Xue Jiao looked bewildered. "What do you mean, senior?"
Xu Jing straightened up, gazing at her intently.
"I used to be prejudiced against you, and I'm truly sorry for that. I thought someone as beautiful as you might not be serious about academics. Now, I apologize for my bias. I'm sorry."
Xue Jiao scratched her head. "Senior... it's fine... why apologize for something like this? You've always been kind to me."
Xu Jing froze, then raised her eyes to meet Xue Jiao's.
Xue Jiao's expression was earnest yet confused, as if she couldn't comprehend Xu Jing's actions.
Indeed—if you met someone on the street who assumed your good looks meant you weren't scholarly, and later discovered you were, they wouldn't come up to apologize. Those were just passing thoughts, not worth voicing, let alone apologizing for.
Xu Jing found it somewhat amusing. She'd been tangled in these complicated feelings, while Gu Xue Jiao had never even spared her a second thought.
No, not out of arrogance—quite the opposite. Xue Jiao was simply detached.
Her world only held space for what she loved. What she didn't care for, she ignored entirely.
The irony struck Xu Jing sharply. She'd treated Xue Jiao as a rival, but Xue Jiao hadn't even considered her competition.
She... wasn't worthy of that title.
While Xu Jing had been mired in comparisons, jealousy, and resentment, Gu Xue Jiao had quietly ascended to heights she couldn't hope to reach.
And in the future, that gap would only widen further.
Xu Jing's smile twisted strangely, caught between laughter and tears.
"Hahahahaha..."
"Senior?" Xue Jiao asked, puzzled.
Xu Jing looked at her, taking a deep breath. "Gu Xue Jiao, keep going."
With that, she turned and stumbled away.
Perhaps she'd finally understood her mistake. On the path forward, one's gaze shouldn't fixate on others—the only person you truly need to watch is yourself.
Born ordinary, yet pride grows.
Some develop an unshakable pride that lifts them to the world's summit.
Others can only drift with the wind.
Xu Jing thought, Gu Xue Jiao was truly beautiful.
A beauty worth celebrating!
Xue Jiao watched her retreating figure in confusion, scratching her head before turning away.
To her, Xu Jing was merely an acquaintance—slightly more familiar than a stranger.
Descending the stairs, Xue Jiao found snow beginning to fall outside. Even bundled in a thick down coat, she couldn't suppress a shiver.
"Jiao Jiao—"
Xue Jiao looked up and smiled.
"Jiajia, why are you still here? Aren't you cold?"
Mai Jiajia handed her a steaming cup of milk tea, sipping her own as she mumbled, "Went to buy tea and thought of you, so I got you one too."
Xue Jiao took a sip, warmth spreading from her mouth to her chest. "You should head back to the dorm."
"Not going back tonight?"
"No, Uncle Xing is waiting at the school gate," Xue Jiao said between sips.
Snowflakes landed on her coat as she tugged her hat lower over her face.
This was her first full winter in Beijing, and she still hadn't adjusted to the northern cold. Every step outside felt like the wind stole half her life force.
Mai Jiajia swung her leg over her bike. "Hop on, I'll take you to the gate."
"No, you should go back!""It'll take over twenty minutes to walk there, you'll freeze into a silly dumpling! Get in the car!" Mai Jiajia said, handing her the milk tea and then pulling her hood up.
Xue Jiao couldn't help but laugh, her eyes warm as she climbed into the car.
Mai Jiajia put on her gloves while asking, "Did you give the results of your Fermat proof to Professor Tan?"
"Yep!"
"That's amazing! If I'd known you were working on proving Fermat's Last Theorem this semester, I would've made sure all three of your meals were taken care of! My genius!"
Xue Jiao patted her shoulder. "Stop teasing."
Mai Jiajia started the car. "Who's teasing? Genius, you're the genius in my heart. If you were a guy, I'd have a boyfriend."
"You can still be my girlfriend now."
"Oh my god!! The aloof Goddess Gu actually cracked a joke like that! I should’ve recorded it! Say it again, genius!"
"Hahaha, good words aren’t repeated!"
"Genius, I have good news for you."
"Hmm?"
"There was a roll call today, so if you don’t score at least eighty on the final exam, you might fail Ethics this semester."
"...You didn’t have to tell me that."
"Hahaha!! I had to tell you—I can’t have a boyfriend who fails a class! Come on, Genius Gu, you can do it! Hahaha!"
...
Professor Tan was reviewing Xue Jiao’s notebook, so she stopped paying attention to that and focused entirely on her exams.
Her studies had indeed slacked off toward the end of the semester, but she’d been diligent in the first half. She wasn’t aiming for perfect scores in every subject, but failing would be truly embarrassing.
Thus, Xue Jiao threw herself into finals prep even more intensely than she had for the college entrance exams.
For many college students, exams are when they work the hardest—just to avoid failing.
To sum it up in one line—
Carefree for most of the year, then overnight back to pre-exam despair.
Thankfully, the schedule was tight, and all her exams were over in just over a week.
After finishing her last test, Xue Jiao hugged each of her roommates, then slung her backpack over her shoulder and went to find Professor Tan.
She’d arranged it in advance, so the professor was already waiting in his office when she arrived.
"Hello, Teacher Tan," Xue Jiao greeted politely.
