Xue Jiao's words were spoken with seriousness and calmness, yet they startled Zhang Han greatly.
"Wh...what..." she stammered, wide-eyed.
Xue Jiao's voice remained composed: "Senior sister, it's the boyfriend you've met before. He's nine years older than me."
Zhang Han had indeed met Lin Zhihua before, but it had been at night under dim lighting. Moreover, when Lin Zhihua came to pick up Xue Jiao, he rarely wore formal suits. With his exceptionally handsome appearance, he didn't seem much older than Xue Jiao at all.
After a long silence, Zhang Han choked out: "Xue Jiao... why... why are you with him..."
"Because I like him, and he suits me well." A sweet smile appeared on Xue Jiao's lips, her eyes brimming with happiness.
Zhang Han couldn't recall the man's face clearly, but he was someone who could make Xue Jiao smile just by thinking about him. He must be a good person, she thought.
"But... love is such a waste of time..." Zhang Han had originally resolved to dedicate herself entirely to science. Yang Zhan had been purely an accident.
Xue Jiao shook her head: "Not necessarily. Have you seen me troubled by time wasted on romance? When I'm free, I go to his office where we each do our own work before having meals together. Occasionally, we squeeze out time for dates... It's something that makes me very happy and gives me something to look forward to..."
Zhang Han froze, her gaze fixed blankly on one spot.
"Senior sister Zhang Han, dedicating our lives to science is a lifelong commitment, but that doesn't mean we can't have other aspects to our lives. Love can be part of life—we shouldn't force it when it's not there, but we shouldn't fear or avoid it when it comes." Xue Jiao chuckled lightly.
Zhang Han was still afraid—this was territory she'd never ventured into in her first twenty-some years of life.
"But... he's so much younger than me, I'm still scared..."
Xue Jiao picked up her coffee and took a sip: "If you like him, you could consider him, but liking someone doesn't necessarily mean you have to be together. If he truly likes you and is truly right for you, you'll feel it, and you'll want to be with him forever."
These words plunged Zhang Han into deep thought as she seriously considered Yang Zhan as a person...
"Actually... I do feel happy when I'm with him. Sometimes... after not seeing him for a while, I want to see him again. But it also troubles me, like now." Zhang Han's eyes grew distant. "I don't know if we're suitable for each other, and I've never experienced love before. I'm afraid... I won't do it well."
"Senior sister, there's no such thing as doing love well or poorly. Our future partner is an important part of our lives—we shouldn't rush, shouldn't act impulsively, shouldn't make decisions we'll regret for the rest of our lives in haste."
Xue Jiao's expression turned serious: "But we shouldn't be too restrained either. Cherishing the person before us is also very important."
Zhang Han looked at her, eyes still unfocused, but it was clear she'd taken in what was said.
"Senior sister, do you know why I took such a long leave when we first met?" Xue Jiao suddenly asked.
Zhang Han froze, then shook her head, somewhat embarrassed.
When they first met, she had thought Xue Jao wasn't dedicated enough to her work. But after getting to know her better, she realized she'd been wrong—Xue Jiao was nothing if not dedicated.
As Xue Jiao smiled, her eyes reddened again: "Because I had a friend..."
Slowly, she began to speak, recounting Shu Lan's story in detail.Shu Lan's departure left an indelible mark on the hearts of Xue Jiao and the other two. She was someone they would think of in the quiet of the night, tears streaming down their faces at the memory.
By the time Xue Jiao finished speaking, Zhang Han's eyes were already red. She slowly opened her mouth: "I'm sorry..."
If she had known the reason why the girl before her hadn't come back then, she would never have judged her that way.
They had known each other for a year, and it was only now that Xue Jiao told Zhang Han the real reason for her absence back then.
Xue Jiao wiped the corners of her eyes and said softly to Zhang Han, "I don't know how you truly feel about being with Yang Zhan, but I hope every decision you make is one you won't regret later. Don't make the wrong choice, and don't miss out on the person right in front of you."
