Chapter 118: Delivering a Meal

He had asked the same question back then, but that was because they had a close relationship and it was appropriate to ask. Professor Jiang and Zhong Yuxiu, however, were speaking to each other for the very first time, yet he had blurted it out so bluntly.

What nerve he had.

Professor Ding had never realized Professor Jiang was so lacking in tact. He glanced toward Professor Zheng.

Professor Zheng shook his head at him and spoke up to smooth things over. "Old Ding has a point, but Professor Jiang was only showing concern for Comrade Zhong. Let's all take a step back."

"I didn't mean anything else by it," Professor Jiang said, belatedly realizing his mistake. But the words were already out, and there was no taking them back.

Zhong Yuxiu nodded. "Alright. For Professor Zheng's sake, we'll let the matter drop."

With a reluctant truce reached, Professor Zheng breathed a sigh of relief, and Professor Tian followed suit. They had not expected such a young-looking girl to be so strong-willed. But then again, if she were not, how could she have independently developed several inventions that benefited the nation and its people? How could she have had the sheer boldness to transfer schools to study medicine?

Indeed, one could never judge by appearances.

After this incident, the atmosphere became somewhat tense. Zhong Yuxiu, however, was indifferent. Having lived a long life and seen so much of the world, she had encountered all kinds of people, and she did not take Professor Jiang's behavior to heart.

It was a fine day. The winter sun hung askew, unable to reach the zenith even at noon.

Zhong Yuxiu was starving, and the other professors were no better off. Professor Zheng graded the last paper in his hands and said to everyone present, "Let's leave it at this for now. We'll go have lunch first and continue grading afterward."

"Works for me," Professor Ding agreed, having finished grading his own pile and wrapping things up.

Professor Tian and Professor Jiang had arrived later, so they still had about half of their stack left. Professor Tian smiled and said, "You go ahead. I'll grade a few more."

"There's no rush. With so many papers, we can take our time," Professor Ding advised. "After all, the students won't see their grades until the new semester starts. We're getting on in years; we should eat, drink, and rest when we need to. If we live a few years longer, we might get to see the country develop even further."

Their generation was entirely devoted to strengthening the nation; few would be content to pass away without seeing their country rise to greatness.

"Alright, I'll grade a few more and then head over. You go first," Professor Tian replied with a lingering smile, though he made no move to leave.

Seeing this, Professor Zheng and Professor Ding did not press further. They called for Zhong Yuxiu, bade the others goodbye, and left the meeting room together.

"Professor Ding, are you familiar with that Professor Jiang?" Zhong Yuxiu asked once they were outside the meeting room.

Professor Ding shook his head. "Not really. Although we work in the same department, we don't interact much. He always seemed decent enough in the past—refined and polite. I didn't expect him to act so tactlessly today."

"I see," Zhong Yuxiu murmured thoughtfully.

Professor Zheng glanced at them and said, "I know Professor Jiang. He was persecuted before because of his overseas connections, and was only rehabilitated later. He is a bit stubborn in his ways and very strict in his teaching. Quite a few students in his class find him cold and unreasonable. Perhaps he said what he did today out of a genuine fear that you might go astray."

"Regardless of the reason, one shouldn't ask such intrusive questions of someone they are speaking to for the first time, let alone adopt such a patronizing and lecturing tone," Professor Ding said, shaking his head in disapproval.

"Let it go," Professor Zheng waved his hand. "He probably meant no harm."

Zhong Yuxiu nodded slightly. "I understand. I don't believe he had malicious intentions either. It's just a matter of principle. We are simply not close enough to speak so familiarly."

"It's good that you don't mind, Comrade Zhong. Don't let it ruin your mood," Professor Zheng said. "Many people think you chose the wrong path by studying medicine. Quite a few in our school feel that way. If President Guo hadn't given you his full support and sent you to the medical school, there would be even more gossip behind your back. Study hard; whatever you choose to learn, master it."

Truth be told, Professor Zheng himself had found it baffling at first. But because he was not close to Zhong Yuxiu, he had only asked Professor Ding about it indirectly. Only then did he realize she intended to conduct research in that field.

Aside from a few people, no one else knew the real reason.

President Guo and Professor Ding were not gossips. Aside from close friends and necessary official reports, they kept quiet. The people they associated with were naturally trustworthy, and those few who did know would never speak of it lightly.

Yuxiu thanked Professor Zheng sincerely for his kindness. The three of them walked downstairs together. Stepping off the final stair, Yuxiu stopped.

"Professors, please head to the cafeteria first. I have to step away for a moment."

"Aren't you having lunch?" Professor Ding asked gently.

Zhong Yuxiu shook her head. "Someone is bringing me lunch in a bit."

"Ah, I see..." The two of them understood instantly. Her boyfriend was bringing her food. They knew how this went. "We understand, we understand. We'll head to lunch first, then."

Zhong Yuxiu felt her cheeks warm. After watching them walk away, she patted her face and turned toward the school gate. Once outside, Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo spotted her immediately and stepped out from their hiding spot.

"Comrade Zhong, you're finished for the day."

"Oh, it's you two!" Zhong Yuxiu nodded, looking around but seeing no sign of Yan Rushan. "Just finished. I'll still be busy after lunch. Have you seen Yan Rushan?"

Hao Nan smiled. "Comrade Yan has already gone inside. He must have gone to your office to find you."

"Alright. Go find somewhere to eat as well. I'll head back to the office." Zhong Yuxiu turned and walked back, taking her usual route so that they would not miss each other.

As she walked upstairs, she saw Yan Rushan's tall, upright figure from a distance. He was carrying an insulated flask in one hand and several other things in the other.

"Brother Rushan."

Yan Rushan turned around, his thin lips curving into a smile. "Yuxiu, are you finished?"

"Yes. We were grading papers in the meeting room of another building, not in my office. Sorry to keep you waiting," Zhong Yuxiu said apologetically.

"It's fine," Yan Rushan replied, his smile widening. "Should we eat in the cafeteria or in your office?"

Zhong Yuxiu thought for a moment. "Let's go to the cafeteria."

"Alright."

"Let me carry some of that. Your hands are full. Don't bring so much next time, it's tiring." Yuxiu reached out.

Yan Rushan stepped back to avoid her hand. "I've got it. It's a hassle to pass things back and forth. I can manage this weight. Let's go to the cafeteria; if we're too late, all the good dishes will be gone."

"Even if they are, it doesn't matter. You brought so much food that we won't need to buy any dishes." Besides, the food at the university cafeteria was really nothing to write home about.

"We still need to get rice. I didn't bring much rice with me, so eating at the cafeteria will let us eat a bit more." He had been worried before, but now he felt at ease.

Without even stepping into the office, the two of them turned around and headed for the cafeteria.

The cafeteria of Hua University was spacious with plenty of seating, but it was bustling with people at lunchtime. It took Zhong Yuxiu a while to spot Professor Zheng and Professor Ding, who were already eating, seated with a few other professors.