"You are..."

Li Qiqi, in her wheelchair, blinked at Lin Xian.

Her voice was soft, and she seemed frail. In the pale moonlight, her face looked even more wan.

"I'm a friend of Liu Feng, Lin Xian." Lin Xian introduced himself, "A new friend. We just met."

Li Qiqi tilted her head. "I haven't heard Liu Feng mention you... When did you meet?"

"Just now."

Lin Xian answered truthfully, "Ten minutes ago."

*Pfft*—

Li Qiqi was amused, and she re-evaluated Lin Xian, seeming much more amicable. "You're quite the interesting person. To be honest, not many people are willing to be friends with Liu Feng. He's a good person... but his personality is a bit eccentric."

"I heard about you both from Teacher Qi Yan." Lin Xian stated his purpose directly.

"So..."

Li Qiqi listened patiently to Lin Xian, looking at him with a smile. "So, you also believe that Liu Feng's *Introduction to the Universal Constant* is correct?"

Lin Xian nodded. "It's possible that we're the only two people in the world who firmly believe that. Actually, I'm quite curious... Why doesn't Liu Feng, as the creator of *Introduction to the Universal Constant*, believe his own research is correct?"

"When I met Liu Feng earlier, I mentioned this, and he admitted very calmly that *Introduction to the Universal Constant* was wrong. That doesn't seem like the attitude a scholar should have towards his own research."

"Because... that research is indeed wrong." Li Qiqi said, looking down.

"From an academic point of view, proving a theorem correct is difficult, because you need to prove it's correct in every situation."

"But to prove a theorem wrong is much easier. You only need to prove that it's wrong in one situation, then it's definitely wrong."

Li Qiqi's words surprised Lin Xian.

He had thought that Li Qiqi, who wrote those words on the card, would firmly believe that *Introduction to the Universal Constant* was correct.

Even if it was irrational, at least her own thoughts should be steadfast.

But listening to her...

It seemed she wasn't so sure either.

What was going on?

"Do you also think that *Introduction to the Universal Constant* is wrong?" Lin Xian asked.

"I don't think it's wrong."

Li Qiqi shook her head. "But... Liu Feng and Teacher Qi have done many verification experiments, and every time the result is the same... proving that *Introduction to the Universal Constant* is wrong."

"Even after graduation, Liu Feng himself researched for a long time and experimented many times. But no matter how many times he tried, the result was the same. All wrong, not even one correct."

...

So that was it.

Lin Xian finally understood why Liu Feng had that attitude earlier.

It seemed that he had oversimplified things.

He had thought that Liu Feng, like Professor Xu Yun, was an unappreciated talent, unsupported and misunderstood...

But that wasn't the case.

*Introduction to the Universal Constant*, whether Liu Feng himself or Teacher Qi Yan, had been verified by countless experiments.

The results were disappointing, proving the theory was wrong.

The problem Liu Feng faced wasn't the practical issues of sponsorship, funding, or laboratories, but the more cruel problem... that his theory was simply incorrect.

It was like waiting for a plane at the dock.

Liu Feng's research direction was wrong, so he would never get the correct answer.

But what was puzzling was...

Since Qi Yan, Liu Feng, and countless experimental data had all proven that *Introduction to the Universal Constant* was wrong, and even Li Qiqi herself knew this, why did Li Qiqi still firmly believe that the theory was correct?

That was too contradictory.

Seeming to see Lin Xian's confusion, Li Qiqi continued, "But even though all the experimental data shows that Liu Feng is wrong, I still don't think so."

"Why?"

"Because Liu Feng's universal constant derivations are just too beautiful." Li Qiqi smiled sweetly. "Although I don't understand those derivations, they are indeed too beautiful, like music."

"Although I didn't major in mathematics in college, astronomy also uses many mathematical and physical formulas. Without exception... these formulas are very beautiful. I think that's the most amazing thing in the universe; every correct theorem is elegant."

