Chapter 10

She smiled wryly, her face calm as she operated the computer. Then she wrote formulas on paper, calculating, and before long, the table was once again piled high with white sheets of paper

After finishing a long passage, Zheng Jiejie finally stopped, turned to look at Xu Qing, propped his chin on his hand, and with a glint of mischief in his eyes said: "That's enough, isn't it? I really don't know what kind of play we are performing between us, and what else there is to be taboo about... Just ask whatever you want to ask."

Xu Qing felt a sore throat. After a long while, she asked: "Is there more?"

Xu Qing suddenly breathed a sigh of relief

Xu Qing had an epiphany. The issue would not be raised again in the short term. Jiang Luosheng acted as if nothing had happened. One did not ask, and the other did not speak

I do not know

Emotional discord? Xu Qing looked at Zheng Jie Jie, silently inquiring. A person like Sun Wen, if he sets his mind to it, can easily win the admiration of a multitude of girls. She still remembers the adoring gaze with which his fiancée looked at him.

In the second semester of their junior year, the course load is particularly heavy, and many students begin preparing for graduate school or studying abroad. Observing her classmates in the department busily making preparations, Xu Qing feels a sense of confusion. Her grades would certainly allow her to be directly admitted to graduate school, but many teachers and classmates are advising her to study abroad, saying it would be a pity to stay in the country.

Xu Qing quickly entered the state of focus. She called up the operating program for calculations, and soon complex surfaces appeared on the LCD screen, continuously rotating and transforming, as if performing a light and mysterious dance; before long, the surfaces diminished into curves on a two-dimensional plane, and the motion slowed down. A few minutes later, it settled into a fixed state.

After a long while, Xu Qing finally spoke: "He is more than ten years older than you, and your parents would never agree."

Zheng Zimo suddenly smiled again, "I am curious to know what you will become when you reach my age."

When the complaint was handed to Zheng Jiejie, the only response received was a few lines: "You fool. He is afraid of you leaving, yet he is also concerned about hindering your future, which leaves you feeling resentful, so he does not dare to express his opinions lightly"

Thank you for your discovery, it has at least allowed this topic to be completed several years in advance

Xu Qing had long known that Jiang Luosheng came from a very wealthy family; his father was a bank executive, and his mother was an architect. Both parents were well-educated and had a very open-minded approach to upbringing. This perception deepened after Xu Qing met them. They had heard their son mention his girlfriend before and had seen her photos, and they had a favorable impression of this intelligent and beautiful girl. Nevertheless, they were still secretly surprised when they met her in person, instantly understanding why their son had pursued her from middle school all the way to university.

Jiang Luosheng grasped her arm, attempting to lead her outside, "Look at how exhausted you are... Do you run around every day with panda eyes like this?"

Xu Qing was startled, lifting her gaze from the pages of the book. Having been so engrossed in reading, she felt dazed when she looked up, with chaotic formulas swirling before her eyes. It took her a while to notice the person standing in front of her, whose lips were unusually devoid of a smile, and whose eyes were frighteningly deep.

They were so engrossed in watching that they only came to their senses when Xu Qing suddenly called out, "What are you all looking at?"

Then, I shall take my leave

In the evening, when Jiang Luosheng was escorting Xu Qing home, he mentioned the matter and jokingly asked, "Why were you so surprised just now?" Xu Qing had no intention of hiding it from him and explained the whole story. After hearing this, Jiang Luosheng was initially taken aback, but then quickly regained his composure, feeling much more astonished than surprised, repeatedly exclaiming, "Zheng Jie Jie is truly remarkable."

Xu Qing felt as if she had been struck on the face, with pain radiating from her eyes, nose, and cheeks, and countless golden stars swirling before her eyes. A voice in her heart said, "I didn't expect it to come so soon." Taking a deep breath, Xu Qing coldly replied, "What qualifications do you have to speak to me? If this is Jiang Luosheng's intention, let him speak to me himself." After saying this, she gently took a step back.

"Senior, don't you recognize me?" The girl smiled, "We just met not long ago."

I was interrupted by Zheng Jiejie, who spoke in an unyielding tone. "I have waited for him for many years, and after much effort, I have finally grown up and earned the right to stand beside him; yet he says he remains in place, waiting for me to mature... We have come this far, and there is truly no way back. George Sand once said, 'Rather than never obtaining love, it is better to gain love and then lose it.' ... This is exactly how I feel.

