Lin Zhixia’s tone of voice was the same as usual, but Jiang Yubai noticed several suspicious points.

First, Lin Zhixia always called him at eight in the evening, but now it was three forty in the afternoon.

Second, during this call, Lin Zhixia didn’t mention the “Quantum Computing Laboratory” at all. In recent days, her conversations with Jiang Yubai had always revolved around quantum mechanics. Why had she suddenly avoided all physics-related topics?

After some simple deduction, Jiang Yubai guessed, “Did something happen at the laboratory this afternoon?”

Jiang Yubai waited for several seconds but still didn’t hear Lin Zhixia’s answer. He patiently comforted her, “I’m your friend forever. Whatever you want to say, you can tell me directly.”

Lin Zhixia lowered her voice and confided, “The laboratory exploded. I keep replaying fragments of the explosion… a loud bang, glass shattering, seniors screaming, wires buzzing, smoke billowing out. I fell to the ground, couldn’t stand up, couldn’t run… Jiang Yubai, I’m a little scared.”

Jiang Yubai hurriedly asked, “Where are you?”

Lin Zhixia gave him the hospital address.

Jiang Yubai told Lin Zhixia not to be afraid, that he would come to the hospital to see her immediately.

Jiang Yubai imagined the situation was very serious. He threw on a coat and left. He was extremely worried about Lin Zhixia’s safety, wishing he could grow a pair of wings and fly to the hospital.

In the deepest part of his heart, he even felt somewhat guilty. He and Lin Zhixia lived in the same city, yet he couldn’t protect “Captain Lin Zhixia” at every moment like “Leader Jiang Yubai” did in “Exploring the Universe.”

If Lin Zhixia couldn’t even forget a documentary about the Forbidden City, how much more deeply would her personal experience be etched in her memory?

She told Jiang Yubai that she was a little scared.

But Jiang Yubai felt that she must be terrified.

Jiang Yubai imagined countless scenarios, each making him anxious. He rushed to the hospital and was shocked to find Lin Zhixia sitting in a wheelchair. He took long strides, running through the hospital corridors, arriving before her like a gust of wind.

She looked up, staring at him blankly.

He asked, “Are you okay?”

Lin Zhixia answered honestly, “I twisted my ankle. It’s swollen.”

Jiang Yubai crouched down, looking at her ankle, and asked further, “Does your quantum computing laboratory have any radioactive contamination sources?”

Tan Qianche, who had been observing for a while, blurted out, “You’re treating our laboratory explosion like a nuclear explosion?”

Although Jiang Yubai had read popular science books like “The Wonderful Quantum World” and “Quantum Mechanics in One Hour,” he wasn’t clear about the daily operations of a “Quantum Computing Laboratory.” His worries stemmed from the unknown. He admitted, “I thought you might have encountered shock waves, neutron radiation, light radiation…”

Tan Qianche was caught between laughter and tears, “Which department are you from? Literature?”

Jiang Yubai stood up, “I’m Lin Zhixia’s elementary school classmate, middle school classmate, and I’m currently in my second year of high school.”

Tan Qianche looked Jiang Yubai up and down, “Second year of high school?”

Lin Zhixia immediately defended Jiang Yubai, “Yes, Jiang Yubai is my best friend. Senior, don’t discriminate against the Literature Department. Every discipline has its significance. Jiang Yubai is in economics, he knows a lot about finance, economics, and management. His math is very good, and his English and French are also excellent…”

Before Lin Zhixia could finish, Luo Ying returned.

Luo Ying was carrying a plastic bag containing three bottles of mineral water. She distributed the water to Lin Zhixia and Tan Qianche, and kept one for herself. She stared at Jiang Yubai, then offered him her bottle.

“Thank you,” Jiang Yubai politely replied, “I’m not thirsty.”

Lin Zhixia tugged at Jiang Yubai’s sleeve, “Find a place to sit.”

Jiang Yubai wanted to sit next to Lin Zhixia. However, that seat was occupied by Luo Ying.

