Chapter 16: Choice

January 13, 1995, Friday, overcast with light rain.

This day was the final day of final exams at Yun University; winter break would begin tomorrow.

"The basic functions of semantic analysis include type determination, type checking, semantic processing, and certain static semantic checks..."

Under the voice guidance of Di Ye, Di Ye's pen flew across the paper, and he finished the "Compilation Principles and Technology" exam paper in just over half an hour. Too lazy to check it, he stood up, walked to the podium, and handed the paper to Liu Shaosong, who was in charge of invigilation.

Liu Shaosong glanced at the exam paper and said in a low voice, "Wait in the hallway for a moment, don't leave yet; I have something to tell you."

"Okay."

Di Ye waited in the hallway for a few minutes. Liu Shaosong walked out of the classroom, led him to the stairwell, took out a cigarette, lit it, and asked, "The postgraduate entrance exam is tomorrow; do you have confidence?"

"I wouldn't say it's a sure thing, but at least it's a victory in the bag."

"Is that how you use idioms!"

Liu Shaosong was amused, took a puff of his cigarette, and asked again, "How is that compression software of yours coming along?"

Di Ye was also a smoker before he transmigrated, but now he cherished his health very much. He took two steps to the side to avoid the secondhand smoke and said, "There shouldn't be any major problems; I should be able to finish it during winter break."

Liu Shaosong nodded and said with some difficulty, "Dean Fei asked me to inquire if you are interested in staying at this school for further studies. If you are willing, he will communicate with the school leadership to have you directly recommended for admission, skipping the master's and going straight to a combined master's and doctoral program."

Di Ye was slightly stunned and asked, "Hasn't the list of recommended students already been announced?"

"Your situation is special; we can handle special cases specially."

"I am indeed quite special, having actually discovered a serial killer, but our school isn't a police academy."

Liu Shaosong was amused again, pointed at him with the hand holding the cigarette, and said, "It has nothing to do with the serial killer. I talked to Dean Fei about your graduation project, and he also believes that if that compression algorithm is completed, it can definitely be published in an SCI journal. Do you know how precious a student who can publish an SCI paper at the undergraduate level is in this country? Right now, many doctoral students muddle through until graduation without being able to publish a single SCI paper!"

In 2023, most universities required doctoral students to publish at least one SCI paper to graduate. Di Ye hadn't expected 1995 to be so lenient. He was somewhat surprised and asked, "How do doctoral students graduate if they can't publish an SCI paper?"

"During the graduation defense, they have their supervisors invite some friends in the industry to serve as reviewers, praise each other, rate the thesis as excellent, and then they can get their graduation certificate."

Liu Shaosong took a deep drag of his cigarette and continued, "Currently, only the graduate school of Jinling University in the country requires doctoral students to publish 3 SCI papers to graduate. Their academic atmosphere is upright and there are few slackers, which is why I recommended you apply there."

Di Ye finally understood. Because he had a Golden Finger, he didn't care much about which university he went to for his master's degree. He asked, "Teacher Liu, do you think I should stay at the school or go to Jinling University?"

"Emotionally, I hope you stay at Yun University; after all, it's your alma mater, and you're familiar with everything. But rationally, I hope you go to Jinling University. The level there is high, and you can learn real skills. Our school's Computer Science Department is too lackluster; it doesn't even rank in the country, and it will hinder your development."

Di Ye smiled and teased, "Teacher Liu, you really know how to play Tai Chi, not offending either side."

Liu Shaosong also smiled, threw the cigarette butt on the ground, stepped on it to extinguish it, and said, "You are an adult, not a child. This matter concerns your future prospects; you need to consider it carefully yourself and not be easily swayed by others."

"I understand."

"Alright then, go back and rest. Do well on the exam tomorrow and strive for a high score. Only then will you have the power to choose, to advance or retreat freely, and not be passive."

Di Ye agreed, left the teaching building, and while holding an umbrella and walking toward the women's dormitory, he summoned Di Ye to ask for his opinion.

After Feng Shijie was arrested, Di Ye's image had become much blurrier; now, even his face could not be seen clearly. His attitude was the same as Liu Shaosong's—he also let Di Ye make his own choice.

Di Ye was someone who wouldn't act without profit. He planned, "Teacher Liu is right. Tomorrow I'll go get a particularly high score as a bargaining chip. When the time comes, I'll play both sides; whoever offers the most relaxed conditions is where I'll study."

