Chapter 51

The dorm was stuffy and dark, and Du Ruo slumped, dazed, in her chair.
She was exhausted, humiliated, furious, wronged, heartsick, every feeling faded to numbness.
Her mind was empty, blank as a slate.
It was like they’d jumped into this relationship without thinking it through at all.
She hated him, but ached for him too. Her tears slipped out silently. She cried until sweat soaked her shirt, rubbed her eyes dry, then turned to her laptop and searched: Boyfriend,
Typing those three letters for “boyfriend” made her heart thud.
Boyfriend. Jing Ming was her boyfriend.
It was a strange, delicate feeling.
It always seemed unreal, and yet, it was real. He was her boyfriend, no question.
She snapped out of it, back to typing: Boyfriend’s birthday, what gift should I buy?
Watches, ties, Zippo lighters, wallets, Swiss Army knives, razors, shirts, shoes…
Watches were out of budget, she had zero confidence in her taste for clothes, and he didn’t smoke. Swiss Army knife? Didn’t feel right. After scrolling through options for ages, she decided she’d just have to try a few malls in person and see what she could find.
She shut her laptop, heart finally settling a little.
Slumped over her desk, she picked at its edge, glanced at her phone, picked a little more, then took a deep breath and hit call.
“Brrr... Brrr... Brrr...”
No answer.
She hesitated, then shot off a text: “Happy birthday.”
Sent. Then she headed off for a shower.
When she got back, her phone screen was glowing. She wiped her wet hands on her shirt and dashed to the desk, only to see it was just messages from the dorm group chat.
Jing Ming hadn’t replied.
The emptiness pulled tight inside her. She stood there for a moment, dazed, before drifting over to the mirror. Maybe it was the fresh shower, but she looked a little better than she did in the afternoon: delicate brows, dark eyes, a high nose and small lips, still kind of cute, actually.
She climbed into bed, pulled up the group chat, and saw Qiu Yuchen showing off, the roses Li Wei just gave her.
Xia Nan: “Special occasion or what?”
Qiu Yuchen, smug: “Nah, nothing special. He just saw roses, thought of me, so he bought them.”
He Huanhuan: “Are you kidding me? I think I’ve got a cavity!”
Du Ruo couldn’t imagine Li Wei acting so different in a relationship. It was...weirdly cute.
The group exploded, Huanhuan badgering Yunchen for all the juicy details.
Du Ruo seized the chance: “Do you guys ever fight?”
Qiu Yuchen: “We’ve only been together like three weeks. What would we fight about? Besides, his temper is basically nonexistent, it’d be impossible.”
Fair point.
Du Ruo bit her lip, then after a while asked, “So usually, who texts first?”
Yuchen: “We both do, but it’s mostly me. What can I say, he’s always busy and I’m jobless.”
Du Ruo: “What if you’re always the one reaching out, won’t he stop caring after a while?”
Yuchen: “Girl, where do you get these weird ideas? You’ve never even dated! Read that online or something?”
Du Ruo didn’t reply, just sent a sticker.
“Here’s the thing about relationships: stop asking other people, don’t listen to so-called advice, it’s useless. Every couple’s different. Just enjoy it while you can.”
He Huanhuan: “You know she doesn’t understand a word you just said.”
Du Ruo: “…”
Xia Nan: “Think about school. Remember how tense you were your first week? Now compare that to how chilled out you are these days.”
“...Oh.” Du Ruo mulled it over, kinda got it, kinda didn’t.
Then the topic swung back to Qiu Yuchen, so she dropped it. Four girls chatting into the night, each dozing off with their phones in hand.
Before bed, Du Ruo glanced at her phone, Jing Ming still hadn’t replied.
Next day: August 1st. All the Prime team members returned to campus, ready for round two.
First order of business after regrouping: a team meeting.
Du Ruo headed to the lab early and ran into Jing Ming right outside.
She hesitated, about to try and say something to break the ice, but he just threw her a cold look and strode in.