Senior

What else can be done

Then which one am I

Hello

Senior Jiang

It is precisely May, and the weather is gradually getting warmer. Xu Qing is dressed in thin clothing, and coupled with her slender figure, her attire appears rather loose. Her hair falls casually over her shoulders, and she is as ordinary as can be, with no adornments whatsoever. Yet, despite this casual appearance, there is an effortless charm about her that is quite fitting, and she still attracts a considerable amount of attention.

It is naturally the latter.

Xu Qing candidly stated: "It is remarkable how different people can be. Some individuals, although they reach the age of 30, remain as immature as if they had never lived at all, while others at 30 seem to have lived a lifetime."

The senior brothers were very attentive, eagerly offering their seats and continuously asking, "Who is that beautiful lady?" "Could you introduce her?" Xu Qing felt overwhelmed by the questioning, so she could only reply, "She is my high school classmate."

Xu Qing took a laborious step back, but unfortunately, Jiang Luosheng was very strong, and she could not break free. She could only plead softly, "Wait for me to get the book; I want to lend it out."

Spring comes and autumn goes, marking another year

I personally have complete faith in you, but the country's confidentiality measures impose restrictions, "Zheng Zimo pointed to the document, "your findings cannot be made public for a long time, so...

It was not until Xu Qing had been outside for a long time that she remembered she had no free time in the evening. As soon as she entered the laboratory, she had to turn off her phone, and then she would be busy late into the night, with early mornings being a common occurrence

Indeed. Your parents must be very attentive

Senior

Happiness

You have nothing to apologize to me for

Sighing deeply: "Even explaining is of no use. A rift has formed between him and me, and all I can do is try my best to mend it"

Xu Qing, along with several senior brothers and sisters, was assigned to a room at the end of the laboratory. The room was filled with documents, and particularly striking was a supercomputer composed of numerous computers placed in the center of the room, which was large in size and occupied one-third of the room.

This also indicates that she left in a state of complete peace of mind

It's nothing. I think it's quite good

The girl continued to smile: "Senior, I came out to call you. Professor Fang is looking for you, saying it is regarding the competition."

Xu Qing smiled casually and asked straightforwardly, "What is going on between you and Sun Wen?"

After putting away the documents, Zheng Zimo surprisingly engaged in a leisurely conversation with Xu Qing, discussing a wide range of topics including family circumstances, preferred leisure activities, views on mathematics and physics, and favorite works of others. Xu Qing watched the clock on the wall ticking away and almost wanted to ask him, "Aren't you very busy?" However, he appeared completely oblivious to the passage of time, not even casting a glance in the direction of the clock.

As you can see.

Completely taken by surprise, Xu Qing was momentarily stunned. After gathering a bit of strength to say a few words of congratulations and apology, just as the words were on the tip of her tongue, Jiang Luosheng sighed and said first: "Since there is something to attend to, I will take my leave. I will contact you again in the evening"

After entering the laboratory, Xu Qing was invigorated by the cold air, and her muddled mind became much clearer; her senior colleagues had just arrived and were putting on their white coats. After Xu Qing changed into her lab coat, she sat down at her designated spot and opened her computer to perform calculations. This algorithm was conceived and developed by Xu Qing two weeks ago when an idea struck her. Since it was solely her own idea, she wanted to verify whether the algorithm was completely correct and determine the margin of error in the results before sharing it. If successful, it would significantly reduce the workload of the project.

The air conditioning was set too high, and with the conference room's tone being an ice cream-like creamy white and yellow, Xu Qing couldn't help but shiver. Zheng Zimo invited Xu Qing to take a seat wherever she liked and personally poured a cup of tea, handing it to Xu Qing.

It's nothing. I just found some news to be a bit strange

Zheng Zimo laughed heartily, a hint of playful smile at the corners of his mouth. Xu Qing looked at him, momentarily lost in thought, as it was the first time she had seen such a handsome man laugh out loud. His smile transformed his entire demeanor instantly; in one moment, he resembled a calm and serene Greek statue, and in the next, he became a living, breathing person. It was not just his demeanor that changed; even his appearance altered with his laughter, the sharpness in his eyes fading away, truly radiating with brilliance.

Until someone called them to have a meal

The two individuals engaged in a lackluster conversation about unrelated topics, their lips consistently curved into smiles

What could be different? Xu Qing smiled softly: How are you with him?

You and I are both scholars of reason, and we should understand that time cannot return. The present moment is the most important.

