Through the joint efforts of Lin Zhixia and Feng Yuan, their “New Graph Theory” group had grown to seven members, including one Russian and six Chinese.

Lin Zhixia deeply experienced the joy of team collaboration.

Her six companions were all intelligent and dedicated. They spent two weeks completing the foundational preparatory work, then divided tasks according to the established framework. During this period, Feng Yuan remained in a state of extreme excitement.

Feng Yuan was full of ambition: “My father says we’re surpassing our teachers, and he’ll help us.”

Feng Yuan’s father was an internationally renowned mathematics professor. His full support filled Lin Zhixia with confidence.

Feng Yuan was even more delighted: “My father also said that results from basic theoretical research aren’t easily translated into the industrial world, but the driving force behind our research is precisely to create products for industry!”

Lin Zhixia laughed softly: “Yes, we can succeed.”

Feng Yuan sighed deeply: “When I used to write papers, I often added a line saying, ‘Both industry and academia are paying close attention to this problem,’ but in reality, very few people care…”

Lin Zhixia responded optimistically: “Our research directions are specialized; even senior students in our lab might not know what we’re doing. It doesn’t matter—once we create practical application products, your name and mine will spread throughout the world.”

“Like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs?” Feng Yuan asked.

Lin Zhixia paused.

Bill Gates’ Microsoft and Steve Jobs’ Apple…

Created Windows and iOS operating systems.

In today’s internet world, the vast majority of users rely on either Windows or iOS. Their massive user base and effective business strategies have kept their companies thriving.

After brief contemplation, Lin Zhixia spoke with increasing modesty: “We’re still in the preparation stage. I can’t predict how far we’ll go.”

“Let’s do our best!” Feng Yuan smiled, “Man proposes, God disposes.”

Lin Zhixia responded enthusiastically: “Yes!”

Just then, Lin Zhixia heard a knock at the door. She quickly said, “Let’s end our discussion here for today and chat again when we have time. If you encounter any problems, contact me anytime.”

After Feng Yuan said “Okay!” she ended the video call.

Lin Zhixia closed her laptop and called out, “Jiang Yubai, you can come in.”

Jiang Yubai pushed open her door: “Did your work go smoothly today?”

“Quite smoothly,” Lin Zhixia briefly explained, “Everyone is happy to be doing research they enjoy.”

She stood up from her seat and walked over to Jiang Yubai: “How about you? How was your meeting?”

Jiang Yubai answered honestly: “It was fine. I listened to their analysis of overseas markets.” He omitted the specific details about “international trade” and went straight to discussing Lin Zhixia’s quantum platform project.

Jiang Yubai told Lin Zhixia that his family held a controlling stake in a rapidly developing internet company—the company’s name was so well-known that Lin Zhixia was stunned. She hadn’t imagined that such complex relationship networks existed behind internet enterprises.

Globally renowned internet companies like Google, Tencent, Microsoft, Alibaba, and others all have their research institutes and laboratories.

Microsoft’s “Cambridge Research Lab” maintained very close ties with Cambridge University.

Lin Zhixia pondered for a few seconds before belatedly asking: “Are you planning to invest in my laboratory?”

Jiang Yubai explained: “Not investment, but cooperation. After you return to China, that company will contact you to establish a ‘Quantum Laboratory,’ with you as the lab director. You’ll be a university professor, mentoring students, conducting research, and applying for funded projects. The company’s ‘Quantum Laboratory’ will be managed according to specific regulations and will recruit from society at large. You’ll spend your time on what you want to do, and leave other planning to the company’s relevant departments, such as marketing, human resources, and legal. Regarding your reputation, I’ll ensure they maintain strict control.”

Lin Zhixia finally understood Jiang Yubai’s meaning completely.

Jiang Yubai believed that Lin Zhixia’s research team would continue to grow.

His guess was completely correct.

Initially, there were only ten people in the WeChat group.

Now, just the “Hilbert Space New Graph Theory” research team alone had seven members.

If Lin Zhixia wanted to develop further or create a “Quantum Technology Company,” she would face many business challenges, but she preferred to spend her time on research and teaching.

