Today is Saturday and the weather is nice.

  The thick clouds allowed a few warm rays of sunlight to seep through. Su Yumian broke a light sweat during her morning run, so she took a shower and changed before taking a taxi to Professor Ouyang’s house with the medicine she had bought.

  "Professor, these medicines should be taken three times a day. Since it's cold, you don’t need to store them in the fridge—just heat them up before drinking."

  Professor Ouyang feared nothing, except the taste of traditional Chinese medicine. Not only was it bitter, but it also smelled terrible.

  She stared at the dark liquid, silently stepping back before making one st struggle.

  "Do I really have to drink this?"

  "Of course," Su Yumian replied. "I've already told the housekeeper to keep an eye on you—three times a day, no exceptions."

  Professor Ouyang's face fell. "Oh... got it."

  She had no choice but to accept the goodwill of her student.

  Seeing her look so reluctant, almost like a child, Su Yumian couldn’t help but chuckle. "The medicine is bitter, so I also brought you some green bean cakes from Chunxi Road."

  "Every time you drink the medicine, you can have a piece of cake to make it less bitter."

  The professor, who had been frowning moments ago, immediately brightened. "Now that’s more like it!"

  After some small talk, Ouyang Wenqiu got down to business.

  "Next year, B University's Biology Department pns to establish an experimental research group. Three candidates have already been chosen, and there are two spots left."

  "There are two requirements. First, excellent academic performance and a high overall GPA. Second, you need at least two A grades in experimental courses."

  Su Yumian was surprised by the strict criteria for an experimental group.

  Noticing her reaction, Professor Ouyang expined, "Joining this group will grant extra points for your final grades. Outstanding members will have the opportunity to go directly into a Ph.D. program or receive an offer from Ninghai Biotech’s research b."

  Ninghai Biotech was not only a leading company in China but also internationally renowned.

  Their independent research b had the most advanced equipment and a strong colborative team, producing the country’s top biological research breakthroughs. It was often called a "paradise for scientists."

  Su Yumian recalled that Ninghai Biotech belonged to the Shao family. No wonder Shao Wenbai had mentioned it before.

  "I know your academic performance well, so I’ve never doubted your abilities," Professor Ouyang said warmly. "The only thing you're cking is b experience."

  For the past few years, Su Yumian had rarely stepped into a b.

  How well she could handle experiments, her familiarity with new equipment—those were all concerns.Talent alone wasn’t enough. Time and practice were necessary. Otherwise, what was Shao Wenbai doing in the b every day?

  Skills were honed through practice. Experience was accumuted over time. Suddenly, a pair of warm, aged hands gently grasped hers. Su Yumian looked up and saw the professor smiling.

  "I believe in your abilities. It’s not too te to start now."

  Something stirred inside her. She nodded firmly.

  "I'm not worried about your postgraduate exams. The retest is still months away. For now, focus on studying these books and materials I’ve given you."

  Professor Ouyang still had an ongoing research project, one that had been in progress for five years without a breakthrough.

  She pnned to have Su Yumian join once school started. After all, the project had originally been designed for her—though things hadn’t gone as expected back then...

  But in the end, everything was back on track. No need to dwell on past detours. Su Yumian knew how much effort the professor had put in for her sake.

  "Don't worry. I won’t let you down."

  —

  Back home, she began reading through the materials.

  Compared to her graduate exam textbooks, these were more complex due to their focus on practical experiments and research findings. They required hands-on experience, making them harder to grasp.

  She got so absorbed that she lost track of time. When she finally checked, it was nearly midnight. Rubbing her tired eyes, she decided to sleep. Just as she y down, loud knocking suddenly erupted.

  "Su Yumian—open the door! I know you’re in there!"

  Even with two doors between them, Jiang Yihuai’s voice rang clear.

  Bang, bang, bang!

  The knocking grew louder and more forceful.

  Thinking back to the time he had almost forced himself on her at the vil, Su Yumian’s face turned pale. She clenched her bnket tightly.

  "Su Yumian—"

  "Open the door—"

  "Mianmian—"

  She covered her ears, hoping he’d leave if he got no response. But five minutes passed, and he was still pounding on the door. He wasn’t going to stop unless she opened it.

  As expected—

  "Who the hell is making all that noise in the middle of the night?!"

  "Which rabid dog is barking at this hour?!"

  "Keep it up, and I’m calling the cops!"

  Su Yumian had no choice. She threw off the bnket, put on her slippers, and walked to the door.

  "Jiang Yihuai, what the hell is wrong with you?!" she gritted her teeth in anger.

  "…I knew you were in there."

  "So what?!"

  "Open the door. Let me in."

  "Why should I? You think you can just come and go as you please?"

  Jiang Yihuai smirked. "Fine. Then I’ll keep knocking."

  "You—"

  "I’m knocking—"

  Left with no choice, Su Yumian opened the door. Jiang Yihuai immediately shoved his way in, afraid she’d change her mind and shut the door again. The smell of alcohol clung to him, his cheeks unnaturally flushed. He swayed slightly, as if he might colpse at any moment.

  Su Yumian frowned and backed away three steps, wary. "What do you want?"

  Jiang Yihuai’s drunken, dark eyes locked onto hers. He didn’t speak. After a long silence, he suddenly whispered, "Mianmian, come back…"

  Su Yumian shook her head, pulling her coat tighter around her. "You know that’s impossible."

  "Half a year… isn’t that enough?"

  "Jiang Yihuai, I wasn’t just throwing a tantrum. Don’t you get it?"

  "I don’t get it—what do you want? Tell me! An apology? Compensation? You want me to kneel on a keyboard? Kneel on a durian?"

  This was as much as he could bend, the furthest he could lower himself.

  In all their past arguments, he had never given in like this. But Su Yumian still shook her head.

  "Enough! Don’t push it!" Jiang Yihuai shouted, his breath heavy.

  "You let me in, doesn’t that mean there’s still a chance? Just tell me what you want, anything!"

  Jiang Yihuai clenched his teeth. He had already stepped back this much—what more did she want?

  Su Yumian replied calmly, "I let you in so you wouldn’t disturb the neighbors. That’s all."

  "You were the one who said it—when we break up, we do it cleanly, with no hesitation. So what are you doing now?"

  Jiang Yihuai took two steps forward, reaching for her shoulders.

  But she flinched back in fear, eyes full of arm.

  "Don’t touch me—"