He Shangqing didn't want to hear Jiang Yubai speak. He cut in first, saying, "Don't get angry, I don't want to take advantage of you."
He gently tapped the table, his tone rising and falling rhythmically: "I asked a few students from the previous year—their software development progress fell behind because of issues with frontend and backend integration. Lin Zhixia, if you write both the frontend and backend by yourself, wouldn't that eliminate our integration problems?"
If Lin Zhixia were to complete both the frontend and backend alone, it would mean she'd be taking on over seventy percent of the workload.
Lin Zhixia stared straight at He Shangqing without glancing away: "Fine, I accept. However, I'll consult the teaching assistant, and I'll note in the report... that several of you have been slacking off."
He Shangqing wasn't the least bit afraid of her: "Is it us slacking off, or is it you not letting others participate in the project?"
"What do you mean?" Lin Zhixia retorted.
He Shangqing kindly explained for her: "If you complain to the professor, I won't be left without a response. Let me give an example—this isn't what I actually think, so don't get angry yet..."
Lin Zhixia held her breath.
He Shangqing smiled and revealed: "I might say that you're too eager to get a high grade. You always think the more you're responsible for, the higher your score will be, because you look down on others' code and refuse to delegate work. You accuse us of slacking off, but it's your arrogance—you disdain others' efforts—that has left the four of us with nothing to do. The 'Software Engineering' course tests more than just coding skills. Even if your code is perfect, if you don't know how to communicate and end up harming your classmates, your total score in 'Software Engineering' won't break ninety."
He Shangqing's move was overly vicious, making his three roommates feel ashamed. One even considered switching sides on the spot, but He Shangqing stopped him and asked, "Lin Zhixia, what do you think?"
Lin Zhixia leaned back in her chair: "Are you threatening me?"
He Shangqing shook his head.
Lin Zhixia declared, "Let me tell you, no one in this world can threaten me."
Lin Zhixia was pretty and innocent-looking, with a soft voice. When she got angry, it was like a kitten unsheathing its claws—not intimidating anyone. He Shangqing pursed his lips and smiled: "I'm not threatening you, don't get worked up."
The sun climbed higher, and the tree shadows deepened, falling over Lin Zhixia and covering half her face. She said calmly, "I understand what you mean. I'll draft a task plan and send it to you and the teaching assistant. If you don't follow my instructions, I'd rather drop the 'Software Engineering' course."
"What about Luo Ying?" He Shangqing pointed at Luo Ying. "Are you willing to drop 'Software Engineering'?"
Luo Ying was so angry she laughed: "I'd rather take a year off from school than be in the same group as you."
Luo Ying was, after all, a beautiful girl. Her attack on the boys made them lose face.
One of He Shangqing's roommates tried to smooth things over: "Can't we talk this out properly? No need to open fire."
Was not opening fire even an option?
They were already bullying them outright!
Luo Ying was beyond furious. She threatened, "You're from the Physics School, and I know quite a few people there. I'll let your classmates see how you perform in group assignments."Luo Ying wasn't very good at arguing. She couldn't find the right words to express her agitated emotions.
Around the square wooden table sat seven people in total—He Shangqing and his roommates on one side, while Lin Zhixia, Jiang Yubai, and Luo Ying sat on the opposite side. Neither Lin Zhixia's nor Luo Ying's threats had any effect, failing to sway He Shangqing's stance in the slightest.
At this point, Jiang Yubai looked at He Shangqing and said calmly, "You're clever. You understand the mindset of good students. Most good students are perfectionists—picky about their work and demanding of themselves. You think Lin Zhixia wouldn't dare drop 'Software Engineering,' and once she starts coding, she'll do it properly and help you complete a full software."
"If you insist on putting it that way, there's nothing I can do," He Shangqing tilted his head, smoothing his hair. "Lin Zhixia and I are in the same boat. I haven't shirked my responsibilities. You'd be better off persuading Lin Zhixia to hurry up and finish the software so all six of us can have an easier time."
"I'm not doing it!" Lin Zhixia said firmly.
He Shangqing sighed. "My three roommates and I will make a shoddy software, then honestly tell the teacher you refused to contribute and wanted a zero. Is that what would satisfy you?"
Jiang Yubai interjected, "You want Lin Zhixia to complete the software alone, then divide her credit into four equal parts for you and your three roommates. I don't think that's realistic."
"You're trying to drive a wedge between us," He Shangqing said with a smile.
Jiang Yubai pushed aside a drink placed in front of He Shangqing. "I'm telling the truth. You and your three roommates can't write the software report. You don't understand the front-end and back-end of a software. During the presentation and defense, you won't be able to answer the teacher's questions and will lose points. Whether Lin Zhixia is willing to cooperate with you or not, she can't avoid the risk—after all, all four of you in your dorm are slackers."
