Genius Girlfriend

Grandpa leaned back against the sofa and said leisurely, "Xiao Jiang, you and Xiao Lin are already engaged. What can't we discuss as a family?"

Jiang Yubai sat down on the sofa opposite. He answered evasively, "Last month, I wanted to bring Lin Zhixia to the family gathering..."

Before Jiang Yubai could finish, Mom interrupted him, "At that time, I didn't agree to you bringing Lin Zhixia because your dad and I hadn't met her yet and didn't know enough about her."

But Jiang Yubai asked, "If I weren't engaged, would you be willing to get to know her?"

Uncle chimed in with Jiang Yubai, "Yeah, if Xiao Jiang weren't engaged, Mom and Dad would probably still be vacationing in the Maldives."

Grandpa turned his head and looked at Uncle.

This time, Uncle didn't back down at all, even smiling slightly, "Dad, to be honest, I've been bothered by this for a while. While Xiao Jiang was dating Xiao Lin, you always thought their relationship wouldn't last, that they had different values and would break up eventually. You never considered how to accept Xiao Lin. One of Sister-in-law's friends kept trying to introduce her daughter to Xiao Jiang, creating opportunities for them to be alone... I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that girl, but this behavior is very inappropriate. I don't support it."

After Uncle finished speaking, Aunt glanced at him sideways.

Uncle asked her quietly, "Am I right?"

Aunt replied softly, "Mm, very right."

Uncle smiled even wider, "As long as my wife understands me, that's enough."

Aunt tightly grasped his hand.

Dad's expression didn't change at all—his ability to conceal his emotions was something Jiang Yubai hadn't fully mastered yet. Since childhood, his father had been Jiang Yubai's role model, and Jiang Yubai deeply respected him.

Yet today, his father said, "Marriage is a major life event. You're only in your early twenties. Your decision seems somewhat rash."

Jiang Yubai responded calmly, "I've known Lin Zhixia for twelve years and have been dating her for four years. That's long enough for me to make a decision."

The living room fell silent.

Uncle continued to side with Jiang Yubai, "Elder Brother, many years ago, when you and Sister-in-law had just known each other for four months..."

Dad picked up a glass of water and took a sip, causing Uncle to pause mid-sentence.

After a moment, Uncle still finished his sentence, "You and Sister-in-law got married after knowing each other for less than four months... wasn't that somewhat rash?"

Dad set the glass down on the table with a soft "thud." He said, "The length of the relationship isn't the key issue. I've told you before, as a family, we can discuss anything."

Uncle held his breath, "You also said that if discussion fails, the only option is to kick them out of the family."

Before he finished speaking, Uncle slowly wrapped his arm around Aunt's.

Aunt smiled and said, "The night before Shaoqi and I got engaged, Mom asked me if I thought it was too fast. I replied that I didn't think so at all. I've liked Shaoqi for over ten years, so we had a solid foundation. Everything after that just fell into place naturally."

Uncle quickly agreed, "My wife is right. We all heard in the private room that Xiao Jiang and Xiao Lin also have over a decade of emotional foundation."

"I'm not opposed to them," Mom suddenly spoke up, "But is it really appropriate for Jiang Yubai to complete such a major event as engagement without saying a word?"

Uncle was left speechless.Mom spoke again, "A few days ago, my secretary conducted a background check on Lin Zhixia's family." She produced a document and placed it before everyone. "I've put the investigation report here. It covers her parents, brother, uncle's family, and aunt's family."

Jiang Yubai slightly furrowed his brow. "Her parents and brother are quite kind-hearted..."

"Good people can still face risks," Mom cautioned. "When you hire new employees, you check their credit and work history. How can you not be cautious about marriage?"

Grandma chimed in, "Lin Zhixia has a good personality—you can tell she's a lively, optimistic girl, and very smart too. What's most rare is that she carries no arrogance. Being with her isn't exhausting..."

Uncle wore an awkward yet polite smile—he knew that Lin Zhixia had once caused Jiang Yubai significant psychological distress, and it was only thanks to Jiang Yubai's timely adjustment that no serious consequences occurred.

Meanwhile, Grandma opened the investigation report. "Your father just said that as family, everything can be discussed. But you didn't consult us. You just turned twenty-two and rushed into this step. Even if Lin Zhixia is a good child, her excellence is her own affair. Moreover, every field has its geniuses; they're not uncommon. Her paper citation count hasn't even surpassed two thousand..."

She didn't continue after that.

She had made her point.

Jiang Yubai stood up from his seat, his tall shadow falling on the neat carpet. He walked to the center of the meeting hall, directly in front of everyone's gaze. Then, he confessed frankly, "You are all my family, very important to me, and so is Lin Zhixia. You've looked into her background, so you probably know she's currently paying off a mortgage..."

Grandma seemed surprised. "How big is the house she bought?"

Jiang Yubai answered truthfully, "Over two hundred square meters, near the university district, convenient for commuting."

Grandma fell silent.

After a while, she asked again, "You didn't contribute any money?"

Jiang Yubai slightly lowered his head, looking at his grandparents. "Lin Zhixia doesn't accept expensive gifts and doesn't care about material conditions. Research and teaching are the focus of her life. Someone as pure as her is indeed rare, but not nonexistent. I like her, admire her, and deeply respect her."