Let go of my hand, Jiang Luosheng stood by with his arms crossed; Xu Qing took down two more books, stuffed them into her backpack, and looked into Jiang Luosheng's eyes saying: "It's done. Let's go."

The two individuals laughed and playfully accused each other, ultimately ending up with tear-filled faces, resembling two children

Later, Xu Qing learned that his mere presence made the few young women in the laboratory fall for him.

No wonder some people say: Do you know this kind of feeling? When a person is far away from home and then returns, what often confuses them is not the changes in things, but rather their unchanging nature.

You ... ...

Regardless of the time, Xu Qing was never adept at handling the attention of the crowd. There were at least ten people gathered around and behind Zheng Zimo, each person's eyes shining like searchlights, fixated on Xu Qing and the computer behind her. Xu Qing was startled, her face turning pale, then flushed with embarrassment. She abruptly sprang up from her chair, stammering the names of a few familiar teachers, and then stood there silently with her head bowed.

Jiang Luosheng felt a chill in his chest; he touched Xu Qing's hand, brought it into his palm, and tucked it into his outer coat pocket

For some reason, Xu Qing felt that he looked somewhat familiar, exuding a friendly and warm demeanor, yet she could not recall where she had seen him before; at one point, Xu Qing seriously doubted that he was paying special attention to her, but on the surface, he appeared completely unassuming.

You may not necessarily be smarter than I am. I do not understand why we become fools when we encounter emotional issues

Silently exiting the library, Jiang Luosheng turned to a relatively quiet corner at the back of the library and could no longer contain himself, questioning Xu Qing with an unprecedented severity: "What on earth are you doing?"

Xu Qing was surprised by his proficiency and extensive knowledge in science, so she asked him what major he graduated in. Zheng Zimo raised his thick eyebrows and smiled, "I have obtained master's degrees in both mathematics and physics"

Jiang Luosheng's gaze was profound, yet he remained silent

Not very clear, probably due to a lack of harmony in the relationship

He said, time is a constant, but for the diligent, it is a variable. Those who measure time in 'minutes' have fifty-nine times more time than those who measure it in hours. This is how I do it

I received a call from Zheng Jiejie in the evening. I first asked her if she had a smooth journey and when she arrived, then quickly got to the point: "Have you explained it to Jiang Luosheng?"

The campus is faintly imbued with the essence of spring, with green buds adorning the branches; as the wind passes, it carries the scent of the earth. Just as the dormitory comes into view, Xu Qing suddenly comes to a halt, catching Jiang Luosheng off guard, who is unable to stop in time, and the two nearly collide. Taking a small step back, Xu Qing lowers her gaze and speaks: "I am sorry"

After a busy week, everyone in the house remains utterly confused. No one knows what they are doing; it is all a hodgepodge of items sent from various rooms that need to be checked and calculated, diverse and seemingly devoid of any discernible pattern

Surprised by Jiang Luosheng's apparent sarcasm, she looked up, only to be taken aback by the serene and profound expression in his eyes. After a moment of hesitation, she gritted her teeth and said: "I have too many shortcomings, and we both understand that very well... You are still so tolerant of me... To be honest, if I were you, I could never tolerate such an unlovable girl for too long."

Su Hai introduced, "This is Xu Qing, the youngest researcher in the laboratory"

Immediately, someone took Xu Qing's notebook. The professors all expressed their praise and encouragement to Xu Qing. Zheng Zimo scrutinized Xu Qing several times; his eyes, dark as ink, shimmered with subtle ripples, and his gaze was reserved, containing not only admiration but also something else.

I heard that you haven't been returning to the dormitory to sleep recently

However, in the eyes of others, they are undoubtedly a harmonious pair

This time, when Jiang Luosheng invited Xu Qing to his home for dinner, Xu Qing did not refuse again

Upon returning to the city, I realized that nothing had fundamentally changed. The tall buildings still stood in their original places, pedestrians were still bustling about, and vehicles continued to come and go on the roads. The mingled scents of the city's earth and gasoline remained unchanged. The small shops along the roads still sold a variety of snacks, and the professors from the neighborhood still gathered in the courtyard every afternoon to drink tea and chat. In summary, nothing had changed; the only thing that seemed to have changed was Xu Qing. The small shops along the roads still sold a variety of snacks, and the professors from the neighborhood still gathered in the courtyard every afternoon to drink tea and chat. In summary, nothing had changed; the only thing that seemed to have changed was Xu Qing.

Then you still do not know me? I have pursued you all the way to this point, if you call this tolerance...

