Fall In Love With A Scientist resumo, enredo, sinopse

Sinopse de Fall In Love With A Scientist

Ordinary college student Bai Lingling has secretly loved her online friend “How Far Is Forever” for six years but has never dared to confess her feelings because of the insurmountable distance between them. Meanwhile, her graduation defense ends in failure due to the unexpected interference of a stranger, Yang Lanhang, forcing her to delay graduation. Facing setbacks in both love and academics, Bai Lingling falls into an unprecedented life crisis.

Surprisingly, the man she considers her “archenemy,” Yang Lanhang, encourages her to break free from limitations, pursue further studies, and explore new possibilities in life. In the end, the two work side by side on challenging research projects, achieving remarkable scientific progress — and Bai Lingling finally discovers that Yang Lanhang is, in fact, the very “How Far Is Forever” she has loved all along.

Resumos de Fall In Love With A Scientist

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In a German laboratory, Yang Lanhang successfully completed his materials science experiment. As he celebrated with his colleagues, Frank suddenly held a gun to his head, fiercely trying to convince him to stay in Germany. Frank emphasized that the professor had already discussed the possibility of him remaining, and offered him any conditions he desired.

However, Yang Lanhang firmly insisted on returning to China with his new material, stating that "Nothing is better than home" and "Someone is waiting for me" there. Frank then pulled the trigger, and confetti burst forth, revealing it was a celebratory prank orchestrated by his colleagues who admired his work and wished he would stay. Yang Lanhang was eager to finally meet his online friend in person, only to discover that she had blocked him.

Meanwhile, in China, Bai Lingling was rushing to her graduation thesis defense at Huaihai University. To save time, she tried to scale a wall with her best friend, Guan Xiaoyu. While Bai Lingling easily made it over, the timid Guan Xiaoyu got stuck on top. Bai Lingling, worried about being late, promised to return with a ladder within thirty minutes to help Guan Xiaoyu down, then hurried off.

At the defense, Professor Jiang acknowledged Bai Lingling's good academic performance and asked if she still intended to pursue postgraduate studies with him. Bai Lingling, however, openly stated that she was now focused on graduating and securing a job to earn money. Her thesis, titled "A Manufacturing Method of Carbon Nanotube Composite Material," described how her method could enhance electrical conductivity by 1. 5 times.

Her presentation was interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Yang Lanhang, who pointed out that her data was outdated, relying on 2013 literature when it was now 2017. He argued that the rapid advancements in carbon nanotube composite materials rendered her research fundamentally "meaningless," and corrected her claim, stating the actual improvement in conductivity was three times, not 1. 5 times. Annoyed by his interruption, Bai Lingling demanded that he be removed from the undergraduate defense.

Professor Jiang then introduced Yang Lanhang as a doctoral student from the School of Materials Science, a senior student to Bai Lingling, and, ironically, the original author of the very literature she had cited. While Bai Lingling was inside, Guan Xiaoyu was still stuck on the wall, worrying about her friend.

A junior student happened to pass by and, after a brief, awkward conversation where he seemed to know her from a bar, Guan Xiaoyu asked him to fetch a ladder. The defense committee deliberated and concluded that Bai Lingling's data errors invalidated her results, leading to her thesis being "not approved." Her advisor expressed surprise, noting she had been instructed to correct these issues.

Yang Lanhang, seeing Bai Lingling looking dejected outside, felt a pang of guilt and attempted to apologize. However, Bai Lingling, after being informed of her failed defense, ignored him and quickly left. Professor Jiang assured Yang Lanhang that he had done the right thing by upholding scientific truth, emphasizing that Bai Lingling's serious data errors indicated a lack of seriousness and a need for self-reflection. Later, Guan Xiaoyu noticed Bai Lingling's cherished books being sold at a campus flea market.

The seller explained that Bai Lingling, having nowhere to stay after graduation, had asked him to sell them as she couldn't take everything with her. Realizing her friend's predicament, Guan Xiaoyu promptly bought all the books back. Back in their dorm, Bai Lingling received an urgent call from her grandmother’s nursing home. She rushed over to find her grandmother, Wu Chunhua, refusing to eat the nutritious meal provided by the caregiver.

Wu Chunhua confided in Bai Lingling that the 50 yuan daily meal cost was exorbitant, and she preferred the more economical option of steamed buns with her homemade eggplant sauce. A nearby patient complained about the noise, cutting their conversation short. As Bai Lingling prepared to leave for school, her grandmother announced her intention to return home in a few days, refusing to see a heart specialist Bai Lingling had found.

She promised Bai Lingling she would never abandon her, unlike her mother, a comment that visibly upset Bai Lingling. Meanwhile, Yang Lanhang informed his mother of his desire to find a girlfriend. His mother was thrilled, encouraging him to "open his heart" and socialize more, unlike his father who spent all his time in the lab.

Guan Xiaoyu, still concerned about Bai Lingling's financial strain from her grandmother's care and her failed thesis defense, generously offered to lend her some money from her successful novel sales. Bai Lingling initially insisted she had funds, but when Guan Xiaoyu playfully searched her bag, she discovered a stack of cash and a note from her grandmother that simply read: "Take it and spend it." Overwhelmed, Bai Lingling ran to the balcony, tears streaming down her face.

That evening, Yang Lanhang's cousin, Ouyang Yifan, was brazenly flirting with a woman on the street, which Yang Lanhang observed. Ouyang Yifan later joined Yang Lanhang, revealing that their Aunt had called, expressing concern for Yang Lanhang after his long flight and instructing Ouyang to care for him. Ouyang Yifan also brought official documents and showed pictures of a stylish office space he found for their new company.

Yang Lanhang, however, surprised Ouyang Yifan by announcing that he and Yinfan had already voted Ouyang Yifan to be the company's General Manager, adding that he intended to move out of the family home to live independently and find a girlfriend. Ouyang Yifan was astonished that "this freak" was finally pursuing a romantic relationship and jokingly asked if he had studied Ouyang's "Love Guide."

Guan Xiaoyu, while packing in the dorm, stumbled upon Bai Lingling's postgraduate study books, realizing Bai Lingling had been secretly planning to take the entrance exam. As they chatted, a booming declaration echoed from downstairs: "Bai Lingling, I love you!" They rushed down to find Wang Tao, a persistent suitor, on the football field amidst heart-shaped candles and balloons, holding flowers, publicly declaring his love.

He told Bai Lingling that he knew about her failed thesis defense, but having secured an offer from a "Top 500" company, he could support her "even if you don't graduate." Despite his passionate plea, Bai Lingling gently but firmly rejected him, reiterating that she did not like him and that the "keeper" she sought was not him. She then left, advising him to extinguish the candles.

Later, Ouyang Yifan mocked Yang Lanhang's online relationship, saying she must have blocked him because it was "Feeling disappointed after seeing her in real life." Yang Lanhang confirmed he had seen her since returning to China, but admitted "Feelings are different then." Ouyang Yifan then gave Yang Lanhang an invitation code to a new dating app developed by his friend, boasting about its "big data matching" and ability to help him find a "soulmate in a blink of an eye."

Yang Lanhang, though still holding onto hope for his online connection, agreed to try it, saying, "If you are really connected, that's God's plan for the next encounter." As Bai Lingling and Guan Xiaoyu moved their belongings to Guan Xiaoyu's new apartment, Guan Xiaoyu went upstairs to fetch a cart, leaving Bai Lingling alone with their possessions.

A visibly drunk Wang Tao then approached Bai Lingling, angrily questioning her continued infatuation with "Forever is for Ever," asking if she even knew "if he is a douchebag or not." He boasted about his computer science skills, revealing that he had hacked her cloud drive account and accessed her private six-year-long chat history. He argued that if her online friend truly cared, he would have met her upon returning to China, dismissing online messages as "fake."

Disgusted by his violation of her privacy and his "filthy" use of his skills, Bai Lingling sharply rebuked him. Wang Tao, fueled by alcohol, grew aggressive and attempted to grab Bai Lingling, claiming she was "mine." At that moment, Zheng Minghao appeared, pushing Wang Tao away and asking Bai Lingling if she was alright. Wang Tao, not backing down, accused Zheng Minghao of also being infatuated with Bai Lingling and offered to send him the chat logs.

Enraged, Bai Lingling slapped Wang Tao, telling him, "I didn't like you before. But from now on, I disgust you. I despise you." She declared she wouldn't call the police, not to let him off, but because she refused to "waste time in the middle of the night to go to the police station with a douchebag," and ordered him to "Get lost."

Unbeknownst to them, Yang Lanhang, who was trying to navigate the confusing old neighborhoods near the school on the phone with Ouyang Yifan, was a nearby witness to the entire unsettling confrontation.

After Zheng Minghao helped Bai Lingling upstairs, he was still furious about Wang Tao’s inappropriate behavior, expressing that he needed to confront Wang Tao to appease his anger. Bai Lingling, however, suggested that Wang Tao likely wouldn't dare to bother them again. Later, Bai Lingling decided to delete her old chat records with her online friend, "Forever is for Ever." As she scrolled through them one last time, she reminisced about their first conversation.

She had asked him if he saw the meteor shower and made a wish, to which he responded with a scientific explanation of meteoroids as burning space debris, stating that such phenomena bore no relation to human life or wish fulfillment. Amused by his serious tone, Bai Lingling asked if he was an old man. He revealed he was a sophomore with no classes that day and inquired about her university plans.

Bai Lingling confessed she didn't intend to go to university, feeling content with a local college, believing that everyone had their own destiny. Her online friend challenged this, asserting that she could definitely get into a university and encouraged her to apply to Huaihai University, promising to wait for her there. This encouragement inspired Bai Lingling to get into Huaihai.

A flashback then showed Zheng Minghao telling Bai Lingling he would be going abroad for an exchange program for a while and asked her to wait for him. As Bai Lingling prepared to delete the extensive chat history, Zheng Minghao offered to write an encrypted program for her to prevent data loss, but she politely declined, then proceeded to clear all the records.

Zheng Minghao discreetly signaled to Guan Xiaoyu, who understood and made an excuse to retrieve some dry-cleaned clothes, leaving Bai Lingling and Zheng Minghao alone. Zheng Minghao eagerly helped Bai Lingling move her belongings. Bai Lingling, noticing Guan Xiaoyu's clumsy attempt, jokingly commented that Guan Xiaoyu always faltered at crucial moments.

After Zheng Minghao helped with some heavy boxes, he offered to reorganize her personal items, but Bai Lingling gently refused, explaining that it contained her private belongings and she would be more comfortable tidying them herself. She then thanked him for his help and suggested he go home and rest early. Downstairs, Guan Xiaoyu found Zheng Minghao looking dejected, confirming her suspicion that Bai Lingling had sent him away.

Zheng Minghao, however, was not giving up and asked Guan Xiaoyu if she knew who Bai Lingling truly liked. Guan Xiaoyu speculated that the person likely lived abroad. Seizing on this, Zheng Minghao expressed confidence in his chances, being physically closer to Bai Lingling, and pleaded with Guan Xiaoyu for help. Initially, Guan Xiaoyu refused to scheme against her best friend.

Zheng Minghao then tempted her by revealing he knew Chen Zhe, the popular second male lead in a recent idol drama and a school hunk from the University of Science and Technology. Swayed, Guan Xiaoyu agreed, but not before extracting a promise: if he and Bai Lingling ever got together, he must treat her exceptionally well and work hard to earn money.

Guan Xiaoyu later confided to Bai Lingling that her "dry cleaning" errand was a setup by Zheng Minghao, though Bai Lingling had seen through the act immediately. Guan Xiaoyu pressed Bai Lingling to give Zheng Minghao a chance, praising his good character, but Bai Lingling insisted she wasn't good enough for him. Meanwhile, Ouyang Yifan dropped Yang Lanhang off at his new apartment.

Yang Lanhang recounted his day, mentioning he got lost and, during his detour, saw his first love net friend appearing quite close to another man. He worried she might have a boyfriend. Ouyang Yifan cautiously advised him against being a third party, suggesting it might be "a warning from God" and he should let go. Yang Lanhang, however, clung to hope, believing there was still a "50% chance" it wasn't serious.

Ouyang Yifan, having temporarily run away from home, decided to stay the night and encouraged Yang Lanhang to try out a newly downloaded dating app called "Gate of Heart" developed by his friend. Back with Bai Lingling, Guan Xiaoyu enthusiastically recommended the "Gate of Heart" app, mentioning it was a collaboration between Zheng Minghao and Dong Chao. Guan Xiaoyu urged Bai Lingling to log in.

Zheng Minghao had previously detailed his plan to Guan Xiaoyu: the app featured a new user data input for soulmate matching. If Guan Xiaoyu could get Bai Lingling's answers to these questions, he would input identical responses, ensuring the system matched them. He assured her that the app was designed for one-to-one matching to "link the most matched ones together" and that he would have three months to win her over.

However, as Bai Lingling logged in, she skipped most of the questions, much to Guan Xiaoyu's frustration. Despite the minimal input, the system unexpectedly matched Bai Lingling with "Forever is for Ever." Bai Lingling, recognizing the username, immediately sent a "Long time no see" message. " Forever is for Ever" replied, "It has been 1,338 days."

Simultaneously, Zheng Minghao anxiously called Guan Xiaoyu for updates, only to be met with the disheartening news that Bai Lingling had already found her soulmate. " Forever is for Ever" (Yang Lanhang) then asked Bai Lingling if she was still angry with him and still hated him after so long. Bai Lingling playfully retorted that she had moved on to hating someone else. When he pressed for a name, she revealed it was "a guy named Yang Lanhang."

Stunned, Yang Lanhang rushed into the bathroom, asking Ouyang Yifan if he was truly that annoying. Regaining composure, Yang Lanhang texted Bai Lingling, trying to rationalize "Yang Lanhang's" behavior as a professional eccentricity of a rigorous scientist, not personal targeting. Consulting Ouyang Yifan's "Notebook of Love," which advised forgetting logic and embracing emotional empathy, Yang Lanhang then, against his true feelings, agreed that "Yang Lanhang is no good guy," making Bai Lingling happy that her online friend understood her.

He then asked about her plans following her graduation delay. Bai Lingling lamented that her internship, which promised a full-time position upon graduation, was now jeopardized. Yang Lanhang suggested pursuing a master's degree at Huaihai University, highlighting its top-tier School of Materials Science. Bai Lingling remarked that he used the same persuasive tone to convince her to enroll in Huaihai years ago. Yang Lanhang apologized for not meeting her when she first arrived, explaining his hasty departure abroad.

Bai Lingling acknowledged his past encouragement, which had given her hope at Huaihai, but reiterated her desire for a stable job and income for her grandmother, stating that not everyone could freely pursue dreams like him, and embracing her ordinariness brought her more happiness. Yang Lanhang tried once more to convince her, but she only said she would think about it later. He then explicitly asked if she was truly no longer angry with him.

When she confirmed she wasn't, he inquired why she hadn't unblocked him. Bai Lingling explained she had uninstalled the old chat app long ago and suggested they add each other on WeChat. Yang Lanhang, realizing his identity as the "annoying Yang Lanhang" in real life, hesitated to add her on WeChat, fearing exposure. He decided it was better to continue chatting within the app. Separately, Guan Xiaoyu, who prioritizes love, practiced watching a horror movie alone at home.

She intended to master the perfect romantic rhythm for an upcoming date with a suitor. Bai Lingling, amused, quipped that if Guan Xiaoyu applied such dedication to her literary pursuits, she would have already won several awards. Later, Bai Lingling confided in Guan Xiaoyu about matching with her old online friend. Guan Xiaoyu was surprised by their persistent connection and asked if Bai Lingling still liked him.

Bai Lingling admitted that when they reconnected, she felt a familiar flutter of excitement, confirming she still did. Guan Xiaoyu encouraged her to pursue the relationship, reminding her that life was short. Bai Lingling then confessed she had already tried asking him to add her on WeChat, but he refused.

Guan Xiaoyu theorized he was likely just "in a fit of pique" because Bai Lingling had blacklisted him for so long, emphasizing the importance of a man's dignity in a relationship. Yang Lanhang, unable to sleep, stared at a photo of Bai Lingling. He explained to Ouyang Yifan that he had missed her intensely during his studies abroad, and after she blacklisted him, he asked Ouyang Yifan to get a photo of her from school.

He also mentioned his discomfort with sharing a bed. Ouyang Yifan then revealed his own reason for running away from home: his mother had tried to set him up on a blind date meant for his elder brother, and when he refused, she froze his bank card.

After the lights were off, Yang Lanhang quietly reflected on Bai Lingling’s words—"Luckily, you were there with me, and only then did I feel some hope"—and whispered to himself, "You are my light instead." The next morning, Ouyang Yifan was surprisingly dressed up and announced he was going to the blind date. Yang Lanhang teased him about succumbing to money, but Ouyang Yifan claimed he found the girl interesting.

Before leaving, Ouyang Yifan practiced with Yang Lanhang how to subtly ask about a girl's boyfriend during a conversation. Meanwhile, Guan Xiaoyu was forcibly taken by her mother to another blind date. She desperately texted Bai Lingling for help, who promised to come after finishing her urgent task of trying to meet Professor Jiang. Guan's mother extolled the virtues of the suitor, praising his character, family, and good looks. However, Guan Xiaoyu was irked by his tardiness, deeming it disrespectful.

Feigning a need to refresh her makeup, she escaped to the restroom. As she tried to hail a taxi, she stumbled upon Ouyang Yifan’s car, which was being blocked by his aggressive ex-girlfriend, Shuang. Just as Guan’s mother spotted her from a second-story window, Guan Xiaoyu, in a panic, declared Ouyang Yifan her suitor and jumped into his car. They sped away, leaving Guan’s furious mother and the ex-girlfriend behind.

Separately, Dong Chao confronted Zheng Minghao, agitated that the system was being upgraded without his knowledge and the server temporarily shut down. Zheng Minghao explained that the login interface and user data input were too rigid, and he felt the three-month evaluation period was too long, citing user feedback on Weibo. Dong Chao was surprised, reminding Zheng Minghao that he had initially proposed user-defined evaluation periods, which Zheng Minghao had vehemently opposed.

Zheng Minghao admitted his error, and Dong Chao agreed to the changes, instructing the engineering department to work overtime, with Zheng Minghao offering to pay for midnight snacks. After work, Zheng Minghao was ambushed by Wang Tao. Wang Tao claimed HR had called him, informing him that the company received an anonymous video of him harassing a woman on the street. The video threatened public release if he wasn't dismissed. As a probationary intern, his employment was effectively terminated.

Knowing only Bai Lingling and Zheng Minghao were present that night, Wang Tao accused Zheng Minghao. Zheng Minghao, recalling the incident and his anger, admitted to it, warning Wang Tao to never harass Bai Lingling again. Enraged, Wang Tao mocked Zheng Minghao, calling him a "simp" who couldn't even compare to Bai Lingling's online friend whom she hadn't even met in person.

At the school gate, Yang Lanhang received an email from the HR department, confirming the dismissal of the employee in the video and thanking him for his "supervision." He was discussing a research project with Professor Jiang when Bai Lingling suddenly approached, bowing deeply and apologizing for her thesis. She stated that the department had already announced the decision, and the graduation delay was irreversible. Bai Lingling implied that Yang Lanhang’s presence that day had influenced the outcome.

Professor Jiang, however, defended Yang Lanhang, assuring him he had done nothing wrong and should not feel burdened. He then offered Bai Lingling a chance, mentioning the school's upcoming joint laboratory and inviting her to interview for a job opportunity. After Professor Jiang left, Bai Lingling shot a disgusted look at Yang Lanhang and turned to walk away. She narrowly avoided being hit by an oncoming bicycle as Yang Lanhang quickly pulled her back.

As she continued to leave, he asked her, "What about your boyfriend?" Bai Lingling, still fuming, retorted, "You're sick!" A flashback then showed Zheng Minghao's first encounter with Bai Lingling. In a classroom, a listless Bai Lingling was called upon by the teacher to answer a question. When she couldn't, the teacher asked Zheng Minghao, who was dozing nearby, to read her notes. Zheng Minghao took her notebook, only to find she had scrawled, "What is inner beauty?"

Cleverly, he bypassed this and instead provided the correct answer to the teacher's question about impurity atoms. After class, Zheng Minghao approached her, asking if she was Bai Lingling because a friend wanted to give her a love letter. Bai Lingling advised him to tell his friend to give up, as she already had a boyfriend. Zheng Minghao pressed further, asking if she personally had a boyfriend, and Bai Lingling playfully made a face and ran off.

Guan Xiaoyu found herself in Ouyang Yifan's car, fleeing from her mother. Ouyang Yifan playfully asked if she was in a "war between sisters" over possessions or a man, but Guan Xiaoyu clarified it was her mom, explaining she couldn't go home for a while and needed a place to hide. Ouyang Yifan offered to take her somewhere, to which she jokingly asked if he was a human trafficker. He replied that he only "steals hearts, not human bodies."

They ended up at a lively bar, then spent the night by the sea, watching the sunrise. Feeling a moment of affection, Guan Xiaoyu gently kissed the sleeping Ouyang Yifan. When he awoke, she was gone, leaving only an earring. Ouyang Yifan then realized Guan Xiaoyu was his blind date from the previous day. After getting her WeChat from his mother, he found her back at the bar, defiantly challenging a group of men.

He rescued her from the chase, admitting to himself that he was "kind of" starting to like her. Meanwhile, Bai Lingling was having lunch, frustrated that her chatting app, "Gate of Heart," was undergoing a two-day system upgrade. Zheng Minghao joined her, confirming the upgrade's duration. Bai Lingling, annoyed by his casual attitude, urged him to return to his team and boost their morale, accusing him of lacking the "demeanor of a young entrepreneur."

Zheng Minghao agreed to join his engineering team working overtime. As Bai Lingling left the restaurant, she spotted Yang Lanhang. Zheng Minghao, recognizing Yang Lanhang as the one who caused Bai Lingling's graduation delay, childishly offered to "put him in a sack and beat him," but Bai Lingling brushed him off. She then approached Yang Lanhang, apologizing for her earlier behavior, and offered him a cola as a peace offering.

Yang Lanhang, in turn, apologized for the severe outcome of her thesis defense and offered to help her with anything, even if it involved her boyfriend. However, Bai Lingling had covertly placed a remote-controlled device in his bag while he picked up the cola. Later, in class, the device in Yang Lanhang's bag started a loud countdown, disrupting his lecture and causing the students to erupt in laughter.

Yang Lanhang, realizing it was Bai Lingling's prank, confronted her outside the classroom. She retorted that he had also disrespected her by interrupting her thesis defense. Yang Lanhang declared them "even," stating he no longer felt apologetic towards her, before placing the still-buzzing device gently on her head and walking away. After checking her thesis notes, Bai Lingling discovered that the data was indeed "3 times" as Yang Lanhang had stated, not "1. 5 times" as she had written.

She realized she had wrongly accused him and regretted her prank. Unbeknownst to her, Yang Lanhang carefully held the cola bottle she gave him, hesitant to open it, until Ouyang Yifan casually grabbed and drank it, falling victim to the prank himself as it fizzed violently and spilled. Bai Lingling decided to apply for an internship at Professor Jiang's lab as a potential solution to her academic woes.

Guan Xiaoyu revealed she also applied, despite being a Chinese major, claiming it was to contribute to scientific research through "beautiful words." She excitedly recounted her romantic encounter with the "super handsome" Ouyang Yifan, mentioning she had strategically left an earring for him to find her, like Cinderella's glass slipper. Moments later, Guan Xiaoyu received a WeChat friend request from Ouyang Yifan. Her mother then called, confirming that Ouyang Yifan was the blind date she had escaped.

Realizing he must have already seen her photo, Guan Xiaoyu concluded that his charming gestures were a pre-planned deception and immediately deleted him. Ouyang Yifan, unaware of her change of heart, asked Yang Lanhang for help to pursue Guan Xiaoyu, describing her as "very special" because she was the first woman to make him "spend money," referring to the trouble she caused when he had to pay for damages from her fight.

Yang Lanhang adamantly refused to let Ouyang Yifan "do evil things to my junior sister apprentice." Guan Xiaoyu, still upset by Ouyang Yifan's perceived deception and his reputation for having countless ex-girlfriends, instructed Bai Lingling to discard any gifts or packages sent by him. Bai Lingling agreed, and later disposed of a bouquet of flowers delivered for Guan Xiaoyu. Shortly after, Bai Lingling received a text message reminder for a 7,500 yuan payment for the "Yuyue Nursing Home."

After Guan Xiaoyu left, Bai Lingling silently threw a bank card into the trash, determined not to use "that person's" money. Feeling nervous before her lab interview, Bai Lingling messaged her online friend "Forever is for Ever," who advised her to imagine the interviewers as "eggplants" to stay calm. During the interview, Bai Lingling mistakenly greeted the panel as "dear eggplants." Yang Lanhang, one of the interviewers, questioned her on the topic of her graduation thesis.

Unable to answer, Bai Lingling confessed she had "wrongly blamed Yang Lanhang and retaliated," admitted her dislike for Material Science (a major she was assigned due to low scores), and plainly stated she was only seeking the job for money. Professor Jiang was visibly displeased by her "arrogant attitude." As Yang Lanhang tried to interject, Bai Lingling apologized and walked out.

Outside, she vented her frustration to "Forever is for Ever," calling Yang Lanhang a "weirdo" for targeting her despite their earlier agreement to be "even." Overhearing or seeing her messages, Yang Lanhang, playing along, agreed with her assessment, confirming he was a "weirdo" to pacify her. Later, Zheng Minghao finally learned from a frustrated Wang Tao that Bai Lingling's online friend was named "Forever is for Ever." Yang Lanhang excitedly told Ouyang Yifan that he had successfully matched with his first love online friend so quickly.

Bai Lingling was on a date with a junior student, trying to gauge their budding romance while watching a horror film. Their date was disrupted by Ouyang Yifan from the back row, who taunted the junior, asking what he was doing and if he knew him. When the junior said no, Ouyang Yifan claimed he couldn't reach him, so he came to the cinema.

Feeling annoyed, Bai Lingling decided to leave, telling her date the movie was too scary and she needed ice cream to calm down. Meanwhile, Yang Lanhang, having studied a relationship guide, deduced that Bai Lingling's apparent dislike for Materials Science was merely superficial; in reality, she yearned to work in a laboratory. He immediately went online to chat with Bai Lingling.

Bai Lingling, who was studying, hastily retrieved a DVD of "Before Sunrise" that Guan Xiaoyu owned and claimed she was watching a movie. Yang Lanhang, disguised as her net friend, then asked about her boyfriend. Bai Lingling, realizing it was a test, was thrilled and truthfully replied that she didn't have one. Overjoyed, Yang Lanhang secretly looked up the movie's synopsis and used it to discuss the plot and their views on love with Bai Lingling.

Bai Lingling, in turn, recited Guan Xiaoyu's review from the DVD cover, asserting that fleeting love wasn't pessimistic but rather a realistic and beautiful experience, while lasting love was utopian. Yang Lanhang countered, suggesting that reality could also hold the possibility of forever. He then casually mentioned he had a way to get her into the laboratory and instructed her to report for duty at two o'clock the day after tomorrow.

Guan Xiaoyu, on a separate outing with a junior student named Zhao Lei, was confronted by Ouyang Yifan in the parking lot. Ouyang Yifan dramatically announced that Zhao Lei's ex-girlfriend, Linda, had recently ingested over a hundred sleeping pills and that he was the one who saved her. Realizing Zhao Lei was a "douchebag," Guan Xiaoyu promptly got into Ouyang Yifan's car, dismissing Zhao Lei's desperate attempts to explain.

