Chapter 35 You said you could give me all your time...

This ICPC regional competition was held at another university in the city. The temperature plummeted on the day of the competition, and Jiang Luo wore a thick down jacket, a scarf, and a woolen hat, covering himself up completely. Their school sent three teams this time, and the competition officially began after the opening ceremony.

The regional competition is on par with the national competition, and its scale is much larger than any of the competitions Jiang Luo had participated in before. Of course, this is far from the end.

For Jiang Luo, the competition wasn't a burden or a chore. He participated in ACM competitions purely because he loved algorithms, just like his two senior teammates. They didn't participate to pave the way for future graduate school admissions or employment; it was simply out of passion. Moreover, with algorithm competitions, you can't stick with it for long without genuine passion.

Three people shared one computer. The first three questions were easy, and they passed them without much trouble. After each question was assessed, a volunteer would place a balloon of a different color in a prominent place on the table. The team with the most balloons of a particular color indicated which question had the most successful answers. In addition to the balloons, an electronic leaderboard also displayed the number of teams that had passed each question in real time. Jiang Luo's team used the leaderboard to answer the questions, adjusting their answering order accordingly. When they encountered a question they were stuck on, they would tackle the ones with the highest success rate first, making better use of their time.

Jiang Luo personally dislikes relying on leaderboards when solving problems, as it's easy to be misled by strange approaches. Problems with high pass rates aren't necessarily simple to solve, and problems with low pass rates aren't necessarily difficult. If you depend too much on leaderboard data, your team's rhythm can easily get disrupted.

Qin Yifan was looking at the question, while another teammate was typing code. After submitting, the code displayed "WA (Wrong Answer)". Jiang Luo came over to take a look.

"Is the hash value too small?" Jiang Luo said.

Zhou Ting also noticed it. He nodded, modified the code, then made a small change. After finishing the changes, he wrote a test program to check it out. Once he confirmed that there were no problems, he resubmitted it.

It passed this time.

The three had a clear division of labor: whoever started the problem, whoever did the coding, and once a decision was made, they implemented it, maintaining a good pace. Of course, there were bound to be times when they got stuck. Right now, it was Jiang Luo's turn to code, while Qin Yifan and Zhou Ting were working through the problem on scratch paper, both of them stuck.

At lunchtime, the volunteers distributed lunch to each team's table. It was McDonald's. Jiang Luo was focused on coding when a hamburger aroma suddenly wafted over from the side.

Qin Yifan, munching on a hamburger, leaned closer. Jiang Luo was almost finished; this question was a bit difficult. Qin Yifan asked, "What are the chances of passing?"

Jiang Luo looked at the screen and said, "Probably 80%."

Submit and evaluate.

pass.

"Sure, sure." Qin Yifan brought over his lunch. "Let's eat first."

Jiang Luo took out the hamburger and asked Qin Yifan and Zhou Ting, "How did you two do with those two questions?"

"Cut." Qin Yifan took a sip of cola and handed him several sheets of draft paper filled with writing. Jiang Luo had also seen this problem, so Qin Yifan directly told him his thought process: "I want to first calculate the contribution of taking the negative answer or not. If taking the negative answer for each row contributes more, then I'll take the negative answer. But if I calculate it this way, I can only process 100,000 rows per second. When there are 1 million rows of data, it will time out. It won't work."

Jiang Luo looked down at the draft paper. This problem was indeed difficult. Qin Yifan clicked his tongue and said, "Forget it, let's not struggle with it anymore. Let's put it aside for now."

Zhou Ting had quickly finished his lunch. He stood up and walked behind Jiang Luo: "Jiang Luo, go eat over there. I'm going to board a plane."

"Okay." Jiang Luo switched places with him.

"You eat so fast." Qin Yifan was surprised. It had only been three minutes since the volunteers delivered the food, and this person's eating speed was astonishing.

Zhou Ting typed on the keyboard and said, "I don't have time to savor it slowly."

The competition lasts five hours. The electronic leaderboard displays the real-time rankings of each team. The leaderboard closes after the fourth hour, and the rankings are no longer visible until the end of the competition. Jiang Luo's team was ranked 30th when the leaderboard closed; only the top 26 teams could win the gold medal.

The questions were getting harder and harder, and the time spent on each question was getting longer and longer. By this point, Jiang Luo's team had already solved 7 questions and had only half an hour left. They had already given up on the question that Qin Yifan had set out to solve, as they couldn't afford to waste too much time on one question.

The three people were discussing another problem. Qin Yifan and Zhou Ting both had ideas, but they couldn't figure out how to implement it in code.

Jiang Luo looked at his draft paper and said, "I want to try directly enumerating all the possibilities of length T, and then verify them one by one using hashing."

"Will it exceed the time limit?" Zhou Ting asked.

