Thankful for what?
Bai Chuanhao said, “If it weren’t for the manuscript you left behind, the research progress of both our teams might still have had no breakthrough up till now.”
The manuscript…
Jiang Fuyue remembered. Back when she was packing up the laboratory before leaving the base, she had sorted out a pile of discarded papers.
On them were the thought processes she had casually written down during her research, as well as the logical links between each experimental stage.
At the time, she was about to throw them away when Xu Kuan saw them and asked if he could have them.
Jiang Fuyue knew that Bai Chuanhao’s team had run into trouble, seemingly a logical one. This was not something that could be fixed by rewriting algorithms or redoing experiments; it required the person steering the team to rethink everything and choose a new direction forward.
However, Bai Chuanhao had forced himself into a dead end. He had no ideas at all and no method whatsoever. The more anxious he became, the more mistakes he made; the more mistakes he made, the more anxious he became.
He was even on the verge of collapse, with thoughts of giving up.
In the end, it was the manuscript Xu Kuan brought back that gave him a new line of thinking.
“I’ll finish this one, you do as you like.” After saying that, Bai Chuanhao tilted his head back and drained the glass.
Next, Dan Pinghua also came forward holding a wine glass, following suit.
Jiang Fuyue said, “You’re not like him too, are you, also inspired after reading the manuscript?”
“Hehe…” The old man laughed cheerfully. “That’s not it.”
“Then what is this?”
“Thank you for the new equipment you left behind. Some of it doesn’t even need parameter adjustments, it can be used directly…”
Because of this, the team’s efficiency greatly increased.
Without exaggeration, they really benefited from Jiang Fuyue’s efforts!
“I’ll finish it too.” After saying that, Dan Pinghua tipped his head back.
Don’t be fooled by the old man’s age, his drinking posture was quite dashing.
Jiang Fuyue raised her brows, a trace of surprise in her eyes, as if seeing him for the first time.
One had to know that this old fellow had originally found fault with her in everything, even taking the lead in isolating her, forming cliques, and being especially obsessed with saving face.
The scene before her now… was truly unexpected.
Being stared at like that, Dan Pinghua felt a little awkward and rubbed his nose. “I was petty before. There were many things I handled badly. Today, I sincerely want to say, sorry!”
This display startled everyone present.
Who didn’t know that Old Shan was arrogant and conceited, caring most about his pride? Yet today, in front of so many people, he personally admitted his fault to Jiang Fuyue.
It could only be said that in any field, strength reigns supreme.
If Jiang Fuyue had not been strong enough in her professional field today, had not achieved such accomplishments, Dan Pinghua would never have been convinced, let alone willingly bow his head.
Next to apologize was Xin Hongcheng.
Although he had already reconciled with Jiang Fuyue back at the base, it did not stop him from expressing endless admiration while offering his apology.
Phrases like “heroes emerge from youth,” “the waves behind push the waves ahead,” “there’s always a higher mountain,” and so on, he practically wanted to praise Jiang Fuyue into a flower.
From his excitement to the point of barely containing himself, even almost failing to hold his wine glass steady, it was not hard to see his sincerity, without a trace of flattery or sycophancy.
From being loathed by everyone at the beginning to being sought after by all today, Jiang Fuyue never once offered explanations or tried to curry favor, nor did she try every means to fit in. She did nothing more than speak with strength.
Just that simple.
…
After it ended, everyone left the restaurant and went their separate ways after exchanging farewells.
Jiang Fuyue had already sent a message to Xie Dingyuan in advance. He said he would drive over to pick her up, probably needing about ten minutes.
While waiting, Xu Kuan, who had already left, turned back again.
“Sister Yue.”
“Is there something else?”
Xu Kuan smiled and handed her a bottle of mineral water. “Drink some water.”
She reached out to take it. “Thanks.”
Xu Kuan unscrewed the other bottle himself and gulped down two mouthfuls. When he swallowed, a gurgling sound could still be heard.
He sighed and suddenly said, out of nowhere, “Actually, I’ve regretted it before.”
Jiang Fuyue raised her brows, then heard him continue,
“Especially when my own team fell into difficulties, when I exhausted every method but still couldn’t break free, I couldn’t help thinking, if I had chosen to join your team back then and switched to researching attenuated live vaccines, would I have succeeded long ago by now? Enjoying flowers and applause?”
A+ vaccine, special-effect drug, Lasker Award…
Pick any one at random, each was a glory that researchers in the biomedical field dreamed of.
And he, because of a single wrong thought, ultimately missed it.
Xu Kuan said, “I even sighed countless times in my heart, questioning myself over and over: why didn’t I seize the opportunity? One wrong step led to every step being wrong, and in the end I brushed past success.”
Jiang Fuyue frowned.
Being overly fixated on an answer already chosen wrongly not only had no meaning at all, it would also throw one’s mindset off balance.
Yet Xu Kuan smiled. “Just a little, really, just a little more, and I would’ve gone astray. But fortunately, at my most confused and most dejected, I thought of you.”
“Me?”
