He Wen sat back down, his gaze passing over Chen Hong and Xu Wenyao.
Having spent nearly a year in the laboratory, his skin was pale. The coffee shop was quiet with dim lighting that cast shadows on him, making both Xu Wenyao and Chen Hong breathe more softly.
He Wen had chosen a seat by the window.
The wooden rectangular table touched the floor-to-ceiling window at one end, with a single chair placed at the window-facing end where Bai Lian sat.
She casually rested her left hand on the armrest, completely at ease.
Noticing Xu Wenyao and Chen Hong still standing, she lifted her chin slightly, gesturing for them to sit across from He Wen.
“What’s this year’s problem?” He Wen pushed his laptop aside and turned to speak with Bai Lian. He didn’t ask whether they had chosen Problem A or C.
As soon as he spoke, Chen Hong and Xu Wenyao finally reacted, instinctively reaching for their phones to show He Wen the problem.
“Astronomical telescope…” Bai Lian set down her milk tea, her fingertip tapping the cup absently. “Given the star’s position and its parabola, radius 300, to achieve optimal light reception effect.”
As she explained the problem to He Wen, Xu Wenyao and Chen Hong couldn’t help but look down at the problem stored on their phones.
Problem A was complex, with four working diagrams. Chen Hong had looked it over but wasn’t even clear about the telescope’s working diagram.
Hearing Bai Lian quote several numbers, he quickly turned to the second page diagram—
300, 0.466.
Not a single number was wrong.
She had not only understood Problem A in such a short time but even remembered the focal point data when the reflecting panels formed an approximate parabolic surface during celestial observation.
“Active reflection surface model?” He Wen lowered his eyes, thinking briefly. “The problem doesn’t sound complex. It has over two thousand cables, requiring construction of over two-thousand dimensional functions. Then construct a continuous function for the difference between the cables and target? Simulated annealing has high precision and can quickly generate results.”
Bai Lian leisurely turned her milk tea, her fingertip slowly tapping the cup. She shook her head: “I think after adjustment the nodes might all be on the ideal parabolic surface, but even if they are, it has no practical significance. The two-dimensional method calculating ideal parabolic surface and radial distance, the reception ratio is different than we imagine. Using linear equations to solve directional angles, this way the reception ratio discriminant can be integrated.”
She hadn’t chosen He Wen’s solution, clearly having developed her own complete approach during the journey.
The two spoke quickly, making it difficult for Chen Hong and Xu Wenyao to follow completely.
He Wen understood though. “You want to use Monte Carlo integration?”
The two sat casually chatting, determining the overall direction of their mathematical modeling in just a few exchanges.
Bai Lian leaned slightly against the chair back, one hand resting on the armrest. She wore plain, elegant clothes, her expression lazy yet her reserved demeanor carried an overwhelming pressure.
This inadvertently displayed brilliance was captivating.
Talent truly outshines everything else.
While Xu Wenyao could still follow along, Chen Hong was struggling to understand, not having even grasped the problem yet.
After their discussion, He Wen’s gaze fell on Xu Wenyao. “You’ll handle running the code?”
Xu Wenyao had more experience than Chen Hong. He came to his senses, “Yes.”
“For mathematical modeling, instructors can’t be too involved,” He Wen closed his laptop. He wasn’t worried about Bai Lian, only her teammates. “Her overall direction won’t have any issues. If you can’t get the results, try to construct an answer, otherwise use several regression models and the BFGS algorithm…”
Programming was Bai Lian’s weak point, which was why she had sought out He Wen.
While He Wen was discussing with Xu Wenyao, Bai Lian opened a blank document on her phone to analyze the three problems.
With only three days to determine the model, run code, and write the paper, time was very tight.
Past 10 PM.
He Wen and Xu Wenyao were still discussing when Bai Lian checked the time. Without her laptop, she couldn’t build the model, so she decided to leave early.
It was quite late, and He Wen had just returned to Jiangjing. Though he hadn’t asked where Bai Lian was staying, seeing her about to leave, he instinctively stood up.
“Continue your discussion,” Bai Lian knew He Wen wanted to escort her. She raised her hand to make him sit down. “Don’t worry about me.”
Jiang Fuli was waiting for her at the intersection.
At midnight.
Xu Wenyao and Chen Hong stood downstairs, watching He Wen enter the dormitory building. Once his figure disappeared from view, Chen Hong pinched his arm in disbelief: “Senior He Wen is our instructor?”
