我和Nobelium的这些年 第10章 Chapter 10

After Jiang Qiyu joined the group, a few brief exchanges were made and it was decided to meet in person on Friday evening at “Let’s Hot Pot” which is located in the city centre.

The balcony they were in was named “MONK”.

Fuyu: Junior, you're too polite!

Wang Nuo: What a coincidence, we ate at this place the last time we met.

Lu Zi: I'm more curious about who came up with the name of this room…

Lin Er: Having hot pot, truly indulging in hot pot, it's always about eating hot pot.

Lin Er: Earth-shattering, this year I've achieved hot pot freedom.

Fuyu: Nuo dreamt of going to 'have hot pot' last night.

Fuyu: When I woke up this morning, I bit my arm thinking it was a beef ball.

With that, a picture was sent showing Nuo's teeth marks on Yu’s arm.

Wang Nuo: Yu, shut up!

Lu Zi: I'm imagining some inappropriate scenes.

Lin Er: More confident. It's not about imagining, it's the reality.

Qiyu was in a meeting with the client in the conference room, and glanced at his phone screen, seemingly influenced by the lively atmosphere in the group chat.

Jiang Qiyu: I came up with it.

Fuyu: ???

Fuyu: !!!

Then, Yu shared a screenshot of the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System, showing the enterprise information related to "Let’s Hot Pot."

Lin’er: I forgot to mention... he is the owner of this hot pot restaurant.

Wang Nuo: Interesting.

Jiang Qiyu: Thank you all for your support.

Fuyu: Is it too late for me to start an MBA in business now...

Lu Zi: Yu, the legalization of same-sex marriage still relies on your efforts!

In each "Let’s Hot Pot", there is a private room not open to the public, used by the owners to entertain important clients and friends.

When Zi and Lin’er entered the "Monk" private room, Yu and Nuo were already there.

The two of them sipped freshly brewed Jin Jun Mei tea from teacups.

" Nuo, aren't you the head of the family? Why do I feel like you're being influenced by Yu?"

"Because I am genuinely curious," Nuo said in a casual tone, sipping his tea, his clear black eyes shimmering with curiosity and a rare gossip mentality.

"There's nothing wrong with being influenced by me." Yu raised an eyebrow, placing her hand on the back of Nuo's chair, continuing to look at Zi playfully, "It seems that you young guys have never heard: old couples grow to resemble each other more."

In the midst of their chatting, Qiyu walked in with a small package in hand, along with a rolled-up document.

All four of them looked towards the door.

"Sorry for being late." Ignoring the meaningful glances from the four pairs of eyes, Qiyu first approached Zi, "Here."

When entering, she noticed that Qiyu was carrying the egg and milk that he used to comfort her in her childhood.

Yep, he is her neighbouring brother in her childhood,

The local egg and milk shop near their home was a chain in the local dairy industry, and over the years, they had expanded their business nationwide.

"Just picked it up on the way." Qiyu took off his coat and hung it on the rack, tucking the contract he carried into the pocket of his coat.

"Oh..." Zi nodded, "Thank you, Brother... I mean Brother Aqi."

Though Zi's voice was not loud, in the current quiet of the private room, the words "Brother Aqi" clearly reached everyone's ears.

Qiyu habitually patted Zi's head, and pulled out a chair to his right, but did not sit down.

"Jiang Qiyu." Qiyu greeted Fuyu, who was sitting on the other side, in a business-like manner.

"Fuyu." Yu put away her playful demeanour, mirroring Qiyu's refined appearance, and shook hands, "Zi sometimes makes people worry."

"Used to it." Sensing the underlying meaning of the words, Qiyu subtly smiled, "The little girl has always loved it."

Qiyu politely greeted Nuo as well before adding, "During my studies, I heard stories about the seniors from the Law Department at University A."

"Yu, you're behind on the news. Their stories are still circulating at University C," Lin’er remarked.

"Why only at University C?" Yu questioned.

"Nuo, the little prince of the Mathematics Department. Excellent grades, good appearance, great popularity, and a fantastic reputation precede him as an academic genius. Isn't that normal?" Zi counted on his fingers, listing off each point.

"Very reasonable."

"My dear, everything about him is great."

Seeing Nuo's teacup empty, Yu naturally poured him a new cup of tea before continuing, "As we journey through this world, our legends remain. This feeling is quite marvellous."

"After your post, there are still people online following your updates." Lin’er held her chopsticks, tapping the empty bowl, and said, "You might not be aware, but people frequently message the 'I AM' team inquiring about your current situation."

