A brand-new red carpet was laid at the entrance of the college building. The dean, vice dean, and secretary-general of the Education Foundation were all present. The leaders wore suits, smiling as they gazed forward, and shook hands with Jiang Yubai’s group with particular warmth.

Lin Zhixia and her three students stood behind the dean.

Fang Yiwen, the only doctoral student in Lin Zhixia’s group, stepped on the carpet beneath her feet and accurately identified it: “Artificial polypropylene fiber carpet.”

Xu Lingbo casually asked: “Is artificial polypropylene fiber expensive?”

Fang Yiwen pushed up her glasses: “Not expensive, it’s the cheapest carpet material.”

Fang Yiwen’s voice was neither too loud nor too soft, and it happened to reach the vice dean’s ears.

The vice dean’s back stiffened.

Although the Frontier Interdisciplinary College didn’t lack activity funds, their money didn’t fall from the sky either. They usually had to spend frugally, especially today being a rainy day. If they had laid an expensive carpet that got soiled with mud and rainwater, wouldn’t that be a wasteful extravagance?

Fortunately, Jiang Yubai didn’t seem to have heard Fang Yiwen’s words.

Jiang Yubai’s expression didn’t change in the slightest. He exchanged pleasantries with the dean and got straight to the point. He also mentioned that next month, the internet company’s board of directors would come to the school to sign a “Science and Technology Cooperation Framework Agreement” to comprehensively deepen strategic cooperation and further strengthen the connection between both parties.

The dean smiled heartily: “Good, next month, the president will be back.”

Currently, the president is still in the United States on an academic visit.

The president often said that all the deans should work together to build their university into a world-class institution.

The president always supported the development of frontier disciplines and the research institutes jointly established by universities and enterprises. After all, world-class universities needed to advocate close integration between academia and industry… Thinking of this, the smiles on the faces of the dean and vice dean became even more sincere.

The vice dean, out of courtesy, made a “please” gesture: “Mr. Jiang, our signing ceremony will be held in the first-floor conference room.”

However, Jiang Yubai didn’t follow the vice dean’s footsteps. His secretary closed the umbrella and stepped back, clearing the position to Jiang Yubai’s right.

Jiang Yubai remained stationary, his gaze passing over everyone to fall on Lin Zhixia. He addressed her very respectfully: “Professor Lin.”

The dean also called out, “Professor Lin, please come over here.”

Lin Zhixia walked casually to Jiang Yubai’s right side. Jiang Yubai smiled at her again, and in that moment, the world seemed to be silently still—the rain stopped, the sky cleared, and everything dissolved in his smile.

Lin Zhixia returned a brilliant smile.

An invisible emotional bond tied the two of them together, and everyone could sense that their relationship was extraordinary.

The atmosphere at this moment was particularly warm and harmonious. Most people present saw but didn’t mention it. Only Fang Yiwen blurted out: “Professor Lin, do you know him?”

Xu Lingbo tugged at Fang Yiwen’s sleeve, and she asked: “Why are you pulling me?”

Zhan Rui’s face reddened even more, as if he wanted to sink into a crevice in the ground.

The vice dean couldn’t help but rub his forehead.

Jiang Yubai, however, was thinking privately that Lin Zhixia’s research group had been established and work was on track, and she would only get busier in the future. Once Lin Zhixia started leaving early and returning late, Jiang Yubai would come to the school to pick her up, and they would eventually be seen by Lin Zhixia’s colleagues or students—given that they currently represented the business cooperation between the company and the school, if rumors were to spread in the future, it wouldn’t sound good and would damage Lin Zhixia’s reputation.

Lin Zhixia’s reputation was extremely precious.

Rather than waiting for others to speculate, it was better to clarify the situation early.

Therefore, Jiang Yubai explained his relationship with Lin Zhixia in detail: “I’ve known Professor Lin for twelve years, practically growing up together. I admire her academic level and believe in her work capabilities. The PTSIC quantum programming language platform is managed by a team created by Professor Lin. She completed the framework design by herself…”

They talked as they walked forward.

The dean opened the main door of the conference room, and Jiang Yubai’s tone became increasingly natural: “As Professor Lin’s boyfriend, I was fortunate to witness the early development of the PTSIC platform.”

Jiang Yubai’s focus remained on the “Quantum Technology Laboratory” itself. He seemed to have unintentionally revealed an incredible inside story.

Lin Zhixia chuckled lightly, acknowledging, “If not for your support, I might have treated PTSIC simply as an open-source project, fully disclosed on the online community.”

