Сhарtеr 13: Мeeting Li Bеiхiao Аgain
“Hеllо, аrе уоu Xiао Su?” А gеntle voiсe sounded besidе hеr eаr.
“Неllо, I’m Su Nuаnnuan. Му tеachеr is…” Вefоre Su Nuannuan сould finish, shе was interruptеd by thе othеr рerson.
“I knоw, I know, Mastеr Shеn.”
“Yеs, mаy I ask whо уоu аre, sister?” Su Nuаnnuan sizеd up the рretty girl in frоnt of her.
“Yоu can cаll mе Linlin, оr just ‘seniоr’ is finе. Professоr Zhang is сurrеntly meеting with an impоrtant guеst. Yоu сan just hаnd the things to mе.”
Su Nuannuan nоddеd аnd passed the milk in her hand to her. “Тhеn I’ll trouble you, sеniоr.”
The othеr рerson smiled slightly, seeming quite interested in her. “Master Shen really likes you. Our lab is pretty good, isn’t it?”
“It’s quite nice, senior. Are you also from the University of Science and Technology?” Su Nuannuan had a few guesses about the girl in front of her.
She said her name was Linlin, and she was so young—she must be the legendary senior from the University of Science and Technology, Senior Chen Lin.
“That’s right, junior. You can sit here for a while. I’ll take this in first, then take you to see Professor Zhang. He’s been wanting to meet you for a long time.”
Su Nuannuan wanted to refuse, but since she was asking for a favor, it wouldn’t be good to decline.
“Alright, senior.”
Su Nuannuan sat by the door and didn’t have to wait long before the senior came out.
“I asked for you. The results will probably take three days to come out. Everyone in the lab has been quite busy lately, so it might take a little longer. What’s in here that needs testing?”
“Oh, it’s a long story. I’ll just trouble you with it, senior.” Su Nuannuan didn’t want to discuss it further.
Chen Lin didn’t press further, as it was someone else’s private matter.
“This way, I’ll take you to see Professor Zhang.” Chen Lin led the way ahead.
From a distance, she heard a familiar voice. As Chen Lin pushed the door open, Su Nuannuan sighed inwardly—it truly was a small world.
“Professor Zhang, I’ve brought her to you.”
“Haha, come, come. Let me introduce you. This is Xiao Chen, a key member of our lab.”
“Xiao Chen, this is your senior, Gu Jinghuai, and this is Mr. Li.” Professor Zhang gestured for Chen Lin to greet them.
Chen Lin politely greeted the two seated men. Su Nuannuan rubbed her temples—she really didn’t want to see Li Beixiao right now, and this was hardly the right occasion.
“Hello, Miss Chen. I’ve long heard of your reputation.”
Gu Jinghuai smiled gently, his soft words causing Chen Lin’s face to flush slightly. Gu Jinghuai didn’t notice her, instead teasingly glancing at Li Beixiao.
“Professor Zhang.” Su Nuannuan spoke first.
“So you’re the Su family girl Master Shen mentioned?” Professor Zhang looked the young girl up and down.
“If there’s no mistake, that should be me.” Su Nuannuan joked lightly.
“Haha, you’re quite an interesting girl. Jinghuai! This is your junior sister.” Professor Zhang introduced with a smile.
“No need for introductions, Professor Zhang. Miss Su and I are acquainted, isn’t that right, Miss Su?” Gu Jinghuai’s lips curved slightly.
“Brother Gu, Mr. Li, what a coincidence to run into you both here.” Su Nuannuan offered an awkward yet polite smile.
Li Beixiao’s fingers tightened slightly. She called Gu Jinghuai “Brother Gu,” but he was “Mr. Li.” Did she really dislike him that much?
“Second Brother, I didn’t expect to see you here either, right, Third Brother?” Gu Jinghuai nudged Li Beixiao with his elbow.”Hmm.” Li Beixiao dropped a single icy word, his entire body radiating an aura that kept others at a distance.