Zhang Han nodded, gripping Xue Jiao's hand tightly.
She needed to think carefully about her relationship with Yang Zhan. Xue Jiao was right—she shouldn't make impulsive decisions, but there was no need to be overly anxious or afraid either.
When it's not time, don't rush; when it comes, don't avoid it.
"Jiao Jiao, thank you. You're a good person," Zhang Han said sincerely.
Counting back, Xue Jiao was her first real friend. She felt fortunate to have met and gotten to know her.
Xue Jiao had already dried her tears, though her eyes were still slightly red. She smiled and said, "I thought... it would be Senior Yang Zhan thanking me!"
Zhang Han's face flushed, and she glared at her.
After this meeting, Zhang Han seemed to have let down her guard. She agreed on a time for their celebration dinner and stopped avoiding Yang Zhan.
Sitting in the car, Xue Jiao chattered excitedly to Lin Zhihua—
"See? My emotional intelligence isn't that low after all! Otherwise, how could I have helped Senior Zhang Han see things clearly? Right?"
Her voice was cheerful and full of pride.
Lin Zhihua glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, his expression filled with amused resignation.
"Jiao Jiao, do you know why you were able to help your Senior Zhang Han see things clearly?"
"Huh?" Isn't it because I'm smart?
Lin Zhihua chuckled. "Because—even a blind cat can stumble upon a dead mouse."
Two people with low emotional intelligence had come together, their thought processes aligning perfectly.
Xue Jiao: "..."
——
The interview was released not long after. At this time, the project was still causing "aftershocks" in the scientific community, so many people paid attention to the interview.
Fudan University.
At noon, a few boys sat together eating lunch, discussing the interview.
"Yang Zhan is seriously impressive. He's only a year ahead of us—how is he so damn good?"
"Why don't you mention that Gu Xue Jiao is in our year?"
"Hahaha, I still admire Senior Zhang Han more. She's practically the top senior in the physics field!"
"I'm so jealous they started forming a team and working on such a huge project so early!"
"By the way, was their project team selected based on looks? They're all so ridiculously good-looking!"
"Yeah, Senior Zhang Han and Goddess Gu—their beauty is otherworldly!"
"I wonder if they have boyfriends..."
"What?! You dare to fantasize?!"
...
The group chatted happily. Nearby, a handsome but melancholic-looking boy sat with his head down, eating quietly.
Unfortunately, after several attempts to bring food to his mouth, he still hadn't managed to eat anything.
Most of the people around him were from the math department. Yi Tianyu didn't even know why he had made so many math major friends. It was as if love extended to the crow—because of that one person, he had even started to like math itself.
"Haha! Check out this interview—Goddess Gu's explanations are so professional. Do outsiders even understand this? I'm a math major, and even I feel lost!"Yi Tianyu, who had been silent all this while, finally relaxed his furrowed brows. A faint smile appeared in his eyes as he said softly, "She's always been like this—serious and meticulous."
His voice was quiet, carrying a trace of nostalgia and an indescribable emotion.
Everyone turned to look at him. Yi Tianyu stood up. "I'm done eating. I have things to do, so I'll take my leave first."
"Brother Yu—" Someone tried to stand up and follow him but was pulled back by the person next to him.
"Give him some space."
"What's wrong with Brother Yu?" Everyone was puzzled.
Only the boy who had held the other back sighed helplessly. "Do you know who Brother Yu's unforgettable first love is? The one he's been pining for all this time?"
"Who?"
"Gu Xue Jiao."
"..."
"No way!"
"Is that true?"
Even though Brother Yu was outstanding, in their minds, Gu Xue Jiao was already "Goddess Gu"—someone untouchable, a distant and unreachable figure.
"The photo Brother Yu treasures most in his wallet is of him and Gu Xue Jiao. The background on his phone, which he often takes out to caress, is also a picture of them together."
The others widened their eyes in shock.
The speaker also felt emotional. Yi Tianyu had never spoken of these things; he had only observed them himself.
