Min Jianshen had always been single.
As soon as girls heard that he worked with corpses every day, and moreover, ancient remains, mummies, and wet corpses that were hundreds or even thousands of years old... they would all steer clear of him.
The young girl before him was too young. He had no intention of getting to know her or having an in-depth conversation; he just wanted to get this over with quickly.
"Speaking of archaeology..." Rong Yu's face showed no trace of fear. Instead, it lit up with interest as she directly engaged with his topic. "A couple of days ago, I read a news article about archaeology. It said a well-preserved thousand-year-old corpse was discovered in a high-altitude region. Its skin was in a bluish state, and there were unknown symbols on it. The researchers couldn't explain this state of preservation... I wonder if you, Mr. Min, were involved in that project?"
Min Jianshen's eyes revealed disbelief. "You actually read news about this sort of thing?"
Rong Yu smiled. "Interesting news naturally catches my eye."
Min Jianshen: "..."
It was rare for anyone to describe a thousand-year-old corpse as 'interesting.'
Moreover, coming from the mouth of an eighteen-year-old pretty girl, it was even more incongruous.
Could she be pretending to be interested on purpose?
He took a few photos from his bag and handed them over. "Do you still find it interesting now?"
The photos were close-up shots of a mummy, 360 degrees without any blind spots, uncensored, abruptly appearing before Rong Yu's eyes.
Rong Yu directly picked up the photos, bringing them even closer. She looked through them one by one, her eyes gradually shining with a glow. "The symbols on the corpse are fascinating. They seem to be related to mathematics..."
She looked up at the waiter. "Could I trouble you to bring me some paper and a pen?"
The waiter hurried to comply.
She picked up the pen and drew the symbols from the photos onto the paper.
Min Jianshen was utterly baffled. "Wait, hold on, little friend Rong Yu, what are you doing?"
"Look, if we consider each symbol as a node, the proportional lengths of the connecting lines..." Rong Yu drew lines on the paper. "Although ancient people didn't have modern mathematical theory, they instinctively followed certain natural laws, like the hexagonal structure of honeycombs, the golden spiral of a nautilus shell... The arrangement of these symbols perfectly conforms to the Fibonacci sequence..."
Min Jianshen's eyes widened. "Are you saying these symbols didn't appear randomly?"
"This is a highly precise arrangement requiring considerable complex mathematical knowledge." Rong Yu was completely absorbed. "Suppose, just suppose—perhaps this arrangement could create some kind of localized field, altering the way molecules move? Mathematics isn't just a descriptive tool; it can also be an operational tool."
Min Jianshen found it hard to believe. "You... that hypothesis is absurd."
"Look at this—nonlinear partial differential equations can describe the behavior of certain self-organizing systems. If ancient people inadvertently discovered that specific geometric arrangements could influence the state of matter..." Rong Yu paused. "The builders of the pyramids didn't understand modern engineering, but they constructed buildings that are still difficult to replicate today. The forms of knowledge differ, but the essence of wisdom is interconnected..."
The two of them began discussing this hypothesis.
It wasn't until the waiter reminded them that the food was getting cold that they snapped out of it and started their meal.
Min Jianshen sighed with admiration. "No wonder my old man calls you a genius mathematician. You can even connect archaeology with mathematics. I've really had my eyes opened today."
Rong Yu said with a smile, "I also only found out today how interesting archaeology can be."
"I'm currently participating in an archaeological project in the capital. Miss Rong, if you're interested, I can take you to the archaeological site for an experience." Min Jianshen glanced at his wristwatch. "It's getting late. Let me take you back."
As soon as she got in the car, Rong Yu received a call from her teacher, Yun Xiaoyuan. "Xiao Yu, don't give that old fool Min Shenyan any face. Has his brain been slammed in a door? Arranging a blind date for a high school student... The older he gets, the less sense he has. He's really asking for a scolding..."
"Teacher, you've misunderstood. Academician Min just introduced me to a friend," Rong Yu said. "By the way, I've finished reading the book list you sent me a few days ago. Could you recommend some more?"
When it came to serious matters, Yun Xiaoyuan's mood calmed down considerably, and she began speaking earnestly.
When the car arrived at the entrance of the Ji family manor, Min Jianshen walked over to open the door for Rong Yu, his voice gentle. "Until next time."
As soon as she stepped inside, her wrist was grabbed by someone.
Old Master Ji, with a mischievous look, was hiding behind a tree, frowning as he watched Min Jianshen outside. "She's already inside, and he's still looking? What's there to look at? Slick-haired and powdered-faced, with ill intentions!"
"Darling. You need to stay away from that sort of person." The old man said with an air of righteousness. "These days aren't like seventy years ago. There are a lot of bad people. Seeing you're a young girl, they use all sorts of reasons and excuses to get close. I don't care. From now on, no matter where you go, have a few of my grandsons take turns picking you up and dropping you off. Don't give any opportunity to bad people."
Rong Yu ruffled his hair. "He's just a friend. You're really overthinking it."
That night, Rong Yu went to bed early because the next day was Saturday, the final battle of the last episode of Ji's Entertainment's talent show competition.
This talent show had reached unprecedented popularity by its final episode. Even before recording began, the top ten trending topics on Weibo were dominated by topics related to the show.
#StarDreamPlanFinals
#YanTingchiChiFangfeiAwards
#GiveUsYourDreamDebutLineup
#WhoWillBeTheCenter
#RongYuMustBeNumberOne
#RongRuoyaoMakeupAndStylingLeaks
#OverseasSimulcast
#RedCarpetLooks
Rong Yu appeared on the red carpet wearing a dress custom-made for her by Old Master Ji.
On the deep indigo silk base, tens of thousands of micro optical fibers were hand-embroidered into a swirling galaxy pattern. When she turned, the skirt flared like a nebula stirred by an invisible gravitational force, with gradient starlight rising from the depths of the pleats.
"Rong Yu! Rong Yu!"
"Rong Yu, Rong Yu, starlight unwavering!"
She looked up and saw familiar faces among the onlookers.
Old Son had brought a group of old gentlemen, Hai Dadun and Sima Gang, and they were holding the hand of their little fan, Duoduo.
Ji Zhouye had brought a large group of classmates from Class Twenty, holding up light boards and shouting wildly.
There were also many fans who had come to like her through this show, loudly calling her name.
She waved to the fans and turned to enter the recording hall.
Old Master Ji hurriedly said, "Come on, it's time for us to go in. I specifically had Yuan arrange front-row seats so we can capture Rong Yu's most beautiful moments."
Old Master Hai took a camera out of his backpack. "How can a phone compare to a professional camera? Leave the photography to me. I even won a photography award in my youth."
"Tsk." Old Master Si mercilessly exposed him. "First prize in the photography competition held by Hai Corporation. Are you sure it was awarded based on skill?"
Old Master Hai said angrily, "No one would think you're mute if you didn't speak."
The group of old gentlemen entered, bickering with each other. Everyone else kept a safe distance, afraid of getting accidentally bumped into or involved in some incident.
For the finals, the organizers had specially set up a family section, where all the family members were seated.
Rong Wangtian took one look and saw Old Master Ji and the others, immediately giving a start.
Whose family member was Old Master Ji?
And also, Old Master Hai and Old Master Si, what were these two doing here joining in the excitement?
