Xu Lingbo was extremely curious to know which student had the audacity to use such a malicious derogatory term as "the old, weak, sick, and disabled" to describe Lin Zhixia's research group?!
During his third year of undergraduate studies, Xu Lingbo had studied desperately and finally managed to get into a master's program. But just one year into it, his advisor packed up and left. At his lowest point, Fang Yiwen pulled him into Lin Zhixia's group.
After just a few days of interaction, Xu Lingbo realized that Lin Zhixia's abilities were terrifyingly strong. He felt both grateful and secretly delighted to have successfully become her student.
Lin Zhixia, however, focused on something entirely different. She asked, "Old, weak, sick, and disabled—you three are the 'old, weak, and disabled,' so am I the 'sick' one?"
Fang Yiwen’s face showed an expression that said, "You guessed it": "That student said you must be sick to take the three of us in."
After hearing Fang Yiwen's explanation, Lin Zhixia even thought the student’s logic was self-consistent. She didn’t take the student’s gossip to heart at all—it’s common for people in their twenties to chat idly about all sorts of things when they gather.
Zhan Rui, Xu Lingbo, and Fang Yiwen hadn’t yet published any papers. However, Lin Zhixia believed that with the collective effort of their entire group, it was only a matter of time before the students got their work published.
What interested Lin Zhixia even more was Fang Yiwen’s way of thinking.
Lin Zhixia was convinced that people who were not easily angered generally fell into four categories: those with a good temper, those who were deeply reserved, those with broad experience, and those with weak empathy.
Conversely, Xu Lingbo, who was easily angered, probably had overly strong empathy. He chattered incessantly, pressing further: "Senior sister, senior sister, just tell us, which of Teacher Qu’s students insulted our entire group?"
Fang Yiwen, however, kept her mouth shut.
With a "swish," the private room door was pushed open, and two waiters entered to serve the dishes.
The aroma of grilled lamb skewers filled the enclosed room. Lin Zhixia handed a skewer to everyone and added, "You don’t need to pay attention to such insulting negative comments. Those who insult you only see you; they don’t understand you. They’re not evaluating you—they’re evaluating a virtual image they’ve constructed in their minds."
Fang Yiwen strongly agreed with Lin Zhixia’s opinion: "Well said, Teacher Lin. Cognition originates from the senses."
Lin Zhixia nodded: "All our cognition originates from the senses. Different people have different understandings. Understanding isn’t about right or wrong—only differences."
Jiang Yubai interjected: "A person acquires knowledge through the senses, tries to understand it, and ultimately concludes with reason. There is nothing higher than reason... That’s the only sentence I remember after reading Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason."
Lin Zhixia and Jiang Yubai successfully steered the conversation elsewhere.
At the dining table, no one argued anymore about who had called them "the old, weak, sick, and disabled." The flames of anger and revenge were extinguished, and everyone engaged in a lively discussion about "sensibility, understanding, and reason."
Xu Lingbo praised Jiang Yubai from the bottom of his heart: "Teacher’s husband, no wonder you’re the teacher’s husband. You’ve read so many books—you and our Teacher Lin are a perfect match."
Jiang Yubai had to admit he enjoyed hearing such flattery. He wished Xu Lingbo would say another hundred sentences like "You and Teacher Lin are so well-suited," but on the surface, he feigned modesty and demurred: "I stopped studying after finishing my undergraduate degree.""Not bad at all, Shigong," Fang Yiwen also admired Jiang Yubai, "Your academic qualifications are a bit low, with only undergraduate basics, but if you want to pursue another degree, you could find a new supervisor in no time."
Zhan Rui also raised his glass from across the table, toasting Jiang Yubai.
Lin Zhixia was lost in thought.
She suddenly felt curious...
How had Jiang Yubai managed to win over all the students in her research group so seamlessly within just over ten minutes?
Lin Zhixia replayed the day's scenes in her mind. In that instant, she realized that Jiang Yubai had a way of "speaking human language to humans and ghost language to ghosts."
When interacting with the dean, Jiang Yubai used particularly formal and elegant wording, because that was the dean's style. When conversing with Xu Lingbo and Fang Yiwen, he quoted Kant's famous saying to elevate "reason," since both Xu Lingbo and Fang Yiwen were advocates of rationality.
Jiang Yubai also specifically pointed out that he only remembered that one quote from Kant, making him appear humble, calm, non-confrontational, and free from ideological imposition.
He was also very attentive to Zhan Rui's feelings.
He could even chat happily with Zhan Rui.
When speaking with Zhan Rui, he mostly used simple questions, such as: "Are you researching a branch of artificial intelligence?" to which Zhan Rui would reply: "Yes, yes, yes..."
Or, Jiang Yubai would ask: "Does your research direction intersect with Quantum Physics?"
