Genius Girlfriend

Jiang Yubai received numerous praises and blessings.

His uncle was particularly excited, repeatedly exclaiming: "Xiao Jiang, how can you be so outstanding? Truly worthy of being our family's child—only fifteen years old and already admitted to such a prestigious university..."

Suddenly remembering something, his uncle couldn't help but sigh: "Xiao Jiang, when you grow up, we can confidently hand over the family business to you."

Jiang Yubai readily agreed.

Jiang Yubai's father owned an investment company in Beijing. Every week, Jiang Yubai would make time to visit the company and sit in on their morning meetings.

After the meetings concluded, Jiang Yubai would remain at the company for lessons. His parents had assembled multiple teams specifically to teach him about real-world business models, the family's internal management mechanisms, and the specific operations of the family conglomerate.

Jiang Yubai realized there were two main challenges in inheriting the family business: First, the political and business resources held by his parents' generation couldn't be fully transferred to him. He needed to expand his social circle and develop his own network. Second, being young and inexperienced, he would require his parents' support to secure management positions and ensure his continuous growth.

Thus, Jiang Yubai's learning environment shifted from his study to the company. He no longer stayed cooped up at home all day as before. He began accompanying his family to various social events, where his speech and demeanor became more mature, and he mastered various communication techniques.

Jiang Yubai's family members all noticed his rapid development.

Witnessing his grandson's progress, Jiang Yubai's grandfather first praised him extensively, then cautioned: "Xiao Jiang, studying at Cambridge will equip you with many valuable skills. Cambridge's economics undergraduate program is three years—you'll enter at sixteen and graduate at merely nineteen. By twenty, your father will push you to start your own company for practice. When seasoned businesspeople see a young person like you, their first thought won't necessarily be collaboration. You must not only build connections but also learn how to judge character and utilize people effectively."

Grandfather delivered this speech during tonight's dinner.

At this moment, seven family members—Jiang Yubai's parents, uncle and aunt, grandparents—were gathered around a long dining table.

The table was laden with delicious dishes, creating a warm and harmonious family gathering atmosphere. Uncle even tried bargaining on Jiang Yubai's behalf: "Dad, teaching Xiao Jiang about 'judging and utilizing people' at fifteen is too early. He's still a teenager, not even an adult yet. Dad, look at me—when I was fifteen playing violin, I hadn't achieved any great fame or become concertmaster..."

Grandfather set down his chopsticks: "Jiang Shaoqi, have you ever been involved in business?"

Uncle immediately fell silent.

Grandfather pressed further: "Have you ever assisted your elder brother?"

Father stepped in to defend Uncle: "Shaoqi has helped me manage some investment operations."

As seafood soup steamed warmly, Uncle lifted his bowl and added: "The companies behind the brands I endorse—'Pinjia Milk', 'Feidi Toothpaste', 'Ke'an E-commerce'—they're all interconnected enterprises ultimately controlled by Big Brother. Dad, with your discerning vision, you can see I've been working for Big Brother all along."

Jessica interjected: "Honey, how many brands do you endorse?"

Uncle counted on his fingers: "About seven or eight. Just from our family's businesses alone, there are four."Jessica picked out the crab meat from the legs and placed it in a pure silver spoon before putting it into Jiang Shaoqi's bowl. She said softly, "Thank you for your hard work."

Uncle leaned closer to her: "You're the one who worked hard, honey. Did you make this plate of crab? You're busy during the day, yet still cook in the evening..."

Jessica replied with a smile, "It's not tiring. I only made this one dish of steamed crab."

Jessica had her own music studio. To be with Jiang Shaoqi, she relocated her studio headquarters from Singapore to Beijing. Since the beginning of this year, her parents had been helping her secure several major projects, making her increasingly busy and often absent.

His wife was focused on her career, and Jiang Shaoqi felt proud of her.

Jiang Shaoqi and Jessica sat on the left side of the long table, while everyone else sat on the right—they couldn't see Jiang Shaoqi's subtle movements. Taking this into account, Jiang Shaoqi wrapped one arm around Jessica's slender waist.

Jessica wore a silk dress that hugged her waistline, accentuating her graceful figure. Jiang Shaoqi pinched a small piece of the silk fabric, his fingertips tracing along her waist, sending a ticklish sensation through her.

