Lu Guifan turned around and saw a man in his forties or fifties, wearing a knitted shirt and glasses, walking towards him. “Hello, Professor Chen.”

Professor Chen’s eyes lit up the moment he saw Lu Guifan. He immediately turned and pulled another man with thinning hair over. “Old Zhang, let me introduce you! This is Xiao Lu, Lu Guifan, whom I told you about! This kid is amazing, he solved a major problem in Professor Yang’s research in one go!”

“Isn’t Xiao Yang at M University? Is it that solid-state battery project worth over a hundred million?”

“Exactly! If it weren’t for Xiao Lu, not only would over half a year of effort be wasted, and a hundred million investment down the drain be one thing, but we would also be looked down upon by those European-led teams. You wouldn’t believe how arrogant they are! All day long, they brag to the investors, putting tremendous pressure on Xiao Yang, and the entire team was roasted over a fire. But then Xiao Lu’s ideas and designs were experimentally proven. We immediately made a report, and the other party promised a 21% increase in conversion rate, but our Xiao Lu directly pushed it to 23%!” Professor Chen grew prouder as he spoke.

Professor Zhang, listening nearby, showed an expression of admiration, even respect. “Indeed, the new waves push the old waves forward!”

“The funniest part is—when Professor Yang submitted the 23% result to the investors, the European team was stunned! Forget 21%, they hadn’t even reached 15%! They weren’t doing proper R&D, just bragging; wasn’t that defrauding investment? Professor Yang thoroughly humiliated them, and finally, we could straighten our backs and feel proud!”

Professor Zhang clapped his hands: “That’s the spirit, refreshing! Xiao Lu, Professor Yang must consider you his ultimate weapon.”

“Professor Chen, you flatter me. The lab’s achievements also depend on all of you. On the contrary, I’ve learned so much. It’s Professor Chen and all the senior students who worked day and night to find and improve various factors that could affect the experimental results. If I hadn’t followed you all, I would just be an outsider talking theoretically.”

Professor Chen listened with growing fondness, patting Lu Guifan’s shoulder and saying, “I heard, you little rascal, you’re this year’s provincial top science scholar! So Capital University of Science and Technology is a sure thing, right? Which department?”

“Physics department,” Lu Guifan replied.

Professor Chen was both happy and regretful, spreading his hands and saying, “See? Such talent, our Shengda University can’t get him.”

Professor Zhang remembered something and asked, puzzled, “Your abilities are so strong, and you have several patents. As long as Professor Yang writes you a recommendation letter, you could go directly to M University. Their labs are more advanced, and with Professor Yang guiding you directly, you wouldn’t have to start from the bottom of the mountain; you could just climb from halfway up.”

Professor Chen nodded, “Yes, Professor Yang should take you to M University! Is Professor Yang busy with his project and forgot to help you apply? I’ll go talk to him…”

Lu Guifan quickly took hold of his arm and said calmly, “No need. I want to take a break in China first, find my direction, and experience the research and academic atmosphere here.”

Professor Chen frowned, seemingly feeling that Lu Guifan was wasting his talent. But then he thought, if Lu Guifan really went to M University across the ocean and did research with Professor Yang, that would mean committing to the new energy field. Several years of university would be invested, both time and youth. He indeed needed to think clearly if he truly decided to go down this path.

“It’s true, you should understand it first, then set off when you’ve made up your mind,” Professor Chen patted Lu Guifan’s shoulder.

Lu Guifan subtly let out a breath.

After chatting for a while, the two professors were called away by the manufacturers who were hosting their meal. Lu Guifan looked around for Jiang Ruotang, wondering where he and Cai Ji had run off to, chasing that white fish. Turning around, Lu Guifan realized that Mu Xianqing hadn’t left but had been standing nearby, having heard almost all of Lu Guifan’s conversation with the two professors.

Lu Guifan’s expression hadn’t changed, but Mu Xianqing could keenly sense a slight shift in the young man’s inner world.

“Are you worried that I’ll tell Jiang Ruotang what the two professors just said, and Jiang Ruotang will realize you have other options and hope you go to M University? That way, you might be separated from him?”

Lu Guifan turned his head, the light and shadow from the aquarium making his features appear somewhat gloomy, yet still excessively handsome: “Would you tell him?”

“Of course not.” Mu Xianqing shrugged. “Although this is the first time I’ve met you, I can tell you’re a very plan-oriented person. You’re not blinded by love; staying in China must have a purpose.”

Lu Guifan nodded slightly, acknowledging Mu Xianqing’s guess, then turned and left. What purpose could he have? Whether in academics or research, as long as his mind didn’t fail him, he could still achieve things at sixty. But Jiang Ruotang was a once-in-a-lifetime encounter for him; he simply wanted to stabilize their relationship during their first year of university.