“…” Du Ruo let out a long, silent sigh and followed him in.
Soon, everyone arrived and the meeting began.
As usual, Du Ruo sat across from him.
He was really committed, didn’t even glance her way, as if she were thin air. But he didn’t bring any extra drama either: just coolly and methodically laid out the new standards and tasks for each group.
After over a year of hard work, Prime’s autonomous car project had all its component systems basically assembled, just needed fine-tuning, performance testing, making sure everything played nice together.
Compared to self-driving racecars, regular autonomous cars were way more complex. Racecars only had to “see” the track, opponents, known obstacles. But city streets? Way messier, lanes, traffic lights, signs, pedestrians, other cars, stray animals...and then there was real life’s infinite distractions: plastic bags blowing past, leaves, rain...
The robot had to tell what was what: stop for people, but not panic at every flying leaf or wrapper.
Thankfully, they’d finished most of the data collection. Now it was all about that final stage, tuning and improvement.
Bottom line: sensor and control groups had it tougher than the execution guys.
“Sensor team: keep filling gaps, keep collecting. Control team, refine your code. Execution team, think about efficiency and speed. In two weeks, Dr. Yan will be visiting. Prepare.” Jing Ming laid out the plan, tapped the table, and said, “That’s it. Go.”
He stood up and left, everyone scattering to their tasks.
Du Ruo glanced at Jing Ming. He ignored her.
He shut her out, so she shut right back down.
He was at fault too, why was she always supposed to be the one to apologize?
Both threw themselves into work. Not a single word exchanged all day.
Come evening, Du Ruo packed up to leave early.
Jing Ming seemed to notice, but didn’t move. Only when she walked out did he look up, the door swung shut, and he dropped his gaze, stone-faced.
Du Ruo headed to the mall and wandered for ages, but nothing truly caught her eye. She hopped subway lines, browsed through a bunch of malls, and just before closing, something tiny and gleaming in the corner of a men’s store window made her pause.
She bent down to examine the delicate little thing inside the case and asked, “What’s this?”
The shop assistant explained.
Du Ruo blinked. “How do you use it?”
The assistant demonstrated, and in a flash, she remembered all those moments catching glimpses of Jing Ming.
“I’ll take this one,” she said, happy. “How much?”
“These ones are three or four hundred, these here are five or six hundred.”
Oof, pricey...For something so small?
Du Ruo fidgeted with her fingers. “What about over there? Those look even nicer.”
“Those are British imports, each one’s got a name. Different patterns, different prices, anywhere from eight hundred to a thousand.”
She glanced at both displays, inched closer, and picked out a patterned one, asking softly, “How much is this one?”
“You’ve got sharp taste. That’s the priciest, one thousand.”
Du Ruo stared at the little trinket, silent for a tense ten seconds. “Does it have a name?”
“King’s Cross.”
“King’s Cross,” she murmured, trying it out on her tongue.
The assistant had already guessed she was a student. “Victoria’s lovely too, eight hundred. Or honestly, you don’t have to spend that much, the three or four hundred range has similar looks. See?”
It was no contest.
She gave the case another look, shook her head. “I’ll stick with King’s Cross.” She bit her lip. “Can I do half cash, half card?”
“Of course.” The assistant took it out and boxed it up beautifully. “Gift wrap?”
“Yeah. Thank you.”
“Such a thoughtful gift, bet it’s for your boyfriend, huh?”
Du Ruo blushed. “Uh-huh.”
“Lucky guy.”
Late at night, Du Ruo sat on the bus clutching the tiny box, turning it over in her hands, a flutter of excitement warming her chest. But every time she pictured Jing Ming’s frosty face, the thrill faded a little.
She tucked the box into her backpack and turned to the neon-lit cityscape outside.
For a while after, they still didn’t speak.
Lab life got busy, and Jing Ming left her alone. He was all focus, all work, barely distracted. She was the same, tweaking sensors, modeling data, refusing to let personal drama interfere.