"Studying isn't doing business; you're being too mercenary."

"I only have a total of 28 years of information advantage. If the school's requirements are too strict and I can't skip classes or ask for leave, I'll miss out on many opportunities."

"Human energy is limited. You don't need to want to have a hand in everything. Pick a few fields you like and work on them seriously; you will definitely be able to achieve something."

Di Ye gave a bitter smile and said, "That's the problem; there are too many things I like."

Di Ye had seen some of Di Ye's memories from before he transmigrated in the Electronic Watch and understood his personality well. He reminded him, "Not only do you like many things, but your heart is also very wild. Be careful; don't play too hard. Always remember that you are just an ordinary person who lived 28 years earlier than others, not a superman who is immune to swords and spears."

"I will firmly remember your words."

Di Ye gave a hum and said, "Take me home tonight. After the postgraduate entrance exam tomorrow and the day after, I will probably disappear completely."

Di Ye stopped in his tracks, looked at the fine rain like silk and mist in front of him, and an indescribable feeling of sadness welled up in his heart. After a moment of silence, he said, "It's not even 3 o'clock yet. I'll take Xia Fangfei to the bus station first, then take you home."

Di Ye also fell silent. After a while, he said, "I found a song in your memory that is very suitable for the current scene."

"What song?"

"'Xiao Honghua'."

Di Ye smiled upon hearing this and hummed softly, "Sending you a little red flower, covering the new scars you added today, rewarding you for being willing to take me home on a rainy day. Is it this line?"

Di Ye did not answer, but instead sang a segment of the lyrics: "Sending you a little red flower, blooming in the deepest silt of your heart, rewarding you for being able to feel every struggle of fate. Whose time is being squandered, whose bitter wish is this? This is not a question, nor does it need your answer."

Di Ye listened quietly, then laughed nonchalantly and said, "We are truly brothers in misfortune; both of us sing terribly."

"It is indeed not very pleasant. Go send off Fangfei; I need to continue looking at the code."

When Di Ye arrived downstairs at the women's dormitory, Xia Fangfei had already packed her luggage and was standing under the rain shelter at the entrance waiting for him. After they met, she asked, "How did you do on the exam?"

"I should be able to get a perfect score; it was quite simple."

Xia Fangfei didn't really want to leave. Looking at the rain outside, she delayed, "The rain is too heavy today. Why don't I wait for you to finish the postgraduate entrance exam before going back to Jinling?"

"This little bit of rain is nothing. Besides, the postgraduate entrance exam isn't a soccer game; you can't be a cheerleader, and you can't boost morale."

"Who says I can't boost morale? Don't you know about 'red sleeves adding fragrance to night reading'? I'll accompany you to study tonight; maybe you'll score a few more points tomorrow."

Seeing her eyes brimming with tenderness, Di Ye's originally low mood was lifted. He teased, "Spring nights are short and the sun rises high; from now on, the monarch won't attend morning court. If I can't hold back, I might miss the exam time and not even get a 0."

There were several girls under the rain shelter who giggled when they heard this. Xia Fangfei was very embarrassed, raised her hand to punch Di Ye, and complained, "Why are you always talking nonsense!"

Di Ye laughed, bent down to pick up her suitcase, and said, "Don't dawdle, let's go. You already told your family you were going back today."

The two left the rain shelter, and just after walking a few steps, the chattering discussion of the girls behind them reached them.

"Is that boy Di Ye?"

"It's him, tall, handsome, and smart. No wonder he could catch the serial killer."

"I wish I had a boyfriend like that; brave, meticulous, and especially secure."

When Xia Fangfei heard these words, her face blossomed with joy. She put away her umbrella, ducked under Di Ye's umbrella, and held his arm tightly to declare her sovereignty, coquettishly saying, "They are complimenting you."

"I was already used to being complimented when I was in kindergarten."

"You're really vain."

"This is Yuncheng, not West Lake, and you aren't Lady White Snake. Don't play with the umbrella; your clothes are going to get wet."

"I just said we shouldn't leave on a rainy day..."

Di Ye disregarded Xia Fangfei's objections, carried her suitcase to the school's Beimen, and hailed a taxi to send her to the bus station.

As the two were about to part ways, Xia Fangfei was reluctant to leave and asked, "Di Ye, do you have anything you want to say to me?"

"Eat more during winter break; I like girls who are plump, they feel comfortable to touch."

"You really are an annoying jerk!"