Hearing Xue Jiao mention that her friend had arrived, Cheng Shuo and Li Sitong instinctively looked up.
Cheng Shuo scanned the surroundings but didn’t spot anyone who seemed like Xue Jiao’s friend.
However—
“Lin Zhihua.”
Cheng Shuo’s eyes lit up, and he quickly strode forward. “Hello, hello, Mr. Lin! I’m Cheng Shuo from Pengcheng.”
His enthusiasm was unusual, of course. There were two reasons for his fervent greeting toward Lin Zhihua: one was his deep admiration for the man.
The other was a perfectly normal but somewhat embarrassing reason—networking.
He knew a big-shot like Lin Zhihua wouldn’t pay much attention to a small-time businessman like him, especially given Lin’s famously cold demeanor.
But Cheng Shuo had thought it through: I’ll just make my presence known. I’m not expecting anything.
You don’t have to like me, but surely you won’t dislike me for it, right?
Now that his company had moved to the capital, there might be opportunities to collaborate with Lin Corporation in the future. Getting familiar now could only be beneficial.
Even though Mingze and Xue Jiao had said they wouldn’t need his financial support in the future, what father wouldn’t want his children to live well?
For that goal, he had to put in the effort.
Even if it meant buttering up his idol.
In the past, Cheng Shuo would never have dreamed of rushing up to someone in an airport to greet them.
Lin Zhihua was momentarily taken aback, but when he saw Xue Jiao’s expression of secondhand embarrassment, he suddenly smiled.
“Hello, Uncle Cheng. I’m Lin Zhihua.”
Uncle Cheng?
For a split second, Cheng Shuo thought he’d misheard.
Objectively, Lin Zhihua’s age made it perfectly acceptable for him to call Cheng Shuo “uncle.” But the issue was Lin’s status—how could someone of his stature call a small-time businessman “uncle”?
They weren’t even remotely related!
Cheng Shuo was still dumbfounded, even wondering if he was sleepwalking.
But then, Lin Zhihua’s next words struck him like a bolt from the blue:
“I’m also Xue Jiao’s friend.”
Cheng Shuo: “...”
He instinctively turned to look at Xue Jiao, who stood behind him, blinking innocently with an exaggeratedly innocent expression.
Then he looked back at the man before him—usually aloof and unapproachable—now smiling faintly and looking at him earnestly.
Cheng Shuo: This situation feels a bit off...
For a fleeting moment, Cheng Shuo even felt like this scene resembled a son-in-law meeting his father-in-law.
Instantly, he withdrew his hand, his expression cooling.
“Mr. Lin, so you’re the one who’s been helping Jiao Jiao all this time? The mentor she holds in such high regard?”
The word “mentor” was emphasized a little too heavily.
Lin Zhihua raised an eyebrow slightly. This Cheng Shuo was stressing seniority.
His lips curled up further. “I wouldn’t dare claim that title. Jiao Jiao saved me once. Our connection runs deep—we’re very good friends.”
Cheng Shuo smiled without warmth. “Even so, we must properly thank you for your immense kindness to Jiao Jiao. The Cheng family will never forget it.”
“Jiao Jiao and I help each other—it’s nothing, Uncle Cheng. No need for formalities.” Lin Zhihua smiled back.
Cheng Shuo: “...”
You keep calling me “Uncle Cheng”—what else can I even say?
“Boarding has started, Uncle Cheng. Let’s go.”
Uncle Cheng: “Let’s go.”
The group boarded the plane together. Coincidentally, Cheng Shuo and Li Sitong were seated in front, while Xue Jiao and Lin Zhihua sat behind them.
Cheng Shuo kept turning around to glance back—once, then again.
Li Sitong tugged at his sleeve, her face equally shocked. “Jiao Jiao’s friend is actually Lin Zhihua?!”
She whispered as quietly as possible, disbelief coloring her tone.
Cheng Shuo was just as stunned, but his male instincts kicked in.
“That man has ulterior motives.”Li Sitong frowned in confusion. "What purpose?"
Cheng Shuo glanced back at Xue Jiao, who was laughing at something Lin Zhihua said, then at the clueless Li Sitong beside him.
"No particular purpose."
Now he understood where Jiao Jiao's lack of emotional intelligence came from—it was hereditary.