Ouyang Yifan, however, didn't escape her wrath, as she angrily told him to "get lost" when he offered to join her for dinner. That evening, Bai Lingling and Guan Xiaoyu were enthusiastically picking out an outfit for Bai Lingling's first day at the laboratory. Zheng Minghao interrupted, excitedly explaining a system upgrade that would allow users to freely shorten their "probation period" in relationships, enabling them to delete unsatisfying matches immediately.

Bai Lingling, however, pointed out a flaw in his design, suggesting that it should also allow for extending the probation period, as some people are "slow-burners." She gave the example of a friend who harbored a secret crush for six years without confessing, subtly hinting at Guan Xiaoyu, and urged Zheng Minghao not to expose Guan Xiaoyu's persona of being a fickle flirt.

The next day, in the laboratory, Yang Lanhang was giving a lecture when he suddenly felt a discomfort in his throat. As he headed to the pantry for water, Lu Qing, a recent graduate from the School of Materials Science, followed him, eagerly offering him a drink and introducing herself, her admiration for him clearly evident. Just then, Bai Lingling, dressed in professional attire, arrived to report for work.

In the hallway, she witnessed Yang Lanhang and Lu Qing emerging from the pantry, with one of Yang Lanhang’s shirt buttons undone, leading to a misunderstanding. Yang Lanhang attempted to explain, but Bai Lingling turned and walked away. Research team leader Zhang Yi'an then introduced Bai Lingling to the team.

He explained that Professor Jiang was the main head, Yang Lanhang was the deputy leader, and Zhai Qingyi, a sophomore from the Materials Science school, was hailed as the "Future star of the school of material science," second only to Yang Lanhang. Other team members included Jing Jing, Ouyang Yifan’s assistant (who was absent that day), and Liu Yuxin, the recorder.

Afterward, Zhang Yi'an presented Bai Lingling with a work uniform and informed her that her duties would primarily involve cleaning the laboratory, disposing of experimental waste, and maintaining equipment. He explained that due to the sensitive nature of experimental items, only personnel with relevant professional backgrounds were allowed to handle them, thus she was a "professionally aligned cleaner." Bai Lingling was dismayed to learn her job was essentially that of a janitor.

When she inquired about her salary, Zhang Yi'an admitted he wasn't sure and advised her to wait until payday. He then suggested she could go home early since there wasn't much to do today. Back home, Bai Lingling complained to Guan Xiaoyu about how ridiculous she felt in her uniform. Guan Xiaoyu suspected that Yang Lanhang had orchestrated the cleaning job through Bai Lingling’s net friend.

Bai Lingling, however, dismissed the idea, citing how she often complained about Yang Lanhang to her net friend, who would join in the criticism. She still decided to message her net friend, asking why he hadn't told her the job was for cleaning. The net friend (Yang Lanhang) replied, downplaying the cleaning duties, stating they were minimal, and admitting he had used the same strategy to enter the lab when his qualifications were insufficient.

Despite Guan Xiaoyu’s urging to quit the "unreliable" situation, Bai Lingling resolved to stay for a month to earn money and maintain face with her net friend. Later, Yang Lanhang, as the net friend, messaged Bai Lingling, asking if she could stay up for about an hour while he finished an experiment, so they could watch the movie together at 2:30 AM. Bai Lingling was visibly excited by the message.

Seeing her reaction, Guan Xiaoyu immediately texted Zheng Minghao, warning him to take action soon, or Bai Lingling would be "snatched away." In the lab, Zhai Qingyi, a huge fan, pestered Yang Lanhang about the new girl. Zhang Yi'an walked over and advised Zhai Qingyi to control his idolization of Yang Lanhang, warning that Yang Lanhang disliked such behavior and might kick him out of the lab.

However, Zhai Qingyi confessed that he had joined the lab specifically to be close to his idol. Later that night, Yang Lanhang was busy with an experiment in the lab while Bai Lingling was reading in her room. Once he finished, Yang Lanhang messaged Bai Lingling, proposing they both press play on "Before Sunrise" simultaneously at 2:30 AM. After watching the movie remotely, both confessed it was their first time seeing it.

Yang Lanhang then reminded Bai Lingling that she had previously said she wanted to watch the film with someone she liked, leaving Bai Lingling feeling overjoyed and wondering if he harbored similar feelings for her. Unable to sleep from excitement, Bai Lingling arrived at the laboratory well before seven o'clock to start her cleaning duties.

Yang Lanhang arrived shortly after and, noticing her dark circles, told her to stop cleaning and go home to rest, remarking that she hadn't slept all night. Bai Lingling asked how he knew, to which he attributed it to her dark circles, but she quickly pointed out his own visible dark circles. Before she could leave, Yang Lanhang offered her a homemade breakfast.

He then hesitantly sought her advice, asking how a girl would feel if a boy secretly liked her, knew her desires, but then presumptuously made decisions for her without her consent. Bai Lingling advised against such actions, likening it to a self-aggrandizing public marriage proposal that would only cause awkwardness if the other person wasn’t interested. After giving her advice, Bai Lingling unceremoniously accepted the breakfast.

Guan Xiaoyu, later enjoying Yang Lanhang’s breakfast, complimented his cooking skills despite what she considered his "bad character." Bai Lingling, meanwhile, observed that Yang Lanhang seemed to have few friends and was rather pathetic for having to consult her on relationship matters. She also realized that the cleaning job wasn’t particularly strenuous and asked Guan Xiaoyu to help her find another part-time job. At lunchtime in the cafeteria, Zhai Qingyi questioned Zhang Yi'an why he wasn't sitting with Yang Lanhang.

Zhang Yi'an candidly admitted that dining with Yang Lanhang was "depressing." Zhai Qingyi, however, romanticized Yang Lanhang as a "lonely genius." Their conversation was interrupted when Yang Lanhang unexpectedly sat at their table, prompting both Zhang Yi'an and Zhai Qingyi to quickly claim they were full and leave. Soon after, Professor Jiang approached Yang Lanhang to discuss Bai Lingling’s employment.

He revealed that the university had inquired about her and that he wouldn't have hired her if Yang Lanhang hadn't personally intervened, as the college didn't have a specific position for a laboratory cleaner. Professor Jiang also implied that Yang Lanhang was privately paying Bai Lingling's salary. Yang Lanhang requested that Professor Jiang keep this a secret, explaining that he saw genuine talent in Bai Lingling in Materials Science and wanted to mentor her.

Separately, Ouyang Yifan received a dossier on Guan Xiaoyu's latest date, only to discover that it was yet another "douchebag" named Zhao Lei, who was reportedly involved in numerous "romantic affairs" and was a "gigolo." The investigator even suggested that Guan Xiaoyu might possess a "douchebag-attracting constitution," prompting Ouyang Yifan to lament about his perceived duty to "save" her from these undesirable men.

Bai Lingling juggled her part-time work at a supermarket with her lab duties, which primarily involved cleaning. Just as she finished her lab sanitation and rushed to her supermarket job, Yang Lanhang called her back to the lab. His relentless assignments kept her so busy that she dozed off in a chair, only to be woken by Jing Jing after everyone else had left.

Back home, Guan Xiaoyu prepared a lavish dinner, staging a photoshoot with the food for social media to cultivate an image for potential romantic interests. Bai Lingling joined in, posting a photo and lamenting to Guan Xiaoyu about Ouyang Yifan, whom she believes to be her online boyfriend "Forever is for Ever," who hadn't been in touch for days.

She also revealed that she had resigned from a cafe job she recently took, having realized that Yang Lanhang's demands in the lab were more consuming than she anticipated. Meanwhile, Ouyang Yifan, Yang Lanhang’s friend, discussed Yang Lanhang’s interactions with Bai Lingling with Yang Lanhang. Yang Lanhang recounted an awkward movie night and their lab interactions, where he mainly focused on experiments while Bai Lingling took notes or prepared equipment.

Ouyang Yifan advised Yang Lanhang on developing an office romance, emphasizing the importance of creating alone time, showcasing professional competence, and being exceptionally tender and considerate. He also stressed the need to understand Bai Lingling to avoid upsetting her, noting that Yang Lanhang hadn't achieved this despite his efforts. Driven by this advice, Yang Lanhang devised a new plan. He designed a special lab armband for Bai Lingling that would monitor her heartbeat and emotional fluctuations.

If her heart rate exceeded 100 BPM or her emotions were volatile, his own armband would vibrate, allowing him to intervene quickly if he inadvertently angered her or to act as her hero if someone else did. Ouyang Yifan found this approach to romance terrifyingly academic. Later, Guan Xiaoyu shared some campus gossip with Bai Lingling. She heard that Yang Lanhang had once felt unwell and gone to the lounge, where Lu Qing specifically took leave to care for him.

However, less than ten minutes later, Yang Lanhang stormed out of the lab, missing a shirt button, and allegedly with a lipstick stain on his collar. Bai Lingling, who had witnessed the event, corrected her, saying there was no lipstick mark, only a slightly wrinkled shirt. Guan Xiaoyu, however, still found the incident telling. She recounted how Yang Lanhang, during his studies abroad, would ignore stacks of love letters from beautiful girls, implying his aloof nature.

Guan Xiaoyu then teasingly suggested Bai Lingling confess her feelings to Yang Lanhang to scare him, a notion Bai Lingling found preposterous, asserting he was undeserving of such a gesture. The next day at the lab, Bai Lingling encountered Ouyang Yinfan, Ouyang Yifan's twin brother and a key lab supervisor. Unlike his carefree brother, Ouyang Yinfan was stern and rigorous. Ouyang Yifan (the carefree brother) also warned Bai Lingling to keep her distance from Ouyang Yinfan to avoid trouble.

Di Qingyi, a second-year material science student, expressed his discontent that Zhang Yian held a higher position than Yang Lanhang, his esteemed "Guru," and tried to recruit Bai Lingling into his cause to elevate Yang Lanhang's status in the lab. As they were chatting animatedly, Ouyang Yinfan suddenly appeared with a cold demeanor.

Di Qingyi quickly pulled Bai Lingling away, and as they hurried down the corridor, they crossed paths with Yang Lanhang, whose armband vibrated in response to Bai Lingling's elevated emotions. Past 2 AM, Yang Lanhang was still absorbed in his experiment. Bai Lingling, struggling with fatigue, excused herself to the restroom. Yang Lanhang's armband immediately vibrated, making him wonder why a trip to the bathroom would cause such an emotional stir.

In reality, Bai Lingling was discreetly calling Guan Xiaoyu to complain about being kept so late. Upon Bai Lingling’s return, Yang Lanhang, remembering Ouyang Yifan's advice to be considerate, offered her a bed in the first-floor dormitory, emphasizing the late hour and her safety. The following day, Bai Lingling was tasked with transporting a large piece of experimental equipment on the elevator, a job Zhang Yian found too heavy for a woman.

Bai Lingling believed Yang Lanhang was deliberately targeting her. Meanwhile, Yang Lanhang, reflecting on his actions, told Ouyang Yifan that he wanted Bai Lingling to feel special and valued. During lunch, Yang Lanhang noticed Bai Lingling, Zhang Yian, Di Qingyi, and Jing Jing were all sitting together, seemingly excluding him. He overheard them discussing Ouyang Yinfan, describing him as a "big devil" who made Jing Jing uncharacteristically serious.

Bai Lingling chimed in, comparing Jing Jing's plight to her own, feeling Yang Lanhang was working her to the bone. Zhang Yian offered to request a formal assistant for Yang Lanhang, but Bai Lingling insisted Yang Lanhang was intentionally picking on her. Di Qingyi disagreed, arguing that "Guru" (Yang Lanhang) wouldn't do such a thing and he himself wished he had Bai Lingling’s "luck."

Feeling a pang of loneliness, Yang Lanhang messaged Bai Lingling online, saying he "missed her a bit." When his armband vibrated immediately afterward, he laughed aloud in delight, catching the attention of Bai Lingling and her companions. After lunch, Bai Lingling replied to her online friend, confirming she was free to chat that evening. However, just as everyone was preparing to leave work, Ouyang Yinfan announced mandatory overtime for everyone.

Back home, Bai Lingling, fuming about Yang Lanhang monopolizing her time and disrupting her online romance, declared to Guan Xiaoyu that she would "confess" to Yang Lanhang. Her goal was to disgust him so much that he would keep his distance from her. She messaged her online friend, outlining her plan to use "disgusting" love quotes found online to scare Yang Lanhang away, while ensuring she wouldn't get fired.

The next day, as Yang Lanhang's armband vibrated, Bai Lingling, initially nervous, feigned passing by him. After gathering her resolve, she changed into a vibrant red mini-dress and confronted him. She delivered an over-the-top confession, praising his hands and declaring her love. Yang Lanhang, flustered and overwhelmed by her unexpected intensity, stumbled into a chair. He stammered his thanks and, in his confusion, suggested she "take her clothes off" before quickly correcting himself, asking her to put on more clothes.

Bai Lingling pressed on, resting a hand on his shoulder. Yang Lanhang, struggling to maintain composure, finally accepted her "confession" and suggested they spend the weekend working overtime together if she truly liked him. He then hastily retreated to the washroom, feeling he had narrowly avoided being overwhelmed. That evening, Zheng Minghao visited Guan Xiaoyu's home, bringing chuanchuan for Bai Lingling. However, Bai Lingling returned looking dejected, having lost her appetite.

She confided in Guan Xiaoyu about her failed plan, infuriated that the "perverted" Yang Lanhang had accepted her "confession" and dragged her into weekend overtime. Just then, she received a message from her online friend. Retreating to her bedroom, she recounted the day's events, expressing her anger at Yang Lanhang for tormenting her.

Unbeknownst to her, Yang Lanhang was also discussing the "confession" with Ouyang Yifan, who chuckled, observing that Bai Lingling wanted to turn a serious matter into a joke, while Yang Lanhang wanted to turn a joke into a serious relationship. Meanwhile, Zheng Minghao revealed to Guan Xiaoyu that Bai Lingling's online friend, "Forever is for Ever," was a mere playboy who was not actually abroad.

Showing Guan Xiaoyu a photo, it became clear that "Forever is for Ever" was none other than Ouyang Yifan. Concerned about Bai Lingling's potential heartbreak after six years of a secret crush, Guan Xiaoyu decided against telling her immediately. Instead, she formed an alliance with Zheng Minghao: he would distract Bai Lingling, while Guan Xiaoyu would personally deal with Ouyang Yifan, the "douchebag."

However, when Guan Xiaoyu tried to contact Ouyang Yifan, he casually told her to "queue up" and await his call. Frustrated, Guan Xiaoyu reluctantly unblocked him on WeChat, hoping to find another way to reach him. The following day, Zheng Minghao accompanied Bai Lingling to the lab, expressing his dismay at her "cleaning" duties.

Bai Lingling, now accustomed to her tasks, proudly explained the high-tech nature of her "custodial" work, detailing complex equipment like the Atomic Force Microscope and Nano Indenter to illustrate her expertise. She then instructed Zheng Minghao to dispose of the lab's trash in a special garbage room at the end of the corridor, reminding him that strangers were not allowed in the lab and he should leave immediately afterward.

As Zheng Minghao stepped into the corridor with the trash, he collided with Ouyang Yinfan and Jing Jing. Bai Lingling quickly emerged to explain, but Ouyang Yinfan, without a word, grabbed the trash bag from Zheng Minghao, spilling its contents across the floor.

Zheng Minghao arrived at the lab to help Bai Lingling take out the trash. Ouyang Yinfan immediately confronted them, grabbing the trash bag from Zheng Minghao and spilling its contents onto the floor. Cui Jing checked the scattered items, confirming they were just common trash, before Ouyang Yinfan allowed the matter to drop. Bai Lingling explained that Zheng Minghao was just a friend who had only stayed for a short while and apologized, promising to make him leave.

Zheng Minghao took responsibility, stating it was his decision to come. Feeling upset about Bai Lingling's treatment, Zheng Minghao suggested she leave the lab and join his studio, offering her any desired conditions. Bai Lingling, however, told him not to cause more trouble and sent him away, explaining that she needed to visit her grandmother. Zheng Minghao offered to pick her up later or drive her directly to her grandmother's, but she brushed him off.

Later, in the lab, Ouyang Yinfan glared at Bai Lingling, and Cui Jing immediately elaborated that Bai Lingling had improperly cleaned a prism, using the wrong method and material; she explained that degreased long-staple cotton should be used in straight strokes. Bai Lingling apologized and offered to redo it, but Cui Jing stopped her, conveying Ouyang Yinfan's message: this wasn't her first mistake, and he didn't want her to waste time or touch any more equipment.

She explicitly asked Bai Lingling to resign and leave the lab. Bai Lingling pushed back, accepting blame for letting Zheng Minghao in, but demanding proof for other alleged past mistakes, stating she wouldn't accept accusations without evidence. Ouyang Yinfan then accused her of being "wicked" and showed her a video of her recent "confession" to Yang Lanhang. Bai Lingling retorted that the lab had no rules against romantic relationships or pursuing one's happiness. Ouyang Yinfan simply replied, "Fine."

Cui Jing then interpreted Ouyang Yinfan's "Fine" to mean that while romantic relationships were permissible, they shouldn't interfere with work. She stressed that Ouyang Yinfan would not tolerate anyone using the lab as a place to pursue a man, highlighting the value of the equipment, the secrecy of data, and the importance of even basic tasks. She advised Bai Lingling to take her work seriously and avoid "low-level mistakes" if she wished to be respected.

Confused by Cui Jing's detailed interpretation of Ouyang Yinfan's single word, Bai Lingling left the lab angrily. Cui Jing followed her, explaining that Ouyang Yinfan was acting for the greater good of the lab. She listed several of Bai Lingling's previous errors: using tap water instead of distilled water for test tubes, failing to turn on the water bath kettle and ice machine in advance, and, most seriously, overfilling the high-pressure sterilizer, causing continuous steam and water leakage.

Cui Jing revealed that Ouyang Yinfan had wanted Bai Lingling removed after that incident, but Yang Lanhang had intervened with Professor Jiang, promising to supervise her. However, this time, Ouyang Yinfan was genuinely angry, and Bai Lingling's departure was mandatory. Later, Yang Lanhang gave Bai Lingling a leaf-shaped ornament. He then attempted to go on a dinner date with her, reminding her of her "confession." Bai Lingling, uncomfortable, apologized and admitted her confession was a joke meant to "disgust" him.

Yang Lanhang questioned why she would think that would disgust him, asking for her reasons. Bai Lingling declined his dinner invitation, explaining she was going to visit her grandmother. Yang Lanhang accepted, but soon after, he saw Zheng Minghao pick Bai Lingling up on a motorcycle. Ouyang Yinfan observed that Bai Lingling had "lied." Yang Lanhang defended her, suggesting Bai Lingling and Zheng Minghao might have planned to visit her grandmother together, adding, "next time it's my turn."

Yang Lanhang then invited his brother, Ouyang Yinfan, to dinner. During their meal, Ouyang Yinfan reiterated his dislike for Bai Lingling, but Yang Lanhang simply replied that his own feelings for her were enough. Ouyang Yinfan again insisted that Bai Lingling should leave the lab. Yang Lanhang, however, appealed to their shared past, recalling how their father had punished them with lab cleaning after they caused trouble, but never expelled them.

He asked Ouyang Yinfan to give Bai Lingling another chance. Their conversation was interrupted by Sun Xue, who "mistook Ouyang Yinfan for his twin brother, Ouyang Yifan", and accused him of abandoning her for another woman. Yang Lanhang intervened, letting Sun Xue believe Ouyang Yinfan (whom she thought was Ouyang Yifan) had a girlfriend, effectively chasing her away.

Commenting on "Ouyang Yifan's" frequent romantic entanglements, Yang Lanhang expressed sympathy for "Ouyang Yinfan, who was accustomed to dealing with such mistaken identity situations". After this, Ouyang Yinfan reluctantly agreed to give Bai Lingling another chance. Zheng Minghao accompanied Bai Lingling to visit her grandmother, who proudly showed off the fruits Zheng Minghao brought to another resident, Mrs. Zhang. Grandmother complained of a severe toothache and wanted to have her teeth pulled.

Bai Lingling asked Zheng Minghao to chat with her grandmother while she consulted a doctor. A doctor named Liao explained that due to the mechanical heart valve prostheses implanted in her hometown hospital, grandmother required lifelong anticoagulant medication. Dental extractions would pose a risk of infection. Bai Lingling inquired about replacing the mechanical valve with a bioprosthetic one, but Doctor Liao stated that it would require open-heart surgery, and given her age and normal physical functions, he deemed it unnecessary.

Zheng Minghao later dropped Bai Lingling off, again advising her not to put up with the difficulties in the lab, offering to find her better part-time work. Bai Lingling replied that she had already planned to leave after completing a month, with only two weeks remaining, and would contact him then. As Zheng Minghao was about to confess his feelings, Bai Lingling received a message on her phone and quickly said goodbye.

Bai Lingling confided in her online friend "Forever is for Ever," admitting she had lied about being content with her cleaning job. In reality, she felt her talents were underutilized and had planned to leave after a month. She acknowledged that her graduation delay, failed lab interview, and current job performance were her own shortcomings, realizing that even basic cleaning required skill and that she was truly incompetent.

Yang Lanhang, as "Forever is for Ever," reassured her that recognizing her true self was a positive step and it was never too late. Ouyang Yifan, having seen Yang Lanhang's chat, criticized his advice as "straight man's deadly quotes," emphasizing the need for empathy. Yang Lanhang retorted that Ouyang Yifan, despite his theories, had never experienced a truly "reliable relationship."

He continued to advise Bai Lingling not to completely deny herself over mistakes, but to identify and solve problems, and to rebuild her confidence. Bai Lingling then asked if it was too late for her to pursue postgraduate studies. Yang Lanhang encouraged her, telling her that the best time to plant a tree was ten years ago, and the second best time was now.

After waiting three days at a bar for Ouyang Yifan with no success, Guan Xiaoyu finally received a message from him saying, "It's your turn. See you tomorrow." The next day, Guan Xiaoyu met Ouyang Yifan with her companion, Geng Panpan. She pranked Ouyang Yifan by blindfolding him and having Geng Panpan pour a bucket of water over his head.

Guan Xiaoyu then confronted him, warning him not to bother her friend, Bai Lingling, anymore, specifically referencing his online persona "Forever is for Ever." Ouyang Yifan appeared confused by her accusations but agreed not to bother Bai Lingling, instead declaring he would "bother" Guan Xiaoyu. Guan Xiaoyu playfully accepted his challenge, and afterward, discussed with Geng Panpan the possibility of getting kitchen waste to use against Ouyang Yifan if he continued to be problematic.

Bai Lingling diligently worked in the lab, meticulously cleaning and correcting her past experimental errors. Despite this, Professor Jiang summoned Bai Lingling to his office, paid her half a month's salary, and informed her that she no longer needed to come to the lab. He explained that Ouyang Yinfan had repeatedly raised concerns about her weak professional foundation and inability to keep pace with the lab's demands.

While acknowledging her recent progress, Professor Jiang emphasized the lab's tight schedule and critical tasks, stating they couldn't afford any setbacks. Professor Jiang also recalled her past defiance regarding her graduation delay and failed interview, to which Bai Lingling acknowledged her current inadequacy, but expressed a desire to improve. She then formally declared her intention to pursue postgraduate studies, reminding Professor Jiang of his earlier offer to guide her if she chose that path.

Professor Jiang agreed to meet her after she passed the preliminary exam. Bai Lingling then earnestly requested to stay in the lab during her exam preparation, even without pay, promising not to be a hindrance. Ouyang Yinfan, who was present, implicitly agreed, and Professor Jiang granted her request. Zhai Qingyi offered to assist Yang Lanhang with experiments, asserting that he was more useful than Bai Lingling.

Yang Lanhang briefly explained what a bioreactor was: supplying nutrients like water, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and humidity, and simulating a biomechanical environment to promote cell differentiation, proliferation, and extracellular matrix formation, essentially helping cells grow stronger. He clarified that Ouyang Yinfan was primarily responsible for the bioreactor, and their discussion was merely a progress update. Yang Lanhang then assigned Zhai Qingyi to run an errand: go to the First Hospital and follow Doctor Li's instructions in the cardiac surgery department.

Yang Lanhang explicitly stated that since he now had someone to run errands, he would take the opportunity to "have a date." Zhai Qingyi reacted with surprise to this revelation. Later, Yang Lanhang found Bai Lingling studying at the library and quietly read in a corner, waiting for her. As night deepened, Bai Lingling fell asleep on her desk. She was awakened by a message from her online friend "Forever is for Ever."

The message discreetly informed her that the lab's focus for the following week would be on testing bioreactors that mimic the in vivo environment. It urged her to prepare thoroughly to avoid making any more mistakes that Ouyang Yinfan could use against her, concluding with, "I don't want to see you being expelled." Ouyang Yinfan instructed Cui Jing to post a "Forbidden Area for Zheng Minghao" sign at the lab entrance. Cui Jing asked if he strongly disliked Zheng Minghao.

Ouyang Yinfan shook his head, gazing into the lab. Cui Jing, understanding his unspoken meaning, acknowledged, "Well, I see." Zhai Qingyi, observing this interaction, questioned Cui Jing how she could understand Ouyang Yinfan's "icy face" so clearly when he and Yang Lanhang lacked such rapport. Cui Jing simply told him to get back to work, reflecting internally that when you like someone, you possess telepathy.

In a separate event, Professor Jiang introduced Cui Jing to Ouyang Yinfan, designating her as his new assistant and praising her as the most outstanding master's student in her major. He instructed Cui Jing to learn diligently from Ouyang Yinfan and quickly establish a strong working rapport.

Bai Lingling chatted online with "Forever is for Ever" about preparing for material biology experiments, specifically about bioreactors, which she felt was outside her materials science field. She was determined to be a competent lab assistant and needed to understand these things to avoid making mistakes.

Her online friend advised her that she was only responsible for logistics and auxiliary work, and that she should ask Yang Lanhang what she needed to do, emphasizing that scientific research is not an individual's battle and she should trust her partner. Discovering that Bai Lingling was still in contact with "Forever is for Ever" about lab matters, Guan Xiaoyu became agitated.

She called Zheng Minghao, urging him to hack the "Forever is for Ever" account, reminding him he developed the software. She then called Geng Panpan, instructing him to mobilize his contacts in the No.2 Canteen. The next morning, Bai Lingling stepped out to find Yang Lanhang's car parked outside. Believing they lived close by, she accepted a ride. During the drive, she returned the "bean seedling" hairpin, which she found cute.

Yang Lanhang refused to take it back, stating it was a gift for her. She then put the hairpin on her head, thanking him, and asked him about bioreactors. He patiently explained that a bioreactor provides necessary nutrients for cell cultivation. After the morning meeting, Yang Lanhang announced that they had secured seed cells and Ouyang Yifan had already designed the preliminary bioreactor. Their immediate tasks were to test, modify, and adjust materials based on new data.

Later, Zhai Qingyi casually remarked on the ugliness of Bai Lingling's hairpin. Bai Lingling immediately retorted, calling it "pretty," after which Yang Lanhang clenched his fist, causing Zhai Qingyi to flinch and retreat. During the experiment, when Cui Jing encountered a problem with no reaction, Bai Lingling explained that cells adhering to the wall required Pancreatin for digestion and separation.

