When Zhao Bufan walked into the research institute with a cup of coffee in hand, Xiao Liu from the archive room shouted inside, "Professor Wu, your apprentice is here again!"
Wu Ju poked his head out of his office and smiled at Zhao Bufan. "Good morning."
"Good morning, Professor Wu!" Zhao Bufan rushed over quickly and stuffed a cup of tea into his hand. "This is your favorite Tengshan Cloud Mist Tea. I queued for ages to buy it!"
Wu Ju was suddenly holding a cup of hot tea. The sudden warmth in his palm made him feel a bit dazed.
He glanced at Zhao Bufan instinctively. Her nose was red from the cold, and the smile in her eyes was a bit dazzling. All of a sudden, he felt a bit shy to look her in the eye.
Did Zhao Bufan really like him?
Wu Ju was still a bit confused about this. He always thought that Zhao Bufan was just into scientific research and took advantage of her connection with Wu Pengpeng to become the apprentice of the most renowned astronomy professor in Yun Country.
He was very satisfied with Zhao Bufan as his apprentice. She was hard - working and good at thinking. She could always finish reading the books on the reading lists he provided on time. Although her book reports needed his guidance, she wrote them very seriously.
He was extremely proud of her and believed that he could train her to become the most outstanding female scientist in Yun Country.
One day, after a seminar, several big - name scholars were chatting in the meeting room about their assistants.
Wu Ju proudly said that his little apprentice would achieve great things in the future as she was deeply in love with scientific research.
His colleague, Professor Song, laughed on the spot. "Is that what Xiao Zhao is into? Scientific research?"
Hearing his doubt about Zhao Bufan's love for scientific research, Wu Ju was immediately unhappy. His little apprentice worked so hard. How could she be casually doubted?
Rarely showing a cold expression, he said, "I think she is very dedicated to scientific research. There aren't many young people as hard - working and motivated as her these days."
Professor Song saw that Wu Ju was protective of his apprentice. He shook his head with a smile. "Xiao Wu, what really catches that girl's attention is not scientific research."
Wu Ju was a bit annoyed by Professor Song's mysteriousness. He said in an unfriendly tone, "If it's not scientific research, what could it be? Could it be that she comes here just for the instant coffee in our research institute?"
Professor Song realized that his colleague was really slow when it came to matters of the heart. It would be a long - term task for Xiao Zhao to win over this blockhead!
Out of concern for the young people, he kindly woke Wu Ju up. "She is interested in you. That girl likes you."
Wu Ju was utterly stunned. "No way. How could she like me? She likes..."
"Space?" Professor Song interrupted him with a smile. "If she didn't like you, why would a young, beautiful girl with her own career come to the research institute every day for five years?"
Wu Ju was shocked and at a loss.
From that day on, he couldn't help but start observing Zhao Bufan.
She still came to the research institute every day without fail, just like before. Sometimes when she went on business trips, she would even call to ask for leave, as if she was really coming to work.
Could such a serious and motivated person really be here just for love?
Wu Ju thought it was unbelievable. He twirled the teacup in his hand and casually asked, "Do you find the books on the reading list I gave you interesting?"
Zhao Bufan's face stiffened. Was he going to give her another reading list? She was already sick of reading, but in order to win over her Mr. Right, she couldn't back down!
"Interesting!" Zhao Bufan forced a sincere smile. "I've learned a lot after reading them!"
She gritted her teeth, ready for Wu Ju to give her another long reading list. However, Wu Ju just gave her a deep look and then went back to work with the teacup in his hand.
After that day, Wu Ju didn't give Zhao Bufan any more reading lists. Zhao Bufan didn't know what she had done wrong to make her god - like crush angry. She was nervous every day.
She carefully thought over what she had done to Wu Ju in the past few years and thought that maybe Wu Ju had discovered her feelings for him, which made him angry and thus he deliberately kept his distance from her.
