Genius Girlfriend

Lin Zhixia's cousin was named Ke Zhuangzhi.

Ke Zhuangzhi was one year older than Lin Zhixia and currently a junior at a key university in the provincial capital. Standing over 180 cm tall with a well-proportioned figure and regular features, he could be considered a sharp young man.

Although Ke Zhuangzhi and Lin Zhixia were relatives, they hadn't seen each other for many years.

One day last October, while scrolling through his social media feed, Ke Zhuangzhi saw a university classmate share a news article titled "The Pinnacle of Genius Beauty: Nineteen-Year-Old Solves World-Class Problem."

Ke Zhuangzhi casually clicked on it and glimpsed Lin Zhixia's impressive achievements.

A classmate from Ke Zhuangzhi's program commented: "This Lin Zhixia is truly beautiful and exceptionally talented."

That same evening, Ke Zhuangzhi relayed this information to his parents.

After some discussion, the three of them reached a consensus: they should rebuild family ties with Lin Zhixia and Lin Zeqiu.

In just one year, Ke Zhuangzhi would be studying abroad. He planned to apply to several prestigious universities in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada—all requiring personal statements.

Ke Zhuangzhi's undergraduate grades weren't outstanding, and his internship and research experiences were mediocre. If Lin Zhixia could help connect him with professors from Peking University, Tsinghua University, Cambridge, or MIT, his master's program applications would undoubtedly yield better results.

He hoped the professors Lin Zhixia knew could write him a few "academic recommendation letters."

Lin Zhixia had already made a name for herself in international academic circles, and her future prospects were widely viewed favorably. Once she entered university work, she would undoubtedly start as an associate professor at minimum, with resources and connections far beyond ordinary circumstances. Associating with her would bring only benefits, no drawbacks.

With this in mind, Ke Zhuangzhi called out to Lin Zhixia: "Xia Xia?"

Lin Zhixia showed no reaction.

Today was the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month.

As was customary, Lin Zhixia's parents would close their business starting today and reopen on the third day of the new year.

That Uncle had chosen today to visit made Lin Zhixia feel rather ambivalent.

Aunt gently reminded her: "Xia Xia, your cousin is talking to you."

After locking his Lexus, Uncle kept glancing toward Jiang Yubai. Years of professional habit made him keenly aware that Jiang Yubai was the owner of the luxury car. A quick glance also revealed an expensive watch on Jiang Yubai's left wrist. He hurriedly asked: "Xia Xia, who is that young man to you?"

Jiang Yubai declared his status: "Hello, I'm Lin Zhixia's boyfriend. Today is my formal meeting with the family..."

Before Jiang Yubai could finish, Uncle interrupted: "I'm a practicing lawyer at Yunshen Law Firm. You look familiar—is your father a client of ours, surnamed Zhou?"

Jiang Yubai recognized this as a rather simple conversational tactic.

When strangers meet for the first time, directly asking for information might not yield answers. Thus, one could intentionally make incorrect assumptions and wait for corrections.

Jiang Yubai responded calmly: "I'm not very familiar with family matters. I'll ask when I go home another day."

Lin Zhixia took Jiang Yubai's hand, and Uncle followed closely behind them as they entered the house. Uncle pressed further: "Is your hometown in the provincial capital? Or are you from Beijing?"Jiang Yubai engaged him with the evasive tactics of a seasoned player: "From my accent, where do I sound like I'm from?"

"You don't have an accent," Uncle replied truthfully. "Your Mandarin is very standard."

In the dimly lit hallway, the concrete walls were coated with a layer of white paint. Various small advertisements clung to the walls like stubborn psoriasis, filled with eye-catching phrases like "Professional Pipe Unclogging" and "Professional Lock Opening."

Uncle seemed to offer well-intentioned advice: "In recent years, housing prices have been rising nationwide. Xia Xia, if your family can buy a house, you should do it early. Choose a good location—it'll be a worthwhile investment for you."

After speaking, Uncle slung an arm over Ke Zhuangzhi's shoulder.

Ke Zhuangzhi was more concerned with another matter. He turned to look at Jiang Yubai: "Where did you go to university?"

This time, Jiang Yubai didn't hide the truth: "I'm Lin Zhixia's classmate."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Lin Zhixia pushed open her family's security door, ushering in four guests including Jiang Yubai and Uncle's family.

The pungent aroma of stir-fried beef wafted from the kitchen, making the several-square-meter living room instantly feel cramped and chaotic.

