After Ge Donglin finished speaking, Xue Jiao's expression turned somewhat strange.
She wanted to say something but didn't know how to begin.
Beside them, Zeng Bin nodded in agreement: "Yes, I haven't heard about any major projects from the physics department's top experts recently. There's no need to participate in other lower-quality projects!"
Xue Jiao took a deep breath. Both Zeng Bin and Ge Donglin meant well, but for some reason, their words made her quite unhappy.
"Senior Zeng, Senior Ge, really, it's unnecessary. I'm very interested in that physics project. Thank you for your kind consideration."
After a pause, she continued: "If it's about the application of Fermat's Last Theorem, it's actually not a big issue. My participation isn't strictly necessary—the proof process is fully explained in my paper. Though I don't know which direction you're researching, I believe other students could handle it just as well."
As her words landed, Zeng Bin frowned slightly: "Has the project you joined been officially approved by the school?"
Xue Jiao nodded: "It's already been approved. I have other matters to attend to now. Goodbye, seniors."
Having said her piece, she quickly walked away.
Xue Jiao didn't fully understand why working on anything related to Fermat's theorem necessitated inviting her.
But she merely pondered this briefly before dismissing it from her mind, quickening her pace toward the school gate. Lin Zhihua... had he been waiting long?
Meanwhile, Zeng Bin and Ge Donglin, left behind, were visibly displeased. Zeng Bin couldn't help muttering: "Let's see what project she actually joined, going out of her way to deliver herself to the physics department!"
The two took out their phones to log in and check the approved projects.
"Chu Sheng? Who's that?"
"I think he's a freshman, supposedly quite capable," Ge Donglin explained after some thought.
Zeng Bin frowned: "What kind of project could two freshmen possibly be working on? Gu Xue Jiao will regret turning us down for this!"
As he spoke, he absentmindedly clicked to continue reading.
"Zheng Jiakun!" Zeng Bin's frown deepened.
Zheng Jiakun was only one year their junior but exceptionally talented, quite renowned in the mathematics department.
"Why is Zheng Jiakun involved too?"
Zeng Bin's frown intensified, ignoring Ge Donglin's question.
A moment later, his voice rose sharply: "Yang Zhan?! Zhang Han?!"
"Who?" Ge Donglin was stunned.
"Yang Zhan from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences?! Zhang Han from Peking University?!" Zeng Bin's tone was incredulous.
But it lasted only a moment before he immediately added: "No wonder she refused to join us. With a lineup like this, they're bound to produce something remarkable!"
Zeng Bin's expression cleared with sudden understanding.
"So she definitely won't be joining our project then..."
His eyes suddenly lit up: "If they've assembled such a team, they must be aiming for groundbreaking results. Why don't we try joining their project instead?"
——
Xue Jiao hurried to the school gate, where a familiar figure stood waiting, smiling at her.
Her eyes brightened as she rushed over.
When she reached Lin Zhihua, they exchanged smiles. He extended his hand, and she placed hers in it, their fingers intertwining tightly.
Both were usually busy, so their meetings were relatively rare, making their longing for each other all the more intense.
They understood each other's busy schedules but still missed one another during rare moments of leisure.
Lin Zhihua's hand was large and warm compared to Xue Jiao's, enveloping her smaller one completely—just as their hearts seemed to merge together, as closely as their clasped hands.A silence fell between them as they walked a few steps before Xue Jiao suddenly said, "I missed you a little."
Lin Zhihua's footsteps paused for just a moment before he continued walking.
It wasn't until they reached the parking spot, where fewer people were around, that Lin Zhihua reached out and pulled Xue Jiao into a tight embrace.
He took a deep breath and said, "I really wish we could get married sooner, so I could see you every night."
Their time together each week was limited now, and though they video-called in the evenings, for Lin Zhihua, it still wasn't enough—like quenching thirst with poison. If they were married, they'd at least have eight hours together every day.
Being hugged in broad daylight made Xue Jiao a bit shy, and coupled with his words, she gently pushed him away and shot him a glance. "What are you thinking about!"
Lin Zhihua reached out and lightly flicked her forehead. "Hurry up and grow two more years older."
Xue Jiao's face flushed as she glared at him.
Lin Zhihua chuckled, opened the car door, and waited for her to get in before entering the passenger side himself and starting the car.
On the way to Wuliu Lane, they chatted casually. Xue Jiao brought up the directionless project, the impressive Zhang Han, and the recent incident.
"I always feel like they don’t really need me. I don’t know why they’re so eager for me to join their project," Xue Jiao said, tilting her head as she studied Lin Zhihua’s flawless profile.
Lin Zhihua simply smiled and shook his head. "Silly girl, their reason for wanting you is actually quite simple—they’re working on something related to Fermat's Last Theorem. You have the skills, but you’re only a freshman, so they don’t value you that much. Yet even knowing your sophomore workload will be heavier, they still invited you—they just want to borrow your reputation."
"Ah?" Xue Jiao was stunned.
"You’ve interacted with Professor Tan Zhongying and peers like Zhang Han, Yang Zhan, Zheng Jiakun, and Chu Sheng—they’re all people wholly dedicated to research and technology. But not everyone in academia is like that. Haven’t you just met Zeng Bin and Ge Donglin? Jiao Jiao, we shouldn’t view the world with cynicism, but we must also recognize that the academic world you’re stepping into isn’t all harmony and celebration," Lin Zhihua said softly.