When he was with her, Jiang Shaoqi never wore gloves. She lowered her head to observe his fingers, then quickly turned to whisper secretly in his ear. The two were deeply affectionate, their bond sweeter than honey cake.

Jiang Shaoqi stopped eating altogether, solely focused on talking to his wife.

One shouldn't be blinded by love—Jiang Yubai thought to himself.

Jiang Yubai averted his gaze and chatted with his grandfather.

Grandfather gave a light cough.

Jiang Shaoqi had no choice but to sit up straight in his chair.

Jiang Yubai continued to listen to his grandfather's teachings. He also discussed future investment directions with his grandfather, saying, "I'm optimistic about the e-commerce industry, warehousing logistics, and mobile payment in the long term. The internet is relatively transparent, while logistics involves a broader scope."

"You know all this?" Jiang Shaoqi interjected.

Jiang Yubai said, "I only have a partial perspective."

Jiang Shaoqi asked his elder brother, "Brother, what level has our Xiao Jiang reached now?"

His elder brother smiled: "Not bad. He still needs a few more years of training."

After hearing this, Jiang Yubai felt even more convinced that one day, he would be capable of standing on his own, achieving success in his career, and providing shelter for his family.

Spring arrived in March, and the temperature rose.

Lin Zhixia carried two books and strolled alone across the campus.

Around seven in the morning, the sky was pale with a faint glow of dawn. The water of Weiming Lake was clear, reflecting the Boya Pagoda standing to the east. The lakeside was dense with trees, every corner a picturesque scene. After admiring the scenery for a while, Lin Zhixia heard someone call her: "Xia Xia?"

She turned around and saw her senior, Luo Ying.

She immediately ran toward her senior, calling out enthusiastically, "Senior!"

Last September, Lin Zhixia submitted an application for early graduation to her college. After review, the college approved her request. As long as Lin Zhixia completed the required courses, she would officially graduate in June next year.

Currently, Lin Zhixia was a sophomore. This semester, she and Luo Ying had chosen two of the same courses, so she often attended classes with Luo Ying. Anyone could see that Luo Ying took good care of Lin Zhixia—this was the care of an older sister.When she was a child, Lin Zhixia often argued with her brother. After one particular quarrel, her brother said he wished he didn't have a younger sister. Lin Zhixia immediately retorted: I wish I had an older sister instead!

The older sister in young Lin Zhixia's imagination was almost exactly like Senior Luo Ying—considerate, elegant, gentle yet strong-willed.

From high school to university, there were always many boys who liked Senior Luo Ying.

Lin Zhixia understood them completely.

Luo Ying also told Lin Zhixia: "I want to pursue scientific research. I'm preparing to apply for a PhD."

Lin Zhixia encouraged her: "That's wonderful. You're very suited for doctoral studies."

"What about you?" Luo Ying asked her, "Is your PhD application going smoothly?"

This winter break, Lin Zhixia didn't return home. She stayed at school the entire time, working tirelessly day and night. When the break ended, with her teacher's help, she organized experimental data and produced a paper titled "Improved Superconducting Quantum Interference Device for Detecting Small Spin Populations"—she only made minor contributions to this article, and Teacher Gu helped her revise it twice before she finally submitted it. The paper is currently in the peer review stage.

Additionally, Lin Zhixia registered for both IELTS and GRE.

GRE stands for "Graduate Record Examination." When applying to prestigious science and engineering graduate programs, having GRE scores provides extra security. To prove her capabilities, Lin Zhixia wouldn't hesitate to take the GRE exam.

Both Lin Zhixia's IELTS and GRE exams are scheduled for next month. She expects to achieve excellent scores.

Lin Zhixia has a high undergraduate GPA and three SCI papers to her name. Both Teacher Gu Likai and Teacher Shen Zhaohua are willing to write recommendation letters for her. Feeling well-prepared, she said: "My PhD application will definitely be successful."

Luo Ying chuckled softly: "If you don't get in, who will?"

But Lin Zhixia responded: "There's a very smart senior in our research group whose expertise in Quantum Computing surpasses mine."

"Tan Qianche?" Luo Ying asked.

Lin Zhixia nodded.

Luo Ying advised: "Keep your distance from him."

Lin Zhixia answered truthfully: "I only discuss academic matters with him. Last September, Teacher Gu accepted a new female PhD student. Our group finally has a doctoral senior sister. I prefer chatting with her instead."

