Lin Zhixia stepped into the office and greeted politely, "Hello, Teacher Gu. I'm Lin Zhixia."
Teacher Gu, with graying temples and a calm demeanor, nodded at her and gestured for her to sit on the sofa.
Lin Zhixia immediately took her seat, quietly listening to the academic discussion between the professors and doctoral students.
Two doctoral students present today were collaborating on a paper but had differing opinions. Teacher Gu asked them to summarize their respective methods and jot down the key points on the whiteboard.
Teacher Gu's office had a massive whiteboard.
One of the doctoral students picked up a marker and began writing furiously on the board when Teacher Gu called out to him, "Yang Shuwen, no need to write too much. You're giving a presentation—use your own words to explain the phenomenon."
Yang Shuwen was a first-year doctoral student. Like Lin Zhixia, he had just arrived in Beijing not long ago. Introverted and socially awkward, he spent most of his time in the library, sitting there for entire days.
Yang Shuwen's master's research intersected with the focus of Gu Likai's research group. He was also an outstanding student, having graduated from a prestigious university with an average score above 90 in both his undergraduate and master's studies. Naturally gifted, diligent, and willing to put in the effort, he was highly regarded by several senior members of Gu Likai's group.
However, Yang Shuwen felt that Gu Likai wasn't satisfied with him.
Pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, Yang Shuwen spoke clearly, "When the number of qubits increases to four, the categories of quantum entanglement become infinite... Teacher, I read the paper you gave me last week. That article discussed 'entanglement polytopes,' which classify systems of entangled states. I went back and reread Jean-Bernard Zuber's 'Field Theory' twice."
Lin Zhixia raised her right hand, wanting to ask a question.
Teacher Gu pointed at Yang Shuwen. "Let's hear him finish first, then you can ask."
Lin Zhixia remained silent, her gaze fixed on Yang Shuwen as he continued his lengthy explanation.
Only after Yang Shuwen uttered his last word did Teacher Gu comment, "You spoke very well, covering all angles, but that was all someone else's work—like a literature review. You didn't summarize your own approach. Why do you and your senior disagree? Your senior's view is correct. You haven't touched the experimental level yet. When we first met, I told you that research isn't about burying yourself in books or working behind closed doors. In experimental physics, we aim to cultivate your scientific literacy and hands-on skills. You need to read papers, but you also need to conduct experiments. There's a balance here, a trade-off... You excel at reading, but your experiments need to catch up. I was too busy the past two weeks to guide you, but according to your senior, you clocked into the Laboratory just to read and take notes at your desk, skipping the basic exercises he prepared for you."
The office door was wide open, letting in a draft of cold air that seeped into Yang Shuwen's collar, making him shiver.
He straightened up abruptly and explained in a measured tone, "I've been reviewing... It's easy to forget what I've learned."Teacher Gu opened the drawer and took out a document folder, speaking slowly: "Reviewing the old helps understand the new—this applies to experimental physics as well. Your eyes, your brain's hippocampus storing long-term memories, your hands retaining neuromuscular memory... these are foundational skills. Inspiration and innovation are what will drive your future development."
Yang Shuwen quickly agreed, "Yes, absolutely."
Teacher Gu leaned on the desk and stood up from his seat: "Books are the medium of learning, not the goal."
Lin Zhixia nodded repeatedly, as if she had grasped a profound truth. She sighed, "Exactly! Books are the medium, not the goal. Your own thoughts are what matter most."
Teacher Gu handed Lin Zhixia the document folder. Inside were several printed academic papers, lab guidelines, and experimental procedures. He instructed her to take them home, study them carefully, and report to the laboratory next month.
Clutching the folder, Lin Zhixia thanked him repeatedly.
Yang Shuwen interjected, "Lin Zhixia, did you... want to talk to me earlier?"
Lin Zhixia rushed over to Yang Shuwen and asked him about the nesting problem of "entangled polyhedrons." He paused, then asked her to elaborate more clearly and speak faster since Teacher Gu had other matters to attend to soon, and they shouldn't delay him.
What Yang Shuwen didn't know was that minutes earlier, Teacher Gu had claimed to be busy later because he needed to help Lin Zhixia finalize her specific research direction.
Lin Zhixia hadn't expected Yang Shuwen to urge her to speed up.
She clasped her hands behind her back and rattled off a rapid string of words like a machine gun. Yang Shuwen only caught one phrase: "quantum bit photon state."
Yang Shuwen was dazed for a few seconds, but his senior chuckled. The senior stood up, walked over to Lin Zhixia, and introduced himself, "I'm Tan Qianche from Provincial No. 1 High School."
Tan Qianche!
Hearing his name, Lin Zhixia extended her right hand: "I've known about you since seventh grade! Senior Tan Qianche! You won medals in international Olympiad competitions—you're one of the most outstanding students ever from our school. Your name is listed among the distinguished alumni in the Provincial No. 1 High School archives!"
