The bag contained three models in total, representing the three developmental stages of quantum computers.
Lin Zhixia took out all these models, revealing their extremely intricate internal structures.
Jiang Yubai's father was quite interested in high-tech industries—venture capital markets worldwide were chasing emerging technologies, and he had some familiarity with the concept of "Quantum Computing."
Currently, many countries were participating in a global "Quantum Computing race."
In 2015, both China and the United States invested over three billion yuan in non-classified quantum computing projects. By 2016, countries were scrambling to increase their investment amounts and efforts. The European Union's "Quantum Flagship" program cost 7.7 billion yuan, while the U.S. "National Quantum Initiative Act" had research funding as high as 8.7 billion yuan. Countries like Russia, India, Germany, and Japan each invested over five billion yuan in the quantum computing field.
Once true quantum computer functionality is achieved, the currently prevalent supercomputers would likely become obsolete. Therefore, the entire "Quantum Computing" industry's valuation far exceeds the hundreds of billions invested by various countries.
When Jiang Yubai's father picked up one of the models, Jiang Yubai said, "Xia Xia spent over nine months making these three models. She started at the beginning of the year and just completed them recently."
Hearing this, his father skillfully picked up the conversation—first thanking Lin Zhixia for the thoughtfully prepared gift, then praising her for being accomplished at such a young age. Next, he struck up a conversation with Lin Zhixia's father, Lin Fugui.
The group gradually moved toward the dining table.
Lin Fugui wasn't sure how to address his daughter's future father-in-law. In their rural hometown, "in-laws" could be directly called that way, but his daughter had just gotten engaged to Jiang Yubai, and he wasn't sure about the in-laws' preferences. He began, "Jiang..."
Jiang Yubai's father smiled and said, "Jiang Shaofeng."
Jiang Shaofeng was Jiang Yubai's father's formal name.
Previously, Jiang Shaofeng had already introduced himself once, and Lin Fugui certainly remembered his name—Lin Fugui also remembered that Jiang Yubai's mother was Guan Xunmei, his uncle was Jiang Shaoqi, his aunt's Chinese name was Yang Yi, and her English name was Jessica... Wealthy families didn't even use words like "Fugui" (wealth and honor) in their names.
Lin Fugui tightened his jacket and sat down next to Lin Zeqiu.
From the moment they entered until now, Lin Zeqiu hadn't said a word.
Lin Zhixia was far more lively and outgoing than her brother. She sat beside Jiang Yubai, answering all the elders' questions promptly. She keenly noticed that Jiang Yubai's uncle and aunt were particularly kind—his aunt even deliberately sat on Lin Zhixia's other side and made plans to go out together when they had time.
Even so, the conversation at the table remained intermittent.
All six of Jiang Yubai's family members were skilled speakers and good at smoothing things over. However, whenever the topic shifted to Lin Zhixia's parents and brother, the room would inevitably fall silent for a few seconds. Each time this happened, Jiang Yubai would serve as a transition. He always intentionally or unintentionally guided the direction of the conversation, trying to help Lin Zhixia's parents relax. Jiang Yubai's grandfather teased him, "Xiao Bai is still very considerate."
In Jiang Yubai's memory, no one in his family had called him "Xiao Bai" since he turned seven years old.Lin Fugui, however, thought that "Xiao Bai" was Jiang Yubai's nickname and quickly said, "Xiao Bai is a wonderful child in every way, truly wonderful."
Jiang Shaoqi immediately chimed in, "Not at all, not at all, dear in-law, you're too modest. Xia Xia is the truly remarkable one—a twenty-two-year-old associate professor and the head of a national-level project. I know many people, but I've never heard of any other young person as outstanding as our Xia Xia. She truly lives up to..."
He nearly blurted out, "She truly lives up to being my nephew's future wife."
Fortunately, he caught himself in time.
He changed his words and said, "She truly lives up to being a specially appointed professor at the best university in our province."
A smile spread across Lin Fugui's face, and he raised another toast to Jiang Shaoqi.
Lin Zeqiu, who rarely spoke, suddenly interjected, "Our Lin Zhixia has a high IQ and is genuinely kind-hearted. Spend a few more days with her, and you'll see... just how wonderful she is."
Lin Zeqiu's words nearly brought tears to Lin Zhixia's eyes.
In her twenty-two years of life, Lin Zhixia had never heard Lin Zeqiu speak of her in such a humble and gentle tone.
She still remembered how, over a decade ago, Lin Zeqiu would grit his teeth whenever he talked about his sister to his elementary school classmates. He often said, "Lin Zhixia is so damn annoying! I'm sick to death of her!"
But now, in front of everyone, Lin Zeqiu had actually uttered such an embarrassingly sentimental statement.
Lin Zhixia was deeply moved.
Jiang Yubai also noticed that whenever Lin Zhixia's strengths were discussed, her parents and brother would relax somewhat, their tension easing.
So, to give Lin Zhixia more opportunities to shine and to help her family feel more at ease during this meeting, Jiang Yubai smoothly added, "Yes, her virtues are too numerous to count."
This was the first time Jiang Yubai had opened up to his family about his life experiences over the past decade. When he mentioned, "Xia Xia and I exchange diaries every year; she probably understands me better than I understand myself," his mother's expression softened, but his grandfather suddenly asked, "How is the company you two run together doing? A few days ago, my secretary compiled some news for me—Chai Yang is always in the headlines."