Luo Ying even asked Lin Zhixia if she wanted to lean on her shoulder, but Lin Zhixia shook her head. Luo Ying then asked if she wanted to continue playing “Flying Flower Rhymes.” They seemed to have been playing “Flying Flower Rhymes” for quite some time.

There were many patients in the hospital, all queuing to register, be examined, or wait for results. To pass the time, Lin Zhixia suggested that the four of them play “Flying Flower Rhymes” together, but Tan Qianche immediately refused, “No thanks, I haven’t memorized many ancient poems. I don’t like reading poetry, prose, and that sort of thing.”

“Then what do you usually do in your free time?” Lin Zhixia asked him.

Tan Qianche remained silent. Firstly, because Lin Zhixia was too young, and he didn’t want to explain to her. Secondly, if he dared to reveal even a bit of information, Luo Ying might kill him on the spot, and he’d be sleeping in the morgue tonight.

He lazily leaned against the back of the chair and pulled out his phone from his pocket. He had received messages from at least seven female classmates. He replied to each one, being extremely gentle with every girl. He told them not to worry about him, that he was fine, hadn’t been injured, and the laboratory damage wasn’t severe.

Jiang Yubai sat beside Tan Qianche and inadvertently glimpsed Tan Qianche’s phone contacts. Jiang Yubai found it strange that Tan Qianche’s contact list had a row of “Baby A, Baby B, Baby C, Baby D…” that seemed endless.

After a few more seconds, Tan Qianche’s phone rang. He answered the call, his voice low, “Not tonight… not tonight, baby, I’m accompanying a classmate at the hospital. I have to meet with my advisor tonight. Someone needs to take responsibility for the explosion accident… I must take responsibility, baby… I’m not being responsible to you, but to the laboratory.”

After this call ended, another girl called. Tan Qianche said again, “Baby, today you should stay with your boyfriend, hmm… You haven’t seen your boyfriend for several days, right…”

Jiang Yubai suddenly said to him, “Please go somewhere else to make your calls.”

Luo Ying raised a hand, pointing in the distance, coldly adding, “Tan Qianche, can you go over there?”

Tan Qianche awkwardly tightened his coat, “Lin Zhixia has twisted her ankle and can’t walk. Wheelchairs aren’t as convenient as having two legs, right? If you drive me away, who will carry her?”

Jiang Yubai volunteered, “I can carry her.”

Tan Qianche laughed, “How old are you? Do you have any muscles?”

Jiang Yubai humbly replied, “I’ve trained for a few years.”

Tan Qianche squeezed Jiang Yubai’s arm. The contours he touched were strong and solid, concealing power ready to be unleashed. He exclaimed, “Not bad, young man, you’ve got something.”

Remembering Tan Qianche’s “Baby ABCD series” contact list, Jiang Yubai decided to take preventive measures. Jiang Yubai revealed, “I’ve practiced martial arts since childhood.”

“Martial arts?” Tan Qianche got excited, “Where did you take martial arts training?”

But Jiang Yubai said, “I have a martial arts teacher.”

Tan Qianche didn’t understand, “If you take classes at a training center, of course you have a teacher…”

“A one-on-one home tutor,” Jiang Yubai provided complete information.

Tan Qianche unscrewed the bottle cap and took a sip of mineral water. He pulled out his phone and said goodbye, “I’ll go over there to take calls. Call me if you need anything.”

“Okay,” Lin Zhixia agreed.

After Tan Qianche left, Jiang Yubai sat next to Luo Ying. He asked her, “Can we switch seats?”

Luo Ying remained unmoved, “Why should we switch?”

Jiang Yubai thought to himself: Because you’re closest to Lin Zhixia.

But outwardly he said, “I have something to tell Lin Zhixia.”

“Just say it,” Luo Ying suggested.

Lin Zhixia turned her head, her voice sweet, “What do you want to tell me?”

Jiang Yubai gave up the seat dispute. He stood beside Lin Zhixia, holding the wheelchair’s handles. Just at that moment, the electronic announcement system called Lin Zhixia’s name; her X-ray results were ready.

Jiang Yubai pushed Lin Zhixia away, with Luo Ying following closely behind.