"Hahaha, you’re here! Sit, sit." Teacher Tan gestured to the seat in front of him, and Xue Jiao obediently sat down.
Professor Tan slapped his hand on the desk. "Gu Xue Jiao!"
"Here!" Xue Jiao instinctively straightened her back and answered loudly.
Professor Tan paused, then laughed. "Hahaha, student Gu Xue Jiao, it seems the military training at the start of the semester left quite an impression!"
Xue Jiao shifted slightly, offering an embarrassed smile.
"Gu Xue Jiao, I have to tell you—your proof already has a solid framework and methodology, but I’ve circled a few sections and added notes. Pay attention to these when you write your paper." Professor Tan flipped through the notebook, explaining each point carefully.
As he leaned slightly closer, Xue Jiao noticed his hair had turned completely white.
The wrinkles on his forehead were deep and visible, and even with his glasses, he had to lean in to see clearly. Age spots dotted his skin.
Yes, Professor Tan was already sixty...
A pang of melancholy struck her, but she nodded and responded obediently."Also, since you haven't written many papers yet, pay special attention to the formatting. I've found many similar papers for you to study—make sure to note the structure. As for the paper's organization, draft an initial version first, then send it to me. I'll revise it before you continue. Don’t rush your first paper; take your time," Professor Tan said with a smile.
Xue Jiao looked touched. "Thank you, Professor."
Professor Tan gazed at her with a gratified expression. "Gu Xue Jiao, I wasn’t wrong back then. You truly have talent, and you work hard. With the right direction and your natural gifts, I believe your achievements in mathematics will far surpass mine. At eighteen, I couldn’t prove Fermat’s theorems."
"Professor Tan, your accomplishments are undeniable," Xue Jiao said earnestly.
Professor Tan blinked, a hint of melancholy in his voice. "It’s wonderful, truly. Life moves too fast these days. Young people are restless—so few dedicate themselves to their dreams, even fewer immerse themselves in academia. Old folks like us don’t even dare to die. If we’re gone, who will carry this field forward? What will become of mathematical research?"
"Professor..." Xue Jiao opened her mouth, concern in her eyes.
He waved a hand and chuckled. "But I’m fortunate. I’ve lived to see Zheng Jiakun, and now you. With fresh minds like yours, this field will never wither. Gu Xue Jiao, are you willing to devote yourself to mathematics and walk this path for life?"
"I am," Xue Jiao straightened, her resolve unwavering.
This was her dream, after all. No matter what the future held, she would press on.
Professor Tan smiled. "That’s why helping you brings me joy—it’s what I want to do." He slid her notebook and a USB drive across the table.
Xue Jiao stared at him for a moment before smiling through tears. "I understand, Professor. I’ll work hard."
"Good, good!" Professor Tan nodded warmly. "Go on home now."
"Alright. Goodbye, Professor. Please... take care of yourself." She stood and bowed deeply.
He nodded, watching her leave with a smile.
Clutching her notebook, Xue Jiao walked slowly, her emotions still unsettled as she made her way to the school gate.
"Gu Xue Jiao!" A voice called from behind.
She turned, stunned to see someone entirely unexpected.
"Lin Yinyin?"
Lin Yinyin hurried over, clearly having waited for some time. "I... need to talk to you."
"What about?" Xue Jiao frowned slightly.
"I want to see my uncle."
Xue Jiao was baffled. "Your uncle?"
"Yes. Can you arrange a meeting for me?" Lin Yinyin’s voice was anxious and uncertain. She never imagined her family’s company could be on the brink of collapse.
If they went bankrupt, would she still be the privileged Miss Lin of the Lin family?
No matter how much her family objected, she had to find Lin Zhihua—to beg him, for the sake of kinship, to save them!
"Why come to me to see your uncle?" Xue Jiao’s frown deepened.
"I went to his company but couldn’t get through to him. That’s why I’m here. Gu Xue Jiao, I already know about your relationship with my uncle. You... might be my future aunt." Lin Yinyin’s expression was complicated.Calling a girl younger than herself "Third Aunt" was awkward and unpleasant for her.
But since her third uncle had chosen her, she didn’t dare to oppose him.
"What nonsense are you spouting?" Xue Jiao frowned, then hugged her things and walked forward.
Was Lin Yinyin’s brain really that messed up?
"My third uncle is Lin Zhihua!!"
Xue Jiao’s steps faltered—Lin Yinyin was Lin Zhihua’s niece?!
She was surprised, then realized it had been over a week since she last saw Lin Zhihua. They hadn’t eaten together last Friday evening because she had an exam.
Thinking of Lin Zhihua, for some reason, she suddenly felt like seeing him.
"Go find him yourself. I don’t have the right to arrange a meeting for you," Xue Jiao said, then continued walking with her things.
If Lin Yinyin was Lin Zhihua’s niece, she could go see him herself.
If she couldn’t meet him, then it meant Lin Zhihua didn’t want to see her. And if Lin Zhihua didn’t want to see someone, how could she possibly bring them to him?
Besides… apart from his late grandmother, none of Lin Zhihua’s relatives seemed to have his best interests at heart.
Xue Jiao strode forward again.
Behind her, Lin Yinyin shouted, "How do you not have the right?! My third uncle likes you so much! Gu Xue Jiao! Please, just help me!"
Xue Jiao stopped in her tracks. After a moment, she turned back—
"What did you just say?"
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