For a moment, they thought they had misheard.

What… what… what?!

Wasn’t it Yang Zhan who invited Gu Xueqiao to work on the Riemann hypothesis? How had it become Gu Xueqiao inviting Yang Zhan???

The group of professors fell silent, all staring with dumbfounded expressions at Gu Xueqiao as she continued her phone call with complete seriousness.

Yang Zhan on the other end of the call was equally confused: “What?”

Xueqiao smiled: “My friend invited me to join a project, and this project is currently building its team. Senior Yang Zhan, would you be interested in learning more? You can make your decision after reviewing the project proposal.”

This was Yang Zhan’s first interaction with Xueqiao, but obviously, she was truly unpredictable.

This made Yang Zhan very curious about what kind of project could have attracted her to give up the Riemann hypothesis.

Xueqiao quickly recited a string of numbers, then said: “Senior Yang Zhan, you can add me on WeChat first, and I’ll send you the project proposal to review.”

After exchanging a few more words, Xueqiao ended the call.

She returned the phone to Professor Tan, “Thank you, Professor Tan.”

Professor Liu, being more straightforward, couldn’t help asking: “What’s going on? Gu Xueqiao, are you forming your team for a project?”

Xueqiao nodded, smiling as she explained: “It’s Physics Department’s Chu Sheng’s idea. We’re planning to work on a project related to magnetic levitation.”

Almost as soon as her words landed, Professor Ke interjected: “You’re in the Mathematics Department, why are you doing physics?”

Professor Liu nodded: “Exactly, Student Gu Xueqiao, you’ve already proven Fermat’s theorem, wouldn’t it be better to continue with Riemann? Why insist on dabbling in physics? And magnetic levitation? That doesn’t sound like something that will easily yield results!”

Xueqiao just smiled, knowing the professors were merely venting their frustrations and didn’t bother to explain further.

“This won’t do, Gu Xueqiao. You’re from our Mathematics Department. Why join the Physics Department’s activities? Our mathematics field still has so many areas of research needing young people like you, you can’t possibly…”

“Ahem.” Professor Tan, who had been silent, raised his hand to stop the other voices, looking only at Xueqiao. “Have you made up your mind? And you want to bring Yang Zhan along to work on that physics project?”

Xueqiao nodded firmly.

Professor Tan hadn’t interacted much with Xueqiao, but even from their brief encounters, he could tell this girl was quite stubborn.

So Professor Tan sighed and asked: “What if Yang Zhan isn’t willing to help? Will you still do it?”

“I will.” Her attitude was resolute.

Professor Tan shook his head: “Alright then, you may go.”

“Old Tan!” Professor Liu couldn’t help widening his eyes.

Tan Zhongying waved his hand, glancing at Professor Liu before looking back at Xueqiao: “Teacher still hopes you’ll remember that you’re studying mathematics. While working on this physics project, don’t forget our mathematics. And since your project doesn’t seem to be short-term, feel free to visit my office and laboratory whenever you have time.”

“Thank you, Professor.” Xueqiao looked touched.

Professor Tan looked up, smiling and nodding at her, perfectly showing the teacher-student bond.

“Oh, Professor Tan,” Xueqiao remembered something.

Professor Tan maintained his smile, trying to stay calm: “What else? Just tell me, I’ll help if I can.”

Xueqiao smiled, showing her teeth: “Well, this project only needs to produce theoretical results, with calculation and modeling taking up a large part. I was wondering if Senior Zheng Jiakun might be interested in this project…”

Professor Tan’s fingers froze, his face twisting into a smile: “Student Gu Xueqiao, you’d better leave now.”

“Huh?” Xueqiao was startled.

Professor Tan said calmly: “If you don’t leave, I might want to hit you…”

Xueqiao: “…”

Tan Zhongying was so angry he could almost spit blood!

He had finally found a promising mathematics seedling in Gu Xueqiao, and now this girl wanted to do a physics project!

Well, Professor Tan was supportive of his students, so he gritted his teeth and endured it, even tearfully expressing his support.

But then this girl wanted to poach another seedling from him too??

Was there anyone who stabbed their teacher’s heart like this?!

–

After all, it was the student’s own decision, and Tan Zhongying couldn’t stop Xueqiao.

What made him even more frustrated was that—after Zheng Jiakun saw the project proposal in Xueqiao’s hands, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he agreed to give it a try, with the option to return if it didn’t work out.