She instructed them to wash the medium to prevent the enzyme reaction from stopping and then use a pipette after the cells separated. Everyone was impressed by her unexpected biological knowledge, and Yang Lanhang's emotion-sensing bracelet vibrated, making him secretly pleased. The experiment was successful. At the end of the day, Yang Lanhang announced a half-day rest for everyone.

Seeing Zheng Minghao arrive on his motorbike to pick up Bai Lingling, Yang Lanhang spontaneously suggested a celebratory group dinner, which he claimed was a "temporary victory." During the celebratory dinner, Yang Lanhang made a toast. Zhang Yian shared that Yang Lanhang had never attended, let alone organized, any social gatherings during his years in Europe, encouraging everyone to enjoy themselves as it was Yang's treat.

Zhai Qingyi then cryptically suggested that Yang Lanhang was breaking his own rules because of a "unique and important person" present. Yang Lanhang became nervous, initially thinking his feelings were exposed, but relaxed when Zhai Qingyi narcissistically claimed to be that special person. Yang Lanhang brushed off Zhai Qingyi's comment, reiterating that scientific research is a team effort and he could afford the meal. Zhang Yian further speculated that Yang Lanhang might have a girlfriend.

Zheng Minghao interjected with a snide remark, questioning if "anyone" could get a girlfriend these days, which Bai Lingling quickly tried to smooth over as a joke. Zheng Minghao persisted in voicing his dislike for Yang Lanhang. Yang Lanhang, excusing himself to the bathroom, secretly messaged Bai Lingling as "Forever is for Ever," admitting he liked a girl but she had many admirers, quickly adding it was a question for a friend.

Bai Lingling, though encouraging him to pursue his crush, became noticeably disheartened. Bai Lingling then announced to the group her decision to prepare for postgraduate entrance exams, stating she had always wanted to, and since her graduation was delayed, she thought she'd give it a try. Zheng Minghao, who had good news for her earlier, swallowed his words upon hearing this, vaguely mentioning that Dong Chao had found a girlfriend.

After dinner, Zheng Minghao and Yang Lanhang vied to take Bai Lingling home. Zheng Minghao stressed the dangers of a woman traveling alone at night, while Yang Lanhang argued that her home was on his way, and they could continue discussing bioreactors. Witnessing their escalating rivalry, Bai Lingling defused the situation by leaving with Cui Jing in a taxi.

Upon returning home, Guan Xiaoyu eagerly informed Bai Lingling that Zheng Minghao had submitted her resume to Zhenghong Group, and they were keen to interview her for immediate employment, even allowing her to defer her diploma. However, Bai Lingling, seemingly distracted, showed no enthusiasm, instead vaguely mentioning Dong Chao's girlfriend.

Concerned by Bai Lingling's odd and uninterested behavior, Guan Xiaoyu mistakenly concluded that Ouyang Yifan must have upset her with some revelation, silently confirming that her plan using the "No.2 Canteen" had worked. Meanwhile, Yang Lanhang arrived home to find Ouyang Yifan sitting forlornly on the floor, reeking of food. Ouyang Yifan complained he had spent an hour trying to fathom who would choose such an "out-of-date" online name as "Forever is for Ever."

Feeling guilty, Yang Lanhang immediately offered to help Ouyang Yifan take a bath, urgently asking him not to reveal to "that girl" that he was "Forever is for Ever," as their relationship had made no substantial progress. Despite initially grumbling about the online name, Ouyang Yifan reluctantly agreed to cover for Yang Lanhang, stating he would tell Bai Lingling that he had sold the account to a game forum and had no idea who the current user was.

After his bath, Ouyang Yifan watched as Yang Lanhang, with great enthusiasm, used data analysis to meticulously calculate the best and most efficient seating strategy for Bai Lingling in the postgraduate study room, set to open the next day. Yang Lanhang even considered the number of examinees versus available desks and ruled out noisy seats near the entrance. Ouyang Yifan found his dedication utterly ridiculous.

The next day after work, Yang Lanhang rushed to the study room to reserve a seat for Bai Lingling, having left a note that was later torn off by another student. Bai Lingling arrived later, telling Yang Lanhang she would go after finishing her work. She then took the seat Zheng Minghao had successfully reserved for her. She asked Zheng Minghao about the job he had previously mentioned.

Zheng Minghao admitted that the "good news" was indeed about the job at Zhenghong Group, but he had held back the information to avoid putting pressure on her and fully supported her decision to pursue postgraduate studies. He had reserved two seats for her, one for her to sit, and another, marked by a plush bear, for her belongings, before he left to buy food. Soon after Zheng Minghao departed, Yang Lanhang returned to the study room.

He convinced Bai Lingling that his calculated spot was the "best seat," and despite her skepticism about his "divination," she switched seats with him. Yang Lanhang then sat in the seat previously occupied by Zheng Minghao's plush bear, observing Bai Lingling as she studied. When Zheng Minghao returned with drinks, he was furious to find Yang Lanhang in his reserved seat, asserting that both seats were his.

Seeing the escalating tension, Bai Lingling began to pack her things, but Yang Lanhang directed Zheng Minghao to step outside. Outside, Zheng Minghao confronted Yang Lanhang, accusing him of causing Bai Lingling's graduation delay and questioning his right to interfere. Yang Lanhang provocatively countered that his relationship with Bai Lingling was "closer" than Zheng Minghao's. Enraged by the blatant taunt, Zheng Minghao punched Yang Lanhang in the mouth.

Bai Lingling, coming out of the study room, immediately demanded Zheng Minghao apologize to Yang. When Zheng Minghao refused, claiming Yang "deserved it," Bai Lingling offered to treat him to dinner if he apologized. He reluctantly mumbled "sorry" and then left with her. While they ate, Zheng Minghao expressed his concern for Bai Lingling, admitting he didn't want her to wake up early to reserve a study seat.

Bai Lingling thanked him, explaining her previous sleepless night was because the person she liked had feelings for someone else. She gently told him that she considered him a very good friend, but "only a friend," as her heart already belonged to someone. Undeterred, Zheng Minghao formally and passionately confessed his deep love for her, declaring he would regret it forever if he didn't voice his feelings.

Bai Lingling, though touched, reiterated that she could not reciprocate his feelings, openly sharing that her own sleepless night was caused by the pain of her crush liking someone else. She asserted that her love for him was her own matter, and just as she couldn't give up, she couldn't ask Zheng Minghao to give up either.

Zheng Minghao then accused her online friend of being a jerk, revealing he had traced the "Forever is for Ever" account on "Gate of Heart" to Ouyang Yifan, whom he characterized as a womanizer. He presented Ouyang Yifan's six years of online interaction without meeting her or adding her on WeChat as proof that she was merely "a little fish in his net" he casually flirted with. Bai Lingling vehemently rejected this, convinced there was a misunderstanding.

Zheng Minghao ended the conversation by stating that if she could so easily doubt the person she liked, she wouldn't be the Bai Lingling he admired. The next day, Guan Xiaoyu was furious upon learning that Zheng Minghao had revealed everything to Bai Lingling, accusing him of undermining their efforts to keep it a secret. Zheng Minghao defended his decision, arguing that Bai Lingling had a right to know and would have been hurt regardless.

He proposed inviting Ouyang Yifan for a "face-to-face confrontation," but Guan Xiaoyu refused, telling him to ask Ouyang himself since he knew him. Zheng Minghao reluctantly agreed to arrange the meeting. Meanwhile, Yang Lanhang returned home, where Ouyang Yifan was also present. His mother immediately noticed the injury on his mouth and became distraught, worried he had been in another fight and urging him to see Doctor Li, reminding him of a missed appointment.

Ouyang Yifan volunteered to accompany him to the doctor, promising his mother he would ensure Yang Lanhang was well cared for. Returning home, Bai Lingling was met by a flustered Guan Xiaoyu, who quickly confessed she hadn't known Ouyang Yifan, her boyfriend, was the one using the "Forever is for Ever" account and had ceased all contact with him after learning the truth, even refusing his flowers. Bai Lingling assured her she wasn't angry.

She then requested to see Ouyang Yifan's WeChat Moments. After comparing Ouyang Yifan's posting style with her backed-up chat history with "Forever is for Ever," Bai Lingling definitively concluded that they were not the same person. She pointed out that Ouyang Yifan habitually added emojis or symbols to his posts, a practice "Forever is for Ever" rarely engaged in. She reasoned that if her online friend was merely flirting, he wouldn't have spent six years maintaining the facade.

Conversely, if Ouyang Yifan were "Forever is for Ever," he wouldn't constantly expose his privacy on social media, as it would destroy any sense of mystique. Guan Xiaoyu, impressed by her deductive reasoning, jokingly called her "Sherlock Holmes." Guan Xiaoyu then questioned the "coincidence" of "Forever is for Ever" seemingly rejecting Bai Lingling right after her warning.

Bai Lingling clarified that "Forever is for Ever" hadn't actually rejected her; it was her own assumption based on his message about liking another girl. She reflected that she had no right to complain about his lack of understanding, having never expressed her feelings for six years.

Guan Xiaoyu, feeling for Zheng Minghao, urged Bai Lingling to consider the more tangible Zheng Minghao, describing him as a "real man" who could offer practical support like an umbrella on a rainy day or care when she was sick, unlike her distant online crush. She advised Bai Lingling not to be so resolute in her rejection of Zheng Minghao, suggesting she leave room for possibility.

Bai Lingling, however, firmly stated that if her desire was merely for companionship and practical help, she would have chosen Wang Tao long ago. She reiterated her unwavering love for "Forever is for Ever," stating that even if he did nothing, she would still love him, and would eventually take the leap for him. Guan Xiaoyu, recognizing her friend's conviction, ultimately offered her support.

Yang Lanhang’s friend, Ouyang Yifan, observed his injury and directly asked if it was due to Bai Lingling. Yang Lanhang admitted it was, embracing his wounds as "medals" for fighting for love, though Yifan found his sentiment rather childish and unproductive, and that fighting wouldn't solve problems. Yifan then asked about Yang Lanhang’s rival, and Yang Lanhang confidently dismissed Zheng Minghao as no threat and inferior to him.

Yifan was surprised, revealing he knew Zheng Minghao and had dinner plans with him. More importantly, Yifan informed Yang Lanhang that Zheng Minghao was the developer of "Gate of Heart" and was young, accomplished, and handsome, advising Yang Lanhang not to underestimate such a formidable competitor. This revelation made Yang Lanhang realize that Zheng Minghao must have sold him out, leading to Guan Xiaoyu mistakenly identifying him as Yifan.

Yifan, sensing an opportunity, encouraged Yang Lanhang to "deal with him," to which Yang Lanhang readily agreed. Later, Ouyang Yifan encountered Guan Xiaoyu and Geng Panpan near a meeting spot. Guan Xiaoyu was recounting her plan to Geng Panpan, expressing skepticism about Bai Lingling’s belief that Ouyang Yifan wasn’t "Forever is for Ever," reasoning that women in love have zero IQ. She intended to meet Zheng Minghao, who would bring Ouyang Yifan, and instructed Geng Panpan to record their conversation.

Upon seeing Yifan, Guan Xiaoyu tried to deny their intention, but Yifan, realizing her scheme, suggested they record a video instead. Directly addressing the camera, Ouyang Yifan stated he was not "Forever is for Ever," clarifying that Zheng Minghao had given him that account, which he then resold online to an unknown buyer. Convinced by his honesty, Guan Xiaoyu apologized profusely and offered various forms of monetary compensation, including a bath and dry cleaning services, and a meal.

However, Ouyang Yifan rejected her offers, demanding "mental compensation" by asking her to be his girlfriend. Hesitant, Guan Xiaoyu suggested calling the police instead, but Geng Panpan stepped in, claiming she already had a boyfriend, much to Guan Xiaoyu's relief. Unfazed, Ouyang Yifan confidently stated he could wait, certain that their relationship would not last.

Worried about Ouyang Yifan’s potential retaliation, Guan Xiaoyu decided to continue her fake relationship with Geng Panpan, who was delighted by the arrangement after Ouyang Yifan saved him from the cafeteria staff who were chasing him. Yang Lanhang visited Doctor Li, who shared positive updates on their research into optimal seed cells from stent materials, with clinical trials imminent.

However, Doctor Li emphasized that as long as Yang Lanhang postponed his surgery, his mother would carry the burden of a "ticking time bomb" of worry, urging him to understand her feelings. Yang Lanhang acknowledged this and proceeded for a color Doppler ultrasound. That evening, a heavy rain began.

Bai Lingling messaged "Forever is for Ever," asking if it was raining where he was, to which Yang Lanhang (as "Forever is for Ever") replied, advising her to dress warmly due to the likely temperature drop to avoid catching a cold. Shortly after, he watched from his car as Zheng Minghao arrived with an umbrella to pick up Bai Lingling for her self-study session.

Yang Lanhang grimly recalled Yifan's earlier words about the practical forms of care he couldn’t provide, such as offering an umbrella or being present when she was sick, and acknowledged his disadvantage in the real world compared to Zheng Minghao. Upon returning home, Bai Lingling had indeed caught a cold and was running a fever. Zheng Minghao had left some fruit for her before leaving.

Guan Xiaoyu arrived to care for Bai Lingling, urging her to rest and skip the study room or lab. Bai Lingling, however, mentioned her plan to take her grandmother to the doctor the next day. Bai Lingling messaged her online friend, "Forever is for Ever," about her illness. Recalling Yifan's earlier challenge about providing a "real hug," Yang Lanhang, acting as "Forever is for Ever," asked for her address and phone number.

The next morning, Yang Lanhang personally prepared porridge and breakfast, delivering it to Bai Lingling's doorstep, claiming a friend had dropped it off. Bai Lingling was touched by the gesture and wondered if her online friend liked her, a possibility Guan Xiaoyu affirmed, reminding her that as a patient, her feelings were paramount. Yang Lanhang, in his online persona, assured her it was "his pleasure" and no trouble at all.

Bai Lingling found the taste of the porridge surprisingly familiar, which Guan Xiaoyu playfully dubbed "the taste of love." The next day, Bai Lingling took her grandmother, Wu Chunhua, to the hospital. While waiting, her grandmother proudly showed off a new smartphone, claiming her "boyfriend" Zheng Minghao had given it to her and praising his handsomeness and thoughtfulness. Bai Lingling sternly took the phone, intending to return it, and reminded her grandmother not to take other people's belongings.

Offended, Wu Chunhua called Bai Lingling "ungrateful" and refused to see the doctor. Bai Lingling tried to soothe her, but her grandmother insisted she was fine and that Bai Lingling merely needed to stop upsetting her. Amidst the commotion, as a nurse called Wu Chunhua's number, her grandmother suddenly vanished. Panicked, Bai Lingling frantically searched the hospital and called Guan Xiaoyu for help.

Just as she considered calling the police, a nurse returned with Wu Chunhua, explaining that the elderly woman had gotten lost and ended up on the staff elevator to the roof. Overwhelmed with relief and anger, Bai Lingling tearfully hugged her grandmother, expressing her fear that her grandmother had abandoned her. Wu Chunhua, in turn, comforted her, assuring Bai Lingling she couldn't live without her.

That evening, Bai Lingling confided in "Forever is for Ever" about the day's events, feeling guilty and inadequate for not being able to afford a new phone for her grandmother, especially one costing over 7,000 yuan. Yang Lanhang, online, suggested a practical alternative: purchasing a second-hand tablet computer from the same city for her grandmother to watch videos.

He highlighted its larger screen, lower cost, and how quickly such products become obsolete, making a used one a smart choice for quick delivery. Inspired by the idea, Bai Lingling decided to purchase one immediately. Yang Lanhang, still online, swiftly seized Ouyang Yifan's tablet, photographed it, and listed it on a flea market app, promising to buy Yifan a new one the next day. Afterward, he added Zhai Qingyi to a new group chat.

In the chat, Yang Lanhang praised Bai Lingling's recent progress, attributing it to the guidance of "excellent seniors," but declared that if she failed her postgraduate entrance exams in the next twenty days, it would be a "disgrace to the entire lab." He then mandated a rotating schedule for tutoring Bai Lingling in her major courses, asking anyone without experimental tasks to sign up. Ouyang Yifan promptly exited the group.

Zhai Qingyi, thrilled to be in what he thought was a "core group" and recognized by "guru," enthusiastically volunteered to tutor on Monday afternoon. After expressing his gratitude to Yang Lanhang, he was, surprisingly, removed from the chat. Meanwhile, Guan Xiaoyu told Bai Lingling that Geng Panpan had been acting strangely.

While planning a camping trip, they passed a flower shop where the owner asked Geng Panpan why he hadn't bought flowers recently, revealing that he used to buy fresh red roses daily for someone. Guan Xiaoyu deduced that Geng Panpan had a crush and worried that their fake relationship might prevent him from pursuing his real interest. Bai Lingling, her mind consumed by exam preparation, suggested that Geng Panpan might actually like Guan Xiaoyu.

Guan Xiaoyu dismissed the idea, stating that while it made sense for him to be attracted to her, she had never received any flowers from him. Bai Lingling then declared her brain couldn't handle relationship problems, and she needed to sleep, despite Guan Xiaoyu's admonishment about her not having showered in three days. Bai Lingling claimed to use dry shampoo as a substitute, remarking that "people studying for postgraduate exams don't deserve to shower."

Late that night, Yang Lanhang called Bai Lingling. He informed her that he had spoken to the professor and arranged for her to use the storage room adjacent to the lab as a temporary study space. This would save her time spent commuting to public study rooms and allow her easy access to him and other lab members for questions. Bai Lingling initially hesitated, feeling it would be too much trouble for everyone.

However, Yang Lanhang reminded her of her previous confession to him, which prompted her to quickly accept the offer to use the second-floor storage room and save his phone number. After the call, Bai Lingling grumbled to herself about Yang Lanhang constantly bringing up her "shameful" confession, calling it "the stain of her life." The following morning, Ouyang Yifan was already at Yang Lanhang’s home, having arrived very early.

He told Yang Lanhang that he had learned about Guan Xiaoyu's upcoming camping trip with her "boyfriend" and planned to "scout ahead" to see if they spent the night together, which would determine if her boyfriend was legitimate. Yang Lanhang questioned if Yifan's company was idle, reminding him of their commitment to scientific research. Ouyang Yifan assured him of his full cooperation in the lab, but passionately argued that life, beyond work, should also include the pursuit of love.

Yang Lanhang concurred, stating he too was pursuing love outside of his work. Later that day, Zhai Qingyi enthusiastically greeted Bai Lingling as "Xiao Bai" and escorted her towards the allocated study room. He jokingly referred to her as a "backward element" whom they were helping to improve the team's overall strength, urging her not to squander "guru's" thoughtful efforts.

Bai Lingling expressed her dismay, complaining that the "storage room" was unfit for human occupancy and that her opinion should be considered. To her astonishment, when they arrived, the once-cluttered storage room had been completely transformed into a bright, clean, and comfortable study space, furnished with a sofa and coffee table, far surpassing any ordinary study room.

Zhai Qingyi, beaming with self-importance, boasted that Yang Lanhang had specifically chosen him to lead the first tutoring session because of his superior expertise. He then proceeded to "freestyle" with basic questions, much to Bai Lingling’s frustration, as he tested her with freshman-level topics. Over the subsequent days, other lab members, including Zhang Yian, Senior Sister Cui Jing, and Yang Lanhang himself, took turns tutoring Bai Lingling. Though exhausted, she found the intense study sessions highly productive.

Meanwhile, Ouyang Yifan arrived at the initial camping spot but received a message from Guan Xiaoyu, informing him that they had spontaneously decided to change locations and wishing him a pleasant time by himself. After weeks of relentless study, supported by her online friend's encouragement and the lab team's collective efforts, Bai Lingling finally completed her postgraduate entrance exams. Eager to discover the identity of her "virtual boyfriend's friend," Guan Xiaoyu had installed an electronic monitor outside Bai Lingling's door.

Her theory was that "birds of a feather flock together," and observing the friend who delivered breakfast might reveal clues about the virtual boyfriend. The monitor captured footage of a heavily clothed man delivering breakfast, whose figure struck Bai Lingling as oddly familiar, while Guan Xiaoyu commented that he looked "a bit abnormal."

Bai Lingling presented her grandma, Wu Chunhua, with a tablet, which her grandma adored. Wu Chunhua playfully admonished Lingling for exceeding her screen time, noting she had watched for two hours and twenty-seven minutes, well past the agreed-upon two hours, and worried about her eyesight. Wu Chunhua then urged Lingling to pursue romance after her postgraduate exams. The two discussed plans for New Year's Eve, deciding to go shopping and enjoy the night market.

Lingling promised to treat her grandma to various fried crispy rice cakes, oily rice snacks, soup dumplings, sticky rice, and oyster omelets, in recognition of her good behavior. Another patient in the ward envied Wu Chunhua's good fortune, as her own son had just flown abroad for a "big deal" and couldn't be with her. Elsewhere, Guan Xiaoyu informed Geng Panpan that she no longer needed him to pretend to be her boyfriend.

She intended to attend the college's New Year's Eve dance, hoping to meet her destined partner and share a "New Year's kiss," a notion that left Geng Panpan disheartened. Meanwhile, Qu Qingyi inquired of Zhang Yian about Yang Lanhang's New Year's Eve plans. Zhang Yian revealed that while he typically celebrated with friends in Europe, Yang Lanhang usually spent the occasion in the lab, finding it to be the quietest time of the year.

On New Year's Eve, Yang Lanhang, seeing Bai Lingling's online posts about shopping with her grandma, decided to go out. At home, his mother expressed joy that her son was finally home for the New Year. While on his phone, Yang Lanhang mentioned his own plans to go out with his grandma, and then encouraged his parents to also go out for a walk instead of staying home. They agreed. Bai Lingling and Wu Chunhua visited a wishing tree.

Wu Chunhua instructed Lingling to write her wish and hang it high for the gods to see. Lingling, believing her grandma would wish for something mundane like mahjong or lottery winnings, was touched when she saw Wu Chunhua's wish: "I hope to still be YaYa's mother and Lingling's grandmother in the next life, and love them well, making up for what I owed them this life."

Lost in thought as she hung the wish high, Bai Lingling almost fell, but Yang Lanhang, who had arrived at the wishing tree, swiftly caught her and wished her a "Happy New Year" as the countdown reached zero. Simultaneously, Guan Xiaoyu, elegantly dressed for the New Year's dance, was robbed of her bag just as she exited a taxi. She chased the thief, and by chance, Ouyang Yinfan and Ouyang Yifan were driving past.

Ouyang Yifan immediately sprang out of the car to pursue the thief, while Ouyang Yinfan, unable to drive, called Cui Jing for help. Guan Xiaoyu nearly stumbled during the chase, but Ouyang Yifan was there to rescue her. Cui Jing later drove Ouyang Yinfan to watch fireworks, and a rare smile appeared on his face. Bai Lingling successfully passed her postgraduate entrance exam, a cause for celebration among her lab colleagues.

Qu Qingyi attempted to claim credit for her success, though Zhang Yian teased him for mostly playing games. Bai Lingling, wanting to express her gratitude, offered to treat everyone, and Qu Qingyi suggested they go for dinner and karaoke. Later that evening, Guan Xiaoyu joined the lab's celebration. When Ouyang Yinfan arrived, Guan Xiaoyu mistook him for Ouyang Yifan, the brother who had rescued her, and instinctively hid her face with her clothes.

Bai Lingling introduced Ouyang Yinfan as "Senior Ouyang," leading Guan Xiaoyu to mistakenly believe he and Ouyang Yifan were the same person. As she tried to discreetly leave, she bumped into Ouyang Yinfan, who ignored her. Convinced he was afraid she would expose him in front of his colleagues, Guan Xiaoyu stormed off to a bar. To her surprise, she encountered Ouyang Yifan there, who questioned why she was at his "territory" if she was hiding from him.

He explained that he had left the lab gathering because he couldn't "play with them" and didn't feel like himself there. After the gathering, a tipsy Bai Lingling was driven home by Yang Lanhang. She candidly expressed her resentment towards him, citing his role in her graduation delay, her job loss, his "torture" in the lab under the guise of work, and his continued threats about her confession.

Despite these grievances, she acknowledged his invaluable help with her exam preparations and test "predictions." She declared her "unilateral forgiveness" and proposed they "let bygones be bygones." Yang Lanhang remarked he thought they already had, to which she retorted, "That's your thought." Just then, Zheng Minghao called to congratulate Bai Lingling. She apologized for not inviting him to the karaoke and offered to treat him to dinner the next day. He agreed to fly back for it.

Curious about his location, she listened to his previous voice message on speakerphone. Zheng Minghao revealed he was moving his studio to Shenzhen with Dong Chao, seeing greater market opportunities there. He expressed his fear of her not asking him to stay, yet also his greater fear of her asking, as he would undoubtedly abandon his plans for her.

He asserted he would sacrifice his ambitions for her happiness but questioned if she was truly happy, perceiving her as strong-willed yet troubled. He wondered who would support her on rainy days, adding that she "cannot live her whole life with your phone." Overwhelmed, Bai Lingling told him to mind his own business and asked Yang Lanhang to pull over, feeling nauseous.

Sitting by the roadside, Bai Lingling tearfully confided in Yang Lanhang, asking why everyone, including Zheng Minghao, seemed to disapprove of her online relationship. She admitted her own lack of confidence, recounting how she lied about having an umbrella on a rainy day, fearing "he wouldn't care."

She confessed her reluctance to ask for his name, see his picture, hear his voice, or confess her feelings, terrified that her current "beautiful everything" was merely a fantasy that would shatter upon facing reality. Yang Lanhang encouraged her to express her feelings to "that person." Bai Lingling, however, likened her situation to having a delicious candy that, if left uneaten, retained its sweet illusion, but if consumed and found bitter, would lead to profound disappointment.

She expressed her longing for someone to like her, to hold an umbrella for her, and her deep desire to tell "him" that after "six years, I really like him." Just as Yang Lanhang, visibly moved, seemed about to speak, Bai Lingling was overcome by another wave of nausea and vomited all over him. The next morning, Guan Xiaoyu woke up in a hotel room to find Ouyang Yifan sleeping on the sofa.

Furious, she accused him of being a hypocrite after his dignified behavior at the party. Ouyang Yifan calmly explained that she had been too drunk to go home and had vomited on him, leaving him no choice but to bring her to the hotel. Meanwhile, Bai Lingling awoke to a message from her online friend, "Forever is for Ever," who confessed his feelings and asked to meet.

Thrilled, she immediately shared the news with Guan Xiaoyu and replied to the message, confessing her feelings in return. " Forever is for Ever" then instructed her to look outside her window. Bai Lingling rushed to the balcony, her heart swelling with delight as she saw a multitude of colorful balloons floating in the sky, carrying messages of love. In that moment, she realized that "Forever is for Ever" was, in fact, Yang Lanhang.

Yang Lanhang had a dream where he confessed to Bai Lingling that he was "Forever is for Ever." In the dream, Bai Lingling reacted with shock and rejection, threatening to blacklist him if he turned out to be Yang Lanhang. Startled, he woke up. He decided to delay meeting Bai Lingling in person. Online, he sent her a message.

Bai Lingling asked if he was busy, to which he replied that his work was never done, but she was more important. He then asked if she wanted to see him. Bai Lingling admitted it felt "a little sudden," but Yang Lanhang said he had considered it for a long time.

