Chapter 190: This Flavor Is Right

This flavor is right.

Xu Xu Qingzhou looked at the angry girl across from him and nodded inwardly; the unease in his heart instantly diminished by half.

Song Yao was furious—she'd spent hours cooking this entire table of dishes, and he actually suspected they were takeout?!

She's thrown away my kindness like donkey liver! Song Yao made a move to snatch Xu Xu Qingzhou's bowl: "You're not eating this!"

"Wrong, wrong!" Xu Xu Qingzhou begged. How could he be blamed? Last time she cooked, she couldn't even tell scallions from leeks.

Seeing this, Song Yao let him go with a cold sniff. "I learned it myself."

"The taste is excellent," Xu Xu Qingzhou said truthfully; none of these dishes had any flaw.

"Mm, thank you, Professor." Xu Xu Qingzhou gave a slight nod; he wasn't discouraged at all—on the contrary, he felt more motivated, as if countless treasures lay before him.

Read!

Watching Song Yao petting the cat, Xu Xu Qingzhou's expression was complex. A while ago, he'd thought: having a girlfriend and a cat would make life perfect—now half of that had already come true.

Xu Xu Qingzhou nodded; he'd been busy lately and hadn't paid much attention to online news.

"Meow~"

She poured some water for Er Miao, glanced at Xu Xu Qingzhou setting down his chopsticks, and said: "You've been on a long flight—eat and rest now."

Gu Gu Zhizhong froze; the comforting words he'd prepared stuck in his throat, his face filled with shock. After a long pause, his voice rose several notches: "You said you've already proven it?!"

Beside him, Meng Bin widened his eyes. Holy shit, what did I just hear?!

Song Yao raised an eyebrow, secretly pleased—now she could overturn her image as a cooking novice.

"Mm." Xu Xu Qingzhou smiled and nodded.

Meng Bin handed tea to Xu Xu Qingzhou: "Young brother, have some tea."

"Talking nonsense," Song Yao ignored him, hugging Er Miao and heading to the sofa. Honestly, even she felt a bit dazed—this scene was hard to adjust to.

Xu Xu Qingzhou still happily went in to wash the dishes; she cooked, so it was only right he washed up.

He'd just finished washing the dishes when Professor Gu Gu Zhizhong called, asking if he'd rested, and telling him to come to the office when he had time.

"It's fine… huh?"

Xu Xu Qingzhou thanked him: "Thank you."

Gu Gu Zhizhong smiled, paused, then added: "Don't pay attention to certain remarks on foreign websites. As researchers, we care least about gossip."

He'd wanted to call these past two days, but worried about pressuring Xu Xu Qingzhou, so he waited.

"I've met some formidable experts, and I realize even more how much I still have to learn."

"I'm fine," Xu Xu Qingzhou nodded. He trusted Professor Gu's character, and the paper had already been submitted—the original drafts were all preserved; he had no fear of plagiarism.

Song Yao pursed her lips and asked again: "Are you tired?"

Professor Gu's eyes widened. "Your young brother just solved another mathematical conjecture?!" He quickly grabbed the USB drive, plugged it into the computer, opened it, scanned it once, then exhaled and glared at Xu Xu Qingzhou: "You brat, such an important thing—why didn't you say anything when you walked in?!"

Song Yao snorted, teasing Xu Xu Qingzhou: "You're the one who keeps calling it Clown Cat. Don't you know cats change dramatically after eighteen months?"

"Wait, this is the old Clown Cat?" Xu Xu Qingzhou stared at Er Miao, utterly stunned—this cat was nothing like the skinny thing it used to be!

Maybe because it resented Xu Xu Qingzhou speaking ill of it, Er Miao rolled over, jumped off his lap, and landed in Song Yao's arms.

Professor Gu smiled: "Some envious people are gossiping, saying you're not that impressive—just a passing fad in the math world."

!.

"I was just building anticipation," Xu Xu Qingzhou chuckled.

Gu Gu Zhizhong sipped tea, now much more at ease, and asked: "How's your twin prime conjecture going? Still on track?" "Can't sleep," Xu Xu Qingzhou leaned back contentedly in his chair—he'd slept at least four or five hours on the trip.

"Xiao Xu, sit." Professor Gu pointed to the chair in front, smiling: "Didn't disturb your rest?" "No, I can't sleep at this hour anyway." Xu Xu Qingzhou smiled and shook his head.

Gu Gu Zhizhong praised him, glanced at the USB drive, then said seriously: "Xiao Xu, if you agree, I'll immediately apply to the school to assemble an expert panel for verification."

Professor Gu was surprised: "You haven't checked any news at all?"

Xu Xu Qingzhou smiled faintly and handed over the USB drive: "It's done. I submitted it to 'Mathematical Invention' yesterday—they've accepted it and are preparing to invite reviewers."

"Foreign website remarks?" Xu Xu Qingzhou didn't understand.

Who eats first after a week apart?

Professor Gu nodded: "Mathematics is the foundation of all disciplines, so it's vast and complex—deepening is normal. But I believe you'll keep walking this path."

"Not tired," Xu Xu Qingzhou was deeply moved—she cooked for him and asked if he was tired. Is this what it feels like to have a girl at home? Hearing this, Song Yao nodded and said coolly: "Then wash the dishes."

"That's a good attitude."

In the office, besides Gu Gu Zhizhong, Meng Bin was also there. When he saw Xu Xu Qingzhou, Meng Bin immediately got up to pour tea.

Xu Xu Qingzhou smiled helplessly; it seemed his senior's tea-pouring skills were getting more polished.

The kitten, full, walked over, completely unafraid, rubbing against Xu Xu Qingzhou's leg. He set down his chopsticks, picked it up, and placed it on his lap.

Based on past business trip experience, he couldn't sleep in the morning, so he changed clothes and headed over now.

Though scolding, his wrinkles had already crinkled into a smile.

Xu Xu Qingzhou didn't explain—he'd probably get beaten if he drove now, since he hadn't even "won her over" yet. He muttered: "You'll find out later."

Xu Xu Qingzhou felt a pang of awe—whether in mathematics or physics, the more he learned, the more he encountered, the more he realized his own insignificance.

"."

Seeing Xu Xu Qingzhou lost in thought, Song Yao asked: "What are you thinking about?"

"This cat"

"If you're not eating, what else are you doing?" Song Yao thought his words were strange.

Professor Gu asked with a smile: "How was the trip? Any gains?"

Xu Xu Qingzhou was shocked: "Er Miao?!"

As for Song Yao, she had no classes in the morning and planned to go to the library to read.

Xu Xu Qingzhou ate his rice, sighing: "I wonder when I'll be away for a week and not eat first when I get back."

Song Yao nodded: "Mm."

Song Yao had already finished eating, propping her chin up: "Er Miao, I sent you photos of it before."

"Let them talk—I won't bother arguing." Xu Xu Qingzhou had seen too many such situations—he was as calm as an old dog.

Meng Bin shook his head, expression full of admiration: "It's only right to serve tea to a master."

Professor Gu was excited: "Good. Go back and rest well—the rest is up to us. By the way, the China Mathematical Society's report is on April 20th at Jin Ling University."

"Understood, Professor, goodbye." Knowing Professor Gu would be busy now, Xu Xu Qingzhou didn't linger.

Professor Gu first called the dean, gave a brief summary, then dialed another number: "Old Wang, free lately? Busy? It's not a big deal."

"Our school? Someone proved the twin prime conjecture. We were going to invite you to verify it, but if you're busy, forget it…"

(End of Chapter)