He agreed…

Agreed…

Professor Tan leaned against the door, maintaining his smile.

Zheng Jiakun approached, asking with concern: “Professor, are you alright?”

Professor Tan forced a smile, very stiffly: “Fine, Professor… supports… you… both.”

After a moment’s pause, he added: “But don’t forget, you’re both mathematics students, mathematics! You can work on projects, but don’t forget mathematics.”

Xueqiao quickly replied: “Of course.”

Zheng Jiakun also nodded: “Understood.”

Professor Tan leaned against the wall as he walked toward his office.

Xueqiao and Zheng Jiakun exchanged glances: “Senior, let’s still visit here frequently.”

Zheng Jiakun: “Agreed.”

After saying goodbye to Zheng Jiakun, Xueqiao walked toward the dormitory while calling Chu Sheng.

“Chu Sheng, how many people do we have on our team now?”

“Two,” Chu Sheng’s voice sounded a bit embarrassed.

Xueqiao: “…You and me?”

“Yes…” Chu Sheng hurriedly explained, “The freshmen in our year, I don’t think their abilities are sufficient yet. And the more capable seniors already have their projects they’re working on.”

His voice lowered; with just him and Xueqiao on the project so far, starting early would be extremely difficult.

Xueqiao laughed: “Chu Sheng, I’ve convinced a senior from our department to join us!”

Chu Sheng frowned slightly, someone from the Mathematics Department?

Keeping faith in Xueqiao, he asked: “Who?”

“Zheng Jiakun.”

Chu Sheng: “…”

There was silence on the other end of the phone. Xueqiao looked at her phone in confusion—the call was still connected?

“Ahhhhhh—Gu Xueqiao, well done!!!” Chu Sheng rarely lost his composure like this.

Xueqiao rubbed her ear, keeping the phone at a distance, then continued: “Also, I invited Yang Zhan on your behalf. I’ll create a group chat for everyone soon. Whether he joins us will depend on whether you can convince him.”

“Yang… Yang Zhan?” Chu Sheng stammered.

Xueqiao nodded and smiled: “Yes, him.”

“Great, great, great!” Chu Sheng could only say “great” now, jumping up and down for quite a while.

Finally, panting heavily, he said: “Gu Xueqiao, truly well done! Thank you.”

“What are you thanking me for?” Xueqiao gave a meaningful smile. “Aren’t I also a member of this project?”

Chu Sheng laughed foolishly. At this moment, he was particularly grateful to have met Xueqiao.

“Alright, I’ll create a group chat with all of you,” Xueqiao said, hanging up the phone.

After adding Yang Zhan and Chu Sheng to a group, Xueqiao returned to her dormitory, where only Shu Lan was present.

“Huh? Where are Jiajia and Ding Qi?”

Shu Lan turned around, forcing a smile: “They went to the library.”

Xueqiao nodded, then looked at Shu Lan’s haggard face and silently sighed.

She walked forward and gently held her hand: “Shu Lan, when is Yu Cheng leaving?”

Shu Lan’s eyes reddened, biting her lower lip, she said softly: “Tomorrow.”

“How did you know?” Xueqiao was surprised, thinking Shu Lan wouldn’t know.

“I… called his mother…”

Xueqiao’s hand paused, she sighed, pulling Shu Lan into her arms.

From Yu Cheng’s plan to study abroad until completing all the procedures, Shu Lan had lost so much weight she was now skin and bones.

How much love must it take to call his mother knowing she would only humiliate you?

Xueqiao didn’t quite understand, but thinking of love, Li Sitong’s face suddenly appeared in her mind.

Shu Lan reached out, gently embracing Xueqiao’s waist, tears falling: “Why won’t his mother agree? Why? Am I really that terrible?”

“You’re not terrible at all.” Xueqiao’s voice was firm. “They’re the terrible ones.”

Shu Lan closed her eyes, tears continuing to fall.

“Shu Lan, Yu Cheng’s parents don’t accept you, and Yu Cheng doesn’t have the strength to stand up to them, so… it’s really difficult for you to end up together,” Xueqiao spoke gently. “Love that’s destined not to be, just let it go…”

Shu Lan bit her lower lip hard, crying out loud.

Xueqiao patted her back: “Love is only part of life. We still have family bonds, friendships, and things worth dedicating our lives to. After all, people still live for themselves. The universe is boundless, and life continues, but each of us only has about a hundred years to experience the world. During these hundred years, we should live for ourselves.”