After a round of polite greetings upon meeting, everyone took their seats

Hello

As Nanmen and Zheng Zimo walked into the conference room located in another corner of the laboratory, Xu Qing suddenly felt a sense of being overwhelmed. She was not without surprise. She knew that her discovery held a certain significance, but why were the professors so excited about it?

Am I still young? I will soon be thirty

I do hope so

Zheng Jie Jie understood her thoughts, shook her head and sighed: "Sun Wen Ge has never liked her. Their marriage is merely driven by interests."

Jiang Luosheng's father, Jiang Changyuan, pays great attention to both domestic and international news, carefully considering every piece of information. He analyzes issues with accuracy and depth, and his comments on the news are quite insightful. Xu Qing, listening nearby, feels greatly inspired.

"Senior? Which senior?"

Zheng Jiejie took a sip of water, cleared his throat, and said: "The paper is about Demosthenes"

They are such good people

Zheng Zimo smiled slightly, took a document from the drawer, and handed it to Xu Qing, indicating for her to open and read it; as Xu Qing was reading the terms, he slowly began to speak: "What is the content of the project? Have you guessed any of it?"

No

Zheng Jiejie reprimanded her, saying: I never knew you could act like this, clearly suffering the consequences yet still smiling. Wouldn't it be much more straightforward to lay everything out on the table?

Thinking it was a question from a senior in the laboratory, Xu Qing did not ponder deeply and did not even raise her gaze. While adjusting the parameters, she said: "Senior, do you know the story of the sewing machine?"

After a long while, I spoke up: "After visiting my grandmother, I will return to school first"

Startled by her own thoughts, Xu Qing hurriedly turned her head. After laughing enough, Zheng Zimo said: "Have you heard of Leibniz's expression about time?"

However, this is a highly confidential subject, and no materials are allowed to be taken out of the laboratory, nor can you say a word to anyone. You will also need to sign several agreements," Su Hai pointed to a stack of documents on the table that looked very exaggerated, assuring, "But I dare say, you will definitely not regret it.

Zheng Zimo smiled and shook his head, reached out to pat her shoulder, pressed her back into the chair, turned to look at the professors beside him, and said, "How is it? Is it feasible?"

Good

Exhaustive search? Then one will always find a suitable place

Why leave

A few people no longer inquired, and Jiang Changyuan's attention was also drawn to the news, appearing quite surprised and puzzled, "How come there was not a single piece of information beforehand? This appointment is truly baffling. It is so unexpected."

Indeed. It is determined by the nature of the work

Ah?

A voice sounded behind Xu Qing: "What is this? It seems quite interesting"

At this moment, Jiang Luosheng cast a glance at Xu Qing, and the displeased expression on his face softened somewhat, before greeting the newcomer with a friendly demeanor

Finally instructed: "Please come to the conference room."

Knowing that she was in the wrong, Xu Qing initially intended to use this opportunity to clarify things and apologize for the matters concerning the winter vacation. However, she was stung by that remark, raised her head, and retorted, "Isn't it true that outsiders see things more clearly?"

The relationship between you and Jiang Luosheng requires a considerable amount of time to mend, Xu Qing told herself; yet at that moment, her mind short-circuited, and she nodded strangely: "Alright. Thank you, Professor, I will do my utmost not to let you down"

What is it, please tell me.

I do have some impression of it when you mention it. However, what exactly is the matter you wish to discuss

After a moment of contemplation, Zheng Zimo reached a targeted conclusion, "The importance of mathematical thinking is evident." Having said that, his gaze lingered on Xu Qing for a moment, then he noticed her notebook, "I’m afraid I have to take your notebook; this material is quite important for the research. But rest assured, it will be returned tomorrow."

It has been nearly six years

Xu Qing stood up, walked past Zheng Jiejie, and saw the screen filled with pages of English text, which made her smile at first. She leaned down to look at a few lines, and the complex and obscure English words that entered her eyes were all familiar when viewed individually, but when put together, they left her completely baffled. Xu Qing sighed, "Different fields are like different mountains."

Do you not blame me

Jiang Luosheng stared at Xu Qing, almost ready to explode. Xu Qing initially stood there with her head down, but later lifted her head, smiled gently, and tilted it to look at the beautifully wrapped architecture book in Jiang Luosheng's hand, pretending to be relaxed as she asked him: "What have you been busy with lately?"