"Euler's formula, the Pythagorean theorem, the mass-energy equation... these formulas are all beautiful, as if they were man-made, so ingenious, so concise, and so correct."

"And Liu Feng's universal constant derivation is like that too."

Speaking of Liu Feng, Li Qiqi's face was filled with pride and happiness. "His derivation is also very beautiful. I think there should be such a thing in the universe. Even if many experiments prove it's wrong... isn't it possible that it's not the universal constant that's wrong, but the current human understanding?"

"Sorry, it's hard for me to explain this intuition clearly."

She smiled apologetically, looking at Lin Xian. "I know it's a bit absurd to define whether a formula is correct by its beauty, but... nature and the universe itself are beautiful and ingenious, and I think it should be so."

...

Lin Xian nodded in agreement.

Li Qiqi's idea was indeed very interesting.

Indeed, whether in physics or mathematics, every correct formula is beautiful.

This beauty is hard to express.

Perhaps this is the so-called romance of science students.

Looking at it now.

Lin Xian didn't know what the problem with *Introduction to the Universal Constant* was.

Everyone in the world thought it was wrong.

But the facts proved it must be correct.

Could it really be as Li Qiqi said...

That what was wrong wasn't the universal constant, but human understanding?

Things were getting more and more interesting.

"I'd like to fund Liu Feng to continue his research. Can you help me persuade him?"

Lin Xian looked at Li Qiqi in her wheelchair and explained, "Since we both think that *Introduction to the Universal Constant* is correct... I think our goals are the same on this point. Maybe with more funding and a better laboratory, Liu Feng might really be able to come up with something."

"I also told Liu Feng about this just now, but he refused directly. Actually, I don't quite understand it."

Lin Xian spread his hands and continued, "Isn't he working so hard to deliver food and tutor in order to make money? Then taking my funding wouldn't hinder his research or delay his time with you. What's not to like?"

Speaking of this, Li Qiqi sighed. "Liu Feng has suffered too many setbacks in recent years, plus my illness... He doesn't even think his research is correct anymore, so how could he be embarrassed to take your funding?"

"To be honest, Liu Feng hasn't done any mathematical research for almost a year. He works and makes money day and night, like a broken clock. The hands are still moving, but the rhythm is wrong."

"I also want to do something for Liu Feng, but as you can see, I can't do anything. I think the only thing I can do... is to leave this world early and not delay Liu Feng's life any longer."

"No, no, no, don't think like that."

Lin Xian quickly waved his hand and advised, "You need to have confidence in the current scientific development, especially in this period. Countries all over the world are researching cryosleep chambers. Maybe the prototype of the cryosleep chamber will come out in a year or two. Then you can directly go into cryosleep and go to the future for treatment."

Li Qiqi just smiled and looked down. "Actually, I haven't thought about things that far. My only wish, and my only regret... is to see a meteor shower before I die."

"I've liked meteor showers since I was a child, but I've basically only seen them on TV. The reason I applied to study astronomy in college was also because I liked meteor showers."

"But... after I really learned this astronomical knowledge, I realized that real meteor showers are not like what you see on TV at all. The duration of meteors is very short. The vast majority of meteors last only one or two seconds in the night sky, so meteor showers are just something everyone imagines. They don't exist in reality."

...

Lin Xian didn't speak.

He knew that what Li Qiqi said was true.

Generally speaking, astronomical meteor showers are completely different from the meteor showers that people have in mind.

The normal burning time of a meteor in the atmosphere is within one second. Very few can last for several seconds.

And the flux of meteor showers is actually very small. Dozens or nearly a hundred per hour is already considered a large-scale meteor shower.

So overall, it's very possible that you'll stare at the sky all night according to the news forecast and not see any meteors.

Maybe a meteor will pass by in the blink of an eye.

Not to mention the legendary meteor shower.

Meteor showers are a typical product of idealistic dreams and harsh reality.

Therefore.