Jiang Yubai had aroused Luo Ying’s vigilance. Based on her personal experience, Luo Ying didn’t believe in pure friendship between men and women. She had tried to be friends with boys before, but the facts proved that those boys with impure motives all wanted to date her.

She couldn’t discern Jiang Yubai’s true nature. She probed, “Where do you go to high school?”

“An international high school,” Jiang Yubai summarized.

Luo Ying asked again, “How long have you known Lin Zhixia?”

“Five years,” Jiang Yubai said.

Jiang Yubai walked very quickly. He took Lin Zhixia to get the X-ray results, then returned to the doctor’s office for a follow-up consultation. The doctor said that Lin Zhixia didn’t have any major problems, just needed to apply some medicine, and would probably fully recover in about a month.

The weight finally lifted from Jiang Yubai’s heart. He collected several medications from the window and noticed that one ointment tube was labeled “promotes blood circulation, relieves swelling and pain.” He pushed Lin Zhixia to a quiet corner, knelt on one knee in front of her, rolled up her pant leg, and personally applied a layer of ointment, covering her swollen ankle.

“I know you’re in pain,” Jiang Yubai said, “You just didn’t say it.”

Lin Zhixia lowered her head slightly, extending two index fingers to gently touch their fingertips together, “Actually, I could have applied the medicine myself.”

She looked very cute like this. Jiang Yubai looked at her for a few seconds, his ears gradually turning red. His movements became restrained, and he apologized to her, “I’m sorry, I should have asked you first…”

Lin Zhixia interrupted him, “No need to explain, I understand you, you care about me a lot.”

More than just care!

When he heard the five words “laboratory explosion,” his thoughts were filled with Lin Zhixia. Fortunately, she had only twisted her ankle. Fortunately, she would recover soon.

He earnestly asked, “Do you still remember what the laboratory explosion was like?”

“I do,” Lin Zhixia sighed.

She was usually happy and full of energy, rarely sighing.

Jiang Yubai did his best to comfort Lin Zhixia, “Hundreds of billions of years ago, the Big Bang created the beginning of time.”

Lin Zhixia added, “You’re talking about Hawking’s theory. Hawking believed that nothing existed before the Big Bang. Nikodem Popwski proposed another theory. He thought black holes and white holes were the catalysts for the Big Bang. Of course, there’s also the cyclic universe theory—the universe’s expansion slows down, gravity collapses inward, causing a big bang, constantly cycling and regenerating…”

“While you’re thinking about the Big Bang and remembering the laboratory, do you still feel scared?” Jiang Yubai asked her.

She thought carefully and nodded once.

Her fear had not yet dissipated.

Jiang Yubai asked again, “What can give you a sense of security?”

Lin Zhixia honestly said, “Jiang Yubai.” Then added, “Jiang Yubai is not a thing.” This sounded like an insult, so she quickly corrected herself, “No, I mean…”

Jiang Yubai laughed, “I understand.”

He told her, “You can call me anytime.”

“Can I wake you up if I have nightmares in the middle of the night?” Lin Zhixia asked uncertainly.

“Yes,” Jiang Yubai said, “It’s fine.”

Lin Zhixia was very touched, “You’re so good.”

Jiang Yubai was modest and reserved, “As I should be.”

Lin Zhixia gazed at him for a long time, her eyes incredibly clear and pure. She made a request, “Can you hug me?”

Jiang Yubai hesitated for several seconds.

Lin Zhixia conceded, “Never mind, I’ll go back and hug my little penguin.”

If Jiang Yubai continued to maintain “boundaries,” the strength he brought to Lin Zhixia might not even compare to that of a little penguin plush toy.

The little penguin successfully awakened Jiang Yubai’s competitive psychology.

Jiang Yubai slowly bent down, gently embraced Lin Zhixia, soothingly patted her back, and said to her, “Don’t be afraid, I’ll always be with you.”

“I’ll remember this moment,” Lin Zhixia said, “It truly exists forever, in my mind.”

