Chapter 37: Doing My Utmost

The next day.

When Zhong Yuxiu came downstairs, she saw Yan Rushan sitting calmly in the hall, reading the newspaper. Upon hearing her footsteps, Yan Rushan turned with a gentle smile.

"You're up."

It sounded like an ordinary phrase exchanged between family members. Zhong Yuxiu shook her head, dismissing unnecessary thoughts. "Comrade Yan, how long have you been waiting?"

"Comrade Yan has been here for nearly half an hour," Li Yun called out cheerfully as she emerged from the kitchen. "Comrade Zhong, I guessed you'd come downstairs around now, and breakfast is already on the table."

Zhong Yuxiu nodded. "Thank you, Sister Li. Where are Comrade Hao and Comrade Tian?"

"They're exercising outside. They should be back soon."

"Alright, I'll go wash up first." As she descended, she spoke, "Comrade Yan, sorry to keep you waiting. Have you had breakfast?"

Yan Rushan actually had, but after a moment's hesitation, he shook his head. "Not yet. Comrade Zhong, do you welcome me to join your meal?"

Would he come if he weren’t welcome?

"Of course. Comrade Yan has helped me so much; what’s a meal, after all?"

"Then I’ll come every day for meals. I can pay for living expenses," Yan Rushan said, his eyes glimmering with amusement, his words light and breezy.

Zhong Yuxiu's eyelid twitched slightly. "......."

"Unless, Comrade Zhong, you don’t welcome me?" Yan Rushan set down the newspaper, clearly having decided, and seeing he was about to say more, Zhong Yuxiu quickly interjected, "Do as you like, I’m going to wash up."

When they first met, Yan Rushan was stern and aloof; now, beneath his serious exterior, his passionate heart was laid bare before her, leaving her at a loss.

A smile flickered at Yan Rushan’s lips; he picked up the newspaper and continued reading.

Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo returned, their bodies radiating warmth. "Comrade Yan, you’re still reading that newspaper? It’s been half an hour."

Yan Rushan nodded. "It’s quite interesting."

"Really? I didn’t find it that interesting when I read it," Hao Nan remarked, looking puzzled.

Tian Shangguo couldn’t help but rub his forehead, understanding the meaning differed. "Has Comrade Zhong come downstairs?"

"Yes," Yan Rushan pointed toward the bathroom.

"Then let’s wash up and get ready for breakfast."

Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo left again. There was only one bathroom in the house; naturally, with someone inside, the others couldn’t use it. Outside, there was a faucet, and with their tough skin, washing up there was just the same. They returned once more, their hair still damp, changed clothes, and came out.

When Zhong Yuxiu emerged, everyone sat down at the table. Yan Rushan, quite naturally, took a seat beside her, even handing her a bowl and chopsticks, arranging the dishes for her.

Throughout breakfast, Zhong Yuxiu barely tasted anything, distracted by Yan Rushan’s endless antics and his tendency to push boundaries.

"Hand me the book," he said after breakfast, pulling her textbook from her hand as they prepared to leave, then stepping aside. "Let’s go."

Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo exchanged a glance, then simultaneously shifted away, following behind the two.

After leaving the compound, Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo instinctively widened the distance, keeping not too close nor too far, escorting the pair into the campus before finding a convenient spot outside to keep watch.

Yan Rushan pursued his courtship to the end; to prevent others from coveting her, he personally escorted her to the classroom door. Handing her the textbook, he spoke gently, his gaze soft.

"I’ll pick you up after school at noon."

"No need."

Yan Rushan insisted, "I’ll go to your house for lunch; Sister Li’s cooking is delicious."

"......." His skill at climbing up the ladder was remarkable. "Comrade Yan, there should be a limit to how much you push."

Yan Rushan’s eyes darkened slightly, sensing she was about to get angry, he replied, "Alright, then I'll just come for breakfast every morning and go home at noon."

"Class is starting." She neither refused nor agreed, resolved to deal with him properly; just because she had a bit of affection for him didn’t mean he could do as he pleased, repeatedly testing her boundaries.

"See you later." As Yan Rushan turned away, his face became expressionless, his emotions smoothed over.

After the first class, Zhong Yuxiu went to Professor Ding. Arriving outside the office, she found him absorbed in his work.

"Ah, Student Zhong, just in time—I was about to look for you." Professor Ding, hearing footsteps, looked up, saw it was her, and set down his pen.

Zhong Yuxiu entered the office. "Professor Ding."

"After your proposal yesterday, I discussed it with the principal; he gathered all the professors in the Physics Department for a meeting and agreed to grant students with a solid knowledge base like yours a bit more freedom." Professor Ding gestured to a guest chair. "Have a seat."

"Thank you, Professor Ding." Zhong Yuxiu stepped forward and sat down. "When can I take the exam?"

Professor Ding furrowed his brow, thinking, "Are you eager to start research?"

"Not exactly eager, but I’ve had some inspiration these past couple of days and want to put it into practice." With daily classes, she had no time for hands-on work.

"I’ll consult the other subject teachers, arrange the exam questions as soon as possible, and then have you come to this office to take the test."

Zhong Yuxiu nodded with pleasure. "Thank you, Professor Ding. I’ll wait for your notice."

"Go to class, the bell’s ringing."

"Goodbye, Professor Ding."

Watching Zhong Yuxiu leave, Professor Ding shook his head with a smile. The first university class after a ten-year hiatus had no precedent; they could only feel their way forward. For outstanding students like Zhong Yuxiu, the only thing the school could do was to accommodate her requests as best as possible, letting her excel.

Delaying her inspiration would truly be a crime.

That day, upon returning home, Zhong Yuxiu went straight to Li Yun. "Sister Li, has my laboratory been prepared?"

"It was just finished today. The necessary equipment was allocated from above and placed in your lab; your computer is in there as well. You can go upstairs and see if it meets your satisfaction." The past couple of days, they had opened up rooms, added a new door where the space was connected, and sealed the original entrance. The higher-ups knew Zhong Yuxiu wanted a laboratory in her residence, so they managed to spare some equipment.

"I’ll go take a look."

Zhong Yuxiu hurried upstairs, entered the room, and opened the door to the lab. The array of instruments dazzled her eyes. Compared to those she used in the interstellar era, they were far from complete, but they represented the best efforts made by those in charge, and with some ingenuity, they would suffice.

"Wonderful." Zhong Yuxiu stepped forward to examine each item, a bit worn but nothing major.

"Master, these instruments are too outdated; experiments will yield data discrepancies," Dog Egg followed her into the lab, stopping before a particular machine. "Look at this one—it’s visibly worn, and it won’t be easy to use."

Zhong Yuxiu smiled, her eyes full of delight. "Dog Egg, we’re not in the interstellar age. Compared to that, everything here is lagging. The authorities are doing their best to meet my needs. A little old, a few minor flaws—so what? It’s still usable."

She vaguely recalled records about the hardships of the transition in the seventies and eighties, and only in the nineties did technology begin to develop rapidly.

With equipment at hand, Zhong Yuxiu couldn’t wait, rubbing her fingers in anticipation.

"Dog Egg, bring out the scrap metal."

"Yes, Master."

Dog Egg rummaged through the corner of the lab where miscellaneous items were piled, pulling out the scrap metal they’d brought during the move.

Zhong Yuxiu resisted the urge, turning away. "Bring me paper and pen."