Jiang Yubai received many commendations and good wishes.
His uncle was particularly excited, repeatedly praising him: “Xiao Jiang, how can you be so outstanding? Truly worthy of being our family’s child, only fifteen years old and already admitted to such a good university…”
The uncle suddenly remembered something and sighed: “Xiao Jiang, when you grow up, we can confidently hand over all the family business to you.”
Jiang Yubai readily agreed.
Jiang Yubai’s father owned an investment company in Beijing. Jiang Yubai would make time every week to visit the company and sit in on their morning meetings.
After the meetings, Jiang Yubai would stay at the company for classes. His parents had assembled several teams specifically to teach him about real-world business models, family internal management mechanisms, the specific operations of the family group, and more.
Jiang Yubai discovered that inheriting the family business had two main challenges: First, the political and commercial resources in his father’s generation could not be completely passed down to him. Jiang Yubai needed to expand his social circle and establish his network. Second, he was still young with limited experience; to secure a position in management, he would need his father’s generation’s assistance to ensure his continued growth.
As a result, Jiang Yubai’s study location shifted from the study room to the company. He no longer spent all day confined at home. He accompanied family members to a series of social activities, displaying more mature speech and behavior than before, and learned various conversation techniques.
Jiang Yubai’s family members all noticed his rapid growth.
Jiang Yubai’s grandfather witnessed his grandson’s progress, first praised him generously, then advised: “Xiao Jiang, going to Cambridge for your studies will teach you many valuable skills. Cambridge’s undergraduate economics program is three years; you’ll enroll at sixteen, and by the time you finish, you’ll be just nineteen. When you turn twenty, your father will urge you to start your own company to gain experience. The veterans in the business world, seeing such a young person as yourself, might not immediately think of collaborating with you. You not only need to establish connections but also know how to judge people and how to employ them.”
Grandfather shared these words at tonight’s dinner table.
At this moment, Jiang Yubai’s parents, uncle and aunt, grandparents—a family of seven—sat around a long table for dinner.
The table was filled with delicious dishes, and the family gathering atmosphere was warm and harmonious. His uncle even bargained for Jiang Yubai: “Father, our Xiao Jiang is only fifteen now; teaching him about ‘judging and employing people’ seems a bit early. Xiao Jiang is still in adolescence, not yet an adult. Dad, look at me, at fifteen I was playing the violin, hadn’t made any significant achievements, hadn’t become a concertmaster…”
Grandfather put down his chopsticks: “Jiang Shaoqi, have you ever been involved in business?”
Uncle immediately fell silent.
Grandfather pressed further: “Have you ever helped your elder brother with his affairs?”
Father stepped in to defend his brother: “Shaoqi has helped me manage some investment business.”
Steam rose from the seafood soup as uncle picked up his bowl and added: “The ‘Pinjia Milk,’ ‘Feidi Toothpaste,’ ‘Ke’an E-commerce’… that I endorse—behind these companies, all interconnected, they’re all controlled by my elder brother. Father, with your discerning eye, you can see I’m working for my elder brother.”
Jessica interjected: “Husband, how many brands do you endorse?”
Uncle counted on his fingers: “Seven or eight, just from our family alone, there are four.”
Jessica carefully extracted crab meat from a leg, placed it in a pure silver spoon, and then into Jiang Shaoqi’s bowl. She said softly: “Thank you for your hard work.”
Uncle leaned close to her: “You’re the one working hard, wife. Did you make this plate of crab? You’re busy during the day, and still cook in the evening…”
Jessica smiled: “It’s not tiring, I only prepared the steamed crab.”
Jessica had her music studio. To accompany Jiang Shaoqi, she had moved the studio’s headquarters from Singapore to Beijing. Starting this year, her parents helped her establish connections, securing several major business deals. She became increasingly busy, often nowhere to be seen.
With his wife focused on her career, Jiang Shaoqi felt proud of her.
Jiang Shaoqi and Jessica sat on the left side of the long table, while everyone else sat on the right—they couldn’t see Jiang Shaoqi’s small gestures, and considering this, he put one arm around Jessica’s slender waist.
Jessica wore a silk long dress, fitted at the waistline, accentuating her graceful figure. Jiang Shaoqi pinched a small piece of the silk fabric, his fingertips sliding across Jessica’s waist, making her feel ticklish inside.
