Chapter 736

“Still need scouts?”

Song Yao sipped her soup from the bowl, grumbling: “Everyone in your institute’s WeChat groups is talking about how you’ve pulled another all-nighter. They’re impressed by your perseverance.”

“When did you get into those groups?” Xu Qingzhou asked, surprised. He knew the institute had plenty of private chat groups—takeout self-service groups, the Scientists’ Alliance.

Oh right, his junior assistant Wang Sidong had some CP group too.

“That’s not the point,” Song Yao scoffed.

Xu Qingzhou didn’t dwell on the groups; he shrugged innocently: “Everyone’s working overtime. As their leader, I should lead by example.”

“You don’t need to pull all-nighters every single day.”

“Fine, I’ll make sure to rest more from now on.”

Xu Qingzhou promised.

“I understand you’re busy—the institute’s heavy burdens rest on your shoulders—but your body is your capital. If you wear it out, what then?”

Song Yao began muttering.

Staying up late severely damages the body—obesity, liver problems, sudden death—all linked to sleep deprivation.

This guy doesn’t care a bit for his own health.

Song Yao’s resentment deepened.

Watching the girl chatter away, Xu Qingzhou shoveled his food and couldn’t help smiling.

A girl who was usually cold and distant, now fussing over trivial things—strangely adorable.

“Xu Qingzhou!”

Song Yao snapped. She was worrying her heart out, and he was actually laughing.

“So funny?”

“I just think Professor Song is incredibly cute.”

“.”

Song Yao lost all her temper, ignored him, ate a few bites, then asked: “Have you finished your current tasks?”

“Yeah, just solved the coil installation error for the plasma system this afternoon.”

Xu Qingzhou said while shoveling food.

After days of cafeteria meals, eating Song Yao’s cooking felt especially delicious.

“Quantum sensing can now achieve near-real-time feedback, but the AI control needs strengthening—Professor Li Jingyu is handling it personally; it won’t take long to fix.”

“What about the magnetohydrodynamic stability issue?”

“We’re planning a reversed-field configuration design and active impurity injection.”

“The apartment in Rongcheng is confirmed.”

“The one you sent me?”

“Yes.”

The apartment is 220 square meters.

It faces Jinjiang directly—great view.

Xu Shou, Song Shisong, and others have all seen it and raved about it.

The total price was 9 million, but the Nobel laureate gave a 4-million discount; Xu Qingzhou and Song Yao ended up paying just over 5 million.

The two chatted idly.

After dinner, Xu Qingzhou took the initiative to wash the dishes. Ten minutes later, he came out of the kitchen, wiping his hands.

He sat down, and the girl shifted her butt closer.

Song Yao sniffed, drew in a breath, and said, despite wanting to avoid sounding weird: “You smell awful—how many days has it been since you last showered?”

“I thought you seemed pretty pleased when you sniffed just now.”