Chapter 19 Steady Happiness Shen Shutong and Fu Jing...
After Shen Shutong and Fu Jingchuan got together, their pace of life didn't change much, and they were still busy with their studies and research. But the subtle details were already completely different.
Fu Jingchuan's lab on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, and the Science and Technology Museum on Friday evenings, became Shen Shutong's most frequent spots. Sometimes she'd go to discuss a problem, sometimes she'd just quietly mind her own business. Fu Jingchuan never felt disturbed; instead, he'd grown accustomed to the feeling of being able to see her whenever he looked up. Unnoticed, a cup belonging to her and several of her business books had appeared on his lab table.
When Shen Shutong went to the library, she would subconsciously seek out that quiet spot by the window. Eight times out of ten, Fu Jingchuan would be there. He would naturally pass her the reference material she needed, or briefly mention a key point when she frowned. He would also share half of the snacks she brought with him.
They started eating together. It started as a weekend supper, but it gradually became a daily routine. Shen Shutong took Fu Jingchuan to every small shop around campus that she thought was delicious, from cakes in cafes to Vietnamese pho on the street. Fu Jingchuan quickly memorized all of her taste preferences and applied them precisely when ordering.
He remained quiet, but when he did listen, he was incredibly attentive. Shen Shutong loved sharing his thoughts with him, whether they were new ideas for class projects or trivial anecdotes from daily life. Their exchanges, marked by intellectual exchange and rapport, were always grounded, but now, they were enriched with the gentle, everyday touches of life.
One Friday a month later, Shen Shutong worked on a report in Fu Jingchuan's lab until late at night. When he finished, it started to rain heavily outside.
"Wait a moment, I'll call a taxi." Fu Jingchuan took out his cell phone.
Chen Shutong looked at the rain outside the window: "It's a long way to go even if I call a taxi, and the rain is quite heavy. Can't you make the sofa flat here? I can make do with it."
Fu Jingchuan's fingers that were operating the phone paused.
Chen Shutong thought he found it troublesome and added, "No? Then call a taxi."
"Sure." Fu Jingchuan replied quickly, "I'll go find a clean blanket."
He had a few basic supplies in his lab locker, and he took out a blanket and a spare pillow and deftly made them for her on the couch.
"The conditions are relatively simple," he said, sounding apologetic.
"What's the big deal?" Chen Shutong waved his hand nonchalantly and went to wash up briefly.
When she came back, Fu Jingchuan had turned off the main light, leaving only a dim desk lamp.
"Are you still not sleeping?" Shen Shutong slumped down on the sofa, wrapping himself tightly in a blanket. The blanket had the same smell as Fu Jingchuan.
"There's still some finishing work to do." Fu Jingchuan was still typing on the keyboard.
The lab was quiet, with only the sound of rain and the occasional clacking of keyboards. Shen Shutong was exhausted and soon fell asleep in this atmosphere.
Fu Jingchuan only stopped his movements after her breathing became even and long. He looked at her curled up sleeping form for a while. Then, he gently stood up and carefully pulled the blanket back up after it had slipped halfway off her.
In the second half of the night, Shen Shutong felt a little cold while half asleep and half awake, and subconsciously huddled in a warmer place. When she woke up the next morning, she found herself covered with Fu Jingchuan's coat, and he had fallen asleep at his computer desk.
After that, it became common for Shen Shutong to occasionally stay overnight in his lab. This was usually because they'd worked late together, or simply wanted to stay a little longer. Fu Jingchuan's locker gradually began to contain a set of toiletries just for her, along with a few changes of clothing.
Sleeping on a sofa isn't very comfortable after all. Once, after waking up, Shen Shutong rubbed his sore shoulders and said half-jokingly, "Student Fu, it's time to upgrade your sofa, or consider moving to a lab with a rest area?"
Fu Jingchuan didn't say anything at the time, but just handed her a cup of freshly brewed hot coffee.
But a few days later, he suddenly spoke on the way to send her back to the dormitory: "My apartment is not far from the school, a ten-minute drive. There is an empty room that no one has used."
Shen Shutong was looking down at his phone and didn't react for a moment: "Huh? Then what?"
Fu Jingchuan stopped and said: "If you feel that the laboratory is inconvenient, you can come to my place. There is more space and you will have a better rest."
Shen Shutong immediately understood what he meant, and her heartbeat inexplicably quickened. She tilted her head and thought for a moment: "Student Fu, are you inviting me to live together?"
"It can provide a better environment for study and rest." Fu Jingchuan's answer was still serious, but a slight blush spread to his ears. "And... it is more efficient."
"Okay." She smiled and agreed readily. "That sounds great. When are we moving?"
Her straightforwardness seemed to make Fu Jingchuan feel relieved: "It depends on your time. Anytime is fine."
The decision was made quickly, and the execution was even more efficient. Fu Jingchuan's apartment was exactly as he'd described it: spacious and clean, with a vacant guest room and all the basic amenities. Chen Shutong didn't have much stuff; mainly books, a computer, and clothes. They completed this small "migration" in a single weekend.
