Chapter 43 Your kindness is fleeting, I don't need it.
The next day, Lin Xili woke up to the aroma of food.
She opened her eyes and found the bed beside her empty, its surface cold to the touch.
He's gone.
She sat up and saw a packed breakfast on the small coffee table by the bed: steaming hot steamed buns and soy milk.
My phone screen lit up; it was a WeChat message from Huo Nanchen.
I'm going back. Take care of yourself.
Lin Xili replied: 【Okay, have a safe trip, please give my regards to Grandma.】
She quietly finished eating the still-warm steamed buns, drank her soy milk, and cleaned up the trash.
After tidying myself up, I picked up the bunch of blue plum blossoms and headed out to the Justice Bureau.
After get off work, Lin Xili returned to her dormitory, where books and materials were spread out, covering her small desk.
The deeper one delves into forensic science, the clearer the forks in the road become.
A pressing hurdle lies ahead: pursuing a doctoral degree while working, choosing a research direction, and applying to universities.
She flipped through the information on several universities she was interested in, including professors' introductions, their main research areas, and their recent achievements.
University A, specializing in physical evidence techniques.
B is an expert in toxicology analysis.
University C stands out in the field of digital forensics.
My fingertips traced the names of the schools, but I couldn't bring myself to write them down.
The path ahead for the next few years, the depth of my career—this decision carries immense weight.
Lin Xili pressed her temples, a feeling of tightness rising within her.
A name popped into her mind—Dr. Blue.
A mentor I'd never met before, whose guidance over the past month has been precise and efficient.
He became the most reliable guide on her academic path.
His replies were never emotional, yet they always hit the nail on the head, clearing away the fog for her.
Lin Xili turned on her computer, and the cursor blinked on the screen.
She created a new email, first briefly reporting her recent learning progress.
Several technical challenges encountered were also listed.
Finally, she took a deep breath and carefully typed on the keyboard:
Dr. Lan, I apologize for bothering you. Regarding the selection of universities for part-time doctoral programs, I currently have several options in mind:
University A focuses on traditional physical evidence techniques and standardization.
University B is a leader in research on trace evidence and the application of advanced instruments.
University C excels in forensic toxicology and screening for emerging poisons.
My forensic background may be better suited to understanding biological evidence, but I hope to make up for my shortcomings in the field of non-biological evidence.
Could you please offer some suggestions from the perspectives of academic frontiers, practical application, and development potential?
Thank you so much.
I carefully checked it again after writing it before clicking send.
Lin Xili stared at the screen, feeling somewhat uneasy. She trusted his professional judgment even more than her own.
But he was also worried that such questions would bother him.
The town of Lixiang is shrouded in deep night.
In the study next to the master bedroom on the second floor, a desk lamp cast a warm glow.
On Huo Nanchen's computer screen, a new email sat quietly at the top of his inbox.
He clicked on it, his gaze sliding over each word.
Seeing the training details she described, the knowledge points were quickly digested.
A slight smile played on his lips, a smile he himself didn't even notice.
He leaned forward slightly when reading about the confusion surrounding the choice of doctoral institutions.
His expression became focused. He leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingertips lightly on the table, and pondered for a moment.
Then, his slender fingers landed on the keyboard.
Your letter has been received. Regarding the selection of universities, the following suggestions are offered:
1. University A has a solid foundation and rigorous methodology, which is conducive to building a strong base. However, its research innovation is slightly lacking, which may be too conservative for you.
2. C University has a strong toxicology program, which overlaps significantly with your existing knowledge base. While this may lead to fruitful results, its contribution to expanding your knowledge boundaries may be limited.
3. University B's research direction aligns better with the modern forensic trend of emphasizing physical evidence and technology. Microscopic evidence is crucial for building an irrefutable chain of proof. Mastering advanced instrumental analysis and data interpretation is a core competency for future forensic experts. This direction is closely connected to your training content and can mutually reinforce each other.
