Mr. Nice Guy has a new friend?

The aftereffects of Sunday's half-mile hike arrived promptly on Monday morning. Gu Yansheng, bracing himself against thigh muscles that felt as sore as if filled with vinegar, felt a distinct buildup of lactic acid with every step, as he trudged into the research institute building, his teeth bared.

The physical fatigue was like an invisible burden, reminding him of the regret of not giving his best yesterday, and also foreshadowing a difficult Monday.

Sure enough, at the morning meeting, project leader Wang Bo pushed his glasses, glanced at everyone, and finally landed on Gu Yansheng, his tone filled with unquestionable expectations.

"Xiao Gu, the finalization of the Phase II clinical data and the preliminary analysis report for the 'Anminqing' project are of paramount importance and are directly related to subsequent review and progress. You have been deeply involved in the compilation of core data and have an excellent grasp of details. You will be responsible for the compilation and presentation of this report at the interim summary meeting next Friday."

"An Minqing"—a project Gu Yansheng cherished like a treasure. Becoming the reporter implied immense trust, but it also meant a week filled with a torrent of data verification, chart creation, report writing, and responding to every possible challenge. The pressure was like a literal tide, instantly flooding his limbs, even briefly overcoming the pain in his thigh.

Gu Yansheng took a deep breath, suppressed the nervousness in his heart, met Professor Wang's gaze, and nodded solemnly, "Okay, Wang Bo, I will do my best." The sense of responsibility instantly replaced the physical fatigue, and he knew that he had no way out.

As soon as the meeting ended, he didn't even return to his workstation, but went straight to the tea room. While pouring water, he quickly took out his phone and clicked on the chat box that was pinned to the top.

[The meeting just ended, and the task of reporting on the final phase of the clinical trial for "Anminqing" fell to me.]

[I'll probably be staying at the research institute for the next week. (kitten sighs.jpg)]

The message was replied almost instantly.

Jiang Lin: [I understand.]

Jiang Lin: [The counseling session has been scheduled. Hu Meiling will be at your apartment at 7:30 tonight.]

Jiang Lin: [Let’s have dinner together tonight.]

As always, his words were concise and to the point, without any emotional interjections, but he accurately covered all his potential needs at the moment - he knew his pressure, forced him to get the psychological counseling he had been avoiding, and even solved the dinner problem.

Gu Yansheng looked at the cold text on the screen, but a strange warmth and sense of security rose in his heart. He silently replied with a puppy nodding "hmm" emoji.

It was lunchtime, and Gu Yansheng was frowning at a pile of data charts on his computer screen, trying to get one last bite before the cafeteria crowd arrived. A vibrant voice rang out beside his desk:

"Teacher Gu? Excuse me, I'm Lin Yang, a new member who just joined our group this week!"

Gu Yansheng looked up and saw a young man in a neat white coat, smiling brightly, standing next to him, also holding a plate. The man had delicate features, his eyes filled with the enthusiasm of a newcomer to the workplace and respect for his seniors.

"Ah, hello, hello, Lin Yang, right? Welcome, welcome!" Gu Yansheng immediately put down the mouse and habitually showed a gentle smile. He has always been very patient with newcomers. "Don't call me teacher, just call me by my name or Xiao Gu. Sit down." He pointed to the empty seat opposite.

Lin Yang sat down obediently, his smile growing even wider. "That's so rude, Brother Gu! I've heard that you're the backbone of our institute's 'An Minqing' project, a data expert! I'm new here and completely clueless. I'm both excited and nervous. I'd appreciate your guidance in the future, Brother Gu!"

He speaks briskly and with the youthful vigor that is typical of young people, which easily makes people like him.

"It's not that exaggerated. I just did some extra basic work." Gu Yansheng waved his hand modestly, but the feeling of being recognized still made him feel a little happier. "It's always like this during the adaptation period. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Everyone in the group is very nice."

"Great! Brother Gu, you're a lifesaver!" Lin Yang's eyes lit up, and he immediately took out his phone and swiftly opened the WeChat QR code. "Brother Gu, can you add me on WeChat? If I don't understand something in the future, I might have to bother you more often."

"Of course." Gu Yansheng didn't hesitate at all, taking out his phone to scan the code and add him. Looking at the newly added "Lin Yang (new colleague)" in the address book, he seemed to see his ignorant self when he first joined the company. He wanted to help as much as possible; it was his instinct.

"Thank you, Brother Gu! Please eat first, I won't disturb you any longer!" Lin Yang achieved his goal and tactfully did not sit for long. He took his meal tray and went to another table with his colleagues. Soon his cheerful laughter could be heard from there.

Gu Yansheng smiled and continued to deal with his lunch and the data on the screen.

When he got home from work, Jiang Lin had already finished his shift. The exquisite dinner he had prepared was neatly placed on the table. Gu Yansheng was too tired to have much of an appetite, but thinking of Jiang Lin's "supervision" and the evening counseling session, he forced himself to sit down. Just as he picked up his chopsticks, his phone screen lit up with a message from Lin Yang.

Lin Yang: [Brother Gu! Are you home yet? Thank you so much for visiting us today!]

Lin Yang: [I just looked through the work notes you sent me this afternoon. Oh my god! They're so detailed and helpful! From experimental record keeping standards to data processing tips, there are so many common pitfalls highlighted! This is a complete guide for beginners!]

Lin Yang: [Brother Gu, you've really helped me a lot! I don't know how to thank you enough!]