Two brand-new electric heaters had been moved beside the sofa, and one seat was draped with a soft woolen blanket—this was the spot Lin Zhixia had specially prepared for Jiang Yubai.

In "The Princess and the Pea" from Andersen's Fairy Tales, the princess could feel a single pea beneath twenty mattresses and twenty eiderdown beds. In Lin Zhixia's eyes, Jiang Yubai was practically the "Prince of the Pea."

The sofa in Lin Zhixia's home had been used for many years; Mom and Dad had never been able to bring themselves to buy a new one. The surface of the old sofa had split open in one spot, revealing pale yellow foam surrounded by rough, worn leather.

That morning, Lin Zhixia had taken out her most treasured woolen blanket to cover the torn section.

Unexpectedly, Ke Zhuangzhi happened to sit right on the woolen blanket.

Lin Zhixia froze for a moment.

This woolen blanket was something Lin Zhixia had bought from a Swiss resort hotel. She usually couldn't bear to use it, only occasionally placing it by her pillow to serve as a blanket for her Little Penguin.

Lin Zeqiu knew how much Lin Zhixia cherished this small blanket.

His expression visibly darkened.

He and Ke Zhuangzhi had never gotten along.

Back in their childhood days in the rural hometown, these two cousins were constantly at odds, their encounters always sparking intense friction.

Before Lin Zeqiu could speak, Lin Zhixia said bluntly, "Cousin, could you stand up? Please give me back my woolen blanket."

Auntie parted her red lips and said with a smile, "Xia Xia, you're so straightforward! Why fuss over a blanket with family, right? With the blanket as a cushion, Zhuangzhi can sit comfortably..."

Uncle also tried to smooth things over. He seized the opportunity to elaborate: "Xia Xia, Qiuqiu, how can family hold grudges? Blood is thicker than water. Uncle and Auntie came specifically to visit you today—don't make such a big deal out of things."

The corners of Lin Zhixia's lips curled into a faint smile: "If I really wanted to settle scores with you, I'd have to start from over twenty years ago."

Over twenty years ago, Lin Zhixia's mother had excelled academically. However, Grandpa's family could only afford to send one child to university, so Mom gave her chance at higher education to Uncle. She started working in a factory, regularly sending tuition and living expenses to Uncle.

Later, when Lin Zeqiu was born, he unfortunately suffered from congenital heart disease and urgently needed surgery. Uncle didn't contribute a single cent—because of this alone, Uncle shouldn't presume to call himself Lin Zeqiu's "family."As for her cousin Ke Zhuangzhi...

Lin Zhixia had an even poorer impression of him.

Back in their childhood days in the rural hometown, Ke Zhuangzhi often mocked Lin Zeqiu for his "heart condition" and called Lin Zhixia a "weirdo." The war among cousins never ceased.

Ke Zhuangzhi could even make Lin Zhixia and Lin Zeqiu set aside their internal conflicts, uniting the siblings like never before.

Recalling various incidents from their younger years, Lin Zhixia's tone grew firmer: "Please get up. Don't sit on my things."

Lin Zhixia's Dad had gone to the supermarket warehouse to fetch drinks, while Mom was busy in the kitchen with the range hood running.

With both parents absent from the living room, no one could restrain Lin Zhixia.

Lin Zhixia grabbed a corner of the woolen blanket—this made Ke Zhuangzhi particularly embarrassed. As a guest, how could he be treated so rudely by his hosts? Wasn't he even entitled to a decent seat cushion?

Ke Zhuangzhi was young and hot-tempered. Suppressing his anger, he pressed down hard on the other side of the blanket.

However, the next second, both Jiang Yubai and Lin Zeqiu came to Lin Zhixia's aid. The three of them united and yanked the woolen blanket away forcefully, nearly causing Ke Zhuangzhi to fall off the sofa. Clutching the sofa tightly, Ke Zhuangzhi flushed red with shock and fury, exclaiming, "Is this really necessary? Over just a blanket!"

Lin Zeqiu sneered, "It's just a blanket. Not only did you refuse to return it to my sister, but you also had to fight her for it?"

Lin Zeqiu hadn't originally intended to make things too awkward. After interning at an internet company for nearly a year, he had learned some tricks of interpersonal communication and usually tried to avoid direct conflicts. Moreover, with the New Year approaching, causing a commotion at home would only worry Mom and Dad.