Li Qiqi, who majored in astronomy, should be very clear.

She would never see the meteor shower she imagined in her life, just like Liu Feng's *Introduction to the Universal Constant*... even until the world was destroyed 600 years later, it would still be regarded as a worthless piece of garbage full of errors.

For some reason.

Lin Xian remembered the little card that Li Qiqi wrote to Liu Feng in that book 600 years later.

It also mentioned meteor showers.

"If you really see a meteor shower, what are you going to do?" Lin Xian looked at Li Qiqi.

"Then I'll definitely make a wish." Li Qiqi looked up at the dark, starless sky and smiled. "I'll wish for everyone in the world to know what an amazing achievement the universal constant is, and for everyone in the world to know that Liu Feng is correct."

Sure enough...

It matched the little card in that book.

Lin Xian sighed inwardly and looked at the night sky with Li Qiqi. "Has Liu Feng's *Introduction to the Universal Constant* been published?"

Li Qiqi shook her head. "No."

"He didn't try to get it published? Or send the manuscript to a publisher?"

"No."

Li Qiqi shook her head again. "Now, Liu Feng himself thinks that *Introduction to the Universal Constant* is wrong, so of course he wouldn't do these things."

"That's true."

Lin Xian sorted out the logic.

The root cause now was still Liu Feng himself... He himself didn't believe that he was correct, so naturally he wouldn't seek recognition, and naturally he had no interest in his funding.

It was just that the question was even more confusing now—

Since this book had never been published, where did that ancient book 600 years later come from?

"Cough cough..."

The night wind blew, and Li Qiqi coughed weakly twice.

She raised her head, looked at Lin Xian, and pointed to the house. "Sorry, I have to go back."

"Okay, take care of yourself."

Lin Xian waved goodbye to her. "Good night."

...

2 a.m.

*Vroom vroom vroom vroom vroom vroom vroom screech*—

The sound of a motorcycle approached, and finally stalled in the yard. The door was pushed open.

"You're back?"

Inside the house, Li Qiqi turned her wheelchair around and smiled at Liu Feng, who was taking off his delivery helmet.

On the dining table in the middle of the living room, there were two simple dishes and a bowl of porridge.

"Why didn't you go to bed earlier? You don't need to prepare food for me. I can just eat something随便 (suí biàn – anything)."

Liu Feng hung his helmet on the wall, took off his delivery vest, and rubbed the hair that was flattened and pressed against his scalp.

"I slept all day, hee hee. I can't just sleep all day, right?"

Li Qiqi wheeled herself over and beckoned Liu Feng to sit down. "Come and sit down and eat. I've warmed it up several times."

Liu Feng sat down at the dining table, took the chopsticks Li Qiqi handed him, and began to eat. "It's probably going to get colder these few days. If you go to the yard, remember to put on more clothes."

Li Qiqi nodded, smiling as she watched Liu Feng eat heartily. "Don't worry, I'll take good care of myself when you're not home. Speaking of which... tonight when I was out in the yard, I met a very interesting person. We had a great chat."

Liu Feng picked up a slice of cucumber and put it in his mouth. "This area isn't very safe. Don't talk to strangers."

"I'm not a kid!" Li Qiqi snorted. "Besides... that person wasn't a bad person either. He was a very good person."

"How do you know he's a good person?"

"He said *Introduction to the Universal Constant* is correct!" Li Qiqi said happily.

"..."

Liu Feng's chopsticks stopped in mid-air, the shredded potatoes he had picked up wobbling weakly.

He paused for about two seconds.

Liu Feng put the shredded potatoes in his mouth, took a big bite of the steamed bun, and chewed it heartily. "Saying *Introduction to the Universal Constant* is correct makes someone a good person?"

"Yup!" Li Qiqi nodded and smiled. "In my opinion, that makes them a good person."

"You..." Liu Feng smiled weakly and continued to eat, looking down. "According to you, the whole world is full of bad people."

"Including me."