The two remained silent, gazing into each other's eyes, as this sound seemed to hold no significance for them

Jiang Luosheng reached out to tuck a few strands of Xu Qing's loose hair behind her ear, then smiled again, his expression completely unreserved, "How long have we known each other?"

Xu Qing sighed. She thought: What is happiness?

Approaching the laboratory with a restless mind, she saw her senior colleagues gathered around their desks, looking at her notebook. Ever since she left her notebook in the lab, Xu Qing had not taken it out again; there was nothing personal on her computer, and everyone usually shared their computers without concern. As she got closer, the image on the screen looked very familiar, and after a moment of thought, she recalled that they were viewing the photos she had taken with Zheng Jiejie while in the UK.

Xu Qing did not follow the crowd in her speculation; she thought that her relationship with Jiang Luosheng was likely beyond repair. She was very clear about how they had arrived at this desperate situation. Neither of them had done anything wrong, yet even if she were given another chance, it was possible that everything would still repeat itself.

The roommates have all returned, and various delicacies are spread across the dormitory table, creating a lively atmosphere akin to a feast. Although there are only three people, Xu Qing feels as if the room is filled with many more. Upon seeing Xu Qing come back, the roommates all said, "Come and try some," but upon noticing the fatigue on Xu Qing's face, reminiscent of someone recovering from a serious illness, they quickly fell silent.

The girl paused for a moment and said, "Could you let the senior out, please?"

What subject requires such hard work

I am well aware, how could I not be aware, " he interrupted him quickly, " but do you know ... ... "

Jiang Changyuan glared at his son: "Of course it looks familiar. Haven't you ever watched the provincial news before? Young and accomplished, he has indeed done a lot of practical work"

Returning to the living room for dinner, the news was playing on the television. In just a few minutes, there was not a single piece of news that could be considered pleasant. It was either natural disasters or man-made calamities, and even most natural disasters were caused by human actions.

Only thirty

Is it because I am too small? Xu Qing felt somewhat anxious

Looking suspiciously at the cup, Xu Qing did not dare to touch it, nor did she dare to look at Zheng Zimo, who was seated in the chairman's position, and quietly turned her gaze towards the wall outside. The walls of the laboratory were made of special glass, providing excellent sound insulation; one could see outside, but those outside could not see in. The situation outside appeared quite complex, with many people running in the long corridor, carrying documents and discs, entering and exiting each room.

What happened

It is possible. However, I cannot concern myself with so much.

A line of people nodded in agreement, filled with joy, smiling as they looked at Xu Qing. Su Hai, amidst the crowd, smiled and winked at Xu Qing, giving a thumbs-up gesture.

When asked how to handle it, Jiang Luosheng replied with a faint smile, "It's up to you to decide." Xu Qing felt disheartened and, in a fit of pique, said, "The architecture program lasts five years, so you don't need to worry for now. When it's your turn, will you also be so indecisive?"

I know what you are worried about; when it comes to emotions, I understand much more than you do

Most people know Xu Qing, except for Su Hai, the rest are experts and scholars in various fields; only the handsome and tall young man in a dark suit walking in the middle is someone everyone has not seen before. However, judging from the respectful attitude of the experts and the way they made all the students in the laboratory stand up and applaud in welcome, this person is indeed quite impressive. In the subsequent introduction, everyone learned that his name is Zheng Zimo, a Cambridge graduate, representing the investors, and is one of the highest-level leaders of this project. However, judging from the respectful attitude of the experts and the way they made all the students in the laboratory stand up and applaud in welcome, this person is indeed quite impressive. In the subsequent introduction, everyone learned that his name is Zheng Zimo, a Cambridge graduate, representing the investors, and is one of the highest-level leaders of this project.

After the crisp voice of a girl called out once more, Xu Qing was the first to turn her head. A beautiful girl, whom she did not recognize, was smiling sweetly at them, "Senior, you are here too"

Xu Qing searched her memory and vaguely had an impression, thus she self-deprecatingly remarked: "So it really did happen. But I returned everything to the teacher."

During the handshake, Zheng Zimo's smile was sincere, completely concealing the fact that they were in a business setting, and there was no hint of anything unusual. Xu Qing let out a sigh of relief and shook hands with him openly.

Half a year later, Su Hai invited Xu Qing to his vast laboratory and said with an unprecedented seriousness, "I am taking on a new research project, focusing on the refinement and study of mathematical theory. Would you like to participate? I dare say, this opportunity is extremely rare and will be of great help to you. Even in ten years, we may not encounter such an opportunity again"

Xu Qing smiled slightly, his hands broad and strong. For some reason, Xu Qing felt a strong affection for him

Zheng Zimo curled his fingers and gently tapped the table: "What are you thinking?"

