Wen Yao crossed her arms and turned to look at Jiang Shuyi.

"In terms of checking the data for your thesis, it's something you should do yourself. I'm just your advisor, I don't manage your defense committee or grading." Wen Yao stated.

"However, overall, the biggest reason you're extending your time in school is due to your own lack of ability."

"Choosing a major is about selecting based on your learning ability, adaptability, and suitability. I've said before that you really are not suited for this."

". . ." Jiang Shuyi lowered her head.

Although she was self-aware, hearing Wen Yao say it this way still felt discouraging. She actually thought her thesis was decent and felt there were classmates who wrote worse than her. But the reality was that she didn't pass.

Wen Yao glanced at Jiang Shuyi and started tidying up the wardrobe in front of her.

"Do you have any plans for what you want to do in the future?"

". . ." Jiang Shuyi looked at Wen Yao and began to put her books into the suitcase. "I want to marry you."

Wen Yao paused for a moment as she reached for something.

After a few seconds, she turned to Jiang Shuyi seriously, "I am discussing serious matters with you."

Jiang Shuyi looked at her innocently, "I am serious."

Wen Yao gave Jiang Shuyi a helpless glance. "I was asking about your future career path. What do you want to do in the future?"

"If you put it that way, I actually have a lot of interests, but I don't know which one suits me..." Jiang Shuyi trailed off.

"However, I do have a goal." Jiang Shuyi said as she rested her head on Wen Yao's shoulder.

Wen Yao lowered her head to look at Jiang Shuyi's hand and gently asked, "What goal is that?"

Jiang Shuyi hugged Wen Yao tightly, as if envisioning the future, and somewhat embarrassedly said, "I want to become someone worthy of you."

". . ." Wen Yao silently looked at their shadows leaning together. After a while, she lowered her voice and said, "You, you really love to dream."

Jiang Shuyi leaned her head towards Wen Yao's face. "This isn't just dreaming."

". . ."

"Are you laughing at me again?" Jiang Shuyi looked at Wen Yao, somewhat annoyed. "I'm being serious..."

---

After leaving the teaching building, Wen Yao arrived at the parking lot. She meticulously adjusted her seat, preparing to start the engine.

Xiao Jiayu hurried over, holding some documents.

He was dressed in a sharp suit, his hair impeccably combed.

"Wait, Professor Wen," Xiao Jiayu smiled at Wen Yao, "I want to discuss the personnel issues for the upcoming conference with you."

Wen Yao slowly raised her head. "Which conference are you referring to?"

"The one in September, in Chicago."

"I'm free before 7:30." Wen Yao said, checking her watch as usual.

Xiao Jiayu smiled warmly. "How about this? I was planning to have dinner with Teacher Chen and the others, but since Teacher Chen can't make it, I've reserved a private room at Qinghai Pavilion. Why don't we go together? We can discuss things while we eat."

Glancing at his watch, Xiao Jiayu added, "Hmm, there's still some time before 7:30. You haven't eaten yet, right, Professor?"

Wen Yao didn't particularly like discussing work over dinner as it could be distracting and lacked credibility. However, after considering some things, she agreed. 

"Then let's go now." she said, starting the engine.

"Of course, Professor, as long as you're satisfied, we can leave whenever you want." Xiao Jiayu said, smiling thoughtfully at Wen Yao's already started car.

Looking at Wen Yao, Xiao Jiayu asked, "Professor Wen, should I drive my own car or come with you?"

"Hmm, I remember you have a car as well. It would be inconvenient to go back home later, wouldn't it?" Wen Yao started the engine, showing no intention of giving Xiao Jiayu a ride.

—It was obvious the professor had no plans to drink.

". . ."

Xiao Jiayu nodded with a smile. "Alright then."

Their cars drove one after the other and parked in the parking lot at the entrance of Qinghai Pavilion.

"Professor Wen, I'll go inform the reception first. You can take your time parking." Xiao Jiayu said before parking his car and entering Qinghai Pavilion.

Wen Yao glanced at the sign of Qinghai Pavilion. She was not unfamiliar with this restaurant, as the flavors were mild.

Although she didn't particularly like eating out, their research group often came here for gatherings.

As she approached the reception, Wen Yao saw Xiao Jiayu talking to someone.