In the back seat, Xue Jiao was indeed laughing.
Because Lin Zhihua had just said, "I called him Uncle Cheng, and your dad's expression... Does he want me to call him 'brother' instead?"
For some reason, this struck Xue Jiao as hilarious. Covering her mouth, she giggled, "It's because you rarely smile and seem so capable. Dad automatically assumes you're his age."
Lin Zhihua straightened his collar and leaned closer to whisper in her ear, "Then your dad needs glasses. How could he think someone as good-looking as me is old?"
Xue Jiao turned her head and glared at him.
Though it was true—Lin Zhihua was exceptionally handsome.
"Don't badmouth my dad!" Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she teased, "Uncle, don't badmouth my dad."
Lin Zhihua: "..."
"Fine, you win."
Xue Jiao covered her mouth, laughing even harder.
Lin Zhihua watched her, his own face lit with amusement.
Seeing her happy because of him—it felt wonderful.
Up front, Cheng Shuo turned to look, feeling inexplicably sour. He nudged Li Sitong and said seriously, "Talk to Xue Jiao tonight. She should maintain some distance from men, especially older ones."
"Lin Zhihua isn't even thirty yet..." Li Sitong glanced back and corrected herself. After a pause, she added, "He really is good-looking."
Women, regardless of age, could still appreciate a handsome man.
Cheng Shuo's expression darkened further at Li Sitong's admiring look. After a moment, he pulled out his phone and checked his reflection.
Aside from being older, was he really that much less attractive than Lin Zhihua?
The four of them arrived in Beijing in this strange atmosphere.
Almost as soon as they got off the plane, Cheng Shuo smiled and said, "Mr. Lin, you must be very busy. We won't keep you."
Lin Zhihua glanced at Xue Jiao and smirked. "Then until next time."
"Sure." Next time can be never.
But Li Sitong was quite fond of Lin Zhihua and waved. "Mr. Lin, you're welcome to visit us sometime."
She knew Cheng Shuo was far from being a business tycoon like Lin Zhihua. As the lady of the house, she naturally wanted to help Cheng Shuo make connections.
Clearly, she hadn't realized Cheng Shuo currently had zero interest in befriending Lin Zhihua.
"Absolutely," Lin Zhihua replied.
Cheng Shuo: "..."
With that, Lin Zhihua finally left.
Cheng Shuo turned to Xue Jiao and glared. "Time to confess."
Xue Jiao gave him an ingratiating smile and explained everything truthfully. By the time they got into the car, she had finished.
After a moment of silence, Cheng Shuo had to admit, "Alright, that was honest enough."
Just then, Xue Jiao's phone rang.
"Hello?"
A familiar voice came through. "Gu Xue Jiao, this is Teacher Yin."
Xue Jiao was surprised. Why was Yin Fang calling her?
"Teacher Yin, what can I do for you?"
Yin Fang chuckled on the other end, though her tone carried a hint of helplessness. "Two things. First, about the prize money for your outstanding achievement..."
Xue Jiao's eyes instantly lit up. "There's prize money, Teacher Yin?"
"Of course! There are awards from the province, the city, educational organizations, and our school. The total will definitely exceed 100,000 yuan. When can you come back to collect it?"
"Um..." Xue Jiao hesitated.On the other end of the line, Yin Fang sensed something was amiss and asked hesitantly, "Is there a problem? Are you facing any difficulties?"
"We've moved. We're in Beijing now."
"I see..." Yin Fang's voice also carried hesitation. "Let me check with the school administration to see if we can mail it to you."
"Okay, thank you for your trouble, Teacher Yin," Xue Jiao replied gratefully.
Truthfully, she could have gone back to collect it herself, but she didn't really want to return.
Those past events, those unresolved emotions—it was better to let them fade away with her departure.
She and Yi Tianyu were never suited for each other. Why go back just to reopen old wounds?
Xue Jiao shook her head, pulling her wandering thoughts back. "Teacher Yin, what's the second matter?"
Yin Fang glanced at the persistent young woman beside her and sighed. "There's a reporter who insists on interviewing you. She's been pestering me."
"I'd rather not give any interviews," Xue Jiao said, scratching her head in refusal.
Unable to hold back, the reporter blurted out, "Gu Xue Jiao, I just need a verbal interview—no cameras, please! I'm begging you!"