Her team members were similarly focused on academics; none of them understood markets, marketing, customers, and such matters. If they could affiliate with a famous internet company, it would be much more convenient for them to expand their operations, recruit from society, and even develop overseas markets in the future.

Lin Zhixia suddenly realized: “I understand now. You’re helping me in your way.”

Jiang Yubai was still trying to downplay it. He said in a fair and just tone: “It’s not just helping you; there are benefits for me too.”

“Really?” Lin Zhixia questioned.

Jiang Yubai sat on the sofa: “Really.”

He smoothed the crease in his trousers, suggesting that Lin Zhixia come over.

Lin Zhixia understood his meaning.

She walked slowly toward him and honestly reminded him: “But your investment might not yield returns. Our platform may not make money.”

Jiang Yubai had certainly considered this point.

Next summer, after Jiang Yubai graduated from university, he would return to China to work. His parents had already paved the way for him. Starting this semester, he not only had to maintain excellent academic performance but also participate in his family enterprise’s internal decision-making—in other words, he had become busier. But he was happy about it. He had acquired broader resources and a richer network, making his career planning clearer. He could also protect Lin Zhixia. Even back in elementary school, he had decided to protect her forever.

The thousands of words in his heart condensed into one simple sentence: “Risk is part of investment, and I have confidence in you. You’ve made a good start, and in the future, I’ll walk the path with you.”

Lin Zhixia felt touched.

She sat on his lap and couldn’t help but sigh: “You’re so good to me.”

Jiang Yubai whispered in her ear: “You’re even better.”

Lin Zhixia became modest: “Not really, I’m not that good.”

Jiang Yubai kissed her cheek, softly calling her nickname “Xiaxia.” His voice was so pleasant it sounded as if it had been polished with sandpaper, extremely magnetic, and the sound source was very close to her. Even if her bones were made of steel, they would completely soften in his embrace.

*

According to Lin Zhixia’s original plan, this weekend she was supposed to play squash with Jiang Yubai. Her squash skills had improved dramatically, making her a worthy opponent for Jiang Yubai, and she also enjoyed playing.

However, plans change.

Jiang Yubai had passed his swimming coach certification. He mentioned this casually to Lin Zhixia, and she responded with excitement: “Teach me swimming quickly! Let’s swim together. I want to learn.”

Lin Zhixia had never been to a swimming pool and didn’t dare wade in the village rivers—her brother strictly forbade her from going near water. Many years ago, her brother had said that playing in water was most dangerous for children, and if he ever caught Lin Zhixia playing by the water, he would scold her from morning until night until she cried so hard she couldn’t make a sound. Lin Zhixia had been frightened by her brother. As a child, whenever she saw a pond, she would stay far away.

But she yearned to swim.

She felt she could learn quickly.

Jiang Yubai’s home had an indoor swimming pool.

Lin Zhixia quickly changed into her swimsuit and walked barefoot on the marble floor. The clear pool water rippled with light, and she cautiously stood at the edge, waiting for Jiang Yubai to appear.

However, Jiang Yubai’s attire surprised Lin Zhixia greatly.

Jiang Yubai wore not only swimming trunks but also a short-sleeved shirt. The loose shirt covered his upper body, preventing Lin Zhixia from seeing even a hint of his chest or abdominal muscles.

What was going on?

Why was Jiang Yubai being so conservative?

Lin Zhixia frowned slightly.

Jiang Yubai brought a rubber swimming ring. He placed the ring in the pool, tested the water temperature with his hand, and spoke like a physical education instructor: “Get in the water first and get familiar with the floating sensation.”

Lin Zhixia called out to him: “Teacher Jiang.”

Jiang Yubai responded: “Yes?”

Lin Zhixia asked mischievously: “Is today your first day on the job?”

Jiang Yubai knelt on one knee at the pool’s edge, his left hand supporting himself on the cool tiles. He was about to enter the pool when he heard Lin Zhixia’s question. He turned his face to look at her as she sat down beside him.

She leaned forward, slowly moving closer to him.

He lifted his chin, looking up at the ceiling, his Adam’s apple moving slightly.

“Teacher Jiang?” Lin Zhixia called again.

Jiang Yubai followed Lin Zhixia’s setup, fully cooperating with her role-playing game: “It’s my first day at work, and you’re my first student. Let’s focus on the lesson, don’t get distracted. I…” he said: “It’s not easy working for a living.”