Tan Qianche shook Lin Zhixia's hand. He answered a few of her questions and then asked, "Do you want to grab a notebook to jot this down?"
Lin Zhixia shook her head. "No, I usually don't take notes."
Teacher Gu was brewing tea nearby. Hearing Lin Zhixia's remark, he seemed thoughtful before smiling. "Ah, Shen Zhaohua mentioned to me that your memory is exceptionally good."
As steam rose and the fragrance of tea filled the air, Teacher Gu carried his cup back to his seat. He asked Lin Zhixia to stay behind to settle on a general research topic.
The other doctoral students gradually left the office.
Before leaving, Yang Shuwen casually closed the office door, but Teacher Gu called out, "Yang Shuwen, open my door..."
Tan Qianche whispered a reminder: "Teacher Gu is very particular about propriety. Whenever there are students in his office, he insists the door stays open."
Yang Shuwen murmured, "What a good teacher." Then he added, "Your junior, Lin Zhixia, has really arrived."
Suddenly, Tan Qianche reached out and slung an arm over Yang Shuwen's shoulder. Side by side, they walked down the seemingly endless corridor.That noon, after meeting with Gu Likai, Lin Zhixia happily walked back to her dormitory holding a file folder.
The campus scenery seemed more beautiful than usual. As she admired the view, Lin Zhixia reflected on Teacher Gu's words. Teacher Gu was erudite and quick-witted—even their brief exchange had benefited her greatly.
Years ago, Shen Zhaohua had once told Lin Zhixia, "Academic pursuits require exchange, and scholarly thinking needs training." Now, five years later at fourteen years old, Lin Zhixia finally understood the deeper meaning behind Shen Zhaohua's words.
Lin Zhixia spent several days reading through the materials Teacher Gu had given her, supplemented by related academic works she found online. Throughout September, she studied diligently to prepare for upcoming experimental work.
During her time in the provincial capital, Lin Zhixia had studied under Shen Zhaohua for three years. Shen Zhaohua was respectfully called "Big Boss" by her students, while the research group also had a young female professor with abundant academic achievements whom everyone called "Little Boss." This Little Boss, along with senior student Zhu Chan from the group, often tutored Lin Zhixia hands-on.
Along this journey, Lin Zhixia had received help from many people.
She wouldn't let their expectations down.
She would definitely carve out her own field.
Under this positive mindset, Lin Zhixia maintained an extremely disciplined daily routine. She woke up early every day, exercised consistently, completed her studies, called her Mom and Dad at 8 PM, called Jiang Yubai at 9 PM, and turned off the lights before 11 PM to sleep.
One night in late September, Lin Zhixia lay in her dormitory bed hugging her Little Penguin plush toy, wrapped in a soft blanket as she chatted with Jiang Yubai on the phone.
After some casual conversation about the upcoming National Day holiday, Jiang Yubai casually asked, "National Day is coming soon—where do you want to go?"
Lin Zhixia countered, "Where do you want to go?"
After two seconds of thought, Jiang Yubai replied, "No plans yet."
"How about the Forbidden City?" Lin Zhixia suggested excitedly. "I've never been there before. I'd also like to see the Summer Palace."
Jiang Yubai said, "There'll be too many tourists during the holiday. We don't have to wait until October 1st—we could go tomorrow."
Tomorrow was Saturday. Lin Zhixia had no classes. She happily burrowed under her blanket, covering her head as she whispered, "Okay! Tomorrow morning I'll come to your doorstep, and we'll visit the Forbidden City and Summer Palace together."
Jiang Yubai informed her, "From 9 to 10 AM tomorrow, there's a lecture at my school. After it ends, I—"
Before he could finish, Lin Zhixia firmly said, "Okay! I'll wait for you at your school gate at 10 AM tomorrow."
Lin Zhixia waited, but Jiang Yubai remained silent.
The international high school Jiang Yubai attended had strict management and responsible teachers, but the school didn't concern itself with students' "puppy love."
Among Jiang Yubai's classmates, about one-third were currently in relationships. During his over one year at the international high school, he had received both subtle and direct expressions of affection from female classmates—all of which he had rejected on the spot.If Lin Zhixia ran to the gates of Jiang Yubai's school and waited for him after class... Jiang Yubai suspected that a small portion of his classmates might misunderstand the nature of their relationship. But he couldn't bring himself to refuse Lin Zhixia, because she sounded so happy—and as her best friend, he absolutely shouldn't let her feel disappointed.
So he said, "Sure."
Lin Zhixia nodded. "Okay! See you tomorrow!"
Jiang Yubai replied, "See you tomorrow."
The weather cooperated—Saturday turned out to be a bright, sunny day. Around ten in the morning, Lin Zhixia appeared right on time at the entrance of Jiang Yubai's school. With her backpack slung over her shoulders, she stood outside the gates of the international high school, patiently waiting for Jiang Yubai.
OpenNovel