Very soon, Jiang Fuyue came back from her run.
As soon as she stepped inside, she saw Xu Kaiqing and Principal Zhou sitting on the sofa. She directly ignored the latter, walked over, and greeted, “Old Xu!”
“Hey, you’re back.”
“Looking for me?” Jiang Fuyue took the lightly salted water that Han Heng handed her, smiled, and said, “Thanks, Little Uncle.”
That one “Old Xu” not only startled the three Han brothers but also made old Principal Zhou Zhengqi choke on his tea.
Xu Kaiqing quickly shot him a look: Say something!
Zhou Zhengqi was still dazed from that “Old Xu” when a sharp pain suddenly struck the top of his foot, he had kicked him under the table!
Cr*p, a sneak attack!
“Ahem…” He cleared his throat, put down his teacup, and stood up straight. “It’s like this, Student Jiang, the school has already looked into the matter. The previous report was completely baseless. You were wronged. On behalf of the school, I formally apologize to you.”
That attitude… was acceptable.
Measured, decent, and at least somewhat sincere.
“Now that the misunderstanding’s cleared up, Old Xu’s lab has been vacated for you. You can use it anytime you want. So, when will you come back?”
Principal Zhou was still thinking about that research building donation that never came through.
As long as Jiang Fuyue returned, with the Han family doting on her, that donation would definitely be brought up again.
But—
“I accept the apology, but going back won’t be necessary,” Jiang Fuyue said calmly.
“You don’t want to use the lab?” Zhou Zhengqi couldn’t believe it. He thought she was just being stubborn.
“Of course I need to use a lab, my data’s not finished.”
“Then why—?”
Jiang Fuyue smiled faintly. “It’s not like Q University is the only place with a lab.”
Zhou Zhengqi replied smugly, “True, there are hundreds of universities in the capital, plenty of labs. But one that matches the standards of the A3 Research Zone? I can guarantee there’s not a second. Even B University doesn’t have one.”
When Q University had wanted to keep national treasure level physicist Xu Kaiqing, they’d invested a fortune to build his personal laboratory.
Over time, the lab had expanded and been divided into sections, eventually becoming a national-level key experimental base, known for its comprehensive design, high specifications, and advanced maturity.
It was Q University’s crown jewel and the Physics Department’s pride.
It wasn’t an exaggeration to say there was no higher-end lab in the entire country.
So Zhou naturally thought Jiang Fuyue was being ungrateful.
But she only said, “Just because it doesn’t exist now doesn’t mean it never will.”
“Heh, don’t joke. Do you even know how much manpower, material, and funding it takes to build a lab?”
Jiang Fuyue nodded. “Of course.” —Because she was already building one.
Little Six’s construction team had already started work.
The initial investment was twenty million, and Jiang Fuyue had personally doubled it.
Little Six had been dumbfounded: “That’s way more than we need right now…”
Jiang Fuyue: “Build it the way I said.”
After hearing her full plan, Little Six was completely stunned.
Good grief, she’s planning something huge!
Still, for some reason, he was excited.
Back in the present—
When Xu Kaiqing saw Jiang Fuyue still unwilling to accept, he grew anxious. “Don’t worry, with me here, no one will interfere with your lab use again, I guarantee it!”
“You can use it as long as you want. I’ll even have them prepare an access card for you.”
That kind of access card was given only to a handful of senior professors—never to a student, and definitely not an external one.
It was absurd!
Principal Zhou wanted to object, but Xu Kaiqing shot him a warning look that shut him right up.
He could only grumble under his breath in protest.
But Jiang Fuyue refused again, cleanly and decisively: “No need.”
“Then what about your research? Can you finish before the semester starts?”
Jiang Fuyue didn’t hide anything. She simply told Xu Kaiqing that she was building a lab at Ming University. “…It’s already under construction.”
Good grief! Xu Kaiqing was stunned. That’s our Fuyue—no lab? Then she’ll build one!
“Will you make it in time?”
Jiang Fuyue nodded. “I’ve done the math. It’ll be ready just in time.”
Seeing her so confident, Xu Kaiqing stopped pressing the issue.
Then came a derisive snort. Principal Zhou’s wrinkled face was full of disbelief and a touch of mockery.
“Student Jiang, do you even realize what you’re saying? Build a lab?”
“Is there a problem?”
Zhou thought she was out of her mind—and worse, Old Xu believed her! Ridiculous!
“You think putting up a shed and tossing in some instruments makes a lab? A proper lab requires massive funding and special procurement channels. High-end instruments must be custom-ordered from overseas and require complex shipping arrangements. Talking’s easy, you don’t have to pay for bragging.”