“Yes.” Xu Kuan turned to look at her, his eyes carrying the calm and relief that came after enduring hardships. “I was thinking, if Jiang Fuyue encountered this situation, what would she do?”
She definitely wouldn’t wallow in self-pity, nor would she complain or regret. She would only focus on the present, do the things in her hands well. Even if it were a complete mess, she would still do her utmost to clean it up, exhausting every way to bring it back to life.
As for the past, it could only be treated as the past, it would not affect the present in the slightest.
“…I should be like that too. Relying on this thought, I finally held on.”
Xu Kuan took another sip of water, then tightened the bottle cap. “There’s no other meaning in saying all this today. I just wanted to say thank you to you in person.”
Jiang Fuyue smiled faintly, accepted it, and replied, “You’re welcome. I wish you a bright road ahead and an even better future.”
Xu Kuan curled his lips, his gaze burning.
But at that moment, a sharp horn sounded, followed by a strong beam of light shooting toward the two of them.
But it quickly switched to low beams.
The purpose was so that when Jiang Fuyue looked over, it wouldn’t be blinding.
“The car’s here. I’ll go first.”
Xu Kuan nodded. “Alright.”
Then he stood where he was, watching the black Mercedes make a U-turn and drive away.
For some reason, he always felt that the roaring exhaust of the car seemed to be expressing… dissatisfaction toward him?
Xie Dingyuan stepped hard on the accelerator, and the engine let out a fierce roar in response.
Fortunately, the sound insulation inside the car was good. Jiang Fuyue didn’t notice anything, only feeling that the speed was a bit fast.
Suddenly….
“Who was that person?” Xie Dingyuan asked.
“Which one?”
“The one who was talking to you at the restaurant entrance just now.”
“You don’t remember? Back in F Continent, a member of Bai Chuanhao’s team, his name is Xu Kuan.”
“Never seen him. Don’t know him.”
The tone was cold and stiff.
Jiang Fuyue’s gaze paused. Only then did she hear that something was off. “…What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing’s wrong.” Still refusing to admit it.
She turned her head to look over. The man’s profile was cold and hard, his expression stern. And that was called nothing?
Who was he trying to fool?
“Is it my fault for not inviting you to dinner?”
Xie Dingyuan snorted lightly. “Do I look like someone who lacks that one meal?”
“Indeed you don’t.” Jiang Fuyue smacked her lips. “So what exactly is going on? Why are you sulking for no reason?”
“…Who’s sulking? Anyway, it’s not me.” He muttered softly.
Jiang Fuyue’s eyes shifted as she recalled that the first thing he asked was about Xu Kuan…
Suddenly, enlightenment struck. “Professor Xie, you wouldn’t be jealous, would you?”
“Who’s jealous?! I’m not at all!” That suddenly raised pitch was an obvious tell, she’d hit a sore spot, and he was flustered!
“Yes, yes, you’re not. You just accidentally ate a lemon, that’s all, so now you’re sour all over.”
The corner of Xie Dingyuan’s mouth twitched. “…How did it turn into a lemon again…” Wasn’t it vinegar?
Jiang Fuyue laughed until she couldn’t close her mouth. Seeing that she’d teased him enough, she stopped while she was ahead.
Then she explained, “He was thanking me. What did you think it was? And you even honked the horn and flashed the high beams… so petty.”
Does thanking someone require staring at each other?
Xie Dingyuan curled his lips and muttered quickly, “Just petty…”
Jiang Fuyue didn’t hear clearly. “What did you say?”
“Nothing. Good words aren’t said twice.”
“…Such a jerk!”
“Didn’t you say it was a group dinner? Why were there only the two of you left?”
Here it came, the interrogation had begun.
Jiang Fuyue said, “It was a group at first. After eating, everyone dispersed, didn’t they?”
“Then why hadn’t he dispersed?”
“He did disperse, but then he came back.”
“Why did he come back?”
“To thank me in person.”
The topic circled back again.
“Cough, ” Xie Dingyuan gave a light cough, eyes facing straight ahead, and spoke in a deliberately calm tone. “Are you very familiar with him?”
“It’s alright.”
“What does ‘alright’ mean?”
Jiang Fuyue said, “At the beginning I planned to recruit him into my team, having him help out would’ve been fine too, but unfortunately, he wasn’t willing.”
“Tsk…” Stupid!
Xie Dingyuan said, “Don’t tell me you still want to bring him into your team now?”
“How could that be?” Opportunities only come once.
Usually, it was Jiang Fuyue who picked others apart, since when did others get to be picky with her?
Even if Xu Kuan were a genius, she wouldn’t want him anymore.
Let alone the fact that Xu Kuan wasn’t.
The man in the driver’s seat had a suspicious upward curve at the corner of his mouth; his relaxed brows and eyes leaked a hint of pleasure.
Jiang Fuyue saw it clearly and clicked her tongue inwardly. Was that really necessary?
While waiting at a red light, Xie Dingyuan took a moment to glance at her. Suddenly, his gaze landed somewhere and paused slightly.
Immediately after, he withdrew his eyes without a sound and continued looking straight ahead.
