"See you next time!" Shen Nian'an stood at the factory gate, watching the jeep drive away, his heart filled with anticipation. A gentle autumn breeze carried the sweet fragrance of osmanthus blossoms, and his mood, like the autumn sky, was clear and bright.

In the days that followed, Su Wanqing indeed visited the food factory frequently. Dressed in simple work clothes, she went deep into the workshop with the technicians, guiding them on the application of green production technologies. During breaks, she would discuss plans and exchange mathematical problems with Shen Nian'an.

They would discuss optimizing loss models in the raw material warehouse, surrounded by mountains of raw materials; they would debate improvements to testing methods in the laboratory, centered around data charts; and they would exchange solutions to mathematical problems during breaks under the sycamore trees in the factory area. Shen Nian'an discovered that Su Wanqing not only possessed outstanding mathematical talent but was also very pragmatic, always able to offer valuable suggestions based on practical problems; while Su Wanqing also appreciated Shen Nian'an's composure, focus, and innovative thinking, feeling that he was different from ordinary young people, possessing both ideals and a down-to-earth approach.

Once, while discussing how to integrate green production technologies into process optimization solutions, the two encountered a thorny problem: the use of bio-fertilizers could affect the growth cycle of raw materials, thereby disrupting the original production plan. Shen Nian'an tried various models but could not find the optimal balance, which made him somewhat frustrated.

"Don't worry, let's try a different approach," Su Wanqing said softly, sitting down beside him. She picked up a pen and quickly began calculating on a piece of draft paper. "Look, the changes in the growth cycle can be transformed into variables. We can build a multi-objective programming model that considers three factors at the same time: yield, quality, and cost. This might help us find the optimal solution."

Her slender, nimble fingers swiftly sketched formulas and charts on the paper. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating her profile; her long eyelashes fluttered gently, her expression focused and earnest. Shen Nian'an gazed at her profile, a strange emotion welling up within him—he loved the unspoken understanding they shared when discussing problems, the brilliance in her unique insights, and the gentle tenderness of her soft words of comfort.

"Yes! Multi-objective programming model!" Shen Nian'an suddenly realized. "I only considered cost before and ignored the balance between output and quality. Thank you, Wanqing!" This was the first time he had called her by her name, his voice a little shy but sincere.

Su Wanqing's cheeks flushed slightly as she looked up at him, her eyes filled with a smile: "No need to thank me, we're business partners."

“More than just business partners.” Shen Nian’an mustered her courage and met her gaze. “Wanqing, I think we’re still very good friends, right?”

Su Wanqing's heart skipped a beat. She quickly lowered her head to hide the blush on her face and softly hummed in agreement. The air was filled with the faint fragrance of osmanthus blossoms. Neither of them spoke, yet they could both feel the emotions surging within each other.

As they spent more time together, Shen Nian'an's feelings for Su Wanqing deepened. He would specially prepare her favorite chrysanthemum tea in advance, quietly offer support when she was instructing technical personnel, and lend a helping hand immediately when she encountered difficulties. Su Wanqing, in turn, gradually developed feelings for this steady, kind, and talented boy. She would proactively share her learning experiences, remind him to rest when he worked late into the night, and genuinely rejoice for his achievements.

Once, the food factory received a large order, requiring the delivery of a batch of high-quality pastries within half a month. The production task was heavy, and Shen Nian'an's process optimization plan faced a huge challenge—ensuring both output and quality while controlling costs. He worked overtime for several consecutive nights, his eyes bloodshot.

Su Wanqing saw this and felt a pang of heartache. That evening, she specially brought lotus seed soup made by her mother from home and delivered it to Shen Nian'an's office. "Shen Nian'an, don't overwork yourself, have some lotus seed soup and rest for a while."

Shen Nian'an was working on her computer screen when she heard her voice, looked up and saw the thermos in her hand, and felt a warmth in her heart. "Thank you, Wanqing, what brings you here?"

“I was just passing by and thought I’d drop by to see you.” Su Wanqing poured lotus seed soup into a bowl and handed it to him. “You’ve been working overtime for three days in a row. Your body won’t be able to handle it. No matter how important your work is, you need to take care of yourself and get some rest.”

The lotus seed soup was warm and sweet, sliding down his throat and spreading warmth throughout his body. Looking at Su Wanqing's concerned eyes, Shen Nian'an felt most of his weariness vanish instantly. "I'm fine, I'm used to it," he said with a smile. "This order is very important to the factory; I must ensure everything goes smoothly."

“I know, but you also need to balance work and rest.” Su Wanqing sat down next to him, looking at the complex model on the screen. “Do you want me to take a look? Maybe I can find some room for optimization.”

"Really? That's great!" Shen Nian'an quickly shared his thoughts with her. The two sat side by side in front of the computer, analyzing data and adjusting the model together. It was late at night, and only the two of them remained in the office. The lighting was soft, and the air was filled with the sweet aroma of lotus seed soup and a faint scent of ink.

"Found it!" Su Wanqing's eyes suddenly lit up. "Look here, we can optimize the parallel processes in the production flow and use mathematical algorithms to allocate resources reasonably, which can improve efficiency by 10% without reducing quality."

Shen Nian'an looked in the direction she pointed and suddenly understood. He adjusted the model according to Su Wanqing's suggestion, and it achieved the expected results. "Wanqing, you're amazing!" He looked at her excitedly, his eyes full of admiration and love. "Without you, I might have had to stay up for several more nights."

Su Wanqing felt a little embarrassed by his gaze and lowered her head: "It's just a small suggestion. The main thing is that you have a good foundation in modeling."

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