Li Sitong’s face appeared in her mind again, and Xueqiao couldn’t help but smile slightly.

“If we’re fortunate enough to meet someone who understands and accompanies us, that’s a gift from heaven. But when destiny hasn’t arrived, we can’t force it. Yu Cheng… isn’t right for you. He doesn’t dare to stand up against obstacles for you. You can think of him and remember him for a lifetime, let him become the most beautiful memory of your youth. But since you’re not meant to be together, Shu Lan, please let yourself go.”

“Qiao Qiao—” Shu Lan hugged Xueqiao tightly, weeping.

After a long while, she released Xueqiao: “Qiao Qiao… you go now, let me be alone for a while. I’ll be fine… I just need to think.”

Xueqiao wiped away her tears, then nodded: “Alright, Shu Lan, think it through, but don’t forget to eat, okay?”

“Mm.” Shu Lan nodded.

Xueqiao grabbed what she had come to the dormitory to get, then left.

Many years later, Xueqiao would wonder what might have happened if she had stayed in the dormitory that day.

There would never be an answer.

Because events that haven’t occurred can’t be predicted by anyone.

Cancer, car accidents, disasters… these extremely rare events continue to happen regularly, but some people might be fortunate enough never to encounter them personally.

Yet life is just like that, full of variables. No one knows what the next moment holds, or whether a perfectly healthy person might suddenly be gone.

The probability is small, yet it happens every day.

None of us knows what unexpected variables might lie ahead.

Life is like that—unknown, frightening, yet full of hope.

—

When she reached the building’s ground floor, she checked her WeChat and saw over a hundred messages, most of them from Chu Sheng trying to persuade Yang Zhan.

But clearly, although Yang Zhan was interested in the project, he still wasn’t very willing to join.

There was one thing he kept emphasizing—

[Yang Zhan: I’m very interested in this project, honestly, I even really like it. But I must say, this could very well be a waste of effort. The probability of us finding geomagnetic field energy is 50%, and the probability of applying the geomagnetic field to flying cars is 30%, besides that, random factors would reduce the final success probability by another 20%, meaning our chance of success is only 20%. I don’t believe there’s meaning in attempting something with less than a 30% success rate, let alone just twenty percent. And this is me being optimistic.]

Chu Sheng was stumped by Yang Zhan’s response. He really wanted to do this project, but he also knew Yang Zhan was right, which left him silent.

Yang Zhan was preparing to leave the group, even sincerely inviting Chu Sheng to join his future physics project instead.

Xueqiao thought for a moment, then typed a message—

[Yes, the probability of success isn’t high, but this project is what we like, what we want to do. Senior Yang Zhan, the advancement of science comes from wild imagination plus conclusions drawn by predecessors that are later overturned by successors. Whether we succeed or not, we can leave something in this field for future generations. We can stand on the shoulders of giants, but we can also become giants ourselves.]

Chu Sheng quickly followed up—

[Yes, yes, Senior Yang Zhan, since you like it, why not give it a try? Before starting any project, we’re never certain of success, this one just has a slightly higher failure rate.]

Yang Zhan was silent for a moment. He liked Xueqiao’s line: We can stand on the shoulders of giants, but we can also become giants ourselves.

So finally, he said—

[Let’s meet in person to discuss details. I’ll bring Senior Zhang Han along, and you can try to convince her too.]

Zhang Han!

Though they were only communicating through phones, both Xueqiao and Chu Sheng’s eyes lit up simultaneously.

Peking University’s physics star, Senior Zhang Han!

Both Xueqiao and Chu Sheng immediately agreed to wait until Senior Zhang Han was less busy in a few days, so they could all meet face-to-face since they were all in Beijing anyway.

Securing Yang Zhan and Zhang Han might not increase their project’s success rate from twenty percent to fifty percent, but it would double their progress speed!

Xueqiao smiled as she put away her phone, surprised that Yang Zhan had given them such a big bonus.

She was somewhat impatient to meet Senior Zhang Han.

After finishing the chat, she met with Chu Sheng for about half an hour, then finally prepared to head home with her backpack.

Xueqiao walked lightly toward the school gate.

However, just as she exited the gate and turned the corner, she suddenly froze, her steps halting.

Not far away, a man with his hands in his pockets was walking toward her, smiling.