He knew Jiang Ruotang also had the ability to study abroad, and they might not have to live in separate places. But a strange environment, a strange country, and Lu Guifan having to spend a lot of time in the lab… Even if Jiang Ruotang wouldn’t feel lonely, Lu Guifan selfishly wanted more “two-person world” time in China.

Just then, Lu Guifan finally found Jiang Ruotang.

“Have you two decided which fish to eat?” Zhao Changfeng asked impatiently.

“Having seen them alive, how can we bear to see them become food on a plate?” Jian Sha said.

Zhao Changfeng exhaled, “I’m telling you… fish aren’t as sentimental as you are.”

Lu Guifan came to Jiang Ruotang’s side, saw him lost in thought, and softly whispered in his ear, “If you like them, we can go to the aquarium. There are more fish there than here.”

“Aren’t fish still confined in glass tanks at the aquarium? I just had a very detailed imagination,” Jiang Ruotang turned his head and smiled at Lu Guifan.

“What imagination?”

“Imagining you as a mermaid, the male kind, with a beautiful, magnificent long tail and a captivating presence.”

“You want to keep me in a large glass tank?” Lu Guifan asked, half-jokingly.

“How could that be? What glass tank could hold the ocean? Jian Sha just told me a slightly… that kind of story to amuse me.”

“Then what?”

“Well, a ship hit a reef and sank in the ocean, and only one young man seemed to be saved by a dolphin, who brought him to a small island. When the young man woke up, he found out it wasn’t a dolphin, but a mermaid—the kind that’s beautiful to the point of suffocation.”

“And then?”

“The young man survived on the small island, and his only pleasure was sitting on the reef and chatting with the mermaid. He waited day after day, but never saw any passing ships. After years of solitude, he finally fell in love with that mermaid, right up until he died of old age.”

“Sounds alright.”

Jiang Ruotang chuckled mischievously, “It wasn’t that no ships passed by; it was that whenever a ship approached the island, the mermaid would sink it and drown all the crew members. He wanted to leave the young man no other choice, so he could only love him.”

Lu Guifan looked into Jiang Ruotang’s eyes, and that uncontrollable palpitation returned. “If I were that mermaid, I’d feel somewhat like that too.”

“That would be pretty good too. I’d paint you on the reef, and you’d watch me from the sea. You wouldn’t have to dangerously sink those passing ships; you’d just need to decide whether to kiss me on the reef or in the sea.”

Lu Guifan let out a low, pleasant chuckle, “If I don’t sink those ships, I won’t feel at ease.”

“Hahaha, that’s it, I want you to know that even if all the ships in the world pass me by, I’ll only choose you.”

Suddenly, a soft and warm sensation touched Jiang Ruotang’s cheek, but then quickly moved away. His heart felt as if countless flower branches had sprung from it, blooming wildly under the gaze of the fish. He belatedly realized that Lu Guifan had kissed him.

Ah, just on the cheek.

We’re not children anymore, can’t we just kiss on the lips?

Jiang Ruotang looked around, but unfortunately, his friends were all discussing which fish to eat and didn’t see their recent intimacy or Lu Guifan’s cheek kiss. Sigh, he wanted to see everyone’s reaction.

“Let’s eat some shellfish, like elephant trunk clams or Arctic surf clams,” Cai Ji suggested.

Seeing Jian Sha about to remind him that shellfish also have brains and pain receptors, Zhao Changfeng clapped his hands in agreement: “Yes, elephant trunk clams and razor clams! One stir-fried with scallions, one steamed with garlic!”

And so, they finished ordering and returned to the private room, very “reasonably” treating themselves at Mu Xianqing’s expense.

The lunch lasted until almost two o’clock. With full stomachs and someone else paying the bill, it was truly a joy in life. Zhao Changfeng and Cai Ji made plans to “battle three hundred rounds” at an internet cafe, while Jiang Ruotang seized the opportunity to invite Jian Sha for tea.

Jian Sha originally wanted to rush back to write her novel, but remembering Jiang Ruotang’s previous invitation, she felt he probably had something to tell her, so she nodded in agreement. She initially thought Jiang Ruotang meant having milk tea somewhere, like how many white-collar workers work at milk tea shops like FAIRY. To her surprise, Jiang Ruotang actually took her to a tea room. Walking in and seeing the various rustic potted plants and Chinese decor, Jian Sha felt as if she had stepped into an adult world.

They came to a small tea room by the window. Outside the floor-to-ceiling window was a bustling street. The tea room was filled with the scent of some unknown incense, a steady woody aroma that made one feel peaceful. Originally, there was a dedicated person to perform the kung fu tea ceremony for them, but Jiang Ruotang politely declined. He nudged Lu Guifan beside him with his arm, “Would you mind preparing some tea for the two of us?”

“Sure, you two chat.”

Jiang Ruotang rested his chin on his hand, smiling at Jian Sha, and began to persuade her. “Shasha, look, your Ghost Stories from the West Window is so well-written, people are always coveting your work.”