Hearing the urgency in her voice, Xue Jiao felt a bit helpless. "Why are you so determined to interview me?"
Yin Fang handed the phone to the reporter, who answered bluntly, "You're trending right now! My editor said whoever lands an interview with you gets a bonus. I'm still an intern—if I get this, I might get hired full-time!"
This was probably the first reporter to be so brutally honest.
Recently, many had sought to interview her, especially since her refusal seemed to amplify her newsworthiness.
Hearing this, Xue Jiao relented. "Alright then, I'll accept your interview."
The reporter's voice sounded young, brimming with the drive of youth.
They agreed on a time, and the reporter would come to Beijing. Xue Jiao had thought a phone interview would suffice, but the reporter insisted on traveling—on company expenses, no less—so Xue Jiao agreed.
After hanging up, Yin Fang sighed. "Reporter Ye, satisfied now?"
"Yes, thank you so much!" Reporter Ye bowed repeatedly in gratitude.
Yin Fang could only shake her head. This girl had accosted her near the school, pleading for help in contacting Gu Xue Jiao.
As Yin Fang left, so did Reporter Ye.
But under a nearby tree, a man remained frozen on a bench.
His clothes, though branded and expensive, were outdated and crumpled. His hair was disheveled, and the exhaustion and age in his features made him look far older than his years.
This was Gu Jingxu.
The biological father of the Gu Xue Jiao they had just mentioned.
Gu Jingxu lifted his gaze to the banner not far away—the proudest achievement of Seventh High School this year.
Gu Xue Jiao, with a score of 731, had broken records and become the pride of the entire school, even the entire city.
Reporters clamored for interviews, and the rewards exceeded 100,000 yuan.
Once, 100,000 meant nothing to him. Now, it was a fortune.
The daughter he had abandoned was now his honor.
The daughter he had chosen was abroad, unable to even return.
He had made the wrong choice.
Between two daughters—one seemingly dull, the other cunning—he had chosen the cunning one. How could that be wrong?
Xue Jiao would never acknowledge him now.
Gu Jingxu stood up and stumbled toward a nearby neighborhood.It was a rundown neighborhood. If Xue Jiao were here, she would be shocked. When Gu Jingxu went bankrupt back then, he still had a good school district property in this area. How had it been swapped for this old, dilapidated place?
He had clearly been drinking, his face flushed an unnatural red, and he swayed slightly as he walked.
The shabby building had no elevator, but fortunately, they were only on the third floor, so they climbed up quickly.
He opened the door, his eyes bloodshot.
Inside, a woman who had also aged considerably sat on the sofa watching TV.
Gu Jingxu felt a surge of anger. He strode forward and kicked the TV with all his might.
A loud "bang" echoed.
"Ahhh! Gu Jingxu, what are you doing?!" Wu Wanjun exploded. The family already had few appliances, and now Gu Jingxu had smashed the TV.
Gu Jingxu's eyes were bloodshot as he roared, "How did I end up married to a poisonous woman like you? If you and Gu Shiyun hadn’t harmed Jiao Jiao, how could I have fallen to this state? Do you know how glorious Jiao Jiao is now? Huh? I never should have divorced Sitong back then!"
Wu Wanjun couldn’t stand hearing about Li Sitong’s good fortune. She had schemed her way into the household as the mistress, finally driving Li Sitong away. Yet, Li Sitong was living better than her, and her daughter was more accomplished than Wu Wanjun’s own. How could she bear it?
Enraged, Wu Wanjun shot back, "If you hadn’t poured all our money into investments and startups, and even sold the house, how could we be living like this? You regret the divorce? Li Sitong is living the high life now, probably still celebrating that she escaped this dump! You are the dump!"
Slap! Gu Jingxu couldn’t hold back. He swung his hand and struck Wu Wanjun across the face.
Wu Wanjun froze, then covered her face and wailed, "You hit me? You actually hit me!"
She lunged at him, kicking and hitting, all traces of the respect she once had for him long gone.
The "true love" of the past had now descended into mutual violence.
In early July, Xue Jiao gave an interview to the journalist surnamed Ye at her new home.
The new place was located between Cheng Shuo’s new company and Tsinghua University, making it convenient for Cheng Shuo to return home, as well as for her and Cheng Mingze.