Jiang Luo used harmonic series to derive the time complexity. According to his calculations, it should theoretically not time out. He said, "Let's try it."

Jiang Luo started coding on the computer in a race against time, submitting the code in the last minute. The three of them held their breath and stared intently at the computer screen.

During the computer testing, a spinning circle appeared on the screen, and then the next second a "AC (Pass)" message popped up.

Qin Yifan chuckled and said "Damn," then reached out and ruffled Jiang Luo's hair: "It still has to be our Luo-zai."

Jiang Luo had just finished typing a piece of code and felt extremely pleased and satisfied. He smiled and said, "I still don't know if I'll be able to get a card."

Qin Yifan waved his hand magnanimously: "Whether we get the cards or not, the three of us have done our best today, so we have no regrets."

Half an hour after the competition ended, the awards ceremony began, and the rankings were officially announced. The team names on the electronic leaderboard scrolled rapidly, and the rankings kept changing. Jiang Luo's team surpassed 12 other teams, rising directly to 18th place and winning the gold medal.

"Damn..." Qin Yifan guessed that their team would surpass a few teams, but he didn't expect it to surpass so many, which shows how valuable the problem Jiang Luo just solved was.

Looking at the list, Zhou Ting finally showed some expression. He turned to look at his two teammates beside him and smiled faintly: "Thank you for your hard work."

It was rare for him to be so emotional, so Qin Yifan turned around and hugged him tightly, patting him on the back: "You've worked hard."

Zhou Ting pushed him away with disgust: "Just talk, don't get handsy."

"You're quite the troublemaker." Qin Yifan chuckled, then turned to look at Jiang Luo and couldn't help but sigh, "You really have talent."

Jiang Luo smiled and said, "I think so too."

Zhou Ting chuckled briefly beside her.

"You're not modest at all," Qin Yifan said with a smile, flicking Jiang Luo's forehead.

The other two teams sent by their school team won silver and bronze medals respectively. The awards ceremony officially ended at around 5 p.m.

Winter days are short; it gets dark by 5 p.m., and the temperature drops several degrees as soon as the sun sets. Qin Yifan wasn't dressed warmly enough today. He didn't feel it indoors, but once he stepped off the field, he shivered from the cold.

"Damn, it's so cold." Qin Yifan rubbed his neck.

"It's gotten really cold today, and you're wearing so little," a teammate remarked.

"It felt alright during the day, but ugh... it's freezing at night."

Seeing that he was shivering and huddled up, Jiang Luo took off her scarf and handed it to him: "Wrap this up in to keep out the wind and avoid catching a cold."

"Hey, Luo Zai is so nice." Qin Yifan took the scarf and wrapped it around his neck.

Jiang Luo asked with a smile, "Do you want the hat too?"

"No need, you can wear it. Your head is so small, I'll stretch your hat out later."

Jiang Luo laughed: "It's not that exaggerated, it's not that serious."

Tonight, the teams that participated in the competition were going to have a celebratory dinner. After the competition, the group went directly to the restaurant by car.

As soon as Jiang Luo got into the car, he took out his phone, intending to message Gu Shiyue. His phone was on Do Not Disturb mode, and only after turning it off did he realize that Gu Shiyue had sent him a message half an hour earlier—"Is the match over?"

Jiang Luo immediately replied: It's over, it's over. My phone was on Do Not Disturb mode just now, so I didn't receive your message.

Gu Shiyue: Hmm, you're back at school?

Jiang Luo: Not yet. The school team is having a dinner party tonight, and I'll be eating with them later.

Gu Shiyue: Okay, I understand.

Jiang Luo looked down at his phone. In fact, for a moment when he picked up his phone, he didn't know what he wanted to say to Gu Shiyue. He just instinctively wanted to find him.

He hadn't seen Gu Shiyue for more than half a month.

The dinner party ended at 7:30 p.m., but the group didn't disperse. They planned to find another place to have some fun and finally decided on a folk music bar near the restaurant.

Just now at the dinner table, this group of people were discussing the topic of today's competition. Now that they've moved to the bar, the topic is still the same, and they're having a lively discussion.

Not everyone is willing to talk about professional topics when they are relaxed. Someone laughed and said, "Are you guys bored? You've been talking about this since we were eating."

Someone replied, "That's energetic."

"Sigh." The man shook his head with a smile. "I'm truly impressed by you guys, you bunch of scheming geniuses."

Zhou Ting seemed to be in a different world from them, quietly drinking and listening to the band on stage. Jiang Luo also didn't like discussing professional matters while having fun, and besides, his mind was elsewhere.

He rested his chin on his hand, sipping his wine slowly, and before he knew it, he had drunk quite a bit. The screen of his phone on the table lit up; Jiang Luo glanced down and saw a message pop up—

Gu Shiyue: Is the dinner party over?