This brief dialogue between Jiang Yubai and Lin Zhixia contained an enormous amount of information. The tacit understanding between them made every explanation they gave extremely convincing.

Next, Jiang Yubai spoke some diplomatic words. He praised the university’s first-class facilities, strong research capabilities, rich talent reserves, and unique strategic vision. He hoped their cooperation would lead to breakthrough technological innovations.

After he finished speaking, the room fell silent.

He turned his face and locked eyes with Lin Zhixia.

Lin Zhixia’s eyes gleamed with brilliance.

She took over Jiang Yubai’s topic and began to describe the design philosophy of the PTSIC quantum programming language. Her long string of professional terminology shocked Jiang Yubai’s team but made the physics professors present nod frequently in understanding.

The conference room was filled with a festive atmosphere.

Lin Zhixia reviewed the contract and solemnly signed her name.

Under everyone’s witness, the signing ceremony successfully concluded.

*

The rain outside never stopped, showing signs of intensifying.

The rain poured heavily, with rolling thunder. Despite the terrible weather of wind and rain, the dean personally escorted Jiang Yubai to the entrance of the college building.

Jiang Yubai said goodbye to the dean, his attitude extremely polite and courteous.

The dean had many urgent official matters to handle. He wanted to report the successful signing to the president’s office as soon as possible. After watching Jiang Yubai walk off the red carpet, he hurriedly returned to the college building.

Jiang Yubai took a black long-handled umbrella from his secretary. Holding this umbrella, he naturally sheltered Lin Zhixia.

Lin Zhixia glanced at her watch—noon, exactly lunchtime.

Previously, Lin Zhixia had arranged with her group members to treat the students to lunch today. She also recalled that during her doctoral studies at Cambridge, her supervisor would bring his wife to attend graduate student dinners every year.

Lin Zhixia intended to emulate her doctoral supervisor.

So, Lin Zhixia quietly told Jiang Yubai, “If you’re free this afternoon, please join our research group’s gathering. I’ve reserved a private room at a restaurant next to the school. I want to treat my students to a meal.”

The rain slid down the edge of the umbrella. Jiang Yubai tilted the umbrella handle, leaning it more toward Lin Zhixia’s side. He also said a few words to his assistant, who nodded in agreement and immediately led the company’s group back to the parking lot, while Jiang Yubai remained standing in place.

“Shall we go for lunch?” Lin Zhixia was invited again.

Jiang Yubai smiled and said, “Let’s go.”

Lin Zhixia turned around and called to her students: “Follow me.”

Xu Lingbo was the first to respond: “Alright, Professor Lin! Coming right away!”

He pulled out a raincoat from his backpack, tidied it up a bit, and quickly put it over his head. Like an unbridled wild horse, he sprinted behind Lin Zhixia and shouted to Jiang Yubai: “Hello, Master’s Husband! Hello, Master’s Husband!”

Lin Zhixia was amused by the term “Master’s Husband.”

*

Near the school, there was a restaurant called “Intoxicating Fragrance Tower,” specializing in Cantonese and Jiangzhe cuisines, with an average per-person spending exceeding one hundred yuan.

Xu Lingbo had long heard that the food at “Intoxicating Fragrance Tower” was delicious. He had passed by it countless times and could always smell the aroma wafting from the restaurant, but being habitually frugal, he couldn’t bear to spend over a hundred yuan on a meal.

Today at noon, he could finally fulfill his long-cherished wish, and he was inevitably excited. He also struck up a conversation with Master’s Husband Jiang Yubai. He told Jiang Yubai everything he knew without reserve. When Jiang Yubai mentioned Lin Zhixia’s laboratory work, Xu Lingbo revealed all the information he knew.

Jiang Yubai asked him again: “Is Professor Lin’s ‘Quantum Bits and Computing’ course progressing smoothly?”

Xu Lingbo laughed cheerfully: “Oh, that course was filled by a group of undergraduates. A few days ago, I was reading in the dormitory when some third-year juniors came to find me, all because of Professor Lin.”

Jiang Yubai followed his words, continuing: “They came to ask about the course content?”

“Ah, no,” Xu Lingbo corrected, “what they asked was…”

“What was it?” Lin Zhixia was also curious.

Hearing Lin Zhixia’s voice, Xu Lingbo woke up as if from a dream. Good heavens! He had almost betrayed his juniors.

That evening, several junior students had visited Xu Lingbo’s dormitory, shyly asking him if Professor Lin looked the same in person as in her photo, if Professor Lin had a partner, and if Professor Lin’s research group needed students to do odd jobs.