In Zhou’s eyes, Jiang Fuyue’s ambition to build a lab on par with A3’s was nothing but a fantasy.
Even Xu’s lab had required government funding and special clearance for foreign equipment before completion and even then, it had taken a smooth three months from start to finish.
And she thought she could finish before September? Absurd.
Young people nowadays—impatient, greedy for quick success, full of empty talk. Couldn’t even stick to basic logic!
Her bragging was laughable.
Zhou chuckled outright and said earnestly, “Confidence is good, Student Jiang, but you shouldn’t be reckless. Less talk that’s unrealistic, fewer actions that don’t make sense. Only with your feet on the ground can you truly move forward. If you stay up in the clouds, one day you’ll fall hard.”
Jiang Fuyue smiled lightly, not angry at all. “Thank you for the advice, Principal Zhou. Once the lab’s completed, I’ll be sure to invite you to the unveiling ceremony.”
Tsk! Still so stubborn!
“Sure! I’ll come,” Zhou sneered. Let’s see what kind of joke you build.
“And me? You’re not inviting me?” Xu Kaiqing’s eyes shone with excitement.
Jiang Fuyue shot him a reassuring look. “With our relationship, how could I forget you?”
“Heh…” Xu Kaiqing rubbed his hands together, visibly thrilled.
In his mind, as long as she set her mind to something, there was nothing she couldn’t do.
So he didn’t bother arguing with Zhou anymore, he’d let the man see it with his own eyes later.
Old Zhou hadn’t always been like this. But after sitting in that principal’s chair for too long, he’d become unbearably proud.
He’d learn humility soon enough.
Xu Kaiqing silently made that promise to himself.
On the way back, Zhou kept ranting, “Old Xu, that Jiang Fuyue’s completely delusional! I’ve never seen such an arrogant student! Sure, I admit it—full marks on the college entrance exam, three golds in science competitions, multiple published papers—she has reasons to be proud. But there’s a difference between pride and conceit. Today really opened my eyes!”
Xu Kaiqing simply leaned back, closed his eyes, and ignored him.
Zhou: “?” Damn it!
…
At the Han residence—
“Yueyue, you’re building a lab?”
“Why didn’t you tell us?”
“Are you short on money?”
“Do you have enough people? We can transfer some from the company.”
Her three uncles surrounded her, firing questions one after another.
Jiang Fuyue patiently answered them all:
“I’ve had the idea for a while. Since Q University refused me, I decided to go ahead.”
“It’s only just started, I’ve been busy and forgot to mention it.”
“I’m not short on money or staff. Everything’s arranged.”
Even so, the three brothers were unanimous, they couldn’t just stand by and let their niece handle this alone.
Especially after that principal’s mockery, how could they let that slide?
So that very night, Jiang Fuyue received three checks delivered by Xiao Mang.
Han Shen gave her twenty million—essentially donating the same amount he’d once intended for Q University’s building.
Han Ke and Han Heng each gave ten million.
Han Heng even sent her a WeChat message:【I wanted to give 20M too, but I have to save face for Second Brother!】
Then, he transferred ¥999,999 with the note: Go treat yourself to a good meal~
Jiang Fuyue graciously accepted and replied: 【Thanks, Uncle!】
Han Heng loved her straightforwardness—what a good kid, what a good attitude.
Open, natural, unpretentious.
Han Heng: 【Then get some rest, don’t stay up late.】
Jiang Fuyue: [Goodnight]
Before she could even set her phone down, another message came in—from Han Ke.
No words. Just a transfer.
Amount: ¥999,999.
And somehow—it was the exact same amount.
Han Ke: 【1KW is too little—not really my style, but I’ve got to save face for Third Brother, no helping it.】
Han Ke: [shrug].jpg
Jiang Fuyue confirmed receipt of payment.
【Thank you, Second Uncle~】
Han Ke: 【Good girl.】
Han Ke: [pat head].jpg
“Woof—”
Holding the check in one hand and petting the dog with the other, Jiang Fuyue smiled.
Little Mang happily rubbed against her leg.
Before bed, Han Ting came to take the dog away. Jiang Fuyue leaned against the headboard, turned on the bedside lamp, and answered a WeChat video call from Xie Dingyuan.
The man’s handsome face appeared on the screen, his dark eyes looking straight at her.
Jiang Fuyue smiled slightly. “Are you driving?”
“Mm.”
“Then watch the road, don’t look at the camera!”
“If I don’t look at the camera, how can I look at you?”
Jiang Fuyue kept a straight face. “Safety first.”
Xie Dingyuan had already been planning to pull over. Hearing that, a faint smile curved his lips. “Alright, I’ve stopped.”
So obedient it was almost cute.
Jiang Fuyue asked, “Why so late?”
