Chapter 6: Found Someone New?
by xiaoxingxing“I owe her that much.”
Shao Yuwei almost choked on her drink. She coughed twice and waved her hands in refusal. “Please spare me, sis.”
“You know I failed Professor Ouyang’s elective course in college and had to take a retest. Just thinking about her makes me nervous. Besides, I’m practically invisible—she probably doesn’t even remember me. I really can’t help you.”
Su Yumian saw how reluctant she was and didn’t push further.
“But,” Shao Yuwei’s eyes glinted with mischief as she changed the subject, “I do know someone who might help.”
“Hm?”
“Remember my cousin, Shao Wenbai?”
Su Yumian took a sip of warm water and nodded. “Of course.”
Shao Wenbai was the youngest leading figure in domestic physics research. Last year, Nature magazine ranked him as the world’s most influential young scientist.
He had initially studied Applied Biosciences under Professor Ouyang, publishing five SCI papers in two years, and was hailed as a genius in the field. Then, for some unknown reason, he suddenly switched to physics, creating quite a stir.
As it turned out, when someone is truly talented, they excel no matter the field.
Now, Shao Wenbai was a heavyweight in international physics research.
Su Yumian and Shao Wenbai had attended the same university, though not at the same time. She had heard stories about him as a freshman and later learned he was Shao Yuwei’s cousin.
For years, he had been working abroad, only returning to the country three months ago.
“My cousin actually asked about Professor Ouyang’s health the other day, but he’s been too busy to visit. You two can go together.”
The more Shao Yuwei thought about it, the more perfect it seemed. She immediately called Shao Wenbai. After two rings, he picked up. A low, cool voice came through, tinged with indifference. “What is it?”
Shao Yuwei briefly explained the situation. There was background noise—he seemed busy. Less than a minute later, the call ended.
“All set! He’ll meet you tomorrow at 2 PM at West Shore Restaurant.”
Shao Yuwei patted Su Yumian’s hand. “Get some rest tonight. Worry about the rest tomorrow.”
Su Yumian nodded. “Thanks, got it.”
—
The next day, Su Yumian left the apartment half an hour early.
When she arrived at the restaurant, she checked her watch. Two minutes to two.
Perfect timing.
She pushed the door open, followed the waiter for a short distance, and spotted a man sitting by the window.
He was sipping coffee, his expression calm and distant.
A simple white dress shirt, black trousers, and gold-rimmed glasses rested on his nose. Sunlight spilled over his profile, making him look like a painting. By contrast, she wore a white T-shirt, jeans, and a high ponytail—completely casual.
Noticing her gaze, the man turned his head.
“Sit. What do you want to drink?”
His deep, magnetic voice carried a subtle electrifying charm. Su Yumian quickly regained her composure and sat down.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.” Her dark eyes held a hint of apology.
Shao Wenbai adjusted his glasses. “Not long. I only arrived five minutes early. I have some lab data to process, so I can only spare thirty minutes. Will that be enough?”
“Plenty.”
When the waiter came, Su Yumian ordered lemon water. Shao Wenbai got straight to the point. “You want to visit Professor Ouyang. What do you need me to do?”
Blunt.
She liked that.
“Professor Ouyang has been discharged from the hospital, but I don’t know her current address. I need you to take me to visit her. And if possible…”
She hesitated. “If she gets angry, could you help calm her down? Stress isn’t good for her health.”
For a moment, his lips seemed to curve slightly.
She continued, “I know you’re busy, so you can decide when.”
Shao Wenbai nodded. “Two days from now.”
She thanked him, then, after a pause, asked, “Why are you willing to help me?”
His dark eyes studied her. Just as she thought he wouldn’t answer, he finally spoke.
“Because you’re Su Yumian.”
“?”
“Professor Ouyang once said,” he took a sip of coffee, “she has three regrets in life. One, that research is vast but life is too short. Two, that she has no children. Three—Su Yumian.”
Su Yumian froze. Her fingers clenched slightly. Shao Wenbai’s sharp gaze locked onto her, a trace of curiosity flashing through his eyes before settling into calmness. This was their first meeting, but not the first time he had heard her name.
For someone to be listed as a regret alongside life, research, and family—what made her so special?
Her throat felt dry.
She could already imagine the disappointment in her mentor’s eyes. Shao Wenbai pulled out a notepad and wrote down a string of numbers. “This is my number.”
She glanced at the paper. His handwriting was neat and elegant.
—
“Here’s your tiramisu.”
As the waiter set down the plate, they couldn’t help but glance at the table. The man looked effortlessly handsome, but his expression carried a hint of impatience.
Across from him sat a woman in a Dior haute couture red dress, holding an Hermès bag. Clearly, a wealthy socialite. She seemed oblivious to his disinterest, chatting away nonstop.
“Yihuai, Aunt Jiang told me your stomach isn’t great. We have a doctor who specializes in digestive health. Maybe you could—”
Jiang Yihuai lazily flicked his lighter, responding with half-hearted hums.
Today’s blind date had been arranged by his mother. Since he had come, he didn’t want to be outright rude. But he had zero interest in whatever she was saying. His gaze drifted around the room—until suddenly, it stopped.
He sat up straight.
Several tables away, Su Yumian was sitting with another man. He couldn’t hear their conversation, but he could see her faint smile. The chatter in his ear, which had been barely tolerable before, suddenly became unbearable.
Jiang Yihuai let out a cold chuckle and averted his gaze.
“I’m leaving.”
—
Shao Wenbai had a tight schedule, and thirty minutes was all he could spare. Su Yumian understood. They got up together. As they exited, Shao Wenbai reached forward and held the door open for her.
Very gentlemanly.
She smiled. “Thank you.”
On the sidewalk, Shao Wenbai said, “My car is here.”
Su Yumian nodded. “See you in two days.”
She watched him leave before turning—and unexpectedly met a pair of mocking, cold eyes. A smirk tugged at Jiang Yihuai’s lips.
“So, you’ve already found a replacement?”