Chapter 11

The next day, Zhou Heng delivered clothes for both Lin Shuicheng and Fu Luoyin.

For Lin Shuicheng, it was still the usual custom-made designer brand – he supposed this master wouldn't be able to tell the difference. For Fu Luoyin, he had brought back the shoulder badge that he had forgotten at home.

In the morning, Lin Shuicheng got up to take a shower and change clothes.

Fu Luoyin sat at the edge of the bed watching him. Suddenly, his interest piqued, and he walked over to embrace Lin Shuicheng from behind, looping his arms around his waist. "Don't wear this one. Change into mine."

He picked up the shirt Zhou Heng had delivered earlier in the day and handed it to Lin Shuicheng to put on.

For some reason, Fu Luoyin found himself enjoying the sight of Lin Shuicheng dressed in his clothes. Yesterday, when he wore his jacket out, looking both charming and obedient as he was held in someone's palm, it had been incredibly alluring.

Such a beautiful person belonged to him. No matter where Lin Shuicheng was, whether in the laboratory or at home, he couldn't escape the mark Fu Luoyin had left on him, nor could he be separated from his scent.

"Are you working overtime tonight, hmm?" Fu Luoyin asked him.

At the thought of this, Lin Shuicheng felt a bit anxious – he had indeed been avoiding Fu Luoyin for the past few days. But today, he needed to write his thesis proposal and build a model to prove its feasibility, so he genuinely had to work overtime.

Seeing that Lin Shuicheng was about to cry again, Fu Luoyin's voice turned cold and detached. "So you are working overtime. I'll come find you at the lab."

Lin Shuicheng replied, "No..."

"Not working overtime? Then come early and wait for me." Fu Luoyin affectionately kissed his cheek. Delighted by the adorable confusion he caused, he gently pinched his hand, "I won't tease you anymore if you behave, okay?"

Lin Shuicheng had gone to work.

His thesis proposal required the use of major machinery, necessitating a series of approvals before he could enter the sterile environment in an anti-static suit. While changing, Lin Shuicheng felt a hard object in his coat pocket. Upon taking it out, he found it to be Fu Luoyin's wallet.

This wallet was different from the one he used to pay bills. It looked old and had likely been brought along since the beginning. Lin Shuicheng took a glance inside and found some receipts, a savings card, and a faded photograph. Nowadays, few people would intentionally take photos, so Lin Shuicheng first noticed the date cut off at the bottom right corner of the picture, indicating that it had been cropped from a graduation photo. In the center of the photo was a good-looking young man, not Fu Luoyin. He didn't recognize him. Lin Shuicheng didn't have the habit of prying into others' privacy. After confirming that there was nothing urgent in Fu Luoyin's wallet, he put it down, planning to return it to him at the hotel later that night. He spent almost an entire day in the quantum computer lab. When he retrieved his data in the afternoon, he discovered that his private messages had exploded. [Group Leader of Team Seven (7:40 AM): File: Compressed Data. Little Lin, could you please help us today? We're swamped!] [This file has been sent offline due to non-reception.] [Group Leader of Team Seven (8:37 AM): Where are you?] [Group Leader of Team Seven (4:37 PM): Oh no, we can't finish running our team's data.] ... Lin Shuicheng scanned through them roughly. They were all from classmates asking him to run their data. He replied to each message: "Apologies for not checking my messages earlier. I have something on today and won't be able to help." The group leader responded instantly: "Ah, it's alright. Just stay back and work overtime then." Ou Qian, however, went berserk, sending him a series of question marks: "I wasn't even in the lab today, and you tell me you can't run the data? Haven't you been running our team's data these past few days? What should I do now? I'm at home, having dinner with my family!" Lin Shuicheng replied: "Pathogen inspection data is personal, not team-based. You can come over after dinner to work overtime. I need to write our team's report today."

Ou Qian said, "Can't you finish it? Little Lin, could you help me out? I'm really occupied with family matters and can't manage."

Lin Shuicheng replied, "You might want to ask someone else. I'm tied up today."

Ou Qian: "...."

Lin Shuicheng continued, "Besides, the materials you found won't work. I'll send you my compiled data later."

Ou Qian: "....So you're suggesting we need to reorganize everything, right?"

Lin Shuicheng was slightly puzzled. "No need. I mean, after the thesis proposal, when we understand the project content, these materials will be needed. Remember to read them."

Ou Qian didn't reply, and Lin Shuicheng didn't mind.

He returned to the laboratory and continued writing his thesis proposal. It was just a proposal; he already had the necessary data and basic modeling, so it was written smoothly.

Before 5:30 pm, he had finished. After checking it several times for errors, he uploaded it to the group chat.

Wang Pinyuan replied, "Received. I'll take a look. You can start preparing your defense content."

Lin Shuicheng closed the chat window and began running his data for the day. The military was visiting the campus today, first stopping by the Physics Department to propose some projects, similar to a campus recruitment event.

The laboratory was deserted, with most people having gone to watch, hoping to find opportunities to participate.