Xue Jiao was momentarily dazed. It was true—she’d encountered so many brilliant, focused academics that she’d nearly assumed everyone was like them. She’d just told Ge Donglin and Zeng Bin not to generalize, yet here she was doing the same...
Noticing her distraction, Lin Zhihua smiled and added, "There are far more people like them—maybe even more than those buried in their research. Can’t accept that?"
Xue Jiao fell silent for a while before nodding, then shaking her head.
"What does that mean?" Lin Zhihua glanced at her curiously out of the corner of his eye.
Xue Jiao suddenly looked up, her expression serious and her voice firm. "It is a little hard to accept, but I do know this reality. Teacher Tan once said that society moves too fast now, and people are too driven by utilitarianism. Fewer are truly devoted to scholarship. But I can accept it—after all, those who immerse themselves in research may not be the majority, but they’re not scarce either. I’ll focus on my own path and work hard alongside like-minded friends. Our efforts will still make a difference."
Lin Zhihua smiled, his eyes full of affection. "Yes, that’s exactly the right way to think."He was a businessman, always scheming for profit, never lifting a finger unless there was gain to be had, calculating every move, and ruthless in his actions.
But Jiao Jiao wasn't like that, nor did she want to be.
Lin Zhihua would point out the schemes laid before her, but he wouldn't interfere with her decisions.
Because this was Xue Jiao, not another Lin Zhihua.
——
The two had a meal at Wuliu Alley, which counted as their date.
After the meal, Lin Zhihua complained with a hint of grievance: "You're just a student, yet you're busier than I am. Our date time is only enough for a meal, and then you have to rush back again."
Xue Jiao reached up and soothingly touched his face. "Be good. I have a group meeting tomorrow, so I must hurry back to study today."
Feeling the warmth on his face, Lin Zhihua sighed helplessly. "Alright, I'll take you back."
He held Xue Jiao's hand as they walked to the parking spot.
Their time together always felt fleeting, but because of their busy schedules, they had to part.
The car stopped outside Xue Jiao's neighborhood, and Lin Zhihua got out with her, still looking aggrieved.
"You're just leaving like this?" Lin Zhihua bent slightly, lowering his head.
Xue Jiao froze, then blushed before standing on tiptoe to lightly kiss his forehead.
This man… really.
Sometimes so intelligent, so handsome, and sometimes like a child pouting with grievance.
Lin Zhihua gazed at her, his eyes slightly dazed—
"I think… we could use some more practice…"
He lowered his head, capturing Jiao Jiao's lips, then tentatively deepened the kiss.
His movements were unpracticed.
Xue Jiao was stunned, staring at him dumbfounded until they pulled apart, both flushed. Only then did she snap out of it.
Lin Zhihua chuckled softly. "You should head back now. We'll continue practicing next time."
Next time?
Xue Jiao's face burned crimson. She glared at him and quickly ran off.
Lin Zhihua turned with a light laugh, only to lock eyes with Cheng Mingze, whose face was dark.
Clearly, Cheng Mingze had seen everything just now…
Lin Zhihua flashed a grin and winked. "See you next time, bro."
He got in the car and drove off, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
Bro?
Cheng Mingze: "…"
Damn it! Who wants to be your bro?!
This bastard who just molested my sister!
——
At 8 a.m. on Saturday, Xue Jiao arrived at the lab on time. Chu Sheng and Zheng Jiakun, who lived on campus, had already arrived. After waiting about ten minutes, Yang Zhan and Zhang Han showed up.
This was Xue Jiao's second time meeting Yang Zhan—the first had been during the high school math competition in their sophomore year.
"Hello, Senior Zhang Han! Hello, Senior Yang Zhan!"
Zhang Han nodded expressionlessly as usual, while Yang Zhan smiled and extended his hand. "I've seen you before—Gu Xue Jiao."
Xue Jiao smiled and shook his hand. "I've heard so much about you, Senior Yang Zhan."
"You're quite something, hijacking my plans like that. Haha." Yang Zhan laughed, his tone clearly joking.
Xue Jiao played along. "The early bird catches the worm."
"Haha, you're an interesting junior." Yang Zhan grinned.
Yang Zhan's personality was quite different from Zhang Han's and Zheng Jiakun's. He wore glasses, was relatively outgoing, and didn’t mind bantering.
But soon, when they began their discussion, Yang Zhan became serious and focused.
Even when refuting Zhang Han, he didn’t hold back.
Whether it was Zhang Han, Yang Zhan, Zheng Jiakun, or Chu Sheng, all of them were highly skilled in physics. Their discussion quickly grew heated.
Compared to them, Xue Jiao was practically an "outsider," so she stayed silent throughout, only occasionally jotting down notes.
By noon, the meeting still hadn’t settled on the next major step to take."The geomagnetic field can't support physical objects; the gravitational pull is too strong. If we conduct electricity, it would be practically the same as current magnetic levitation."
"What I mean is to try conducting electricity to see how much the magnetic disc needs to counteract gravity and air resistance."
"Then there's no need for electricity. Once the magnetic disc is made, I can calculate it directly for you!"
...
The group argued heatedly, and by the time it was past midnight, they still hadn't reached a conclusion.
As the debate dragged on, they felt none of the suggestions were good enough, yet no better ideas emerged.
At that moment, Xue Jiao set down her pen and softly said, "How about layering the magnetic fields?"
Her voice was quiet, but the moment she spoke, the table fell completely silent.
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