He confessed to being "a little greedy," hoping she would disregard external factors like appearance and education to love only his soul, yet also hoping she would accept all of him and still like him after seeing him. They tentatively agreed to meet "next week," acknowledging their mutual nervousness about the impending encounter. Guan Xiaoyu praised Bai Lingling's online boyfriend, noting his respectful approach to her emotions and lack of emphasis on his own contributions, calling it true love.

Bai Lingling casually responded that he was "always like this" and she had "gotten used to it." However, Guan Xiaoyu then expressed suspicion, suggesting his "skillful" way of speaking might indicate he was a liar, especially in an online relationship. Bai Lingling, unfazed, stated she did not care about being cheated emotionally, "as long as he doesn't cheat me out of my money."

She reasoned that emotional heartbreak was a normal, high-risk aspect of modern relationships, but losing money would make her not only sad but also poor. Guan Xiaoyu insisted on being present as her "gatekeeper" when she finally met him. Later, Guan Xiaoyu learned that Ouyang Yifan (the man who had taken her from the bar) and Ouyang Yinfan (Bai Lingling's lab senior and blind date) were twin brothers.

Guan Xiaoyu realized she had confused the two, specifically mistaking Ouyang Yinfan for Ouyang Yifan, and was now angry with herself, especially since Geng Panpan was also upset with her. She recalled seeing their photo, which confirmed the twin connection. Professor Jiang congratulated Bai Lingling on her impressive preliminary exam score and graduation thesis.

He then informed her that despite the first day of school being three months away, he wanted her to choose her research project early to "start your research earlier." He gave her materials on "Metamaterials," describing them as composite materials with artificially designed structures that exhibit "extraordinary physical properties" not found in natural materials. He tasked her with conducting a feasibility study and reviewing the initially formulated research directions.

Furthermore, he asked her to cover a "physical experiment on oxidation resistance" while Yu Shuang attended a seminar in Shanghai. The experiment required continuous monitoring for 100 hours, but Bai Lingling only needed to manage the first 30 hours until Yu Shuang returned. Bai Lingling confidently accepted, dismissing Guan Xiaoyu's warnings about "ghost stories" in the old lab, stating that as scientific researchers, they were "staunch materialists."

Guan Xiaoyu went to Geng Panpan's dormitory to apologize, feeling she should not "burn my Bridges" after he had helped her for over half a year. There, she learned he was in the hospital. She called him, and he downplayed his condition, saying it was "just mild concussion" and he would be discharged soon. He recounted seeing Ouyang Yifan taking a drunk Guan Xiaoyu away from a bar.

When he tried to intervene, Ouyang Yifan asked Guan Xiaoyu to choose between them. In her drunken state, she told Geng Panpan he was her "best, best friend" before leaving with Ouyang Yifan. Geng Panpan, distraught, followed them and was "knocked down by a reversing car," hitting his head. He gently refused Guan Xiaoyu's offer to visit, stating he was tired. Meanwhile, Yang Lanhang was awake at 3:30 AM, cooking.

When Ouyang Yifan (his roommate) expressed concern about his late nights, Yang Lanhang explained he was "spending time with my girlfriend on her experiment" by "accompanying her remotely." He clarified that this was Bai Lingling's first solo experiment, and while he was worried and wished he could help, as a qualified researcher, he understood that this solitary journey was a necessary part of her development, much like the 30, 50, 100, or even 10,000-hour experiments other researchers endured.

He saw it as Professor Jiang's first lesson for her, and his role was to "wait for her at the finish line" with "small surprises." Ouyang Yifan joked that Yang Lanhang was 62, not 26. In the lab, Bai Lingling was terrified by a rat. She tried to leave to buy rat poison but found the door locked. Desperate, she considered jumping from the second floor. Just then, Zheng Minghao arrived and stopped her, urging her to "Stay there!"

and "Hold the railing!" He then called the janitor to unlock the door. The janitor apologized for accidentally locking her in. Zheng Minghao, seeing the situation, jokingly offered for her to "accepting me" since he had just "rescued a beauty." Bai Lingling dismissed his flirtation, telling him she would invite him to dinner another night, prioritizing her "business" of dealing with the rat problem. After they left, Yang Lanhang arrived at the empty lab with breakfast, noting her absence.

Bai Lingling, having seen Yang Lanhang arrive on her remote surveillance camera, rushed back to the lab. Yang Lanhang was sitting there, sternly eating breakfast without acknowledging her. She humbly apologized for leaving the lab and installing the camera, explaining she had only left for "no more than one hour" to buy "rat poison" due to the rodent in the lab. She then desperately pleaded with him not to inform Professor Jiang, fearing she would be "kicked out."

Yang Lanhang angrily retorted that since "stepping in," she had not once asked if the experiment was okay. When she argued that "You are here anyway. What problem could there be?" he questioned why the experiment seemed to matter nothing to her compared to her master's degree, "satisfying report cards," and "promising future." He asked if her sole purpose for pursuing postgraduate studies was "to have a satisfying resume and gain higher income."

When Bai Lingling saw nothing wrong with this, Yang Lanhang, enraged, threw the breakfast into the trash can. Later, Bai Lingling messaged "Forever is for Ever," complaining about Yang Lanhang's unnecessary anger, especially since it wasn't even "his experiment." She concluded they "can't make friends with him anyhow" and worried if he would report her to the professor. Yang Lanhang, reading her message, slammed his phone down in frustration.

When Yu Shuang returned from Shanghai, he was pleased to find the experiment had proceeded smoothly. Bai Lingling, still anxious, asked him about the possibility of accepted postgraduate students being rejected, to which he replied it was "usually, no," but "by no means zero," further unsettling her. The next morning, Zheng Minghao brought breakfast to Bai Lingling's home. He expressed concern about the arduous nature of her scientific work, particularly the long hours, suggesting it was too demanding for women.

Guan Xiaoyu agreed, adding that such work could prematurely age a woman, citing Yang Lanhang as an example of someone who "looks like a middle-aged man" despite being in his twenties. When Bai Lingling wondered what else she would do if she quit, Zheng Minghao blurted out, "I can support you." He then clarified he was referring to a new electronic materials company under Zhenghong Group that was "advertising for staff" and suggested she consider joining.

Bai Lingling initially insisted she must complete her master's degree, having worked so hard for it. However, Zheng Minghao reminded her that her primary motivation for postgraduate study was to "find a good job," and this opportunity was precisely that. Guan Xiaoyu enthusiastically supported the idea, arguing that joining now would make her a "founding member" and potentially "a millionaire," urging Bai Lingling to "think it over." Bai Lingling agreed to consider the offer.

That evening, Guan Xiaoyu continued to persuade Bai Lingling, causing her to waver. Bai Lingling messaged her online boyfriend for his opinion on choosing between the job offer and continuing her studies, but he did not respond for several days. Finally, Yang Lanhang, seeing her message, called her. As the call connected, Yang Lanhang was once again caught in a vivid dream, identical to his earlier one. In this dream, Bai Lingling asked why he looked exactly like Yang Lanhang.

He confessed, "Actually, I am Yang Lanhang." She reacted with disbelief, and when he insisted, she threatened, "If you were Yang Lanhang, I'll blacklist you now." He quickly interjected, "Wait, wait a minute. I am Forever is for Ever," which caused her to smile and say, "That's right." Yang Lanhang then woke up from the dream, shaken, and told Ouyang Yifan that he would "better not see her" after all.

Yang Lanhang called Bai Lingling late at night, instructing her to translate a document by tomorrow morning, as it was needed for an afternoon experiment. Guan Xiaoyu found Bai Lingling's predicament amusing. Annoyed, Bai Lingling muttered to herself that Yang Lanhang was a "super big idiot." She didn't take the task seriously, simply using an online translation tool to complete it in five minutes.

As she emailed the document and placed her laptop aside, she accidentally knocked over an old savings box. This triggered a painful memory from her childhood: seeing her mother's body being wheeled away covered in a white sheet. A little boy had given her his savings box, telling her to buy her mother a new heart so she wouldn't die. He explained that his own heart was defective and the money was for him to buy a new one.

Worried he would die without the money, Bai Lingling accepted the box, promising to repay him when she could and pleading with him to stay alive, as he claimed to be a 'genius' and wouldn't die. Now, the savings box remained, but she often wondered if that "little genius" was still alive. The next morning, before Bai Lingling even got up, Yang Lanhang called, telling her to come downstairs.

Still annoyed by the previous night's task, Bai Lingling deliberately took her time eating breakfast, even telling Guan Xiaoyu she had "stayed up until 5 AM" translating, a blatant lie. Guan Xiaoyu, watching from the balcony, praised Yang Lanhang’s intelligence, good family background, and handsome looks, exclaiming it was "unfair." Bai Lingling retorted that he must have some serious personality flaws, believing fate was fair, and instructed Guan Xiaoyu to let him wait.

Upon finally going downstairs, Bai Lingling tried to explain about the translated document in the car, but Yang Lanhang cut her off and drove her to the hospital. At the hospital, Granny Wu (Wu Chunhua) was reviewing materials provided by Doctor Li and had agreed to participate in a clinical trial for heart valve replacement surgery. Bai Lingling arrived and vehemently opposed the decision, angrily confronting Yang Lanhang.

She demanded that he take out any grievances against her directly and stop upsetting her elderly grandmother, who was nearly seventy and couldn't endure such turmoil. As Bai Lingling tried to take her grandmother away, Granny Wu resisted, crying that she wanted the surgery because she just wanted to live a full life and finally sleep peacefully.

Yang Lanhang then led Bai Lingling to the hospital rooftop, revealing that just a few days prior, Granny Wu had attempted to jump from there. He had been on his way to a seminar in a top-floor meeting room (chosen for its confidentiality and inaccessibility) when he saw an elderly woman stumbling into the elevator. Fearing for her safety, he followed and discovered it was Bai Lingling's grandmother.

Bai Lingling recalled an argument they had over a mobile phone that day, but she couldn't believe it would drive her grandmother to suicide, suspecting Yang Lanhang was fabricating the story. Yang Lanhang suggested checking the surveillance footage and explained he suspected Granny Wu suffered from severe depression, largely induced by her heart condition. He shared an anecdote of an outwardly happy elderly woman committing suicide without warning, highlighting that the elderly are often the most vulnerable psychologically.

Granny Wu had confided in him that the metallic clicking sound from her mechanical heart valve, implanted years ago, constantly bothered her, in addition to requiring lifelong anticoagulant medication. Bai Lingling admitted hearing the 'da da da' sound and feeling helpless, knowing that existing biological valves, made from animal-derived materials, only last about twenty years, and her grandmother would be too old for another surgery by then. Yang Lanhang then introduced a third option: tissue engineering heart valves.

These valves, grown from a patient's own cells, are living, have the capacity to grow, do not require medication, and are resistant to degeneration and calcification, essentially functioning like a natural part of the body. Bai Lingling was unaware of such a possibility. Yang Lanhang explained that scientists exist to create miracles, and he had used this new hope to encourage Granny Wu to live.

He clarified that the experiment had not yet reached the clinical trial stage, and Doctor Li would thoroughly examine her before any decisions were made; Granny Wu might have been overly anxious and misunderstood. He further explained that while Doctor Li had identified ideal seed cells and their lab had developed a suitable bioreactor, the current challenge was cell seeding – cultivating differentiated cells within a valve-shaped, biodegradable polymer scaffold. Bai Lingling sincerely thanked him.

Yang Lanhang then recalled Granny Wu telling him how she regretted her past actions concerning her daughter, Yaya (Bai Lingling's mother). Yaya's paternal grandmother had disliked her for being a girl, but Granny Wu adored her. Later, Granny Wu had meticulously chosen "the best man" for Yaya, only for it to tragically harm her. She deeply regretted not encouraging Yaya to divorce, which might have saved her life.

Now, Granny Wu vowed to live for her granddaughter, ensuring she wouldn't follow her mother's path, emphasizing that she had been foolish earlier and must endure any hardship for her granddaughter. Bai Lingling felt deep remorse for not having cared enough for her grandmother. Yang Lanhang assured her that Granny Wu never blamed her; on the contrary, Granny Wu felt she was a burden to Bai Lingling, delaying her progress and future, and regretted her past with Yaya.

Bai Lingling returned to the room. Initially, Granny Wu resisted, saying "Don't touch me," but Bai Lingling then silently embraced her from behind. Granny Wu then asked her to apologize to Yang Lanhang and Doctor Li, which Bai Lingling did. Granny Wu reiterated her determination to participate in the clinical trial and requested an early appointment, to which Bai Lingling agreed, despite Yang Lanhang's remark that it hadn't even started yet.

Seeing the misunderstanding resolved, Doctor Li took Granny Wu for her examinations. Yang Lanhang informed Bai Lingling that he had applied to a nursing home to arrange for professional psychologists to provide counseling for her grandmother, emphasizing the psychological vulnerability of the elderly. He reiterated that the experiment was still in a critical development stage, about to enter animal testing (which, if unsuccessful, would require adjustments), and Granny Wu still had time to consider her options.

Bai Lingling expressed her desire to become a dedicated member of the research team. She confessed that she had been on the verge of quitting her master's degree entirely, but now she felt compelled to understand the origins of what would eventually be placed inside her grandmother's body. Yang Lanhang, recalling her negligent translation, reminded her that the literature she had translated the previous night was indeed critical to the project.

He stressed that even if it wasn't her own relative, it would be someone else's, and their work could not tolerate even a hint of carelessness or superficiality. He emphasized that the mission of scientists is to solve seemingly impossible problems, save lives on the brink, and advance human civilization. Therefore, anyone involved in scientific research must commit to it wholeheartedly. He also informed her that joining the lab required Professor Jiang's approval.

Bai Lingling apologized for her earlier negligent translation, acknowledging her decision to fully commit to her studies but maintaining that her previous aspiration for a good job and high income was not inherently wrong. Yang Lanhang agreed but pointed out that if everyone pursued only such goals, the world would not advance.

Meanwhile, Zheng Minghao, who had been waiting for Bai Lingling's response to his suggestion of joining his company, received her message thanking him but stating her decision to complete her master's degree. He then left. In the following period, Bai Lingling immersed herself in her studies, diligently conducting experiments, seeking guidance from her colleagues, and even studying during meals, as her days flew by in busy dedication.

One evening, Yang Lanhang, still secretly communicating as "forever is forever," sent Bai Lingling a message stating he had almost finished his work and planned to buy a flight ticket to return home the day after tomorrow. Bai Lingling replied, suggesting they postpone meeting for the time being. The next morning, Guan Xiaoyu was perplexed by Bai Lingling's refusal.

Bai Lingling explained that she was too overwhelmed with catching up on her studies and lab work after joining Yang Lanhang's team – she felt every minute counted and hardly had time to eat – to properly entertain her online friend who was making a long journey to see her, stating she wasn't in her "best state" for such an important meeting.

Elsewhere, Ivan playfully teased Yang Lanhang about his anxious behavior in love, comparing it to his own tumultuous first love. Yang Lanhang, however, was unfazed by Bai Lingling's rejection; he found her response, including scolding him for being "irresponsible" after he revealed he had cut short his experiment to meet her, "too interesting," specifically stating that "he" falling in love with "her" was "too interesting." Zhai Qingyi observed Yang Lanhang patiently explaining complex concepts to Bai Lingling.

He quietly asked Zhang Yian why Yang Lanhang, whom he called "the guru," always claimed to be busy and told Zhai Qingyi to figure things out for himself. Zhang Yian reassured him that it was because the guru believed Zhai Qingyi was smart enough to think independently, which Zhai Qingyi happily accepted.

Later that day, Zhai Qingyi took Bai Lingling to lunch and began tutoring her, explaining about materials, enzyme-catalyzed synthesis, and the challenges of matching scaffold degradation rate with cell growth. He mentioned that "the guru is worried to death about this." He then made sure to instruct Bai Lingling to credit him for her rapid progress if Yang Lanhang ever inquired.

He also mentioned an upcoming international academic conference which Professor Jiang and "the guru" would attend, for which there were three spots. He noted that Professor Leprince, a renowned cell seeding expert, would also be there. Bai Lingling expressed interest in attending, but Zhai Qingyi laughed, telling her she wouldn't be able to go. Soon after, Yang Lanhang arrived with his junior, Li Feifei, joining them for lunch. During their meal, a fan approached Li Feifei, requesting a photo. Zhai Qingyi, surprised that Yang Lanhang knew a celebrity, asked if Li Feifei was "the guru's girlfriend." Li Feifei simply replied, "Have a guess."

Zhai Qingyi asked Li Feifei if she was Yang Lanhang's girlfriend. Li Feifei playfully told him to guess, while Yang Lanhang quickly interjected that they were just friends. Li Feifei corrected him, stating that he was her life saver. She recounted how, two years prior, she had been shooting a commercial abroad when she got separated from her team during a parade.

Wearing high heels and without money or a phone, she was lost until Yang Lanhang helped her find her way. Yang Lanhang's only response was to emphasize the importance of learning English well. Zhai Qingyi suggested that Yang Lanhang should bring Li Feifei to visit their lab, but Yang Lanhang flatly refused, explaining that outsiders were not permitted in the laboratory. Seeing this, Bai Lingling discreetly excused herself, claiming she needed to study.

Guan Xiaoyu was preparing bone soup for Geng Panpan, who was recovering from an injury. Over the phone, she urged him to provide his address so she could deliver it. Geng Panpan, however, insisted he was fine and needed quiet recovery as per his doctor. He told her to check her doorstep, where she found a beautiful, latest-model bracelet.

Geng Panpan explained that it was a gift because her magazine colleague, Amy, was having a birthday tomorrow, and he didn't want Guan Xiaoyu to be the only one without a gift when others received theirs. Guan Xiaoyu was deeply touched and told him she loved it. Li Feifei mentioned to Yang Lanhang that she believed Bai Lingling had a crush on him. Yang Lanhang dismissed the idea, saying it wasn't possible. While walking, they encountered an injured stray dog.

Li Feifei was eager to take it to the animal hospital. Just then, Ouyang Yifan drove by. Yang Lanhang asked Ouyang Yifan, his childhood friend, to take Li Feifei and the dog to the vet, assuring Li Feifei that it was safe. Ouyang Yifan later returned and asked Yang Lanhang about his sudden closeness with Li Feifei. Yang Lanhang explained that he had only recently met her, and she was an endorser for his mother's SP Group.

She wanted to thank him for helping her with directions two years ago. Yang Lanhang added that he ended up paying for the meal, which Ouyang Yifan found laughable, remarking that Yang Lanhang deserved to be single. Yang Lanhang quickly retorted that he was not single. Afterward, Bai Lingling looked up Li Feifei's photos online, acknowledging her beauty but reaffirming her own.

She messaged her online boyfriend (unbeknownst to her, Yang Lanhang), complaining about not wanting to ask her professor silly questions. Her online boyfriend suggested she ask Yang Lanhang, or someone equally capable. Bai Lingling mentioned that Yang Lanhang was too busy, rumored to be attending a prestigious academic conference in Shenzhen with the professor, and wished she could go. Yang Lanhang, still posing as her online boyfriend, asked why she didn't just ask Yang Lanhang for a spot.

Bai Lingling replied that she had planned to, but his "girlfriend," a famous actress, was there, and she believed they looked well-matched. The online boyfriend asked if she cared, to which Bai Lingling stated it was none of her concern, though she admitted she disliked Li Feifei. Her online boyfriend echoed her sentiment, saying he disliked anyone she disliked.

Later, Yang Lanhang confided in Ouyang Yifan, wondering if it would be considered "unfaithful" if Bai Lingling came to like the "real him" more than his online persona. Ouyang Yifan playfully teased him for being jealous of himself. Guan Xiaoyu visited the flower shop and confirmed that Geng Panpan was indeed the one who had been sending her roses daily.

When she went to the hospital to check on him, a nurse recognized her from Geng Panpan's phone and revealed that he had willingly downgraded from a VIP room to a standard one to save money for gifts for his girlfriend. This revelation left Guan Xiaoyu feeling uneasy. She observed Geng Panpan through the glass for a moment before leaving, asking the nurse to keep her visit a secret. Professor Jiang granted Yang Lanhang two days off.

Zhai Qingyi, curious about Yang Lanhang's upcoming birthday, tried to solicit gift ideas from Zhang Yian, who showed no interest. Zhai Qingyi then approached Bai Lingling, mentioning the birthday was still four or five months away. Bai Lingling, however, suspected that Zhai Qingyi's true motive was to curry favor to attend the upcoming academic conference. Zhai Qingyi vehemently denied this, claiming his devotion to Yang Lanhang was pure.

Meanwhile, at home, Yang Lanhang and his father engaged in a heated debate about a scientific project, with his father cautioning against fanciful ideas and demanding theoretical foundations. Their mother intervened, suggesting they accompany her on a shopping trip for an important SP Group gala dinner the following week. At the same time, Bai Lingling invited Guan Xiaoyu to go shopping to buy a thank-you gift for Yang Lanhang.

After admiring Geng Panpan's gift in a shop window, Guan Xiaoyu left Bai Lingling to browse alone. While shopping, Bai Lingling spotted her father and stepmother. She tried to hide by grabbing a coat to cover herself, but her phone rang, revealing her presence. Her stepmother, calling her "Nuo," insisted that Bai Lingling join them for dinner and tried to buy her an expensive coat.

Bai Lingling refused, asserting her name was Bai Lingling and insisting on paying for the coat herself. However, her card was declined, leaving her embarrassed. At that moment, Yang Lanhang appeared, presenting her with a card and claiming she had dropped it. He then used his card, whose password was Bai Lingling's birthday, to pay for the coat. His stepmother asked if Yang Lanhang was her boyfriend, and he affirmed. Bai Lingling then swiftly declined their dinner invitation and left.

As they walked away, Bai Lingling explained to Yang Lanhang that her original name was Shi Nuoling, but she changed it to Bai Lingling after her parents' divorce, as she no longer wished to share her father's surname. She stated that she had virtually no relationship with him. She expressed her desire to return the expensive coat, but Yang Lanhang insisted it was a gift, suggesting it was to congratulate her on passing her postgraduate exams.

Bai Lingling maintained that expensive items are not always the best, but rather "what suits you is the best." She then questioned why the password to his bank card was her birthday. Yang Lanhang, trying to maintain his online persona's story, claimed he had changed it in advance to fully commit to the act. To express her gratitude, Bai Lingling invited Yang Lanhang to dinner, where they unexpectedly encountered Ouyang Yifan.

He informed them that his father was calling him back to the family company and planned to formally introduce him at the upcoming SP Group gala dinner. Bai Lingling initially mistook him for Yinfan but soon realized he was indeed Ouyang Yifan. Ouyang Yifan, after lamenting the "hardships" he faced due to Guan Xiaoyu's loyalty to Bai Lingling, shamelessly asked Bai Lingling to convince Guan Xiaoyu to break up with her current boyfriend and start a relationship with him.

He then added Bai Lingling on WeChat. When Bai Lingling tried to add Yang Lanhang, Ouyang Yifan interjected, telling her that Yang Lanhang was "not important" and to prioritize informing him immediately if Guan Xiaoyu broke up with her boyfriend. Bai Lingling, puzzled by his intense focus on Guan Xiaoyu despite his many past girlfriends, learned that Ouyang Yifan saw Guan Xiaoyu as the "only stain" he needed to erase from his dating history.

Later, Geng Panpan waited for Guan Xiaoyu at her door. Seeing the unworn bracelet on the table, he feared she disliked it. Guan Xiaoyu, however, revealed that she had only discovered the previous day that he was the one sending her roses. She confronted him about spending his family's money as a student and expressed her unhappiness that he had sacrificed his comfortable hospital stay to save money for her gifts, emphasizing that "thought matters more than money."

Geng Panpan, encouraged, finally mustered the courage to ask Guan Xiaoyu to be his girlfriend. She agreed to "try it out," encouraging him to put more thought and sincerity into his pursuit rather than focusing solely on monetary gestures. Yang Lanhang informed Bai Lingling that Doctor Li had confirmed her grandmother was in good condition.

Bai Lingling then excitedly shared her "whimsical ideas" about using CT scans to obtain heart valve shapes, then designing and 3D printing custom stents and valves. Yang Lanhang was delighted, revealing he had the exact same idea and was just discussing it with his father before his mother had dragged them off to shop.

He spoke proudly of his parents' relationship: his mother, a successful businesswoman, was the strong financial backing for his father, a passionate scientist who, in turn, had earned numerous scientific awards. Bai Lingling admired their mutual achievements and support, and Yang Lanhang expressed his wish for such understanding with his future partner. Bai Lingling then subtly mentioned Li Feifei's wealth. Yang Lanhang quickly corrected her, stating Li Feifei was not his girlfriend, as he already had someone he liked.

He then asked Bai Lingling if she had someone special in her life. Bai Lingling proudly declared she had a boyfriend who was "funny, knowledgeable, kind, thoughtful, principled, diligent, and positive"—a truly wonderful person. Yang Lanhang, understanding she was describing his online persona, beamed with quiet happiness, feigning joy for her. The next day, Yang Lanhang imagined a scenario where Bai Lingling, engrossed in a book, would trip down some stairs, and he would heroically rush to save her. In reality, Bai Lingling did stumble, but it was Zhai Qingyi who swiftly caught her. Zhai Qingyi then invited Bai Lingling to lunch, playfully dismissing her plans to study.

Guan Xiaoyu was frustrated by repeated rejections of her articles. She received a phone call from her mother, who informed her about a dinner party hosted by a Department Store Group next week, which required attendees to bring a companion. Initially, Guan Xiaoyu was reluctant to go, but her interest immediately piqued when her mother mentioned that Editor Tang Haojun from Fasion magazine would also be present.

Seeing this as a crucial opportunity to get into her desired magazine, she enthusiastically agreed. Her mother reminded her about the need for a male partner, and Guan Xiaoyu quickly assured her that she already had someone in mind. After work, Yang Lanhang drove Bai Lingling home, commending her innovative thinking regarding 3D printing. He then invited her to accompany him and Professor Jiang to a high-end international academic conference in Shenzhen in two days.

He highlighted that one of the keynote speakers would be a cell seeding expert, a topic he believed would be highly beneficial for her future research. Bai Lingling was excited by the opportunity but expressed concern for Di Qingyi, who she knew had been preparing for the conference for a considerable time.

Yang Lanhang dismissed her worries, assuring her that he had different, more suitable arrangements for Di Qingyi and that the conference wasn't where Di Qingyi's learning would best be served. He asked Bai Lingling to send him her ID card information so that her flight and hotel could be booked, which she was surprised and touched by.

As they were saying goodnight, Yang Lanhang repeatedly called her back, first to remind her about their plan to visit his grandmother together the next day, then again about sending her ID details, and finally insisted she say goodnight to him one last time before leaving. After she went inside, Yang Lanhang reflected on the pleasant feeling of driving home the girl he liked.

The following day, Guan Xiaoyu contacted Geng Panpan and asked him to be her male partner for the dinner party scheduled for next Friday, to which he happily agreed. Meanwhile, Yang Lanhang and Bai Lingling visited his grandmother. The grandmother was delighted to hear that the research had progressed to animal experiments and expressed her eagerness to undergo surgery soon.

She then turned her attention to Bai Lingling, encouraging her to find a serious partner and mentioning a Mr. Zheng whom she considered a good match. Yang Lanhang quickly interjected, stating that he didn't find Mr. Zheng suitable and suggested they look for other options. The grandmother, trusting Yang Lanhang's judgment, then asked him to help Bai Lingling find a good match, referring to him as an elder.