Jian Sha’s attention was completely captivated by Lu Guifan. She never imagined that the usually stern class monitor would look so nostalgically sexy holding a purple clay teapot. Look at those fingers, that wrist, even the rolled-up sleeves had a restrained and abstinent feel. She wondered if some temptress would be able to fiercely pounce on him, shaking him wildly until he revealed an uncontrollable, crumbling expression.

While her mind was still fantasizing, Jian Sha still replied seriously to Jiang Ruotang: “Only a mediocrity is not envied. After those two bastards, Zhang Chun and Wang Hui, I’m now hard as iron, and no one can hurt me!”

“Then… would you consider keeping the benefits in the family… and let my parents adapt the copyright?”

At this moment, Jian Sha felt that Lu Guifan using tweezers to pick up a small purple clay teacup was simply art. This visual could be written into a novel…

“Huh? You just… said what?”

Jiang Ruotang thought he would have to repeat himself, but Lu Guifan spoke for him: “Ruotang is asking if you are willing to let Director Jiang Huaiyuan adapt Ghost Stories from the West Window into a film or TV series.”

This time, Jian Sha’s gaze successfully shifted from Lu Guifan to Jiang Ruotang’s smiling face. She truly suspected she had misheard. Although she wasn’t very involved in the entertainment industry, she had heard of Director Jiang Huaiyuan’s adaptation skills. Many film and television companies, after acquiring novel copyrights, would begin a series of completely irrelevant “recreations,” ruining the original characters and plot. In fact, what readers liked and what audiences liked were convergent, yet these film and television companies insisted on demonstrating their creative abilities, often changing everything except the protagonist’s name to something unrelated to the original, leading to dissatisfaction from the original readers and a lack of interest from the audience.

Although Jian Sha’s family wasn’t wealthy, they weren’t short on money either. She didn’t want to give her stories to these film and television companies to simply fill their content library. However, Jiang Huaiyuan… was a master of copyright adaptation. From last year’s suspense drama being acquired by the central station to his new historical martial arts series, Jiang Huaiyuan had achieved immense success. If not for the obstacles created by Lin Chendong, Jiang Huaiyuan would have had even more works.

Logically, film directors rarely willing to shoot TV dramas, as it felt like lowering their status and standing. But Jiang Huaiyuan simply loved directing, effortlessly handling both the rhythm and texture of films and TV dramas. To satisfy his craving for directing TV dramas, he even established a specialized film and television company with his wife. To be valued by Jiang Huaiyuan was truly rare and highly sought after.

Jian Sha took a long time to recover, just staring blankly at Jiang Ruotang. Half a minute passed before she said something out of the blue: “Is this my debut at the peak?”

“Huh?” Jiang Ruotang didn’t understand.

Lu Guifan’s top-notch interpretation was: “Jian Sha agreed.”

“She agreed just like that? I haven’t even talked about the price, the conditions, or shown you the contract!” Jiang Ruotang wanted to grab Jian Sha’s shoulders and shout, “Your Majesty, don’t be silly.”

To his surprise, Jian Sha merely smiled faintly, “In this world, besides my parents, I probably trust you guys the most. If even you, Jiang Ruotang, can trick me, then I’ll just stay at the bottom of the pit and never climb out to suffer again.”

This half-joking remark made Jiang Ruotang admire Jian Sha greatly. Despite being deceived, misunderstood by her parents, and even bullied by her peers, Jian Sha had persevered. Now, she could trust Jiang Ruotang without reservation, which made Jiang Ruotang feel a responsibility he had never experienced before.

“So, besides the copyright, do you have any other thoughts or needs?” Jiang Ruotang asked.

Jian Sha picked up her teacup and brought it to her lips, but was scalded. She frowned and stuck out her tongue, thinking that Jiang Ruotang should have invited her to FAIRY instead; although it wasn’t as private, at least the drinks weren’t scalding hot.

Wait, if they had gone there, she wouldn’t have been able to admire Lu Guifan making tea for them.

It’s truly beautiful.

“I heard that Director Jiang has always worked with Teacher Li Kuangmei as his screenwriter. I’d like to ask if I could study with Teacher Li Kuangmei when my novel is adapted?”

Actually, even without Jian Sha bringing it up, Jiang Ruotang had already thought of this.

“No problem, I’ll go back and tell my parents.”

According to Jiang Ruotang’s memory, in two years, the film and television industry would enter a period of rapid development. Having only one screenwriter, Li Kuangmei, by Jiang Huaiyuan’s side would not be enough. Moreover, as Sweet Fruit developed, it would also launch its own film and television projects, and good screenwriters were “hard to find.” If Jian Sha could grow into a screenwriter with creative ability and an understanding of the audience’s psychology, she would be a trump card!

“Hmm, and also… some characters in my novel actually… were somewhat based on people around me,” Jian Sha said with a smile.