When Jiang Shaoqi was with her, he never wore gloves. She looked down to admire his fingers, then immediately turned to him, whispering in his ear. Their affection was intense and sweet, even honey cake couldn’t compare to the sweetness between them.
Jiang Shaoqi stopped eating altogether, focused only on talking with his wife.
One shouldn’t be blinded by love, thought Jiang Yubai.
Jiang Yubai averted his gaze and chatted with his grandfather.
Grandfather lightly coughed once.
Jiang Shaoqi had to sit up straight in his chair.
Jiang Yubai continued listening to his grandfather’s guidance. He also discussed future investment directions with his grandfather, saying: “I have long-term confidence in e-commerce, warehouse logistics, and mobile payments. The internet is relatively transparent, and logistics involves a broader range.”
“You know all this?” Jiang Shaoqi interjected.
Jiang Yubai said: “I only have a one-sided view.”
Jiang Shaoqi asked his elder brother: “Elder brother, what level has our Xiao Jiang reached now?”
His elder brother smiled: “Not bad, but still needs a few years of training.”
After hearing this, Jiang Yubai became more convinced that someday, he too could stand on his own, achieve success in his career, and shield his family from hardships.
*
March brought spring, and temperatures rose.
Lin Zhixia carried two books, strolling alone through the campus.
Shortly after seven in the morning, the sky was whitening, dawn light faintly showing, the clear waves of Weiming Lake reflecting the Boya Tower standing on the east side. The lakeside woods were dense, and scenic spots were everywhere. Lin Zhixia admired the scenery for a while before hearing someone call: “Xiaxia?”
She turned around and saw Senior Luo Ying.
She immediately ran toward her senior, enthusiastically calling: “Senior!”
Last September, Lin Zhixia submitted an early graduation application to the college. After review, the college approved Lin Zhixia’s request—as long as she completed the corresponding courses, she could officially graduate next June.
Currently, Lin Zhixia is a sophomore. This semester, Lin Zhixia and Luo Ying had chosen two identical courses, and she often went to class with Luo Ying. Anyone could see that Luo Ying took great care of Lin Zhixia—this was sisterly love.
When Lin Zhixia was young, she often argued with her brother. After one argument, her brother said he wished he didn’t have a sister, and Lin Zhixia immediately countered: I wish I had an older sister!
The older sister that young Lin Zhixia had imagined was roughly like Senior Luo Ying—considerate, elegant, gentle yet firm.
From high school to university, many boys had always liked Senior Luo Ying.
Lin Zhixia completely understood them.
Luo Ying also told Lin Zhixia: “I want to pursue research, I’m preparing to apply for a doctoral program.”
Lin Zhixia encouraged her: “That’s great, you’re very suitable for a doctorate.”
“What about you?” Luo Ying asked her, “Is your doctoral application going smoothly?”
During this year’s winter break, Lin Zhixia didn’t go home. She stayed at school, working tirelessly day and night. When the break ended, with her teacher’s help, she organized experimental data and produced a paper titled “Improved Superconducting Quantum Interference Device for Detecting Small Spin Populations”—she only made a small contribution to this paper, and Professor Gu helped her revise it twice before she finally submitted it. Currently, the paper is in the under-review (peer review) stage.
Additionally, Lin Zhixia had registered for IELTS and GREs.
GRE stands for “Graduate Record Examination.” When applying to prestigious science and engineering graduate programs, including GRE scores, it was more secure. To prove her abilities, Lin Zhixia would not decline to take a GRE.
Lin Zhixia’s IELTS and GREs were both next month. She anticipated achieving excellent results.
Lin Zhixia had a high undergraduate GPA and three SCI papers to her name. Professor Gu Likai and Professor Shen Zhaohua were both willing to write recommendation letters for her. Feeling well-prepared, she said: “My doctoral application will be accepted.”
Luo Ying smiled gently: “If yours isn’t accepted, whose would be?”
But Lin Zhixia said: “There’s a very smart senior in our group whose achievements in quantum computing are greater than mine.”
“Tan Qianche?” Luo Ying asked.
Lin Zhixia nodded.
Luo Ying advised: “Stay away from him.”
Lin Zhixia honestly said, “I only discuss academic matters with him. Last September, Professor Gu admitted a new female doctoral student; our group finally has a female doctoral senior, and I prefer chatting with her.”
