Lin Zhixia flew toward the podium like a gust of wind.

The security guard was about to stop her when Teacher Gu stepped forward and said, “She’s my student and can represent our group.”

Another student nearby said, “Teacher Gu, Lin Zhixia is just a sophomore undergraduate… why not let me speak? I’ve been learning from Tan Qianche for more than two months.”

Teacher Gu waved his hand, signaling the student to stay quiet. He handed the microphone to Lin Zhixia and said softly, “Go on, get on stage.”

Lin Zhixia gripped the microphone and walked up the stairs.

The spotlight focused on her head as she stood in front of the PowerPoint screen, her posture straight, and introduced herself: “Thank you, it is a sincere honor to be here. I am Lin Zhixia, and I am from the superconducting circuits and quantum computation group.”

Next, she outlined the content of the presentation: “I’ll give a brief introduction of the group’s research and strategies on superconducting circuits with Josephson junctions using coherence by performing the qubit state tomography…”

Previously, Yang Shuwen had traveled abroad with Lin Zhixia and had witnessed her foreign language skills. But he hadn’t expected that Lin Zhixia could fluently summarize the recent work of the entire group without any preparation.

Yang Shuwen inhaled sharply: “Lin Zhixia’s English pronunciation is so clear, with connected speech, stressed and unstressed syllables—it’s like I’m listening to a recorded tape.”

Wei Ruoxing sincerely praised: “Her choice of words is polite, formal, and her attitude is good too.”

After listening for a while, Yang Shuwen’s emotions swelled: “Lin Zhixia has memorized Tan Qianche’s paper. She remembers it perfectly clearly.”

“She hasn’t memorized the paper,” Wei Ruoxing said with certainty. “She understands it.”

Yang Shuwen clasped his hands tightly: “She’s really amazing, truly amazing.”

“Her future is limitless,” Wei Ruoxing agreed.

Wei Ruoxing and Yang Shuwen sat in the same row. They watched Lin Zhixia intently, listening to her briefly describe the experimental content.

A reporter aimed a camera at Lin Zhixia. Teachers and students focused their attention, gazing silently at her. In such a formal setting, Lin Zhixia summoned all her energy to explain the content of each PowerPoint slide.

Everything went smoothly until she saw the second-to-last slide.

The second-to-last slide contained only four line graphs, without formulas or textual explanations.

The title of this slide was “future work.”

Generally, scientific and engineering experimental reports would include a “future work” module where the author would outline future development paths. However, Tan Qianche had never mentioned “future work” in his paper or discussed it with anyone. The content of this slide was completely new and unfamiliar, with no connection to the previous content. Tan Qianche’s junior colleagues were stunned.

What should she do?

Lin Zhixia raised the microphone.

The hall was completely silent.

The awkward silence continued to stretch.

Suddenly, a foreign male student sitting in the third row raised his hand. Lin Zhixia thought he might be able to explain the line graphs on the slide.

However, this foreign student only made the situation worse.

He asked directly: “Could you elaborate more about how to set experiment parameters?”

Yang Shuwen’s expression changed: “The four line graphs on the PowerPoint have no names or ranges. Who knows how Tan Qianche’s new experiment was conducted?”

Wei Ruoxing revealed: “That foreign student is from our group. He asks a lot of questions, likes to be meticulous, and can make young lecturers look bad.”

Yang Shuwen detested such students. He could only place his hopes on Lin Zhixia: “Oh, can Lin Zhixia figure it out?”

“It’s too difficult,” Wei Ruoxing said.

There was something Wei Ruoxing didn’t say out loud—if she couldn’t guess the experimental parameters for those graphs, how could they force Lin Zhixia to have a sudden insight? Lin Zhixia was only fifteen years old; she should be growing gradually under her mentor’s guidance.

Lin Zhixia was stumped by the foreign student’s question. The books, publications, works, experiments, and projects she had experienced over more than ten years left real impressions in her mind. Those shadows exploded in an instant, making her thoughts chaotic, as if her eyes were covered by white smoke.