Xu Wenyao nodded.
Chen Hong took out his phone and handed it to Xu Wenyao. “Quick, help me take a picture with Building One!”
After taking the photo, Chen Hong sighed deeply.
Just from hearing He Wen and Bai Lian’s conversation, he was already worried for this year’s new students.
“By the way,” Chen Hong remembered something and patted Xu Wenyao’s shoulder, “Old Xu, you actually dared to talk with Senior He Wen. I didn’t even dare look him in the eyes – I was afraid he’d think I was stupid.”
This time Xu Wenyao didn’t answer him, just took out his phone to look. In their group chat, Bai Lian had sent two papers.
Asking them to calculate mirror distances.
“Let’s go to the computer room,” Xu Wenyao turned around.
They were too pressed for time.
**
Shanhai Apartments.
At 2 AM, Lu Xiaohan got up for water and noticed light still coming through the crack of Bai Lian’s study door.
She leaned against the table, finishing a glass of water, hearing what seemed like talking from the study.
After finishing her water, she quietly returned to the guest room. On the bedside table, her phone was still lit up – many people from Class 15 were still awake in the group chat.
Wen Qi was @-ing the PE representative, complaining about his poor support playing.
After the college entrance exam, the class students had been lazy for a few days before becoming active again. Zhang Shize had his sentence reduced for good behavior and would be released mid-September.
Wen Qi declared he would perfect his skills before Zhang’s release.
The next morning, 5 AM.
Below Building 11 of Shanhai Apartments.
A business car stopped, two men got out, checked their phones to confirm the location, then each carried a wooden box toward the building.
Outside door 301.
The middle-aged man in front stood straight, respectfully pressing the doorbell.
After just one ring, someone opened the door – a man with an extremely cold expression, eyes like cold stars.
The middle-aged man didn’t dare meet his gaze, just bowed respectfully: “Good morning, Mr. Ming.”
Ming Dongheng raised his hand, “Give it to me.”
The middle-aged man immediately handed over the food box.
Ming Dongheng took the box inside. Apartment 301’s layout was similar to 303 but with a slightly larger living room. He checked the time on his phone, then opened the box and carefully arranged the exquisite pastries.
Bai Lian came out at 5:10.
Ming Dongheng was waiting for her at the door.
“So early.” Bai Lian walked in and saw breakfast laid out on the table. She casually placed her laptop on the bar counter by the entrance and sat down at the dining table to eat.
The breakfast items were delicate and small.
She picked up a soup dumpling, biting into it to find tender, juicy filling. The crystal dumplings beside it clearly showed the shrimp inside.
Bai Lian always ate quietly, with quiet dignity despite her lazy demeanor.
Ming Dongheng noticed she only ate the crystal dumplings and soup dumplings. Since Bai Lian was from Beicheng, breakfast included more Beicheng flavors, but unexpectedly she also liked Jiangjing’s breakfast items.
He was somewhat surprised but made note of this.
Ming Dongheng knew she was doing mathematical modeling with two other teammates, so he took out paper bags from the box and packed two boxes of breakfast for her to take to them.
The remaining breakfast would be for Lu Xiaohan and Jiang He.
**
These days, Jiangjing University’s computer room stayed open at night.
When Bai Lian arrived, over half the seats were occupied.
They were all current students who hadn’t gone back, sleeping there instead.
Some were already awake, others still napping.
Xu Wenyao and Chen Hong were also sleeping at their usual spots. Bai Lian didn’t wake them, just put their breakfast near her desk.
With just a slight movement, both Xu Wenyao and Chen Hong woke up.
Bai Lian put her laptop on the desk and, seeing them awake, lifted her chin to point at the breakfast on the table.
The two went to wash up in the bathroom at the end of the hallway before returning.
“This tastes amazing,” Chen Hong took a bite of the roll, instantly energized.
In front, a classmate who had just woken up smelled the breakfast aroma and came over curiously. “Chen Hong, where did you buy this breakfast?”
Chen Hong looked at him, shook his head, then looked at Bai Lian beside him.
“Don’t know,” Bai Lian had already opened her computer and taken out pens and draft paper. “I didn’t buy it.”
Chen Hong looked down at the paper bag.
It only had a butterfly-shaped logo, no restaurant name.
He hadn’t seen this butterfly logo before.