Back in the year he transitioned from elementary to middle school, Jiang Yubai had learned the term "slacker" from Duan Qiyan.
"Slacker" was Duan Qiyan's catchphrase.
Jiang Yubai applied it aptly: "You're all slackers. No one wants to cooperate with slackers. I suggest you go find the teacher, drop 'Software Engineering,' and choose another course."
"Exactly!" Lin Zhixia straightened her back. "He Shangqing, how dare you threaten me? Do you think this is a 'Prisoner's Dilemma'..."
"What does this have to do with the 'Prisoner's Dilemma'?" He Shangqing asked impatiently.
The Prisoner's Dilemma is a classic problem in Game Theory: two prisoners are caught by the police at the same time. If both lie, each gets one year in prison. If both confess, each gets eight years. If one confesses and the other lies, the former goes free while the latter gets twenty years.
Everyone present was familiar with this simple scenario.Lin Zhixia didn’t mince words. She said bluntly, "You think that by helping you finish your homework and lying together, we’ll achieve the best outcome… That’s impossible. Don’t even think about it. For me, honesty is more important than grades. I’d rather get a zero, retake the course, or even drop out than cheat or help you lie. You shouldn’t threaten me with my Software Engineering grade. If I don’t care about dropping out, why would I care about one course? This isn’t a prisoner’s dilemma game—you’re the only prisoner here. I’ve always been on the side of the police."
He Shangqing’s lips curved slightly as he met her gaze.
Lin Zhixia stood up and looked at He Shangqing’s three roommates. "You’ve made it to your third year without dropping out, which means your grades are passable… Were your families and friends happy when you received your admission letters? When you first stepped onto campus at eighteen, did you have dreams for the future? This is the best university in the country. Your teachers hope you’ll succeed, your families hope you’ll grow. When you walk out of these gates, will you be able to face yourselves?"
Lin Zhixia gripped the edge of the table. Though her voice was soft, it struck a chord.
The three roommates avoided her gaze, while He Shangqing’s expression darkened. "Don’t try to brainwash anyone," he snapped.
Lin Zhixia pressed on, "I believe in you. You have a chance to prove yourselves in group work—to be people with dignity, to rely on your own abilities to make a living. There’s no need to follow He Shangqing in begging. Everyone learns at their own pace; we can’t achieve mastery overnight. But at the very least, we should show a willingness to learn. He Shangqing isn’t trying to save you time—he’s robbing you of the right to think, preventing you from learning programming through hands-on projects. He Shangqing, who’s really doing the brainwashing here?"
Luo Ying stared in stunned silence.
Jiang Yubai had long witnessed Lin Zhixia’s silver tongue. Unhurried, he chimed in, "You refuse to learn properly, and you won’t let others learn either…"
The phrase "You refuse to learn properly, and you won’t let others learn either" was something Jiang Yubai’s middle school homeroom teacher often said. He still remembered the teacher’s tone as he criticized a group of upperclassmen, thoroughly enraging He Shangqing.
He Shangqing frowned, his voice low and tense. "You’ve all misunderstood me. From start to finish, I never said I was a slacker. If Lin Zhixia can handle the homework on her own, why not let her do it? It’s like managing a company—reducing labor costs…"
Just as Lin Zhixia was about to retort, Jiang Yubai tugged her sleeve. "I brought a voice recorder."
The room fell into shocked silence.
Jiang Yubai pulled a silver metallic tube from his pocket. Placing it on the table, he rested his finger on a button. "I’ve recorded everything we just discussed. I’ve heard your school has strict rules—cheating on exams leads to expulsion."
He feigned a hint of regret. "He Shangqing, you’re in your third year. Getting expelled would be such a pity."
He Shangqing’s jaw slackened slightly. After a two-second pause, he protested, "You recorded us secretly? That’s an invasion of my privacy."
Jiang Yubai shook his head. "I haven’t violated your legal rights. You weren’t coerced or restrained, and I was a participant in the conversation. This recording could be submitted as evidence in court."After Jiang Yubai finished speaking, a man at the neighboring table suddenly chimed in, "Let me leave my contact information. If you really submit the voice recorder to the school, I'm willing to be your witness. I can testify that He Shangqing was threatening you—what a terrible person. I was bullied by classmates back in my university days too."
The man handed over a business card that read: "Chai Yang, Dongyang Technology Company, Chief Executive Officer."
Jiang Yubai accepted the card.