He didn't know what exactly had happened between Yi Tianyu and Goddess Gu, but judging by the fact that the two had hardly been in contact these past two years, it was clear this was already a tragedy.
But what worried him most was—
Once having seen the ocean, nothing else compares; after witnessing the clouds of Mount Wu, all others pale in comparison.
——
Xue Jiao had been relatively relaxed lately. The project was over, the semester had just started, and her course load wasn't too heavy.
All her grades from last semester had been released. Xue Jiao hadn't managed to maintain her position as the top student in her major, but fortunately, she had only dropped to third place.
What surprised Xue Jiao the most was that Teacher Zhen had only deducted five points from her usual performance score.
This teacher... was all bark and no bite after all.
Since she hadn't failed any subjects last semester, she didn't need to retake any courses. Xue Jiao checked her schedule and added a few more classes for herself.
She wanted to complete more subjects in advance so that by her junior and senior years, she might have time to focus on other things.
At least she wouldn't be as busy as she had been during last semester's finals.
On Saturday, Xue Jiao was in Lin Zhihua's office with him.
"I can't have lunch with you tomorrow. Teacher Tan and I are going to interview his mentor," Xue Jiao suddenly said, looking up.
Lin Zhihua smiled. "That's fine. Focus on your work."
Xue Jiao rubbed her chin, curious. "I wonder who Teacher Tan's mentor is. I'm really looking forward to meeting such an expert."
Lin Zhihua reached over and lightly flicked her forehead, his expression affectionate. "You'll find out tomorrow. Right now, you should be thinking about what we're having for lunch today."
"Anything's fine. Are we eating in the office again?"
"Yeah, too lazy to go out."
Xue Jiao nodded and lowered her head to continue reading.
Lin Zhihua ruffled her hair. "Sit up straight. Your eyesight's already a little strained. If you're not careful, you'll need glasses soon."
Xue Jiao immediately straightened up in alarm.
Lin Zhihua chuckled and walked back to his desk.
Just then, Xue Jiao's phone rang. She took it out and froze, staring at the screen in surprise.
Her expression was strange—a mix of shock, confusion, and emotion.
Lin Zhihua, who had just sat down, looked up and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Someone asked me out for lunch..." Xue Jiao explained.
"Who?"
"Yi Tianyu."For a moment, Lin Zhihua thought he must have misheard. His pupils constricted sharply, and he almost blurted out—"You're not going."
But he restrained himself, taking a deep breath and forcing his voice to remain calm. "Oh? Why did he suddenly invite you to dinner?"
Xue Jiao shook her head, equally puzzled. "He said there's something he wants to tell me in person and insisted on meeting me."
"Are you going?" Lin Zhihua's voice was light, as if indifferent, but his hand clenched the documents on the table tightly.
Xue Jiao thought for a moment. It had been over a year since Yi Tianyu last contacted her. He must really have something important.
"I think I'll go see him. But... are you okay with me going?"
The last few words carried a hint of laughter in her voice.
Lin Zhihua forced a smile. "Why wouldn't I be? I know you like me now—that's enough."
Xue Jiao laughed, stood up, and quickly walked over to plant a loud kiss on Lin Zhihua's cheek.
"Then I'll go meet him. I think he really has something to say."
Truthfully, over the past year, Xue Jiao had hardly thought about Yi Tianyu, and her feelings had naturally faded. This meeting would likely be the last time they saw each other.
As Lin Zhihua's girlfriend, she couldn't possibly keep meeting a boy she once had feelings for.
This would be the first time—and the last.
Xue Jiao still wanted to know what Yi Tianyu had to say. It would also be a chance to talk, hoping they could both fully move on from the past.
The memory of that young man's sorrowful gaze still lingered, but she had found her happiness now. She didn’t want him stuck in the past—she hoped he could find his own happiness too.
Lin Zhihua agreed to let Xue Jiao go. But the moment she stepped out the door, he immediately called Tan Qi—
"Prepare the car."
Okay with it?
Okay was impossible!
Never in this lifetime!
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