Gu Jinghuai twitched at the corner of his mouth. This third brother was becoming more and more stubborn. He missed him when they were apart, but now that they were together, he was throwing a tantrum. What was he trying to do?
How should she respond to this? Su Nuannuan sighed inwardly.
“Oh, so you all know each other. Come, come, Xiao Su, have a seat. Make yourself at home. I don’t have many rules here.”
Professor Zhang motioned for the young woman to sit quickly. With his old fox eyes, he had already sensed something.
Su Nuannuan wasn’t sure whether to feel grateful or to question him. She glanced tentatively at Li Beixiao and, seeing no objection from him, obediently took a seat beside him.
For some reason, after she sat down, she felt that the hostility around Li Beixiao seemed to lessen considerably.
“Miss Su, what brings you here today?” Gu Jinghuai asked, noticing that Li Beixiao’s aura had softened a bit, and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
“I came to ask Professor Zhang for a favor.”
Su Nuannuan replied vaguely, but Gu Jinghuai could easily see through it. His intuition told him that the matter wasn’t as simple as it seemed.
“Do you need help? I’m practically your senior brother, after all.” Gu Jinghuai continued, trying to get closer.
Why was Gu Jinghuai so persistent today? It was really giving her a headache. Couldn’t he see she didn’t want to talk about it?
“If it’s inconvenient, then forget it.” Gu Jinghuai said regretfully.
“Jinghuai! Are you looking down on my lab, or do you not trust me?” Professor Zhang broke the awkward silence.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Su Nuannuan’s mouth. This old man had finally done something good.
“How could I dare? I was just worried that Miss Su might be in a hurry.” Seeing that Professor Zhang had already spoken up, Gu Jinghuai didn’t press the matter further.
“Xiao Chen, go and check on the progress over there. Xiao Su’s request should be prioritized…”
“Alright, Professor.”
“Professor Zhang, my matter isn’t urgent. There’s no need to make an exception.” Su Nuannuan had heard from Chen Lin that the lab was extremely busy at the moment.
“Alright, we’ll let you know as soon as we have any news.” Professor Zhang nodded at the young woman, thinking she was a good kid.
“Xiao Su, I heard from Master Shen that you turned down his invitation. Why is that?” Professor Zhang studied Su Nuannuan carefully.
“There are some personal matters I haven’t settled yet.” Su Nuannuan replied politely.
Li Beixiao’s fingers trembled slightly. Personal matters? What personal matters! Was she getting married? Was she leaving too?
Although Su Nuannuan was looking at Professor Zhang, her peripheral vision remained fixed on Li Beixiao.
His emotions changed so quickly. Just moments ago, he had seemed calmer, but now he was tense again, and there seemed to be an added layer of sorrow in his demeanor.
“Personal matters, Xiao Su? It’s not a relationship issue, is it? We’re quite open-minded here. We don’t forbid dating or marriage.”
“Professor Zhang, you’re joking. The personal matters I mentioned aren’t about that.” Su Nuannuan replied calmly.
“Haha, Xiao Su, once you’ve settled your own affairs, you can consider joining us here. We really need talented people like you.” Professor Zhang patted her shoulder.
Li Beixiao’s sharp gaze swept over him, and Professor Zhang felt as if he had been targeted by a vicious wolf. Sure enough, his instincts were right—Mr. Li and Miss Su’s relationship was far from simple.
“Alright, I will.” Su Nuannuan nodded politely.Professor Zhang was about to say something when Su Nuannuan interrupted him—she still had many things to attend to.
“Professor Zhang, I’ll leave this matter in your hands then. I have other matters to take care of, so I’ll be going now.”
“So soon? Well, it’s true, you young people are quite busy,” Professor Zhang remarked while sizing up Li Beixiao.
“Professor Zhang, it’s getting late, so we should head back as well. Miss Su, you came by taxi, right? I’ll have Lao San drive you.”
Su Nuannuan had already stepped one foot out the door but paused upon hearing this.
Her future husband’s car—why not take advantage of it?
Wait, Su Nuannuan, what are you thinking? You’re crazy, this is so embarrassing.