Do not blame me for keeping it from you for so long

Simply dragging her luggage back to the dormitory, she left Jiang Luosheng behind.

Xu Qing nodded. The lights in the dormitory must be turned off every night, so Xu Qing simply moved to the graduate student dormitory to study all night, seizing the time to supplement her knowledge. She could not let Su Hai down

On the balcony outside the study, there are many potted flowers, most of which Xu Qing does not recognize. Jiang Luosheng points to the pots of flowers and introduces them: Milan, gardenia, and clivia, among others. One large pot of gardenias is particularly flourishing, filling the entire study with its fragrance. Xu Qing squats by the flowers and asks in surprise, "Your parents are so busy, do they still have time to tend to the flowers?"

Jiang Luosheng looked at her, not wanting to know what she was about to say. He turned her shoulder and said, "Don't say anything more, just go back and rest."

Before Jiang Luosheng could return, the girl exclaimed in surprise and laughed: "Senior, haven't you heard? The university architecture design competition that has been making waves at our school is happening. The senior is one of the contestants."

Helping Su Hai with his research project is not a rare occurrence, but I have never seen him so serious. Xu Qing was surprised and did not respond immediately. After thinking for a long time, she said: "Professor, what is it? My abilities may not be..."

No, that is not what I meant...

You, oh you...

The person she is speaking with is actually Zheng Zimo

You should know that the ancient Greek philosopher was the first to propose the concept of atoms Zheng Jiejie smiled slightly and said, "I learned about it in middle school"

The final alarm arrived one afternoon a few weeks later, as Xu Qing walked out of the Mathematics Department building with a backpack slung over her shoulder. She was politely stopped by a girl who said she wanted to talk to her, assuring that it would not take up much more time.

Zheng Jie Jie did not stop typing, and she gestured towards the teapot on the table. Xu Qing understood and got up to pour a cup of tea, placing it beside her. After a moment's thought, she picked up the teacup and directly brought it to Zheng Jie Jie's lips. The light fell on Zheng Jie Jie's face, casting a shadow under her eyelids.

I have long been accustomed to the unusual, yet you are still so young

It seems different, as the laboratory is usually very quiet

Jiang Luosheng casually picked up the long scissors that were placed on the ground, while leisurely cutting off a few dried jasmine branches, saying, "How beautiful, isn't it? It's worth the effort."

Throughout the year, the relationship between the two has been maintained in a seemingly tenuous manner, characterized by a sense of calm and tranquility, with very few disputes arising, and equally rare moments of genuine happiness. When together, their conversations are sparse; in the evening study room, one often puts down their pen and gazes intently at the other, their eyes intertwined. When asked what is on their mind, they find themselves unable to articulate a reason.

To be precise, he is a courteous and intelligent person who expresses appropriate gratitude and encouragement to the students in the laboratory who are still studying. He asks each of their names, shakes hands, and inspires everyone with enthusiasm

The girl shook her head. She found it strange that Xu Qing had no reaction at all upon hearing these words

"Good." A brief response, the gaze still lingering on Xu Qing.

Alright

Olympiad gold medalist

I analyzed the equations we calculated previously and discovered a pattern... Xu Qing opened a folder, pointing at the screen, completely unaware that a large crowd had gathered behind her. "Initially, I wanted to reduce everyone's workload and envisioned an algorithm... In the end, I was inspired by the story of the sewing machine. It's actually quite simple. If you want to design a sewing machine but don't know where the needle hole should be or how many threads need to work simultaneously, what do you do?"

However, I am concerned...

Ah, yes. It is a must-see

Xu Qing greeted her enthusiastic roommates with high spirits, distributing the gifts she had brought back from the United Kingdom to her classmates, and then climbed into bed to sleep

"Yes," Xu Qing nodded slightly, turned her head and smiled at the speaker. Just as she was about to say, "The principle is like this, senior," her words were suddenly cut off before they could leave her throat, and the smile at the corner of her mouth froze upon seeing the group of people behind her.

Xu Qing's eyes brimmed with tears; she had succeeded

"It was meant to be this way," Xu Qing said without hesitation as she picked up the pen and signed her name

Suddenly stopped and fell silent

Jiang Luosheng pushed Xu Qing, who turned around in shock, unexpectedly realizing that a table full of people was staring at her in surprise. Suddenly aware of her loss of composure, her face flushed bright red.

