There were members of the Song family at the Agricultural Science Institute.
It was Song Jianü’s eldest uncle, Song Jincheng. Unfortunately, he happened to be the leader of her research group.
Whether in terms of seniority or age, she fell far short, so she only participated in the experimental project as a peripheral assistant.
Some appreciated her, while others resented her.
She was not gold; she couldn’t make everyone like her.
Those who resented or disliked her were mostly those who had climbed to the position of researchers only after reaching a certain age, and due to their limited abilities, they couldn’t advance further. Of course, there was also an element of Fate and Fortune involved.
Sheng Qianyu was treated like a laborer, either fetching water or helping pass things around. She harbored no complaints, quietly going about her tasks while observing the progress of the experiments.
Gradually, her group began to see her in a different light.
“She may be young, but she’s genuinely diligent and quiet.”
“She hasn’t caused us any trouble…”
“Come on, how old is she? When we were her age, we were still in middle school. Even after entering the Agricultural Science Institute, didn’t we all start from the bottom? We can’t give her special treatment just because she’s young, can we?”
…
Sheng Qianyu overheard such gossip but would simply pass by as if she hadn’t heard it, as though the subject of their discussion wasn’t her at all.
Her cool and detached demeanor left those gossiping flushed with embarrassment. They were in their twenties or thirties, yet here they were discussing a fourteen-year-old girl. Regardless of whether she had the ability to enter the Agricultural Science Institute or join their research group, her composure alone was something they couldn’t match.
Thus, such discussions grew quieter and quieter until, even if some still felt discontent, they no longer spoke ill of her. After all, given their status, acting like gossipmongers they themselves looked down upon was beneath them.
When Song Jincheng learned of this, he flew into a rage at the old Song family home.
Chen Zhou, stationed far away in the military camp, also heard about the incident and specifically called the meat processing plant, timing it to coincide with the end of her shift.
Although Sheng Qianyu wasn’t formally involved in the research project, after learning it was related to sweet potato cultivation, she began gathering relevant knowledge in her mind. She conducted related experiments in her thoughts, revising and reconstructing them, persisting after failures, over and over again. She also had to consider the rationality of the era’s scientific progress, ensuring she didn’t push too far too quickly, which would not only raise suspicions but also risk altering the timeline…
Sheng Qianyu’s mind went blank for a moment as she realized her own identity wasn’t simple either. She didn’t dwell on it further, simply following her instincts and subconscious.
To others, her gaze seemed somewhat vacant, as if she were lost in thought. It wasn’t until someone from the supply and marketing cooperative called her several times, and a passerby who knew her couldn’t stand it any longer, that they tapped her on the shoulder.
“Qianyu? What are you thinking about?”
Only then did Sheng Qianyu’s eyes gradually regain clarity. “Auntie,” she said.
“There’s a phone call for you,” the other person said, pointing toward the supply and marketing cooperative.
“Thank you, Auntie.”
With that, Sheng Qianyu went to the supply and marketing cooperative, took the number left for her, and dialed back.
In those days, phone calls were expensive. If someone called and couldn’t reach the person, they would leave their number and wait for a callback. It wasn’t feasible to wait by the landline for hours on end.
Sheng Qianyu wasn’t short on money. The bonus she received for her college entrance exam results alone was enough to support her frugally for several years. So, she didn’t mind the cost of the call.The calls she received were always from people in the former military compound—they wouldn’t contact her without reason.
Because Song Jincheng had deliberately made things difficult, she had to stay late at work. Chen Zhou couldn’t wait any longer, so he left his phone number and hung up.
She called back, and after a brief greeting, the other person said, “It’s me, Qianyu.”
“What is it?”
Her voice was as cool and detached as ever, without any fluctuation.
Chen Zhou paused for a moment before replying, “I heard you joined the Agricultural Science Institute. I haven’t had the chance to congratulate you yet.”
She had intentionally distanced herself from this once-nominal fiancé, and after realizing her intention, he had maintained a lukewarm connection.
The last time they spoke was when Sheng Qianyu’s college entrance exam results were released, and her status as the provincial top scorer became widely known.