Zhan Rui would answer very briefly: "N-no. I-I do theory."
Jiang Yubai would still manage to praise him subtly: "Pure theoretical research in computer science is well-suited for diligent, intelligent, persistent students who can endure solitude."
Thus, through multiple approaches, Jiang Yubai quickly became familiar with all three students in no time.
The students repeatedly called him "Shigong," added him on WeChat one after another, and Xu Lingbo even patted his chest to assure him: "Don't worry, Shigong, if anything happens at school, I'll notify you immediately."
Zhan Rui chimed in: "I-I'll notify too."
Lin Zhixia looked at Jiang Yubai with a complex expression.
Jiang Yubai respected her just as he had in university: "Professor Lin."
Lin Zhixia had been writing her "Human Observation Diary" for over a decade, and no matter how much she wrote, the most interesting person remained Jiang Yubai. She smiled faintly and said in an extremely soft voice: "Professor Jiang, let's continue this conversation at home."
Aside from Jiang Yubai, the other three students didn't catch what Lin Zhixia said.
The server had already brought all the dishes to the table.
A large bowl of white rice was placed in front of Xu Lingbo, making him drool with desire.
He slowly stood up, grasped the ladle, and first served a bowl of rice for Lin Zhixia to show respect. Then, he served rice for Jiang Yubai, placing the porcelain bowl down with both hands, and said politely: "Shigong, your rice, please enjoy."
In fact, Jiang Yubai was two years younger than him.
Jiang Yubai accepted this peculiar hierarchical relationship. He cheerfully played the role of an approachable elder: "Thank you, you should eat more too."
Zhan Rui pushed a plate of Longjing shrimp toward Jiang Yubai: "Sh-Shigong, please t-try this, it's delicious."
For a moment, Lin Zhixia had the illusion that she and Jiang Yubai were seventy years old with a house full of children and grandchildren. She took a sip of Strawberry juice and said: "Anyway, I'm very happy to be your supervisor.""More than just happy," Xu Lingbo said while chewing on a lamb skewer, "I'm downright grateful to heaven and earth."
Fang Yiwen raised her glass toward Lin Zhixia, who appeared somewhat surprised. Picking up a cup of strawberry juice, Lin Zhixia clinked glasses with Fang Yiwen, who unexpectedly said: "Thank you, Professor Lin."
She didn't specify why she was thanking her advisor.
Lin Zhixia remained beaming: "You're welcome. I only hope all of you can go further and further in your preferred research fields."
Today's lunch was exceptionally sumptuous.
The Longjing tea shrimp was fresh and tender, the tomato beef brisket hotpot smooth and delicious, the steamed sea bass cooked over slow fire with exquisite broth, and the roasted suckling pig particularly fragrant and satisfying with excellent flavor.
The students all ate their fill, leaving plenty of leftovers on the table. After obtaining Lin Zhixia's permission, Xu Lingbo called the server to pack the remaining food. He gave the lamb skewers to his senior sister and the white-cut chicken to his junior brother, keeping the mixed dishes for himself.
"My dinner is settled," he clutched the meal box, "Thank you, Professor and Professor's husband."
Lin Zhixia suggested: "You all seem to really enjoy the lamb skewers? Should we have the server pack a fresh portion for each of you?"
Xu Lingbo quickly declined: "That wouldn't be appropriate, too many sheep."
But Jiang Yubai sophistically argued: "It's quite good actually. Three sheep open prosperity, full of joy and auspiciousness - all very fortunate."
Lin Zhixia directly asked the server if there were more lamb skewers available. The server confirmed that the chef had just prepared a fresh batch. Lin Zhixia immediately placed an additional order and paid by card, the entire process efficient and straightforward.
After the meal, the students walked ahead carrying bags of packed food, while Lin Zhixia and Jiang Yubai followed behind them.
The sky had cleared by now, leaves on both sides of the sidewalk were damp from the rain, and the air carried a fresh, vanilla-like scent. Xu Lingbo's phone vibrated twice in his pocket. Taking it out, he read a message from his roommate.
The roommate asked: "How was your meal with Professor Lin?"
Xu Lingbo quickly replied: "My advisor and her husband are too kind. You weren't there, you wouldn't understand."
While Xu Lingbo was chatting with his roommate, his senior sister Fang Yiwen reminded him: "Watch where you're walking, don't use your phone."
A few steps away, Lin Zhixia hooked her fingers with Jiang Yubai's, her fingertips tracing circles against his palm. He closed his hand into a fist and, no longer calling her Professor Lin, asked: "What time are you finishing work today?"
"I have no classes or work this afternoon," Lin Zhixia truthfully answered. "The Laboratory hasn't started yet. I could actually go home directly with you."
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