“There was an error in one of the experimental procedures, which made the subsequent data inaccurate, so it needs to be redone. Because of that…” He paused briefly. “It’ll be a few more days before I can come to the capital to see you.”
“No rush. Finish the experiment first.”
The man’s brows knit slightly.
Through the screen, Jiang Fuyue could tell something was off.
She didn’t beat around the bush and asked directly, “What’s wrong? Did I say something that bothered you?”
Guessing back and forth in a relationship was exhausting. Jiang Fuyue preferred to ask if she didn’t understand—direct, simple, less chance for misunderstanding.
The man’s voice was low and muffled. “…If I don’t come, you don’t seem disappointed at all.”
Jiang Fuyue blinked. “That’s what this is about?”
“The book says that means you don’t like me enough.”
She almost laughed. “Which book?”
“The Straight Man’s Complete Guide to Love.”
“…”
“Cough! Don’t read that again.”
Xie Dingyuan was puzzled. “Why not?”
“It doesn’t suit you.”
“Then what does?”
“Nature. Science.”
Xie Dingyuan: “…” Who’s she looking down on here?
The next second, the girl spoke again, her clear, cool voice softened under the warm light—
“I like men with knowledge, whose eyes are like the ocean, whose hearts are vast like the wilderness, who hold a thousand landscapes in their chest and a universe in their mind.”
He froze for a moment. “Am I… like that?”
“So Professor Xie has moments of insecurity too.”
He said softly, “Only in front of you.”
Her pale fingers brushed the screen, pausing over his eyes. Jiang Fuyue murmured, “Don’t you know your eyes are beautiful?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed, his voice low and rough. “…Now I do.”
——
When Jiang Fuyue woke the next morning, she realized her phone was beside her pillow, dead and powered off.
She remembered they’d talked for maybe ten minutes last night before she’d told him to go home, it was too late to be sitting parked by the road.
He’d agreed, but didn’t want to hang up, wouldn’t let her hang up either.
So they’d just kept the call going. To not distract him while driving, Jiang Fuyue barely spoke.
At some point, she’d fallen asleep.
Tsk…
Getting up, she plugged in her phone, then washed up and got dressed.
Only after tidying herself did she pick up the phone and power it on.
When WeChat opened, Xie Dingyuan’s avatar appeared first in her chat list. Jiang Fuyue tapped it.
Call duration: 3 hours 52 minutes and 15 seconds—almost four hours. No wonder the battery had died.
Jiang Fuyue: 【Morning.】
No reply yet, he was probably already in the lab.
She put down her phone and went downstairs for breakfast.
The housekeeper had made eight-treasure porridge today—soft, sweet, glutinous, with a faint rose fragrance.
Han Shen and Han Ke had already left. Han Heng was still snoring upstairs.
So only the old man was there for breakfast with her.
They chatted about the news and discussed chess—pleasant enough.
Han Qishan: “I heard you’re building a lab?”
“Mm. Construction’s already started.”
“How’s the progress?”
“Everything’s going smoothly.”
The old man suddenly got up, went to the living room, fetched something, and handed it to Jiang Fuyue.
An envelope?
Jiang Fuyue raised an eyebrow but didn’t take it right away. “What’s this?”
“Open it and see.”
“…A land use certificate?” Jiang Fuyue’s eyes widened.
Looking closer at the address, she sucked in a sharp breath.
It was the overgrown empty lot between Ming University and Q University!
Twenty years ago, when Lou Mingyue founded Ming University, she had wanted to include that plot in the campus plan.
At the same time, neighboring Q University had also taken a liking to it—they wanted to expand their sports field.
The two sides competed, but in the end, a third party, a low-key tycoon, bought it out.
Later, Lou Mingyue had tried to contact the buyer, but could never reach them. She had to give up.
Han Qishan: “They say back then both Q University and Ming University wanted that land! But I bought it first because the seller was a friend of mine.”
“He was short on cash then, that land was his only chance to turn things around. He didn’t trust strangers, so when I said I’d take it, of course he’d rather sell it to me.”
At this point, the old man looked quite pleased with himself, eyebrows practically dancing.
“You’re about to attend Ming University now. I don’t know why you chose it, but I’m sure you’ve got your reasons. Take this—no need to fear any president or board director. You can walk sideways if you want. If needed, make them kneel and call you daddy!”
Jiang Fuyue thought: As expected, the old fox is the sharpest one of all.
“Thank you, Grandpa!” Such a big gift deserved a sweet mouth.
This wasn’t something money could just buy.
“Eh~ as long as you like it!” Han Qishan beamed, wrinkles deep but eyes bright.