Jiang Luo quickly grabbed his phone, put down his wine glass, and typed a reply: "Not yet TvT, they've found another place to hang out."

Gu Shiyue: Hmm

Gu Shiyue: Go home and rest early after you're done playing.

Jiang Luo picked up his phone and stood up. He went outside and leaned against the wall in the corridor, looking down at his phone.

Gu Shiyue didn't send any more messages. He stared at the chat interface for a few seconds, then without thinking much, he made a phone call.

The phone rang twice before being answered, and Gu Shiyue's deep voice came through the phone: "Hello?"

"Senior." Jiang Luo pursed his lips. "Can I come to see you today? I...I want to see Mian Tuan."

You contacted me just to see it?

“I…” Jiang Luo lowered her eyes, her finger gently tracing circles on the wall. “I still want to see you. I haven’t seen you in so long.”

Jiang Luo felt dizzy. He thought he might have drunk too much today, otherwise why would he have spoken his mind so freely?

The person on the other end of the phone was silent for a moment, then said, "Where are you now? I'll come pick you up."

Jiang Luo was taken aback: "Now?"

"Yes, now."

Jiang Luo went back after making the call. It was warm inside the bar. He had taken off his down jacket earlier and hadn't put his coat back on when he went outside, so he was a little cold. He turned his head and sneezed.

"Why aren't you wearing any clothes when you go out?" Zhou Ting turned to look at him. "Put on your coat, don't catch a cold."

Jiang Luo put on his down jacket. Qin Yifan had drunk a bit too much today and was clearly a little excited. He held a glass of wine to Zhou Ting's lips: "Try it, this is pretty good."

Zhou Ting glanced at him: "How much did you drink today?"

"What?" Qin Yifan laughed. "I'm not drunk."

Zhou Ting pushed the glass of wine away: "I don't want to drink it."

"Damn it, do you think I've already drunk it?" Qin Yifan saw right through him. "This was just brought by the waiter. Besides, so what if I have drunk it? Why are you being so difficult? I'm the one who's always trying to win your favor."

Zhou Ting wiped her mouth with a tissue and didn't say anything.

Jiang Luo was laughing with his head down beside him. Qin Yifan glanced at him and laughed too: "What are you laughing about so secretly?"

Jiang Luo smiled for a while and then said to him, "Captain, I might have to leave early later."

"Is something the matter?"

"I guess so."

Qin Yifan seemed to remember something and slammed his hand on the table: "I forgot about the eight-inch cake."

Zhou Ting glanced at him: "What eight-inch cake?"

"Luo Zai's eight-inch cake."

Jiang Luo laughed and said, "I was just kidding. You're really planning to buy it?"

"Absolutely." Qin Yifan took out his phone. "I'll order now, so we can all eat together."

"It's not just for me," Jiang Luo joked.

Qin Yifan said with a smile, "Then I'll order another one for you separately. You can't leave until you finish it."

"No, spare me."

There are very few dessert shops that offer birthday cakes for order in the evening. Qin Yifan searched for a long time before finding one that had stock and could deliver it immediately after ordering.

Qin Yifan had initially worried that the group wouldn't be able to eat cake after just finishing a meal, but it turned out he was overthinking it. Jiang Luo was eating his cake when Qin Yifan leaned over and wrapped his arms around his neck, reeking of alcohol: "How was our eight-inch cake?"

Jiang Luo nodded: "Excellent. Thank you for your expense, Captain."

"You're being too polite."

Jiang Luo smiled, her eyes narrowed: "No, I won't stand on ceremony with you."

Qin Yifan was indeed very happy today and had drunk quite a bit. He vigorously rubbed Jiang Luo's head and said, "If you hadn't solved that problem today, we might not have been able to get the gold medal. How come you're so capable?"

Jiang Luo smiled and said, "Without the problems you solved before, solving that one problem alone wouldn't be useful."

Gu Shiyue had already arrived. After getting out of the car, he went straight into the bar. He stood at the entrance, glanced around, and his gaze fell on Jiang Luo's table.

Jiang Luo was wearing a down jacket and was already a bit warm, and Qin Yifan was huddled next to him like a giant heater, his arm habitually draped over Jiang Luo's shoulder.

Jiang Luo sat down to the side, and was about to push Qin Yifan's hand away when she looked up and saw Gu Shiyue standing not far away.

Gu Shiyue looked over here, his face expressionless.

Jiang Luo quickly stood up. As soon as he stood up, everyone else, not knowing what was going on, looked up at him in unison.

"Well, I have to go now, you guys have fun," Jiang Luo said to everyone as she picked up her bag.

Qin Yifan was a little out of it from drinking. He forgot what Jiang Luo had just said to him as soon as he turned his head. He grabbed Jiang Luo's arm and said, "Where are you going so early?"

Jiang Luo said with a hint of helplessness, "Captain, I already told you I have to leave early today."