"Are you out to dinner with your girlfriend?" Xiao Jiayu asked the person across from him with a smile.

Wen Yao felt a bit irritated as she glanced at the person talking to Xiao Jiayu.

"Professor Xiao, let's go." Wen Yao called out to him.

"...Ah," Xiao Jiayu turned his head, smiling. "Have you parked your car?"

Jiang Shuyi looked at her, nodding respectfully and greeted, her eyes somewhat evasive, "Hello, Professor..."

Wen Yao recalled Jiang Shuyi's inappropriate weeping expression from yesterday, hesitating to speak.

"Hello, Professor Wen." Lin Siyun also followed Jiang Shuyi in greeting her.

". . ." Wen Yao nodded, not saying anything else, "Hello."

"You two enjoy your meal. Professor Wen and I will head up first." Xiao Jiayu said as he and Wen Yao walked into the private room.

The dishes were already ordered in the private room.

". . ." Wen Yao sat silently across from Xiao Jiayu.

"Professor Wen, are you feeling unwell today?" Xiao Jiayu helped her to a bowl of soup.

"No," Wen Yao quietly replied, "Let's finish discussing the matters of the conference first."

After discussing for a while and finalizing this year's composition, Xiao Jiayu took out the menu and asked, "Professor Wen, is there anything specific you'd like to eat?"

"No." Wen Yao shook her head.

"I remember there are many dishes here that you like, Professor." Xiao Jiayu picked up a dish and put it in her bowl.

Wen Yao glanced at Xiao Jiayu without responding, "I wanted to ask about the review of graduation theses."

Xiao Jiayu nodded, "Please go ahead."

"This year, one student in my research group did not pass the thesis review. I noticed that among the three reviewers, only your evaluation was marked as unsatisfactory."

Wen Yao lowered her gaze and spoke slowly.

Chewing his food, Xiao Jiayu raised his head, ". . ."

Wen Yao looked at him, seemingly asking with her eyes why he wasn't responding.

"Ah, I'm sorry, I didn't expect Professor Wen to also care about the grades of your own students."

He seemed somewhat surprised, looking at Wen Yao with a genuine expression of astonishment on his usually gentlemanly face.

Wen Yao remained silent.

Xiao Jiayu scratched his eyebrow, nodded, and continued, "Although I know she is your student, the topic of her thesis has recently yielded new results within the association. Therefore, the previous data can be considered outdated. I believe my grading based on this information is justified. It's important to keep abreast of current events related to the topic chosen."

Wen Yao quietly wiped her hands with a tissue.

"Professor Xiao, undergraduate thesis grading doesn't need to be so strict. The part concerning the latest data can be suggested for revision, allowing the student to resubmit later. This isn't considered a mistake, just an oversight."

". . ." Xiao Jiayu's face showed surprise for the second time.

He set down his chopsticks, took a sip of tea, nodded slowly, "Well, since Professor Wen has said so, I will discuss the specific situation with other teachers again."

The two remained silent for a while after that.

Xiao Jiayu rubbed his chin, pondering for a moment,

"Speaking of which, Jiang Shuyi and you, Professor, are completely opposite in character, right?"

He glanced meaningfully at Wen Yao.

"When I was reading the thesis, I felt that student didn't seem like your typical student, a bit careless."

Wen Yao took a slow sip of tea, "If all students were like me, I wouldn't need to be a professor."

"What I mean is, you care quite a bit about this student. I see a more human side to Professor Wen."

Xiao Jiayu glanced at Wen Yao, then smiled very politely.

Wen Yao looked at the tea cup in front of her, her tone steady, "Because if a student fails to graduate, it's also the responsibility of the advisor."

"This reflects inadequate guidance from the advisor, which can also affect my personal judgment." Wen Yao said coldly.

"Inadequate guidance, huh, she—" Xiao Jiayu seemed ready to ask more.

"Professor Xiao, there isn't much time left. Is there anything else you want to discuss?" Wen Yao looked at her watch.

". . ." Xiao Jiayu checked his watch, "Then let's change the topic. Are you still unwilling to consider dating me with marriage as the goal?"

He said it so casually, as if he were asking whether they wanted to have breakfast together the next morning.

"Sorry," Wen Yao said lightly as she stood up. "I know myself well."

"I'm just not suited to build a family with anyone."

---

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