One time when she ran into an obstacle, she actually went to ask him for help, a bit of a peace offering. He, however, didn’t so much as glance her way, just snatched the blueprints, scribbled a fix, shoved them back and carried on, silent from start to finish.
Du Ruo could’ve choked from sheer frustration.
After that, anything that needed his input, she just dumped on Li Wei or Wan Zi’ang. If she absolutely had to coordinate, she’d talk to He Wang, refusing to say a word to Jing Ming directly.
She was done putting up with his highness.
Even when he said nothing, a single raised brow or smug curve of his lips was enough to make her blood boil with outrage.
Can’t win, so she’d rather retreat.
A whole week ticked by, without a word between them.
One evening, heading out for dinner, Du Ruo ran into Yi Kun at the elevators.
He looked exactly the same as ever, ice-cold, unreadable, nodded curtly at her greeting.
She didn’t have much to say either, awkwardly waiting on her phone for the elevator to come.
Suddenly he asked, “Heard from Li Qinghe you’re doing pretty well in Prime.”
“...Yeah. It’s been good,” Du Ruo said, ducking her head.
“Keep it up,” Yi Kun said.
“...Mm.” She looked up at the ceiling.
Elevator doors slid open, Jing Ming walked in right then. All three filed inside, in stony silence.
The doors shut.
Du Ruo’s scalp prickled.
The three of them stood, perfectly spaced in a tense triangle, Yi Kun and Jing Ming wouldn’t even look at each other; Jing Ming and Du Ruo, ditto. Utter battlefield vibes.
As the elevator descended, not a soul spoke.
Du Ruo stared into space, face set in hopeless despair.
Ground floor. Both guys strode out at the same time, neither giving an inch.
Du Ruo trailed out behind, forcing herself along.
Outside the lab building, Yi Kun turned to look at her. “See you.”
“Bye, senior!” she waved.
When she turned around, Jing Ming was already gone.
She stared at his retreating figure, the frustration inside her only intensifying. Night after night she turned over, restless, while he seemed not to care at all. The unfairness festered in her chest, heavy and unshakable.
Jing Ming, for his part, wasn’t having an easy time either.
That first night, caught in his annoyance, he’d ignored her, and then when she didn’t come and explain herself, he got even more pissed. By the time they were both locked into silent war, his pride wouldn’t let him give in first.
He was so bitter he could choke. Sometimes he regretted not talking things through that night; occasionally he almost said a word to her, but when he saw her waltzing around every day, utterly unbothered, running her life just fine, it only tied the knots in his heart tighter, and made him dig in his heels harder.
Any more of this, he was sure she’d be the death of him.
He stormed back to the dorm at top speed, scowling the whole way, only to hit a surprise at the door. Li Qinghe was standing there, hand in hand with a girl, the two of them laughing and whispering.
Jing Ming walked into the dorm building and looked back, just in time to see them share a kiss.
Jing Ming: “…”
Back in his dorm, he was completely thrown. Was Li Qinghe two-timing?
No, that couldn’t be right, Du Ruo was meant to be his, only his.
Then he remembered Li Wei had Li Qinghe on his WeChat. Without another word, he snatched the phone and scrolled through, sure enough, over two months ago, there was a photo Li Qinghe had posted with his girlfriend.
And right beneath, Du Ruo’s exclamation: “Oh my god! You two are finally together! Owe me dinner, owe me dinner!”
Jing Ming went blank. In that instant, all his internal storm clouds vanished, only to be replaced with silence as he remembered that night and the stupid things he’d said to spite her. Suddenly, he had a terrible thought: maybe Du Ruo would never speak to him again.
…
That night, Du Ruo didn’t go to the lab. She headed to the library to hunt for references, working straight through until nearly ten-thirty, then started the walk home through the tree-lined paths in the dark.
Even in August, Beijing felt like a furnace.