Meanwhile, He Shangqing covered the lower half of his face with both hands. Hot breath from his nostrils seeped through his fingers. His two roommates had moved closer to Lin Zhixia, leaving only his best friend still by his side.
Since the first semester of their sophomore year, their entire dorm had become obsessed with a video game. He Shangqing held a high status in the game, which helped him relieve real-life stress. Playing together with his buddies brought them immense joy. Little did he expect that the harmonious dynamic of their dorm would be dismantled by a young girl.
He Shangqing grabbed his laptop bag and walked out of the café without looking back. One of his roommates chased after him, while the other two remained in the café—they were willing to discuss software design goals with Lin Zhixia and Luo Ying.
The four of them began their conversation.
Jiang Yubai asked Chai Yang, "Were you waiting for someone?"
Chai Yang sighed. "I... had an investment client sitting across from me earlier. He didn’t wait for me to finish presenting the proposal, took a few sips of coffee, and left. Before I stepped out this morning, I was still fantasizing about securing an angel investor today."
Jiang Yubai smoothed things over, "He might have had something urgent to attend to."
During this period, Jiang Yubai had just begun exploring the field of start-up investment. He casually asked, "If it's not too much trouble, could you tell me what your company’s main business is?"
Chai Yang smiled warmly. "You’re a high school senior, right? Focus on your college entrance exams first."
"I’ve already finished them," Jiang Yubai said. "I’m planning to study abroad."
Chai Yang rolled his company’s proposal document into a cylinder. Absentmindedly, he tapped the cylinder on the table, thinking to himself: He had been circling among investors like a lost thoroughbred, still yet to meet his Bole. He couldn’t help but doubt himself—was he really a thousand-li horse? Perhaps he was just an old ox plowing the fields.
The old ox’s broken plow was useless.
He simply handed the proposal to Jiang Yubai.
He said, "Our team spent over four years developing an intelligent recognition system. We’ve even patented it, but the user base is too small. Investors all think it has no future."
He stood up, straightened his briefcase, waved, and said, "I’m off. Take care."
Not long after Chai Yang left, Lin Zhixia’s discussion concluded.
The other students returned to campus. Lin Zhixia entrusted her laptop to Senior Luo Ying for safekeeping. Then, she tugged at Jiang Yubai’s sleeve and strolled down the street with him.
The gentle spring breeze tousled her hair. She smiled and said, "Even just walking with you makes me happy."
Jiang Yubai inadvertently brushed against her pinky finger. She immediately curled her little finger, hooking it around his index finger. The sensation in his hand underwent a series of changes—from initial warmth to eventual numbness—all within just a few seconds.
He almost thought she could see right through him.If she suddenly told him she had the ability to read minds, he wouldn't be surprised.
On the bustling street filled with people coming and going, she stood still and looked up at him again.
The mischievous breeze rustled, making the tree shadows dance. Her eyes sparkled with unspoken words, hesitating to speak.
Jiang Yubai suddenly felt a shameful, unwarranted expectation. He lowered his voice to coax her: "Just say what you want to say directly."
Lin Zhixia took half a step back and asked bluntly: "Is your recording pen fake?"
Jiang Yubai paused for a few seconds before countering: "Is that what you wanted to say?"
"Otherwise?" Lin Zhixia seemed somewhat confused.
Jiang Yubai pulled out the metal tube from his pocket: "This is a remote control, not a recording pen. You guessed correctly."
"Why do you carry a remote control with you?" Lin Zhixia persistently pressed further.
"I have a cat at home," Jiang Yubai said. "I'm giving you this remote control to operate the electronic mouse. You can come to my place to play with the cat."
Lin Zhixia was indeed deeply captivated by his pet. Her eyes lit up: "That's great! I love kittens the most!"
In a few months, Jiang Yubai would be going to study in the UK, while Lin Zhixia was still in her third year at university in Beijing. Wanting to spend as much time with Lin Zhixia as possible before going abroad, he subtly invited her: "Are you busy lately? If you have time..."
Holding the remote control, Lin Zhixia said thoughtfully: "Tomorrow, I'm attending a North American academic exchange conference. A professor from North America is visiting our university with several students from their research group. I heard from senior Yang Shuwen that Tan Qianche's first love will also be coming - she's another doctoral sister."
Lin Zhixia selflessly shared the gossip she had heard. Her main point was actually about the "doctoral sister," while Jiang Yubai remembered the entire Quantum Computing group. He reminded her: "Most people in your group are students from the School of Physics, and they might also be teaching assistants there."
Lin Zhixia shared his understanding: "I know. If He Shangqing gives me trouble, I'll go to the teachers and teaching assistants in the School of Physics."
OpenNovel