Seven o'clock in the evening.
As Chen Jinzhao was preparing to go home after work, he ran into Xu Nianqing.
He didn't know if she was waiting for him on purpose or if it was a genuine encounter, but Chen Jinzhao didn't point it out.
"Are you still living at the same place as last time?" Xu Nianqing asked.
She planned to go to the hospital after work and then send Chen Jinzhao home. Chen Jinzhao nodded and said, "That's right, I'm used to it. You know me, I don't have very high demands for material comforts."
"Yes, I know you," Xu Nianqing said instinctively.
Soon.
Both realized their conversation had become a bit ambiguous and quickly changed the subject.
Xu Nianqing knew that haste makes waste, while Chen Jinzhao felt a sense of confusion, unsure how to face the future.
"How about we..."
"Have dinner before you go? I won't need you to send me home then, and you can go see Uncle at the hospital first," Chen Jinzhao proposed. Xu Nianqing's eyes lit up; it was rare for Chen Jinzhao to take the initiative.
It was truly a novelty.
They walked side by side, and as they passed certain spots on campus, Xu Nianqing intentionally or unintentionally brought up past events.
How could Chen Jinzhao not understand her intentions?
He couldn't blame Xu Nianqing for what happened back then; she hadn't had the authority to make her own decisions.
He could only blame fate for playing tricks.
Later on.
Chen Jinzhao also opened up, chatting and laughing with Xu Nianqing.
The night breeze was cool, yet still carried the heat of summer. Chen Jinzhao and Xu Nianqing arrived at the snack street behind the school's back gate.
Chen Jinzhao teased, "Can a young lady like you still get used to these snacks?"
Xu Nianqing smiled genuinely, "Chen Jinzhao, are you making fun of me? When we were students, wasn't it me who often brought you here? You were so stingy back then, you wouldn't even buy a large cup of milk tea!"
Even now, Xu Nianqing still held onto that memory.
In fact, if Chen Jinzhao had taken her to a high-end restaurant, Xu Nianqing wouldn't have been happy, as it would have meant Chen Jinzhao was still treating her with formality.
But that wasn't what she wanted.
Their dinner was simple: ordinary mala tang.
Chen Jinzhao took a few bites and sighed, "The mala tang tastes the same, but you and I are no longer the same as we were."
Xu Nianqing also paused.
When they were dating, she knew Chen Jinzhao always thought about many things; she was already accustomed to it.
Hearing Chen Jinzhao's感慨 again, Xu Nianqing felt a strange sensation and echoed, "Time flows, and everyone is pushed forward by the currents of the era. Neither you nor I are staying in the same place."
Speaking of which.
Xu Nianqing's tone shifted, and she turned to look directly into Chen Jinzhao's eyes.
"Can we..."
"Go back to the past?"
This was a sincere question, and it was Xu Nianqing's deepest desire.
Chen Jinzhao's gaze remained steady, and he replied without hesitation, "It depends on what people do. But I have a pile of problems on me right now, and I need to spend some time dealing with them."
Xu Nianqing's smile bloomed like a flower.
She didn't dwell on the matter anymore, instead shifting the topic to the research they were conducting.
"What is targeted gene modification?" Chen Jinzhao asked with a frown.
Xu Nianqing took a deep breath and said, "It's what you imagine, the ability to transform people into... gene warriors. These individuals might possess the speed of a cheetah, the strength of a grizzly bear, or bio-armor impenetrable by bullets."
Chen Jinzhao's brow furrowed.
Weren't these the super-soldiers from science fiction movies?
In modern society, such things shouldn't exist.
He voiced his doubts, and Xu Nianqing replied, "You need to understand that our country isn't yet the world's number one in science and technology or military strength. The country across the ocean might have already made breakthroughs. Of course, this is just my speculation. After all, Professor Wen's former teacher was from that country, which already says something."
"And besides,"
"Even if that country made a breakthrough, they wouldn't publicize it."
"There is still a gap, and we have to face it."
Chen Jinzhao fell silent.
This reminded him of some things. When he was on missions on the border, he often interacted with that country's marine corps. Their overall strength was indeed higher.
However.
Chen Jinzhao hadn't encountered their most formidable individual soldiers, who were also renowned in the underworld.
"This is a race. Whoever achieves a breakthrough first will dominate the future world order," Xu Nianqing said, hence the heavy burden on their shoulders.
"Let's not talk about this anymore."
"I believe we can achieve a breakthrough before them. This is a battlefield without gunsmoke."
At this moment.
Xu Nianqing felt very content.
Because in a different way, she could fight alongside Chen Jinzhao.
After dinner, they returned to the main entrance of Ninghai University.
Xu Nianqing smiled at Chen Jinzhao, "Do you really not need me to send you home? Or, you could send me home."
Chen Jinzhao replied awkwardly, "I'm sorry, I haven't gotten my driver's license yet."
Xu Nianqing: "..."
Just as she was about to say something, she noticed a car parked not far from the school gate. She swallowed her words, took a step back, and said, "You go. Someone is waiting for you."
"Who?" Chen Jinzhao asked, puzzled.
Following Xu Nianqing's gaze, Chen Jinzhao saw a familiar car – Yu Mengzhi's vehicle.
Soon.
Chen Jinzhao looked away, wanting to see if Xu Nianqing was upset.
To his surprise, Xu Nianqing showed no anger. Instead, she said with a smile, "It's alright. We're not a couple now, are we? Perhaps she has something important to discuss with you."
Chen Jinzhao shivered.
Despite Xu Nianqing's lighthearted tone, he could vaguely sense a hint of murderous intent.
Women are truly terrifying.
He felt it necessary to explain, and bracing himself, he said, "I didn't ask her to come. You'll believe me, won't you? After all, you know how much fuss there was about my past dealings with her."
"Yes, I believe you," Xu Nianqing said calmly.
Chen Jinzhao was speechless. He really hadn't expected Yu Mengzhi to come looking for him.
Seeing his predicament, Xu Nianqing smiled, "I didn't mean anything by it. Go see her quickly, don't waste time."
Chen Jinzhao had no choice. Perhaps Yu Mengzhi had something important to discuss with him, so he said to Xu Nianqing again, "I'll go meet her. I'll tell you what we talked about later."
Under Xu Nianqing's watch, Chen Jinzhao walked towards Yu Mengzhi's car.
Yu Mengzhi leaned against the car door. Seeing Chen Jinzhao approach, she glanced at Xu Nianqing, who was still standing nearby, and said to Chen Jinzhao, "Get in, I'll give you a ride. I want to talk about something."
Chen Jinzhao didn't move, causing Yu Mengzhi to frown.
"Ms. Yu, I think not."
"She just offered to take me home, and I didn't agree. If I get into your car now, it might lead to misunderstandings."