There wasn't much of a sense of ceremony, more like it was a natural progression. That night, they cooked a simple dinner together in the kitchen of Fu Jingchuan's apartment. While eating, Shen Shutong looked at Fu Jingchuan eating quietly across from her, then looked at the space where she had lived, and suddenly she felt a strange sense of belonging.
Living together was more natural than they had imagined. Both of them were fiercely independent and efficiency-oriented, and they quickly found a comfortable way to get along with each other.
They would work together in the study late into the night, each facing their computer screen, occasionally looking up to exchange a few words, or sharing a pair of headphones to listen to the analysis of the same data report. Shen Shutong would notice that Fu Jingchuan habitually frowned when working, while Fu Jingchuan noticed that Shen Shutong liked to unconsciously twirl his pen when thinking.
Fu Jingchuan's sleep schedule was extremely regular, rarely staying up late unless he was rushing to finish a project. Shen Shutong, on the other hand, would sometimes stay up a little later when inspiration struck. When this happened, Fu Jingchuan would quietly heat a cup of milk and place it next to her before going to bed. But often, by the time Shen Shutong was ready for bed, she'd find the bedroom light still on, a soft nightlight.
In the mornings, Fu Jingchuan was usually the first to get up and prepare a simple breakfast. Sometimes, she would slip into the kitchen, sleepily in her slippers, hug his waist from behind, rest her chin on his shoulder, and watch him flip an omelet. He would tilt his head slightly, touch her hair with his cheek, and then hand her a small piece of cut fruit.
They remained busy, each pursuing their own path. Shen Shutong actively participated in various case competitions and business plan contests within the business school, while Fu Jingchuan was deeply involved in cutting-edge projects at several leading laboratories. But they always managed to find time for dinner together, sometimes in the school cafeteria, sometimes cooking a simple meal at home, and occasionally going out for a better meal. Over dinner, they would discuss the day's progress and challenges, and the collision of ideas from different fields often sparked new ideas.
When it comes to daily chores, they have a tacit understanding of their roles. Fu Jingchuan fixes minor glitches and handles most technical issues, while Chen Shutong excels at planning trips and shopping for groceries. She adds plants and paintings to liven up the otherwise cold apartment. Although Fu Jingchuan never comments on it, she notices that the silly robot-shaped pillow she bought always ends up on his usual spot on the sofa.
Months flew by in this whirlwind of activity and peace. They rarely argued, their biggest disagreements limited to a debate over the optimal solution to a mathematical model or which documentary to watch that evening. These arguments usually ended with one side convincing the other with reasoned arguments, or with a simple, straightforward game of rock-paper-scissors.
On an ordinary Thursday evening, Shen Shutong came out of the shower and saw Fu Jingchuan sitting on the living room carpet, his back against the sofa, his brows slightly furrowed as he stared at the laptop screen on his knees. Several printed papers were scattered beside him.
She wiped her hair and leaned over to look at his screen: "Are you in trouble?"
"Well, a boundary condition always fails to converge." Fu Jingchuan swiped his finger across a piece of code on the screen.
Shen Shutong watched for a few minutes, and the wet ends of her hair accidentally rubbed his arm. Fu Jingchuan then came back to his senses from his thoughts and turned to look at her.
"Your hair isn't dry yet." He took the towel from her hand and carefully wiped her dripping hair.
Shen Shutong enjoyed his service, her eyes still fixed on his computer screen. After a while, she picked up a piece of printer paper and a pen next to her and quickly wrote a line of formula on it.
"How about trying this transformation? Map your boundary conditions to another space and maybe you can avoid the singularity." She said, pointing to what she had written.
Fu Jingchuan stopped wiping his hair, picked up the paper and looked at it carefully for a while, his eyes gradually brightened. He took the computer, quickly modified a few lines of code, and ran the test.
The green pass indicator lights up.
Problem solved.
He breathed a sigh of relief, closed the computer and put it aside, then continued to wipe her hair: "How did you come up with that?"
"I had some impression of your notes on "Functional Analysis" last time, and I suddenly thought of it just now." Shen Shutong squinted his eyes comfortably, "How do you thank me?"
Fu Jingchuan lowered his head and kissed her on the forehead: "Like this?"
"Not enough." Shen Shutong smiled and shook his head, turning to face him, "Student Fu, you need to be a little creative."
Fu Jingchuan looked at her with a faint smile in his eyes. He thought for a moment and said seriously, "I'll take you to eat the newly opened Japanese ramen restaurant tomorrow? You said you wanted to try it for a long time."
"Approved!" Shen Shutong smiled, leaned forward and kissed him, then stood up, "Okay, I'll go blow dry my hair, you continue with your work."
She walked briskly towards the bathroom. Fu Jingchuan looked at her back and didn't immediately reopen the computer. He just felt that a certain place in his heart was filled.
He got up and went to the kitchen to heat a cup of milk for her. When Shen Shutong came out after drying her hair, he picked up the cup and took a sip. The temperature was just right.
Chen Shutong likes this kind of long-lasting love. In this way, each of them works hard, accompanies each other, and can provide a little inspiration and a cup of hot milk when the other needs it. That is a very good day.
And they still have a long, long time like this...
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