiao raised an eyebrow. “Professor Tan probably didn’t pay attention to what I said back then and has never asked me about it. But since I said it, I still have to try, regardless of whether I succeed or not. I can’t take back words I said back then, right?”

Although her tone suggested she might be regretting it, her eyes were determined.

Lin Zhihua smiled and said softly, “Good, you can do it.”

The girl he liked was just like this, truly as if she had grown a pair of wings, always wanting to try hard to fly.

Words she had spoken, decisions she had made, she always remembered.

“And besides, you’ll be busy from now on,” Lin Zhihua said.

She would have to attend classes, possibly help with projects, and squeeze out time to study and prove Fermat’s Last Theorem.

Xue Jiao shrugged. “Busy is busy. Time is something you always have to squeeze.”

Lin Zhihua revealed a smile, then said, “How about I bring you here to eat every Friday to nourish you? Otherwise, before you know it, your brain cells will be depleted.”

“That doesn’t seem right…”

Lin Zhihua smiled ambiguously. “Anyway, I’m going to come here to eat every Friday, with the same amount of dishes. You’d just be tagging along. Even if you don’t come, I still have to come and eat.”

Xue Jiao immediately revealed a smile, trying to flatter him. “How can you finish all this by yourself? Let me help you. I can eat a lot!”

“Then hurry up and finish this bowl of soup.” Lin Zhihua tapped the bowl beside her.

“Oh, oh, oh, okay!”

Regarding tomorrow’s opening ceremony where Xue Jiao would speak as the new student representative, she didn’t have any particular feelings about it.

Back at the Seventh Middle School, Xue Jiao had already spoken as a representative.

Speaking in front of many people, at first one would be very nervous, and standing on stage would uncontrollably speed up the heartbeat.

But the experience was truly a good thing. After solving problems under everyone’s gaze that year, so-called stage fright could no longer be found.

Even now, coming to Tsinghua, with young people gathered from all over who were quite formidable sitting below, there was nothing to be afraid of.

Stage fright was nothing but fear, but what was there to be afraid of?

Those sitting below were people just like her. Since the school chose her to speak, it meant she had the qualification to speak. There was nothing to be afraid of.

Many times in life it’s like this. No matter what the occasion, stage fright is just fear.

But what exactly are you afraid of? Will the people below kill or scold her? Or if she doesn’t speak well, her life is over?

None of these.

So, there was nothing to be afraid of.

Xue Jiao stood on stage, calmly and confidently saying her piece, then retiring amid thunderous applause, having completed her task.

As for their class, they officially entered university.

Unlike when Xue Jiao first entered school, as the new student representative, Xue Jiao’s “fame” reached its peak. Some even said she was the most formidable in their class.

But with the start of classes, Xue Jiao instead faded from view.

Unless in class, otherwise, she couldn’t even be seen.

Tsinghua University was full of talented people, many elites began to emerge, impressive rumors one after another. More students began to focus on themselves, improving their abilities, and immersing themselves in intense competition and learning.

“Jiaojiao, what have you been busy with lately?” Shu Lan asked curiously.

Xue Jiao seemed very busy recently. After classes, she spent most of her time at school. She didn’t go to Professor Tan’s project much anymore, carrying notebooks and books every day, reading intently, and occasionally doing some calculations.

She even stayed in the dormitory at noon, not taking a nap, just continuously reading.

Xue Jiao turned a couple more pages, then looked up in confusion. “Are you talking to me?”

Shu Lan: “…”

Ding Qi rolled her eyes. “Gu Xue Jiao, what have you been busy with lately? Some people say Professor Tan threw you out of his office.”

“Huh?” Xue Jiao was stunned, completely confused.

Ding Qi continued muttering, “Being able to stay in Professor Tan’s project group and help with projects is extremely important for your future resume. I don’t believe you were thrown out by Professor Tan. You should be clinging to that place even if you have to force your way in!”

Although her tone was sour and unlikable, the content was actually for Xue Jiao’s benefit.

Xue Jiao knew her personality and simply scratched her head. “I took a leave of absence for a while. I don’t need to go there every day.”

