Xu Lingbo was eager to know which student was so audacious as to use such a malicious, derogatory term as “old, weak, sick, and disabled” to describe Lin Zhixia’s research group?!

In his junior year, Xu Lingbo had studied with all his might, barely managed to get into a master’s program, and after just one year of study, his advisor had packed up and left. When he was utterly despondent, Fang Yiwen pulled him into Lin Zhixia’s group.

After just a few days together, Xu Lingbo discovered that Lin Zhixia’s abilities were frighteningly strong. Having successfully become Lin Zhixia’s student, he felt somewhat grateful and secretly pleased.

Lin Zhixia’s focus, however, was different. She asked: “Old, weak, sick, and disabled—you three are ‘old, weak, and disabled,’ am I the ‘sick’ one?”

Fang Yiwen’s face revealed a “you guessed right” expression: “That student said you must be sick to have accepted the three of us.”

After hearing Fang Yiwen’s explanation, Lin Zhixia thought the student’s logic was at least consistent. She didn’t take the student’s idle gossip to heart at all—it was common for people in their twenties to chat and ramble when gathered together.

Zhan Rui, Xu Lingbo, and Fang Yiwen had not yet published any papers. However, Lin Zhixia believed that with the collective efforts of their entire group, it was only a matter of time before the students would publish articles.

What interested Lin Zhixia more was Fang Yiwen’s way of thinking.

Lin Zhixia was certain that people who aren’t easily angered mainly fell into four types: those with good tempers, those with deep schemes, those with broad knowledge, and those with weak empathy.

Conversely, the easily angered Xu Lingbo probably had too strong an empathy. He persistently asked: “Senior, senior, tell us which student from Professor Qu’s group insulted our entire group?”

But Fang Yiwen kept her mouth shut.

With a “whoosh,” the private room door was pushed open, and two waiters came in with dishes.

The aroma of grilled lamb skewers filled the enclosed room. Lin Zhixia picked up a skewer for everyone and said, “You don’t need to mind these kinds of insulting negative comments. Those who insult you only see you but don’t understand you. They’re not evaluating you but rather a virtual image in their imagination.”

Fang Yiwen particularly agreed with Lin Zhixia’s opinion: “Professor Lin spoke well—cognition originates from the senses.”

Lin Zhixia nodded: “All our cognition originates from the senses. Different people have different understandings. Understanding has no right or wrong, only differences.”

Jiang Yubai interjected: “A person learns knowledge through the senses, then tries to understand it, and finally ends with reason. There is nothing higher than reason… This is the only sentence I remember after reading Kant’s ‘Critique of Pure Reason.'”

Lin Zhixia and Jiang Yubai successfully changed the topic.

At the table, no student argued anymore about who had called them “old, weak, sick, and disabled.” The flames of anger and revenge were completely extinguished. Everyone enthusiastically discussed the topic of “sensibility, understanding, and reason.”

Xu Lingbo sincerely praised Jiang Yubai: “Master’s Husband, no wonder you’re the Master’s Husband. You’ve read so many books, a perfect match for our Professor Lin.”

Jiang Yubai had to admit that he enjoyed hearing such flattery. He wished Xu Lingbo would say a hundred more times, “you and Professor Lin are so compatible,” but on the surface, he feigned modesty and demurred: “I finished undergraduate studies and didn’t continue schooling.”

“That’s not bad, Master’s Husband,” Fang Yiwen also greatly admired Jiang Yubai. “Your academic qualifications are a bit low, and an undergraduate only teaches basics, but if you want to pursue another degree, you could find a new advisor in no time.”

Zhan Rui also raised his glass from across the table and toasted Jiang Yubai.

Lin Zhixia was thoughtful.

She suddenly became curious…

How had Jiang Yubai managed to win over all the students in her group within just a dozen minutes without leaving a trace?

Lin Zhixia mentally rewound and replayed today’s scenes. In that instant, she discovered that Jiang Yubai had a bit of a “tell people what they want to hear, tell ghosts what ghosts want to hear” attitude.

When Jiang Yubai interacted with the dean, his wording was particularly formal and elegant, because that’s how the dean was. When he struck up conversations with Xu Lingbo and Fang Yiwen, he used Kant’s famous saying to elevate “reason,” because Xu Lingbo and Fang Yiwen were people who valued reason.

Jiang Yubai also specifically pointed out that he only remembered that one sentence from Kant, which made him seem humble, peaceful, non-aggressive, and not imposing his views.

He was also very attentive to Zhan Rui’s feelings.

He could even chat pleasantly with Zhan Rui.

When speaking with Zhan Rui, he mostly used simple questions, such as: “Are you researching a branch of artificial intelligence?” and Zhan Rui would answer: “Yes, yes, yes…”

And also, Jiang Yubai would ask: “Does your research direction have any interdisciplinary overlap with quantum physics?”

