Chapter 66: The Spiritless Song Beauty

After reading it, all remaining doubts in Zhao Sheng’s mind vanished.

The derivation process was extremely concise, and the follow-up two questions were brilliant—the application of calculus equations and complex functions was masterful, clearly demonstrating solid mathematical foundations and professional expertise.

Especially this paper—if not for his old friend telling him the truth, he would have assumed it was written by a master’s student, or even a doctoral candidate.

He exhaled, turned to Gu Zhi, and said, “Old Gu, I want this person!”

“You want him? That depends on whether he’s willing to come,” Gu Zhi replied with an air of authority. “Let me ask Xu Qingzhou first.”

“Heh, Old Gu, I got some Longjing tea recently.”

Morning training ended.

Xu Zhengyang gave up worrying. “Old Xu, let’s go eat.”

Read! {

“I’m naturally gentle!” Song Yao glared at him. Did he really think she was a violent girl? Sure, she’d wanted to hit him many times—but she’d always held back!

Little Yao, little Yao, can’t you have a little dignity? Watching Song Yao’s desperate, clingy behavior, Zhang Qiong sighed helplessly. Song Yao had been looking forward to seeing Xu Qingzhou since last night; she couldn’t bear to be the third wheel. They exchanged greetings and parted at the training ground entrance.

“Old Kong’s really going for immortality—he stayed up until 1 a.m. yesterday and skipped lunch today.” Xu Zhengyang sighed, then added curiously, “What’s he even working on?”

“My roommate—you’ve both met her. This is Zhang Qiong.” Song Yao was still beautiful, though her fair face was flushed from the morning sun.

“This is the Math Department. Liang Quanjie, Shao Jiuming—they all competed in the IMO. Kong Xianbo, Sun Han—they’re provincial first-place winners. Aren’t you one too?” Shen Yueqing rebutted.

Before he could finish, Song Yao interrupted: “I’m coming with you.”

After Xu Qingzhou sat down, he smiled and said, “Professor Zhao Shengwen from the Physics Department has a project needing someone with strong math skills to help with data. I recommended you.”

Song Yao hadn’t arrived yet. The training ground was packed with camouflage uniforms—he couldn’t spot her. Bored, Xu Qingzhou pulled out his phone and saw two missed calls. He called back.

Outside the training ground.

“Xu Qingzhou really is with Song Yao,” Zhang Shuyi murmured. Last time she dropped Xue Ying off, she hadn’t seen Song Yao come looking for Xu Qingzhou.

Xu Qingzhou countered: “Can’t ordinary friends eat together?”

The call connected.

Professor Zhao Shengwen—Xu Qingzhou knew him. They had worked together for a while, and after Zhao retired, Xu Qingzhou had consulted him on many questions.

“This flavor is right.”

“Good. Here’s Old Zhao’s number—I’ve already given him yours. But your military training ends in a few days. Join the project officially after it’s over.”

Xu Qingzhou hung up and realized Song Yao was standing behind him, along with three other girls: Teng Xiaojuan, Zhong Ruotong, and one he didn’t recognize.

!.

“Isn’t that exactly what military training is for?”

“Professor Zhao is very satisfied. He now wants to know your thoughts.”

“No need to be so modest—just give a little guidance and put your name on it. Where would my old face go?” Gu Zhi smiled casually, gesturing for Xu Qingzhou to sit. “I called you here for more than just the paper. I have another important matter to discuss.”

Xu Zhengyang had nothing to say. He silently vowed that once he got a girlfriend, he’d show off so hard he’d make Old Xu look like a fool.

“But Xu Qingzhou is the science top scorer from Sichuan,” Qiao Yongjuan whispered.

“Ah, Professor. Okay, I’m coming right away.”

“That doesn’t seem right,” Xu Qingzhou said, embarrassed.

Looking at the beautiful girl, Xu Qingzhou felt as if something had struck his chest. He paused, then smiled and nodded: “Alright.”

And this unfamiliar short-haired girl’s gaze felt off—like they had some grudge against each other. “Electromagnetic properties and thermal conduction analysis of superconductors,” Gu Zhi didn’t hide it—the project was public and listed on the university website.

He waved his hand and left.

Xu Zhengyang suddenly remembered. One of Jingda’s training programs was undergraduate research, offering undergraduates the chance to conduct independent studies.

“He’s working on an undergraduate research project? But that should wait until classes officially start, right?”

Zhai Ziqiang said: “I knew he was writing a paper. Oh, right—I heard him mention something about a project on the phone.”

“Hello,” Xu Qingzhou greeted.

Among the crowd, the girls from Class One were also there.

After sighing, Gu Zhi placed the USB drive on the desk. “Your paper is excellent. Few revisions needed. Don’t add my name when submitting.”

He asked: “May I ask what the project is?”

Watching the young couple walking closely ahead, Xue Ying’s gaze dimmed. She paused, took a deep breath, and looked again at Xu Qingzhou.

“You have something?” Song Yao’s eyes were lovely, sparkling brilliantly—filled entirely with Xu Qingzhou, unaware of her roommate’s oddness.

Xu Qingzhou nodded. Just as he was about to enter, he stopped, turned, and stared at Song Yao. He sighed deeply: “You’re so gentle. I’m not used to it.”

Zhai Ziqiang shook his head.

The others dropped the topic, knowing Shen Yueqing had been provoked. To her, Xu Qingzhou now had no merits at all.

Xu Qingzhou felt satisfied and turned to walk into the office.

As he stepped out of the training ground, Kong Xianbo slung his backpack over his shoulder and prepared to leave. “You guys go eat. I’m heading to the library.”

“You look full of vigor,” Gu Zhi remarked, eyeing Xu Qingzhou in his camouflage uniform.

“Yeah, a professor wants to see me,” Xu Qingzhou nodded, then added, “Are you going to eat with your roommate first, or...”

Zhang Qiong narrowed her eyes, her voice dripping from between clenched teeth: “Hello. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Song Yao didn’t know the area, so she followed Xu Qingzhou step by step. They walked for about ten minutes until they reached the Math Department.

“You young people really have it good.”

Xu Qingzhou found it strange—he’d never met this person before, yet he felt clear hostility.

Though not his specialty, he believed he could help. He nodded: “I’m fine with it.”

“Didn’t you say you were just ordinary friends?” Xu Zhengyang knew Xu Qingzhou had arranged to meet Song Yao.

“I’ll wait outside for you,” Song Yao said, considerate as ever.

Shen Yueqing was annoyed. “Hmph~ tricking girls is nothing special. At Jingda, IQ is what matters most.”

“I’ve got plans. You guys go ahead,” Xu Qingzhou leaned lazily against the fence. It had been three days since he last saw Song Yao. Maybe because he’d gotten used to seeing her daily during summer break, he already felt an inexplicable longing after just three days.

Gu Zhi was pleased. Undergraduates, especially first-years, joining a professor’s project could only benefit Xu Qingzhou.

“Thank you for your trouble these past days.”

Xu Qingzhou sincerely thanked him. Teachers who genuinely cared for students deserved respect.

“No need for such formalities. Teaching, guiding, and answering questions is my duty.”

Gu Zhi glanced at Song Yao by the door and waved. “Go on. That girl outside is about to burst from waiting.”

(End of Chapter)