As expected—
The moment she stepped into the office, the principal, visibly excited, handed her an official letter: “This is an invitation from Professor Xie, issued under his research team’s name, inviting you to join a new project—as the second researcher! This… for a high school student, is absolutely unprecedented!”
Everyone knew real research teams didn’t even consider anyone below PhD-level, especially someone like Xie Dingyuan, a national treasure of a scientist.
Rumor had it, even getting a foot in his lab meant preparing to have every flaw scrutinized under a microscope.
That Jiang Fuyue caught his eye—and had him personally issue a formal letter to the school—left the principal in momentary disbelief. It felt too surreal, like he was still dreaming.
But with the ink-on-paper proof right in front of him, there was no room for denial.
“Classmate Jiang, you’ve made us so proud! If the project goes smoothly and you contribute results, you’ll be the first high school student ever to achieve that!”
No. 1 High School was already the “fighter jet” of high schools— And he? He’d be the Hulk among principals!
Just thinking about it made him giddy.
Jiang Fuyue: “So… about taking time off…”
“I’ll approve it! Right now! Just a month? No problem. Your grades are solid—honestly, whether you come to class or not makes no difference.”
Even after getting the official leave slip and preparing to leave, it took a second for Xu Jing to fully register what just happened.
“Wait—who’s doing a project with who?”
Principal: “Professor Xie is collaborating with Classmate Jiang.”
“Which Xie?”
“Xie Dingyuan, founder of Hanqing BioTech, a world-famous biochemist. Even if you only teach math, you should know that much, right?”
After leaving the office, Xu Jing double-checked again: “Seriously? That Xie Dingyuan invited you?”
Jiang Fuyue rolled her eyes and didn’t even bother answering.
Still dazed, Xu Jing wandered into the staff office.
Meng Zhijian glanced at him and immediately noticed something was off: “Hey Old Xu, why are you walking like you’re floating?”
“I’m floating?” He took a huge gulp of cold tea.
Meng Zhijian nodded: “Definitely floating.”
“Well, let me float then. I’ve earned it.”
“Huh?”
“Heh. I’m Jiang Fuyue’s homeroom teacher!”
Meng Zhijian looked puzzled: “And that means what exactly?”
“Let me explain—balabala…”
Two minutes later—
Meng Zhijian: “Holy cr*p! For real?! The Xie Dingyuan?! Are you sure?!”
“Duh. The district even stamped it. What do you think?”
“D*mn… Impressive! Then, uh, I guess I feel a little floaty too.”
Xu Jing: “?”
Meng Zhijian raised his chin smugly: “She’s my student too, after all!”
Xu Jing: “!” Dammit. Should’ve seen that coming.
—
As for Jiang Fuyue, she had barely returned to school before being granted a full month of leave.
She grabbed her bag and, under the jealous gazes of her classmates, walked out with a spring in her step.
But instead of heading home, she took a ride to the city library.
After going over the materials Xie Dingyuan had sent, she had a vague idea of what she needed to do. But her current knowledge framework still had gaps—she needed a lot of reading and research to fill those in.
She stayed there the whole afternoon. It wasn’t until closing time, when staff started clearing people out, that she finally packed up and left.
On the way back, she got a call from Yi Hansheng—
“I’ve been followed recently. Be careful—I suspect the Lou family is behind it.”
Jiang Fuyue wasn’t surprised.
In fact, given how badly Lou Mingxin had been humiliated over that Qingtong Street house incident, the fact that it took her this long to respond was not her usual style.
Maybe the psychological trauma of being beaten to a pulp slowed her down?
Yi Hansheng: “To avoid dragging you in, Ling Qingzhou and I will try not to contact you unless absolutely necessary during this period.”
“Got it.”
“Take care.”
…..
City A, a private hospital’s VIP ward
“President Lou, don’t worry—I’ve already contacted the best cosmetic surgeon in the country. He’ll be here this afternoon!”
After getting mysteriously beaten up, Lou Mingxin was rushed to the hospital for treatment. But this put her return-to-capital plans on hold.
Now, propped up with pillows and leaning casually against the headboard, her demeanor was elegant as always—but any potential beauty was thoroughly ruined.
Because her face… looked like a pig’s head.
It had swelled up twice its size, covered in multicolored bruises like someone spilled a painter’s palette on her.
The hospital’s own doctors didn’t dare touch her face without a proper diagnosis, so since being admitted two days ago, she hadn’t received any treatment—not even a bandage. Thus, her battered face was on full display.
Anyone passing by her room risked being scared out of their wits.
“Oh my god, is that a pig that gained sentience?!”
The dual torment of physical pain and facial disfigurement had made Lou Mingxin increasingly irritable. She lashed out constantly, cursing and throwing things. Her poor secretary had become the prime target, forced to endure it all with a fake smile.
“President Lou, the surgeon is here.”
“Let him in. Now!”
“Yes, and—there’s also word from the team we sent to Linhuai. Would you like to meet with them?”
“Do I look like I’m in any condition to see anyone?! Tell them to keep investigating, and don’t bother me again!”
Who cares about Qingtong Street or some ten-year master plan?
Nothing mattered more than getting her face back!
