“So rushed?”
“Old Peter and I can’t stop thinking about the project. We can’t wait even a second longer—wish we could just whoosh! and be back in the lab already.”
“I’ll come see you off then.”
“No need! We’re about to board.”
Jiang Fuyue twitched the corner of her mouth. “That fast?”
“Heh, speed is of the essence—you taught me that, remember?”
“Alright. Safe travels.”
After Xu Kaiqing and Old Peter left, Jiang Fuyue still had a day off.
She thought for a moment, then called Xie Dingyuan: “Didn’t you need more data filled in? Anyone in the lab right now?”
A pause. “Right now?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll come pick you up. We’ll go together.”
“Okay. I’ll be at the villa entrance in ten minutes.”
She stepped out two minutes early—and Xie Dingyuan’s car was already waiting.
He never seemed to be late.
If she was early, he’d be even earlier.
If she was on time, he’d be there ahead of her.
“You’re not working with Elder Xu today?”
“They’ve all gone back.”
“Mm.” Xie Dingyuan hummed lightly.
Jiang Fuyue turned to look at him. “Why are you smiling?”
“Did I smile?”
“Your mouth curved up just now.”
“…Maybe you saw wrong.”
“?”
The car sped on. Thirty minutes later, they stopped at the retractable gate of the DNA Building.
The on-duty guard poked his head out the window to ask for ID.
It was Uncle Wang.
Xie Dingyuan lowered the window.
“Oh! Professor Xie! I didn’t recognize you in this new car, my bad…” His eyes slid to the passenger seat. “Miss Jiang’s here too?”
She nodded slightly.
Uncle Wang grinned as he hit the remote. “Yesterday you two missed each other twice—I was getting anxious watching. Glad you finally lined up today.”
Once the gate opened, Xie Dingyuan drove in after a quick thanks.
Inside the lab, Jiang Fuyue quickly noticed that Old Bai, Old Jin, and Ding Yu weren’t there.
“Where is everyone?”
“Off in the neighboring province for a site visit on a new project,” Xie Dingyuan explained.
“But if they’re not here, how am I supposed to input the data?”
Jiang Fuyue hadn’t helped write the paper—just provided experimental data reports. She had no idea how the framework was structured or which data belonged where.
If the paper were complete, she might have managed by skimming through and piecing it together.
But this one was still in shambles—how was she supposed to figure it out?
“I’ll do it,” said Xie Dingyuan.
“…That works.”
As the lead on the entire project, no one knew the structure better than him.
So they got right to it. Both were highly professional—once they started working, they gave it their full attention.
It wasn’t until hunger kicked in that Jiang Fuyue realized it was already noon.
“Let’s eat,” said Xie Dingyuan.
They didn’t leave the building—just had food delivered, ate in the side room, and then went right back to work.
“Think we can finish it all today at this pace?” Jiang Fuyue asked.
“Shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Then let’s pick it up a bit?”
“Sure.”
Before they knew it, the afternoon had flown by.
Sunset descended. Evening fell.
Xie Dingyuan organized the third section and aligned the formatting. “Come look—”
He cut off mid-sentence.
Jiang Fuyue had fallen asleep on a pile of materials, head resting on her arm.
The setting sun streamed in through the window, bathing her in a golden light—like a divine glow.
Her long black hair shimmered with hints of brown in the light. Her dense lashes lay still against her cheeks. Her whole figure radiated a peaceful calm.
Like a lazy cat.
Or a sleeping lotus blossom.
Xie Dingyuan approached silently, drawn in. He stood beside her in the soft sunlight, quietly watching her sleep.
A warm, gentle light spread through his eyes—so subtle, even he didn’t realize it.
Thinking back to their first meetings—blades drawn, utterly incompatible—he never would’ve believed he’d end up like this.
Jealousy, bitterness, helplessness, tenderness, admiration, amazement…
And other emotions too complex to name.
Xie Dingyuan knew very well: from the moment he met her, he was no longer the same cold, unyielding professor perched high on a pedestal.
He’d become… a regular person.
Or maybe, not so regular.
Caught in that thought, he leaned in slightly. Then leaned in further.
The unique scent of citrus clung to her—fresh, with a hint of sweetness.
Xie Dingyuan felt intoxicated. His eyes lost focus.
He stopped just short—close enough to feel her breath. Just a bit closer, and his warm lips would touch her fair, flushed cheek.
But his reason yanked him back. A voice in his head screamed: Don’t.
He gritted his teeth, ready to pull away—when Jiang Fuyue’s eyes suddenly opened.
In that instant, all the daze in his eyes, all the longing, and the deep restraint he’d tried to suppress—were reflected crystal-clear in her dark pupils.
Caught red-handed.
Xie Dingyuan froze.
Jiang Fuyue’s lashes trembled slightly. She didn’t move, still lying sideways, but her gaze was sharp and piercing: “What are you doing?”
“I…” His Adam’s apple bobbed.
“Last time in the car, you said it was to wake me. What about this time—same reason?”
The paper window is about to be pierced.