Bai Lingling protested, pointing out that Yang Lanhang was only a few years older than her, but he playfully responded that "elders are like fathers." Di Qingyi excitedly informed Zhang Yian that Yang Lanhang, whom he referred to as "guru," had requested a meeting, leading him to believe it was about the upcoming Shenzhen trip.

Zhang Yian then revealed that he was initially slated to go with Yang Lanhang and Professor Jiang, but he had voluntarily given up his spot because his wife had returned and he had more important personal matters. Immediately after, Zhang Yian received a frantic phone call from his wife, who, enraged that he hadn't checked his phone, furiously demanded he pick her up from the airport within five minutes or face divorce.

Zhang Yian pretended it was nothing, musing about the delicate balance in a marriage. As soon as Di Qingyi left, Zhang Yian swiftly departed for the airport. Di Qingyi then met with Doctor Li, who informed him that Yang Lanhang had arranged for him to assist with animal experiments the following day due to a staff shortage.

A stunned Di Qingyi realized that his anticipated trip to Shenzhen was canceled; only Yang Lanhang and Professor Jiang were going, and the third spot had been given to Professor Qi. He complained to a sheep about the injustice, noting Bai Lingling could go at her own expense while he was stuck doing grunt work. Yang Lanhang invited Bai Lingling to his place to discuss the integration of 3D printing technology into cell flap research.

During a break, Bai Lingling noticed a pot of jasmine flowers on his south-facing balcony, remarking that her online boyfriend also loved jasmine and wanted to cultivate one in a sunny spot, just like this. Yang Lanhang explained that jasmine, despite its delicate appearance, was very resilient, earning it the nickname "Undead Jasmine." He then brewed jasmine tea for her, and she commented that his natural scent was exactly like the tea.

Their conversation was interrupted by the return of Ouyang Yifan, who, upon seeing Bai Lingling, jokingly asked if Guan Xiaoyu had broken up with her boyfriend. Fearing his teasing, Bai Lingling quickly excused herself, with Yang Lanhang urging her to go home and rest for their early departure the next day.

Back at her own apartment, Bai Lingling confided in Guan Xiaoyu that Yang Lanhang was actually a good person, albeit possessing a "scientific cleanliness" that explained his rigid behavior during her defense. Guan Xiaoyu then spotted a text message from Ouyang Yifan on Bai Lingling's phone, inquiring about Guan Xiaoyu's relationship status, and promptly replied on Bai Lingling's behalf with a sharp "None of your business."

Ouyang Yifan later complained to Yang Lanhang about being "scolded" by his "girlfriend," to which Yang Lanhang merely chuckled, finding the message adorable. Upon arriving at their Shenzhen hotel, Yang Lanhang, Bai Lingling, and Professor Jiang were unexpectedly greeted by Li Feifei. She explained that she was in Shenzhen for a film shoot and, by coincidence, had just moved to their floor after finding the upper floors too noisy.

Li Feifei warmly engaged Yang Lanhang, offering to make dinner reservations for him at a French Michelin-starred restaurant, despite the usual two-week booking requirement, leveraging her connection with the chef. Professor Jiang and Bai Lingling politely excused themselves to rest, but Yang Lanhang assured Bai Lingling he would call her for dinner later. From his hotel room, Yang Lanhang messaged Bai Lingling online, expressing that he missed her, which made her feel delighted.

He then used a voice-changing feature on a separate phone to call her, reiterating his longing. Bai Lingling, both excited and surprised, noted how familiar his voice sounded. She candidly told him about her plans to explore local Shenzhen cuisine alone, explaining that she wouldn't be dining with Yang Lanhang because his "girlfriend," the female celebrity she had previously mentioned, had arrived.

She speculated that Yang Lanhang's earlier denial was likely to protect his girlfriend's career, and she wanted to give them their private time. Concerned about the cost of international calls while he was studying abroad, Bai Lingling suggested they take turns calling each other to save money, but he advised her not to worry about expenses.

After the call ended, Bai Lingling let out an excited scream, loud enough to be heard by Yang Lanhang in the adjacent room, who listened with suppressed glee. Moments later, Li Feifei arrived at his door, informing him that she had secured a table for four with the head chef. Yang Lanhang apologized, explaining his last-minute decision to change his dinner plans, and offered to cover the cost if she wished to invite others.

As she left, Li Feifei accidentally twisted her ankle in the hallway. Zhang Yian found Di Qingyi complaining about being relegated to menial tasks while Bai Lingling went to Shenzhen. Zhang Yian and Jing Jing both urged Di Qingyi to focus on his work, reminding him that he was considered a "genius of the School of Materials."

Jing Jing even offered to help him clean up, explaining that Ouyang Yinfan had an experiment scheduled for the next morning, and she wanted to prevent any potential conflict between them. Di Qingyi, still aspiring, declared that he would one day become a great scientist at the top of his field, impressing them all. Meanwhile, Ouyang Yinfan stood outside, observing Jing Jing and Di Qingyi chatting and laughing through the glass door, a thoughtful expression on his face.

Ouyang Yifan arrived to pick up his older brother, Ouyang Yinfan, from work. As Ouyang Yinfan had misplaced his keys, Ouyang Yifan helped him search, playfully suggesting he install a password lock. Ouyang Yifan then informed his brother that their mother insisted both of them attend next week's dinner party, hosted by their aunt, meaning Ouyang Yifan could no longer impersonate him. He offered to find a female companion for Ouyang Yinfan.

Ouyang Yifan then expressed his long-held frustration, recounting how years of standing in for his reclusive brother at numerous social events had created a public perception that the elder Ouyang son was scholarly and polite, while he, the younger son, was rebellious and always absent, a portrayal he found deeply unjust. Ouyang Yinfan, to Ouyang Yifan's surprise, responded by saying that briefly stepping into his shoes and receiving such public affirmation and praise must have been quite satisfying for him.

Ouyang Yinfan then clarified that he already had a female companion, so Ouyang Yifan didn't need to trouble himself. This was the most Ouyang Yinfan had spoken at once since childhood, leaving Ouyang Yifan quite astonished. As Bai Lingling walked past Yang Lanhang's room, she heard delicate cries of pain from within, specifically Li Feifei exclaiming "That hurts!" and "Be gentle!" Misinterpreting the sounds, Bai Lingling mistakenly thought Yang Lanhang and Li Feifei were engaged in intimacy.

Embarrassed, she turned to quietly close the half-open door for them, only for Yang Lanhang to suddenly grasp her hand on the doorknob, informing her that he was waiting for her to join him for dinner. At the restaurant, Li Feifei thanked Yang Lanhang for applying medicine to her sprained ankle, which finally clarified the misunderstanding for Bai Lingling. While ordering, Li Feifei, who was dieting, chose not to eat, leaving Bai Lingling and Yang Lanhang to order together.

Bai Lingling was surprised to discover their shared preference for dishes like barbecued pork in honey sauce, classic roast goose, sea urchins, and foie gras with beef rice. Later, when Bai Lingling went to the restroom, Li Feifei cornered her, directly asking if she liked Yang Lanhang. Bai Lingling calmly replied that she already had a boyfriend.

Unconvinced, Li Feifei suggested that Yang Lanhang's attentiveness towards Bai Lingling was unusual and accused her, an "ordinary girl," of using manipulative tactics to gain his affection. Bai Lingling confidently retorted that she was unique, beautiful, and inherently worthy of love, then threatened to call Yang Lanhang if Li Feifei didn't step aside, which prompted Li Feifei to back off. After dinner, Yang Lanhang sent Li Feifei away, citing the busy schedule ahead.

He then invited Bai Lingling to his room to review the outline for the next day's meeting, encouraging her to ask any questions. When Bai Lingling offered to retrieve her laptop to look up unfamiliar terms, Yang Lanhang patiently took the document and annotated all the professional terminology for her. As he finished and turned around, he found Bai Lingling suddenly writhing in severe abdominal pain.

She resisted calling an ambulance, and with heavy rain making it impossible to hail a taxi from the hotel, Yang Lanhang, without a moment's hesitation, rushed out into the downpour to find a car, getting completely soaked in the process. At the hospital, after checking on Yang Lanhang's condition, a doctor informed him that his heart was fine but cautioned him against getting drenched in the rain again.

A sick and delirious Bai Lingling murmured that she disliked ambulances, explaining that one had taken her mother away, causing her great pain. Yang Lanhang sat beside her, gently comforting her, "Don't be afraid, I'm here." In her hazy state, Bai Lingling recognized Yang Lanhang's familiar scent, whispering, "You're finally back," and clung to him, pleading for him not to leave. Yang Lanhang, filled with immense pity for her vulnerability, remained by her bedside throughout the entire night.

Guan Xiaoyu was perplexed when Geng Panpan, who was never late, failed to arrive for their meeting and had his phone off, forcing her to go alone. To her surprise, Ouyang Yifan was the project leader for the business she was there to discuss. Ouyang Yifan, along with Mr. Qian, the director's assistant, introduced himself.

Guan Xiaoyu was introduced as a popular writer whose column and personal account had many followers, and she was tasked with writing the initial product promotion article. She explained that the theme of her official account was based on romantic relationships. Meanwhile, Bai Lingling awoke with a fright, finding herself in the same bed as Yang Lanhang. She thanked him for taking care of her all night and for being there when she didn't know what to do.

She recalled that they had finished their intravenous drip around four in the morning and asked if his stomachache had improved, which he confirmed. Distracted by knocking, Bai Lingling initially thought it was for the adjacent room until Yang Lanhang clarified it was for them. His father, Professor Yang Ting, and Headmaster Li were outside, searching for Yang Lanhang. Yang Lanhang tried to prevent them from entering, stating it was "not convenient," but Headmaster Li insisted.

Feeling cornered, Bai Lingling stepped out to greet them, feeling deeply awkward. Yang Lanhang quickly introduced Bai Lingling as his lab junior and tried to explain that "it's not what you are thinking." After the business discussion, Ouyang Yifan offered Guan Xiaoyu a ride. She stated she was heading to Huaihai University to find her "dear boyfriend," Geng Panpan, prompting Ouyang Yifan to dismissively ask if she was going to break up with him.

At the university, Guan Xiaoyu found Geng Panpan's roommate, Fattie Li, who informed her that Geng Panpan was missing. Fattie Li explained that their dorm had been burglarized the previous night, with four laptops and two phones (including Geng Panpan's) stolen. Following the sound of a phone alarm, they discovered all the stolen items in Geng Panpan's suitcase. Guan Xiaoyu initially suspected a misunderstanding or a prank, but Fattie Li revealed that Geng Panpan confessed to everything upon his return.

They then learned that the money he had spent on flowers and gifts for Guan Xiaoyu was partly from his tuition fees, with the rest borrowed. With the school pressing for tuition payment, Geng Panpan resorted to this act, which would surely lead to his expulsion if the school found out. Fattie Li expressed concern that Geng Panpan, who had disappeared after everyone discovered his secret, might do something rash.

Guan Xiaoyu promised to find him, while Ouyang Yifan, concerned, followed her. Yang Lanhang's presentation was met with enthusiastic applause. Afterwards, he casually took Bai Lingling's water and drank it all, apologizing but teasingly asking if she minded, which she denied. He then invited her to dinner with Headmaster Li and his father. Bai Lingling, still feeling awkward about the morning's events, tried to decline by saying she had a last-minute appointment with a friend.

Yang Lanhang dismissed her excuse, assured her that he had already clarified the situation to his father and Headmaster Li, and urged her not to overthink a simple dinner. Back in her room, Bai Lingling, nervous about the dinner with school leaders and her seniors, decided to put on some makeup. While attempting to fix her eyebrows, she accidentally shaved off a piece. Unable to find a sharpener in the hotel, she went out to buy an eyebrow pencil.

Outside, she unexpectedly met Li Feifei, who noticed her mishap. Li Feifei offered to help, despite Bai Lingling's hesitation. As Li Feifei applied the makeup, she confidently declared, "I will definitely get Yang Lanhang," and jokingly expressed surprise at drawing eyebrows for her rival. She then gave Bai Lingling the eyebrow pencil. Before they parted, Li Feifei suddenly questioned why Bai Lingling was wearing makeup, implying she might be going on a date with Yang Lanhang.

Bai Lingling quickly responded that it was "not really a date," then, profusely thanking Li Feifei, she hurried away as Li Feifei tried to stop her and reclaim the pencil. Ouyang Yifan drove Guan Xiaoyu home. Determined to help Geng Panpan, Guan Xiaoyu decided to sell her designer handbags, which she had named "Mini Watermelon," "Black Chocolate" (nicknamed "Choco"), and "Little Star," and held sentimental value as her first luxury item and first purchase with her own earnings.

She estimated Geng Panpan's total debt and tuition to be around 50,000 to 60,000 yuan. Since she had no savings, these bags were her only valuable assets. She felt responsible, stating that most of his debts were related to her, and she couldn't abandon a friend who had helped her when she needed it most.

Ouyang Yifan suggested she put the bags in his car, and he would take them to a friend who ran a second-hand luxury store for immediate appraisal and payment that very night, assuring her of its reliability and speed. Guan Xiaoyu agreed, recognizing it as her best option. Afterward, Ouyang Yifan enlisted the help of Mr. Qian, his father's assistant and a "know-it-all," to find Geng Panpan.

Providing Geng Panpan's social media accounts (Weibo, Zhihu, and Douban) under the username "Mr. Panda," they quickly located a recent post from his alt account and narrowed down his activity area using Wi-Fi data. Ouyang Yifan commented on Geng Panpan's "wimpy" behavior, acting wronged despite his actions. Guan Xiaoyu sent Geng Panpan a message, reassuring him that the money was handled and everyone was worried, urging him to reply.

Despite their efforts, they could not physically locate him in the area. At the dinner, Professor Yang was angry upon hearing about Yang Lanhang and Bai Lingling sharing a room, fearing for his son's reputation. However, Headmaster Li and Professor Jiang defended Yang Lanhang, praising him as a promising young talent and stating that mutual affection between students was a normal and positive thing, adding that Bai Lingling was Professor Jiang's good new graduate student.

Professor Yang stressed the importance of academics preserving their reputation. Professor Zheng was also present. Shortly after, his son, Zheng Minghao, arrived, making the atmosphere awkward for Bai Lingling. Via text, Zheng Minghao expressed surprise that Headmaster Zheng was his father and asked Bai Lingling to reconsider becoming the "headmaster's daughter-in-law," to which she immediately declined.

He then posed a hypothetical question: if she never met her online boyfriend and only he and Yang Lanhang were left on Earth, whom would she choose? Bai Lingling glanced at Yang Lanhang but didn't reply to Zheng Minghao's text. Seeing her discomfort, Zheng Minghao announced he would take Lingling to explore Shenzhen, as it was her first time there, and they left the dinner.

Professor Yang was upset that Zheng Minghao had taken the girl away in front of them, but others teased him, reminding him that he had initially expressed dislike for her. Professor Yang quickly retorted that while he might not have liked her, his son did. Seeing this, Yang Lanhang excused himself to return to his room, and Professor Yang encouraged him to be courageous and "fight for the girl he likes."

Later, Zheng Minghao directly asked Bai Lingling to choose between him and Yang Lanhang. She firmly stated that she already had a boyfriend. Dismissing her online relationship as "dating a phone," Zheng Minghao impulsively grabbed her hand, insisting that he was a "real person who has flesh and blood, emotions and feelings." Bai Lingling quickly stomped his foot, broke free, and hurried away. Zheng Minghao shouted after her that he would "not give up!"

Yang Lanhang, who was passing by in a taxi, witnessed the scene and smiled. Meanwhile, Ouyang Yifan received a message from his friend confirming the fair valuation of Guan Xiaoyu's bags, and she agreed to the transfer of funds that night. Exhausted from a day of searching, Guan Xiaoyu sought solace on a rooftop with a beer.

She confided in Ouyang Yifan about her dating habits, explaining that she was usually adept at quickly adapting her persona to become the ideal girl for any guy she liked. However, with Geng Panpan, she felt she could "just be myself." She admitted to a fleeting "feeling of fluke" that she "might like him." Ouyang Yifan commented that people tend to be "entangled" and "hard to relax" around those they truly like.

This sparked introspection in Guan Xiaoyu, who wondered why she felt nervous around Ouyang Yifan if she supposedly "hated" him, concluding that perhaps she "doesn't like him that much" or "hasn't fallen in love with him," or conversely, "actually kind of likes him." She expressed regret that if she had rejected Geng Panpan earlier, they might have remained good friends, but then realized that he couldn't be just friends because he liked her.

Feeling overwhelmed and alone, she thanked Ouyang Yifan for his companionship, noting how he, despite his reputation as a "playboy" who "changes girlfriends as quickly as clothes," had been so kind to her. She wondered if he was merely being "nostalgic," to which Ouyang Yifan softly replied that he was "missing not the old things, but the person," as Guan Xiaoyu, overcome by intoxication, drifted off to sleep resting on his shoulder.

Back at the hotel, Bai Lingling was about to order takeout when Yang Lanhang appeared at her door with food, having anticipated her hunger. He then asked her how she responded to Zheng Minghao's hypothetical question about choosing between him and Yang Lanhang. Unbeknownst to Bai Lingling, Yang Lanhang had secretly gone to great lengths to support her.

He had personally requested Professor Jiang to grant Bai Lingling an exchange slot for the Shenzhen conference, offering to cover all expenses himself to ensure it wouldn't impact the lab's budget. He emphasized that his motive was solely due to the value of her 3D printing cell growth technology and specifically asked Professor Jiang not to disclose his financial contribution.

Furthermore, when Yang Lanhang tried to give Professor Jiang money for Bai Lingling's monthly salary, Professor Jiang informed him that he had already applied for Bai Lingling to become a formal lab employee, with her salary coming directly from the lab starting that month. Yang Lanhang, still insisting, handed the money back to Professor Jiang, asking him to present it to Bai Lingling as a pay raise for her excellent performance.

Yang Lanhang posed the same hypothetical question to Bai Lingling: if only he and Zheng Minghao were left on Earth, whom would she choose? She firmly replied that she has a boyfriend. Later, in her room, Bai Lingling called her online boyfriend. Yang Lanhang, in his adjacent room, picked up the phone. He asked her about the progress of her seminar, and she mentioned that Yang Lanhang had helped her by annotating the English content, making it understandable.

Bai Lingling then asked why he still hadn't added her on WeChat. He admitted he was initially afraid she wouldn't accept the real him, fearing she might block him. Bai Lingling playfully questioned if he was deceiving her, joking if he was actually old, ugly, bald, and had smelly feet. She affirmed that after all these years, she would accept him no matter what, simply because she liked him.

She also shared that his voice had become incredibly familiar, and lately, she felt as if he was right beside her. Yang Lanhang, moved, put the call on speaker and played a harmonica tune, gently lulling her to sleep. Upon Bai Lingling's return from Shenzhen, Guan Xiaoyu received a call informing her that Geng Panpan had been located, and Bai Lingling immediately joined her to find him.

When they arrived, Ouyang Yifan was confronting Geng Panpan, insisting he face Guan Xiaoyu. Panpan, ashamed, tried to leave, believing his disappearance would allow Yifan to pursue Guan Xiaoyu. Yifan, however, was resolute in making Panpan meet her. Panpan then accused Yifan of hypocrisy, pointing out that Yifan acted indifferent despite his deep affection for Guan Xiaoyu, unlike Panpan who dared to pursue his feelings.

Provoked, Yifan retaliated by grabbing Panpan's hair until Bai Lingling intervened, prompting Yifan to wait outside. Geng Panpan then spoke privately with Guan Xiaoyu, apologizing and promising to repay her money. He revealed that despite his roommates dropping the theft charges, he had confessed to the university via email and expected to be expelled, accepting full responsibility for his actions.

He told Guan Xiaoyu that his decision to send her flowers and confess his feelings was his own doing and that he deserved the consequences. Feeling remorseful, Guan Xiaoyu tried to offer help, but Panpan insisted she had already done too much and urged her to no longer concern herself with his affairs. After Geng Panpan left, Ouyang Yifan inquired about the conversation and, learning it didn't go well, reminded Guan Xiaoyu that Panpan still owed her money.

Guan Xiaoyu then invited Ouyang Yifan to be her male companion for the SP Group dinner next week. Although Ouyang Yifan initially hesitated, suggesting it might upset other girls interested in him, he quickly agreed when Guan Xiaoyu turned to leave, citing her bad mood as his reason.

The animal experiment was set for the next day, but Zhai Qingyi was disheartened to learn from Doctor Li that his role was merely to assist with material inspections, not the core experiment. Feeling unimportant, especially after Doctor Li, called away for an emergency, instructed him to place cells in the incubator without opening them, Zhai Qingyi succumbed to curiosity and opened the culture dish. When Yang Lanhang entered, he noticed Qingyi's frantic behavior by the refrigerator.

Qingyi confessed that he had opened the dish, and the slippery cells had fallen onto the clean bench. Yang Lanhang sternly reprimanded him, stating that his momentary ambition and curiosity had undone weeks of preparation, forcing the entire experiment to restart and disappointing everyone, including Doctor Li and the patients awaiting new materials. Moments later, Doctor Li returned, and Yang Lanhang, holding the contaminated culture dish, claimed responsibility for the error.

Doctor Li, furious at Yang Lanhang's apparent carelessness, berated both of them and ordered them out of the lab. Outside the lab, Zhai Qingyi, overwhelmed with guilt, wanted to confess to Doctor Li, but Yang Lanhang dismissed it, stating that no confession could undo the contamination. Yang Lanhang then called Professor Jiang, reporting the cell contamination and taking full responsibility for the incident.

Professor Jiang, initially suspecting Zhai Qingyi and ordering his expulsion, was persuaded by Yang Lanhang's insistence on his own fault, and thus agreed to issue disciplinary action against Yang Lanhang instead. After the call, Yang Lanhang confronted Zhai Qingyi about his lingering resentment over being assigned to Doctor Li for "errands" instead of attending the Shenzhen seminar. Yang Lanhang clarified that Professor Jiang had praised Qingyi's youth, intelligence, and talent multiple times.

His intention was to cultivate Qingyi, encouraging him to cherish his gifts rather than becoming arrogant and unrealistic. He emphasized that learning foundational skills from Doctor Li was far more crucial than attending the Shenzhen seminar. Zhai Qingyi finally understood Yang Lanhang's thoughtful intentions and expressed his sincere gratitude, calling him "guru." During a team meeting, Yang Lanhang announced that the previous sheep animal experiment was postponed due to cell contamination.

They would now proceed with a primate animal experiment on a macaque named Zoey from a nearby zoo, whose heart had severe calcification. He explained that Zoey's heart valve had been 3D printed, and a stent was ready; their immediate focus was cell extraction, planting, and cultivation. After the meeting, Bai Lingling confessed to Yang Lanhang that she found it hard to believe he would make such a basic error as cell contamination.

She also suggested contacting an animal research institute in Yunnan, but Yang Lanhang revealed he had already applied for resources there and hoped to cure Zoey before resorting to other options. Observing Zoey through the glass, Bai Lingling offered words of encouragement, promising to take Zoey out for fun and good food once it recovered, and then took a photo with the primate to remember its bravery.

Later, Yang Lanhang invited Bai Lingling to be his female companion for his mother's dinner party that Friday. Bai Lingling, noting she already had a boyfriend and it might be inappropriate to attend with another man, suggested a suitable alternative, which Yang Lanhang accepted without hesitation, simply happy to have a companion. Yang Lanhang's mother, Gong Liyan, was ecstatic after her husband recounted seeing Yang Lanhang emerge from Bai Lingling's room that morning in Shenzhen.

She confidently declared that she was about to become a mother-in-law, even nearly choking her husband in her excitement. She immediately insisted on changing his tie to ensure he looked his best for the evening, eager to meet the girl her son liked. At the dinner party, Guan Xiaoyu arrived with Ouyang Yifan, immediately instructing him not to follow her. Inside, Ouyang Yifan spotted his twin brother, Ouyang, attending alone and playfully teased him about not having a female companion.

Ouyang, however, silently walked away. Meanwhile, in the lab, Cui Jing silently looked at the evening gown that Ouyang had sent to her. She had eagerly awaited his invitation to the dinner party, but he hesitated and ultimately failed to ask her, leaving her to spend the evening alone. At the dinner party, Yang Lanhang arrived with Bai Lingling's grandmother as his companion.

Yang Lanhang's mother, Gong Liyan, approached them, initially confused about who his companion was, but greeted the grandmother warmly upon realizing she was Bai Lingling's relative. The elegantly dressed grandmother was delighted by the event and Gong Liyan's hospitality. As the evening progressed, Yang Lanhang and his mother noticed Bai Lingling was nowhere to be found, so Yang Lanhang went to search for her.

On his way, he encountered Ouyang Yifan, who encouraged him to seize the "rare chance" of the grand occasion to confess his feelings to Bai Lingling, assuring him that no girl would refuse a public declaration of love, and even offering to help with preparations. Bai Lingling, spotting her father and his companion, hid behind a pillar and called Yang Lanhang over.

She told him she wanted to leave early due to her father's presence and asked him to discreetly escort her grandmother out, fearing an emotional outburst from her grandmother if they met. Unknown to Bai Lingling, her grandmother, Wu Chunhua, had already encountered Bai's father.

Wu Chunhua implored him to pretend they were strangers to Bai Lingling, explaining that her granddaughter had high self-esteem and she didn't want her to be humiliated by the world knowing she had a father who seemingly didn't care for her. Bai's father, filled with guilt, was speechless. Just then, Bai Lingling emerged and led her grandmother away. Following Gong Liyan's welcome speech, Yang Lanhang invited Wu Chunhua, Bai Lingling's grandmother, to share the first dance.

Wu Chunhua gracefully and happily took to the dance floor, a sight that brought a smile to Bai Lingling's face. Later, Bai Lingling received a note from her father, stating that he and his companion had left and wished for her and her grandmother to enjoy the rest of the evening without any discomfort.

Bai Lingling received a note from her father and stepmother indicating they had left the banquet. She rushed out but was too late, as they were already gone. Meanwhile, at the ongoing banquet, Guan Xiaoyu was eager to approach her idol, Tang Haojun, the editor. Ouyang Yifan, teasingly, offered to introduce her if she agreed to be his girlfriend.

He then walked over to introduce Tang Haojun, mentioning that he lived next door, but when asked if Guan Xiaoyu was his girlfriend, Ouyang Yifan quickly denied it. Furious, Guan Xiaoyu stormed off to complain to her grandmother. Yang Lanhang’s mother informed him that Director Shi of Jiahua Group had left early due to an emergency and asked her to look after his daughter, but she couldn't recall who his daughter was.

She also mentioned that Director Shi had specifically referred to Yang Lanhang. Later, Yang Lanhang received a message from Ouyang Yifan, detailing a confession plan: Ouyang Yifan would play the piano, a spotlight would shine on Bai Lingling, and Yang Lanhang would then confess his feelings and reveal his identity as "Forever is for Ever" from the "Gate of Heart" online forum.

Yang Lanhang closed his eyes, imagining the lights dimming, himself walking towards Bai Lingling, and confessing that he hoped she would forgive his cowardice and lack of confidence, admitting he was indeed "Forever is for Ever." His phone rang, abruptly pulling him back to reality – there was an emergency in the lab. Bai Lingling quickly took off her high heels, and rushed back with Yang Lanhang and Ouyang Yifan.

As Yang Lanhang and Bai Lingling left, the spotlight, following Ouyang Yifan's original plan, shone on Guan Xiaoyu's location. Ouyang Yifan, seizing the moment, played a piano piece. He announced that the melody was a love song written by the famous musician Schumann to his beloved, a song he swore to play only for his most cherished person.