As a second-year graduate student, Xu Lingbo was naturally more mature and steady than the third-year undergraduates. From an objective standpoint, he sincerely analyzed the reality: “Don’t you know that dynamic videos look better than static photos? Of course, Professor Lin doesn’t look the same as her photo—she’s much more beautiful in person than in the photo.”

As soon as he said that, the junior students were captivated, each looking as if they were intoxicated, hastily pulling out their phones and immediately selecting “Quantum Bits and Computing.”

Xu Lingbo was well aware of this course’s difficulty—after all, he was one of the teaching assistants for “Quantum Bits and Computing,” but he didn’t stop his juniors. Instead, he watched as this group of innocent young men jumped into the fire pit.

This wasn’t his fault.

He hadn’t lied.

He had just concealed part of the truth.

If he had been completely honest with his juniors and frankly told them, “Run away quickly! The assignments for ‘Quantum Bits and Computing’ are deadly difficult! Even with the answers, I don’t understand them. I rely on my senior to explain each question to me sentence by sentence!”

Which student would be brave enough to choose this course?

If no students selected the course, wouldn’t Professor Lin be sad?

Countless thoughts flashed through Xu Lingbo’s mind as Lin Zhixia led them into a private room at “Intoxicating Fragrance Tower.”

The private room had a pure wooden square table, and the five of them sat on both sides of the table. Lin Zhixia picked up the menu and said cheerfully, “Order whatever you like. Whatever you enjoy eating, just order it.”

Lin Zhixia remembered that her middle school homeroom teacher, undergraduate advisor, and doctoral supervisor had all treated students to meals and had all said this phrase to the students. Although the three teachers had completely different personalities and were located in different regions, they had reached a marvelous consensus on this point—Lin Zhixia decided to carry on this spirit.

The private room was filled with the fragrance of tea, and the atmosphere was quiet. Xu Lingbo was the first to break the silence: “Hello, miss waitress, hello hello, I’d like sliced chicken with scallion oil, tofu with fish head, and a bowl of rice—more rice please, thank you.”

Zhan Rui continued: “Stir-stir… stir-fried Chinese cabbage, sweet and sour lotus root slices.”

Fang Yiwen said, “I want a meat sandwich in a flatbread.”

Lin Zhixia was momentarily stunned.

Her students…

How could they be so simple and plain?

Even if she brought the thrifty and virtuous Lin Zeqiu to eat, Lin Zeqiu would at least order a dish of “beef stew in red wine.”

Lin Zhixia placed her last hope on Jiang Yubai. She believed that Jiang Yubai would certainly display his natural aristocratic style. Unexpectedly, Jiang Yubai said, “Please add a dish of cold cucumber salad, thank you.”

Cold cucumber salad?

Lin Zhixia was instantly dumbfounded.

The waitress bent down and asked: “Hello, ma’am, is there anything else you need?”

Lin Zhixia returned the menu to the waitress and casually listed a string of dishes: “Roast suckling pig in clay oven, steamed sea bass, dragon well tea shrimp, grilled lamb skewers, tomato beef brisket pot, lotus leaf soup, and for drinks, freshly squeezed fruit juice. I want strawberry juice. What would you all like to drink?”

Everyone gave their answers, and Lin Zhixia nodded: “Alright, let’s order this much first. If it’s not enough, we can add a few more dishes.”

“How much will this cost, Professor?” Xu Lingbo asked anxiously.

Lin Zhixia waved her hand: “It’s fine, our research group has just been established, it’s worth celebrating.”

All three students from the research group sat opposite, while Lin Zhixia’s seat was right next to Jiang Yubai. As soon as the waitress left the private room, Lin Zhixia secretly tugged at Jiang Yubai’s sleeve. Jiang Yubai lowered his head close to her: “What’s wrong?”

Lin Zhixia withdrew her hand: “No-nothing.”

Fang Yiwen raised her eyebrows: “Professor Lin, you’re stuttering too?”

This “too” subtly pointed to Zhan Rui, who couldn’t help but fold his arms.

Xu Lingbo immediately intervened: “Senior, you shouldn’t say that.”

“It’s nothing,” Fang Yiwen said with exceptional magnanimity, “don’t mind what others think. A student in Professor Qu’s group said we’re the old, weak, sick, and disabled group, and I wasn’t even angry.”

Xu Lingbo’s face reddened instead: “Which guy said we’re old, weak, sick, and disabled?”

Fang Yiwen pointed at herself, then at them: “I’m old, you’re weak, Zhan Rui is disabled.”