Mentioning the “doctoral senior,” Lin Zhixia’s happiness was evident.
Luo Ying slightly pursed her red lips: “How… how do I compare with that senior?”
Lin Zhixia found this question a bit strange.
She stopped walking and looked at Luo Ying.
The morning breeze blew, and tree shadows swayed. Behind Luo Ying was a forest of verdant trees. She wore a black long dress, fair-skinned and beautiful, with peach blossom eyes, almost becoming one with the scenery.
Luo Ying bit her lip: “I…”
Lin Zhixia tilted her head: “Senior?”
Luo Ying suddenly asked again: “Between me and your senior, who is more beautiful?”
Lin Zhixia was at a loss for words.
How to say it? That senior wasn’t beautiful in the traditional sense. She had short hair, wore black-framed glasses, bathed regularly, but didn’t often comb her hair. Her hairstyle showed a hint of unruliness within chaos, and a unique charm within that unruliness. She always wore loose t-shirts and jeans, and one jacket could last her an entire winter. Throughout the winter break, from dawn till late night, she was rooted in the laboratory, mutually encouraging Lin Zhixia. They had shared instant noodles as midnight snacks on cold winter nights, and the senior had given her only sausage to Lin Zhixia.
Within the entire quantum computing group, that senior was the person Lin Zhixia admired most.
Luo Ying was also someone Lin Zhixia admired.
The two seniors simply couldn’t be compared.
Lin Zhixia said: “You’re both wonderful, each with your beauty.”
Each with their beauty?
Luo Ying didn’t know what she was agonizing over. She quickly walked ahead, and Lin Zhixia ran to catch up, calling sweetly: “Senior, Senior… wait for me, Senior.”
Lin Zhixia could make the word “Senior” sound extremely pleasant and melodious, as if the word “Senior” when created, should contain this tone, contain a sister’s dependence on an older sister—these thoughts crossed Luo Ying’s mind. She tightly gripped her thumb, the friction of skin making a sound, while her mind was in turmoil.
She turned back to look at Lin Zhixia.
Lin Zhixia wore a light pink sweater, gray pants, covered with a dark gray coat. Her height had improved, like a budding flower, sure to be quite beautiful when fully grown. Adding to that her sweet mouth, good behavior, and kind personality, she never lacked friends wherever she went.
Luo Ying looked away, casually saying: “I just realized, you’re my junior from both high school and university, but I can’t help you academically…”
“You’ve helped me a lot, Senior,” Lin Zhixia replied, “you attend classes with me, and we’re in the same group, I’m very happy.”
Luo Ying interlaced her fingers, palms outward, stretching slightly, pretending to be relaxed: “The software engineering group? We two can handle it well.”
This semester, both Lin Zhixia and Luo Ying had chosen a course called “Software Engineering.”
This course required students to form groups of six to develop a small software application. Each group had to set up a server, configure a database, ensure real-time synchronization updates across multiple clients, and protect user data security. Group members had to participate in the three major components of work: “software design, software development, and software testing.”
Lin Zhixia had never personally developed any software before.
When she usually wrote code, it was to achieve a specific purpose. For example, if she needed to collect web data, she would use Python for web scraping and data cleaning.
The group collaboration in “Software Engineering” would not only test her code application ability but also her communication skills.
In Lin Zhixia’s software group, there were six students total. Besides Lin Zhixia and Luo Ying, there was a junior from the Physics department named He Shangqing, who had a proper appearance and strong programming skills.
He Shangqing was 1.9 meters tall, big and muscular, and a member of the school’s track and field team. He didn’t wear glasses, loved wearing t-shirts, and at first glance, looked like a sports student.
He Shangqing and his three roommates had all joined Lin Zhixia’s software engineering group. Lin Zhixia wasn’t sure if these students could complete tasks on time, so she proactively proposed to be the group leader, receiving unanimous approval from all five group members.
*
The “Software Engineering” course carried many credits. To ensure her undergraduate GPA, Lin Zhixia needed every course to reach 95 points or above.
To be honest, the collaborative approach of software engineering reminded her of her experience participating in a programming competition in Russia years ago. At that time, she had performed terribly in team collaboration, almost completely abandoning programming at the final moment.
Lin Zhixia decided she would redeem herself.