Xueqiao stared at him blankly as he approached…

Li Sitong walked up to her, reached out, and lightly tapped her nose.

“How long are you going to avoid me?”

Xueqiao’s face turned red, bright red, and she stammered: “I’m… I’m not avoiding… just, just busy…”

Li Sitong gave her an enigmatic smile: “Is that so? Qiao Qiao, the paper has already been published, and how many days have you postponed our promised dinner?”

Xueqiao immediately felt embarrassed, lowering her head, not knowing how to explain.

She and Li Sitong still video chatted frequently, but since the New Year, they hadn’t gone out for a meal together. The last time when the paper was confirmed for publication, Li Sitong said he wanted to celebrate with her over dinner.

Before, she thought having meals with Li Sitong was normal, but after their feelings were revealed, Xueqiao became a bit shy, always feeling… like it was a date.

Just thinking about those two words, Xueqiao’s face reddened again.

Li Sitong stepped forward, leaned down, and whispered in her ear: “Qiao Qiao, this time, I hope you won’t run away.”

“I, I for I…” Xueqiao stammered.

“Little turtle, you should give me an answer now.”

Answer?

At this, even Xueqiao’s ears turned red, looking as if she wanted to burrow into the ground.

“Well… that…”

Li Sitong watched her, also unable to control his nervousness, waiting for her answer.

“Well…”

“Ring ring ring—” Xueqiao’s phone rang.

Both of them were startled, and then Xueqiao hurriedly took out her phone.

“Hello.”

“Qiao Qiao! Have you seen Shu Lan?!” Mai Jiajia’s voice was anxious.

“Isn’t Shu Lan in the dormitory?” Xueqiao frowned slightly.

“Qiao Qiao! I suspect Shu Lan went to the Yu family’s house!” Mai Jiajia’s voice rose, sounding somewhat angry.

Xueqiao was stunned. “What?”

Ding Qi couldn’t help interjecting: “Qiao Qiao, we’re going to find her. We can’t let her be humiliated again! This Shu Lan!”

“I’ll come too!” Xueqiao was also very concerned about her, but mostly puzzled.

Today after she had comforted Shu Lan, the other girl seemed ready to move on. How could she suddenly run off to the Yu family’s house?

It was this puzzlement that worried Xueqiao, making her decide to go see what was happening.

The state Shu Lan was in the last time she left the Yu family’s house was truly frightening.

“Okay, where are you?”

“I’m at the school gate. Have you come out yet?”

“We’re almost there. Wait for us!” Mai Jiajia hung up the phone.

Xueqiao looked up, somewhat embarrassed as she faced Li Sitong: “I need to…”

“I’ll go with you.” Li Sitong’s tone was decisive.

“Huh?”

His lips curved slightly upward as he bent down to her eye level: “Today, don’t think about running away.”

Xueqiao: “…”

When Mai Jiajia and Ding Qi saw Li Sitong, they were shocked. Mai Jiajia didn’t know Li Sitong, so she just thought he was stunningly handsome.

But Ding Qi looked as if she’d seen a ghost, not daring to say a word.

Then she cast suspicious glances at Li Sitong, and then at Xueqiao.

Li Sitong drove, with Xueqiao in the passenger seat, and Mai Jiajia and Ding Qi in the back.

Because of Shu Lan’s situation, Mai Jiajia didn’t have time to gossip about Li Sitong. She just said irritably: “Shu Lan is something, why can’t she just let go?”

Xueqiao also sighed, then asked with confusion: “How do you know Shu Lan went to find Yu Cheng?”

“We had planned to eat together. She said she’d wait for us in the dormitory, but when I went back, no one was there. And her phone was on the bed. We waited for a long time without her showing up, so we checked her recent calls, and it was Yu Cheng!”

“What? Yu Cheng can contact Shu Lan now?” Xueqiao was confused, wasn’t he supposed to be kept isolated?

Mai Jiajia shook her head: “Don’t know how they got in touch, but I have a bad feeling, I’m worried.”

Xueqiao sighed, looking ahead.

Li Sitong said nothing, silently speeding up.

—

Yu Cheng had indeed contacted Shu Lan, asking her to come over.

Actually, after listening to Xueqiao’s words, Shu Lan had already started thinking about gradually moving past her love for Yu Cheng.

But when she heard Yu Cheng’s resolute voice saying he wanted to see her, Shu Lan almost immediately stumbled out, rushing to the Yu family’s house.

