Chapter 65 Defense

After going through a lot of difficulties (mainly with formatting and expression), I finally finished the main body of the paper. When it came to the acknowledgments, I typed on the keyboard without hesitation:

First and foremost, I want to express my sincere gratitude to my beloved. Throughout this challenging and busy time, he has provided me with meticulous companionship, unwavering support, and selfless help. His presence has been my warmest harbor and strongest motivation on my journey forward.

Although I don't dare to be too explicit, the word "lover" is the most subtle and sweet way I can show off! Then I thanked my dedicated and responsible mentor, my parents who supported me silently (although in a unique way), and my friends who struggled (and wailed) with me.

When I finally put the period, I let out a long, deep breath and felt so light that I could float.

"Finally...finally finished! This damn graduation thesis!" I slumped in the chair like a dried salted fish.

Lin Yan took the document I sent him, turned into a "format patrol team", and helped me pick out a few minor formatting issues.

After completing the modifications, I clicked send again with a feeling of trepidation and anticipation.

Every minute I waited for my instructor's reply felt like it was being stretched out. Finally, the email notification sounded!

I nervously clicked on it—

The instructor's response was brief. He pointed out a few minor issues (mainly areas where the expression could be more rigorous), and then changed the subject:

The overall completion is very high, the paper is written very carefully, and there are basically no formatting issues. This is worthy of praise.

"Yeah!" I couldn't help but cheer out loud, and immediately took a screenshot and sent it to Lin Yan with a grinning emoji: [My instructor praised my good formatting! He said I was very attentive! Thanks to Teacher Lin's guidance!]

The instructor then sent another message, which was a bit gossipy:

Is your partner a graduate student? Why is he so careful in checking the format for you?

Me: “…” I didn’t expect my instructor to be so gossipy! I thought about it and replied:

[No, it's a classmate of the same grade.]

Instructor: [Oh? This girl is very attentive. Not bad.]

I:【……】

Looking at the words "careful girl" on the screen, and thinking about Lin Yan who just sent me a restricted message like "Baby, how about trying to cover your eyes next time? I want to listen to you just based on your feelings...", the corners of my mouth twitched wildly.

Forget it, forget it... I'd better not tell the mentor the truth. The old man's heart is in danger, so this kind of "surprise" is better off being forgotten.

A few days later, the list of defense groups was announced, which instantly caused an uproar in the class group.

Everyone was discussing the teachers in the defense group, wailing that they had been assigned to the "death group."

I quickly clicked on the list to check, and my heart sank instantly - the leader of our group's defense team turned out to be the vice president of the college!

This big guy is known for his rigorous academic approach, strict requirements, and sharp questions!

Even more terrifying was that Wang Hao sent me a private message, his tone filled with despair:

[Chen Rui! We're a team of two! It's over! The defense team leader is Vice Dean X! I heard it's super strict! And... he seems to be an expert in our field of research! Oh my god, showing off in front of him is like asking for trouble! What should I do? What should I do?]

Wang Hao's nagging instantly ignited my anxiety. The thought of presenting my rehashed graduation project to such a prominent figure, and enduring his potentially highly professional interrogation, made my scalp tingle, and my heart, which had just been at peace, rose to my throat again.

"Lin Yan!" I rushed over to Lin Yan, who was reading a book, with a sad face. "It's over! I'm assigned to the vice president's group! I heard he's super fierce! And he's an expert! I'm doomed!"

Lin Yan put down the book, pulled me into his arms, and patted my back soothingly: "Don't panic. I know Vice Dean X. We've talked a few times."

"Huh?" I looked up at him in surprise. "How come you know everyone?"

"He was a little interested in our lab's projects before, and we've discussed them before," Lin Yan said casually, then looked at me seriously. "He seems quite serious and strong on the surface, with a strong aura. But he's actually very kind to students. He's not the kind of teacher who deliberately makes things difficult or messes with people's mentality. He just likes to see if his students have real ideas and whether they have their own thoughts. Just remember one thing: your graduation project is something you created bit by bit! That's your greatest confidence!"

He pinched my face and encouraged me, "During your defense, hold your head high, speak loudly, and present your work confidently. Explain clearly what you did, why you did it, and what the results were. So what if you're an expert? You're the most familiar with your work! What are you afraid of?"

Listening to his calm and powerful analysis, my panic subsided a little, but I still couldn't help sighing, "Ah... I understand the logic. But when I think of that scene, with several teachers surrounding you, their eyes like searchlights, and the questions they ask might be very tricky... my legs go weak..."