Lin Zhixia almost died laughing.

She leaned on his shoulder.

Jiang Yubai straightened her up, his attitude toward her both distant and close. He was proud and composed, maintaining boundaries with a hint of nobility, making Lin Zhixia unable to resist.

Lin Zhixia found Jiang Yubai truly interesting and refreshing. She enjoyed playing games with him. She eagerly grabbed Jiang Yubai’s wrist and said to him, “Teacher Jiang, I’m afraid to get in the water.”

Lin Zhixia thought Jiang Yubai would carry her into the pool.

Unexpectedly, after brief consideration, Jiang Yubai said: “Alright, we’ll temporarily suspend training. You need to work on overcoming your psychological fear.”

Why did the scenario Jiang Yubai set up go in this direction?

Lin Zhixia questioned him: “You don’t want to teach me, do you?”

Jiang Yubai answered briefly: “No.”

Lin Zhixia grabbed his collar with her left hand: “Are you a professional coach?”

He said, “I have a coaching certificate.”

Lin Zhixia suddenly realized that while Jiang Yubai’s tone was upright and cool, his physical actions were particularly accommodating to her. When she tugged at his collar, he leaned closer to her, and when she boldly slipped her left hand under the hem of his shirt, his breathing pattern was disrupted by her.

Leaning against Jiang Yubai’s chest, her left fingertips caressing him everywhere, she asked: “Teacher Jiang, how much money do you make each month as a swimming coach?”

His breath hitched before he said: “Two thousand three hundred, in RMB.”

“Really?”

“I’m an intern, not yet a formal employee.”

Lin Zhixia traced circles with her fingertips, her voice softer: “Teacher Jiang, what do you need to do to become a formal employee?”

Jiang Yubai said calmly, “Teach you well.”

“But you’re so cold to me,” Lin Zhixia complained.

Through his shirt, Jiang Yubai caught her left hand: “Students have their rules. With your improper attitude, it’s difficult for me to teach you.”

Lin Zhixia sat up obediently and continued exploring his character: “Teacher Jiang, you only have me as a student. Is your money enough? Do you have to pay rent?”

Jiang Yubai’s setup was rather rigorous: “I share rent with someone.”

Lin Zhixia had a flash of inspiration: “Who do you share with? Do you have a girlfriend?”

Lin Zhixia thought this question would stump Jiang Yubai. After all, he had to consider the conflict between reality and their game’s setup. But not only did he not show any panic, he smoothly countered: “Do you have a boyfriend?”

Lin Zhixia was stunned for a second, speechless. She said defiantly: “I’m not playing anymore.”

Jiang Yubai held her slender waist with both hands: “Giving up just as we’re starting?”

Lin Zhixia had a valid reason: “I want to focus on learning to swim.”

Jiang Yubai kissed her forehead: “Come into the water with me.”

Lin Zhixia turned her face away: “Take off your shirt first.”

Jiang Yubai laughed very lightly: “You want to see?”

Lin Zhixia nodded vigorously: “Mm-hmm.”

Jiang Yubai gently bit her earlobe: “When can I see you?”

Lin Zhixia’s face turned red with embarrassment. She asked indistinctly: “You want to as well?”

“I dream about it,” he whispered in her ear.

Yes.

Lin Zhixia remembered the dreams Jiang Yubai had told her about.

After Jiang Yubai’s nineteenth birthday, Lin Zhixia shared his bed every night. He let Lin Zhixia explore countless times—whenever Lin Zhixia made a request, he would automatically unbutton his pajamas.

Lin Zhixia was a fair person who believed in reciprocity.

As images gradually surfaced in her mind, Lin Zhixia’s emotions surged and fluctuated. She stammered: “Th-then tonight.”

Jiang Yubai was even more excited than she was.

He took Lin Zhixia into the pool. He dived into the rippling shallow water, and splashing droplets fell on Lin Zhixia’s face. She asked puzzledly: “Are you okay?”

The flowing water calmed Jiang Yubai, washing away all his impure thoughts. He resurfaced, the cotton-silk material of his clothes clinging to his body, but he calmly said: “I’m fine. Let go of the swimming ring, hold onto my shoulders, and practice floating in the water.”