Lin Zeqiu tilted his head slightly and noticed Aunt wearing an impatient expression, her gaze sharp as a knife as she glared fiercely at Lin Zhixia.

A fire ignited instantly in Lin Zeqiu's heart. Disregarding any concern for "face or dignity," he dared to say even the harshest words.

He looked at Ke Zhuangzhi: "You've grown older but not wiser. We told you to return the blanket, but you refused. We told you not to come to our house, but you insisted. So, what's the matter today? Spit it out quickly and leave sooner."

Ke Zhuangzhi was seething with rage.

Despite the freezing cold outside, Ke Zhuangzhi and his parents had brought gifts to visit his aunt's family for the New Year. Not only was he denied a proper seat, but he was also humiliated by Lin Zeqiu.

For many years, Lin Zeqiu's family had been dirt poor and could never hold their heads high in front of Ke Zhuangzhi. But now, the tables had turned. Fuming with anger, Ke Zhuangzhi snapped, "Who do you think you are? Do you really think I care about your lousy blanket?"

Lin Zeqiu retorted even more harshly, "If you don't care, then why don't you leave already?"

Jiang Yubai sided with Lin Zeqiu, though his wording was more polite: "Let me see you out."

Thinking Jiang Yubai was softer, Ke Zhuangzhi vented his anger on him: "And who are you?"

Jiang Yubai suddenly laughed: "I'm just an ordinary person. Since I was three, I've known not to rummage, touch, or speak recklessly when visiting others' homes."

Lin Zeqiu added fuel to the fire: "Ke Zhuangzhi, how old are you this year?"

Jiang Yubai responded, "I can't guess."

Lin Zeqiu laughed heartily.

This form of provocation without using profanity opened a new world for Lin Zeqiu. He and Jiang Yubai effortlessly fell into a perfect banter, leaving Lin Zhixia utterly speechless in amazement.Jiang Yubai and Lin Zeqiu had originally shared a relationship as incompatible as fire and water, yet now they cooperated with seamless understanding, as if they had practiced for many years. Ke Zhuangzhi was no match for the two of them with just his mouth. He was repeatedly beaten down until he was so angry his stomach felt full.

Having witnessed numerous client disputes, Uncle interjected unhurriedly, "Alright, alright, you kids stop arguing. Everyone sit down, sit down. How can family speak like strangers..." He personally went to the kitchen: "Little sister, little sister?"

This call summoned Lin Zhixia's Mom.

Mom, wearing an apron and holding a spatula, glanced at the people in the living room, her brows unconsciously furrowing. She said, "Elder brother, when you visit my home, you should at least call first."

Uncle's smile didn't fade: "Little sister, we are siblings. Family doesn't need formalities. You should come sit at my place when you're free. These past two years my work hasn't been busy..."

But Mom said: "I'm busy though."

Lin Zhixia righteously chimed in: "Exactly!"

Uncle raised his hand, wanting to pat her head, but she dodged it.

His left hand hung in mid-air, his face showing some embarrassment.

Aunt also walked over, comforting: "Xia Xia, Uncle and Aunt always think of you. When you were studying abroad, we wanted to ask people to visit you, bring you some food and supplies. We're all relatives, helping each other is what families do... Why are you getting so worked up?"

A leather bag was slung across Aunt's shoulder.

She pulled open the metal zipper of her bag, taking out a Givenchy package containing a tube of lipstick and a palette of eyeshadow. She said: "Take it. Girls should wear more makeup, dress up more. Aunt doesn't have a daughter, I've always wanted one..."

Lin Zhixia didn't accept Aunt's goodwill.

In front of the whole family, Lin Zhixia voiced the question buried in her heart for years: "Back when my Brother was sick, why didn't you help at all? If not for Mom and Dad's persistence, I wouldn't have a Brother now."

Aunt's face slightly changed.

Lin Zhixia pressed on relentlessly: "Are you going to say, 'Helping is kindness, not helping is duty'? But have you ever considered why my Mom gave up her university opportunity for Uncle? When I was little, every time we returned to our hometown, you would tell me how wealthy your family was, that you could travel all over the world..."

Aunt flatly denied: "You remember wrong, I would never say such things."

Ke Zhuangzhi defended his mother: "Lin Zhixia, you're dreaming, trying to pin false accusations on my Mom."

Lin Zhixia stared at him: "You're the one dreaming. I remember everything, including every word you ever said."