After their last post, Yu and Nuo never logged into their 'I AM' accounts again, nor did they contemplate that people would still care about them.

Yu gives off an air of being aloof, aside from using a social media account for work purposes, his phone lacks unnecessary social apps. Nuo either.

Both of them are usually busy with work, and in their spare time, they prefer to avoid unnecessary virtual noise.

Lin’er had never mentioned this before, Yu and Nuo evidently had not thought that even after so many years, people would still be interested in them due to a single post.

"Let's chat while we eat." The hotpot started to simmer, and Qiuyu was the first to place a plate of potatoes into the pot.

The warmth from the hotpot brought a sense of camaraderie, connecting certain paths in life.

Lin’er and Zi act as companions. Most of the time, Qiuyu and Yu engage in discussions about wedding planning, with Yu seeking Nuo's opinion. Eventually, their conversation shifted to work matters, and it seems to have developed into a potential collaboration.

During this time, Lin’er, Zi, and Nuo took a break outside, leaving space for the other two men who were engrossed in their conversation, to have a smoke.

Zi stared at Nuo, and asked, "Little Prince, let me ask you a question. Why did you want to become a math teacher?"

Nuo was surprised by Zi's question.

When he decided to forgo further research and delve into teaching, many thought he was crazy, but hardly anyone asked him why he made that choice.

"Did you feel underutilized? Or did you not find it worthwhile?" Nuo smiled gently and openly.

From big data to the internet, finance, quantum computing, blockchain... Mathematics is prevalent in various fields, and it seemed more promising to pursue any of those than becoming a high school math teacher.

Shaking her head, Zi said, "Having two friends suddenly become teachers piqued my curiosity."

The other friend mentioned was Jiang Qiuyu.

"When I was selected for the math competition class in high school, my math teacher's first question to us was: Why mathematics?" Nuo glanced at Zi and Lin’er's puzzled expressions and continued, "I had the same expression when I heard that question."

"We offered many answers, but none matched what he wanted to hear. In the year 2007 or 2008, data wasn't a trend yet, but he told us: Our lives are becoming increasingly data-driven, and the foundation of this data stems from mathematics. However, many forget about another aspect of mathematics - the individual imagination and life philosophy under meticulous logical reasoning. This answer made me realize why I love mathematics. It was at that moment I decided I wanted to be a math teacher, not only to teach them how to tackle exams but also to guide them in discovering the creativity within mathematics and the principles missing from our educational system. Like many other subjects, mathematics is a fascinating field."

It was not an easy decision, but when Nuo spoke, his eyes sparkled with rational and emotional thoughts.

It's truly hard not to be moved by this man who combines incredibly rational logical thinking with deep sensitivity.

In a previous post, Yu revealed when Nuo came out to his family, Yu hesitated. After all, Nuo was someone he led down a different path, but this thought vanished instantly as Nuo asked him whether he had decided to stay on the GAY path or return to be a straight iron man. Yu could vividly remember the expression on Nuo's face at that moment – faint, yet unable to conceal the underlying sadness, almost as if saying, "Yu, how can you lack confidence in me like this?"

Nuo seldom showed surprise and looked at Zi and then at Lin Er on the side. He spoke, "A similar question arose a few years ago, I recall you asking Yu."

Lin’er nodded in agreement. It was on a day after becoming acquainted with Yu that she had asked him, to which Fu Yu replied, "Since he has been gay, there is no reason to let him go be straight."

Nuo had only recently learned of Lin’er's distress. Although he hadn't experienced what Lin’er had gone through, he felt that over the years spent with Yu, he had gained some insights. These emotions were akin to why he had chosen to become a math teacher without hesitation.

"Love is a peculiar thing. Some people like, but it remains just that, a liking; while for some, once they like, it seems that person is the only one for them in this lifetime." Nuo put his hands in his pockets, his gaze seemingly drifting afar, "Lin’er, do you remember the passage in that post where Yu wrote about my episode with the girl named Zou Dan? ”

“I feel like you must have been quite similar to that girl." Nuo continued, "Life always finds a way to bluntly remind you that 'reality itself is more cruel and yet better than you imagine.' You've been on 'I AM' for so long, that all the posts shared there, regardless of any linguistic artistry applied, may lead to different outcomes. Yu and I, apart from the blessings from our ancestors, in this ideal intimate relationship, we both share a 'growth belief' that believing in each other's continuous efforts is key and not having regrets is more important."

They met while parted ways, but no longer harbour regrets, as they gave their all.