She walked along, tugging at her collar for a little breeze. With nothing to distract her, her thoughts drifted, straight to Jing Ming. Instantly, her annoyance bubbled up again.
She had no clue what to do anymore,
If it kept going like this… would they… break up?
That idea stopped her short, gave her a jolt and a prick at her nose.
She took a deep breath and tilted her head back to look at the sky.
Halfway down the path, she suddenly spotted something small up ahead, its outline vaguely familiar. While she was trying to place it, the little thing started approaching her.
Fizz, fizz, fizz.
Eva came toddling up on her stubby legs, arms swinging as she ran.
Du Ruo was stunned, glancing around but spotting no human owner. She quickly hurried over, crouching to rub Eva's smooth little head as she looked around. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to get you!” Eva’s huge eyes swiveled and she cocked her head, voice soft and sweet. “You’re a difficult girl, you know that? Always such a temper!”
“…” Du Ruo’s forehead ticked. “Whose temper?”
Eva didn’t answer that, just tilted her head even more, her voice syrupy-sweet: “Aw, don’t be angry, okay? I’m sorry. Forgive me?”
Du Ruo blinked, caught completely off guard, and turned bright red. She straightened up fast, looming over the little bot. “Are you playing games with me?”
Fizz.
Eva’s head tilted up, big eyes sparkling at her, but “playing games” didn’t compute. So, she just went for maximum cuteness, tilting her head adorably once more.
“That’s too hard,” she flapped her arms. “I don’t understand!”
This is cheating, Du Ruo thought, feeling her resolve crumble at the cute overload. She glanced around again, no sign of Jing Ming anywhere.
She told Eva, “I’m leaving, okay?”
“Will you take me home? Please?” Eva shuffled close and latched onto Du Ruo’s sneaker laces, giving her best sad puppy shake.
Du Ruo: “Why not get him to pick you up?”
As soon as she spoke, Eva released her grip, lowered her head, and looked utterly downtrodden.
Du Ruo’s heart melted instantly. She hurriedly crouched again, gently patting Eva’s head.
Once again, Eva tilted her head, voice as soft as ever. “Oh no, my battery’s out…”
The next second, the lights in Eva’s big eyes faded to black. Fizz. Her head and arms drooped, sleep mode.
Du Ruo: “…”
This… is emotional blackmail!
She stood there, dumbfounded for a full minute, then silent for another thirty seconds. Finally, the warm night breeze ruffling her hair, she sighed, pulled out her phone, and texted Jing Ming: “Where are you?”
Instant reply: “Track.”
Du Ruo pocketed her phone, carefully scooped up Eva, brushed the dust from her little feet, and headed toward the track.
It was summer break, deep into the night, the place was deserted.
Jing Ming, in a plain white T-shirt, stood out easily in the stands.
She climbed the stands. He stood up as she approached, his face neutral but eyes quietly sweeping her up and down.
She puffed out her cheeks and looked away, cradling Eva with careful hands, delivering her like a priceless treasure, cautious and full of worry.
He smiled ever so faintly, but just for Eva.
He’d barely taken the robot when she turned to leave. “Returned safe and sound. I’m going home.”
He caught her immediately, set Eva on a seat, and, face tinged with red, murmured, “So… did she tell you everything?”
“So manipulative!” She tossed her head, indignant. “You really thought sending Eva to apologize would, ”
He cut her off, lips finding hers in the softest of kisses. Then he just looked at her, quietly searching her face.
She blushed bright crimson, frowning. “Don’t think just because you sent Eva, ”
He leaned in again, claiming her lips with a deeper kiss, his gaze intense.
“You think a few kisses, ”
He kissed her again.
“Enough with the kissing!”
He cradled her face in both hands, capturing her mouth in a long, slow kiss, gentle and lingering. She let out a muffled sound, grabbed his hand, and stood tiptoe, every nerve ending thrumming.
He savored her lips, relishing every soft, sweet gasp, kissing her again and again until he finally swept her into a fierce embrace.
She was still furious, so she stomped on his foot. Twice, just to be sure.
