IP Chapter 45.1

Incurable Pain | Chapter 45.1

It turns out that in one’s youth, one really shouldn’t encounter too stunning individuals or have too unforgettable memories, otherwise it could really derail one’s entire life.

After all, Bai Xunyin wasn’t someone who was willing to settle.

After a brief moment of shock, she looked at Sheng Jianian, who was close at hand, and forced a smile, calmly nodding, “Sorry, I need to use the restroom.”

Without waiting for anyone to ask anything, Bai Xunyin turned around and briskly walked towards the restroom around the corner.

Sheng Jianian watched as the woman in the white lab coat walked away with brisk steps, her delicate figure disappearing around the corner. A hint of curiosity flashed in his eyes.

“Sister Na,” he took a sip of wine, saying with interest, “the campus belle is truly even more stunning in person, living up to her reputation.”

In fact, although he said so, he had already seen Bai Xunyin more than once.

From the time he entered his freshman year, he had heard of this famous campus belle in academic circles, knowing she was the number one figure frequently seen in the library.

Coincidentally, he also fell in love with that place, the library.

However, although Sheng Jianian was confident from childhood to adulthood, whenever he inadvertently caught sight of Bai Xunyin’s beautiful face with its “no trespa.s.sing” sign, he always felt a bit hesitant to approach.

Bai Xunyin was like an unattainable snow lotus on a high mountain, beautiful but distant.

Until he accidentally learned that his acquaintance, Senior Chen Zhi, happened to have a girlfriend who was Bai Xunyin’s roommate, did he feel he had a chance. He subtly hinted to Zhao Na about wanting a girlfriend, leading to this introduction.

Unfortunately, before they could formally meet and get to know each other, he could already sense the paleness and indifference on Bai Xunyin’s face.

“Um, Jianian, let’s sit first,” Zhao Na, noticing Bai Xunyin’s changing expression, frowned slightly with concern.

She called her boyfriend and Sheng Jianian to sit down, then went to the restroom to find Bai Xunyin.

Just as Zhao Na turned around, she saw the girl she thought was in the stall standing in front of the sink. Her face, once thought to be in the glow of the yellowish light, was now pale to the point of transparency, continuously washing her hands with cold water.

Zhao Na couldn’t help but be stunned.

She had been roommates with Bai Xunyin for six years. Except for when she appeared noticeably thin and haggard during their junior year due to her obvious obsession with the library, this was the second time she had seen this expression on her face — it was as if she were afraid of something, yet also numb to something.

“Yin, are you okay?” Zhao Na asked tentatively.

Bai Xunyin shook her head and said softly, “Sister Na, I’m fine. I’m going back first. Thank you for the good intentions in introducing me, but I don’t think it’s quite appropriate.”

Just a glance and it’s not appropriate? 

Zhao Na was stunned. Before she could offer any words of persuasion, Bai Xunyin had already taken out two hundred yuan from her wallet and handed it to her, considering it as payment for occupying a seat tonight.

With a smile, Bai Xunyin left the “turbulent” place without hesitation.

The resemblance between Sheng Jianian and Yu Luoyin had already made her hesitate.

Only then did Bai Xunyin realize that her “cultivation” was still not enough. If she were calm enough, she should have been able to greet Sheng Jianian properly.

But clearly, she couldn’t.

This realization made Bai Xunyin feel restless when she saw Sheng Jianian approaching her in the library a few days later, trying to strike up a conversation.

“Senior,” Sheng Jianian sat opposite her, his hands propped up under his chin, smiling with narrowed eyes. 

“What a coincidence to meet here. Last time we didn’t get a chance to talk, and Sister Na said you had something to do.”

Bai Xunyin closed her book, lightly pushing up the gla.s.ses on the bridge of her nose, “Coincidentally, I’ve seen you in the library at least three times.”

Sheng Jianian’s smile froze on his face.

Bai Xunyin, with her “straight-talking woman” demeanor, asked, “What’s up?”

“Senior, you’re so cool,” Sheng Jianian said after a moment of bewilderment, then couldn’t help but laugh, looking genuinely happy. 

“I feel like I really like you.”

Bai Xunyin paused, her fingertips rubbing the corner of the book page. After a moment, she calmly looked up, her tea-colored eyes looking at Sheng Jianian.

“Sorry,” she said bluntly. 

“I don’t like you.”

“Senior, you’re rejecting me too quickly,” Sheng Jianian, not discouraged, a twenty-something young man full of youthful vigor, looked a bit naive as he tried to argue. 

“We haven’t even spent time together, how do you know it’s not suitable? How about we be friends first?”

“I don’t have time,” Bai Xunyin said.

“Why don’t you have time?” Sheng Jianian raised an eyebrow.

“I’ve earned my master’s degree and want to continue studying for a Ph.D.,” Bai Xunyin replied matter-of-factly. 

“I have to study, find a Ph.D. supervisor, and write papers. Do you think I have time to make friends?”

…

Sheng Jianian couldn’t help but be speechless, staring blankly at the clearly beautiful and vibrant, slender and delicate woman before him, who was actually determined and stubborn inside.

To him, Bai Xunyin was already a “woman.”

At this moment, Sheng Jianian vaguely understood why some busybodies always said things like “girls studying too much is not good.” 

He used to think it was a decadent and corrupt ideology, but now he felt… studying too much would turn a girl into a “strong woman,” making her cold and rigid, with no time even for love.