"Weak legs?" Lin Yan raised an eyebrow, his hand began to slide down dishonestly, "Then let me help you 'exercise'?"

"Get lost!" I slapped his hand away with a red face, "I'm talking to you about something serious!"

"I'm talking about 'business,'" Lin Yan said with an innocent look, then added seriously, "Okay, Ruirui, don't scare yourself. Like I said, show your confidence. You did it yourself, what are you afraid of? True gold fears no fire."

Having said that, looking at the "anxious emoticons" that kept flooding Wang Hao's WeChat screen, and thinking about the Vice President's face that was intimidating without even being angry, I took a deep breath.

Alright, sticking your head out is a stab wound, and hiding your head is also a stab wound. Just go for it! The worst that can happen... after the defense, I'll hug Lin Yan and cry!

For this defense that would determine my life or death, I put in the same effort as I would in the final sprint for the college entrance exam to make the PPT.

I carefully selected the most popular academic-style template online, made a few pages, and then decided it was too tacky. I was afraid it would look insincere if I copied everyone else's, so I stayed up all night to create a more "unique" version. My dark circles are almost reaching the corners of my mouth.

Seeing me meticulously working on the computer screen, even spending ages agonizing over a single animation effect, Lin Yan couldn't help but sigh, "Ruirui, you're too nervous. The defense is all about the content, and PPT is just a supplement."

"Wow, you don't understand!" I didn't even look up, my fingers swiping rapidly across the touchpad. "In four years of college, apart from being forced to speak for group projects, when have I ever really given a speech? What if I'm already stumbling over my words and the PPT is awful? Wouldn't that just make things worse? I'll be completely screwed!!"

Lin Yan was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

His own defense was scheduled for the last day. With his achievements and consistent performance, an excellent graduation thesis was basically in his pocket, and it was very easy.

I looked at his relaxed demeanor and a light bulb went off in my head. I leaned over and asked, "By the way! How did you make your PPT? It's so concise and impressive."

Lin Yan smiled and said casually, "After I finished writing the speech, I found an AI tool to generate it with one click. I also adjusted the layout a little bit."

I:"……"

A surge of inexplicable anger suddenly rose up! Comparison is the thief of anger!

I immediately transformed into a landlord, clasping my hands on my hips to enslave him: "Lin Yan! I don't care! Do it for me! Right now! Right now! Delete all that fancy stuff! I want your aloof style... Oh no, simple and sophisticated style!"

Lin Yan took the computer resignedly and quickly deleted all the "cool" animations, complex backgrounds, and redundant texts that I had carefully designed, leaving only the core framework, key charts, and conclusions. It was as clean as a young man who had just shaved his head.

I looked at the "thin" page, my heart pounding again: "This little...will it work? Will it seem like I'm being perfunctory?"

"You only have five minutes to present your speech, and ten minutes at most including questions." Lin Yan tapped my forehead. "If it's too long, the instructor will get annoyed. It's best to skip those clichés like background introduction and significance explanation. Focus on clearly explaining what you did, how you did it, and what the results were."

"Then...what if I can't finish speaking?" I was worried.

Lin Yan pulled me into his arms, rubbing his chin against the top of my head. "You, aren't you usually the most carefree, with a heart bigger than the Pacific Ocean? Why are you so cowardly now?"

"How can this be the same?" I grabbed his collar, "This is the last straw that determines whether I can graduate successfully!"

On the day of the defense, Lin Yan insisted on coming along, calling himself the "family support group."

He held my hand all the way, straightening my collar and smoothing my hair as if no one was around. His affectionate behavior almost frightened Wang Hao, who was already extremely nervous, to death.

From the dormitory to the teaching building, I received stares and whispers all the way.

When I walked into the defense classroom, there were already quite a few people sitting inside and the air was filled with tension.

Lin Yan ruffled my hair as if no one was around, said "Come on," and then walked straight to the last row of the classroom and sat down. He also greeted the teachers who had arrived earlier.

A teacher was puzzled: "Lin Yan? Aren't you in the group for the next few days? Why are you here so early?"

Lin Yan smiled calmly: "Hello, teacher, I'm here to accompany Chen Rui."

The teacher suddenly understood and nodded with a smile: "Oh! Accompanying your roommates? You guys have such a good relationship in the dormitory."

Wang Hao and I, who were standing near the podium preparing to copy the PPT, said: "..."

Wang Hao looked at me with a complex look of "So that's it".