Jing Ming took it, rubbing his chin on her hair and whispering low by her ear, “Ruo-chun, I missed you like crazy these days.”
“Ruo-chun…” The soft, lilting Beijinger accent colored his words.
She froze, went all soft, and all her anger disappeared. After a beat, she wrapped her arms around his waist.
“I was wrong,” he said, voice gentle. “I’m the only one who matches you. Only me.”
She pouted, eyes misty, murmuring into his chest, “It’s not like I didn’t care. I even looked up Leo, you know? I thought you meant my star sign, so I seriously checked every analysis out there, and none of them mentioned the month. If you’d just said outright, how could I have forgotten? And I’ve never liked anyone else, never! You totally wronged me!”
“My fault, baby. Don’t cry.” He heard the wobble in her voice and grew anxious, turning her face toward him to check.
“I’m not crying,” she grumbled, rubbing away the trace of tears on his shirt.
He cupped her cheeks, peering down. “So you’re not mad anymore? Hmm?”
She wasn’t the type to hold a grudge, so she turned away, let a few seconds pass, and changed the subject: “How long did you wait for me?”
“Not long. I kept an eye out a bit at the library.”
“Look at you, sending Eva on a mission,” she said, patting Eva’s head. “Is she really out of battery?”
“Dead as a doornail.”
He scooped up Eva, grabbed her hand, and they walked off the stands together.
Once they left the track, he finally let go. They meandered slowly in the direction of her dorm.
She asked, “Lab closed for the night?”
“Yeah.” He knew what she was getting at. “We’re on track. No rush.”
“Old Yan arrives in a couple days, yeah?”
“The day after tomorrow.”
They chatted about the lab, and as her dorm drew near, she slowed, unzipped her bag, and pulled out a small box for him.
With one arm full of comatose Eva, Jing Ming accepted the box. “What’s this?”
“Birthday present… I’ve kept it for ages, the wrapping’s kind of crumpled.”
Jing Ming’s mouth opened in silent astonishment.
“Just a little something. Open it when you’re back. Don’t drop Eva, okay?” she whispered, cheeks pink, before rushing into the dorm.
He stood there for a moment, dazed.
And then he shot off in a dash back to the dorm.
Like a gust of wind, he raced inside, gently put Eva down, and immediately tore open the little box. Nestled on a bed of black velvet, a pair of cufflinks gleamed, a crystalline blue-white swirl of stone, glowing softly in the lamp light.
He held the cufflinks in both hands, turning them over, completely smitten. As he stared, a huge silly grin took over his face, he almost burst out laughing.
Li Wei came in to find him sitting at his desk, one fist carefully held, the other pressed to his nose, head bowed in silent chuckles that shook his shoulders.
“You’ve lost it?” Li Wei asked.
Jing Ming stifled his laughter, clearing his throat twice. “Nothing.”
He tucked the cufflinks back into the box, careful as could be.
Li Wei caught a glimpse and teased, “Buying more cufflinks? Haven’t you got enough to wear a different pair every day? Jeez, these little things cost tens of thousands. Seriously, your rich kid world is beyond me.”
Jing Ming just smiled quietly, tucking the box away before stashing it in his locker.
Du Ruo finished her nighttime routine and climbed into bed. She’d barely settled before her phone chimed with a new message.
Jing Ming: “Are you asleep?”
“Not yet.”
“What are you up to?”
“Getting ready for bed. You?”
“Me too,” he said. “Good night.” Added a kiss for good measure.
“Night!” She sent a kiss right back.
She curled up on her bed, staring at their chat, feeling flushed and giddy.
Ugh, summer break.
She locked her phone, rolled over, and took a deep breath.
That cufflink must have cost her almost every penny she had, shouldn’t look cheap at all. He’d be able to wear it with pride, right?
The fan swept waves of air over her, puffing out her pajamas, then letting them fall.
She lay in the dark for a while, lips curled in a secret smile.