She changed direction, facing the other side of the PowerPoint.

At that moment, she suddenly remembered that before going on stage, she had glimpsed today’s student presentation order. The next speaker would talk about artificial intelligence… Lin Zhixia had a moment of clarity.

Lin Zhixia assumed several sets of input data and quickly calculated in her mind, successfully matching the trends of the line graphs. She immediately announced that the four line graphs on the PowerPoint were the simulated training results of “quantum deep learning.”

She explained to everyone on the spot how to use graphic trends to reverse-engineer the types and ranges of parameters for “quantum deep learning.”

Lin Zhixia summarized the algorithm from simple to complex, integrating it with Tan Qianche’s work. Her voice never stopped because no one in the audience interrupted her; everyone was a faithful listener.

After the presentation concluded, enthusiastic applause erupted from below, with her seniors clapping the hardest. Yang Shuwen smiled broadly with shared pride, telling the students around him, “That’s Lin Zhixia. Lin Zhixia is in my group. Lin Zhixia is the youngest, smartest, and most promising person in our group.”

Just as Wei Ruoxing was about to join the conversation, a teacher she knew stood up. That teacher asked Lin Zhixia several questions, which she answered with ease, then smiled sweetly at everyone afterward.

*

At noon that day, the “North American Academic Exchange Meeting” came to an end.

Lin Zhixia followed Gu Likai, Yang Shuwen, and others out of the lecture hall.

The outdoor sunlight was bright and abundant. As far as the eye could see, there was a clear blue sky with white clouds.

Gu Likai walked in front with his hands behind his back. His temples were graying, his figure tall and thin, but somewhat hunched. After taking several slow steps, he suddenly said: “Tan Qianche has been working on a project for several years without completion. Lin Zhixia, I’ll give his project to you.”

Lin Zhixia hesitated: “Is that okay?”

“Yes,” Teacher Gu said. “You’ve been studying experiments and theory for more than a year. Previously, I trained you by doctoral standards, making the path too narrow. You have more tenacity than your Senior Tan…”

Lin Zhixia muttered to herself: “Senior Tan’s tenacity isn’t good enough?”

Teacher Gu smiled, revealing his student’s old secret: “Your Senior Tan came to my laboratory in his first undergraduate year. He was eighteen then, impatient and lacking polish. He hasn’t told you all, has he? He also blew up the laboratory once.”

Tan Qianche blew up the laboratory!

Lin Zhixia was very surprised.

Teacher Gu didn’t elaborate. He briefly summarized the content of the project and asked Lin Zhixia to write a project proposal paper within a week and email it to his inbox.

At today’s North American Academic Exchange Meeting, Lin Zhixia saved Tan Qianche’s entire group and made a deep impression on international friends. Yang Shuwen was especially grateful to Lin Zhixia and actively pleaded on her behalf: “Teacher Gu, one week is too tight. Please give our Junior Lin more time…”

But Teacher Gu told him: “One week might be too tight for you, but for Lin Zhixia, it’s just right.”

Yang Shuwen felt like an arrow had struck his heart.

Lin Zhixia didn’t refuse either. She accepted this arduous task and even made time to visit the hospital to carefully inquire about the progress of Tan Qianche’s research project.

Tan Qianche lay in bed receiving an IV drip while telling Lin Zhixia about his research results.

Lin Zhixia asked in surprise, “From what I see, you’ve already written one-third of it. Are you willing to give this project to me?”

“I got stuck at one-third,” Tan Qianche said weakly. “I gave up on this project long ago.”

Lin Zhixia sat by his hospital bed and said, “I also have my research tasks. I’m not sure if I can complete so many things. I want to progress step by step. I’ve just learned how to break a large framework into several small goals.”

But Tan Qianche said, “You don’t need to.”

He turned his head, his gaze profound, his words calm: “You’re still young with plenty of time. Don’t make publishing papers your goal; make content and results your goal. Taking ten years to sharpen a sword isn’t too late for you.”

Lin Zhixia blinked her eyes.