Mai Jiajia also looked up, suddenly saying, “Gao Yuan from our department is working on a project with Professor Liu. It’s said that a few days ago he helped the project team a lot, and Professor Liu praised him profusely. He’s been taking him along, and even declared him to be the most talented in our mathematics department this year.”

Ding Qi widened her eyes. “That shorty is the most talented? School just started less than a month ago. How can he claim that?”

“Qiqi,” Shu Lan frowned slightly, “don’t talk about height.”

Ding Qi pouted and didn’t speak anymore, lowering her head to continue her homework.

Those who could enter Tsinghua, even if they had some personality issues, none of them were insincere about their attitude toward learning.

Mai Jiajia flipped through her black notebook, then said, “Jiaojiao, why do I always feel like you’re planning something big?”

Xue Jiao, who had already immersed herself back in her book, looked up in confusion. “What?”

Mai Jiajia: “…”

“Nothing, you continue reading. Let’s eat together at the east gate tonight, okay?”

“Okay.” Xue Jiao nodded.

This had been arranged earlier, to eat at the east gate in the evening. It wasn’t far, and wouldn’t take long.

So, she lowered her head and continued reading.

Mai Jiajia and Shu Lan exchanged a glance, and Mai Jiajia said helplessly, “She’s not even reading textbooks, but all kinds of miscellaneous math books. How can she be so engrossed?”

Shu Lan shook her head, revealing a smile.

In the evening.

The four of them went to a Chinese restaurant outside the east gate for dinner. Shu Lan handed the menu to Xue Jiao.

“Take a quick look and decide what to order.”

“I’ll just have two bowls of water and some vegetables,” Ding Qi waved her hand first.

Xue Jiao was surprised. “Eating so little?”

Ding Qi sighed and made a sour comment again. “I don’t have a body type that doesn’t gain weight. I need to diet. I don’t even eat dinner at home.”

Xue Jiao: “…”

She ordered a fish dish and then passed the menu to Shu Lan and Mai Jiajia. “You two continue ordering.”

After ordering three more dishes, they waited for the food to be served.

Ding Qi looked at Xue Jiao, enviously saying, “I envy your figure. You never even diet.”

“I think Jiaojiao’s legs look good, long and straight and fair,” Shu Lan also added.

Mai Jiajia shook her head. Today she had tied her hair in a high ponytail, which swung back and forth when she moved. “What part of my goddess doesn’t look good?”

Xue Jiao sighed. “You guys…”

Mai Jiajia’s eyes brightened, and she suddenly said, “Do you know what others say about our dormitory?”

“What?” The three looked over curiously.

Mai Jiajia held her black notebook, pretending it was a microphone. “Room 31, you know, that dormitory where everyone is beautiful.”

“Pfft!” Xue Jiao couldn’t hold back and laughed.

Ding Qi was pleased. “Good thing you all didn’t drag me down.”

“You’re the one dragging us down.”

“You’re the—”

“Alright, don’t argue.” Shu Lan looked helpless.

Mai Jiajia’s eyes turned, and she suddenly asked, “Which of you have dated before? Who’s planning to date?”

Suddenly, it got quiet.

Ding Qi muttered, “In high school, everyone was busy studying. Who dared to date?”

Mai Jiajia ignored her, putting her notebook in front of Xue Jiao with a gossipy face. “Our most beautiful campus flower, Ms. Gu Xue Jiao, have you ever dated?”

Xue Jiao shook her head helplessly.

Mai Jiajia wasn’t surprised. “With so many people who like you, do you like anyone?”

When Mai Jiajia finished speaking, strangely, Lin Zhihua’s face flashed through Xue Jiao’s mind. She hurriedly shook her head to dispel it.

“No.”

“Well, the goddess is still a cool goddess.”

Mai Jiajia then looked at Ding Qi but didn’t give her a chance to speak. “Miss Ding with such a bad temper hasn’t dated anyone, and with her high standards, she probably hasn’t found anyone she likes yet.”

“Mai Jiajia!”

“Lower your voice, I’m not deaf.”

Ding Qi was so angry she was breathing heavily, glaring at her. “So you have someone you like?”

Mai Jiajia revealed a smile. “I do.”

“Who?” Even Xue Jiao became curious.

Mai Jiajia likes someone?

“An interesting bookworm named Chu Sheng.”