When Lin Zhixia was talking to Jiang Yubai, Luo Ying was standing not far away. She began to believe in so-called “pure friendship between men and women,” especially in contrast to Tan Qianche; Jiang Yubai seemed reserved, pure, and cautious.

Tan Qianche was still making calls on the third floor. He hadn’t noticed that Lin Zhixia’s group had already left. Luo Ying didn’t bother to bring Tan Qianche back. She directly took Lin Zhixia back to school.

*

The news of Lin Zhixia’s injury quickly spread throughout the entire college.

Lin Zhixia lay in her dormitory recovering for a few days. Her roommates took turns bringing her meals and even helped with her laundry. She suddenly found herself living a life where food came to her mouth and clothes to her arms, which made her feel embarrassingly pampered.

The dorm leader, Feng Yuan, said, “We’re all a few years older than you, taking care to help out a little bit is no problem… It’s fine.”

Lin Zhixia gripped the bed railings with both hands, “Thank you all, I’m so happy to be your roommate.”

Another roommate, Yuan Wei, selflessly offered her class notes.

Lin Zhixia didn’t need any notes. But Yuan Wei’s enthusiasm was difficult to refuse. Lin Zhixia could only accept her notes and discuss the course content with her.

The three roommates present were amazed to discover that Lin Zhixia, who had missed a week of classes, hadn’t fallen behind at all. She knew the textbook knowledge without even studying it, and immediately understood the special methods taught by the teachers. She seemed to live in an effortlessly relaxed world without challenges.

Yuan Wei couldn’t help asking, “Is there any smart student you admire?”

Lin Zhixia leaned against a pile of soft pillows, hugging her little penguin, and said seriously, “Intelligence is a vague concept with many manifestations. You’ll get different results when looking from different angles. I can admire each of you.”

Yuan Wei brought a small stool and placed it at Lin Zhixia’s bedside. After chatting for over half an hour, Yuan Wei commented, “Xia Xia, sometimes you seem like you’re twenty-eight, and other times, like you’re eight.”

Lin Zhixia calmly said, “Humans are emotionally complex animals, and the environment affects emotions. Many people feel like children again when they’re with their parents, yet maintain an adult appearance in front of their children.”

After saying this, she raised the little penguin with both hands and said in a sweet, soft voice, “Little penguin is taking off.”

Feng Yuan interjected, “Xia Xia, have you checked your email and QQ group?”

Lin Zhixia asked, “What’s up?”

Feng Yuan made a cup of milk. Carrying the milk, she walked over and told Lin Zhixia, “Our class has an activity. At the end of next month, we’re going to the Shangzhuang Reservoir Waterfront Park for a barbecue. You can bring students from other schools too. The class representative wants to bring his girlfriend, who studies at Renmin University of China, so he’s giving everyone the green light.”

A milky aroma drifted through the dormitory. Yuan Wei opened the balcony window, then turned back and said, “That’ll be lively. The girl next door has a boyfriend who’s a graduate student in the Software School, developing an app.”

“Is he handsome?” Feng Yuan asked.

Yuan Wei pursed her lips, “He’s okay, just okay. When choosing a boyfriend, you can’t just look at appearance.”

Lin Zhixia usually didn’t participate in discussions about relationships. But she enjoyed listening to her roommates’ gossip. She held the railings with both hands, openly eavesdropping on their conversation.

After a while, Lin Zhixia understood that many classmates would bring friends from other schools to next month’s autumn outing. Lin Zhixia immediately took out her phone, composed a text message, and sent it to Jiang Yubai, sincerely inviting him to join her class’s autumn outing.

Jiang Yubai quickly gave an affirmative response.

What surprised Lin Zhixia most was that Jiang Yubai, in return, invited Lin Zhixia to his uncle’s wedding.

As it turned out, Jiang Shaoqi and his girlfriend, after just a few months of passionate romance, had skipped the engagement stage and decided to enter the hall of marriage hand in hand. The wedding would be held next January, with celebrities and stars attending to show support. Jiang Yubai hoped Lin Zhixia would accompany him to this formal occasion.

Lin Zhixia had attended relatives’ weddings in the countryside. She thought the wedding procedure would be similar, so she readily agreed.