He continued, "Marriage compatibility isn't about matching wealth or material things—it's about personality and values. Two people raised in similar environments have a higher chance of clicking. Lin Zhixia and I grew up together..."

Auntie, hearing this, was deeply moved. She interjected, "Mom, Dad, big brother, sister-in-law, they're already engaged. This is a happy occasion! With joy at our doorstep, let's not be so serious."

"Exactly," Uncle regained his vigor, "Besides, what's wrong with Xiao Lin? A twenty-two-year-old associate professor—almost matching my status as a twenty-three-year-old concertmaster. When Xiao Jiang wasn't engaged, you didn't value Lin Zhixia; now that he's engaged, you..."

Grandpa approached Uncle. Instead of staying quiet, Uncle blurted out, "Dad, over sixty years ago, you didn't have much money, did you?"

Grandpa's expression softened. "Shaoqi, come with me."

Uncle froze like a stone statue on the sofa.Jiang Yubai walked over to stand between his uncle and grandfather. At 188 centimeters tall, Jiang Yubai towered over his slightly stooped grandfather. The older man reached up to pat his shoulder and sighed, "Our Xiao Jiang has grown up."

Jiang Yubai responded, "Now that I'm grown, making my own decisions is better than being indecisive."

His grandfather clasped his hands behind his back.

As Jiang Yubai followed him outside, his grandfather paused briefly, and Jiang Yubai stopped at the entrance of the meeting room. They stood there talking for nearly ten minutes, and gradually, his grandfather's expression softened. Finally, his grandfather asked, "How do you want us to view Lin Zhixia?"

Jiang Yubai replied that he hoped his elders would try to accept her as family.

His grandfather said emotionally, "I'll go tell your second and third granduncles about your engagement. Next Spring Festival, bring Xiao Lin home for the New Year celebration."

Jiang Yubai finally felt relieved.

Lin Zhixia was unaware of what Jiang Yubai had experienced that afternoon.

Lin Zhixia herself encountered a troublesome matter.

Fang Yiwen, the only doctoral student under Lin Zhixia's supervision, specialized in Quantum Chemistry. Fang Yiwen wanted to borrow the chemical Laboratory of another professor named Qu Zongyi. However, the equipment in that Laboratory was in high demand, and Qu Zongyi had to prioritize his own students first, so he politely declined Fang Yiwen's request.

Qu Zongyi said that after next Spring Festival, Fang Yiwen could come find him again, and he would see if he could arrange something for her.

Fang Yiwen was quite pleased upon hearing this.

Returning to her own Laboratory, she relayed Qu Zongyi's exact words.

Xu Lingbo slapped her forehead in frustration and said with disappointment, "Senior sister, don't you understand? Qu Zongyi means that the equipment will be occupied during Spring Festival, and after the holiday, it definitely won't be your turn."

Fang Yiwen pushed her glasses up her nose bridge: "Really?"

Xu Lingbo sighed repeatedly.

So Fang Yiwen called Lin Zhixia and asked what she should do.

Lin Zhixia's first reaction was: "No problem, I still have plenty of research funding. What's the market price of the experimental equipment you need?"

Fang Yiwen answered honestly: "Nearly 100 million."

Lin Zhixia fell silent.

Fang Yiwen also went quiet.

After a few seconds, Fang Yiwen explained: "That Laboratory belonging to Qu Zongyi was originally built by my former supervisor. My supervisor designed over ten blueprints and commissioned the best manufacturers nationwide to custom-make the equipment. Some components are limited edition imports that can't be bought with money alone. After my supervisor moved to another university, the Laboratory was assigned to Qu Zongyi by the college."

Under these circumstances, Lin Zhixia could only personally approach Qu Zongyi to discuss the matter.

"Teacher Lin," Fang Yiwen told her, "please help me explain to Teacher Qu that I'm available 24/7 - I can even conduct experiments from midnight to 6 AM."

"Wouldn't that be too hard?" Lin Zhixia hesitated instead.

Fang Yiwen ruffled her fluffy hair, maintaining her casual demeanor: "I can just sleep during the day if needed. It's no big deal."

Lin Zhixia said confidently: "Alright, wait for my good news."

Just half an hour later, Lin Zhixia returned.

Fang Yiwen had guessed the outcome but didn't say anything.Zhan Rui was quieter than Fang Yiwen, while Xu Lingbo kept rubbing his face—his former advisor had extensive connections, numerous methods, and a firm hand; there was absolutely no scenario where they couldn't borrow a laboratory.

Yet Lin Zhixia had just encountered a gentle rejection.

After pondering for a moment, she could only say, "Fang Yiwen, first give me your experimental data and thesis framework. I'll carefully consider if there are other solutions."

Fang Yiwen immediately handed over a stack of materials.

That evening, Lin Zhixia carried the stack of materials to Jiang Yubai's home. She greatly enjoyed sharing a study with him. While working, she would occasionally glance sideways at Jiang Yubai's profile, and her mood would instantly improve.

Even though post-graduation life hadn't been as smooth as Lin Zhixia imagined, she still believed all troubles could be resolved. Both she and Jiang Yubai were steadily moving forward step by step. She still remembered the assessments from Shen Zhaohua, Gu Likai, and even Tan Qianche—by age twenty-five, she should be able to achieve something remarkable, realizing the lifelong value she had constantly pursued.