When Shu Lan arrived at Yu Cheng’s house, the outer door was open, but the inside was empty.

“Yu Cheng?”

No sound. After a moment, she heard a noise from upstairs. Shu Lan’s breath caught, and she rushed straight up the stairs to the roof.

“Yu Cheng—” Shu Lan’s voice trembled as she saw Yu Cheng standing at the edge of the balcony.

The railing had been violently broken, and if Yu Cheng moved slightly forward, he would fall hard.

Her legs had almost gone soft. She leaned against the wall, struggling to stand steady.

The Yu family’s villa had four floors including the rooftop, but the ceiling height was very tall. Jumping from this height would cause serious injuries!

“Lan Lan.” Seeing her arrive, Yu Cheng instinctively stepped back but quickly stopped himself.

Su Qing was already crying a river, and Yu Zhengguo was red-eyed as he said: “Yu Cheng, come down, we can talk after you come down!”

“Have you ever really listened to me? Huh? How many times have I said I want to be with Shu Lan? Whatever school you want me to attend, I’ll attend. Whatever university you want me to test into, I’ll test into! But why, why do you have to control even who I’m with?!”

Yu Cheng pounded his chest as he wept, his body trembling. Standing at the edge, he frightened the three of them pale.

“We’re doing this for your good! You’ll inherit your father’s company in the future. Having a wife who can help you is certainly better than a girl who knows nothing! You may have feelings now, but as time passes, you’ll surely regret it!” Su Qing explained through tears.

“But I don’t want that! I don’t want that!!” Yu Cheng clutched his head, sobbing. “I don’t want to take over my dad’s company, I don’t want to marry a woman of suitable status, I only like Lan Lan! You don’t understand anything! You only know you want me to obey you!”

His foot wavered slightly, terrifying Su Qing into screaming.

Shu Lan was crying so hard her vision was blurred as she slowly moved forward—

“Yu Cheng, Yu Cheng, come down, please come down first…”

“No, I can’t come down! If I come down, they’ll lock me up again!” Yu Cheng’s expression was somewhat twisted; having been confined for so long, his emotions were out of control.

“Yu Cheng!” Shu Lan cried, continuing to approach.

Yu Cheng’s parents also stepped forward, trying to get closer to him.

But Yu Cheng reacted violently—

“Don’t come any closer!! Don’t!” His foot moved backward, almost immediately about to fall over.

“We won’t come close! We won’t!” Su Qing was so frightened she waved her hands frantically.

Shu Lan’s feet also stopped, not daring to move.

“Lan Lan, you’ve lost so much weight.” Yu Cheng looked at Shu Lan, crying.

Shu Lan also cried as she said: “You’ve lost much more than me. Come down first, let’s talk properly.”

She continued to inch forward. Yu Cheng didn’t react, so she slowly got closer and closer.

“No! They won’t let me talk properly, they never listen to me!” Yu Cheng swayed, then looked at his parents. “I’ll say it one more time, this is Shu Lan, your daughter-in-law. In this life, I’ll only marry Shu Lan!”

“Son!” Su Qing nodded, “Come down, I promise you, I promise!”

But Yu Zhengguo glared fiercely at Yu Cheng: “Have you learned to use death to force us? You care nothing for your parents because of an outsider?”

Again, this kind of talk!

Yu Cheng covered his head, weeping bitterly. Whenever he opposed his parents’ decisions, they would say—

Don’t you care about your parents anymore?

Do you want to make your parents cry because of you?

Your mother is on a hunger strike because of you!

Your father is about to have a heart attack because of you!

Why are you so disobedient?

Can’t you be more sensible?

Yu Cheng pounded his head hard several times; living was too painful for him…

“Lan Lan, it’s good to see you one last time.” Yu Cheng laughed through his tears, then turned.

By now, Shu Lan had gotten close to him. She instinctively reached out, grabbed him tightly, and pulled.

Yu Cheng was pulled backward, falling to the ground, but this force, which took all of Shu Lan’s strength, sent her falling in the opposite direction.

—

“It’s this residential area, right?” Mai Jiajia looked at Ding Qi.

“Yes, it’s here, just ahead in that building.” Ding Qi pointed forward, and then her pupils suddenly contracted.

Almost instantaneously, Li Sitong turned, standing in front of Xueqiao, then raised his hand to cover her eyes.

Beside them, Ding Qi let out a heart-wrenching scream—

“Shu Lan—”