Lin Zhixia trusted him very much.

She did exactly as told.

Jiang Yubai taught Lin Zhixia for two hours with complete focus. Her aptitude was frighteningly high. She understood everything Jiang Yubai said, perhaps making her the best student. The “swimming coach lesson” became Jiang Yubai’s favorite entertainment activity recently.

*

At eight o’clock that evening, Jiang Yubai went to bed right after showering.

He lay on Lin Zhixia’s bed reading a book.

Meanwhile, Lin Zhixia was still writing emails. During her freshman year winter break, she had pondered day and night about how to use mathematical tools to verify the linear rank function of quantum programs, but ultimately failed to derive a solution and abandoned the topic. Now, however, she had new ideas, and Senior Wei Ruoxing’s research direction had some overlap with hers.

Lin Zhixia sent Wei Ruoxing an email.

In the email, she wrote: “Hello Senior, regarding quantum program verification, I have some ideas. Attached is my PDF draft.”

It was now 3 AM Beijing time.

Surprisingly, Wei Ruoxing wasn’t asleep.

Wei Ruoxing replied quickly.

She praised Lin Zhixia’s work and suggested that Lin Zhixia be the sole author. However, she was very busy recently and would need at least a week to find time to read Lin Zhixia’s paper draft.

Lin Zhixia pondered. She took out her phone and sent Wei Ruoxing a message via WeChat: “Senior, are you burning the midnight oil?”

Wei Ruoxing replied instantly: “A bit of insomnia.”

Lin Zhixia immediately asked: “Did something happen?”

Lin Zhixia waited a few seconds, then Wei Ruoxing asked instead: “Has Tan Qianche contacted you?”

Senior Tan Qianche?

He had indeed contacted Lin Zhixia.

He had heard that Lin Zhixia was recently developing a quantum programming language and had implied he wanted to join Lin Zhixia’s team.

But Lin Zhixia remembered that both Luo Ying and Wei Ruoxing had issues with Tan Qianche. If she brought Tan Qianche in and added him to their WeChat group, both seniors might be very unhappy.

Lin Zhixia unhesitatingly chose to side with her senior sisters.

Tan Qianche was currently a visiting scholar in the United States. Lin Zhixia praised him to the skies, saying he was knowledgeable, talented, and highly skilled, that he should focus on his academic work, and that Lin Zhixia’s project could be completed by her classmates.

However, as a genius-level figure, Tan Qianche probably guessed Lin Zhixia’s true intentions. He described his career plans: “Next year I’ll return to the provincial capital to find a job at the university. You and I will be colleagues in the same department.”

Lin Zhixia casually said, “Mm, I’ll be Professor Lin, and you’ll be Professor Tan.”

Tan Qianche didn’t reply further.

He had his pride, too.

Lin Zhixia asked Wei Ruoxing if Tan Qianche had contacted her. Wei Ruoxing said that Tan Qianche had emailed her, wanting to discuss some personal matters. As for what those matters were, Wei Ruoxing didn’t mention a word.

Lin Zhixia put down her phone.

She turned around to look at Jiang Yubai on the bed.

She remembered her promise at the swimming pool earlier that day.

Jiang Yubai closed the book in his hand and subtly reminded her: “What time is it?”

“After eight,” Lin Zhixia said.

Jiang Yubai lifted one corner of the blanket: “Come here.”

Lin Zhixia suddenly felt nervous, her heartbeat involuntarily quickening. She had originally wanted to turn off the lights, but she had promised to let Jiang Yubai see, and he obviously couldn’t see clearly in the dark. She could only walk quietly to the bed with the bedroom light still on and tuck herself tightly under the covers. She buried herself under the blanket.

Jiang Yubai also slipped under the covers: “Xiaxia.”

He called her that way again.

But Lin Zhixia said, “I’ll only let you look for ten seconds.”

Jiang Yubai took off his watch and handed it to her palm: “You time it.”

Lin Zhixia’s face turned bright red as she straddled his legs. She tightly held his watch, the second hand like a drumstick, frantically beating the rhythm of her heartbeat. She was shy, nervous, and also vaguely expectant, though she wasn’t clear about what exactly she was expecting.