It was no wonder the original owner had feelings for him at such a young age. He knew exactly how to keep his distance.
Sheng Qianyu softened her expression and replied, “Mm.”
“No one is giving you a hard time, are they?”
“…Have you heard something?” Otherwise, he wouldn’t have called specifically.
Chen Zhou hesitated for a moment before saying, “Yes. If you’re being bullied there, you can tell me. I can help you resolve it.”
Sheng Qianyu replied, “No need. It’s nothing serious.” After a pause, as if realizing her words sounded too cold, she added, “Even if there were issues, I could handle them myself.”
She neither gave him hope nor treated him with excessive indifference.
Chen Zhou felt a pang of disappointment.
But then he remembered how outstanding she had always been since childhood, never relying on anyone else and preferring to shoulder any trouble herself—unlike the one the Zhao family had taken in halfway…
Chen Zhou closed his eyes, stopping the thought because he knew she wouldn’t like it.
Chen Zhou said, “Alright.”
Without further pleasantries, he respected her wishes and hung up the phone.
A fellow soldier who had just finished training noticed his distracted expression and nudged his shoulder, teasingly asking, “Who was that? Was it Xiao Yu?”
Instantly, Chen Zhou’s expression turned cold. “I’ve said it before—there’s absolutely nothing between us.”
After the college entrance exams, Zhao Xiaoyu had come to the military base to see him without informing anyone. He despised such behavior, but out of respect for both families’ reputations and his father’s instructions, he had no choice but to fulfill his duties as a host.
Who would have thought rumors would spread in the military that they were engaged? At just thirteen, she had already qualified to take the college entrance exams—a prodigy, more than a match for him.
If he hadn’t been captivated by Qianyu in his youth, Zhao Xiaoyu might indeed have been impressive.
But his heart was already full of one person—how could there be room for anyone else?
He didn’t clarify the rumors, knowing it would only make things worse. Instead, he bought Zhao Xiaoyu a sleeper ticket back to Beijing three days later. Unwilling to accept this, Zhao Xiaoyu came to the military base, playing the victim and begging to see him. But he remained resolute and refused to meet her. Eventually, Zhao Xiaoyu learned that Sheng Qianyu had been invited to the Zhao family and hurriedly left.
Before leaving, she put on a final act, departing with an air of disappointment as if he were the heartless one who had wronged her.
Since then, whenever his fellow soldiers mentioned Zhao Xiaoyu, Chen Zhou would turn cold, making his stance clear. Gradually, everyone realized it was Zhao Xiaoyu who was pursuing him unilaterally.
Even if they were engaged, both parties could break it off if they weren’t compatible—no one thought much of it.
But why had his fellow soldier brought up Zhao Xiaoyu again after so long?
Chen Zhou decided to investigate and indeed uncovered something.
Zhao Xiaoyu wanted to transfer to their military unit as a medic and had already used the Zhao family’s connections to make arrangements.”…” This Zhao Xiaoyu was truly relentless—he had even hidden away on this island, yet she still found a way to linger.
Since childhood, he had known that Qianyu was exceptional. As her fiancé and future partner, how could he, with only his current achievements and relying on his family’s influence, ever be worthy of Qianyu? So he had set his goals early on. If he couldn’t match Qianyu in intellect, couldn’t he excel in strength? He had planned to join the military after high school, carve out his own path, and marry Qianyu with pride and honor.
All of this was disrupted by Zhao Xiaoyu’s appearance.
After Zhao Xiaoyu was recognized by the Zhao family, Qianyu voluntarily returned to the Sheng family, consciously or unconsciously distancing herself from him.
As Zhao Xiaoyu deliberately drew closer, occasionally inviting him out to play, the other children in the compound were initially won over by her, siding with her and criticizing him. He scoffed at their behavior.
If her tactics had been used on ordinary peers, they would have been alienated long ago. As the only child in his family, raised under strict military discipline, he was well aware of such brainwashing methods, both physically and mentally.
When Zhao Xiaoyu once again tried to use the peers in the compound to force him into compliance and get closer to him, he chose to join the military right after middle school, instead of waiting until high school graduation. As for his education, he could balance intensive training with military academy studies.