Chen Rui nodded and said seriously, "That’s right, there are still many topics to research in this area. My plan is to focus on some aspects of string theory during my graduate studies... But can you understand the phrase ’time does not exist’?"

Li Younan thought for a moment and said, "Well, there’s not much that I can’t understand."

As a qualified science and engineering guy, Li Younan hadn’t systematically studied theoretical physics courses, but he had a foundation in high school physics and occasionally attended elective courses during university, so understanding these concepts wasn’t difficult.

He used his limited knowledge to chat casually with Chen Rui, feeling gradually surprised. The knowledge and enthusiasm for physics displayed by the girl before him were quite astonishing.

The most interesting thing was that when she talked about some aspects of theoretical physics, her eyes were shining.

Li Younan didn’t feel bored; his interests were broad enough to chime in on any kind of knowledge.

They chatted for a long time until suddenly Chen Rui seemed to realize something, and the conversation abruptly stopped. She looked at Li Younan with some fixed gaze, as if emerging from some state, with a hint of surprise.

Li Younan asked curiously, "What’s up?"

Chen Rui hesitated, feeling a bit embarrassed, and said, "I... I went off on a tangent again. Let’s switch topics."

Li Younan made a slightly strange expression, "Why switch topics so suddenly?"

When Chen Rui heard his words, her expression appeared even more surprised.

But she didn’t explain; she just shook her head and then glanced around, noticing a photo on the desk.

It was a photo taken by Li Younan on his last trip, casually capturing a second-class nationally protected rare plant by the roadside.

Since his mom likes flowers and plants, Li Younan had the photo printed to give her, but had forgotten to hand it over last time and left it on the desk.

Seeing this plant, Chen Rui’s attention was clearly drawn, and she curiously asked, "What is this?"

"It’s a Red Flower Blue Poppy, a species in the poppy family, growing on high-altitude mountain grass slopes and rock crevices. It’s one of the representative species of the Blue Poppy family and a second-class nationally protected plant."

Chen Rui picked it up, studied it carefully, and curiously asked, "Do you usually like researching these plants?"

Li Younan blinked, as the systematic reward he received before made him know such flora well. He could be considered half a botanist, and shamelessly nodded, "Not too bad, I learn a bit in my free time."

Then Li Younan laughed and said, "Because I like going places. Who knows, if I get stuck somewhere remote in the mountains someday, knowing some knowledge helps, as I know which grasses to pick and cook."

Chen Rui was somewhat surprised; this reasoning was... She laughed, put the photo back, and asked Li Younan about travel experiences.

Li Younan’s expertise in that aspect wasn’t particularly rich, but there was still a lot to talk about, especially the trip across Western Sichuan.

Chen Rui listened attentively, and when she heard about the guy insisting on eating poisonous mushrooms despite warnings, she couldn’t help but feel anxious.

Someone knocked lightly outside, and Chen Rui was startled out of her engrossed state. She glanced at the time, realizing she had been in his room for almost an hour.

The door opened, and Chen Rui’s mom looked at the two of them, puzzled, before saying, "Sweety, it’s about time. We need to go."

Chen Rui nodded and stood up, while Li Younan and his mom walked them out.

At the door, Chen Rui hesitated again and asked Li Younan, "Do you have anything tomorrow? I mean, can I come by and hang out with you?"

Chen Rui’s mom looked at her daughter with some surprise when she heard this.

Li Younan casually smiled, "Of course, always welcome."

Chen Rui nodded, her face lighting up with a smile her mom hadn’t seen for a long time, "Let’s go, mom."