He then confessed his feelings for Guan Xiaoyu, admitting his past cowardice and lack of seriousness, where he had feigned indifference to avoid losing. Now, he realized his mistake and declared that he was willing to be defeated by her, as long as they were together. The audience erupted in applause, and Guan Xiaoyu was visibly moved.

After the banquet, as Guan Xiaoyu was seeing her grandmother off, her grandmother praised Ouyang Yifan, saying that his public confession demonstrated his sincerity and willingness to be scrutinized. Guan Xiaoyu felt a warmth in her heart. However, upon returning to the banquet hall, she saw a guest approach Ouyang Yifan to ask for the piano sheet music. Ouyang Yifan casually dismissed it as "just a random play," adding that "80 percent of people don't even know Schumann.

Why are you being serious?" Guan Xiaoyu angrily confronted him, accusing him of never speaking a single truth. Ouyang Yifan, in response, admitted he had only made up the initial story about Schumann to make his opening more impactful. Back at the lab, the experimental monkey, Zoey, suffered a sudden medical deterioration. Doctor Li explained that emergency surgery was not advisable due to Zoey's heart and lung condition, with a high risk of not waking up from anesthesia.

He recommended conservative treatment, suggesting that if Zoey survived the night, there would be a 50% chance of recovery. He proposed first implanting a bioprosthetic valve, and then performing a micro-invasive replacement once the tissue valves were fully grown. The team decided to take turns watching over Zoey for the night, with Zhang Yian taking the first shift. Yang Lanhang meticulously cleaned and bandaged Bai Lingling's sprained ankle, apologizing for rushing out too quickly after receiving the emergency call.

Bai Lingling reassured him, explaining she understood the importance of his research and the urgency of the situation. She then revealed that she had sprained her ankle while chasing after her father earlier. Bai Lingling confessed she felt she had to hate her father for abandoning her mother, which she believed led to her mother's depression and eventual death. She felt that not hating him would be a disservice to her mother's memory.

She recounted secretly visiting her father once, seeing him tirelessly loading and unloading a truck in the scorching summer heat, with her stepmother by his side, offering water and wiping his sweat. At that moment, she realized her stepmother was not merely an idler but someone who had endured hardships alongside her father.

Yet, returning home to her mother, she was filled with sorrow, thinking that her mother, too, was capable of enduring hardship, so why did they have to separate? She cherished childhood memories of her father telling stories and taking her to the park, wondering why they couldn't have just held on a little longer.

Yang Lanhang gently told her that everyone has their own life, advising her not to carry burdens that weren't hers, nor to let external factors cloud her true emotions. He encouraged her to smile at her father the next time she saw him, explaining that a father would always protect his daughter's smile. Yang Lanhang then offered her a book on biodegradable stents, with his own annotations.

As he gave her the book, a high school photo of Bai Lingling unexpectedly fell out. Flustered and unsure how to explain, Yang Lanhang impulsively kissed Bai Lingling. The next morning, Zoey had survived. Bai Lingling returned home, her mind in turmoil, wanting to discuss the incident with Guan Xiaoyu but unsure how to begin. Guan Xiaoyu, too, had her own worries she wished to confide but couldn't articulate.

Ouyang Yifan confronted Yang Lanhang for abandoning their confession plan, resulting in Ouyang Yifan being forced to confess and subsequently rejected, leading to his parents' disapproval. Yang Lanhang gloomily revealed he had kissed Bai Lingling but hadn't confessed his identity, and she seemed to be avoiding him. Ouyang Yifan criticized Yang Lanhang's impulsive "jerk" behavior and urged him to confess his identity to Bai Lingling as soon as possible, emphasizing "leniency when you confess and strictness when you resist."

Deeply troubled, Bai Lingling struggled with how to explain her kiss with Yang Lanhang to her online boyfriend. She sent "Forever is for Ever" a breakup message. Yang Lanhang, intending to clarify the situation, was caught off guard by the breakup message. He desperately tried calling her, but she didn't answer and then turned off her phone, leaving him helpless. A month later, Doctor Li met with Bai Lingling to discuss her grandmother's potential participation in the clinical trials.

He informed her that Zoey had successfully undergone surgery and passed the observation period, soon to be returned to the zoo. Furthermore, the animal trials for the new tissue valve material were a success, and they were ready for clinical trials. However, after discussing with hospital leadership, Doctor Li stated that while Bai Lingling's grandmother had psychological trauma from her mechanical valve implant, the mechanical valve itself was functioning perfectly, and her physical examinations showed no issues.

Therefore, as a doctor, he could not recommend a healthy patient undergo experimental valve replacement. He admitted that his previous promise was an oversight made to comfort an anxious elderly patient. Bai Lingling countered that this surgery was her grandmother's "only hope" for living, stressing its immense importance and how her grandmother's depression had just begun to improve.

Doctor Li advised them to wait until the experimental material was successfully approved and formally released to the market, assuring them that at that point, no one could prevent the surgery. As Bai Lingling was asking Doctor Li further questions about Zoey's sudden illness, Yang Lanhang walked in. Bai Lingling quickly excused herself and hurried into the elevator, with Yang Lanhang pursuing her unsuccessfully.

Yang Lanhang then discussed with Doctor Li, explaining that Zoey's sudden illness had made him realize a significant flaw in their tissue valve that urgently needed improvement. Doctor Li was surprised by the uncanny similarity between Yang Lanhang and Bai Lingling's observations, noting Bai Lingling's impressive scientific intuition despite her general background.

Observing Yang Lanhang's troubled expression, Doctor Li playfully guessed that Bai Lingling, like other girls, had confessed to him and been rejected, to which Yang Lanhang wryly responded that he wished such good things would happen. Later, Bai Lingling's colleagues expressed concern about the hospital's decision not to allow her grandmother to participate in the clinical trial, as it meant one less volunteer.

They lamented the difficulty in recruiting patients due to widespread skepticism towards new materials, noting that they still needed at least three more volunteers if her grandmother did not participate. Back home, Bai Lingling dejectedly told Guan Xiaoyu how she constantly talked when visiting her grandmother, fearing that in silence, she would hear the "ticking" sound of her grandmother's mechanical heart valve.

Guan Xiaoyu offered to write an article for them on her social media account to help promote the research. As Bai Lingling helped her find scientific materials, Guan Xiaoyu inadvertently stumbled upon Bai Lingling's photo inside the book Yang Lanhang had given her. Pressed by Guan Xiaoyu, Bai Lingling finally confessed to kissing Yang Lanhang.

She admitted she felt she had committed a "serious mistake" and was "not qualified to be with him," and expressed her intense confusion, constantly thinking of "Forever is for Ever" when with Yang Lanhang, and seeing Yang Lanhang's face when texting "Forever is for Ever." This "illusion" that they were the same person made her fear she was using Yang Lanhang as a substitute for her online boyfriend. Feeling this was unfair to both of them, she decided to give up on both relationships entirely.

Bai Lingling confessed to Guan Xiaoyu that she felt it was unfair to both her online boyfriend and Yang Lanhang, prompting her to consider giving up on both. Guan Xiaoyu reassured her that it wasn't entirely her fault. Bai Lingling found it impossible to tell her online boyfriend, "Forever is for Ever," about kissing another man, even though she was thinking of him at the time.

Acknowledging the complexity of online relationships, Guan Xiaoyu offered to introduce Bai Lingling to better prospects, but Bai Lingling decided to put romance aside and focus on her experiments, while Guan Xiaoyu committed to working on her official account. Ouyang Yifan returned home to find Yang Lanhang still absent.

After an unsuccessful call to Yang Lanhang, he called Yin Fan, inviting him and their colleagues for night snacks to celebrate the clinical experiment's successful audit and to update them on progress. Yin Fan declined, stating he was busy late in the lab. Ouyang Yifan then lamented that his older brother's intense work ethic made everyone perceive him as not working hard enough, even when he himself worked until midnight.

Guan Xiaoyu stayed up all night to write an article promoting the new tissue valve. After Bai Lingling reviewed and approved it, Guan Xiaoyu published it on her official account the next morning. Bai Lingling quickly shared it with Yang Lanhang, and soon the article was seen by Zhai Qingyi, Zhang Yian, Professor Jiang, and Ouyang Yifan. Ouyang Yifan confronted Guan Xiaoyu, accusing her of breaching their contract.

He explained that their product was launching in two days, and their agreement stipulated three days of promotion. Without notification, she had replaced one of their scheduled advertorials with an article about the new valve material. Guan Xiaoyu downplayed its significance, arguing that one less article wouldn't greatly impact their multi-million dollar marketing campaign. Ouyang Yifan clarified that he understood her intentions, as he too had invested significantly in the new valve material's research and development.

He explained that before Yang Lanhang's return, he had founded Huaihai Biotech and co-established a lab with Huaihai University. His older brother and Yang Lanhang were responsible for the research, while he handled market liaison and regulatory affairs. He emphasized that her actions constituted a serious breach of contract, and he had intervened to prevent a lawyer's letter. He then offered to take responsibility for the situation if she agreed to be his girlfriend.

To help Guan Xiaoyu, Ouyang Yifan spent the entire night revising the marketing plan. When the marketing department rejected it, requiring presidential approval, he presented it to his father, President Ouyang. His father, seeing Guan Xiaoyu's name, immediately dismissed the plan without review, assuming Ouyang Yifan was once again distracted by a woman. Frustrated by his father's constant disapproval, Ouyang Yifan picked up the discarded plan and left angrily.

Knowing from Ouyang Yifan that all company funds were tied up in research, leaving no budget for advertising, Guan Xiaoyu decided to continue writing for her official account, figuring she'd face legal action regardless of how many articles she published. Bai Lingling questioned her, but Guan Xiaoyu insisted it was their only viable publicity channel. She erased her current draft, realizing a new, more innovative approach was needed.

Meanwhile, Ouyang Yifan, incensed by his father's inflexibility, left the family chat group. He later found a copy of Guan Xiaoyu's service contract in his bag, correctly inferring Assistant Chen had put it there. He called to thank Assistant Chen and then tore up the contract. Unbeknownst to Ouyang Yifan, his father had privately approved his marketing plan and instructed Assistant Chen to execute it.

He also subtly directed Assistant Chen to state that the contract cancellation was due to his personal assessment that Guan Xiaoyu's official account didn't align with their brand positioning, and that he, President Ouyang, had merely agreed. Zheng Minghao was playing basketball at Huaihai University when Guan Xiaoyu brought Bai Lingling to watch him.

Yang Lanhang happened to pass by, and Zheng Minghao, recognizing him, challenged him to a game, revealing he knew Yang Lanhang was the developer of "Gate of Heart" and "Forever is for Ever." Yang Lanhang reluctantly accepted. However, his basketball skills were no match for Zheng Minghao's, and after a short while, he collapsed, pale and clutching his chest. Bai Lingling and Zheng Minghao, along with others, rushed him to the hospital.

At the hospital, Zheng Minghao explained to Guan Xiaoyu and Bai Lingling that he had returned to help after noticing Guan Xiaoyu's official account, which previously focused on relationships, was now posting daily about new heart valves, and seeing the readership increasing day by day, indicating a problem. He emphasized that his app, "Gate of Heart," had over 700,000 users and a much broader reach.

He and Dong Chao had already planned to add a five-second animation about heart valves to the app's loading page, leading to a popular science section. They had also secured this month's advertising slots on major Weibo accounts and company ad spaces for their project, and he had already created the animation. Meanwhile, Doctor Li severely reprimanded Yang Lanhang for playing basketball, calling him reckless.

Yang Lanhang clarified that while it was a childhood dream, it wasn't solely for Bai Lingling. He explained he'd always loved basketball but was told it was too dangerous, so he practiced alone. He expressed happiness at finally fulfilling his dream. Doctor Li warned him against any strenuous activity before the project passed clinical trials and threatened to confront Zheng Minghao. Yang Lanhang quickly intervened, claiming his collapse was merely due to low blood sugar.

Sensing the need for privacy, Guan Xiaoyu tactfully led Zheng Minghao away. Bai Lingling then offered to drive Yang Lanhang home. Outside, Guan Xiaoyu advised Zheng Minghao to give up on Bai Lingling due to her complicated situation and offer his blessings, but Zheng Minghao refused. Though Bai Lingling possessed a driver's license, she hadn't driven in two years and was quite rusty. During the drive, Yang Lanhang was visibly tense, tightly gripping the seatbelt.

Upon arriving home, Bai Lingling's legs were weak from the ordeal. Guan Xiaoyu was surprised that Yang Lanhang had allowed Bai Lingling to drive given her lack of recent practice. Bai Lingling explained she had no choice as he was too weak. Simultaneously, Zheng Minghao sent a message, announcing that the "Gate of Heart" promotional campaign was officially live.

Ouyang Yifan's mother, seeing the "Gate of Heart" video advertisement for heart valves at a bus stop, immediately contacted Ouyang Yifan to inquire about the connection between "Gate of Heart" and Yang Lanhang's research project. Guan Xiaoyu's article quickly gained traction, trending online and being reposted by numerous influential figures and celebrities, which thrilled her.

At home, Ouyang Yifan's mother discussed with her husband her desire to contribute to such a philanthropic project, revealing she had already contacted Ouyang Yifan, the head of Huaihai Biotech. Yang Lanhang then approached Bai Lingling, expressing his own apprehension about the valve's long-term effectiveness as they neared clinical trials with most volunteers recruited. Bai Lingling confirmed her concerns and proposed a revolutionary idea: to transition the valve cultivation environment from the laboratory directly into the human body.

As they began to discuss this further, Bai Lingling received an urgent call from Doctor Li, informing her that her grandmother had gone to the hospital. Upon arriving at the hospital, Yang Lanhang and Bai Lingling learned that it was Granny Zhang, Bai Lingling's grandmother's roommate, who was ill.

Doctor Li explained that Granny Zhang had enrolled in the clinical trial, completed her Computed Tomography Scan and physical examination, and was awaiting 3D printing of her valve once its shape was confirmed. However, nurses discovered the guardian's signature on the agreement was forged, and her family was unreachable. Learning she could not participate, Granny Zhang's anxiety triggered an acute myocardial infarction, and Bai Lingling's grandmother had accompanied her to the hospital.

Granny Zhang was now suffering from heart failure and required immediate surgery. However, without family consent and with stent printing and cell cultivation incomplete, a clinical trial was not possible. Moreover, Granny Zhang's eldest son refused to cover the cost of a conventional valve, as his mother had only agreed to the trial because it offered free treatment and care. Yang Lanhang then proposed "Plan B," an idea originated by Bai Lingling.

Bai Lingling had previously questioned how to proceed if a critically ill patient needed an immediate valve replacement and couldn't wait for ex-vivo valve formation. Yang Lanhang had realized the human body was the most effective bioreactor. His refined "Plan B" involved implanting a 3D-printed stent into the heart, which would initially perform the valve's function, allowing normal heart operation while cells began to grow.

Subsequently, the stent would degrade as the cells matured into the required valve shape, ensuring continued normal heart function. Zhai Qingyi, however, raised a crucial question: how could they ensure the cells would proliferate on the stent? Yang Lanhang revealed that Yin Fan had been working tirelessly to overcome this challenge, and animal trials had already been successfully completed. They had initially planned to announce this after the tissue valve material had undergone clinical trials.

Zhai Qingyi volunteered to find Granny Zhang's family, allowing the rest of the team to focus on crucial preparatory work. Back at home, Guan Xiaoyu suggested that everyone pool their money to pay for Granny Zhang's urgent surgery. Bai Lingling informed her that her grandmother had considered the same, but Granny Zhang stubbornly refused any financial assistance. Soon after, Zhai Qingyi successfully located Granny Zhang's son. Bai Lingling rushed to the hospital.

Initially, the son was against the surgery, citing his mother's age and potential risks. Wu Chunhua accused him of wanting his mother to die sooner to inherit her property. However, after Doctor Li explained that the new clinical trial procedure was entirely free, including all subsequent expenses, the son immediately agreed to that option.

Zhai Qingyi then excitedly told Yang Lanhang that he had noticed a volunteer on the list with the exact same name, gender, and birthday as Yang Lanhang. Yang Lanhang admitted that he was indeed that volunteer. He explained that he suffered from congenital aortic insufficiency. As a child, he didn't receive treatment because he was still growing, and an artificial valve wouldn't adapt.

His condition wasn't severe then, so he decided to carefully manage it, resolving to conduct his own research and only undergo surgery once he had developed a superior valve. He confidently declared himself a genius who would not die. This statement vividly reminded Bai Lingling of a young boy in a hospital long ago who had uttered the very same words.

Qing Yi was arguing intensely with Granny Zhang’s son, who indignantly declared, "How dare you say this! I care about my mom and I can't ask a question?" Yang Lanhang quickly stepped in, identifying himself as one of the project principals and a subject of the clinical trial. He assured the son, "You don't need to be worried. I will receive the operation with Ms. Zhang."

He also offered a detailed insurance claim policy for review, adding, "Of course, I would prefer that you are simply worried about your mom's safety. If so, I swear to you with my life that we will do it with all our strength." As Bai Lingling walked Yang Lanhang to the operating room, he smiled confidently, "Don't worry. It will be fine. I'm a genius. Remember?"

Bai Lingling, recognizing him as the "money box genius" from their childhood, tearfully reminded him of their earlier promise, "It's a deal. You must live." Yang Lanhang then realized, "You recognized me." Meanwhile, Li Feifei learned about Yang Lanhang’s illness and insisted on visiting him. Her agent cautioned her, "Honey, it's only half an hour left before the crew starts filming. Where are you going now?" Li Feifei explained her devotion, "Yang Lanhang is lying on a hospital bed.

Men are the most fragile when they are ill. It needs to be me who's the first person he'll see when he wakes up." The agent then reminded her of the severe consequences, "If you just walk away, your reputation in the industry will be damaged. Who dare to cooperate with you anymore? Think about it. Your career is your lifelong business." Reluctantly, Li Feifei decided to stay. The long wait for the surgery results was agonizing.

Finally, Doctor Li emerged, announcing, "Relax. The operation was successful. You just wait for him to wake up." Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Soon after, Yang Lanhang’s parents arrived, having been informed only after the surgery. His mother complained, "Boy, how dare you. Clinical trials matter a lot and you actually didn't want us to be there for you. You only told us to come after your operation was finished."

His father urged her to calm down, and Yang Lanhang chimed in, "Yes, Mom. It's useless that you are saying this now. You two are irritating." He then tried to reassure them, "Mom, I have been quite confident about what I do since childhood. You should believe me." His mother, still worried, expressed her fear, "But this time, it's a heart operation. Shouldn't I be scared? Shouldn't I be worried?"

Yang Lanhang, feeling tired, asked them to leave so he could rest. After his parents left, Yifan advised him, "She didn't come when you were in coma. How about waiting for another while? You don't have to say it right now.' However, Yang Lanhang was determined, 'I just think it's been a long time. I don't want to wait. I want to gain her forgiveness as I confess early.'

" Bai Lingling arrived with flowers but hesitated outside Yang Lanhang’s hospital room. Doctor Li spotted her and encouraged her, "You are here. Why are you standing here? Go inside. He just received an operation. Don't make him too excited." Inside, Yang Lanhang asked if she still had the little tin box he gave her. Bai Lingling confirmed, "Of course. It's been beside my bed."

She admitted she had wanted to return the money with interest, having added more to it over the years. Yang Lanhang confessed that he had felt immense guilt after realizing money couldn’t buy a heart, recalling how his mother had scolded him and cried when he proudly told her he’d given the money to Bai Lingling to save her mother.

He had realized he had given a desperate little girl false hope and was tormented by dreams of her crying and asking where to buy a heart. This experience drove him to find answers in his father's lab, leading him to research an "unbreakable heart" so no child would suffer like she did.

Bai Lingling, in turn, comforted him, explaining that without that money, she might not have even afforded a train ticket to her grandmother's house and could have ended up as a beggar. Yang Lanhang smiled, saying he would find Bai Lingling and bring her home. He visibly touched, gently caressed her hair, noting, "That crying little girl has finally grown up." Yang Lanhang then revealed that he had asked his mother to find Bai Lingling years ago.

His mother took him to see her, observing her from a distance as she climbed a tree like a "monkey." Bai Lingling questioned why he hadn't told her sooner, to which he playfully responded, "You have such a short fuse. Who dare to tell you since you just block someone out of no reason."

He recounted memories, like writing an apology letter disguised as their teacher, Miss Wu, after Bai Lingling was wrongly accused of stealing a pencil case and tearfully stated she had no parents. He then disclosed he was also her online confidant, "Forever is for Ever," who encouraged her to attend Huaihai University. He explained, "Because of my ignorance when I was a kid, I gave you a false hope. . . I think I'm responsible for it.

I need to be your guardian angel to see you grow up healthily. Using the seven years of Forever is for Ever and also the 17 years of Yang Lanhang." He also revealed that he had sent her a text message saying he would attend her graduation. He had returned immediately after finishing his research in Europe, but she had blacklisted him, preventing him from telling her.

Yang Lanhang hoped for Bai Lingling's understanding, but she was overwhelmed and could not accept this revelation. She cried and ran out of the room, leaving a heartbroken Yang Lanhang. Back home, Bai Lingling cried in Guan Xiaoyu's arms, confessing her turmoil, "I always felt like I have fallen in love with two guys. How can I be in love with two guys? Every morning when I woke up, I felt myself so hateful.

And I thought to myself that I should give up both of them. But only then did I know the two of them were the same person." The next day, Yifan called Bai Lingling, urgently telling her, "There's something wrong with Hang. Hurry to the hospital. . . It should be rejection reaction. When in a coma, he kept calling your name. We have no idea about when he would wake up."

At the hospital, Bai Lingling observed Yang Lanhang’s steady heart rate, realizing he was faking unconsciousness. She told him, "I know you are fine now. . . Your heart rate is quite normal, too. Well, you don't need to open your eyes. And you don't need to say anything. Let me finish my words first."

She poured out her heart, recalling the despair after losing both parents, how "Forever is for Ever" offered her hope, echoing the false hope the little boy gave her. She spoke of her disappointment when both "Forever is for Ever" and the promise of a purchasable heart disappeared. She described her anguish over falling for Yang Lanhang and "Forever is for Ever" simultaneously, feeling like a "love rat" criticized by society.

Yang Lanhang, no longer able to pretend, asked her not to "abuse herself." He then confessed, "Before I went abroad, I admit that I didn't think that much. My mind was full of scientific research." He realized he had loved her all along only when she blacklisted him and he couldn't reach her, admitting he "got panic." He explained his delay in confessing, hoping she wouldn't hate him so much after he "ruined her graduation thesis defense."

Bai Lingling then took out the little tin box and returned it to Yang Lanhang, crying and stating, "I just don't know how to forgive you. Forget it. I want to set myself free. I'd like to forget that boy, Forever is for Ever and Yang Lanhang as well. Let's restart it." A month later, during Chinese New Year, Zheng Minghao returned, claiming to expand his business. He invited Bai Lingling and Guan Xiaoyu to dinner.

Suddenly, the night sky lit up with dazzling drones forming "008, 520", "800", and an image resembling Bai Lingling. Guests murmured about the romance. Zheng Minghao’s mentor, singer Ye Shirong, performed a love song. Afterward, Zheng Minghao declared, "Lingling, I've told you. If you were happy, I would send my wish. But if not, I hope you could give me a chance. And I would bring you happiness." Ye Shirong even offered "after-sales service" if Zheng Minghao mistreated her.

As a special dish, "Flowers Blooming on the Paths" (Mò shàng huā kāi), a jasmine-scented steak, was served, reminding Bai Lingling of Yang Lanhang. Despite the grand gesture, Bai Lingling apologized and thanked Zheng Minghao, then left the restaurant. Outside, she confronted an evasive Yang Lanhang, asking, "Are you crazy? Why do you run away from the hospital?" He admitted, "It has been a long time since your last visit.

I'm afraid you would be another guy's girlfriend when I recover from the illness." Bai Lingling scolded him for his recklessness, fearing for his health and the clinical trial. Yang Lanhang quickly asked, "Will you come to visit me tomorrow?" and "Will you spend the Spring Festival with me?" explaining his parents would be away. Bai Lingling agreed to both, making Yang Lanhang ecstatic. He then excitedly suggested taking her somewhere. Watching them leave, Zheng Minghao was heartbroken.

Guan Xiaoyu tried to console him, suggesting he let go. Zheng Minghao questioned why he couldn't win against 'her distant online boyfriend, and this guy who had cheated her for seven years.' He lamented Bai Lingling's recent unhappiness because of Yang Lanhang, wondering why she didn't just give up. Guan Xiaoyu responded that sometimes observers only see 'superficial presentation' and cannot understand the 'profound bonds' or deep connections between people.

She then pointed out that if Zheng Minghao himself couldn't let go, how could he expect Yang Lanhang and Bai Lingling to? Annoyed, Zheng Minghao asked Guan Xiaoyu to leave him alone. Later, Guan Xiaoyu tried to help Bai Lingling process her feelings. She argued that Yang Lanhang, being less than ten at the time, was remarkably responsible.

His later actions were born from guilt and a desire to secretly protect her, only for him to fall 'uncontrollably in love' unexpectedly. Bai Lingling still felt he could have confessed as Yang Lanhang. Guan Xiaoyu countered, pointing out that after he 'ruined her graduation thesis defense,' Bai Lingling, with her temper, would never have forgiven him for also revealing his 'Forever is for Ever' identity then. Bai Lingling also expressed dismay that their 'romantic meeting in a sea of faces' on social media was also orchestrated by Yang Lanhang.

On New Year's Eve, as fireworks illuminated the city skyline, Yang Lanhang embraced Bai Lingling, wishing her a Happy New Year and declaring that nothing was more beautiful than having her by his side. Separately, Ouyang Yifan had brought Guan Xiaoyu to a spot with a grand view of the fireworks. Ouyang playfully questioned if Guan Xiaoyu's gesture was an attempt to flatter him, to which she retorted that she was merely seeking her own happiness on the festive occasion.

The next morning, Bai Lingling visited Yang Lanhang in the hospital. He thanked her for tirelessly visiting his grandmother, going to the lab, and caring for him. He then presented her with his wage card, explaining that it contained his lab salary, overseas scholarship, and research bonuses, and that Professor Jiang had told him it was a tradition of Huaihai University for a woman to keep her boyfriend's finances.

Bai Lingling teased him about being hired as a "nanny" and, finding the "tradition" unfamiliar, refused to accept the card. Later, Bai Lingling recounted the incident to Guan Xiaoyu, who immediately dismissed the "Huaihai tradition" as nonsense. Guan Xiaoyu then suspected Yang Lanhang had read her social media post on how to win a girlfriend back, noting his actions—presenting money and feigning vulnerability—perfectly mirrored her advice. Bai Lingling concurred, realizing his actions were "all ploys."

She confidently told Guan Xiaoyu she would be free from him once he was discharged. Two days later, a newly discharged Yang Lanhang insisted Bai Lingling drive him home, playfully complimenting her driving skills despite her complaints of being "tortured." He then tried to convince her to drive him to the university the next day for a lecture, but she firmly declined. At the lab, Di Qingyi approached Bai Lingling, mentioning Yang Lanhang's discharge.

He lamented that their once low-key project, combined with Yang Lanhang’s recent surgery, had gone viral, turning the "guru" into a celebrity with a fan club. Di Qingyi expressed mock sadness that Yang Lanhang was no longer "his guru alone."

