Ruan Chen would not ignore the malice that Feng Shuang had buried deep in her eyes.
But Feng Shuang didn't do anything to actually harm her, and now she's lowered herself in front of the whole class, so she naturally won't refute her.
Even out of respect for Feng Yuankai, he gave a perfunctory yet sincere smile, his voice clear and loud enough for the whole class to hear, "Welcome."
After seeing off Feng Shuang, the great master, Ruan Chen contacted her mentor, Duan Jingfu, and expressed her need to borrow the laboratory at Beijing University of Technology—she had borrowed it last year as well.
Duan Jingfu replied shortly afterward, "Sure, it'll be the same room you used last year. I've had them keep all your data, and the equipment hasn't been touched. You should be able to get started right away when you come over."
Before school ended, Ruan Chen took some time to give the key to Feng Shuang and also wrote her a stack of operation manuals and data analysis, clearly explaining the use and precautions for various instruments, as well as the location of the data archived on the lab computer.
Feng Shuang took the document and glanced at it. She thanked him sincerely and asked Ruan Chen if he wasn't going to the store recently, as she wanted to operate under Ruan Chen's guidance.
"I have some personal matters to attend to. You can practice first. My progress is a little faster than yours. I'll come back when you're about on par with me."
Ruan Chen gave a casual reply.
She would only stay in the same lab as Feng Shuang if she were completely out of her mind.
Given the resentment Feng Shuang harbored, it was clear she was plotting something malicious. Ruan Chen was in the lab with her; who knew if Feng Shuang might concoct some toxic or harmful substances?
Ruan Chen was too lazy to bother guarding against Feng Shuang's tricks, so she simply went to the laboratory at Jinghua University of Technology and enjoyed some peace and quiet by herself—the previous attack had not left her with any psychological trauma.
Feng Shuang seemed very concerned about Ruan Chen, and kept asking her if there was anything she could help with.
Ruan Chen was extremely annoyed, but Feng Shuang deliberately kept her in the front row talking to her, as if she wanted the whole class to see that she and Ruan Chen had reconciled and were getting along well.
Fortunately, there was a knock on the classroom door at that moment.
"Ruan Chen, are you done with your work? I'll come pick you up from school."
Ruan Chen looked towards the door, her lips twitching.
Nan Jing stood at the door, a visitor's badge hanging around his neck. "I came to attend an academic lecture, and since it was just past the end of the school day, I came to pick you up."
Whispers had already begun to ripple through the classroom.
Nan Jing rarely appears in public. Due to the nature of his work, most of the lectures, conferences, and academic achievements he attends are highly confidential—the name Nan Jing is unfamiliar to most people in China.
However, Nan Jing himself has a very good demeanor, is refined and scholarly, but unintentionally reveals a sharp edge of someone who has been in power for a long time, which is very attractive, especially to this group of first-year high school boys and girls.
People in this age group have an instinct to admire strength to some extent, and this instinct drives them to look towards Nan Jing.
Ruan Chen whispered an apology to Feng Shuang, then quickly walked to the door, crossed her arms, and leaned against the doorframe with a cold expression.
She distanced herself from Nan Jing, saying, "Is it convenient for Nan Jing to appear in public? You should know that I've been on the trending topics twice in this class."
Nan Jing smiled and naturally reached out to take Ruan Chen's arm, just like a loving elder taking the arm of the family's most beloved youngest daughter. "Isn't it just that one time with your snobbish homeroom teacher, and that one gossip about you and the head of the Fu family?"
"Aren't you afraid our photos will be on the front page again tomorrow?" Ruan Chen gestured behind her, "Someone's already taking pictures."
Nan Jing remained smiling, her expression unwavering. "What does our research institute do? Believe me, these photos won't survive on their phones for more than half a minute. My name will never make the headlines, so you don't need to worry about me causing you any trouble."
"Was it filtered out?"
"So clever."
Nan Jing's car was parked at the entrance. He was very low-key and didn't even need a driver. He still naturally opened the car door for Ruan Chen and fastened her seatbelt after she sat down in the passenger seat.
"Where to? Home?" Nan Jing gripped the steering wheel. "Won't it be too boring to go alone? How about we go to our institute? We just got a batch of mental energy-related equipment; you might be interested."
Ruan Chen sighed, "Nan Suo, even if you want to recruit me into your institute this way, you should do your homework beforehand. For example, after school, you could consider shopping malls, amusement parks, commercial streets, or even food courts, instead of taking me to the research institute to see your newly acquired equipment."
Nan Jing readily agreed and slowed down abruptly in the shopping district near No. 1 Middle School. "Park in the underground parking garage?"
"No, Nan, I have things to do tonight. Would it be convenient for you to take me to Beijing University of Technology?"
What business do you have at Beijing University of Technology?
“The competition… I arranged with Professor Duan to borrow the lab at Beijing University of Technology,” Ruan Chen sighed, feeling a bit overwhelmed. “Actually, I’ve thought about it, and it doesn’t really matter whether I go or not. I went to accompany my friend before, but now he’s already been accepted into a university.”
"I don't think I need a summer camp spot or the extra fifty points. Maybe I should go back and discuss it with Lao He and just give up."
Nan Jing immediately objected, "If you miss this competition, it will be difficult to have another opportunity to legitimately enroll you in school. Although it's true that we reserved a spot for you, I think it's best to keep this low-key and not let you attract attention."
“Nan Jing, I made up my mind last night,” Ruan Chen said, not wanting Nan Jing to spend any more time on her amidst his busy schedule, so she made it clear that she would not change her mind.
Nan Jing took a deep breath to calm herself down. "You're overthinking it. It just happened to be today. Even if you go to Beijing University of Technology, you should start preparing for your September enrollment. Winning more awards in competitions will only benefit you."
He turned the car around towards Beijing University of Technology, "Or how about I send Bo Nian's file back and have him accompany you to the competition?"
His tone didn't sound like he was joking.
Ruan Chen didn't bother to respond. "Actually, I haven't even thought about enrolling in September yet. What do the destruction of civilization, the cosmic cancer, and the technological blockade have to do with me?"
Nan Jing felt that her low blood pressure was almost cured.
But the reason I'm here as Ruan Chen's driver is precisely to change her mind.
As the saying goes, there is true affection and true love in the world; with enough effort, even an iron rod can be ground into a needle.
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