Xu Qing looked at Zheng Jie Jie, and the two exchanged silent glances. In just a moment, their eyes conveyed everything they wished to say.

The voice did not seem to belong to someone she knew. However, Xu Qing was emotionally stirred and did not dwell on it, so she simply continued speaking.

Zheng Zimo smiled at Xu Qing and extended his hand

There was no direct answer. Jiang Luosheng's expression was quite strange, his eyes filled with anger, yet a forced bitter smile lingered at the corners of his mouth. Xu Qing was unsure of what he was thinking and asked again in a daze.

Xu Qing asked him: "What competition?"

Half a month after joining the research group, Jiang Luosheng encountered Xu Qing in the library. She was pulling a thick and heavy book from the shelf, standing in place as she flipped through the pages rapidly, completely unaware that her boyfriend was standing less than a meter away from her.

Xu Qing learned for the first time that there was such a large laboratory underground at the school. From the day she entered the laboratory, she sensed that the confidentiality of this project might be more advanced than she had imagined. Each room was separated by soundproof glass, and most of the people coming and going were experts in computer science, physics, and mathematics. The minimum qualification for the most basic work was at least a graduate student, and she was the only undergraduate among all the personnel

How could it be? After all, my home is my home. It is inevitable that you might feel constrained.

In the eyes of that girl, Xu Qing remained completely unfazed, showing not a trace of anger, only fatigue written in her gaze. The girl, feeling timid, mustered her courage, took a deep breath, and said: "You are the senior's girlfriend, yet you do not take care of him at all. The seniors are exhausted because of the project, with no time even to eat or do laundry. Other people's girlfriends are always by their side, providing meticulous care..." The seniors are exhausted because of the project, with no time even to eat or do laundry. Other people's girlfriends are always by their side, providing meticulous care..."

Xu Qing turned her head to look at Zheng Zimo, speechless, and after a long while, she finally managed to utter a single word: "Oh"

Several senior students were greatly excited and privately said: "Could it be China's Manhattan Project?"

What to do? Xu Qing looked at the time, she was anxious to rush to the laboratory

Looking up at the bookshelf, Jiang Luosheng's expression suddenly darkened as he asked her: "Are you taking courses for a doctor's degree?"

Zheng Jiejie was deeply moved by Xu Qingru's expression of relief, unable to resist wrapping her arms around her waist and planting a sudden, forceful kiss on her cheek. Xu Qing covered her face, taking a long time to react, feeling an indescribable joy in her heart, but deliberately put on a stern face: "You have learned bad habits from Westerners."

What it is, you will know when the time comes. Your abilities may be somewhat lacking, but what I value most is your logical thinking ability. You know, there are plenty of professionals who have studied extensively. Sometimes, the importance of thinking methods far exceeds the technical difficulties. Su Hai nodded, his eyes shining. "You need to spend a considerable amount of time on this topic, be available at all times, and the duration will not be too short either"

This is an old story in physics. The inventors of the sewing machine initially faced failures because they always attempted to mimic the actions of hand sewing: pushing the needle tip through the fabric and threading a single line through the eye of the needle from the back. Finally, one day, someone thought of placing the eye at the tip of the needle and using two threads instead of one, which made it much easier, and they achieved success. This method was completely contrary to common sense, yet it proved effective.

Xu Qing retorted: Were we not the same back then?

It is indeed interesting. It sounds like a breakthrough in thinking has led to the invention of new technologies... What is the connection between this story and what you are currently working on

Thus, they parted ways unhappily

After returning to school, Xu Qing recounted the events to Jiang Luosheng. He did not comment on Zheng Jiejie's actions, but looked deeply at Xu Qing and spoke in a tone identical to that of Zheng Jiejie, with content that was largely similar: "You can't even sort out your own feelings, isn't it ridiculous to give her advice?"

After Zheng Zimo left, the laboratory erupted in discussion, with everyone speculating about the newcomer. Even the most fastidious male students admitted that he was indeed charming and impressive. Curious onlookers began to guess his age, with some suggesting twenty-eight and others twenty-five, but no definitive answer emerged. The common conclusion was that this person was too young and must possess extraordinary qualities to be the head of such a highly confidential mission

You are foolish yourself, but I am not

Sometimes I feel that the days spent with my grandmother seem like a past life, everything feels as if it is from another world... If only I could live once more...