In the expensive real estate market of Beijing, they lived in a relatively spacious apartment.
Pengcheng had just relocated and was in need of funds. After consulting Xue Jiao and Cheng Mingze, Cheng Shuo opted for an apartment to save costs compared to a villa.
If Cheng Shuo stabilized and had more capital in the future, they could consider buying a new house.
When Ye arrived, Li Sitong had picked her up while out grocery shopping. Auntie hadn’t come along recently, as the three of them had been eating meals cooked by Li Sitong.
Her cooking skills had improved slightly—at least they could now eat her food without grimacing.
"Auntie, let me help you with that!" Ye reached out, offering to take the groceries and fruit from Li Sitong’s hands.
Li Sitong smiled and shook her head. "No need, no need! You’re a guest—how could I let you carry things?"
Ye scratched her head, a little embarrassed. She looked at Li Sitong and grinned. "Auntie, you have such great poise."
And you’re beautiful too.
Ye didn’t say that part out loud, feeling it might come off as slightly frivolous, even though she was also a woman.
Li Sitong’s eyes crinkled with amusement. "You’re such a sweet talker."
"I’m just telling the truth!" Ye said eagerly. She genuinely thought Li Sitong was stunning—she must have been breathtaking in her youth.
But when they went upstairs and she saw Xue Jiao, her eyes completely glazed over.
This was an enhanced version of Li Sitong’s beauty.Xue Jiao asked in confusion, "What's wrong, Reporter Ye?"
Reporter Ye blushed and instinctively replied, "You're so beautiful, why won't you agree to an interview?"
Xue Jiao smiled but didn't respond.
Li Sitong brought them a variety of fruits. Xue Jiao looked at the reporter and said, "Reporter Ye, you can ask whatever questions you have now."
"Oh, oh, okay," Reporter Ye responded.
She took out a notebook and recording equipment.
The questions were all standard ones provided by the editor-in-chief, which Reporter Ye asked one by one.
They were mostly about how Xue Jiao studied, how she felt during the process, and her thoughts on achieving such high scores. Xue Jiao answered some but not all.
At the end, Reporter Ye asked, "Gu Xue Jiao, it's clear you work very hard, and I feel your dedication is different from others'."
Reporter Ye wasn't sure how to describe this feeling, but listening to Xue Jiao talk about studying, it seemed her approach was unique.
Xue Jiao was also taken aback. Different? How so?
She pondered, and Reporter Ye didn't interrupt.
After a moment, Xue Jiao looked up. "Maybe it's because I'm a bit stubborn."
Reporter Ye's pen paused. Stubborn? What kind of answer was that?
Xue Jiao didn't elaborate further.
Reporter Ye wouldn't know that Xue Jiao had lived a past life. The things she had decided on—whether it was the college entrance exam or Tsinghua University—once set, she rarely changed her mind.
Wasn't that stubbornness?
After the interview, Xue Jiao took a liking to Reporter Ye, who was only in her early twenties, and invited her to stay. "Sister Ye, why not have lunch here?"
"No, no, I have a train to catch this afternoon. I need to get to the station early, or I won't get a good seat," Reporter Ye said as she packed up.
Xue Jiao was surprised. "Seat?" Aren't train seats assigned?
She hadn't taken a train in this life, but she had ridden one twice in her past life while working odd jobs.
"I bought a standing ticket," Reporter Ye said with a smile, unfazed.
Xue Jiao was shocked. Wasn't this a business trip? Why a standing ticket? And if it was a regular train, the journey from the capital would take over twenty hours!
Reporter Ye continued packing. As she lifted her bag, the zipper on the second compartment came undone, and a stack of photos spilled out.
Both of them froze.
Xue Jiao bent down to pick them up.
They were all photos of the capital—the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall—each featuring Reporter Ye's bright smile.
Handing them back, Xue Jiao chuckled. "So you came here to sightsee?"
Reporter Ye turned her head, took the photos, and suddenly said, "Actually, it's not for me. I wanted to show them to someone else."
"Hmm?" Xue Jiao was puzzled.
Reporter Ye gazed at the photos, her eyes distant. "Earlier this year, before I graduated, our final project was an interview. A friend and I planned to interview volunteer teachers. After much searching, we ended up in a very remote area. It took countless bus transfers and even a two-hour motorcycle ride to get there."