His grandmother chimed in, "It's caused quite a stir."
A quantum computer model sat in front of his grandfather. He picked it up, turning it over and over in his hands, and then asked, "Professor Lin, what are your thoughts on this?"Lin Zhixia replied candidly, "Actually, it's not entirely a bad thing. With Chai Yang making such a fuss, our company's visibility has increased. While Chai Yang doesn't acknowledge Quantum Computing, countries worldwide are investing in the quantum industry. Quantum computers have a significant impact, affecting the development of various sectors. Let me give an example: the core of biomedicine lies in chemical reactions, which operate at the quantum level. If we fully master Quantum Computing technology, we can design a series of chemical reactions to mass-produce the safest and most effective drugs. Also, Bitcoin—I'm sure everyone has heard of it. The underlying technology of Bitcoin is blockchain, and the foundational algorithms of blockchain include hash functions, symmetric and asymmetric encryption... Quantum Computing can break such encryption mechanisms, fundamentally undermining Bitcoin's security. In summary, Quantum Computing can drive progress in numerous fields like biology, chemistry, physics, medicine, finance, and the internet. I believe its impact should be no less than that of the first and second industrial revolutions; it's a crucial milestone humanity must cross in the history of technological development."
After finishing this lengthy explanation, Lin Zhixia exchanged a glance with Jiang Yubai.
She asked softly, "How was my explanation?"
Jiang Yubai said, "Excellent."
Lin Zhixia's voice was barely audible: "Was it clear and easy to understand?"
Jiang Yubai poured her a glass of strawberry juice: "Yes, you can keep it up."
Lin Zhixia took a sip of the strawberry juice and exclaimed, "So sweet."
Grandpa looked very amiable: "Quantum Computing is quite impressive, a cutting-edge tech industry. Xiao Jiang, how did you and Chai Yang end up at odds? Jiangke Software is your highest-return investment. I've been busy the past few months and didn't ask your dad or you. Today, with the whole family having a meal together and no outsiders at the table, we don't need to stand on ceremony. If you have something to say, just speak frankly."
Jiang Shaoqi was particularly enthusiastic: "Yes, there are no outsiders at this table."
Grandpa shot him a glance.
Jiang Shaoqi picked up his chopsticks and lowered his head to eat.
Jiang Yubai smiled before saying, "Jiangke Software is a subsidiary of a parent company. Chai Yang wanted Jiangke Software to 'spin off and go public,' but I didn't agree. Jiangke's accounts are independent, its cash flow is sufficient, and the equity incentive system has just been implemented. It's not the right time for an IPO."
Grandpa nodded slightly.
Jiang Yubai continued, "Chai Yang contacted internet startup teams in the U.S. and the U.K. He wants to recruit talent from those foreign teams..."
"You didn't agree to that either?" Lin Zhixia interjected.
Before Jiang Yubai could answer, Lin Zhixia said, "Teams poached from abroad might not achieve the results Chai Yang hopes for, since they'd still need to integrate with the local team, and their work habits and styles are likely different."
Jiang Yubai clinked glasses with her.
The two of them went back and forth discussing "the development of the localized internet industry" and "team cultivation and management rules." Lin Zeqiu occasionally chimed in, and after Lin Zhixia's Dad downed a glass of wine, he finally opened up. The atmosphere in the private room gradually warmed up, with no more awkward silences.
After the meal ended, Jiang Yubai and Lin Zhixia said their goodbyes at the restaurant entrance.
Jiang Yubai had prepared gifts for both sets of parents in advance—the gifts used identical carry bags, but the contents inside were tailored differently for each.Jiang Yubai's aunt immediately unwrapped the gift paper and discovered an exquisite gift box. She enthusiastically embraced Lin Zhixia and said, "Thank you, Xia Xia. You shouldn't have spent so much."
Lin Zhixia was somewhat bewildered. She had no idea what was inside the gift box and was about to speak when Jiang Yubai took hold of her wrist. His fingertips brushed against the ring on her finger, and Lin Zhixia thought for the ten-thousandth time, "You're so wonderful."
After a moment's hesitation, she said, "I need to return to the university now, to the Laboratory. My doctoral student has encountered some difficulties..."
"Research comes first," Jiang Yubai replied. "We'll see each other tomorrow."
Lin Zhixia nodded. "See you tomorrow."
Even so...
Jiang Yubai still drove Lin Zhixia back to the university and, on the way, dropped off his Father-in-law and Mother-in-law at the entrance of their residential complex. By the time he finished these tasks, it was nearly half past three in the afternoon. He then drove back to the Jiang family estate, where his Dad, Mom, uncles, aunts, and grandparents were all waiting for him in the conference hall.
This situation was quite unusual.
Jiang Yubai pushed open the main door of the room. He walked slowly across the carpet, making almost no sound, and his grandfather said, "We heard you got engaged. Your grandmother and I rushed back from the Maldives overnight, and this is the first time your grandmother has met her granddaughter-in-law."
Jiang Yubai understood the underlying meaning in his grandfather's words.
During today's family meeting, Jiang Yubai's family had been very respectful, but that didn't mean the elders were satisfied with his actions. Jiang Yubai's only request was: "If you have any concerns, let me handle them. Don't tell Lin Zhixia directly."
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