Xu Mengmeng was in a state of distress on the other side. Lin Shuicheng noticed and said, "Let me do it."

Xu Mengmeng replied, "No need. Everyone in the group has already helped me with the data. There's too much for you to handle. Little Lin, since you've finished your report, you can go to the Physics Department and check out the military's tender offers. Maybe you can find some work to do and earn extra money. All the other students have gone."

Lin Shuicheng checked the time. "Did Ou Qian and the others finish the hazardous data checks for you today?"

Xu Mengmeng nodded. "They all said they were busy with something. I just finished my data analysis."

"Let them handle their own workload. Tell them you have something to attend to as well."

Lin Shuicheng packed up his things and glanced at the storm glass by the bed. The light blue solution was still and calm, showing no signs of crystal formation.

With the clear skies these days, the deep autumn sun shone through the window, tinting the edges of his messy hair golden, creating an indescribable attractiveness.

Xu Mengmeng was stunned. "Huh? I don't have anything else to do?"

Lin Shuicheng smiled at her. "Yes, you do, Senior Sister. I would like to invite you for a meal."

...

If Xu Mengmeng didn't know that Lin Shuicheng had a boyfriend, she would almost believe that a huge love blossom had landed on her head—how could anyone resist that?

Forget about the data! Having dinner with this handsome junior was the top priority!

Lin Shuicheng invited her to try Hangzhou cuisine at a private dining restaurant near Star University.

The venue was small and intimate, a place Xu Mengmeng knew wasn't typically frequented by students but rather reserved for official guests of the school.

As they ascended, the people strolling around were clearly professors and military personnel, yet Lin Shuicheng moved about as if it were his own home.

When Xu Mengmeng sat down, she surveyed the elegant and romantic setting and trembled. "Am I about to be chopped up by your boyfriend? I met him once before, he was so handsome and fierce. Little Lin, why on earth did you invite me here for dinner?"

Lin Shuicheng replied, "I need to borrow the key to the quantum laboratory from Senior Sister."

That was the lab he had visited earlier that morning, one that required three levels of clearance and an electrostatic dust remover to enter – security was tight.

Xu Mengmeng was startled. "You'll get into trouble for this!"

Lin Shuicheng said, "I'll return it to you tomorrow. Thank you, Senior Sister. Just for one night, Senior Sister."

As steaming dishes were served, mist rose, and Lin Shuicheng's gaze was earnest and tranquil.

Xu Mengmeng relented. "Fine, fine, take it."

In her mind, a straight-A student like Lin Shuicheng would likely use the key for an all-night study session or something similar.

There were ten quantum computers in the Alliance, nine of which were all located in the heart of the Alliance to prevent anyone from using their immense computational power to violently crack the world's security walls. The one remaining at Star University was an early model with some accuracy issues, requiring repeated calculations for confirmation. Every computation would be recorded by the system and verified by department heads. Only students and mentors of the department had the right to initiate operations. The laboratory building itself was heavily secured, granting smooth access to those with authorized ID cards while presenting a solid barrier to outsiders.

Xu Mengmeng had given him five keys for five doors to unlock. Lin Shuicheng put the keys in his pocket, unintentionally brushing against his wallet.

He paused, suddenly recalling that Fu Luoyin had also directly entered the laboratory building before.

Fu Luoyin was a soldier; why did he have access here? Was his rank high?

Lin Shuicheng tried to recall the information about Fu Luoyin but couldn't remember clearly and didn't bother to look it up again.

He didn't give it much thought and hurried back to the hotel just in time for his break.

His goal was simple: obedience. Obedience meant avoiding being tormented by Fu Luoyin.

Arriving at the designated room, 313 was empty.

Lin Shuicheng pondered for a moment and decided to call Fu Luoyin.

Fu Luoyin picked up, asking, "Hmm?"

Lin Shuicheng felt somewhat embarrassed, as if he were a lamb presenting himself for slaughter. "I... I'm at 313."

On the other end, Fu Luoyin seemed to have just remembered something, his deep laughter echoing. "So obedient. Are you waiting there for me to do you?"

Lin Shuicheng replied, "I don't..."

Before he could finish, Fu Luoyin chuckled delightedly. "Oh, you came back so early because you're afraid of being 'done' by me, right?"

Lin Shuicheng whispered, "I'm not."

"Be good. We have an all-night meeting tonight, so you don't need to wait up for me," Fu Luoyin said.

The call ended.

Lin Shuicheng breathed a sigh of relief.

He could have a good rest tonight.

Since Fu Luoyin wouldn't be home, he promptly returned to his own place.

Lin Shuicheng first established a rapport with the Commander, then entered the inner workspace. He scanned all the keys and used 3D printing to create duplicates, safely storing them away.

At home, the storm glass had indeed developed crystals, but similarly to before, they were unattractive, fibrous sediments, with less in quantity than the previous time.

Lin Shuicheng discarded the solution, washed the glass thoroughly, and then prepared a fresh batch.

Afterward, he ordered takeout, finished his meal, and then, after cleaning up, cuddled with the Commander to sleep.