Xu Wenyao was eating breakfast and hearing their conversation, he also looked down at the paper bag with the distinctive butterfly logo, recognizing it immediately.
This was from Kangyu House.
A famous old establishment in Jiangjing that offered limited breakfast items daily, no takeout or delivery.
He had gone twice with Qi Shuyun but never managed to get their famous crab roe soup dumplings.
Now they seemed to have started offering delivery service.
“Junior, why did you bring your own laptop,” Chen Hong opened the software, helping Xu Wenyao verify regression results. “The school computers are high-end ZTE models, much better than our personal laptops. Only the computer room computers can use MAT software…”
This was the most commonly used modeling software, able to create many types of graphs.
The software wasn’t domestic and wasn’t publicly available. By international agreement, only Jiangjing University’s computer rooms were allowed to use it, so modeling students basically never left the computer room.
There were cracked versions outside, but with incomplete functionality.
These Jiangjing science and engineering students all knew this. Jiangjing had always had the most complete and advanced facilities, which was why so many people desperately wanted to attend this school.
Chen Hong turned his head and happened to see the blue and red icon on Bai Lian’s computer screen – it was the MAT software: “…”
Cracked version?
**
Bai Lian didn’t stay overnight in the school computer room.
She went downstairs at 10.
Jiang Fuli’s car wasn’t parked below the computing building, but at a less crowded intersection. Today he drove a silver sedan Bai Lian hadn’t seen before.
She sat in the passenger seat, casually placing her laptop on her lap and fastening her seatbelt.
Jiang Fuli’s hand rested lazily on the steering wheel, his long fingers tapping it one by one as his other hand turned off the Bluetooth earpiece.
He didn’t start the car.
He wore a white shirt with the sleeves casually rolled up once, revealing the watch at his wrist.
His profile appeared increasingly cold.
Bai Lian paused, carefully choosing her words. “What’s wrong?”
“You had He Wen be the instructor.” Jiang Fuli spoke deeply, turning slightly with his long lashes lowered to cover his light eyes. His usually distant face now showed some accusation.
Bai Lian’s hand paused as she was taking out draft paper.
She chose He Wen because she had discussed models with him many times and worked together before.
Xu Wenyao and Chen Hong would both graduate after senior year. Bai Lian really couldn’t imagine what expression she should have when Xu Wenyao got scolded by Jiang Fuli in front of her, since Xu Wenyao had always treated her like an elder.
Most importantly…
Even if Jiang Fuli didn’t say it, Bai Lian knew his influence here was significant.
Her name appearing in He Wen’s paper had already caused quite a stir.
If Jiang Fuli’s name appeared on a mathematical modeling competition… Bai Lian didn’t dare imagine the scene.
Her hand pressed on the draft paper, but her mind was racing frantically. “Using you for a small modeling competition would be overkill. He Wen is just right.”
Jiang Fuli withdrew his gaze, reluctantly accepting this explanation. “Have you encountered any problems?”
He started the car.
“No,” crisis averted, Bai Lian leaned back. “Though Chen Hong said MAT can only be used in school computer rooms.”
Jiang Fuli casually replied, “That’s true in theory.”
“And in reality?”
At a red light, Jiang Fuli slowly stopped the car, not speaking, just raising an eyebrow.
He had been using it for so long, installing it in labs and apartments in Xiangcheng—
Who from foreign labs would dare say anything?
**
Time passed quickly.
July 13th, 11 PM.
In these three days, Bai Lian and Xu Wenyao’s group had slept less than six hours.
Problem A was difficult this time with few people choosing it. After their rushed completion of the model and obtaining the final reception ratio, they only had two hours left to finish the code.
After submission, they would have to wait two months for evaluation.
“Leave this to us two,” Chen Hong was typing. These past days he had helped Bai Lian calculate formulas while writing the paper. “Junior, you go rest. These three days have been tough.”
Chen Hong and Xu Wenyao were juniors with lots of paper-writing experience.
Bai Lian quickly scanned the abstract Chen Hong wrote. It was much better than Wang Xu’s previous work, barely acceptable. She didn’t have the energy to help them polish it.
So she didn’t refuse. “Alright.”
Xu Wenyao was verifying the final reception ratio. Seeing Bai Lian pick up her laptop, he looked up, remembering something: “Are you coming back for dinner the day after tomorrow?”
Xu Zhiyue’s celebration banquet was tomorrow.