Mentioning the "doctoral senior sister," Lin Zhixia's happiness was evident.

Luo Ying pursed her red lips: "How do I... compare to that senior sister?"

Lin Zhixia found the question somewhat strange.

She stopped walking and looked at Luo Ying.

The morning breeze rustled through swaying tree shadows, with lush green woods behind Luo Ying. Dressed in a black long dress, with fair skin and beautiful features, her peach-blossom eyes almost blending into the scenery.

Luo Ying bit her lip: "I..."

Lin Zhixia tilted her head: "Senior?"

Luo Ying suddenly asked again: "Between me and your senior sister, who's prettier?"

Lin Zhixia was at a loss for words.How should I put it? That senior wasn't "beautiful" in the traditional sense. She had short hair, wore black-framed glasses, bathed regularly but seldom combed her hair. Her hairstyle carried a touch of wildness within its chaos, yet this wildness manifested a unique elegance. She wore loose t-shirts and jeans year-round, and could wear the same jacket throughout the entire winter. During the whole winter break, from early morning until late night, she remained rooted in the Laboratory, encouraging Lin Zhixia and being encouraged in return. The two of them had shared instant noodles as midnight snacks on cold winter nights, with the senior giving her only sausage to Lin Zhixia.

Among the entire Quantum Computing group, that senior was the person Lin Zhixia admired most.

Luo Ying was also someone Lin Zhixia admired.

The two seniors simply couldn't be compared.

Lin Zhixia said: "You're both wonderful, each with your own beauty."

Each with your own beauty?

Luo Ying didn't know what she was struggling with internally. She quickened her pace ahead, while Lin Zhixia jogged to catch up, calling out in a sweet voice: "Senior, senior... wait for me, senior."

Lin Zhixia could pronounce the word "senior" with exceptional charm and pleasantness, as if when the term "senior" was created, it was meant to carry this particular tone - containing a younger sister's dependence on her older sister. These thoughts crossed Luo Ying's mind. She clenched her thumb tightly, the friction of her skin making a faint sound, while her heart was in turmoil.

She turned back to look at Lin Zhixia.

Lin Zhixia wore a light pink sweater, gray trousers, and a dark gray coat over them. Her figure was developing beautifully, like a flower bud about to bloom - she would undoubtedly become quite beautiful as an adult. Combined with her sweet words, well-behaved nature, and kind personality, she never lacked friends wherever she went.

Luo Ying withdrew her gaze and said casually: "It just occurred to me that you've been my junior in both high school and university, yet I can't help you academically..."

"You've helped me a lot, senior," Lin Zhixia replied. "You attend classes with me and we're in the same group - that makes me very happy."

Luo Ying interlaced her fingers, stretching her palms outward, putting on a relaxed appearance: "The software engineering group? The two of us can handle it well."

This semester, both Lin Zhixia and Luo Ying had chosen a course called "Software Engineering."

The course required students to form groups of six to develop a small software program. Each group needed to set up servers, establish databases, ensure real-time synchronization across multiple clients, and protect user data security. Group members had to participate in three main areas: "software design, software development, and software testing."

Lin Zhixia had never personally developed any software before.

Normally when she wrote code, it was to achieve specific purposes - for instance, when she needed to collect web data, she would use Python for web scraping and data cleaning.

The group collaboration in "Software Engineering" not only tested her coding skills but also her communication abilities.

In Lin Zhixia's software group, there were six students total. Besides Lin Zhixia and Luo Ying, there was also a third-year senior from the Physics Department named He Shangqing, who had regular features and strong programming skills.

He Shangqing stood 190cm tall, was big and muscular, and was a member of the school's track and field team. He didn't wear glasses, preferred t-shirts, and at first glance looked like a sports scholarship student.He Shangqing and his three roommates all joined Lin Zhixia's software engineering group. Lin Zhixia wasn't sure whether these classmates could complete their tasks on time, so she took the initiative to propose herself as the team leader and received unanimous approval from all five group members.

The "Software Engineering" course carried substantial credits. To maintain her undergraduate GPA, Lin Zhixia needed to score above 95 points in every course.

To be honest, the collaborative approach in software engineering reminded her of her experience participating in a programming competition in Russia. Back then, she had performed quite poorly in team collaboration, almost completely giving up on programming at the final stage.

Lin Zhixia decided she would redeem her past failure.