In order not to make Wu Ju dislike her, Zhao Bufan tried not to get too close to him. When she was free, she would chat with Wang Renjun, who was also idle, to kill time.
Wang Renjun was a rich second - generation who was interested in studying celestial bodies. He was handsome and humorous.
Zhao Bufan thought this guy was quite interesting. Instead of inheriting his huge family business, he came here to study the universe.
All in all, like her, he was a bit crazy.
Maybe like attracts like. Zhao Bufan always felt closer to him than to others. The two of them would eat and chat together when they were free. Occasionally, they would discuss the mysteries of the universe - mainly Wang Renjun would discuss with her, and she would just listen and then go to discuss with Wu Ju.
Zhao Bufan thought they were like - minded friends. However, Wang Renjun secretly developed feelings for her.
One day when they were chatting in the tea - making room, Wang Renjun suddenly confessed his love to her. He said that he had fallen in love with her at first sight at a business summit two years ago and that he had come to the research institute because of her.
Zhao Bufan was shocked. After thinking about it carefully, she found it ridiculous.
At the business summit two years ago, she had confronted an old - fashioned senior in the industry. Could it be that he had fallen in love with her just because of her toughness?
"Zhao Bufan, I really like you. I'm willing to become the person you like for you," Wang Renjun said tenderly.
Zhao Bufan felt her scalp tingle. "Well, Xiao Wang, we're not suitable."
"What's not suitable?" Wang Renjun said eagerly. "Tell me what's not suitable and I'll change it!"
Zhao Bufan thought for a while and said seriously, "Nothing is suitable. Look at our names together, 'Fan Ren'. It sounds annoying. Even if we were together by force, it wouldn't last long."
She didn't even bother to make up a serious reason. Wang Renjun was angry and sad. "It's because of Wu Ju, isn't it?"
Zhao Bufan didn't deny it. "Yes. So don't waste your time on me. I won't choose anyone but him."
Her words blocked all his ways. Wang Renjun roared unwillingly, "I'm young, handsome, and rich. What am I inferior to him?"
Zhao Bufan looked helpless. "If you can ask such a question, you're already inferior to him."
Wang Renjun grabbed her arm. "Zhao Bufan, I've chased you all the way to the research institute. Can't you just take a look at me?"
Just as Zhao Bufan was about to break free, a cold male voice came from behind. "Zhao Bufan, have you finished your book report?"
She turned around and saw Wu Ju standing at the door with a cup in his hand. His cold eyes fell on the arm that Wang Renjun was holding.
She quickly shook off Wang Renjun's hand. "Not yet."
Wu Ju said coldly, "Then why don't you come and write it quickly!"
"Okay." Seeing that he seemed a bit angry, Zhao Bufan thought self - consciously that he was jealous. She happily ran over and pretended to be very distressed. "But I don't know how to write it!"
Wu Ju sighed helplessly. "I'll teach you."
Looking at his helpless expression, Zhao Bufan thought that she was one step closer to success.
However, before Zhao Bufan could stride towards victory, she received some bad news.
The research institute had hired an astronomer from the United States, Sheng Ruxue. It was said that this female professor was Wu Ju's first love. They had studied in the United States together back then. After graduation, Sheng Ruxue had been hired by the US Astronomical Bureau with a high salary and had stayed in the United States, while Wu Ju had returned to Yun Country.
A pair of lovers had separated. Wu Ju had devoted all his energy to the scientific research cause of his motherland and had never been in a relationship again.
When Zhao Bufan heard this news, besides being sad, she felt more heart - ache.
He must have been deeply hurt back then, which was why he hadn't been able to get out of that relationship for more than twenty years.
Now that the woman was back, she wondered if he would be happy.
She was afraid that he would be happy because his happiness had nothing to do with her. She might not even have the qualification to accompany him.
She was even more afraid that he wouldn't be happy. If even that woman couldn't make him happy, she didn't know what could.
Zhao Bufan carefully observed Wu Ju's reaction. He was the same as usual, and there was no sign of anything unusual in his behavior.