——
After breakfast, Jiang Fuyue took the certificate and checks and drove to Danggui Bar.
Before arriving, Xiao Shan had been puzzled—why meet at a place like this?
Wasn’t a bar closed during the day?
But upon arrival, he found the place was indeed closed to the public except for Jiang Fuyue.
That meant only one thing: she owned it.
So, the rich really did build universities on one side, run bars on the other, and drive a Maserati in between?
“Sit,” Jiang Fuyue said, pointing at the chair opposite.
Xiao Shan obeyed.
Niu Rui personally served coffee to them both.
“Please enjoy.”
As she sipped her coffee, Jiang Fuyue lifted her eyelids slightly, openly studying the man in front of her.
Compared to the disheveled wreck she’d met at the night market, he was now neatly dressed in a suit, sharp-eyed, calm, with a scholar’s refinement.
A real intellectual.
While Jiang Fuyue observed him, Xiao Shan was also looking at her.
It hadn’t been long since they last met, but somehow she looked even more beautiful, confidence between her brows, brightness in her gaze.
“Congratulations, Professor Xiao, on another SCI publication.”
Not “Principal,” but “Professor”—Jiang Fuyue’s choice of words affirmed his value as a researcher.
The title pleased him deeply.
Xiao Shan: “I promised you I’d produce results on par with a top-20 domestic university each year. Gotta work hard to keep that promise.”
The girl curved her lips faintly, putting down the cup. “You remember that clearly, huh…”
He only smiled.
“How’s Little Liangzi lately?”
“When he first got here, he wasn’t used to the capital’s climate, was hospitalized a few times. But now he’s fine. Keeping up with classes, made a few good friends, plays soccer after school, goes to tutoring on weekends.”
Jiang Fuyue nodded as she listened. “That’s good.”
“You didn’t call me out just to catch up, did you?”
She didn’t deny it. “There has to be a warm-up, at least.”
He chuckled.
Blunt or subtle—both seemed natural when it came from her.
“What’s this?” He raised an eyebrow when she slid an envelope toward him.
“The land use certificate for the empty lot between Ming and Q Universities.”
He hissed in surprise, no less shocked than she had been earlier.
“Register it under the school’s name and apply to the relevant departments to change its designated use.”
“To educational land?”
“Mm.”
“What do you plan to do with it?”
“Build a building.”
“A teaching building?”
The girl shook her head. “A research building.”
But not for students’ experiments.
“I’ll contact Little Six to start preparations. You handle the paperwork as soon as possible.”
“Got it.”
——
After Xiao Shan left with the envelope, Niu Rui replaced the coffee. Not long after, another man pushed the door open.
Unlike Xiao Shan’s scholarly air, this one was rougher, more casual—one refined, one roguish, completely different styles.
Little Six glanced around before sitting across from Jiang Fuyue. “Sister Yue, you wanted to see me?”
He’d just been checking construction progress at Ming University when she called, so he came right over.
She pushed a check across the table. “Here’s twenty million.”
“Huh?”
They hadn’t even finished spending the forty million she’d already given, why another twenty?
“I’m planning to build a research building on the land next to the university.”
“That much isn’t necessary! Our company built a six-story teaching building for a high school—it only cost about four million.”
Jiang Fuyue shook her head. “Not a teaching building, a research building.”
She emphasized the difference.
“What’s the difference? Same structure, eight to twelve rooms per floor, just for different uses. Classrooms for teaching, labs for experiments. Even adding some lab equipment wouldn’t cost twenty million.”
Jiang Fuyue smiled. “This lab building isn’t for students. It doesn’t need eight to twelve rooms per floor.”
“Then who’s it for?”
“For every researcher willing to join Ming University.”
Once built, the building would be divided into research zones and departments by floor, each area named after a leading researcher.
For example, “Xu Kaiqing Laboratory.”
Eventually, the building would house hundreds of such labs—each in a different field, each with its own direction—but all under one roof.
In this way, the building would become the core of Ming University’s faculty and academic power.
When a university’s faculty base rises, its academic influence naturally follows.
And once that happens, would it still be far from entering the ranks of China’s top universities?
“…So the internal layout will need further planning. Ideally, every lab zone should be one of a kind…”
As Jiang Fuyue spoke, Little Six was already jotting notes at lightning speed.
By the end, his eyes shone, and the outline of such a building had already formed in his mind.
Brilliant. Unbelievable.
If it really got built, it would astonish the whole world.
——
A week later—
By mid-August, under the blazing sun, Jiang Fuyue’s research building was finally completed.
The next day, invitations arrived on Xu Kaiqing’s and Zhou Zhengqi’s desks.
“Heh, she really built it?” Zhou snorted, his tone mocking and dismissive.