Ke Zhuangzhi actually retreated two steps under her gaze: "No, Lin Zhixia, you're being unreasonable. Didn't you curse people when you were little? Didn't you swear? The things your Brother said to me were worse than a fishwife's insults."

Lin Zhixia retorted: "So what?"

As an outsider, Jiang Yubai wasn't really in a position to interfere in Lin Zhixia's family matters. Everyone in this room except him had genuine blood relations. After quietly listening to the whole story, he shifted the focus to another direction: "Was the money owed back then ever repaid?"

Prompted by his reminder, Lin Zhixia immediately said: "Exactly! You still owe my family money! When are you going to repay it?"Lin Zeqiu sneered, "When Lin Zhixia asked the first question just now, why were you all silent? Since none of you want to say it, I will. It doesn’t matter if you owe money and refuse to pay it back—you probably wish I’d die early and be reborn sooner."

"Qiuqiu!" Mom scolded him sternly. "It’s the New Year—don’t say things like that."

Uncle’s voice rumbled from deep in his throat, "I’ve regretted it, Qiuqiu. Your uncle truly has. That winter, you had just been born, and I had just graduated. Your grandparents had high blood pressure and needed medicine. I was short on money, didn’t know anyone in the provincial capital, couldn’t settle down... The money your mother gave me, a few dozen here and there, wasn’t much, just enough to get by."

Jiang Yubai and Lin Zhixia exchanged a glance, understanding each other without words.

Jiang Yubai cut off Uncle’s explanation, "I study economics. A few dozen back then would be equivalent to several thousand today."

Uncle let out a long sigh. "Your uncle made mistakes back then, and now I want to make amends. Even though we’re two separate families, your mother and I still share the same surname..."

Just then, the front door swung open.

Lin Zhixia’s dad had returned.

"Dad!" Lin Zhixia called out.

Dad, carrying several bottles of orange soda, cola, and milk, hissed through his teeth, "So many guests?"

Jiang Yubai greeted him and even took the heavy drink bottles from his hands, appearing every bit the refined, polite, and considerate young man.

With the front door wide open, Lin Zeqiu braced his foot against the doorframe and turned to Uncle, saying, "You should go. Don’t stay in our house—out of sight, out of mind."

Their son’s crude and aggressive words made Dad stiffen slightly. He glanced at Mom, who made no move to stop Lin Zeqiu, and he understood the situation.

Dad said, "Sorry, brother-in-law. We have other guests today."

Jiang Yubai picked up the red wine and tea on the floor—gifts brought by Uncle’s family. He handed them to Ke Zhuangzhi, who snatched the plastic bag from him. Jiang Yubai then asked him, "Did you come to see Lin Zhixia today about studying abroad?"

Ke Zhuangzhi was inwardly startled, not expecting Jiang Yubai to guess his intentions.

But it wasn’t hard to deduce.

From the earlier conversation, Jiang Yubai inferred that Uncle and Aunt valued Ke Zhuangzhi’s academic credentials—but only the credentials, not the education itself.

Jiang Yubai feigned concern and quietly advised, "Don’t try to take shortcuts. Rely on your own efforts. What could you possibly discuss with professors from Peking University or Cambridge?"

Ke Zhuangzhi looked up, locking eyes with Jiang Yubai.

He thought to himself: This guy acts all well-behaved in front of Lin Zhixia’s parents, but he’s actually a real piece of work. This bag of green tea I’m holding—I should’ve given it to him.

Ke Zhuangzhi took a deep breath of the cold air. Clutching the two bags of gifts, he followed his parents out of Lin Zhixia’s home.

Outside, it was snowing again.

Tiny snowflakes drifted down, veiling the world in a hazy mist. Leaning against the doorframe, Lin Zhixia added, "Uncle, if you truly regret it, then don’t contact us again. It’s not about the money—the bond between us has long been broken. There’s no fixing it now."

Uncle’s back paused for a moment.

But he didn’t turn around.

Holding his son’s hand with his left and his wife’s with his right, he walked into the pale, snow-covered landscape.

*After seeing off the unexpected guests, Lin Zeqiu's mood improved. He slowly closed the door and let out a heavy sigh. Jiang Yubai asked him again, "Can I add you on WeChat today?"

Lin Zeqiu glanced at him, recalling how protective he was of Lin Zhixia, and inexplicably agreed, "Alright, go ahead and add me."