Before knowing about Bai Lian’s first place, the old madam had been delighted about Xu Zhiyue’s scores.
She specifically arranged a banquet on July 15th for the Xu family and some friends and relatives. She had wanted to hold a grand banquet for Bai Lian too, but Bai Lian refused.
Actually, Xu En also opposed giving Xu Zhiyue a grand celebration, as Xu Zhiyue was shy by nature.
But the Yu family’s old madam had been too prominent these past years, and Xu’s old madam couldn’t swallow that. She had been rushing for success these past years.
Bai Lian took out her phone and looked down.
Xu Zhiyue: [Are you coming? Coming? Coming? Coming? Coming? Coming?] Xu Zhiyue: [[Shy][Shy][Shy][Shy]] Xu Zhiyue: [[Spinning.jpg]] Xu Zhiyue: [[Spinning.jpg]] Xu Zhiyue: [….]
Bai Lian: [Stop]
The spam messages suddenly stopped.
Bai Lian put her laptop in the canvas bag and stood up from her chair. “We’ll see.”
**
July 15th.
Afternoon, Shanhai Apartments.
Uncle Lin and Gao Yan were at Bai Lian’s place. Gao Yan sat at the table, talking with Bai Lian and Lu Xiaohan.
“Jiangjing Media University, that’s a very good school.” Gao Yan was very surprised hearing Lu Xiaohan’s college choice. She remembered this was Bai Lian’s classmate.
Bai Lian was from Xiangcheng – it was one thing for her to have good academic results, but how were her classmates also so impressive?
Lu Xiaohan, a major internet celebrity with nearly 5 million followers, heard Gao Yan’s words and just smiled modestly, pouring Gao Yan a cup of tea.
Bai Lian sat beside Lu Xiaohan. She hadn’t rested well the past few days and had just gotten up not long ago today.
She was casually writing reduced character notation on paper.
The fingerprint lock outside made a “beep” sound – someone was coming in.
Gao Yan, Uncle Lin and the others looked up.
The person at the door was Jiang Fuli, wearing a silver silk shirt with toggle buttons, his whole person appearing cold and unapproachable.
Gao Yan, who had been sitting, stood up. Her gaze fell on Jiang Fuli as she greeted him.
Although Jiang Fuli had always respected her, Gao Yan knew it was because she was Gao Si’s sister.
But she would never become complacent because of Jiang Fuli’s respect. Even Old Master Xu would stand to welcome Jiang Fuli, let alone her.
Uncle Lin stood behind Gao Yan, respectfully bowing to Jiang Fuli.
It seemed his arrival somehow made the whole room’s atmosphere more serious.
Jiang Fuli nodded slightly to her, very politely: “Auntie.”
Lu Xiaohan had seen Jiang Fuli in Xiangcheng more times than Gao Yan had in her whole life. She was more casual than Uncle Lin and Gao Yan: “Brother Jiang.”
Hearing Lu Xiaohan’s form of address, Uncle Lin and Gao Yan couldn’t help but look at her.
They were quite shocked.
In Jiangjing, those who could call Jiang Fuli “Brother Jiang” were limited to people like Xu Nanjing.
Only Bai Lian hadn’t stood up. She casually propped her chin with one hand, her sleeve sliding down slightly to reveal a bright red silk ribbon loosely tied around her delicate wrist.
Making her wrist appear extremely white.
She finished writing a line before lazily looking up, “Go get the gift my grandfather prepared.”
Ji Heng had embroidered a handkerchief for Xu Zhiyue.
Jiang Fuli knew where the item was kept and went to the study to retrieve it from the second drawer.
Uncle Lin watched as Jiang Fuli went directly in to get things while Bai Lian remained seated, and couldn’t help but lower his head.
“Where are you going?” Gao Yan had planned to invite Bai Lian and her classmate to dinner, but before she could mention it, they were leaving with Jiang Fuli.
“To Mingfeng District.” Jiang Fuli opened the door, stepping aside to let Bai Lian go first.
He was taking Bai Lian to the Xu family.
After they left, Gao Yan turned to look at Uncle Lin, “Mingfeng District? What are they doing there?”
Mingfeng District was in the suburbs. Neither the Gao nor Xu families had much business there. People were occasionally sent there, but they rarely went themselves.
Lu Xiaohan wasn’t familiar with Gao Yan and didn’t explain.
