Is not being able to do as you please also called rebirth?

Chapter 205 In the car
Shichahai at night presents a completely different scene.

The lake reflects the glittering lights of the bars and cafes along the shore, creating a dazzling spectacle.

The tender buds of the weeping willows on the bank appeared hazy and charming under the lamplight. Pedestrians strolled in twos and threes or sat on outdoor seats chatting. The air was filled with the aroma of coffee, wine and soft music.

Jiang Xun, Chen Shixuan, and Zhao Ruoyu did not go to a noisy bar. Instead, they found a relatively quiet waterfront cafe near Yinding Bridge and sat down on a second-floor terrace with a wide view.

A cool evening breeze, carrying moisture, swept by, dispelling the daytime hustle and bustle and the smells of food.

We ordered hot cocoa and coffee, along with some delicate snacks.

Chen Shixuan leaned on the balcony railing, excitedly pointing to the rowing boats adorned with red lanterns slowly passing on the lake: "Look! Doesn't it look like something out of a painting?"

Zhao Ruoyu held her hot cocoa, sipping it slowly, her gaze following the twinkling lights, her expression unusually serene. "It's quite comfortable here at night," she said softly.

Jiang Xun looked at the two girls beside him.

Under the lights, Chen Shixuan's profile was soft, and her eyes reflected the lake's light, filled with pure appreciation for the beautiful scenery before her.

Zhao Ruoyu lowered her head slightly, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow under her eyes. Her slender, white fingers holding the cup had lost some of their usual sharpness, revealing a quiet softness.

Jiang Xun stepped forward and reached out to pat their heads. His hands were warm and strong, carrying a reassuring power.

Chen Shixuan immediately squinted her eyes comfortably, like a cat being stroked, and rubbed against her.

Zhao Ruoyu's body stiffened slightly, but she did not dodge. Instead, she awkwardly turned her face to look at the lake, her ears blushing slightly under the lamplight.

The reflections of the lights on the lake swayed in her eyes, revealing a hint of shyness and satisfaction.

A gentle evening breeze carried the faint fishy smell of the lake water and the sweet fragrance of unnamed flowers and plants along the shore.

The string lights hanging on the café's terrace cast a warm yellow glow, gently enveloping them.

Chen Shixuan chattered on about the interesting things she had seen during the day, and Zhao Ruoyu occasionally chimed in, her voice much softer.

Jiang Xun mostly just listened, his gaze lingering tenderly on their young and vibrant faces, occasionally responding with a few words, a smile always playing on his lips.

At this moment, there is no scheming or backstabbing in the marketplace, no academic pressure, only the shimmering lake before me, the girl laughing and chatting beside me, and a sense of peace filled with this ordinary warmth.

As night deepened, the number of boats on the lake thinned out, but the lights along the shore remained dazzling.

The string lights on the terrace softly outlined the three figures in the night. Chen Shixuan leaned on Jiang Xun's shoulder, seemingly a little sleepy, her long eyelashes casting quiet shadows beneath her eyes.

Zhao Ruoyu also relaxed and leaned back in her chair, gazing at the distant lights. Her profile appeared serene and beautiful in the light and shadow.

Jiang Xun gently put his arm around Chen Shixuan, his gaze falling on Zhao Ruoyu, filled with silent acceptance and an indescribable protectiveness.

The night breeze at Shichahai was still slightly cool, but it could no longer dispel the warm and peaceful glow between them, a glow born from the scent of early spring, the sweet aroma of food, and silent companionship.

The early spring night in Beijing gently embraces this tranquil embrace away from the hustle and bustle, like a silent ink painting scroll unfolding, quietly freezing the fleeting moments of youth.

……

In late spring, the continuous drizzle in the capital city washed away the dust in the air, leaving only the fresh scent of lush vegetation.

On the windowsill of the Zizhuyuan residential area, a newly planted jasmine plant stretches its tender green leaves, ready to bloom.

Inside, Jiang Xun had just finished an encrypted video conference with Cai Haoyu of miHoYo, pushed open his laptop, and rubbed his temples.

The screen was still flashing with his latest draft visual feedback algorithm based on the "elemental reaction" system.

The phone screen lit up, displaying a very brief message from Yan Jin: "[Tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM, at the East Gate of Peking University, attending the Interdisciplinary Algorithm Seminar at Huazhong University of Science and Technology. I will email you the materials later.]"