The light in the hospital room was particularly dim. The sheets and quilt cover were spotlessly pure white. Tan Qianche lay motionless, looking exhausted. His black short hair fell messily across his forehead. Mere cold symptoms seemed like a bone-draining, serious illness on him.

With his eyes closed, he said slowly: “For a while last year, you were very anxious, weren’t you? Don’t think I’m better than you. At eighteen, I didn’t know as much as you do now. I studied for a full eight years to reach where I am today. You’ve only studied for one year and want to surpass me—isn’t that too naive? At least I’m an outstanding alumnus in the archives of Provincial No. 1 High School.”

No one else was around, just the two of them.

As if possessed, Lin Zhixia spoke her mind: “When will I be able to…”

Before she finished speaking, Tan Qianche had already guessed her meaning.

Tan Qianche’s throat became dry, emitting a hoarse laugh: “Soon, soon. I estimate that within six years, you’ll make earth-shattering contributions.”

Lin Zhixia wanted to speak but held back.

She wanted to ask why Tan Qianche hadn’t made earth-shattering contributions within six years.

Tan Qianche looked into her eyes and read her thoughts again. He said, “You won’t waste away like me. When I’m alone in the dorm, occasionally feeling self-loathing, I go out looking for fun. The more fun I have, the more I despise myself, creating an infinite loop like in programming. In the end, I gained nothing. You’re still young. Don’t learn from me. For the next six years, focus on academics and don’t let anyone distract you. You’re naturally made for scientific research. Heaven has blessed you with talent; don’t waste it.”

The last sentence seemed directed both at Lin Zhixia and at himself.

Lin Zhixia recalled a popular rhyme at Provincial No. 1 High School. She recited: “High school freshman (eighteen) Tan Qianche, passes every subject with full marks, easily wins the Olympics, talented and profound…”

Before she finished, Tan Qianche interrupted: “That’s all in the past. High school feels so distant from me now.”

“It’s a bit of a shame,” Lin Zhixia said honestly. “You’re a very intelligent person. However, academics aren’t the whole meaning of life. Experience and perspective are more important.”

Tan Qianche raised his right hand, covering his eyes with the back of it: “When we first met, you said I wasn’t a good person. Now, what kind of person do you think I am?”

“Not a good person,” Lin Zhixia evaluated consistently.

Tan Qianche laughed quietly. As he laughed, the back of his hand became wet with tears. He revealed: “That rhyme you just mentioned was created by your Senior Wei. Don’t mention the rhyme in front of her. Don’t make her angry.”

He closed his eyes tightly, thinking of Wei Ruoxing. His complex and curious feelings were like sand on a beach, appearing timeless and firm, but stepping on it revealed dirty debris.

*

Lin Zhixia was very busy in March of this year.

Every day, she completed three tasks: writing some of her paper, working on the group software, and reinforcing her specialized courses.

Senior Wei Ruoxing had left. She followed her advisor to the United States to continue her advanced studies.

The good news was that Senior Wei Ruoxing’s group was willing to collaborate with Lin Zhixia. They had great achievements in the field of “quantum artificial intelligence.”

Additionally, Sister Nagano Ayaka from the University of Tokyo also frequently contacted Lin Zhixia, sending her emails every month.

Lin Zhixia suddenly realized—she had developed her international academic network.

It was incredible.

Initially, she just wanted to get to know more senior doctoral sisters.

In comparison, undergraduate seniors seemed somewhat inferior.

For example, the junior year student, Senior He Shangqing.

He Shangqing and Lin Zhixia were in the same “Software Engineering” group. Last month, they argued in a coffee shop, and Jiang Yubai had threatened He Shangqing with a voice recorder, frightening him into running away.

Lin Zhixia thought He Shangqing would mend his ways, just like his three roommates.

Unfortunately, Lin Zhixia was wrong.

He Shangqing was very bold. He no longer attended group meetings and didn’t reply to Lin Zhixia’s messages.