She had to pretend that she knew nothing and nervously accompanied him.
One morning when she arrived at the research institute, she found that everyone was looking at her in a strange way. Their eyes would quickly shift away when they met hers.
She walked to Wu Ju's office door in bewilderment. From afar, she heard Wu Ju say, "Why did you come back suddenly?"
"I missed you!" The female voice replied with a smile. "Are you happy that I'm back?"
Zhao Bufan didn't dare to listen to Wu Ju's answer. She turned around and quickly fled the scene.
So she didn't hear that after Sheng Ruxue asked that question, Wu Ju said coldly, "Professor Sheng, we're just colleagues."
Sheng Ruxue looked at his cold expression. Her eyes dimmed. "Wu Ju, I want to get married. Are you still willing to marry me?"
Wu Ju looked at her expressionlessly. "Sorry, you're too late."
Sheng Ruxue was silent for a while before forcing a smile. "Is it your little apprentice?"
"Yes." Wu Ju glanced at the time. Usually, Zhao Bufan would have been here by this time. He wondered why she wasn't here today.
He took out his phone and walked out of the office to call Zhao Bufan. She was on the phone.
A few minutes later, he called again. She was still on the phone.
He frowned and muttered, "Who is she talking to for so long?"
At this moment, Wu Pengpeng, who was putting the child to sleep, sneezed because of her uncle's muttering. She could still hear Zhao Bufan's sobs in her ear.
"... I can't be your third aunt anymore. Someone else is going to be your third aunt... Wu Pengpeng, don't mention your third aunt in front of me, or I'll break off our friendship with you!"
She cried so loudly that it startled the just - asleep little friend, He Tiantian. He opened his eyes suddenly. Wu Pengpeng quickly patted him and asked in a low voice, "Fanfan, where are you?"
Zhao Bufan sobbed for a long time. "I'm in a bar."
She said in a self - abandoning way, "I'm going to get drunk. Whoever gets me drunk today, I'll go home with them!"
On the surface, she seemed very unrestrained. She spent a lot of money to treat everyone to drinks. Whoever made her happy today, she would take them home.
Later, everyone got excited while drinking and started playing games to liven things up. Those who lost had to either kiss someone present or drink a glass of wine.
Zhao Bufan lost more than a dozen rounds in a row and always chose to drink. Her eyes were red from drinking.
Finally, the young handsome guy next to her couldn't stand it anymore and tried to help her out. "Sister Fan, how about I kiss you?"
Zhao Bufan suddenly leaned back to avoid his kiss and picked up the glass. "I'd rather drink!"
Before she could tilt her head and drink it all in one gulp, the glass was snatched away and placed heavily on the table.
Zhao Bufan raised her head groggily and saw Wu Ju looking at her with a cold face.
Suddenly, she felt so wronged. What kind of misery was this? She couldn't even get drunk without seeing his hallucination.
Tears rolled down her face. She pointed at the "hallucination" in front of her and cried loudly, "Wu Ju, you're so bullying! What's wrong with me having a drink? Even a hallucination has to come out and bully me!"
She angrily waved her hands around, trying to disperse the hallucination in front of her, but her hand was caught by a warm one.
Zhao Bufan was immediately stunned and hiccupped from holding back her sobs.
Wu Ju was amused by her silly look. He squatted in front of her and asked, "Why are you here instead of going to work during the day?"
Hearing his tone as if he was scolding a child, Zhao Bufan suddenly got angry.
She violently shook off Wu Ju's hand. "Who do you think you are to control me? I've read tens of millions of words of thick books and written more than a hundred thousand words of book reports. Did I do all this just to find a teacher for myself? I..."
Before she could finish her words, Wu Ju grabbed her wrist and pulled it down, then kissed her. All her grievances disappeared instantly.
It was a gentle kiss. Wu Ju quickly let go of her and asked with a smile, "Can I control you now?"