Taking all factors into consideration, we recommend prioritizing University B. Of course, the final choice should be based on your own interests and career plans. Attached are several representative papers from University B in this field over the past three years for your reference.
After clicking send, the time in the bottom right corner of the screen showed exactly 8:30 PM.
Huo Nanchen leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the window. The night was deep and all was quiet.
He knew that Lin Xili was on the other end of the network, and he knew that she was doing her best for her new goal.
She also knew that she trusted a virtual identity called "Dr. Blue" without reservation.
He knew one thing, she didn't know the other, and he didn't want Lin Xili to know.
The first thing Lin Xili did after washing up was to check her email.
Upon seeing Dr. Lan's timely reply to the long email, she immediately sat up straight.
The screen's light shone on her face as she read carefully, word by word.
When she saw the suggestions about B University, her eyes lit up, and all her hesitation and confusion were instantly dispelled.
Dr. Lan's analysis precisely addressed her inner conflict.
She needs to break through and conquer those more challenging areas.
B University's research direction can perfectly fill her biggest knowledge gap.
Thank you, Dr. Lan. Your analysis has been very enlightening! I will give B University my top priority and carefully read the literature you recommended.
Thank you again for your guidance!
She typed her reply quickly, her heart pounding with joy.
The next day, as she left the Justice Bureau after get off work, she saw a familiar figure that made her feel uncomfortable.
It is Xu Yanchi.
This time, he leaned against a red sports car, standing out conspicuously in the twilight.
"Xi Li." Xu Yanchi greeted him with a smile on his lips.
"Are you free tonight? I know a newly opened French restaurant that's really good."
Lin Xili did not stop walking. "Mr. Xu, I remember I made it very clear last time."
"I know, I know." Xu Yanchi followed closely behind her.
"But Xili, I was wrong in the past. I was blinded by the world's perspective."
"Now I see clearly that you are far superior to Lin Xuenuo, both in terms of ability and character."
"Give me a chance to make amends, let me be good to you, okay?"
"Your kindness is fleeting, I can't bear it, nor do I need it." Lin Xili stopped and stood still, coldly uttering these words.
"Furthermore, Mr. Xu, please be mindful of your conduct; this is the entrance to the Bureau of Justice."
"Is it appropriate for you to drive such a luxury car to harass a staff member of the judicial system?"
Xu Yanchi's expression changed, and he forced a smile: "I just wanted to be good to you..."
"Leave your kindness for those who need it."
Lin Xili interrupted him, looking at him with clear, sharp eyes, "For example, my sister, Lin Xuenuo."
"Don't forget, you are her husband, and my brother-in-law."
“If you continue to harass me without reason, I won’t hesitate to pass on your good intentions to the Xu family.”
"Even if you don't care about your own image, you should at least consider the feelings of both families."
"And please remember, I am a married woman, I have a husband."
After Lin Xili finished speaking, she stopped looking at him and turned to walk towards the dormitory building.
Xu Yanchi was left frozen in place, his face alternating between pale and flushed.
Lin Xili slowed down only after walking a distance, Xu Yanchi's image lingering in her mind.
His words and expressions buzzed around him, making people feel uneasy.
She loathed this kind of affection built on comparison and calculation.
She kept saying she wanted to be good to herself, but she never considered that a married man would harass another married woman.
He never considered what kind of trouble it would cause her; such kindness made her want to vomit.
She couldn't help but think of Huo Nanchen again.
He remembered her birthday and sent her a blessing from afar.
When she was engrossed in her work, we never disturbed her and gave her the utmost freedom.
Even if that kindness stemmed solely from a sense of responsibility, it was still a thousand times purer and more precious than Xu Yanchi's kindness.
Thinking of Huo Nanchen, her agitation gradually subsided.
She took out her phone, opened the silent WeChat chat window, and hesitated for a moment with her fingertip hovering over the screen.
In the end, no message was sent.
She knew that their relationship wasn't close enough for them to freely confide their trivial troubles.
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