After more than a year, Fang Ning finally graduated successfully.

Last year, after his supervisor Ding Hao was exposed for plagiarizing students' academic achievements, the school dismissed Ding Hao.

Ding Hao's graduate students were all assigned to other professors and mentors, and Fang Ning was no exception.

It was unavoidable for these students to join other schools halfway through their studies, given the scandal involving their mentor.

After nearly half a year of investigation and interrogation, Ding Hao and Wang Ming, who had been abandoned, finally received a fair trial.

Fang Ning preserved his achievements, but after this incident, he became much more cautious in his actions. This wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but it was still a challenging experience for Fang Ning.

Fang Ning is a conscientious person, and the new teacher likes him quite a bit. However, since it's a relationship that developed later in life, it's still not quite the same as a student personally mentored.

For the past year, Fang Ning has put everything aside and focused on studying and working on his research project, all in order to graduate as soon as possible. And now, he has indeed graduated successfully.

As a gifted student with exceptional intelligence and outstanding abilities, Fang Ning's learning progress is not surprising, and the school would not prevent such a student from graduating.

But in fact, it was still somewhat affected by the previous Ding Hao incident.

After graduating, Fang Ning did not stay in Beijing, but instead found a job at a research institute in Dingdu.

Shi Jing has already built up a considerable network of connections in Dingdu, and she is happy with his choice. However, to help him adapt better to life in Dingdu, she plans to go and visit him, and introduce him to some of her acquaintances. For this purpose, she specifically contacted Rong Yu.

Speaking of which, Shi Jing and Rong Yu haven't seen each other for almost half a year.

Since he started working on his new project, he has been practically out of contact, only occasionally managing to send a message to Shi Jing.

Shi Jing was used to this situation; after all, he was a researcher, and once he got into it, it wasn't something that could be done overnight.

When Shi Jing contacted Rong Yu, she didn't expect to get through on the first try. She was just trying her luck. If that didn't work, she could contact Sun Xiangnan instead.

Good news recently came from Sun Xiangnan's lab, and Shi Jing can go and take a look.

Luckily, the call didn't go through, but the other party called back shortly afterward.

On the other end of the phone, Rong Yu first said "Hello," his voice slightly hoarse. He coughed lightly, cleared his throat, and then spoke again: "Xiao Jing?"

"Brother Yu, what's wrong with your throat? Are you sick?" Shi Jing asked, his tone filled with concern.

Those who are engaged in academia often forget everything else once they get absorbed in their work. They don't get much exercise to begin with, and staying up late to do research makes it even easier for their immunity to weaken.

Rong lived alone in the research institute's dormitory. If she really got sick, she wouldn't even have anyone to take care of her.

"It's nothing." Rong Yu's voice was still a little hoarse as he explained softly, "My schedule has been irregular lately, and I'm a bit sleep-deprived. A good night's sleep will do the trick."

"Alright," Shi Jing said helplessly. "Research is important, but health is the foundation of everything, so we can't neglect it."

"Okay, I understand." He chuckled helplessly and quickly changed the subject, asking, "It's summer vacation now, are you in Dingdu?"

"Yes, the office building is also completed, and we've been arranging the renovations recently."

"So, why did you call me today? Is there something you need?" Rong Yu asked.

Shi Jing smiled and said, "Can't I come to you for no reason?" After saying that, she continued, "Fang Ning is now working at a research institute under your center. I'm planning to go see him. We haven't seen each other in a long time. If you're not too busy lately, you can meet up."

Rong Yu was quiet for a while on the other end of the phone, probably looking at her work schedule, before saying, "I can rest for a few hours tomorrow afternoon."

"Okay, I'll call you when I arrive."

*

Before visiting two friends, Shi Jing prepared some food and supplies, as well as gifts she had brought from her trip abroad.

She bought quite a few small items during her trip abroad. When visiting Rong Yu and Fang Ning, Shi Jing specifically picked out several aromatherapy essential oils.

Shi Jing herself tried it and felt that the effect was quite good.

Their research work is intense and mentally taxing, so lighting a lamp during breaks can help them relax.

Having bought food and other necessities and packed gifts, Shi Jing set off in his car at the appointed time.

Fang Ning has been in Dingdu for almost a month now. Shi Jing was abroad before and didn't have time to come see him, so this time he specially arranged a meeting time with Fang Ning in advance.

After registering at the entrance of the research center, Shi Jing drove inside.

She visited this place last year and is quite familiar with it.

As soon as the car turned the corner, Shi Jing spotted a slender, tall man standing in the shade. The man had slightly long hair that was casually tied in a small bun, and his appearance looked somewhat familiar.

Hearing the sound of a car, the man turned his head and looked over; it was none other than Rong Yu.

It had been almost half a year since I last saw Rong Yu. He looked much thinner, his face was pale, and he didn't seem very energetic.

Upon seeing the mirror inside the car, Rong Yu waved in the direction of the car.

Shi Jing rolled down the car window and was quite surprised to see Rong Yu looking like a decadent beauty.

"Brother Yu, you've lost so much weight."

Shi Jing was telling the truth; Rong Yuzhen had lost a lot of weight compared to six months ago. She wondered if it was because the research project this time was too demanding.

Rong Yu rubbed his temples and blinked: "It's nothing, I'm perfectly healthy."

"We can't be careless," Shi Jing said, not entirely agreeing.

She quickly parked the car in the parking space before getting out of the car with her bags.

"These are things I brought for you. Since you're here, please help me carry them." Shi Jing didn't stand on ceremony with Rong Yu and gave him most of them.

Looking around, he asked, "Where is the research center's dormitory building? Fang Ning is in the dormitory area."

"The dormitory area is quite a distance from here, let's drive there."

"Why?"

Shi Jing really didn't know any of this. Fang Ning had only been at the research center for a short time and wasn't very familiar with the situation there, so she didn't tell her about it.

There is also a parking lot in the dormitory area where you can park temporarily.

Upon hearing Rong Yu's words, Shi Jing got into the car and restarted it.

After the car started, Shi Jing's phone rang. It was Fang Ning calling.

It turned out that Fang Ning knew Shi Jing was arriving soon and rushed out to meet her. However, she couldn't find him in the parking lot and only learned from a passing researcher that the dormitory area was just a temporary parking lot, while the research area had another one.

"You're in the parking lot over by the dorm? Wait a moment, I'm on my way, I'll be there soon."

After listening to Fang Ning's words, Shi Jing gave her some instructions.