Jiang Yubai unfastened the buttons of her nightgown.

His movements were careful, like a devout worshipper on a pilgrimage.

All the buttons were undone, and Jiang Yubai’s fingertips hooked her shoulder straps, pulling them down gently. His breath stopped at that moment, then became particularly rapid, as if he had survived a catastrophe.

Lin Zhixia held her neck high, trying to remain calm: “Ten seconds.”

She began counting down: “Ten, nine…”

Jiang Yubai’s kisses moved down from her collarbone, passionate and urgent, as if melting her heart. Lin Zhixia’s head buzzed, and she forgot to count. In the stuffy, airless blanket, his hands were solid and burning hot, like stones on the Flame Mountain.

The intimacy lasted far more than ten seconds. Lin Zhixia clutched his clothes into wrinkles: “You… mm, you’ve gone overtime…”

Jiang Yubai held the back of her neck and directly kissed her lips. Her thoughts became muddled, and though she couldn’t speak a word, she gained the most profound memory since she began dating Jiang Yubai.

It was after nine o’clock at night when Lin Zhixia came to her senses.

The blanket had long been lifted by her, and both she and Jiang Yubai were disheveled.

Jiang Yubai embraced her, kissing her again and again, praising her for being sweeter than strawberries. She remained modest: “Strawberries are much sweeter than I.”

Jiang Yubai laughed. Then he said, “I’m going to take a shower.”

Lin Zhixia asked him: “Didn’t you just shower?”

Jiang Yubai walked away with his back to Lin Zhixia: “Showering is like eating; after one meal, there’s another, and after one shower, there needs to be another.”

Lin Zhixia was convinced by his rigorous logic.

She watched Jiang Yubai walk back to his bedroom.

As soon as Jiang Yubai left, Lin Zhixia hugged her pillow and rolled around on the bed. In her mind, she played a movie with Jiang Yubai as the male lead. She recalled his appearance, demeanor, and movements from childhood to adulthood. She was the world’s only observer, countless images flashing before her eyes like fleeting visions. She thanked the heavens for blessing her with such an extraordinary memory.

That night, they still slept in the same bed.

Lin Zhixia grabbed Jiang Yubai’s hand and wrote characters on his palm. She wrote each stroke carefully, and in the darkness, their sense of touch became more sensitive. Jiang Yubai guessed: “You wrote…”

“Eight characters in total,” she said softly, “Childhood sweethearts, together for a hundred years.”

Jiang Yubai tightly grasped her fingertips, moved by her voice. His heart warmed, and that warmth lingered for a long time.

*

At the end of October, with cool breezes and clear autumn skies.

Lin Zhixia’s two published papers on “Quantum Recursive Patterns” and “Distributed Quantum Computing Program Logic” caused a small sensation. Her second paper created new mathematical tools, achieving a major technological breakthrough and filling a significant gap in the field of “quantum program verification.”

The foundational work for these two papers was completed during Lin Zhixia’s undergraduate years, spanning over three years of research. Much content still needed supplementation and optimization, so Lin Zhixia didn’t feel self-satisfied.

However, several veterans in the field publicly evaluated Lin Zhixia as an “excellent, highly gifted scholar,” and because she was only nineteen years old, she suddenly became famous—at this point, she hadn’t yet felt that her life had changed.

Until she opened a webpage and browsed the morning news.

She immediately saw her photo.

The news headline read: “Genius Beautiful Female Doctor’s Peak Ability, Solves World’s Difficult Problem at Just Nineteen!”

Lin Zhixia hesitated for a moment before clicking on the web link. Her background was written in detail by reporters: studying under Professor Shen Zhaohua at ten, winning the International Mathematical Competition gold medal at twelve, having two SCI papers at fourteen… The reporter had also interviewed Lin Zhixia’s high school teachers and classmates, all of whom praised her as “intelligent, kind, and flawless.”

Lin Zhixia was stunned.

This was too exaggerated.

In middle school, she had many flaws.

She wasn’t good at socializing, was timid, often hid behind Jiang Yubai, and even once argued with Jin Baihui in the corridor.

The morning light shone through the window onto the wooden floor. Lin Zhixia faced her computer and spaced out for a while.

Jiang Yubai gently knocked on her door.