Unbeknownst to Lin Shuicheng, who had experienced a rare peaceful dream after many nights, his entire day's activities had been captured by the shutter of a camera.

Ou Qian scanned through the images that had been sent to her computer.

In the photo, Lin Shuicheng was smiling gently as he sat face-to-face with Xu Mengmeng in a secluded private room, their atmosphere warm and harmonious. The steam from the hot pot had flushed their cheeks a delicate pink, making them appear like a loving couple to anyone unaware of their true relationship.

She continued her tirade over the phone, "He wants to be the team leader? Fine, no one's stopping him! Everyone knows Old Wang dotes on him like a precious treasure! But now, what does he do? I become the team leader, and suddenly he's sticking his nose in, criticizing our research and saying our literature review isn't good enough. He even submitted the report directly to the teacher without my knowledge, in the group chat. He just wants to take all the credit for himself. I see right through him. Our advisor said this project is so valuable it would make headlines just from its proposal. If he wants to bask in the spotlight, I'll make sure he doesn't get to be the first author on this paper! After all, I'm the actual team leader!"

"Ranran, you have no idea how disgusting Lin Shuicheng can be. There's more, let me tell you. Today, I was having lunch with my grandfather, and I was too busy, so I asked him to help with some data analysis, but he refused. How could Minus Two choose someone like him? Hurry back, or Minus Two will be led astray by this guy." Ou Qian sent the pictures and gritted her teeth, smiling bitterly. "Look, even with Minus Two, he's still flirting with other women. Imagine... if Minus Two saw these photos, what do you think he'd think?"

This was Xia Ran's first time seeing recent photos of Lin Shuicheng.

Xia Ran said, "Qianqian, you decide. My mind's a bit cluttered right now. He must really like him to tolerate him for so long."

Ou Qian replied, "No way, Negative Two definitely still likes you the most."

Xia Ran continued, "If he truly liked me, he wouldn't have found faults with me back then and pressured me to change. I was always stubborn, and eventually, we ended up fighting until we broke up. Now, I just feel incredibly unfair. Does the child who throws tantrums get the candy?"

His voice was already tinged with tears.

Ou Qian panicked, "Ranran, don't cry. I'll make sure to take down that Lin guy for you."

The next day, Lin Shuicheng went to the laboratory as usual.

He returned the key to Xu Mengmeng and expressed his gratitude. Xu Mengmeng held him back, "Hey, Little Lin, wait before you leave. There are many data and algorithms in your thesis that I don't understand how you used them. I also don't know how to make the PowerPoint presentation. It might be troublesome when it comes to explaining during the defense."

Lin Shuicheng considered for a moment, "I should be the one presenting during the defense, right? Precision isn't that important; I'm familiar with the data."

"Oh, right, you're the first author. The first author presents," Xu Mengmeng remarked. "Old Wang didn't want to be the first author. He said he'd try to reserve the spot for us. He's really kind. But I heard there's a teacher on the defense committee who's particularly strict and often makes people cry. Little Lin, you better mentally prepare yourself."

"Okay, I understand. If making the PowerPoint is difficult for you, I'll highlight the key points when I get home, and you can just copy and paste them," Lin Shuicheng offered.

Observing Xu Mengmeng's nearly starry-eyed expression of gratitude, Lin Shuicheng smiled.

His detached demeanor didn't mean he was easy to bully or that he couldn't distinguish between those who treated him poorly and those who treated him well.

Back at his seat, he had just forwarded the crucial information to Xu Mengmeng when he saw Ou Qian tagging her in the group chat: "We should revise the author order for the thesis. Our teacher should be first, followed by the rest of us in the group's sequence."

Lin Shuicheng was taken aback.

Ou Qian continued, "The teacher has put in a lot of effort guiding us, so it's only right to list them as the lead author. Based on our respective responsibilities, you and Xu Mengmeng only took care of the organization, while we'll arrange the rest according to our contributions to the paper."

Wang Pinyuan chimed in: "I don't need to be the lead author; I'm not lacking in that. You guys figure it out among yourselves."

Ou Qian addressed the entire group: "How about this order for the authors: me, An Ruyi, Lv Jian, Meng Yi, Lin Shuicheng, and Xu Mengmeng?"

Not being present in the lab, Xu Mengmeng was furious and rushed to tell Lin Shuicheng, "How could they put you second to last? Has she lost her mind?!"

Lin Shuicheng glanced at the messages and replied, "It's fine, I don't desperately need the credit as the lead author this time."

Xu Mengmeng: "..."

She was speechless. "I know you're a genius, but don't be so laissez-faire about this! What's rightfully yours is yours; you can give it up, but how can you just let others take it away? She merely did some research—why should she be listed as the first author?"

"Doesn't matter."

Lin Shuicheng tapped a few keys on his keyboard, sending a message to Ou Qian, calmly gesturing for Xu Mengmeng to read it.

Lin Shuicheng: I have no objections. Is the first author going to present? Xu Mengmeng and I will prepare the PowerPoint for the presentation.

Ou Qian: No problem.