Perhaps

After turning a corner, Xu Qing hung up the phone with Jiang Luosheng. The person who answered was a girl, who said that Jiang Luosheng was not available at the moment and that she could relay any messages. Xu Qing, feeling disheartened, ended the call and entered the underground laboratory

Zheng Jiejie ignored this remark and directly said: "The Sun family also has a company in the UK. They sent him over a year ago to take care of things, and that was when I learned that he had already gotten divorced"

Xu Qing was engrossed in her meal, no wonder Zheng Jie Jie had not written to her for a long time; perhaps she was busy with matters at home

Walking in silence for a while, Xu Qing said, "I don't know why, at first I was afraid to go home, afraid that as soon as I opened the door, I would be met with a sense of emptiness... However, now it is different; I actually look forward to going back. Over the past year, my grandmother has not appeared in my dreams even once... I am not greedy; even if I could just have one dream, that would be enough..."

They have been divorced for over a year now

Xu Qing was unprecedentedly restrained, fearing that her words might be inappropriate, and she considered for three seconds before speaking each time. Jiang Luosheng was both amused and exasperated; he had repeatedly advised her not to worry beforehand, yet she remained so reserved. The significance of this visit was indeed self-evident. Jiang Luosheng's parents exchanged knowing glances and simply suggested that Jiang Luosheng take her to the study for a while.

Describing time in mathematical language is quite unique

Xu Qing wrapped her arm around one of his, leaning her entire body against him. Jiang Luosheng always carried a light and unique scent, fresh and clean, reminiscent of the warmth of sunlight. This fragrance was particularly pronounced on quiet nights.

The words spoken were almost frivolous, and Xu Qing was taken aback, her heart racing. She scrutinized Zheng Zimo, who seemed completely unaware of anything amiss. Perhaps she was overthinking it. After a moment of silence, Xu Qing smiled and said, "It's not like we're performing Butterfly Dream—"

As for you, I follow my own path, which may not necessarily be superior

At this point, what more is there to say? Xu Qing forced a smile and remained silent. Many years ago, her thoughts were still too naive

When discussing the international situation, Xu Qing suddenly heard a familiar name mentioned in the news. In her surprise, she quickly turned around, not having time to put down her chopsticks, and the food she was holding fell into the bowl. Following that were some explanations regarding this transfer and analyses from experts.

The scene suddenly became chaotic, but fortunately, a few people entered through the door at that moment

This remark was met with stern reprimands from several professors. However, everyone seemed to be even more pleased.

Xu Qing fixed her gaze on the screen as the images began to change again

Xu Qing flipped through her memories like turning the pages of a book: "I remember, he is already married"

Xu Qing was unaware that Zheng Jie Jie had been in a daze for a long time on the other side of the screen. In any case, what she saw was Zheng Jie Jie lamenting with great sorrow: "Times have changed, times have changed indeed"

Xu Qing's theoretical knowledge is not comparable to that of a master's degree holder, and she works extremely hard. Fortunately, there are many people in the house who are united, and they often offer guidance to Xu Qing when they have the time. Due to her busy schedule, the number of meetings with Jiang Luosheng has decreased significantly, and it is common for them not to see each other for an entire week. Even their recent encounters have been coincidental; whether on the road or in the library, without exception, they merely exchange hurried greetings and leave with an apologetic smile.

Jiang Luosheng's eyes scanned the screen, and he smiled as he nodded: "The newly appointed minister is quite young. However, he does seem somewhat familiar."

Well

A topic

Xu Qing shook her head. Even if she could speak, she truly did not know

Later, she came to understand what kind of topic this was, and how Su Hai made assurances to the superiors in order to have her join the research team

What is there to blame? Is it you?" Jiang Luosheng smiled and shook his head, "She is your friend, not mine, I do not need to know so much; besides, a friend is a friend, regardless of background or family circumstances.

Jiang Luosheng caught up, walking leisurely beside Xu Qing. Throughout the journey, the two remained silent, greeting many acquaintances along the way. They both smiled politely and spoke with great restraint, Xu Qing overheard them saying behind her, "What a beautiful couple," feeling a wave of unbearable bitterness in her heart—unbeknownst to her, the two had already become estranged despite their outward appearance.

During the summer vacation of her sophomore year, Xu Qing stayed at school to work on a project with her teacher and did not return home; she had not even considered the idea herself. However, the winter vacation was different; she should return home, if only for her grandmother's sake.