“All that was just me talking nonsense! Please pretend I never said it!” Not knowing what kind of person Dong Yunzhou was, Xu Qingru had no wish to offend him.
Dong Yunzhou did not respond to her words. Instead, he bowed his head and studied the documents carefully. For a moment, Xu Qingru stood frozen in place unable to leave yet unable to stay and every minute felt like an eternity.
Ten minutes later, Dong Yunzhou finally looked up and met her gaze. He gestured to the seat beside him. “Sit.”
Xu Qingru was taken aback. His manner was still far from warm yet it was a vast improvement from just moments before! She sat down and he asked, “Do you understand scientific research?”
Thinking that in this life she had not even graduated from high school, Xu Qingru knew claiming expertise would only raise more questions. After pausing thoughtfully, she said, “There were books in my father’s study. I taught myself some things.”
It meant she had no formal systematic education. Dong Yunzhou fell silent again. He watched her wondering what lay behind her words.
“Take another look. Apart from that, do you have any other observations?” He handed the report back to her.
Xu Qingru hesitated. Should she play it safe and hide her knowledge or speak the truth? She had reviewed this very research report countless times in her past life and had always admired its precision. Pointing out the flaws now would speed up progress and that would benefit the nation and its people. She made her choice quickly.
“There’s an issue here as well. But if you follow the revisions from earlier, you will spot where it goes wrong quite quickly.” She pointed to another section. Dong Yunzhou nodded, retrieved the report and studied it at length. Finally, he nodded gravely.
“Thank you very much. Without your help, we would have no idea how long this project would have been delayed,” he said earnestly.
He had not disliked Xu Qingru at the start nor had he held any particular fondness for her. They were strangers and he had intended to keep it that way. Yet she had proven nothing like what he had imagined. How could a girl who was not yet an adult remain so calm and confident facing the institute’s most important research? Her ease and familiarity suggested far more than just casual reading. He looked at her intently full of questions but he set them aside for now. If she chose not to explain, he would respect her secret so long as she did nothing unlawful.
“You are welcome. I am glad I could help,” Xu Qingru smiled.
Dong Yunzhou nodded then asked suddenly, “How long until you come of age?”
“Six months,” she replied instinctively. Wondering why he asked, she heard him continue, “I understand your mother is seeking work for you. Once you turn eighteen if you are willing, you could join my research institute. I will act as your sponsor.”
“May I?” Xu Qingru froze. This was a path she had never dared imagine. She had the talent but joining such an institution was rarely straightforward and yet he was offering it of his own accord.
“Why? Would you not wish to?” he asked.
Xu Qingru stood up abruptly barely able to contain her excitement. She composed herself and said firmly, “I do! Comrade Dong, rest assured I will not let you down!”
She could be part of the institute at last. The discoveries she had made in her past life could be developed openly bearing her own name instead of being handed over to others never to be acknowledged as hers and remembered only as someone’s wife.
Dong Yunzhou had not expected such a strong reaction. His usually composed expression showed surprise as he met her grateful gaze. He simply nodded in acknowledgement.
“Brother, have you been unkind to her?”
Dong Jun had not planned to return so early but having finished his work ahead of schedule he came straight home only to find Dong Yunzhou seated on the sofa and Xu Qingru standing beside him. He assumed immediately that she was being treated unfairly.
“Uncle Dong, Comrade Dong has been very kind,” Xu Qingru spoke up without hesitation.
Still unconvinced, Dong Jun frowned.
“I brought fish for you,” she explained. “The guards would not let me in so Comrade Dong showed me in.”
Dong Jun knew his brother was not the sort to mistreat a young girl without cause and he relaxed. Seeing the fish fresh and glistening finer than any found at the market, he beamed. “Well since you are here, you must stay for lunch. I will cook.”
Xu Qingru was about to decline as it would not feel right to dine uninvited when Dong Yunzhou said, “Stay. I have some reference materials you may find useful. You may look through them and take what you need.”
She nodded eagerly. In her past life, she had learned informally from a couple of researchers who had been sent to the countryside but their guidance had been unstructured. After they passed away, she had taught herself in isolation. Proper official publications were rare treasures to her.
Dong Jun smiled at seeing his brother’s attitude. He knew how deeply Dong Yunzhou valued his books as he did not share them with just anyone. Offering them to Xu Qingru spoke volumes about the impression she had made.
When Xu Qingru offered to help in the kitchen, Dong Jun gently turned her away. Then she watched Dong Yunzhou set aside his papers, roll up his shirt sleeves and follow his uncle into the kitchen. Before disappearing, he turned back and said, “My study is at the far end of the upper floor. If you have time, you may look through the books there.”
Assured they truly did not need her assistance, Xu Qingru went upstairs. Near the study, she noticed another room with the door ajar to reveal soft pink furnishings brand-new and perfectly suited to a young girl. There were no girls in the Dong family and she guessed the room had been prepared for her. Had Dong Jun arranged it? His kindness touched her and knowing her mother would be well cared for here brought her peace of mind.
Stepping into the study, her thoughts fell away. Shelves upon shelves of books stretched before her. She pulled one volume down and began to read so absorbed that she lost track of time. When she finally looked up, Dong Yunzhou was standing in the doorway watching her and she had no idea how long he had been there.