Xue Jiao: “…”

“Chu Sheng, the physics department’s big shot, could like you?” Ding Qi was sour again.

Mai Jiajia blinked. “Does that matter?”

“You—”

Xue Jiao and Shu Lan laughed, and Mai Jiajia put the “microphone” in front of Shu Lan. “Does Shu Lan have a boyfriend or someone she likes?”

They all thought Shu Lan would shake her head, but in fact, she nodded.

“You have someone you like?” The three were surprised.

“I have a boyfriend.” Shu Lan said softly.

“What?” Let alone Xue Jiao, even Mai Jiajia and Ding Qi, who spent all day with her, were shocked.

This was unexpected!

“Really? What’s the situation?”

Shu Lan lowered her head a bit embarrassedly. “He’s from the Beijing Institute of Technology. We were high school classmates. We don’t contact each other much normally.”

“Boyfriend and girlfriend don’t contact much?” Mai Jiajia frowned.

“His family doesn’t approve.” Shu Lan’s voice sounded a bit forlorn. “His family background is too good. His family doesn’t agree with us being together. We pretended to break up, so we don’t contact each other much.”

“What conditions does his family have?” Ding Qi frowned.

“They’re in business. The company is called Shengshi Baikai.”

“It’s the Yu family?” Ding Qi frowned.

The three looked at Ding Qi together. “You know them?”

Ding Qi nodded. “Their family is indeed quite powerful, but to have their current position, it’s all because the Yu couple acted like lapdogs to build it up. The Yu family people aren’t very honorable. You’re dating someone from the Yu family?”

Her brows were deeply furrowed, looking disapproving.

“Yu Cheng is not that kind of person, but his family…” Shu Lan opened her mouth, also looking dejected.

Mai Jiajia looked at Ding Qi, asking further, “What else do you know about the Yu family?”

“Our family isn’t as good as theirs, so I don’t know much. Just once at the dinner table, I heard my dad and the others talk about the Yu family.” Ding Qi told the rumors about the Yu family.

The three listened with wide eyes.

Mai Jiajia swallowed and summarized, “It’s true that if you fawn enough, you’ll get everything you want.”

Xue Jiao was also truly shocked. There were really people who didn’t have much ability but built their business purely through connections?

And they’ve even made it big!

Mind. Blown.

The three spent almost the entire meal gossiping.

When they walked out of the restaurant, Ding Qi suddenly said, “Shu Lan, I don’t recommend you continue dating Yu Cheng. A family like the Yu family, when finding a wife for their son, will only aim to marry up. You…”

Shu Lan looked dejected and lowered her head.

They could all see that she liked Yu Cheng.

At this moment, there was a noisy crowd not far away, laughing and chatting. They looked up.

They had been gossiping all day, to the point that they ate quite late. The sky had already darkened a bit, but the group of men and women across from them was still very noticeable.

Shu Lan’s footsteps suddenly stopped.

The others were puzzled.

Shu Lan looked ahead, slowly opening her mouth. “Yu Cheng.”

Damn!

The remaining three widened their eyes, looking shocked.

“Which one, which one?”

“The one in the black t-shirt.”

The three looked over. That young man was indeed the most eye-catching in the group, but two girls were standing beside him.

One stood arrogantly to the side, while the other was very close to Yu Cheng, smiling and saying something.

“He does look good. Who are those two women?” Just as Ding Qi finished asking, Xue Jiao’s phone rang.

“I’ll go take this call.” Xue Jiao smiled apologetically.

The three didn’t mind, so Xue Jiao walked a bit further away while answering the phone.

It was quite noisy here at the restaurant entrance.

“Hello, Dad?”

After Xue Jiao left, Shu Lan continued to explain, “They’re all former classmates. They’re also at Beijing Institute of Technology. The girl in the long dress is Lin Yinyin. Yes, she’s also the one Yu Cheng’s parents hope he will marry, but Lin Yinyin doesn’t have any special feelings for Yu Cheng. I don’t know why, but she really dislikes me and always gives me a hard time. The other one is my good friend, called Wen Fangfang.”

“Surname Lin?” Ding Qi was stunned.