Xue Jiao listened quietly.
"That place was so poor. Gu Xue Jiao, with your comfortable background, you might never understand how destitute some areas are. When I arrived, the plateau was still cold. The children's hands were covered in chilblains, their faces dark and weathered. The land couldn't grow vegetables, so they hardly ever ate greens. It was true poverty." Reporter Ye blinked.After a moment, she continued, "There's only one teacher there who handles all subjects, plus a principal who also cooks and cleans. The children have almost no concept of the outside world. They know what Jing City looks like, but to them, it might as well be another world. They lack the courage to venture out, or even the desire to."
"Some time ago, the principal called me, saying the children wanted to ask me questions. I thought they'd ask something profound, but they just wanted to know if I'd been to Jing City. Haha, of course I said I'd been there many times. Then I sent them photos. Seeing me standing in those places might make them stop thinking it's another world. Maybe some will start wanting to go out." Reporter Ye packed the photos and prepared to leave.
She found it strange herself—why was she telling all this to this young girl?
What could this girl possibly understand?
She must really be desperate for someone to talk to.
Xue Jiao gave a faint smile, her eyes tinged with bitterness. "You think I don’t understand, don’t you?"
Reporter Ye froze.
Xue Jiao shook her head with a smile.
How could she not understand?
The old man selling squid did it to earn money for her schooling. Neither of them could afford to eat it.
It was almost funny—they sold grilled squid but couldn’t afford to eat squid themselves.
Only when it was about to go bad would they reluctantly eat it.
Even then, the old man wouldn’t touch it. He gave it all to her.
"Reporter Ye, help me pick five students from the poorest families. I’ll sponsor them."
"What?" Reporter Ye was stunned, then quickly shook her head. "You're still a student yourself! I didn’t tell you this to ask for donations."
She turned to leave, afraid Xue Jiao might impulsively insist.
This girl really was too rash.
But Xue Jiao had made this decision calmly, without a trace of impulsiveness. Back then, if kind people hadn’t helped her during middle and high school, she didn’t know where she’d be now.
Standing where she was, she called out to the retreating figure at the door:
"That place you mentioned—before high school, there’s no tuition. Public high schools provide poverty subsidies each semester. Based on basic living standards and state subsidies, for elementary school, each student only needs an extra 10 yuan per day. With 220 school days a year, five students over six years would total 66,000 yuan. For middle school, aside from subsidies, each student needs 15 yuan daily. Since they live farther away, with 300 school days a year, five students over three years would total 67,500 yuan. For high school, an additional 20 yuan daily is needed, with 320 school days a year. For five students over three years, that’s 96,000 yuan. Besides state subsidies for tuition, I’ll add 1,000 yuan per semester for tuition and transportation, totaling 30,000 yuan over three years. So, with just 259,500 yuan, they can all graduate high school."
Xue Jiao spoke almost without pause. It was a simple calculation, but she did it quickly, logically, entirely in her head, without hesitation.
She smiled. "As for university, by then, I believe they’ll have the ability and means to support themselves. 259,500 yuan—not too much, not too little. Exactly the 100,000 yuan my parents gave me for my college entrance exam results, plus the 160,000 yuan from the school, city, and province. When I said five students, I meant I can afford five right now. For those slightly better off, I’ll contact you later."
"""Reporter Ye, what do you think of my sponsorship proposal?"
Reporter Ye was dumbfounded. After a moment, he blurted out something completely unrelated:
"You're really good at math."
Xue Jiao chuckled, her eyes brimming with mischief as they curved into crescents. "Reporter Ye, let me answer the question from the interview that I didn't respond to before. For the next four years, I'll likely be studying at Tsinghua University, in the mathematics department."
She blinked playfully. "My future lies in mathematics."
Reporter Ye gazed at her, momentarily lost in thought.
When she first saw this girl upon entering, she had thought her exceptionally beautiful, but nothing more.
Yet now, she found this girl even more captivating than when she'd first arrived.
Some people's beauty lies in their appearance; others', in their backbone.
Reporter Ye stepped forward with her bag and hugged Xue Jiao, her voice choked with emotion. "Thank you."