Qin Yifan was confused: "When did you say that?"

Zhou Ting clicked his tongue and slapped Qin Yifan's hand hard with a loud "smack." Qin Yifan let go of his hand in pain: "Damn it, why did you hit me?"

Zhou Ting glanced at him: "I'm just trying to wake you up."

Jiang Luo hastily put her woolen hat on her head, grabbed her schoolbag, and hurried over to Gu Shiyue's side.

"Senior...Senior." Jiang Luo walked up to Gu Shiyue, her face flushed and her voice slightly breathless.

Gu Shiyue glanced at their table, then looked back at Jiang Luo: "Have you been drinking?"

Jiang Luo nodded: "...Mm."

Since they were at a bar, it was impossible not to drink, but Jiang Luo had clearly drunk quite a bit. He smelled faintly of alcohol, his eyes were misty, and his gaze was unfocused. He was wearing a light-colored short down jacket and a light gray beanie. It had been more than half a month since I last saw him, and his hair had grown a bit longer, lying messily under the hat, covering his forehead and ears.

He looked up at Gu Shiyue, his lips slightly parted unconsciously, and because he had been drinking, his lips were more rosy than usual.

"I...I didn't drink much," Jiang Luo said softly, blinking her eyes and the strands of hair on her eyelashes trembling slightly.

"You didn't drink much, yet your face is so red."

Jiang Luo lowered her head, her fingers hooking the hem of her clothes: "I only became famous because I saw you."

After saying this, Jiang Luo's face truly turned red with embarrassment. Earlier it was because of the alcohol, but now it was genuinely because of Gu Shiyue.

"Jiang Luo." Gu Shiyue suddenly called his name, his voice low and hoarse, his tone heavy.

Jiang Luo suddenly raised her head, looked at him, and her eyes trembled slightly.

Gu Shiyue's eyes flashed with emotion, and he remained silent for a long time before saying, "Let's go back first."

Stepping outside, a gust of cold wind hit Jiang Luo, making her shrink her neck. Gu Shiyue was wearing a gray-brown wool coat today; he looked handsome and showed off his physique, but he didn't seem to be resistant to the cold. Jiang Luo turned to look at him: "Senior...aren't you cold?"

Gu Shiyue shook his head.

The two walked side by side, their hands inevitably touching as they hung at their sides; Gu Shiyue's hands were very cold.

“But your hands are cold.” Jiang Luo looked down at his hands.

Jiang Luo actually wanted to hold his hand, because she hadn't been able to last time.

Alcohol amplifies deep-seated desires. Jiang Luo had already said many blunt and ambiguous things today under the influence of alcohol. Now, the cold wind had sobered him up a bit. Gu Shiyue turned to look at him, and he pursed his lips, holding back what he was about to say.

On the way back, Gu Shiyue barely spoke, and Jiang Luo also suddenly became very quiet after getting into the car. The two remained almost silent the entire way.

Gu Shiyue took Jiang Luo back to his place. After getting off the elevator, Gu Shiyue swiped his fingerprint on the door lock. Jiang Luo stood behind him, and his phone rang. He took it out and glanced at it; it was Qin Yifan calling.

"Hello, Captain?" Jiang Luo answered the phone.

Gu Shiyue paused for a moment while holding the doorknob.

"Luozi, your scarf is still with me," Qin Yifan said loudly on the other end of the phone.

"Ah...it's okay, you can keep it for now, I'll—"

Before Jiang Luo could finish speaking, Gu Shiyue grabbed her wrist and pulled her into the house.

With a bang, the door slammed shut. Before Jiang Luo could react, Gu Shiyue had already pinned him against the door. Gu Shiyue gripped his wrist, pressing the hand holding his phone against the door. Jiang Luo was momentarily stunned, and in the blink of an eye, Gu Shiyue suddenly lowered his head and kissed his lips.

Jiang Luo's breath hitched, and she suddenly opened her eyes wide.

Qin Yifan's voice was still coming from the phone speaker: "I'll just take it to your dorm when I get back to school... Hello? Luo Zai?"

Their icy lips met, and Jiang Luo felt as if she had fallen into deep water, surrounded by complete silence.

A moment later, Gu Shiyue pulled away from Jiang Luo's lips. His hand was still gripping Jiang Luo's wrist, and his gaze swept over the phone in Jiang Luo's hand.

Jiang Luo's mind went blank. His hand slowly slid down from the door, his fingers mechanically tapping the screen to hang up the phone. He leaned against the door, tilting his head slightly to meet Gu Shiyue's gaze.

"You said you'd give me all your time," Gu Shiyue asked him. "Do you remember that?"

Jiang Luo nodded, looking dazed.

Gu Shiyue looked down at him, her fingertips gently stroking his wrist pulse, her voice low and husky: "I want more than just your time, I want you too."