When Bai Lingling said she wouldn't attend Yang Lanhang's upcoming lecture, Di Qingyi suggested it was for the best, implying that the audience would primarily consist of younger female students, and her presence would only make her feel "her youth had gone." Bai Lingling, however, called him shallow, insisting that students attended lectures for knowledge, not a beauty contest. Despite her previous assertions, Bai Lingling, disguised with a mask, secretly attended Yang Lanhang's lecture the next day.

From her seat, she observed him, finding it amusing that a scientist, especially a male one, had dimples when he smiled and didn't appear "austere." A nearby student, noticing Bai Lingling's intense gaze, playfully asked if she intended to "eat" Yang Lanhang. Bai Lingling, defensive, claimed she was only there to monitor an experiment.

Soon, the students began to openly admire Yang Lanhang's charm and discuss an "unwritten rule" among male students at Huaihai University: entrusting their wealth to their wives to "guarantee pleasant scientific research." They speculated about the vast bonuses Yang Lanhang must have received for his many achievements. As the discussion grew heated with students vying for "ownership" of Yang Lanhang, Bai Lingling interjected, stating that he already had a girlfriend.

This caused an uproar, leading Yang Lanhang to pause his lecture and ask if there were any questions. One bold student seized the moment to ask directly if he had a girlfriend, implying she would be interested if he didn't. Yang Lanhang confirmed, "I have a girlfriend." Bai Lingling, mortified, tried to hide herself. After the lecture, Yang Lanhang caught up with Bai Lingling, commenting on her attentive gaze during his talk.

She quickly apologized for any classroom disrespect, claiming she was merely concerned for his health after his recent discharge. Yang Lanhang pressed the issue, and when she continued to deny staring, he playfully threatened to accept a dinner invitation from some junior students eager to discuss academic matters. This immediately angered Bai Lingling. She grabbed his arm, warning him that those girls had "bad intentions" and were after his "body or money."

She then demanded his bank card, offering to "keep it for him temporarily" until the attention subsided. Yang Lanhang, amused and pleased, agreed, saying she could keep it "for as long as she wants," and confirmed he would cancel his dinner plans. He then gently told her that it was his first time being a boyfriend and asked for her patience. Bai Lingling, now softened, playfully asked if he would still make her stay up all night translating documents.

He promised he would translate them himself and even add notes. Satisfied, Bai Lingling left, both happy about their newly established, official relationship. During lunch, Guan Xiaoyu called Zheng Minghao, urging him to stop pursuing Bai Lingling. She explained that Bai Lingling, though stubborn, would eventually forgive Yang Lanhang, and it was "only a matter of time." When Zheng Minghao abruptly hung up, Guan Xiaoyu sighed, wondering if all science majors were so "stubborn."

Moments later, she was surprised to find Geng Panpan working as a waiter. He explained he was taking a repeat class nearby to retake his exams next year, working part-time to avoid his parents finding out and to repay her the money he owed. He lightheartedly admitted that once the debt was settled, he might gain the courage to pursue her again.

Learning that Guan Xiaoyu was not with Ouyang Yifan, Geng Panpan suggested she might be prejudiced against Ouyang and urged her not to miss "the right person." Guan Xiaoyu, suspicious, pressed him for more details, wondering if Ouyang Yifan had put him up to it. Back home, Ouyang Yifan found Yang Lanhang in an unusually elated state, causing his heartbeat to race.

Concerned for Yang Lanhang's health after his surgery, Ouyang insisted on checking his blood pressure and even offered to call an ambulance. Yang Lanhang, however, repeatedly assured him he was fine, clearly overjoyed by his new relationship with Bai Lingling. Later, Guan Xiaoyu called Ouyang Yifan to her doorstep, directly asking if he had contacted Geng Panpan, which Ouyang denied. She then pressed him about his company's lawsuit against her.

Ouyang Yifan, fabricating a story, claimed the legal department had lost her original contract and that she needed to re-sign. As he went to his car trunk for the "contract," he quickly shut it after glancing inside, piquing Guan Xiaoyu's suspicion. She reopened the trunk herself to find it filled with all the designer bags she had previously asked him to sell. Realizing Ouyang Yifan had gone to great lengths to help her, she was deeply moved.

Impulsively, she kissed him, then, embarrassed, grabbed the new contract and ran off. A flashback revealed Ouyang Yifan's elaborate ruse: he had simply stored her bags overnight at a consignment shop, requesting an appraisal to create the illusion of a sale, playfully convincing the shop assistant that he genuinely loved the bags, even mentioning putting a small dumbbell in one for car exercises.

Bai Lingling witnessed Guan Xiaoyu's excited return, prompting Guan Xiaoyu to reveal Ouyang Yifan wouldn't sue her and had given her a new contract, making her happy about the "money." Bai Lingling playfully teased Guan Xiaoyu about seeing her kiss Ouyang downstairs, leading to a lighthearted argument where Guan Xiaoyu denied everything. Bai Lingling then joked that if she married Yang Lanhang and Guan Xiaoyu married Ouyang Yifan, they would become sisters-in-law and share New Year's Eve dinner.

This playful scenario made Guan Xiaoyu realize Bai Lingling had reconciled with Yang Lanhang, leading her to playfully call Bai Lingling "spineless" and predict she would eventually be "controlled by Yang Lanhang." Meanwhile, back home, Ouyang Yifan was still in a euphoric mood, singing to Guan Xiaoyu's bags and giving them names like "Mini Watermelon," "Starlet," and "Mini Orange," while Yang Lanhang, preoccupied with his phone and his own newfound happiness, lay in bed.

The next morning, in the elevator, Yang Lanhang repeatedly tried to hold Bai Lingling's hand, but she discreetly avoided him, keenly aware of Professor Jiang's presence. As soon as they exited, Yang Lanhang pulled her aside, expressing his desire to publicly announce their relationship to the entire lab. Bai Lingling vehemently refused, explaining that while she was genuinely happy and felt honored to be with him, she felt immense pressure.

She preferred a natural progression where people would notice their relationship without a grand announcement. Yang Lanhang playfully interrogated her about her past relationships, and she nervously confessed this was her first serious one, admitting she also felt nervous. He agreed to let their relationship unfold naturally. Later, Di Qingyi approached Bai Lingling, noting her arrival with Yang Lanhang. Thinking Di Qingyi had deduced their relationship, Bai Lingling responded cryptically.

However, Di Qingyi was actually concerned about Yang Lanhang returning to work so soon after his discharge, emphasizing their project's collective success. Realizing his misunderstanding, Bai Lingling agreed that Yang Lanhang should indeed rest. Di Qingyi then remarked that Yang Lanhang had mentioned having a girlfriend and asked if Bai Lingling knew who she was. Bai Lingling, blushing, confidently declared, "Me." Di Qingyi, amused, responded that she was "boasting."

At lunchtime, Bai Lingling and Yang Lanhang attempted to dine alone, but their colleagues, Zhang Yian, Jing Jing, and Di Qingyi, joined their table. Frustrated by the lack of privacy, Bai Lingling decided to make a formal announcement: "We are together." She then asked them to give the new couple some space. When her colleagues responded with laughter and disbelief, Bai Lingling first demonstrated by feeding Yang Lanhang a piece of fruit.

Still unconvinced, she took an even bolder step, biting a piece of food and feeding the other half directly to Yang Lanhang. This overt display of affection finally shocked Zhang Yian, Jing Jing, and Di Qingyi into retreating to another table. After work, Zhang Yian approached Yang Lanhang, subtly suggesting that Bai Lingling's recent behavior was "strange" and that if her "interference" affected his work, he would personally intervene to have Professor Jiang transfer her to another lab.

Overhearing this, Bai Lingling was furious that her public declaration of love was being misinterpreted as harassment. To counter this, she devised a new plan, telling Yang Lanhang he had to feed her at dinner the next day, to which he enthusiastically agreed. Yang Lanhang then informed her he had already revised her patent application.

Bai Lingling, meanwhile, needed to return to prepare for an internal group meeting the following day, which President Li would attend due to Professor Jiang's absence. During the internal group meeting, President Li, acting in Professor Jiang's stead, challenged Bai Lingling's assertion that a thin film on her sample was a ceramic layer, suggesting it might be an oxide layer.

Bai Lingling confidently refuted this, explaining that while scanning electron microscopy was inconclusive, she was determined to prove her hypothesis, requiring a rare focused ion beam sample preparation equipment. She expressed confidence in her ability to conduct further research despite the challenges. Yang Lanhang supported her theoretical approach, emphasizing the need for transmission electron microscopy verification.

After the meeting, President Li asked Yang Lanhang to stay, then proposed a significant change: Professor Jiang's new teaching arrangements would involve Yang Lanhang becoming Bai Lingling's mentor. Yang Lanhang, visibly awkward, declined, stating that he couldn't date Bai Lingling if he were to become her mentor.

Yang Lanhang and Bai Lingling walked back to the lab after his meeting with Headmaster Li. Yang Lanhang revealed that the Headmaster had stayed to discuss Bai Lingling's research project and mentioned a central ion beam focusing device at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, which, though not usually lent out, the Headmaster would try to apply for on their behalf.

Bai Lingling was surprised, then playfully boasted about her boldness during the earlier meeting, saying, "I'm awesome," when Yang Lanhang admitted he wouldn't dare speak to Headmaster Li that way. She further emphasized that her project was flawless. Bai Lingling then questioned why Headmaster Li discussed her topic with Yang Lanhang instead of Mr. Jiang. Yang Lanhang simply replied, "Because I'm a genius." Bai Lingling teased him, asking, "A genius needs me to save his life?"

to which Yang Lanhang affectionately called her "the life savior of a genius." Back in the lab, Bai Lingling openly clung to Yang Lanhang, who, in a great mood, announced that everyone would have dinner at his house that night since the next day was a day off.

He initially stated it was to celebrate the success of the clinical trial, but Zhang Yian quickly guessed it was to celebrate Yang Lanhang and Bai Lingling being together, which Yang Lanhang affirmed. As Bai Lingling and Jing Jing went to buy groceries, Bai Lingling admitted she had "stolen" Yang Lanhang's car keys and expressed her distrust in male colleagues to buy the right ingredients, teasingly saying they couldn't tell shallots from garlic.

Jing Jing wondered if Yang Lanhang trusted her driving, to which Bai Lingling confidently said he praised her driving skills. Meanwhile, Zhang Yian and Zhai Qingyi, extremely curious about when they started dating, pressed Yang Lanhang for details, expressing their surprise at the sudden relationship, given that Yang Lanhang and Bai Lingling were once "incompatible as fire and water" and didn't even have each other on WeChat. They even wondered if the clinical trial had some "sequela."

Yang Lanhang offered to answer all their questions at once. Zhai Qingyi immediately asked if he had ever dated Li Feifei, and Zhang Yian recalled a "scene" when both women were present at a meal. Yang Lanhang firmly denied any relationship with Li Feifei. As Bai Lingling returned, Yang Lanhang warned his colleagues not to say anything inappropriate in front of her.

Guan Xiaoyu informed Ouyang Yifan that she had signed and sent the contract, and had transferred money to repay him for her pawned "Mini Watermelon" and "Starlet" bags. Ouyang Yifan, delighted at the prospect of seeing her more often (as he calculated he could see her every time she redeemed a bag), personally delivered the bags.

He then claimed to be "homeless" for the night, using Yang Lanhang's academic seminar at his house as an excuse to stay at her place, not wanting to "hinder the progress of society and mankind" by interrupting them. He suggested watching a horror movie, but Guan Xiaoyu, who was immune to such films, quickly realized Ouyang Yifan was terrified, despite his claim that "the more one is scared, the more he wants to watch a horror movie."

When he refused to leave, citing Bai Lingling's absence from her own home, Guan Xiaoyu decided to teach him a lesson. She deliberately scared him with a ghostly sound before retreating to her room, leaving him alone and banging on her door in fear. At Yang Lanhang's home, Bai Lingling cooked many dishes, making Yang Lanhang very happy.

Zhai Qingyi joked that her fish tasted like takeout, but otherwise, everyone enjoyed the food, and Zhang Yian openly declared Bai Lingling the "hostess" of the house. Jing Jing expressed her hopes for finding love like them. After dinner, as Bai Lingling began washing dishes, Yang Lanhang embraced her from behind, gently telling her she was now his girlfriend, and his home had never been so lively.

He said that although he often called himself a genius, he earned less than his mother and had fewer scientific achievements than his father; his only good quality was his good taste in choosing a unique, incomparable girlfriend. Bai Lingling blushed shyly. Yang Lanhang then passionately kissed her.

He continued by lamenting that she had done all the cooking and was now burdened with cleaning, affectionately declaring that as his girlfriend, she would "never do housework again," playfully adding that it would "waste too much water." Bai Lingling chuckled, asking if he had "Googled romantic words." Yang Lanhang, reminded of their previous, less romantic confession, pulled her in for another passionate kiss, making up for the past.

He then suggested she stay the night, ostensibly to "create an opportunity" for Ouyang Yifan and Guan Xiaoyu, who were currently at her apartment. Bai Lingling, though nervous, silently agreed. After Yang Lanhang showered, he found Bai Lingling pretending to be asleep. He gently kissed her forehead, covered her with a blanket, and then spent the night sleeping on the sofa. Unbeknownst to them, Ouyang Yifan also spent the night on Guan Xiaoyu's sofa.

The next morning, after Ouyang Yifan woke up on Guan Xiaoyu's sofa, he called Yang Lanhang and discovered his cousin also slept on a sofa. Back home, Yang Lanhang lamented that he always used to be in the lab, and now he had to learn to date like ordinary couples. He then sought Ouyang Yifan's advice on planning a date, proposing extravagant options like a yacht trip or a seaside resort.

Ouyang Yifan, still half-asleep, gently reminded him that "normal lovebirds often eat, go shopping, and watch movies during their date," and that his yacht idea was "exaggerated." He advised Yang Lanhang to "make them innovative" within ordinary activities. Yang Lanhang, still puzzled, asked, "How?" Meanwhile, Zhai Qingyi showed Zhang Yian news of Li Feifei endorsing Qingyu Manor, observing that even a popular and beautiful celebrity like her was a "fan" of Yang Lanhang.

He warned Bai Lingling that Li Feifei still harbored "bad intentions" and wouldn't "give up on guru," but Bai Lingling confidently retorted that Yang Lanhang "can't escape." At a press conference, an assistant engineer named Wang Tao, identifying himself as a fan, took a photo with Li Feifei and discreetly asked if she knew Yang Lanhang. Later, Yang Lanhang surprised Bai Lingling with a date at a beautiful seaside location, where they happily took numerous photos.

Teasingly, Bai Lingling remarked on her "deformed" face in the pictures, but Yang Lanhang promised to develop them into an album for her. They also debated a "maze" they had just walked through, with Bai Lingling admitting she was just being playful and Yang Lanhang dryly stating, "We scientists are just serious and accurate." Ouyang Yifan, after a lie-in, went to the hospital to meet with Doctor Li to discuss the production line for their experimental project.

Doctor Li reported that the clinical trial was progressing smoothly, but stressed the importance of monitoring the valve's complete degradation in the coming months. Doctor Li, noticing Ouyang Yifan's exhaustion, suggested he inform his father about his work, but Ouyang Yifan refused, believing his father wouldn't find his venture into new medical devices "persuasive" and attributing his struggles to past comfort, feeling that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't surpass his brother.

Doctor Li then reminded Ouyang Yifan that it was Yang Lanhang's birthday and suggested booking a restaurant for him, an offer Ouyang Yifan dismissed, stating Yang Lanhang didn't need their "warmth." When Doctor Li pressed him on other project processes, Ouyang Yifan casually replied that his "brother's girlfriend" would handle them.

Surprised, Doctor Li asked if Yang Lanhang had a girlfriend, to which Ouyang Yifan confidently confirmed it was Cui Jing, a colleague from his lab, and claimed he knew this through "telepathy of twins." Meanwhile, Bai Lingling found a cake in Yang Lanhang's car trunk and, belatedly realizing it might be his birthday, called Guan Xiaoyu to confirm. However, the call was interrupted. Guan Xiaoyu, unable to reach Bai Lingling, then called Ouyang Yifan, asking the same question.

Ouyang Yifan appeared at Guan Xiaoyu's door, playfully accusing her of having a crush on Yang Lanhang, but Guan Xiaoyu clarified that Bai Lingling had asked her to check. Ouyang Yifan revealed that he had indeed placed the cake in Yang Lanhang's trunk, having planned it as a surprise birthday gesture. Shortly after, Guan Xiaoyu received a text from Bai Lingling, informing her that she would be spending the night with Yang Lanhang to celebrate his birthday.

Guan Xiaoyu, relieved, happily noted, "It's good to spend the night together." In a picturesque tourist spot, Bai Lingling surprised Yang Lanhang by singing "Happy Birthday," reminding him that it was his special day. He thanked her and Ouyang Yifan for the cake. Yang Lanhang then made two wishes: first, for their new material to be quickly released to help Bai Lingling's grandma and other patients recover; second, for all his loved ones to be safe and healthy.

When he hesitated for a third, Bai Lingling teasingly finished it for him: "It must be being with me forever, right?" She then playfully suggested he wish for "Bai Lingling to be young forever." Yang Lanhang, admitting he hadn't celebrated his birthday formally in years, received Bai Lingling's promise to spend every future birthday and important holiday together, including Women's Day, Labor Day, and Children's Day.

Yang Lanhang also thanked Bai Lingling for forgiving him, saying that meeting her was like meeting a miracle, and Bai Lingling reciprocated, feeling Yang Lanhang was her miracle and hope. She also presented him with a tiny paper boat folded on the cake, a symbol of "setting sail" and a hidden "answer" for any future challenges they might face, which she hoped he would never need to open.

Amidst their romantic moment, Yang Lanhang asked when she fell in love with him. Bai Lingling admitted she wasn't sure, realizing she had loved him for a long time. She then confessed that her favorite movie wasn't "Before Sunrise"; she had merely copied Guan Xiaoyu's notes to find a common topic. Instead of the fleeting moments of "dawn or dusk," she desired "every moment" with him. Deeply moved, they embraced and shared a passionate kiss.

In the lab, Ouyang Yifan noticed Cui Jing still working late. He sat beside her, subtly watching her surveillance video on his phone. Cui Jing shyly asked if he was free the next day to watch a sci-fi movie with her, as Bai Lingling had to cancel their plans. Ouyang Yifan enthusiastically agreed. Later, Guan Xiaoyu confronted Ouyang Yifan, questioning his secrecy regarding Yang Lanhang's birthday, asking why he didn't just tell them.

Ouyang Yifan found it more entertaining to let the "smart" couple discover it themselves. He then dramatically complained about his busy life, managing two jobs during the day (working on his father's side and secretly managing his company) and being "homeless" at night because of his brother, even claiming he almost froze without a blanket.

Guan Xiaoyu, exasperated, scoffed at his theatrics, reminded him he was wealthy enough for a five-star hotel, and angrily handed him a wad of cash, demanding he return all her pawned bags the next day. Ouyang Yifan, sensing her true feelings, playfully accused her of repaying the money incrementally just to see him more often. Flustered, Guan Xiaoyu shoved him, leading to an impromptu kiss. To their dismay, the door had accidentally locked behind them.

Ouyang Yifan quickly found a hotel room for Guan Xiaoyu, promising to pick her up in the morning and arrange for a locksmith. A short while after they parted, he called her, informing her that he had bought some fresh clothes and had a staff member deliver them to her door. He called again, questioning why she hadn't pushed him away during their kiss, but Guan Xiaoyu, flustered, hung up without a word.

Cui Jing, dressed meticulously and filled with anticipation, waited for Yifan at the cinema. However, Yifan never arrived, only sending a curt message that read "Sorry" as the movie began. Meanwhile, Yang Lanhang received a phone call from Zhang Yian, who informed him that Zoey, an experimental macaque, had unexpectedly died. Yang Lanhang then told Bai Lingling about Zoey's death.

Separately, Yifan also got a call from Doctor Li, who explained that some clinical trial patients at the hospital were demanding to leave, and asked Yifan to liaise with the insurance company regarding their departure. Observing the situation, Guan Xiaoyu remarked that recruiting volunteers for the clinical trials was initially very difficult, only gaining traction after Yang Lanhang's mother and Li Feifei's involvement on social media.

She then analyzed that the patients' families were likely in their thirties or forties and not particularly internet-savvy. Given the rapid escalation of Zoey's death into a public uproar, she believed someone was deliberately instigating the matter. Bai Lingling was distraught, both by Zoey's death and the lingering fear that the experimental materials might be compromised. Yang Lanhang comforted her, insisting that all experiments followed strict protocols and that Zoey's death might not be related to their work.

At the hospital, Granny Zhang's son led a group of patients' relatives in a protest. Granny Zhang, feeling much better thanks to the hospital's free treatment and care, angrily scolded her son for his ingratitude, reminding him how he had neglected her when she was ill and accusing the group of being heartless. A disheartened Cui Jing, who had been planning to study abroad, encountered Professor Jiang and only then learned about the incident with Zoey.

She immediately rushed back to the lab. Yang Lanhang and Bai Lingling hurried to the zoo to investigate. A staff member informed them that Zoey's body had already been cremated and that he, being new to the position, knew nothing about the time or circumstances of the death. The duo, accompanied by Yifan, then went to Monkey Mountain to question the zookeepers, but again, found no useful information.

Back at the lab, Yang Lanhang addressed the team, explaining that since Zoey's body was cremated, an autopsy was impossible. He estimated Zoey died three days prior, which was beyond the experimental observation period, thus not affecting the experiment's progress. However, for caution, Zhang Yian proposed further investigation into other experimental animals to check the valve conditions, suggesting more samples if issues arose.

Doctor Li also decided to conduct comprehensive examinations for all patients, extending the observation period and frequency to ensure safety. Qing Yi pointed out that Zoey was not a famous animal, yet its death caused widespread, one-sided public opinion, indicating manipulation behind the scenes. Cui Jing returned to the lab and exchanged apologies with Yifan. Afterwards, Guan Xiaoyu and Yifan met with Editor Tang, asking for his help in identifying the masterminds behind the negative news articles.

That evening, Bai Lingling visited her grandmother, expressing deep concern about Yang Lanhang and her grandmother, along with all the other participants, should the material prove faulty. Her grandmother reassured her not to put too much pressure on herself, saying that worry can cloud judgment. She affirmed her belief that Bai Lingling would eventually create the best valve.

Later, Yifan called Yang Lanhang, revealing a disturbing development: the zoo and a person named Tang were telling the media that Zoey died four months ago, during the observation period after surgery, and that Yang Lanhang’s lab had paid them hush money to conceal it, fearing insufficient living samples.

Li Feifei saw a barrage of online comments attacking Yang Lanhang, labeling his "genius" persona as trash and questioning his personal conduct, citing a female student who was allegedly guaranteed a master's degree after Yang Lanhang took an interest in her, suggesting his undue influence at the university. Infuriated, she confronted Wang Tao, who admitted to orchestrating the zoo incident and hiring online trolls.

Li Feifei angrily questioned why he would destroy Yang Lanhang when her only goal was to win him back. Wang Tao explained that only by ruining Yang Lanhang could Li Feifei then "save" him, as a man is most vulnerable and susceptible when at his lowest. Professor Jiang announced that the academic committee had begun investigating the Yang Lanhang incident, and the university had decided to temporarily close the lab.

Qing Yi protested, pointing out that the lab was funded by Yang Lanhang and his cousin's company. Zhang Yian clarified that even with corporate partnerships, the university retained the right to investigate academic matters. Yang Lanhang apologized to the team for the trouble. Zhang Yian believed someone was framing him. Bai Lingling mentioned that she had called the animal management department, and they informed her that Tang Shun, the zoo staff, had taken leave.

Zhang Yian suggested they continue experiments at the old university lab. Yang Lanhang, due to his sensitive situation, decided not to join them, so Bai Lingling drove him home. In the car, Bai Lingling worried about Yang Lanhang's emotional state, but he remained calm. He reasoned that if the incident was a personal attack, it meant the experiment itself was sound.

While Bai Lingling feared his academic reputation would be destroyed, Yang Lanhang considered personal reputation trivial compared to scientific research. His only regret was the wasted effort of so many people working tirelessly, if their progress were to be halted. Guan Xiaoyu, upon seeing an article from "Shenliu News," expressed anger.

She recalled her college internship there, describing it as an unscrupulous media outlet that would publish anything for money, and highlighted the irony that the lab was closed due to such reports. Yifan suggested she go verify the situation that afternoon. Separately, he had also asked Editor Tang to investigate the marketing accounts and had already sent lawyer's letters demanding immediate removal and public apologies.

Guan Xiaoyu soon confirmed that the articles had indeed been deleted, and even Li Feifei had reposted the apology. While Yang Lanhang was showering at home, Li Feifei arrived, using the excuse of returning a stray dog, "Woofy," they had found. Yang Lanhang, wrapped in a towel, only let the dog in and closed the door on Li Feifei. Annoyed, Li Feifei then encountered Bai Lingling arriving with groceries.

Li Feifei provocatively claimed the dog, "Yang Woofy," was rescued by Yang Lanhang and herself. Bai Lingling retorted, then used her key to enter the apartment. Inside, she was initially upset by the dog being called "Yang Woofy," but Yang Lanhang clarified it was a rescued stray named "Li Woofy," which he had "borrowed" from Li Feifei, reassuring Bai Lingling. Guan Xiaoyu and Yifan visited "Shenliu News" to speak with Deputy Editor Wang Shu, but he refused to see them.

Yifan, remembering Guan Xiaoyu's past as an intern often refueling Wang Shu's car, devised a plan. He deliberately scratched Wang Shu's car, leaving a note so Wang Shu would have to contact them. Later, Li Feifei came to pick up "Woofy," and Bai Lingling again emphasized its name was "Li Woofy." A few minutes later, Li Feifei messaged Bai Lingling, arranging to meet her that evening for a talk.

As Yifan enthusiastically boasted to Guan Xiaoyu about his clever plan, he turned to find her asleep. He leaned in to kiss her but was interrupted by a call from Wang Shu. Li Feifei met Bai Lingling at a coffee shop, accusing her of hypocrisy, reminding her of earlier statements about having a boyfriend and not liking Yang Lanhang. Bai Lingling explained that she hadn't known Yang Lanhang was her boyfriend at the time.

Li Feifei then urged Bai Lingling to leave Yang Lanhang, claiming he needed someone like her in his current predicament. She boasted about her millions of followers, asserting that a single repost could reverse the one-sided public opinion. Bai Lingling calmly stated that Yang Lanhang didn't need her to "do" anything; he had just had surgery, and she simply needed to be there for him. She then walked out and confidently took the waiting Yang Lanhang's arm, leaving victorious.

Yang Lanhang, upon hearing Bai Lingling had won the argument with the actress, praised her. As they arrived home, they saw a man in a black hat hastily leaving the building. Inside their hallway, they found offensive slurs like "disregard for human life" spray-painted in oil paint. Yifan went to the parking lot to meet Wang Shu. Meanwhile, Bai Lingling called Guan Xiaoyu, expressing concern for Yang Lanhang and stating she wouldn't be returning home that night. During their call, Guan Xiaoyu received a mysterious package addressed to Bai Lingling.

