The Mysterious Night of Beijing

"But brother, she's going to Peking University now." Jiang Chiye said, somewhat irritated. "If she really gets in, it'll be harder to get her later."

"You got in?" Jiang Xian'an laughed, a laugh full of contempt. "You think the Peking University interview is so easy to pass?"

He had already made the arrangements.

His friend in Yenching had already spoken to one of the professors on the interview panel.

Lin Chuxiu will definitely not pass the interview.

He wanted to shatter all her hopes and make her clearly understand who truly controlled her destiny.

He was certain that Lin Chuxiu would never escape his grasp for the rest of her life.

Lin's parents also heard about the school from their relatives.

Song Yulan was so angry that she smashed several cups at home.

"She's gone too far! She's trying to cut ties with us!"

Lin Hai's face was also very pale. He smoked a cigarette and remained silent.

"Old Lin, say something!" Song Yulan said anxiously. "What do we do now? The Jiang family is still waiting for us to give them an answer regarding the engagement!"

"What can we do?" Lin Hai stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray. "She's gotten involved with the Meng family now, what can we do about it?"

"So we're just going to let it go like this? Let her ruin the Lin family's reputation outside?"

"She's just throwing a tantrum," Lin Hai said after thinking for a moment. "Once she suffers outside, she'll naturally realize her mistake."

"Go and tell the Jiang family that the engagement remains unchanged. Chu Xiu was just confused for a moment and will go back in a few days."

After thinking about it, Song Yulan also felt that this was the only way.

They couldn't believe that Lin Chuxiu would actually dare to completely break with her family.

In their eyes, she will always be that country girl who needs to rely on the Lin family to survive.

Lin Chuxiu got up very early on the day of the interview.

She wore a simple white shirt and black trousers, no makeup, and her hair was simply tied in a ponytail, making her look clean and neat.

She looked in the mirror and took a deep breath.

The person in the mirror has clear, determined eyes.

She has made all the preparations.

The building of the Chemistry Department at Yenching University is both ancient and solemn.

Lin Chuxiu walked into the interview room, where five professors, all of whom were leading figures in the field of chemistry in China, were already seated.

Sitting in the very center was an elderly professor with gray hair and glasses; he looked very kind.

Lin Chuxiu recognized him; he was Professor Wang, mentioned in the materials Meng Huizhou had given her.

"Lin Chuxiu, right?" Professor Wang glanced at the documents in his hand and said with a smile, "Don't be nervous, please introduce yourself first."

Lin Chuxiu nodded and began to fluently introduce her academic background and research experience.

She spoke with composure and clarity.

The professors listened and nodded.

After the self-introductions, the Q&A session began.

The first question was raised by Professor Wang.

"I read your paper, which mentions a reaction involving asymmetric catalysis, and the design is very innovative."

Professor Wang adjusted his glasses. "But I'd like to know, why did you choose this chiral ligand instead of another one that's simpler in structure and lower in cost?"

"Could you explain this from the perspective of reaction mechanism and transition state energy?"

The question was tricky and went straight to the heart of the matter.

Lin Chuxiu's heart skipped a beat. Meng Huizhou had analyzed this problem with her almost verbatim a few nights ago.

She composed herself and began to answer calmly.

She not only explained the reasons for the choice, but also extended to the kinetic differences between the two ligands in different solvent systems, and even put forward a preliminary idea for improving the ligand structure.

Her answer surprised and impressed the professors present.

Professor Wang nodded repeatedly, unable to hide the smile in his eyes.

Next, Professor Li, who was sitting next to Professor Wang, asked a question.

Just as Meng Huizhou had predicted, his questions were all focused on the details of the experiment.

"In a Grignard reaction, what specific impact will the presence of an oxide layer on the surface of the magnesium feedstock, if not properly removed, have on the reaction yield?"

How can the accurate concentration of Grignard reagent in a reaction solution be quickly determined using a simple titration method?

These questions are a true test of a student's experimental skills and ability to solve practical problems.

Lin Chuxiu answered fluently.

These are all experiences she has gradually gained by spending the past three years in the laboratory.

It was also Meng Huizhou who helped her reorganize her thoughts and pointed out the key points.

The entire interview process lasted nearly an hour.

In the end, it almost turned into an academic discussion between Lin Chuxiu and several professors.

The atmosphere was very lively.

After the interview, Lin Chuxiu walked out of the conference room and let out a long sigh of relief.

She knew she should be alright.

She had just stepped downstairs when her phone rang.

It was Meng Huizhou.

Lin Chuxiu paused for a moment before answering the phone.

"Feed?"

"How is it?" The man's voice on the other end of the phone was as calm as ever.

But Lin Chuxiu inexplicably felt that hidden in this ordinariness was a trace of tension she had never heard of before.

"It should be...not bad," she said.

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.

"Okay," he replied. "I'm at the gate of your school."

Lin Chuxiu's mind went blank.

"What?"

"I'm in Beijing on a business trip, and this is just a side trip," he explained.

Lin Chuxiu hung up the phone and walked quickly toward the school gate.

From afar, she saw the familiar black Cullinan parked on the side of the road.

The car window rolled down, revealing the man's well-defined profile.

Why did he come?

Lin Chuxiu's heart began to pound uncontrollably.

She walked to the car, opened the door, and got in.

Inside the car, there was that familiar scent of cedar wood emanating from him.

"You answered all the interviewer's questions?" He turned his head to look at her.

"Yes." Lin Chuxiu nodded. "The information you gave me is very useful."

"That's good."

The car started and merged into the traffic.

Lin Chuxiu looked at the unfamiliar street scene outside the window, her mind in turmoil.

He said he was there on a business trip and just happened to be passing by.

But she didn't believe it.

There aren't that many coincidences in the world.

The car eventually stopped in front of a private restaurant.

"Let's eat first," Meng Huizhou said.

The restaurant was quiet, with only one private room.

The dishes were served quickly, and they were still the light and refreshing flavors she preferred.

The two ate their meal in silence, neither of them speaking.

After the meal, Meng Huizhou escorted her back to her hotel.

When they arrived at the hotel, Lin Chuxiu stopped.

"Thank you for today," she said, looking at him earnestly.

Whether it's the information or the fact that he flew here specifically today.

She didn't know how to repay this kindness.

"No need." Meng Huizhou looked at her, his dark eyes reflecting the city's neon lights.

He suddenly stepped forward.

Lin Chuxiu instinctively stepped back, her back hitting the cold car door.

He was so close that she could see her own reflection in his eyes.

He raised his hand, as if he wanted to do something.

Lin Chuxiu's heart pounded in her throat, and she nervously closed her eyes.

However, the expected touch did not occur.

He simply helped her tidy her hair, which had been ruffled by the wind.

His fingertips brushed against her earlobe unintentionally, carrying a hint of coolness.

Get some rest.

He withdrew his hand, his voice slightly hoarse.