The tone was informal, a notification, but also an unspoken understanding. Jiang Xun's lips curved slightly, and he replied with a single word: "Okay."

The next morning, the rain stopped completely, the sky was a washed-out light gray-blue, and the sun peeked through the clouds, bringing warmth.

Outside the east gate of Peking University, dewdrops on the new leaves of the plane trees reflect the morning light, sparkling and translucent.

Jiang Xun wore a well-tailored dark gray casual suit with a white shirt underneath. He wasn't wearing a tie, which made him look less formal but gave him a composure and uprightness rarely seen at his age.

As he stepped out of the school gate, he immediately spotted a black Audi A6 parked by the roadside.

The rear window slowly rolled down, revealing Yan Jin's cool and aloof profile.

She was still wearing a meticulously white shirt, with a light khaki trench coat over it. Her hair was neatly tied back with that familiar ebony hairpin. Her gaze behind her gold-rimmed glasses paused almost imperceptibly when it swept over Jiang Xun.

"Get in the car." The voice was flat.

Jiang Xun opened the passenger door and got in. The car was filled with her unique scent, a mixture of the coolness of disinfectant and a hint of elegant floral fragrance, as well as... the slightly bitter aroma of coffee.

He fastened his seatbelt, his gaze sweeping over a white thermos and a brown paper bag filled with thick documents on the center console.

"Breakfast." Yan Jin started the car, looking ahead as if she were just pointing casually. "Sandwiches and coffee, yours is in the armrest box." Her fingers were long and slender, resting steadily on the steering wheel.

"Thank you, Teacher Yan." Jiang Xun smiled brightly, but instead of getting breakfast, he brought his handsome face close to Yan Jin's and chuckled, "Teacher Yan, you look so beautiful today."

A blush visibly rose on Yan Jin's pretty face. She glared at Jiang Xun, then quickly turned her head to look ahead, her eyelashes fluttering slightly.

At this moment, Jiang Xun couldn't help but want to go forward and kiss her, but she blocked him with her hand.

"Stop fooling around! Let's go." Yan Jin gently pushed Jiang Xun's cheek away, her tone lacking its usual coldness, but instead carrying a hint of allure.

Jiang Xun knew he couldn't be too presumptuous, so he obediently sat in the passenger seat and ate his breakfast.

Yan Jin drove with focused and steady control, just as she handled those complex models with precision and efficiency. Jiang Xun's gaze occasionally fell on her taut jawline, and a ripple of emotion quietly spread through his heart.

After driving for nearly an hour, we entered the familiar campus of Huahai University.

On the tree-lined school paths, groups of vibrant students stroll about, their bicycle bells ringing crisply and melodiously.

"The seminar will be held in the lecture hall on the fifth floor of Zhiyuan Building, School of Information Science and Technology." Yan Jin parked the car, straightened the collar of her trench coat, and gave a concise explanation. "Professor Zheng from the Computer Science Department of Huazhong University of Science and Technology will be hosting the seminar, and representatives from several leading internet companies' AI Labs will also be attending. Your task is to prepare for possible technical questions after I finish my presentation on 'Spatiotemporal Dynamic Modeling in Recommendation Systems,' especially regarding the real-time feedback optimization iterative algorithm mentioned in your paper."

“Understood,” Jiang Xun replied, his gaze calm. He noticed that when Yan Jin raised her hand to adjust her glasses, her wrist bones were slightly visible, and on her pale wrist beneath her sleeve was a simple silver wristwatch. It was the one he had given her last time.

The two walked side by side into the School of Information Science building.

The elevator came to a stop on the fifth floor, and Yan Jin stepped out first. Her high heels clicked crisply on the polished marble floor, instantly attracting a lot of attention.

She possesses a powerful yet reserved aura, her cool beauty blending seamlessly with her academic presence.

Jiang Xun, who was following behind, was young, handsome, calm and composed, which naturally attracted a lot of attention and speculation.

The lecture hall was packed with people, including faculty and students from BGI and surrounding universities, as well as many industry professionals.

Jiang Xun sat down in the seat to Yan Jin's right, slightly forward, and could clearly see the slight pursing of her lips and the focused drooping of her eyelashes as she prepared her report.

(End of this chapter)