Bai Lingling’s express package arrived, and to Guan Xiaoyu’s horror, it contained a dead small animal. Bai Lingling, distressed, apologized to Guan Xiaoyu, feeling responsible for implicating her. Guan Xiaoyu, though pale, tried to brush it off, vowing to "teach him a lesson if he dares to come again!" Yang Lanhang suggested they move, and upon hearing this, Yifan immediately offered to move in with them to protect them, stating it would be "much safer if there is a man."

However, Guan Xiaoyu jokingly accused Yifan of having planted the dead animal, given his eagerness, a claim he denied while they playfully bickered. Yifan then reported on his meeting with Wang Shu, revealing that the editor refused to cooperate. Wang Shu insisted that the article's topic was chosen spontaneously in a meeting due to its trending nature, and the content was "offered by the parties themselves" without any external influence or embellishment.

Meanwhile, Yang Lanhang returned home, overhearing his mother, Gong Liyan, on the phone trying to have the article about him removed from Shenliu News. Yang Lanhang advised her against this, explaining that it would only complicate matters further. He warned that if the public discovered capital manipulation behind the alleged academic fraud, it would not only damage the credibility of research institutions but also adversely affect the SP Group's reputation. Realizing her impulsiveness, Gong Liyan agreed not to intervene.

Yang Lanhang reassured her that he could handle it, but his mother affectionately insisted that if he couldn't, she would step in, declaring that her wealth would be meaningless if she couldn't protect her son. Yang Lanhang embraced her, expressing his gratitude for her trust. The next morning, Bai Lingling installed an infrared night-vision camera and an electronic cat's eye at their doorstep. She asked Yifan to help put up a warning sign about the surveillance.

Yifan noticed a suspicious car that had been parked downstairs for two days. Concerned, Guan Xiaoyu urged Bai Lingling to stay home from the lab, but Bai Lingling insisted on going to relieve her exhausted colleagues. Guan Xiaoyu advised her to "remember the car number and keep the evidence" for safety. At the lab, Bai Lingling relieved Qingyi and Jing, who had worked through the night testing materials.

They explained they had discussed potential material issues with a "guru" in their group chat and conducted numerous experiments based on his insights. As Qingyi and Jing were leaving, they encountered a man dressed as a cleaning worker. Qingyi initially told him that "the cleaning worker has no authority to get in the lab," only to realize it was Yang Lanhang in disguise.

Yang Lanhang explained that he had consulted the professor and, by changing his identity to a cleaning worker, he could still access the lab. Bai Lingling and Qingyi teased him for his predicament. Yang Lanhang then publicly declared his love for Bai Lingling, saying, "Only when I have experienced your life will I know how to love you in a better way," to the feigned disgust of their colleagues. Later, Headmaster Zheng summoned Bai Lingling.

He confronted her about her relationship with Yang Lanhang, stating it had caused an uproar and raised questions about fairness in graduate admissions, negatively impacting the university's reputation. He also revealed that Yang Lanhang had refused to stay on as a lecturer because of her, accusing her of ruining his future. Headmaster Zheng lauded Yang Lanhang as a "rare talent" who once aspired to be a university teacher and would be nominated for "Distinguished Young Scholars" if he stayed.

To resolve the scandal, he offered Bai Lingling the university's last quota for an official study abroad program, instructing her to simply sign the papers. Bai Lingling vehemently refused, arguing that if they truly cared for Yang Lanhang, they should clear his name of academic fraud instead of subtly trying to send her away. She asserted that the postgraduate position was hard-earned and she would accept any investigation, but she would "never leave Yang Lanhang."

She emphasized that he had sacrificed so much for her and never let go, so she wouldn't abandon him either. Yifan was driving Guan Xiaoyu home when he updated her on the investigation into Tang Shun, the zookeeper. Assistant Chen had confirmed that Tang Shun was not on a trip but simply staying at home. Yifan noted it was useless to find him if he only spoke "a pack of lies."

Guan Xiaoyu, excited, shared that an article she wrote about the "touching love story" of Bai Lingling and Yang Lanhang had garnered nearly 10,000 reads in just an hour. She described it as a tale of a "genius scientist suffering from a serious illness and a poor girl with a clever mind" who, after years of online romance and entanglement, overcame "obstacles of reality" only to face "new heated debate and a criticism from the world."

As they chatted, their path was suddenly blocked by a water bucket. Yifan exited the car to investigate, only to be ambushed and beaten by two masked men. Guan Xiaoyu rushed out, hitting them with her bag until they fled. Yifan deduced that the attackers had mistaken him for Yang Lanhang, as the car belonged to Yang Lanhang. Seeing Guan Xiaoyu's distress, Yifan embraced and passionately kissed her.

That evening, Yang Lanhang and Bai Lingling took a walk on the campus playground. Yang Lanhang gently probed about her meeting with Headmaster Zheng, but Bai Lingling vaguely described it as discussing "professional topics." They discussed the lab experiments, with Bai Lingling hoping their material safety tests would clear Yang Lanhang. He explained it would only prove their materials and procedures were sound, not the core "experiment faked" accusation.

Amid their conversation, they overheard a group of girls openly criticizing Bai Lingling for getting into graduate school through connections and publicly displaying affection with Yang Lanhang, calling her "disgraceful." Ignoring the insults, Yang Lanhang and Bai Lingling humorously debated online comments calling them "a tortoise matching a dog," lightheartedly choosing their respective animal roles. After Yang Lanhang walked Bai Lingling upstairs and departed, a man followed her into the building.

Bai Lingling, startled, hit him with her bag, only to discover it was her father. He explained he was worried after seeing online news reports about her address and that he and "the cousin of your auntie came in shifts" to watch over her. Despite her initial frustration about his "displaying gallantry" at his age, Bai Lingling softened and invited him upstairs for a drink.

Inside, Guan Xiaoyu and Yifan, who were still there, were deeply moved to learn that the "suspicious car" Yifan had noticed belonged to Bai Lingling's father, who had been secretly protecting her. Later that night, Bai Lingling called Yang Lanhang. She shared how, following his earlier advice, she had smiled at her father, who unexpectedly wept. She confessed that she suddenly felt he had "aged," no longer the "tall and strong" figure of her childhood imagination.

She also recounted how she used to dislike her father calling her "Nuo," her childhood nickname, but felt "more sorrowful" when he used "Lingling" that day. Yang Lanhang gently advised her to "smile more at him when you meet him next time." As they said their goodnights, Yang Lanhang softly said, "I love you," and Bai Lingling reciprocated. Unbeknownst to Yang Lanhang, his mother, Gong Liyan, had been eavesdropping.

Upon hearing his declaration of love, she immediately insisted he invite Bai Lingling over for dinner so she could cook for her "future daughter-in-law." Bai Lingling was extremely nervous about meeting Yang Lanhang's mother, fearing she would be blamed for Yang Lanhang sacrificing his opportunities for a teaching position and the "Distinguished Young Scholars" award. Guan Xiaoyu tried to reassure her, telling her to show the same resolve she displayed to Headmaster Zheng.

Yifan chimed in, clarifying that his aunt was "quite nice." Still uneasy, Bai Lingling arrived at the Yang family home with a potted plant. Gong Liyan greeted her warmly, immediately addressing her as "daughter-in-law." During dinner, Gong Liyan subtly handed Bai Lingling a black card while Yang Lanhang was away. Misinterpreting the gesture, Bai Lingling hastily declared that she would "never leave Yang Lanhang."

Gong Liyan laughed, explaining it was simply a custom-made "VIP black gold card from the department store" with Bai Lingling's name on it as a welcome gift. Relieved, Bai Lingling accepted the card. Gong Liyan admitted she was new to being a mother-in-law and suggested they add each other on WeChat. Despite Yang Lanhang's attempts to stop her, his mother added Bai Lingling to their family group chat, asserting that they were "one family."

The next morning, Bai Lingling was upset that despite marketing accounts issuing apologies, negative comments about Yang Lanhang persisted online. Guan Xiaoyu commented that it was difficult to prove innocence unless Zoey, the monkey, was still alive. This sparked a realization in Bai Lingling: only Tang Shun had claimed Zoey died, yet no one had seen the body, and his reported death times constantly changed.

She suspected he was lying and, unable to sit still, immediately headed to the zoo for investigation. Upon returning to the lab, Bai Lingling declared her belief that Zoey was still alive and expressed her intention to return to the zoo the next day. Her colleagues offered to go in shifts to help. Yang Lanhang, however, pulled Bai Lingling aside, telling her, "No going anymore."

He argued that as "scientific researchers, instead of criminal investigators," they shouldn't "waste time and energy" on the matter. Bai Lingling insisted she would forgo sleep if it meant proving his innocence. Yang Lanhang maintained that "a clean hand wants no washing" and that the academic committee's investigation would eventually uncover the truth. Although he initially forbade anyone from going, Bai Lingling's resolve led him to agree that "they" would go to the zoo together, but no one else.

He then shifted the conversation, acknowledging that Li Feifei and Zheng Minghao had also been unfairly criticized due to the scandal. Yang Lanhang admitted he would "feel jealous" if Bai Lingling messaged Li Feifei, offering to do it himself. In return, Bai Lingling agreed to message Zheng Minghao, and they sealed the deal.

Later, Yifan expressed his envy to Bai Lingling and Guan Xiaoyu that his aunt had given Bai Lingling an "SP Group's custom black gold card" on their first meeting. Bai Lingling and Guan Xiaoyu were unimpressed, dismissing it as "just a VIP card" offering minor perks like "free parking and a 15 percent discount." Bai Lingling casually offered to give the card to Yifan, claiming she had many such cards and didn't need it.

Yifan quickly corrected their misunderstanding, explaining that it was an exclusive, unreleased "SP Group's custom black gold card," which allowed the holder to "just take what you want at SP. For free." Stunned, Bai Lingling and Guan Xiaoyu gasped and immediately snatched the card back from Yifan, with Guan Xiaoyu exclaiming, "You are rich!"

Qingyi wanted to join the investigation at the zoo. Cui Jing announced that she would be going abroad soon, and before she left, she wished to see a resolution to the matter to have peace of mind, so she also had to go. Seeing that everyone was in agreement, Zhang Yian suggested they all go together. After several days of rotating shifts, there was still no news of Zoey. Yang Lanhang reviewed old photos of Bai Lingling and Zoey.

He observed that Zoey was inactive and did not eat during the day, becoming more active at night. However, the zoo closed at 6 P. M. , making nighttime entry impossible. Ouyang Yifan and Guan Xiaoyu staked out Tang Shun's home all day. In the evening, they finally saw Tang Shun leave and enter the downstairs supermarket. The two followed closely, then feigned an argument in front of him.

Ouyang Yifan accused Guan Xiaoyu of spreading false information about the monkey on Weibo, asserting it was a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment. Tang Shun, concerned, asked about the monkey, falling for their act. Back home, Guan Xiaoyu bragged to Bai Lingling about her impressive acting skills, which convinced Tang Shun that defamation was a serious crime.

They explained that such a charge is typically initiated by the victim, and if the victim drops the complaint, there would be no issue. They reasoned that since Tang Shun was willing to break the law for small gains, he wasn't a "tough nut to crack" and would likely come seeking their forgiveness and leniency. Zheng Minghao finally turned on his phone. Dong Chao called him, asking about the ongoing situation with Bai Lingling.

Zheng Minghao explained that Bai Lingling had called him using Yang Lanhang's phone to apologize for getting him involved. He affirmed that he had given his best effort and had no regrets, but since Bai Lingling had made her choice, he decided to step aside from their affairs. Dong Chao then informed him that the situation with Yang Lanhang and Bai Lingling was snowballing.

Netizens had previously uncovered Zheng Minghao's past pursuit of Bai Lingling, and now they had dug up information about Gate of Heart, leading to a flood of negative comments. Enraged, Zheng Minghao stormed upstairs to his workspace, vowing to "bring him down" as they were now targeting him. Upon his return, Zheng Minghao immediately blended in with the tourists at the zoo and installed night-vision cameras on Monkey Mountain, ensuring clear visibility even at night, especially around a feeding area.

Zheng Minghao acknowledged that while installing cameras wasn't illegal if it respected privacy and public safety, he would likely face criticism and reprimand, but he deemed it worthwhile to find Zoey. Bai Lingling expressed immense gratitude for his help, and Guan Xiaoyu marveled at the genius of the "top minds," feeling they were close to solving the mystery.

Yang Lanhang, learning the software could log in on multiple devices, asked Bai Lingling to inform colleagues to take turns monitoring remotely, eliminating the need to visit the zoo. On their way home, Yang Lanhang admitted to feeling a "little" unhappy about Zheng Minghao helping Bai Lingling, explaining that a man is most attractive when doing what he excels at, and he didn't want Bai Lingling to see Zheng Minghao that way.

Bai Lingling teased him, remarking that even someone as outstanding as her senior could feel a sense of crisis. Yang Lanhang chuckled, saying that falling in love often makes one feel inferior. Bai Lingling responded with a kiss. Suddenly, they spotted Ouyang Yifan discreetly following Cui Jing in the distance. Cui Jing entered a shopping mall, eventually noticing Ouyang Yifan. He offered another "Sorry," refusing to elaborate further.

Cui Jing then mentioned she was heading to a nearby bookstore to buy reference books, and Ouyang Yifan simply nodded and followed. Qingyi suggested establishing a monitoring schedule for the zoo's nighttime cameras. Zhang Yian informed him that the competition for shifts had been so intense in the past two days, with time slots precisely allocated, that it was unlikely they would get a turn.

Meanwhile, Yang Lanhang's mother stubbornly watched the monitor, refusing to sleep, insisting her vigilance was unmatched. Similarly, Bai Lingling's father remained glued to the computer screen. Ouyang Yifan, displaced from his intended sleeping spot by Bai Lingling's father, brazenly attempted to take over Guan Xiaoyu's room. After a furious beating from Guan Xiaoyu, he fled to Bai Lingling’s room, asking to sleep with her.

However, Bai Lingling gently refused, stating she needed to work on her thesis and monitor the cameras overnight. Later, Bai Lingling’s father exclaimed that he spotted a monkey on the screen. Bai Lingling hurried over and, seeing the image, confirmed it was indeed Zoey. She excitedly hugged her father, thanking him profusely. With Zoey found, the truth of the matter finally came to light.

Zheng Minghao received criticism for installing the cameras, and the laboratory was notified that it could be unsealed. Zheng Minghao later helped Bai Lingling paint over the oil-paint slogans on Yang Lanhang's building hallway. He admitted he was secretly pleased that Yang Lanhang felt a sense of crisis because of him, but seeing Yang Lanhang and Bai Lingling together, he felt a sense of relief. Bai Lingling remarked that his words sounded just like her father's.

Zheng Minghao then revealed that he had once secretly looked up her old records, discovering her former name, Shi Nuoling. At that time, he had wanted to quietly protect her from harm, but now he understood that what she truly needed was not protection, but reconciliation. Zheng Minghao formally told Bai Lingling that he no longer liked her.

Bai Lingling wished him well, hoping he would soon find a girl prettier than herself, and Zheng Minghao smiled, affirming that they would always remain friends. Professor Jiang extended the school's condolences to Yang Lanhang, who stated that being able to continue his research was paramount. Ouyang Yifan was furious that despite the clarification, online abuse against Yang Lanhang had intensified, with netizens mockingly claiming he could "revive dead monkeys" and "manipulate life and death."

Guan Xiaoyu agreed, feeling the matter wasn't truly over until the real mastermind was exposed. Ouyang Yifan revealed he had already arranged for a lawyer's letter to be delivered to Tang Shun's home within half an hour. Li Feifei confronted Wang Tao, accusing him of distorting the truth. Wang Tao insisted that the current development of events had nothing to do with him, claiming it was entirely spontaneous public action.

Li Feifei offered money to resolve the issue, but Wang Tao stated that money could no longer solve the problem at this stage. Li Feifei warned him that she would expose him as the sole orchestrator, but Wang Tao emphasized that it was "both of them." A dejected Tang Shun approached Yang Lanhang and Bai Lingling, revealing he had been fired from the zoo.

He pleaded with them not to sue him, confessing that the actress Li Feifei had instructed him to do it. Bai Lingling immediately sought out Li Feifei, who unconditionally provided a recording of her conversation with Wang Tao. Li Feifei explained that she was risking her reputation and career, not for Yang Lanhang or to cultivate a public image, but to uphold the dignity and integrity of scientific research.

Bai Lingling, impressed, commented that Li Feifei's new film had been nominated for an international film festival and promised to vote for it. The truth finally came to light, leading to the arrest of Wang Tao, the instigator.

Zheng Minghao bought milk tea for everyone in the lab, explaining that Wang Tao had a hard life; he had been fired from his previous job due to the initial video before even starting, struggled to find work, and eventually took a low-paying job at a game company for no salary. Unable to afford rent and deeply in debt, he was desperate, which led him to his actions.

Zhang Yian, surprised to see Zheng Minghao in the lab, asked how he got in. Bai Lingling laughed, explaining that Ouyang had just removed the "Forbidden Area for Zheng Minghao" sign. Cui Jing inquired who had filmed the video that led to Wang Tao's dismissal, and Yang Lanhang admitted it was him, stating that reporting such malicious behavior was the right thing to do. Bai Lingling curiously watched Ouyang Yifan quietly follow Cui Jing.

Yang Lanhang mysteriously suggested that to understand Ouyang Yifan's thoughts, they needed to get him to wear a special wristband. He explained that it would vibrate in sync with Yang Lanhang’s own if Ouyang Yifan’s heart rate fluctuated abnormally. Bai Lingling recognized the wristband, realizing Yang Lanhang’s past efforts and creativity in pursuing her, including making similar items and videos. Later, Yang Lanhang discreetly swapped Ouyang Yifan's wristband in the changing room while he was changing into his work uniform.

Upon entering the lab, Bai Lingling feigned a fall, deliberately bumping into Cui Jing. Ouyang Yifan instinctively reached out to steady Cui Jing, and simultaneously, Yang Lanhang's wristband vibrated. Bai Lingling mused that the Ouyang brothers were identical, with one operating openly and the other discreetly. Bai Lingling finally learned that Ouyang Yifan had been the one to tell Yang Lanhang about her past and the photos.

She remarked that Ouyang Yifan managed to maintain a calm expression even when his heart was racing. As Yang Lanhang and Bai Lingling leaned in to kiss, Yang Lanhang's wristband suddenly vibrated again, annoying him, and he promptly took it off.

As the workday neared its end, Cui Jing informed Ouyang that her flight to Germany was scheduled for the day after tomorrow, meaning she would not be coming to the lab the following day. This experiment marked their last one together. Before leaving, with tears in her eyes, she bravely confessed, "I like you," and bid him farewell. Ouyang simply responded, "OK."

Doctor Li informed Yang Lanhang that the number of participants in the multi-center clinical trial had increased to 300 by the previous evening, and short-term follow-up results were promising. Doctor Li added that the new valve material could be officially put into use by 2022 at the latest, a clear sign of progress. He then asked Yang Lanhang about new research topics. Yang Lanhang mentioned that Bai Lingling's postgraduate topic was metamaterials, which also greatly interested him.

Doctor Li playfully chastised Yang Lanhang for turning a scientific discussion into a display of affection and invited him to dinner. Yang Lanhang politely declined, citing a prior engagement but promising to treat him another time. Pondering how enjoyable dating seemed, Doctor Li found himself inadvertently logging into the Gate of Heart application. Yang Lanhang blindfolded Bai Lingling and led her to a mysterious location, assuring her to trust him.

Bai Lingling, noticing the absence of people and greetings, speculated they weren't in a restaurant or bar. She bravely guessed they were going to the Cloud Tower, a place known as the "Peak of Love" where couples hang love locks. Despite her acrophobia, she tightly held onto Yang Lanhang, excitedly mentioning wanting a pink lock. However, upon removing the blindfold, Bai Lingling found herself in the Huaihai Biotech laboratory, recognizing the familiar smell of the place.

Disappointed, she accused Yang Lanhang of using their date as a ruse for overtime work. Yang Lanhang then activated a remote control, revealing a slowly emerging natural Moissanite. He explained that he obtained the initial seed while studying in Europe and spent considerable time replicating its extreme growth environment to cultivate this uniquely high-quality gem.

He highlighted its exceptional purity, surpassing diamonds, and stated that this one-of-a-kind gem was cultivated by his own hands, specifically for her, to be set in a ring. Bai Lingling, assuming it was a proposal, named the gem "Linglan," a combination of their names, and playfully suggested he let her name their future children too. Yang Lanhang chuckled, clarifying it wasn't a proposal yet because the gem grew too slowly, only gaining one carat every six months.

He teased her about being "eager," to which she denied, agreeing that the gem was currently too small and needed more time to grow. Upon returning home, Bai Lingling shared her satisfaction with Yang Lanhang's surprise with Guan Xiaoyu, emphasizing that the surprise was within her comfort zone and she was very happy. Guan Xiaoyu, however, expressed her preference for public proposals, finding the sense of happiness greatly magnified when witnessed by many.

She recounted past embarrassing public declarations, stressing that a truly good romance is one that the individual likes. She then asked Bai Lingling to convey her preference for public proposals to Ouyang Yifan, through Yang Lanhang. Despite this, Guan Xiaoyu adamantly stated that she only wanted to date and would "never, ever, ever, get married," calling marriage "the tomb of relationships." Meanwhile, Ouyang Yifan learned that Yang Lanhang was cultivating a gem for a ring.

Feeling challenged, he immediately resolved to act first and began searching for engagement rings online. He stumbled upon a brand that advertised a unique policy: a man could only customize one ring throughout his lifetime, intended for his one true love. Just then, his brother, Ouyang, knocked on the door. Ouyang Yifan, engrossed in his search, asked Ouyang to come in and help him choose a ring, proudly showing him the online options and the exclusive customization policy.

Ouyang liked one of the choices, affirming, "This is it." Yang Lanhang took a special leave to accompany Ouyang Yifan to a jewelry store to buy an engagement ring. Bai Lingling promptly shared this news with Guan Xiaoyu, who, delighted, began to meticulously prepare herself to "refuse" Ouyang Yifan, making sure she looked her best for the occasion.

At the store, Ouyang Yifan inquired about a specific simple luxury ring from their "Love Line" collection, aware of the store's policy that a man could only purchase one engagement ring in his lifetime as a symbol of his sole true love. However, the sales assistant informed him that they could not sell him the ring because he had already customized one over two weeks prior, which had been picked up that very morning.

Surprised, Ouyang Yifan denied having made any previous purchase. Yang Lanhang then suggested it might have been Ouyang, his brother. Upon showing a photo of Ouyang, the sales assistant confirmed that it was indeed Ouyang who had made the prior purchase. Meanwhile, at the airport, Cui Jing waited for Ouyang, but he never appeared for her flight. Ouyang, holding the diamond ring, watched her plane ascend, feeling a profound sense of sadness.

Suddenly, Cui Jing's voice came from behind him; she had changed her flight and urged him to speak if he had something to say. Ouyang silently presented the diamond ring. Disappointed by his continued silence, Cui Jing turned to leave. Panicked, Ouyang finally managed to utter, "I love you." Tears welled up in Cui Jing's eyes.

Ouyang confessed that he had always believed life was a solitary journey, never expecting anyone to truly understand him, until he met Cui Jing, who could read his every glance and emotion. He explained that the DR diamond ring could only be customized once in a lifetime for one's sole true love, and if she didn't want it, he would discard it, knowing he would never meet anyone who understood him as she did.

Cui Jing, deeply moved, remarked that she had never heard him speak so many words, feeling as if she were dreaming, and that his words meant more than just "I love you." Ouyang tenderly promised to speak more often if she wished. Cui Jing embraced him tightly, and at that moment, the bracelet on her wrist vibrated. She chuckled, saying it was the bracelet that made her stay. She then realized her luggage had already been checked.

Ouyang assured her his luggage was also checked, adding that while she always followed him before, this time it was his turn to follow her. He then placed the ring on her finger. Guan Xiaoyu waited all day for a proposal that never materialized, growing silently frustrated. Bai Lingling, witnessing her friend's mood, quickly called Yang Lanhang to inquire about the situation. She relayed Guan Xiaoyu's frustration, mentioning she had been waiting since noon.

By the time Bai Lingling emerged, Guan Xiaoyu was nowhere to be found. Meanwhile, Ouyang Yifan, having been unable to purchase a ring due to the unique customization policy and his brother's prior purchase, returned to the store with his ID card and household register, hoping to prove he was a separate individual. However, the sales assistant maintained that he was the same person in their system.

She explained that the rings on display were merely samples, and all engagement rings required a 15 to 20-day customization period. Reluctantly, Ouyang Yifan placed an order, asking if it could be expedited, and had to put his proposal plans on hold. Guan Xiaoyu, having sought out Ouyang Yifan, angrily confronted him, calling him "a pig" for not proposing simply because he couldn't get a ring immediately.

Ouyang Yifan, stubbornly reaffirmed his stance that he only wished to date and would "never step into the tomb of marriage." With a pout, Guan Xiaoyu then produced a ring, turned to Ouyang Yifan, and proposed to him herself. The happy couple shared sweet laughter in the evening breeze. Bai Lingling visited her grandma, who was enthusiastically rehearsing lines for a New Year's party program.

Bai Lingling mentioned that Ouyang Yifan had finally acquired his diamond ring and was planning a dream proposal for Guan Xiaoyu. Her grandma was overjoyed at the news of Yang Lanhang's supposed proposal to Bai Lingling, though Bai Lingling corrected her. Later, Guan Xiaoyu was still upset about Ouyang Yifan's slow pace in getting the ring, blaming his dilly-dallying for the delay in their wedding.

Ouyang Yifan tried to appease her by offering her sweet dumplings, but then the dining room lights suddenly went out. As Guan Xiaoyu looked around, she saw numerous phones displaying video calls from their friends and family, arranged amidst romantic string lights. Ouyang Yifan then put on music and began to dance for her. Tears of joy welled up in Guan Xiaoyu's eyes. Ouyang Yifan confessed that he knew she had always dreamed of a proposal witnessed by many.

With their friends and family now watching online, he knelt on one knee and earnestly asked Guan Xiaoyu to marry him. Calls of "Say yes!" erupted from the video screens, and the loving couple embraced tightly. They were joined by a friend nicknamed "Moustache" who also appeared on one of the video calls.

As Zhang Yian was preparing to travel to his mother-in-law's home for the New Year, he received news on his phone that Wuhan had declared a lockdown due to the epidemic that very morning. Concurrently, Yang Lanhang's mother was also making urgent arrangements for her company to implement strict disinfection protocols and, if necessary, suspend business operations to prioritize customer safety. Yang Lanhang and Bai Lingling, en route to the hospital, encountered Qingyi returning with his luggage.

Tearfully, Qingyi explained that Wuhan's lockdown meant he couldn't go home, having originally planned to visit. He then decided to stay in the lab, viewing it as his 'Polkino's Autumn' to gain inspiration, similar to Pushkin's productive period during a plague. In the lab, Bai Lingling proposed that, given the shortage of medical supplies, they should begin researching a new type of protective suit material.

This material would enhance moisture-wicking properties and be reusable, thereby reducing medical costs and addressing the supply deficit. Yang Lanhang suggested a collaborative research effort between their lab and Huaihai University. Zhang Yian informed everyone that his wife understood the gravity of the situation, so he would forgo visiting his mother-in-law for the New Year. Just then, Ouyang and Cui Jing arrived back at the lab.

They explained that they had immediately bought tickets to return to their country after seeing the news. With all the young researchers now assembled, they donned their white coats, ready to dedicate themselves to the front lines of scientific research for the benefit of humanity.