Gao Yan looked back down and saw several papers casually laid out on the table.
Some had numbers like “four five zheng” written on them.
But you could see that the writing on each paper was very neat, precise in every stroke.
Gao Yan didn’t recognize these, so she looked at the paper beside them which was covered in formulas and algorithms. Though Gao Yan was highly educated, she had left the laboratory after having Xu Nanjing and couldn’t recall exactly what Bai Lian was calculating, only roughly knowing it seemed to be least squares method.
She felt somewhat dazed – was this high school material? Gao Yan couldn’t remember anymore. Beside her, Uncle Lin admiringly looked at Bai Lian’s writing, “Miss Bai’s calligraphy is beautiful, she must have specifically practiced.”
**
Mingfeng District, famous villa area.
Xu family residence.
Jiang Fuli’s silver car stopped at the entrance. His fingertip rested on the steering wheel as he lowered the passenger window, waiting for Bai Lian to come out.
Bai Lian didn’t plan to enter the Xu house, just give Xu Zhiyue the gift and leave.
She had already sent Xu Zhiyue a message from the car, and Xu Zhiyue was waiting for her by the iron gate.
Today Xu Zhiyue wore a knee-length dress, her bangs swept up and styled to reveal her petite face and large dark eyes.
When Bai Lian saw her, she was standing by the iron gate, face red, fingers unconsciously pinching her hem.
This was completely different from her WeChat persona.
Bai Lian casually handed her the box, lowering her eyes with a lazy smile, “Go back now.”
She wore clothes made by Ji Heng today – a snow-white crossed-collar long dress cinched with a matching belt, her black hair loosely held up with a wooden hairpin. The sunlight scattered across her jade-like profile, and when she smiled, even the sunlight behind her lost its color.
Xu Zhiyue kept looking back as she returned.
After her figure disappeared, Bai Lian’s smile faded and her gaze inadvertently glanced to the left.
She turned to get back in the car. As Jiang Fuli drove forward, he asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Bai Lian leaned back.
Just an unpleasant gaze.
She opened her phone to ask Xu Wenyao— [What kind of people did your family invite this time?]
Just as she sent it, her phone rang – it was Ji Shaojun.
“Uncle?” Bai Lian turned off the Bluetooth and answered.
Ji Shaojun had timed his call for when she would be resting. “Come over for dinner tonight. It’s been several days since you’ve visited. Your aunt made you some nourishing soup – if you don’t have time, we can bring it to you.”
Ji Heng had heard from Jiang He that Bai Lian had been at school recently, staying up late. He had almost rushed to Jiangjing.
Bai Lian lowered the car window, resting her hand on it as she smiled, “I need to see Director Jian later. I’ll come visit in a couple days and stay longer then.”
On the phone, Ji Shaojun thought for a moment, “That works. I’ll have the soup delivered to you today.”
He hung up cheerfully. On the sofa, the estate manager looked at Ji Shaojun, “Your niece?”
“Yes.” Ji Shaojun put his phone on the table and stood up, obvious joy on his face. “I’ll go deliver the soup to her.”
The estate manager knew.
Ji Shaojun never referred to Ren Wanxuan as his niece.
Though unclear why Ji Shaojun greatly favored Bai Lian, he didn’t want to waste Ji Shaojun’s time now. After pondering briefly, “Continue studying with the teacher. I’ll help deliver it to Miss Bai. She’s still in Chang’an District, right? The round trip is far – no need for you to make the journey.”
Since Ji Shaojun showed talent, the estate manager had changed how he addressed Bai Lian.
“You…” Hearing the estate manager’s offer, Ji Shaojun’s expression froze. He seemed to think for a long while before agreeing, “Alright, please help convey a message – tell her to rest well.”
That evening.
Little Jie parked the car at Building 11 of Shanhai Apartments.
The estate manager got out from the back seat. Little Jie opened the driver’s door and looked at the building number: “Should be here, right?”
The estate manager took out his phone, squinted to check, and after confirming it was correct, they both went in.
On the third floor.
They had no intention of taking the stairs, so waited for the elevator at the entrance.
The elevator was coming down from the third floor—
It opened with a “ding”, with only an elderly person inside.
The estate manager glanced casually and moved slightly to the side to make way.
The elderly person didn’t look at them as they passed by.
After they passed, the estate manager suddenly paused and turned to look at the retreating figure. “Are you… Principal Shi?”
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