He entered the room, calling her for breakfast.

Lin Zhixia extended a finger, pointing at the computer: “Look, I’m in the news again.”

Jiang Yubai glanced at the computer screen and read the first six characters of the title: “Genius Beautiful Female Doctor.”

“I don’t like this title,” Lin Zhixia said. “They should delete the four characters ‘Genius Beautiful’ and change ‘Doctor’ to ‘Doctoral Student’.”

With one hand supporting her chin, she continued: “The term ‘beautiful woman’ reminds me of my high school classmate Shao Dongxu. He always called me ‘beautiful’ instead of my name. But I am a person with a name.”

Jiang Yubai immediately came up with a new morning news headline: “In-depth good article, not to be missed, Doctoral Student Lin Zhixia’s latest research progress on ‘Distributed Quantum Computing Program Logic’.”

Lin Zhixia was delighted: “I like this headline! You could be a news editor-in-chief!”

Jiang Yubai calmly accepted Lin Zhixia’s praise. He took another look at the webpage before taking Lin Zhixia’s wrist and leading her to breakfast.

At the dining table, Lin Zhixia told Jiang Yubai that she had received an invitation to an international top-tier academic conference. On Sunday morning, she would head to Berlin, Germany. Her Indian senior student would accompany her, and they would stay in Germany for a week.

Jiang Yubai was happy for her.

On Sunday morning, Jiang Yubai personally drove Lin Zhixia to the airport.

Before parting, Lin Zhixia kissed Jiang Yubai’s face and left him seven love letters.

“Open one letter each day,” Lin Zhixia said softly. “By the time you read the last one, I’ll be back.”

Jiang Yubai put the love letters in a hidden compartment in the car. He said, “I want to go to Germany to see you.”

“No, I don’t agree,” Lin Zhixia said. “You still have classes tomorrow. You can’t skip class for me.”

She picked up her suitcase and waved to him: “See you next Saturday!”

She happily set off for the academic conference.

She enjoyed the exchanges between peers.

But they had just separated, and Jiang Yubai was already missing her.

While reflecting on whether he was being too lovesick, Jiang Yubai took out his phone and marked Lin Zhixia’s return flight route and time.

Jiang Yubai opened the first love letter Lin Zhixia had left him, reading it word by word from beginning to end, going over it several times. Touching the words from her pen was like touching her fingers, seeing into her inner world.

*

Since Lin Zhixia wasn’t home, Jiang Yubai arranged to play golf with several friends—Sun Dawei was one of them.

Over the past two months, Sun Dawei had relaxed at Dubai’s Sail Hotel, fished in Norway’s “Lofoten Islands,” and watched the aurora on Iceland’s black sand beaches. He even returned to his hometown and enjoyed the local cuisine he had been craving. His grandparents took turns comforting him and guiding him, and all those feelings of love and hatred had faded.

Life had long since returned to its former tranquility.

But there was still a scar in Sun Dawei’s heart.

Sun Dawei wore a full set of sportswear and shared his heartfelt words with Jiang Yubai: “I’m tired; I won’t love again.”

Jiang Yubai swung his golf club, hitting a very beautiful arc. Watching the golf ball’s trajectory, he profoundly said, “Better focus on your career, then.”

Sun Dawei sighed: “Even career stuff isn’t easy to handle…” He suddenly thought of something and asked: “My uncle got promoted and went to Beijing. He mentioned to me that you met him at Changbai Mountain resort when you were young?”

Jiang Yubai answered briefly: “Met a few times. At the shooting range, his aim was very accurate.”

Sun Dawei said, “Yes, his second uncle was a forest ranger. When he was in his teens, his second uncle took him hunting in the mountains.”

Jiang Yubai casually mentioned, “Are there many rules in Beijing?”

“How would I know?” Sun Dawei said honestly. “Your family has more connections in Beijing, right? My family only has my uncle.”

Some other classmates were approaching, and both Sun Dawei and Jiang Yubai avoided discussing family, political, and business relationships in public. They turned to talk about emerging industry investments in recent years, and Sun Dawei mentioned “quantum computing.”

Sun Dawei’s assessment of “quantum” was: “Several new companies have popped up in Silicon Valley under the ‘quantum’ banner, but no one knows what they’re doing.”