Zhan Rui answered very briefly: “N-no. I do th-theory.”

Jiang Yubai still managed to subtly praise him: “Pure theoretical research in computer science is very suitable for diligent, intelligent students with perseverance who can endure solitude.”

In this way, Jiang Yubai took multiple approaches and, in less than a moment, became familiar with all three students.

The students all called him “Master’s Husband” and added him on WeChat one after another. Xu Lingbo even patted his chest and promised: “Rest assured, Master’s Husband, if anything happens at school, I’ll let you know immediately.”

Zhan Rui echoed: “I’ll a-also notify you.”

Lin Zhixia looked at Jiang Yubai with complex eyes.

Jiang Yubai respected her as he had in college: “Professor Lin.”

Lin Zhixia had been writing her “Human Observation Diary” for over a decade, and of all the people she had written about, Jiang Yubai remained the most interesting. She smiled gently and said in an extremely soft voice: “Professor Jiang, let’s talk more when we get home.”

Apart from Jiang Yubai, none of the other three students heard clearly what Lin Zhixia was saying.

The waiters had already served all the dishes.

A large bowl of white rice was placed in front of Xu Lingbo, making him salivate.

He slowly stood up, gripped the ladle handle, and first served Lin Zhixia a bowl of rice to show respect. Then, he served Jiang Yubai rice, set down the porcelain bowl with both hands, and politely said: “Master’s Husband, your rice. Please enjoy.”

Jiang Yubai was two years younger than him.

Jiang Yubai accepted this peculiar generational relationship. He graciously behaved like an approachable elder: “Thank you, please eat more yourself.”

Zhan Rui pushed a plate of dragon well tea shrimp toward Jiang Yubai: “M-Master’s Husband, try this, it’s very g-good.”

Lin Zhixia suddenly felt as if she and Jiang Yubai were seventy years old with a crowd of children and grandchildren. She took a sip of strawberry juice and said, “All in all, I’m very happy to be your advisor.”

“I’m beyond happy,” Xu Lingbo said, biting into a lamb skewer. “I’m thanking heaven and earth.”

Fang Yiwen raised her glass toward Lin Zhixia, which surprised Lin Zhixia a bit. She picked up a glass of strawberry juice, and Fang Yiwen clinked glasses with her, remarkably saying: “Thank you, Professor Lin.”

She didn’t clarify what she was thanking her advisor for.

Lin Zhixia still smiled brightly: “You’re welcome. I only hope that all of you can go further in your preferred research fields.”

*

Today’s lunch was very sumptuous.

The dragon well tea shrimp was fresh and tender, the tomato beef brisket pot was smooth and delicious, the steamed sea bass was cooked over a slow fire with exquisite broth, and the roast suckling pig was particularly fragrant and satisfying, with an excellent taste.

The students all ate until they were very full, and there were still many leftovers on the table. After obtaining Lin Zhixia’s permission, Xu Lingbo called over the waiter and had all the leftover food packed up. He gave the lamb skewers to his senior sister, gave the sliced chicken to his junior brother, and the rest was a mixture of rice and dishes.

“My dinner is taken care of,” he said, hugging the food containers. “Thank you, Professor and Master’s Husband.”

Lin Zhixia suggested: “You all seem to enjoy the lamb skewers? Let’s have the waiter pack a fresh portion for each of you.”

Xu Lingbo quickly refused: “That wouldn’t be right, too many lambs.”

Jiang Yubai sophistically argued: “It’s good—three lambs bring prosperity, joyfully auspicious, all very lucky.”

Lin Zhixia directly asked the waitress if there were any more lamb skewers. The waitress said yes, the chef had just roasted a new batch. Lin Zhixia asked the waitress to add to the order, then paid with her card. The entire process was quick and simple.

After the meal, the students walked in front carrying bags with food containers, while Lin Zhixia and Jiang Yubai followed behind them.

By now, the sky had cleared up. The leaves on both sides of the walkway were wet from the rain, and a fresh, herbal scent floated in the air. Xu Lingbo’s phone vibrated twice in his pocket. He took out his phone and read a message from his roommate.

His roommate asked: “How was your gathering with Professor Lin?”

Xu Lingbo instantly replied: “My advisor and Master’s Husband are so nice, you didn’t see them, you don’t know.”

While Xu Lingbo was chatting with his roommate, his senior classmate Fang Yiwen reminded him: “Watch the road when walking, don’t play with your phone.”

A few steps away from them, Lin Zhixia hooked her finger with Jiang Yubai’s, her fingertip tracing circles against his palm. He clenched his hand into a fist and no longer called her Professor Lin, instead asking: “What time do you finish work today?”

“I don’t have classes or work this afternoon,” Lin Zhixia answered truthfully. “The laboratory hasn’t started yet, I can go home with you directly.”