While a single student's expenses might not seem like much, the cumulative amount was substantial—certainly beyond what a trainee reporter like herself, barely making ends meet in this bustling metropolis, could afford to support.
They exchanged WeChat contacts and phone numbers, with some paperwork remaining regarding the sponsorship.
Without proper documentation, Xue Jiao couldn't simply hand over such a large sum to Reporter Ye.
This wasn't about distrust—it was about safeguards.
Trust between people is one thing; rationality is another.
Within two days of Reporter Ye's return, Xue Jiao's story spread online.
At Xue Jiao's request, Reporter Ye omitted the donation details, publishing only the interview content.
The attention Xue Jiao received was unexpectedly high.
Previous top scorers often had interview videos and various reports, but this year's record-breaker had declined interviews.
Combined with ongoing discussions about her appearance—whether she was the school beauty and debates about her looks—the mystery only fueled public curiosity.
Her choice of Tsinghua's mathematics department was included in the report. Normally this wouldn't attract much notice, but with residual excitement from the recent college entrance exams and the timing coinciding with completed applications, many people paid attention to this interview.
Soon, many Tsinghua students learned:
"Hey, heard this year's top scorer with 731 points is coming to our math department."
"Really? She didn't choose Peking University?"
"Nope, there's an online interview—she's coming here."
"How does she look? Rumor says she's the school beauty?"
"Not sure, it's text only, no video."
"I remember she won first prize in last year's math competition too. Seems serious about math research—why not Peking U?"
"Who knows? The school administration is definitely paying attention to this incoming student."
"Well, our school gets many top scorers. Lots who aced the exams end up just... you know."
"True enough."
Unaware of the campus chatter about her future arrival, Xue Jiao did notice the extensive online discussions, which made her somewhat uncomfortable.
After two lifetimes, this was her first experience with such attention.
She mentioned it during a chat with Lin Zhihua:
Actually it's a bit bothersome. Sometimes I glance at what people say—most are lovely, but there are always those who make nasty comments for no reason.
Xue Jiao typed these words while half-sprawled on her bed.
Lin Zhihua tapped his fingers on the desk and made a call.
"Jiao Jiao."
Xue Jiao lifted her head slightly. "Hmm?"The voice on the phone was soft, carrying a hint of amusement. "It's completely normal to come across unpleasant messages online. Many people who seem perfectly normal in daily life take on entirely different personas on the internet. They vent their frustrations and dissatisfaction through harsh words. These people aren’t worth paying attention to."
Xue Jiao nodded. "I know. It’s just that seeing those comments occasionally makes me feel a bit upset, but I get over it quickly. I didn’t expect the interview to attract so much attention. If I had known—"
If she had known, she wouldn’t have agreed to the interview.
"Not necessarily," Lin Zhihua said, tapping his fingers lightly. "Actually, the current situation is quite good. There’s attention, but the scope isn’t too large. Unless someone is specifically following it, others might not even notice. Besides, there’s a significant advantage to this."
"What advantage?" Xue Jiao was puzzled.
Her brows furrowed as she tried to think of any possible benefit.
Lin Zhihua chuckled. "Perhaps your university professors might notice you earlier."
"Ah?" Xue Jiao’s eyes widened.
The more time she spent with Lin Zhihua, the more she realized just how incredibly intelligent he was.
Their conversation ended that day, but not long after, Cheng Mingze returned with some news.
"Jiao Jiao, Professor Tan found out we’ve moved here and asked about you today."
Xue Jiao’s eyes lit up, and she sprang to her feet. "Really?"
"Yes. Professor Tan also asked if you’d be free before the semester starts. If you are, he’d like you to come assist him with some work." Cheng Mingze’s voice was warm with amusement as he walked over and ruffled her hair.
"I’m free! I’m free!" Xue Jiao beamed.
Being able to assist a professor early meant she could potentially join their research team ahead of time, which would be a tremendous boost to her studies in mathematics.
Cheng Mingze was equally pleased. He had worked hard to join Professor Tang’s projects early, giving him an edge over his peers.
"Then you can discuss the details with your professor. Come to the university tomorrow—I’ll bring you in to meet Professor Tan. He said he’ll be back on campus by eleven to see you."
"Great, great!" Xue Jiao nodded eagerly.
"Assisting the professor?" Cheng Shuo adjusted his glasses.