But at the next intersection, he suddenly braked, pulled over, and stopped.
Jiang Fuyue said, “What’s wrong?”
The man dropped a line, “I’m going to buy something”, then directly pushed open the car door, walked around the front of the car, and headed toward a convenience store.
“Oh.” Jiang Fuyue didn’t think much of it.
About two or three minutes later, the man came back and sat down in the driver’s seat again.
“You bought wh….”
Before Jiang Fuyue could finish speaking, someone handed her a bottle of mineral water.
She looked at it blankly, then lowered her gaze to her own lap, where there was already a bottle, the one Xu Kuan had given her earlier.
Without waiting for Jiang Fuyue to reach out, Xie Dingyuan directly placed the water he bought onto her lap and swapped it with Xu Kuan’s bottle.
It took Jiang Fuyue a while to react. “…You went to the convenience store just to buy a bottle of water?”
Xie Dingyuan said, “I was thirsty.”
“Then drink mine.”
“Mm, I am.” After saying that, he really did twist open the cap and take a sip, then continued, “But what if you get thirsty? So after thinking it over, I decided it was better to buy you another bottle.”
Jiang Fuyue said, “Then why didn’t you just drink the one you bought?” Why swap with hers?
Xie Dingyuan said, “Yours looks more refreshing.”
Jiang Fuyue glanced at the two bottles, same brand, same packaging.
Childish!
The man gave a light snort, tightened the cap, set it aside, and then restarted the engine.
Jiang Fuyue sighed. “It’s just a bottle of water.”
“Mm, it’s a bottle of water. I know.”
Jiang Fuyue suddenly curved her lips, changing the subject. “But it’s also not just a bottle of water.”
“?”
“Soak it with lemon, and it becomes lemon water. Is it sour when you drink it? Hmm?”
The final tone rose, teasing and smiling.
Xie Dingyuan kept a straight face, extremely serious. “…It’s alright.”
It was impressive that he could hold it together.
Anyway, Jiang Fuyue couldn’t anymore. She leaned back against the seat. “Hahahahaha, ”
The man maintained his seriousness, but the tips of his ears couldn’t help heating up.
“Professor Xie,” she held her stomach, a pair of peach-blossom eyes glistening with moisture, her smile utterly unrestrained, her voice both coquettish and soft. “Why are you so cute? Did you grow up eating ‘Cute-a-lot’?”
“Yueyue, you…” He was a bit helpless, and a bit embarrassed.
How could someone use a word like “cute” to describe a man?
“Mm, the shy look is even cuter.”
Xie Dingyuan’s lips tightened. He didn’t make a sound, but a blush crept over his cheeks, like sunset clouds.
Half an hour later, the car stopped in front of the Han family villa.
“…We’re here.” When he spoke, his voice was hoarse.
Who knew what he’d been thinking about the whole way to end up so parched.
Jiang Fuyue unfastened her seatbelt and was just about to get out of the car.
Suddenly, her wrist tightened. She turned her head, seeing the man holding her. Jiang Fuyue lifted her eyes along with the motion. “You…”
Click! Xie Dingyuan unfastened his seatbelt, then leaned his upper body toward her. The hand that had been gripping her wrist shifted to press against the back of her neck, and then…
Gently pressed forward.
He didn’t give the girl the slightest chance to struggle.
Lips met, breaths intertwined.
After who knew how long, Xie Dingyuan finally let go. His deep, dark eyes stared at her, faint amusement flickering within. “Can you taste the sourness?”
“…” Such a vengeful guy!
…
The next day, Jiang Fuyue canceled an exchange meeting and stayed home without going out, because today there was a major event.
The first episode of Little Brother Jiang’s Star-Making Training Camp was airing!
After lunch, the old master, Han Shen, Han Ke, Han Heng, as well as Jiang Fuyue and Little Mang all gathered in the living room. Ten minutes in advance, they lowered the screen, turned on the projector, each grabbed their snacks/tea/coffee/fruit, and sat properly on the sofa.
Oh, they also gave Little Mang a big bone, so it could gnaw on it while watching.
The only one not present was Han Ting. No choice, middle school students can’t afford injuries; he had to study properly.
“Is it on? Is it on?” The old master tapped his cane against the floor, hands clasped over it, old eyes shining as his back straightened.
Han Shen raised his wrist to check the time. “Three minutes left. Almost.”
“No need to look. Our Chenxing is definitely the best-looking cub among all the contestants!” Han Heng said unhurriedly, extremely confident.
From his professional perspective, Jiang Chenxing had high visual appeal and a good personality. Although he ate a lot, his figure was still lean and upright, strongly highlighting that youthful aura.
Actually, filming movies would be better than appearing on all kinds of messy variety shows, but after all, he was a newcomer, no fame, no works. Where would the movie resources come from?
A variety show was also a pretty good springboard, at least allowing him to accumulate popularity. It was enough for debut.
“It’s on, it’s on! Shh, don’t talk, ”
The concept promotional video ended, and the program officially began. The first shot was the audition venue, with two minutes of individual performance for each person…
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