Jiang Yubai responded with ease: “I don’t know much about this industry. If we can hype up the concept stocks, it wouldn’t hurt to invest.”

Sun Dawei jumped up and patted his shoulder like a good buddy: “You hype it up, I’ll watch the trends.”

Jiang Yubai casually agreed.

On the emerald-green golf course, Sun Dawei swung his club with one hand and asked enthusiastically: “Isn’t Lin Zhixia in this field? If there’s anything you don’t understand, just ask your girlfriend when you get home.”

Jiang Yubai’s golfing motion paused.

Sun Dawei continued: “Speaking of girlfriends, Xiao Jiang, my heart feels so bitter…”

Sun Dawei had originally thought he had completely recovered from his emotional trauma.

Little did he expect that today, talking about old matters with Jiang Yubai, “wide noodle tears” would again flow from the corners of his eyes.

Sun Dawei sadly thought that if someone took a picture of him now and added text to post online, he would become an internet-wide “wide noodle tears” emoji.

With tears in his eyes, Sun Dawei looked at Jiang Yubai, feeling that Jiang Yubai appeared increasingly tall, handsome, distinguished, and spirited—this was what a man nourished by love looked like. He somewhat envied Jiang Yubai and Lin Zhixia’s stable relationship, feeling they had never argued.

*

Meanwhile, Lin Zhixia quickly adapted to life in Germany.

On her first day in Berlin, Lin Zhixia went out shopping alone.

She wandered around a market near the hotel, with pedestrians streaming through the bustling area. Curiously observing her surroundings and listening to German spoken in the streets and alleys, she understood every German word, making her steps even lighter.

She bought many gifts in the stores.

On the second day, the academic conference officially began.

The moment Lin Zhixia entered the lecture hall, she saw dense crowds of audience members and reporters—they had come from all over the world, making this one of the largest events Lin Zhixia had ever experienced.

The lecture hall was like a giant theater, with seating on four levels, all fully occupied. Many local German students had also come, and Lin Zhixia immediately noticed many young, vibrant faces. She almost forgot that she herself was only nineteen years old.

When it was Lin Zhixia’s turn to present, she took a deep breath and slowly walked onto the stage.

Bright white pendant lights hung above her head, while the audience was shrouded in dark blue lighting. Thousands of gazes converged on Lin Zhixia’s face, but she wasn’t intimidated and directly began explaining her paper.

Most speakers carried notes, but Lin Zhixia spoke completely from memory.

Her memory was her best document.

Lin Zhixia’s presentation lasted an hour.

Besides the paper, Lin Zhixia also mentioned that she was working with a group of friends to develop a quantum programming language. She hoped that technological progress could save more energy, tackle more complex problems, and bring a better tomorrow for all humanity.

When she spoke the last word, thunderous applause erupted from below.

At that moment, she couldn’t tell whether people were applauding because she had spoken well or because they were happy that “she had finally finished.”

Lin Zhixia bowed to the audience, and the applause still hadn’t stopped. Lin Zhixia then understood that she had gained recognition from most of her peers.

On the last day of the academic conference, Lin Zhixia noticed while reading the news that the portal website reporters no longer referred to her as “Genius Beautiful Female Doctor” but called her a “young scholar.”

She particularly liked the title “scholar.” Learning has no end, and the sea of knowledge is boundless; she would always maintain an attitude of learning.

*

Lin Zhixia met many people at this academic exchange conference.

On Saturday morning, Jiang Yubai picked her up from the airport, and she eagerly shared her experiences with him. MIT had also sent her a formal appointment letter. Next November, Lin Zhixia would become a postdoctoral researcher for one year, and after that year, she would return to the provincial capital to become a university professor, fulfilling her ultimate career goal.

After Lin Zhixia spoke in one breath, her throat was slightly dry.

The driver was driving in the front seat while Jiang Yubai sat in the back, handing Lin Zhixia a bottle of water. He praised Lin Zhixia thoroughly, making her feel delighted inside. The atmosphere in the car was extremely harmonious. Jiang Yubai mentioned, “Next Spring Festival, aren’t you going home for the holiday?”

“Yes,” Lin Zhixia admitted.