Sheng Jianian couldn’t help but ask somewhat dejectedly, “Senior, do you not have time for love, or do you not want to be in a relationship with me?”

He was a bit unclear which of these two would make him feel more defeated.

Bai Xunyin smiled faintly, “Is there a difference?”

She said as she packed up her books, put on the coat hanging behind her chair, and left. 

“Sorry, my supervisor wants to see me. I’m leaving first.”

March in the north was not a time for “spring blossoms,” as the cold air still pervaded everywhere. Even a breath of air outside felt slightly frosty.

Bai Xunyin walked on campus, adjusting her wool coat around her. She still felt cold.

It wasn’t to brush off Sheng Jianian. Her thesis advisor had sent her a message yesterday, asking her to come to his office in the morning. Bai Xunyin guessed it was probably about the doctoral thesis application.

Bai Xunyin didn’t understand social conventions much, but remembering what Zhao Na had told her about giving something to your advisor when you visit, she picked up a fancy-looking fruit basket when pa.s.sing by a fruit shop.

In her two years of graduate school, Professor Sun had helped her a lot, whether it was with research topics, publishing papers, or some good projects to earn money. He had been very dedicated.

And Professor Sun didn’t smoke, drink, or accept money. Apart from buying some fruit, Bai Xunyin really didn’t know what else to buy.

But just this one fruit basket seemed to make the honest old professor a little unhappy.

“What are you buying?” Professor Sun, with his thin figure, glared at Bai Xunyin. 

“What’s the point of being so formal with me?”

“Teacher, you know I’m a bit ‘stubborn,"” Bai Xunyin smiled. “Buying fruit for you isn’t because you’re my teacher, it’s because I respect you as a senior.”

That’s it.

Her words were touching, and naturally, Professor Sun couldn’t refuse.

After exchanging a few words, Professor Sun got to the point.

“I’ve read your thesis, and there’s nothing wrong with it, but you should know that with your grades and abilities, exams are just a formality for you,” Professor Sun said with a smile of satisfaction. 

“The most important thing is the recommendation from a teacher. Your ‘abnormal’ diligence in school these past few years has made you quite famous. Many old folks are vying to take you under their wing.”

Bai Xunyin was startled, realizing that this was the main reason Professor Sun had called her over today.

“Professor,” she smiled modestly and shyly, “are you considering recommending a teacher for me?”

“Otherwise, what do you think?” 

As teachers, there’s nothing more pride-inducing than outstanding students. Bai Xunyin had been Professor Sun’s pride these past two years, a ‘good seedling’ he had put all his effort into nurturing.

He took a sip of tea and pulled out a piece of paper from his drawer, handing it to Bai Xunyin. 

“I’ve already written the recommendation letter for you. This professor, he’s a good friend of mine in my teaching career. Under his guidance, countless elites have emerged.”

Bai Xunyin looked down at the black words on the white paper, slightly stunned.

Because the professor Professor Sun recommended for her was none other than the renowned Professor Li Chengfeng. This professor’s existence was plastered all over the internal network of every school, and countless students sought his guidance and job opportunities every year. 

Professor Sun could actually secure a spot with Li Chengfeng? But…

“It was over ten years ago, I taught at Lan University for two years. That’s when I met Old Li.” Professor Sun didn’t notice Bai Xunyin’s surprise and continued to reminisce with emotion, as if sighing over the pa.s.sing of time — 

“We were both physicists, with similar interests. During those two years at Lan University, there were endless things to talk about. This Professor Li I’m recommending to you, Old Li, he’s beyond reproach. He’s extremely professional and his research direction aligns perfectly with yours. If he’s willing to take you as a student, it would be a perfect match.”

But Professor Li belonged to Lan University.

Bai Xunyin hesitated as she toyed with the corner of the paper. 

“Professor, I…”

“But I rarely recommend students to him. Old Li won’t disrespect me, and he was quite satisfied after seeing your grades and resume. You know, our school’s master’s students only need to study for two years, while other schools typically require three. But he saw your articles and said that even though you haven’t reached the two-year graduation mark yet, your writing is already more mature than that of students who’ve been studying for three years.”

Professor Sun looked quite proud of this, leaving Bai Xunyin at a loss for words.

“Besides, I remember you’re from Linlan University, right? That’s perfect, you can go back home to study.” 

Professor Sun looked at Bai Xunyin with admiration and a hint of reluctance, “Xiao Bai, you’re truly an excellent student, and what’s even rarer is your dedication to academia, single-minded and focused. I hope you’ll continue down this path of studying and research — do you understand?”

For a moment, she couldn’t bring herself to say anything about wanting to continue staying at the current school or not wanting to return to Lan University temporarily.

Only a fool wouldn’t understand how rare the opportunity to have Professor Li Chengfeng as a Ph.D. advisor was, its value no less than a down payment on a house in the city center.

For her, Professor Sun’s recommendation was like a pie falling from the sky.

As one grows older, they should understand how important it is to live pragmatically.

So Bai Xunyin pursed her lips and thanked him gratefully, “Professor Sun, thank you very much.”

“No need to thank me. Ultimately, I’m just playing the role of a matchmaker. You should thank yourself for your efforts. Go back and get ready,” Professor Sun said with a smile, waving his hand without any intention of taking credit. 

“But you don’t need to rush over so soon, you need to prepare for exams. Both the exams and the interview with Professor Li will take place at Lan University. You’ve been here for many years, right? You probably have a lot of things to sort out. Take about half a month to prepare.”