In a fit of anger, Lin Zhixia wrote an extremely long email and sent it to the teaching assistant of “Software Engineering.” She also went to the School of Physics to find people. Just as He Shangqing finished class and stepped out of the classroom, Lin Zhixia called out to him: “He Shangqing!”

Lin Zhixia’s tone was extremely fierce.

He Shangqing, carrying his backpack, completely ignored her and didn’t acknowledge her at all.

Lin Zhixia questioned: “Why don’t you attend group meetings or reply to our messages? Are you planning to give up on the Software Engineering course?”

He Shangqing stretched lazily: “Everything I wanted to say, I’ve already said. You recorded it; you can listen to it again several times. You can turn the voice recorder over to the teacher if you want. At worst, I’ll drop out.”

He Shangqing stood at almost one meter ninety, really too tall.

Lin Zhixia looked up at him, their eyes meeting for two seconds.

After two seconds, Lin Zhixia smiled slightly: “You’re threatening me again. I’ve told you before, I hate it most when people threaten me. This semester, you’ve chosen Quantum Computing, Quantum Information Science… the teaching assistants for both these courses are my colleagues.”

“You can make me fail the courses?” He Shangqing was both angry and amused.

But Lin Zhixia said, “No, I’ll tell them about your situation so that when they form groups, they’ll give you the privilege of being in a group by yourself.”

The Quantum Computing professor was very busy, and undergraduate assignments were usually graded by teaching assistants. Anyone who offended a teaching assistant basically wouldn’t fare well—He Shangqing knew this. So, his attitude took a complete 180-degree turn.

He stopped opposing Lin Zhixia.

He actively participated in group activities, agreed to everything, was willing to learn anything, but he just wouldn’t write a single line of code. He was certain that Lin Zhixia could make the entire program perfect, and he didn’t want to do any extra, useless work.

*

Meanwhile, Lin Zhixia continued to study diligently.

She was extremely busy. When she contacted Jiang Yubai, she only sent him a few text messages, such as “good morning,” “time to sleep, good night,” “have you had lunch,” and so on.

At first, Jiang Yubai’s replies were also simple.

Later, he often wrote long paragraphs, successfully enticing Lin Zhixia. Lin Zhixia couldn’t help but call him, asking what he had been doing recently. Hearing that he had ventured into investment, she was extremely surprised: “You started investing at fifteen?”

Jiang Yubai added: “Under parental supervision.”

Lin Zhixia was very curious: “How much is your principal?”

Jiang Yubai kept his lips sealed: “Not much.”

Lin Zhixia insisted on getting a number: “How many digits is ‘not much’?”

Jiang Yubai changed the subject: “In two more months, our school will hold a high school graduation ball. Can you attend?”

Lin Zhixia stopped pursuing the investment amount. She began to consider the “graduation ball” issue. She calculated: “Should I wear a gala dress? I need to buy a suitable dress. What color tie will you wear?”

“Deep red,” Jiang Yubai said, “or light red, the color of strawberries.”

Lin Zhixia hadn’t expected that he would still be thinking about strawberries at his high school graduation party.

Lin Zhixia had watched several Western youth campus movies. In those movies, both male and female protagonists attached great importance to high school graduation parties.

Jiang Yubai attended an international high school. Lin Zhixia felt that the customs of international high schools were similar to Western schools, so she needed to prepare well. She said seriously, “Okay, I’ll go buy a light red dress.”

Jiang Yubai lowered his voice. His voice was very pleasant, highly magnetic, as if it had been polished with sandpaper. Between each word and breath, it penetrated her thoughts. He asked her, “Can I help you prepare the dress and shoes?”

“O…okay,” Lin Zhixia agreed.

Through the phone, she heard him laugh.

He asked again: “When can I come to pick you up from school?”

“Why do you need to pick me up?” Lin Zhixia’s reaction was a beat slow.

Jiang Yubai’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He said: “You’ll come to my home to measure for size and make the clothes.”

Lin Zhixia pondered: “Is it that kind of expensive, high-end, custom-made dress and shoes?”

Jiang Yubai said sincerely, “The dress and shoes aren’t expensive. They’re just your accompaniments.”