Chapter 6

Shuangyun leaned forward, pointing at the screen. "Every time I adjust this parameter to the real value, the model won't converge."
Cheng Lang was about to ask another question when Shuangyun said, "I've already tried many different combinations of solver and step, but still can't solve this problem. If it really doesn't work, I'll just have to simplify the pollutant diffusion model."
"No need. Let me help you look at it." As Cheng Lang spoke, he began debugging the model. "I used this software when I was a student. It might take some time to recall."
"No problem."
As Shuangyun spoke, she moved her chair even closer. Cheng Lang was quickly examining the entire model's settings, and Shuangyun would occasionally explain the reasons and background for each setting.
Cheng Lang was very focused, so Shuangyun naturally moved closer during their frequent exchanges.
He was sitting to her left. Shuangyun's left knee lightly touched his right leg, and he didn't notice. Shuangyun thought, what a silly man. But why was she secretly smiling?
Shuangyun definitely didn't like silly men. She liked handsome ones, and she liked intelligent ones.
Her previous boyfriends, once Shuangyun discovered they weren't as smart as her, would quickly break up after she'd enjoyed their bodies. And the man she'd met at the pub turned out to be the technical boss at her company.
As soon as Shuangyun left Cheng Lang's office that morning, she'd searched for his information online. His background was simple: completed undergraduate and PhD in Sydney, did two years as a lecturer, then two years as an associate professor, then went to a consulting company as a principal engineer. Three years later, he co-founded the current company. Shuangyun calculated his age—probably early thirties.
Good. His body was still in usable condition.
On the computer screen, Cheng Lang ran the model he'd fine-tuned for the first time. The progress bar wasn't moving fast. Cheng Lang released the mouse and waited quietly.
Shuangyun tilted her head slightly to look at him. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"This isn't your job." Shuangyun said.
"I did this when I was a student. It's fine to help you look at it."
"Would you mind if I asked your age?" Shuangyun still wanted to confirm his age.
"Don't mind. Thirty-one."
"Wow, you're younger than I thought." Shuangyun didn't hide that she'd searched his LinkedIn. "I saw you graduated many years ago."
"I was young when I went to school. My PhD only took three years."
"Same as me." Shuangyun said.
Cheng Lang looked at her and actually smiled somewhat rarely.
Shuangyun hadn't seen him smile much, but his personality wasn't the kind of coldness that kept people at a distance. It was more like a rich green, giving a feeling of calm. But not thin, not bland. Shuangyun felt his foundation had a richness she hadn't seen yet.
"I'm pretty smart too, right?" Shuangyun asked.
Cheng Lang said, "Depends on how you define smart."
"Shuangyun Liang is smart. That's my definition."
Cheng Lang looked at her, finding it somewhat incredible. Under the bright lights, her gaze carried candid cunning and laughter.
How could she so brazenly praise herself like this, without any hesitation?
"If that's your definition, I have no objection."
"Then what do you think?" Shuangyun asked again.
Cheng Lang said, "My thoughts might not be important to you."
"I want to hear them. I want to hear your objective evaluation."
Cheng Lang recalled the information about Shuangyun's papers he'd found on Google Scholar that morning.
He said, "Although you've published four articles, all first author, only two articles are in relatively good journals. The citation count isn't particularly—"
But Cheng Lang didn't get to finish.
Because Shuangyun tilted her head slightly, her eyes smiling sweetly, and interrupted him:
"Teacher Cheng, you searched my name?"