Cheng Mingze nodded. "Professor Tan is very busy, and there’s a lot of work on his plate. Recently, he’s been doing data calculations for a dynamical system. With students about to go on summer break, Xue Jiao can step in early to help—perfect timing."
Cheng Shuo nodded in agreement but then remembered something else.
"Jiao Jiao, your eighteenth birthday is in August, and we’re also holding your college celebration banquet then. Make sure to keep those days free."
Xue Jiao nodded.
The banquet was more of an opportunity—Cheng Shuo planned to invite business associates, while Li Sitong would use the occasion to network with other women in their social circle. Relationships needed nurturing, after all.
No one was particularly concerned about the gifts; it was just a chance to connect.
Cheng Shuo had explained this to Xue Jiao earlier, and she had agreed.
Originally, Cheng Shuo had wanted to hold a separate coming-of-age ceremony for her, but Xue Jiao refused, finding it too troublesome. Combining everything into one day was simpler.
Back in her room, Xue Jiao couldn’t contain her excitement, rolling around on her bed.
Not every university student had the privilege of working directly under a professor—that was usually reserved for graduate students.Not to mention someone as formidable as Professor Tan—even getting into his graduate program is fiercely competitive.
This professor is upright and wholly dedicated to academia, and Xue Jiao has always admired him.
After telling Lin Zhihua about this, her excitement practically radiated through the screen.
Lin Zhihua: Congratulations, Jiao Jiao.
Lin Zhihua chuckled and shook his head—this girl.
Then, he dialed Chen Yan’s number.
"Starting tomorrow, suppress Jiao Jiao’s online buzz. Use some eye-catching news to divert attention and let her related posts fade."
"Understood."
The next day, Xue Jiao woke up early, memorized some English vocabulary, listened to a few English news reports, and then went downstairs.
After breakfast, she checked the time, slung her bag filled with paper and pens over her shoulder, and eagerly headed to Tsinghua University.
At the gate, she called Cheng Mingze, who came out quickly.
Cheng Mingze: "Jiao Jiao, why are you here so early? Didn’t I tell you Professor Tan is at the research institute today and won’t be back until eleven?" His tone wasn’t reproachful, just resigned.
Xue Jiao: "It’s fine, I’ll just wait. I don’t have anything else to do anyway." She grinned, clearly in high spirits.
Cheng Mingze sighed helplessly and ruffled her hair. "You..."
Xue Jiao: "Keep that up and I’ll go bald!" She bristled.
Unable to resist, he reached out again.
After some playful bickering, he led her to the Mathematics Department building. "I’ll wait with you. Let’s sit over there."
Xue Jiao: Waving her hand, she said, "You think I’ll get lost? Hurry up and go—you barely have time to eat as it is, yet you’re still wasting time waiting with me."
Cheng Mingze: "But you’re alone..."
Xue Jiao: "I won’t get lost, really!" She nudged him. "Go on, shoo!"
She knew how busy Cheng Mingze was and didn’t want to take up his time.
Cheng Mingze: "Then just wait on that bench. Professor Tan’s office is Room 306, but the door’s locked, and there’s no seating inside." He gave her a worried look.
Xue Jiao: "Got it, now go!" She waved him off.
With a resigned shake of his head, Cheng Mingze left.
Xue Jiao sat on the bench for about half an hour. At 10:30, she stood up, deciding to wait upstairs—what if Professor Tan entered from another route?
With that thought, she headed toward Room 306.
The third floor was quiet, yet many people were inside. Passing Room 302, she saw two people inside, scribbling intently in notebooks.
This might very well be her future.
A faint smile touched her lips as she continued to Room 306.
Just as she neared Room 305, the door opened, and a girl stepped out.
Girl: "Who are you?" She frowned sternly.
Xue Jiao glanced at her badge—a junior in the Math Department.
Xue Jiao: "Hello, I’m—"
Girl: "Are you from our university?" Her frown deepened.
Xue Jiao: "No, I—"
Girl: "You’re not even a student here? Then what are you doing in this building? Do you know where this is? We’re working on a classified project! Outsiders aren’t allowed to just wander in! If you want to visit, take pictures at the gate. This isn’t a place for random people. Now, get out!"
The girl was furious, assuming Xue Jiao was just another sightseer.
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