Lin Yang: [Are you free tomorrow night? Please give me a chance to treat you to a meal to express my gratitude! You choose the place!]

Looking at the barrage of messages filled with sincere gratitude on the screen, a smile appeared on Gu Yansheng's tired face. He put down his chopsticks and tapped his fingers on the screen.

Gu Yansheng: [I'm home, eating. As long as the notes are useful, they're all my own summaries of past mistakes. I'm glad they can help you.]

Gu Yansheng: [No need to eat, you're too polite. We're all colleagues, it's only natural to help each other.]

Gu Yansheng: [You're new here, so you'll have a lot of money to spend. Save some for yourself and buy yourself some good food. Read my notes carefully, and getting started as soon as possible will be the best way to thank me. (Smile)]

As soon as he sent the message, the other party replied almost instantly.

Lin Yang: [That won’t work! Brother Gu, it’s just a meal, you have to give me this opportunity! Otherwise, I will feel uneasy!]

Lin Yang: [How about tomorrow night? I know a really good private restaurant with a quiet environment and great food! I promise it won't take up too much of your time!]

Gu Yansheng sighed helplessly at the other party's relentless enthusiasm. He was not good at rejecting other people's kindness, especially when the other party was so sincere. Just as he was considering how to respond more tactfully without hurting the other party's feelings, a low and cold voice sounded from the other side:

"Don't talk while eating." Jiang Lin had sat down across the table without him knowing when. He cut a piece of steak gracefully, and the knife and fork made a crisp and subtle sound when they collided with the bone china plate. He didn't even raise his eyelids, and his tone was calm, but it carried an invisible pressure.

Gu Yansheng's fingers froze, and he subconsciously placed his phone face down on the table, as if he'd been caught doing something he felt guilty about. He picked up his chopsticks and shoveled through the vegetables in his bowl. After a moment's thought, he decided to bring this up with Jiang Lin, since his phone had been ringing non-stop.

"Oh, it's a new graduate in our group, Lin Yang." Gu Yansheng cleared his throat, trying to sound more natural. "He's a cheerful young man. He added me on WeChat this afternoon and said he wanted me to mentor him. I saw he was quite ambitious, so I sent him some of my old work notes. He was so polite that he insisted on treating me to a meal to express his gratitude."

Jiang Lin cut the steak without a pause, the sharp knife easily slicing through the well-defined texture of the meat. He hummed in response, his emotion unsettled.

He picked up a small piece of beef with a fork and put it into his mouth, chewing it slowly, his eyes focused on the food on his plate, as if he had no interest in the "Lin Yang" and "please eat" mentioned by Gu Yansheng.

Gu Yansheng didn't notice the sudden drop in pressure on the opposite side, or rather, Jiang Lin's mask of indifference has always been impeccable.

Seeing that Jiang Lin didn't seem to care, he continued speaking, his tone showing a hint of appreciation from a senior towards a junior. "He is indeed very perceptive and proactive. I saw him asking questions at the meeting today, and his thinking was quite clear. He seems to be a smart young man. If he is trained well, he should be able to stand on his own in the future very soon..."

He thought of Lin Yang's sunny smile and energetic look, and couldn't help but add a few more words, "A bit like... well, a bit like you when we were in junior high school. Although not as cold as you, the drive to move forward is quite similar."

As soon as he said "a bit like you", Gu Yansheng felt a little regretful. This metaphor seemed inappropriate.

At this moment, Jiang Lin's fork gently bumped against the edge of the plate, making a slightly more abrupt sound than before. He finally raised his eyes.

The gaze was calm and deep like a bottomless cold pond, falling precisely on Gu Yansheng's face, with an invisible scrutiny and penetrating power.

He didn't say anything, just looked at him quietly. The warm yellow light of the restaurant fell on his well-defined profile, casting a small shadow, making his already cold features even more elusive.

The air seemed to freeze for a few seconds. Gu Yansheng felt a little uncomfortable being stared at, and subconsciously avoided his gaze, looking down at the uncut steak on his plate. His arm seemed to begin to itch again.

"Let's eat." Jiang Lin finally spoke again, his voice still steady and low, but with a hint of undeniable coldness and hardness. He withdrew his gaze and focused on his steak again, as if the brief gaze just now was just Gu Yansheng's illusion.

Gu Yansheng fell silent immediately, obediently picking up his spoon and beginning to sip his soup. He sensed that Jiang Lin was in a… bad mood. Was it because he was looking at his phone while eating? Or was it because he talked too much? He didn't dare mention Lin Yang's dinner invitation again, silently pushing his phone further away.

Dinner was conducted in a delicate silence, with only the occasional clink of cutlery.

At 7:25, the doorbell rang. Hu Meiling, carrying her professional work bag and a gentle, professional smile, stood at the door. "Mr. Gu, good evening. Doctor Jiang told me to come."

Gu Yansheng quickly stood up and opened the door. "Doctor Hu, please come in. I'm sorry to bother you."

Hu Meiling walked in with a smile. When her eyes met Jiang Jin, who was sitting expressionlessly on the sofa in the living room, her smile became more professional and cautious. "Dr. Jiang is here too. Don't worry, I will do my job well."

She added silently in her heart: It’s because of the triple overtime pay and because I really can’t afford to offend this rich sponsor.

Jiang Lin just nodded slightly as a greeting, and signaled Gu Yansheng with his eyes, "Go ahead."

Gu Yansheng and the doctor looked at each other and gave each other fake smiles. They both had some opinions about the man sitting on the sofa.