It was the first time in Lin Zhixia’s life that she had seen Jiang Yubai wearing a high school uniform. The uniform was custom-made, including black long casual pants and a pure white collared shirt—he had unbuttoned the first button of his collar and wore a black sports watch, looking just like an eighteen-year-old high school student, with both scholarly and sunny athletic qualities, his mixed temperament revealing a hint of innocence.

Jiang Yubai was innocent and pure, but Lin Zhixia began to let her imagination run wild. She involuntarily recalled a series of passionate scenes that made her blush, and even her senses surrendered. She had just stepped into Jiang Yubai’s home, stayed less than two minutes, then turned and ran toward the outside.

Jiang Yubai quickly called out to her: “Xiaxia?”

Lin Zhixia questioned him: “Why are you wearing a school uniform?”

Jiang Yubai explained: “That day, you said when you were in high school, you should have taught more classmates…”

Lin Zhixia’s eyes brightened: “Do you want to be my student?”

Today’s Jiang Yubai seemed particularly innocent. He declined Lin Zhixia’s role-playing invitation, only saying: “Not having attended high school with you, I feel a bit regretful.”

Lin Zhixia was quite relaxed: “I don’t feel regretful at all. I’ve seen how you look in a school uniform, very handsome, I like it.”

Before she finished speaking, Jiang Yubai reached out to hold Lin Zhixia’s hand. But she detected his intention and nimbly avoided it, saying with a smile, “I guess you’ve prepared a special gift for me. Don’t guide me, let me find where you’ve hidden the gift.”

“A treasure hunt?” Jiang Yubai bent down close to her, “I have quite a few clues.”

Lin Zhixia raised her hand and pressed against Jiang Yubai’s chest, originally intending to keep some distance between them, because she wasn’t clear-headed enough right now. Jiang Yubai’s voice lingered in her mind. But she couldn’t help caressing his uniform, clearly feeling the male contours outlined by the thin fabric.

She felt as if she were on campus, caught in a passionate early romance.

“I don’t need to hunt for treasure,” she looked up at him, her fingertip lightly touching his lips, “the treasure is right here.”

Jiang Yubai kissed her finger, then grabbed her wrist, guiding her fingertip downward, stopping at the second button of his shirt. Her heartbeat quickened uncontrollably, feeling more excited and playful, gradually unable to suppress the emotional tide rising within, even forgetting that she had come to Jiang Yubai’s home today to discuss work with him.

Fortunately, just a few seconds later, Lin Zhixia took a deep breath, regaining her clarity.

Strong curiosity took over her thoughts, and Lin Zhixia reluctantly left Jiang Yubai to search for the birthday gift he had hidden. Following traces around the house, she quickly arrived at the spacious terrace—the scene before her shook her soul.

After a moment of blankness, she uttered: “What is that? A spaceship?”

To be precise, it should be a model of a spaceship.

The night sky was vast and distant, scattered starlight, cityscape a blurred background, on the terrace stood a spacecraft about six meters long, its cabin door wide open, interior exquisitely furnished, with an extreme metallic feel, just like a computer-simulated high-tech product of the future.

Without hesitation, Lin Zhixia stepped directly into the cabin.

Jiang Yubai followed behind her.

The floor inside the spacecraft was made of pure black marble, reminiscent of renowned science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke’s masterpiece “Space Odyssey”—the thread running through this book was a mysterious black slab.

In the center of the cabin sat a cylindrical quantum computer model, surrounded by golden rings, shimmering like scattered silver. Lin Zhixia circled the model twice, then surprisingly asked: “Can I take this quantum computer apart and look inside?”

Jiang Yubai said, “No need to ask me, this is your ship.”

Lin Zhixia and Jiang Yubai had played the space captain role-playing game countless times. Only today, Lin Zhixia was too excited for words. She gazed deeply at Jiang Yubai, her eyes flowing like water, containing endless tender affection.

However, in the next second, Lin Zhixia grabbed the gold ring of the model, using all her strength, yanked it backwards, splitting the entire model in half on the spot. She crouched on the ground, carefully studying its internal structure, saying thoughtfully: “So that’s how it is, I understand now.”

Jiang Yubai crouched beside her: “The model isn’t made well enough?”

“It’s excellent,” Lin Zhixia glanced at him, “Everything you give me is the best.”

Jiang Yubai wanted to speak but hesitated.

To accurately replicate the appearance and structure of a quantum computer, Jiang Yubai had used 3D printing technology, and the remaining components were also specially ordered. The high-tech atmosphere he had gone to great lengths to create vanished at this moment.

Lin Zhixia hugged his neck, enthusiastically giving him a big kiss: “I’ll restore it, more professionally.”

Jiang Yubai remained silent. He reached his left hand into the base of the model and pulled out a deep red velvet box. Lin Zhixia sat down on the floor, Jiang Yubai knelt on one knee beside her, kissing her forehead repeatedly, afraid she might refuse him later.

“Xiaxia…” he called her name.

Lin Zhixia showed slight hesitation.

Jiang Yubai then said, “Captain Lin Zhixia?”

Lin Zhixia buried herself in his arms, her chin resting on his shoulder.

Jiang Yubai embraced her with one arm, sensing her dependence and attachment to him, his heart filled with a warm and fulfilling feeling. Tonight, he had indeed participated in a treasure hunt, with the world’s most precious treasure now in his arms. He forgot the proposal speech he had prepared, only whispering in her ear: “There’s an engagement ring in the box…”

“You’re only twenty-two,” Lin Zhixia reminded him.

“Old enough to get a marriage certificate,” he replied, “Marriage is just a formality. If you don’t want to, we don’t have to… Either way, I’ll be with you forever.”

Lin Zhixia probed: “You mean, no matter what I choose, you’ll support my decision?”

Jiang Yubai held up the ring box: “Yes.”

Lin Zhixia said with particular sincerity, “You’ve met my family, but I don’t know much about your relatives and friends yet. Marriage isn’t just about two people, it’s about two families, so I…”

Jiang Yubai waited for her to continue.

Lin Zhixia burst into laughter: “You look so calm.”

Jiang Yubai pulled at his uniform collar: “I’m not calm, my heart is racing, I’m sweating a little.”

Lin Zhixia continued to tease him: “I can help you cool down, but I won’t change my mind.”

Jiang Yubai showed understanding. He candidly said, “I have many relatives and friends. I’ve already spoken to my parents. When you have time, you can come to my home…”

“For an engagement party?” Lin Zhixia completed his sentence.

Jiang Yubai was somewhat surprised.

Lin Zhixia opened the ring box. Jiang Yubai immediately gripped her fingers, sliding the diamond ring onto her ring finger, while she kept staring into his eyes the entire time. Jiang Yubai then interlocked his fingers with hers, as if completing some kind of promise.