But Mai Jiajia rubbed her chin. “This Lin Yinyin looks hard to get along with at a glance. Is that Wen Fangfang your friend?”

At this moment, Yu Cheng from that group seemed to sense someone looking at him and turned his head.

He was stunned for a moment, then his eyes brightened, and he rushed over directly.

“Shu Lan!”

Yu Cheng ran over and hugged Shu Lan tightly. “I’ve missed you so much. You hardly ever respond to me, and when I ask you to come out, you don’t come.”

His commotion was so big that the people over there also came over.

Men and women, eight people in total, slowly approached.

“Lanlan, I’ve missed you so much!” Fangfang ran over first, then pushed Yu Cheng away and hugged Shu Lan tightly.

Shu Lan smiled helplessly. “What are you all doing here?”

“Lin Yinyin brought Yu Cheng and the others to sing. I was worried, so I came to help you keep an eye on Yu Cheng,” Fangfang said in a low voice.

Mai Jiajia sneered, and immediately, everyone looked at her.

She twirled her pen and smiled, saying, “Your good friend’s boyfriend was invited out to sing, and you didn’t call your friend, but instead came yourself to keep an eye on him?”

Wen Fangfang was stunned, glaring at Mai Jiajia. “Lanlan, who are they?”

Shu Lan was still processing Mai Jiajia’s comment and had not yet recovered. Hearing this, she explained, “These are my roommates, Mai Jiajia and Ding Qi.”

Wen Fangfang forced a smile. “Hello, I’m Wen Fangfang, Shu Lan’s best friend. Thank you for taking care of Shu Lan.”

Mai Jiajia and Ding Qi didn’t say anything. Mai Jiajia had an ambiguous smile, while Ding Qi frowned, not knowing what she was thinking.

At this point, Lin Yinyin also arrived. She was wearing a long dress and was exquisitely made up.

When she saw Shu Lan, she immediately frowned slightly, saying displeased, “Shu Lan?”

Shu Lan looked at her without speaking.

Lin Yinyin sneered, deliberately saying, “Long time no see! I was just about to go sing with Yu Cheng. Would you like to join? I’ll treat you.”

Shu Lan’s expression froze, only saying, “I won’t go.”

Her voice carried a hint of hoarseness and indescribable sadness.

“Ah, Shu Lan, you’re not going? Then—” Wen Fangfang bit her lip. “Then I’ll keep an eye on him for you.”

She lowered her voice, not wanting Lin Yinyin to hear.

“You all go ahead. I want to spend some time with Shu Lan.” Yu Cheng revealed a smile, holding Shu Lan’s hand, their fingers interlocked.

Seeing Shu Lan, he was very happy. His eyes never left Shu Lan.

Lin Yinyin immediately became unhappy. She was used to being spoiled and hated having her face disregarded in public, especially for Shu Lan.

“Yu Cheng, you must come! If you don’t, I’ll tell your dad that you and Shu Lan are back together!”

“Yinyin…” Yu Cheng pleaded, looking very sad.

Lin Yinyin lifted her chin, her attitude firm.

Wen Fangfang persuaded, “Yu Cheng, just go. If your father finds out you and Lanlan haven’t broken up, he definitely won’t let Lanlan off. Just endure it for now. After you graduate and join the company, then you won’t be afraid of anything.”

Shu Lan’s eyes were red, feeling extremely wronged.

Lin Yinyin raised her chin, savoring this moment of victory.

She hated Shu Lan, who was better-looking than her and had better grades. Originally, she wouldn’t have gone so far to make things difficult for her.

This Shu Lan always had that calm demeanor, and she originally thought she was a good person. If it wasn’t for what happened back then…

She wouldn’t have known this was just a white lotus flower!

Seeing the white lotus unhappy made Lin Yinyin feel immediately happy.

“Let’s go, Yu Cheng.”

Yu Cheng tightened his grip on Shu Lan’s hand. After a moment, with a pained expression, he opened his mouth: “Okay.”

At this point, a voice sounded from behind.

“What’s going on with you all?” The voice was pleasant, soft, and tinged with puzzlement.

It was Xue Jiao.

Everyone looked over. The young woman’s eyes were confused, clearly not knowing what had happened.

When Lin Yinyin saw her face, her expression drastically changed.