Jiang Yubai caught her wrist: “I’ll go back with you.”

Lin Zhixia asked doubtfully: “Do you have time?”

Jiang Yubai said, “I can manage a week.”

Jiang Yubai hadn’t been home for a long time. The elders in his family were also urging him to come back and visit. To prevent Lin Zhixia from purchasing economy class tickets, Jiang Yubai took her on a private jet, flying directly back to the provincial capital at the end of January 2014.

That was Lin Zhixia’s first time experiencing a long-distance private jet. She never knew that flying could be so comfortable. She and Jiang Yubai slept on a spacious bed for a night, and by the next morning, they had reached their destination.

The provincial capital had entered winter, with cold and desolate winds.

Lin Zhixia breathed in the familiar air, her mood as hot as the summer sun.

The plane landed at the provincial capital’s airport. Jiang Yubai and Lin Zhixia took a special passage, and Lin Zhixia began to think about a question—her brother had asked what time she would come out of the airport, as her father, mother, and brother were all waiting to pick her up.

Lin Zhixia released Jiang Yubai’s hand: “I’m going to find my parents now. You should go home early, too. We’ll video call at six o’clock every evening.”

Jiang Yubai blocked her path: “You once told me…”

Lin Zhixia stared at him without blinking.

Jiang Yubai reminded her, “This Spring Festival, you would be honest with your family.”

Yes.

Lin Zhixia had indeed said such words.

This Spring Festival, Lin Zhixia was going to tell her parents that Jiang Yubai was her boyfriend. She and Jiang Yubai were dating and would continue to do so.

Childhood sweethearts, together for a hundred years—these were the words Lin Zhixia had written on Jiang Yubai’s palm.

Lin Zhixia also recalled her father’s previous concerns.

Her father had said that the gap between Lin Zhixia and Jiang Yubai’s family backgrounds was too large, so large that her father couldn’t imagine it, and he couldn’t protect her.

Lin Zhixia discussed with Jiang Yubai: “Let’s do this. I’ll take you to meet my parents and brother now, to give them a heads-up. Otherwise, I have to hide when I video chat with you and lie to them. I don’t want to lie anymore. Although my brother isn’t very smart and is easy to fool, I still feel bad when I trick him.”

Lin Zhixia’s short speech sounded like heavenly music to Jiang Yubai.

He had finally waited for this day.

Lin Zhixia was going to confirm his official status in front of her parents—this meant that no matter how much Lin Zeqiu objected in the future, he couldn’t change the facts.

Jiang Yubai slightly adjusted his sleeves. He carried the luggage with both hands and followed Lin Zhixia toward the exit.

The Spring Festival was a peak travel period, with crowds everywhere.

Lin Zeqiu wore an ash-gray down jacket. He had a tall, slim figure, sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, a high nose bridge, and excellent facial features. Standing in the crowd, he was the most dazzling star, and Lin Zhixia spotted him immediately.

Lin Zhixia waved to him: “Brother, Brother!”

She ran toward him excitedly.

Lin Zeqiu smiled.

He hadn’t seen Lin Zhixia for more than a year.

Lin Zeqiu turned his head and told his parents, “Lin Zhixia came out pretty quickly.”

But their mother asked: “Where’s Xiaxia’s suitcase?”

Only then did Lin Zeqiu realize—Lin Zhixia wasn’t carrying a suitcase. She only had a small shoulder bag.

Lin Zeqiu put his hands in his coat pockets, a bad feeling rising in his heart. He focused all his attention on Lin Zhixia, ignoring the figures around her.

Suddenly, he heard a nearby girl say: “So handsome, so handsome, that guy in black clothes…”

Another girl responded: “Damn, he’s perfect, so good-looking.”

Lin Zeqiu frowned.

He wasn’t wearing black clothes today.

Who was this handsome guy?

Lin Zeqiu shifted his gaze and caught a glimpse of Jiang Yubai.

Indeed, Jiang Yubai was wearing all-black casual clothes. The two girls who had just complimented his looks were still occasionally glancing at him. In his left hand, he carried a suitcase with pink strawberry stickers—this was Lin Zhixia’s belongings.

Lin Zeqiu’s breathing froze immediately.

He had already guessed what was about to happen.