Nian Xi looked at him.

She could make out his tall and sculpted silhouette now; his long eyelashes cast a light shadow on his cheeks as the sunlight streamed through the window. He looked ethereal, and she felt a sense of calmness looking at him.

Nian Xi could feel his shallow breathing on her neck; it was ticklish and it made her numb all over, but she held it in.

Suddenly, the car in front of them slammed on their brakes. Jiang Yuning slid down from her shoulder and she caught his head with her hands. He readjusted himself and continued sleeping in the nook of her arm.

Nian Xi looked down at him. She had the urge to reach out and ruffle his hair. She felt as if she had a new pet.

After a while of holding his head, she gently laid him down on her lap.

Nian Xi woke him up when they arrived at the convention hall. Jiang Yuning got up, his black eyes still in a daze. She had the urge to reach out and pinch his cheeks again.

“Wake up, we’re at the event hall,” Nian Xi said, reminding him.

“So fast?” Jiang Yuning rubbed his eyes and his fringe fell onto his forehead. His hair looked messy.

“Your fringe,” Nian Xi said.

Jiang Yuning tried to fix his hair, but he only made it messier. Nian Xi reached out and smoothed it. He looked down at her, his eyes watery. Nian Xi swallowed nervously when she caught his gaze. It was like she was taking care of Xiaosi.

Her hand was patting his head. Jiang Yuning looked down, nuzzling his head into her palms. His soft hair brushed against her hands and it was electrifying. She quickly withdrew.

Jiang Yuning was disappointed. He wished that she would continue to pat his head forever.

Uncle Han feigned ignorance and said, “We should head out.”



The security checks were more stringent this time. Every invitation could only admit two persons. Nian Xi went in with Jiang Yuning, who was still pretending to be his girlfriend. She had her arm wrapped around his arm.

There were a lot more people at the event today than the exhibition the day before.

When they walked in, they realized that Jiang Yuning’s seat was fifth from the last row. He was seated with other researchers from third-world or developing countries. Professor Wang and other Chinese scientists were also seated in that row.

Professor Wang was shocked to see Jiang Yuning there. “Yuning, why are you seated so far back when you’re going to be speaking later?”

Jiang Yuning sat down with Nian Xi without saying a word.

Professor Wang was angry. “This is too much. They are discriminating against us. They look down on us, those bunch of arrogant fools. You are a scientist that proposed the nano quantum theory. You are far better than most of them sitting up front.”

Nian Xi was angry as well. “Forget it, they are too conceited. Why don’t we just take our leave?”

Jiang Yuning shook his head. “We can’t go. We need to show them our technology.”

Nian Xi was stunned. In that moment, she felt proud and in awe of him. Although he was usually a little dazed, he never tripped up during crucial moments.

When the conference started, various scientists and physicists stepped up and spoke in English, using a lot of technical jargon. Nian Xi couldn’t follow the talk until a Japanese man took the stage.

Professor Wang said in shock, “Yuning, isn’t this what you were supposed to talk about later?”

Nian Xi was shocked and turned to look at Jiang Yuning. He was nodding his head.

“You’re up after another two speakers, aren’t you?” Nian Xi swallowed hard. If he went up to repeat what the previous speaker had just elaborated, he would be deemed as a joke of the conference. It would have a disastrous effect on their country’s image.