Zhao Ying said nothing, just looked at Ning Youguang with eyes full of laughter.

He agreed with Li Qing and felt that Academician Yu would definitely not have been so magnanimous in front of Professor Enoch if he wasn’t utterly confident that his beloved student wouldn’t be poached.

You wouldn’t know it by looking at Ning Youguang, but except for students, graduates, and handymen, she was the youngest one in the entire research institute.

However, due to her excellent performance, she skipped grades while studying and could have been recommended for admission to Peking University. Still, she insisted on taking the college entrance exam for the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and earned qualifications for integrated Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. studies.

Now, she’s not even twenty-eight and already a full professor-level researcher, even mentoring graduate students.

In her daily work, she is steady and composed. On a small scale, she is definitely the most promising successor favored by Teacher Yu; on a larger scale, she is a genius closely watched by the nation.

If such an extraordinarily gifted and highly anticipated student truly got poached by Professor Enoch to the UK, it would be absolutely intolerable. Even if Academician Yu and Professor Enoch were good friends, and no matter how good his temperament, he would still slam the table and curse at Professor Enoch’s face!

Ning Youguang explained, "I told the teacher, if I go abroad to study, it’ll only be Stanford."

"Stanford?" Zhao Ying exclaimed, "Why only Stanford?"

"Because when I was in kindergarten, I said my dream was to get a doctorate." Ning Youguang laughed.

"Didn’t expect your words to come true now." Li Qing immediately laughed.

Zhao Ying chuckled and continued, "Professor Enoch really has good influence internationally and a great reputation at Oxford. He imparts all his knowledge to students, but his standards are high—he’s only impressed by geniuses."

"You’re still so good at complimenting people." Li Qing poured Zhao Ying a cup of aged tangerine pu’er tea.

Zhao Ying’s long fingers stroked the rim of the cup. "I’m just speaking the truth."

Turning his head, he asked Youguang again, "Why only Stanford?"

Ning Youguang chuckled softly, "Because my grandmother was a top student at Stanford. Before she passed away, she said she hoped the girls in our family could attend Stanford too."

"That’s the old generation’s cultural romanticism." Li Qing, after hearing what Ning Youguang said, was filled with admiration and curiosity, asking her, "Is your grandmother also as smart and beautiful as you?"

Ning Youguang nodded in affirmation.

Li Qing asked again, "What about your mom? Is she also talented and attractive?"

At this point in the conversation, she suddenly realized that during their four years at university, Ning Youguang rarely talked about her mother, let alone showed her friends her mother’s photos.

Previously, Ning didn’t mention it; even if they were occasionally curious, it felt inappropriate to ask. Today was the first time she talked about her grandmother, and she couldn’t help but to ask about her mother too.

After all, when university started, the striking beauty and extraordinary demeanor of Ning’s father and brother left a lasting impression on them.

"My mom..." Ning Youguang couldn’t help but laugh, "She’s very beautiful and talented, but her academic performance was so-so."

What kind of answer is that?

So-so academic performance, yet very talented...

Both Li Qing and Zhao Ying showed a hint of confusion in their eyes. Ning Youguang didn’t miss the change in their expressions, and slightly explained, "My mom has great artistic talent."

"Oh, a big beauty in the arts world." Li Qing nodded, "I get it! She seems really impressive."

...

After the meal, since all three drove, they each headed to their own cars to leave.

But before getting in her car, Ning Youguang casually noticed a familiar men’s luxury brand had opened on the first floor of the shopping mall across from the parking lot, so she closed the car door she just opened.

"What’s up?" Li Qing’s car was parked not far from hers.

Zhao Ying’s car was parked further away, and hearing Li Qing’s question, he immediately turned around curiously toward the two of them.

"I want to go across to the mall and buy something." Ning Youguang locked her car again.

"Shopping, huh..." Li Qing hesitated, "What are you buying? If it’s within half an hour, I can accompany you, but if it’s more, I don’t have time."

"I’m not sure how long it will take." Ning Youguang laughed, "You can head back first if you’re in a hurry."

"Alright, I’ll head off then." Li Qing indeed had things to attend to, so she didn’t insist, "Be careful shopping on your own."

"Don’t worry." Ning Youguang waved lightly at Li Qing.

Li Qing got into her car and drove off first.

"Senior." After Li Qing drove away, Ning Youguang turned and saw Zhao Ying looking at her. He smiled, "I’m not in a hurry."

——"If you have a lot to carry, I can help you."

"Thanks, senior." Ning Youguang politely declined Zhao Ying’s offer to accompany her shopping, pointing to the men’s clothing store on the first floor of the mall opposite, "Not much, I just want to check if there are any new arrivals suitable for my boyfriend."

Zhao Ying’s foot, which was about to move, paused at that, then he smiled, "Alright, then I’ll head back first. Let’s meet up again another time."

With that, he turned and left.

...

As Ning Youguang walked out of the Hermès store carrying several bags, she happened to see Ming Jinxin being led towards the store by a young and beautiful girl.

Both of them carried Hermès bags, but Ming Jinxin’s was made of crocodile leather, while the girl’s was regular leather.

The girl sweetly talked to Ming Jinxin, "Ming Chao’s brother’s handsome features and body proportions are unrivaled by ordinary people. Let’s buy him a few more pieces today."

Ming Jinxin wore an elegant smile, "Let’s see what the store has first."

The girl continued sweetly, "When the store sent me messages about new arrivals, I saw their inventory list. This season’s Hermès menswear focuses on black and white earth tones, accented with some macaron colors. The design is youthful, sophisticated, and elegant. Ming Chao’s brother will definitely look great in them..."

Hearing this, Ning Youguang realized that the girl shopping with Ming Jinxin wanted to become her sister-in-law.

With this thought, she stayed put, taking a good look at the girl—

The girl had fair skin and delicate features. Her slightly curled, glossy long hair cascaded past her shoulders. She stood over 1.6 meters tall, neither too tall nor too short, wearing nude pink Chanel haute couture, and matching high heels, exuding a dazzling and proud aura.

Once she had taken in the girl’s appearance and demeanor,

Ning Youguang chuckled softly and greeted Ming Jinxin, "Auntie."

"Youyou." Ming Jinxin, who had been looking at the items on the display shelf, immediately turned around upon hearing the familiar voice, "What brings you here?"

Seeing Ning Youguang brought a bright smile to her face, and she quickened her pace toward her. 1314