Back then, when Jiang Cheng learned he was going to marry Lu Linjiang, he was so overjoyed that he tossed his university acceptance letter straight into the trash. What could be more important than marrying the man who had been the sunlight in his heart since childhood? However, reality eventually dealt him a brutal blow.
The first thing he did after leaving Lu Linjiang was pick his books back up. Fortunately, although he had spent four years as a stay-at-home husband, he had never truly abandoned his field of study. He managed to register for the very last round of exams and returned to school. Before graduation, a recommendation allowed him to test into Tao Minxing’s program; that was only a little over a year ago.
Truthfully, if one were to pick any random person from Tao Minxing’s research institute, their seniority and credentials would likely far exceed his own. Jiang Cheng had wasted four years and couldn't compare to those who had pursued their studies continuously; his only edge was that he worked hard enough. But in an institute under Tao Minxing, who among them didn't possess both talent and diligence?
Yet for this conference, Tao Minxing had brought Jiang Langmin—the "Senior Brother" whom the professor had always admired—and Luo Jia, an assistant who had been by his side for over a decade. The final spot, however, had gone to Jiang Cheng, who had been at the institute for barely a year.
It wasn't just the others; even Jiang Cheng found it inconceivable. He kept wondering if there had been some mistake, and right up until the moment they departed, he had been prepared to be replaced at any time. Yet, he had followed the team all the way back to Jinghai. Just as he was struggling to understand why he was so lucky, the truth finally began to emerge. Tao Minxing had seemingly bumped into him by chance in the buffet area, and as they brushed past each other, the professor instructed him to come to his room at midnight.
Jiang Cheng, who had been debating whether to have noodles or rice, was a half-step slow to react. When he finally processed the request, he mocked himself inwardly, thinking he was like Sun Wukong meeting the Bodhi Patriarch for secret teachings. He never expected that what Tao Minxing told him in the middle of the night would nearly scare him to death.
Someone in the institute had falsified the data!
Jiang Cheng immediately understood Tao Minxing’s intent—what could be more terrifying than tampering with experimental data? Scientists spend their lives pursuing the truth, and that truth is built upon the data of every single experiment. Now that the data was compromised, forget the truth; the reputation and status accumulated over a lifetime would likely cease to exist.
Tao Minxing seemed to have exhausted all his strength just telling Jiang Cheng about the problem. The professor, whose health had always been good, had turned deathly pale.
"The objective reality of data is the foundation of all research..." Tao Minxing said slowly, clutching his chest. "Regrettably, our institute has set foot on a path of no return."
A terrifying silence fell over the room. For a moment, Jiang Cheng thought he was dreaming. It wasn't until the air conditioner suddenly kicked in with a hiss that he snapped back to his senses.
"Why?" Jiang Cheng couldn't understand. The Hughes Institute had been operating for years with achievements obvious to all. Countless people fought for a chance to get in, whether to sacrifice themselves for science or to secure a future career; Hughes was a point of pride for everyone involved.
And yet, someone within it was attempting to drag it down from its pedestal?
Tao Minxing took a sip of water, then pulled a handkerchief from his pocket to cover his mouth as he sneezed several times. His health had seemed poor ever since they landed; his cold was worsening, and he had even received an injection.
Tao Minxing murmured an apology. He folded the handkerchief and used a clean corner to wipe his eyes. "I'm sorry. The motive is unclear, but you understand—no matter the motive, the consequences are catastrophic."
"There are not many people I can trust; you are one of them." Tao Minxing picked up the cup on the table, his hands trembling slightly. "And I... I am to blame."
Jiang Cheng suddenly felt a chill. Understanding the implication but still hoping he was wrong, he asked, "How much?"
Tao Minxing’s head bowed. When he looked up again, tears were actually shimmering in the eyes of this usually wise old man. "All of it."
In that moment, the world went completely silent.
Jiang Cheng couldn't remember how he had returned to his room; he only knew that his hands and feet had remained ice-cold.
***
Xu Sichen and Tang Hua followed silently behind Lu Linjiang, the two of them constantly exchanging wordless glances. Between them stood Yang Bo, who understood nothing at all and watched his two seniors making eyes at each other as if they were competing in a grimace contest.
Ultimately, Xu Sichen proved more patient. Tang Hua gave in and was pushed forward to test the waters. "Captain Lu, should we... stay out of this one?"
Lu Linjiang paused and looked back at him. "Stay out of what? The autopsy report isn't even out yet. Besides, I’ve been divorced for three years. What of it?"
Tang Hua could hear the brewing storm in those last few words. He immediately shut his mouth and retreated silently to Xu Sichen’s side. With perfect synchronization, the two of them shrugged.
"Tang Hua, keep an eye on Guo Junyi. Get me the autopsy report the second it's ready."
"Xu Sichen, look into Tao Minxing’s other records, including this research conference and his institute."
"Yes, sir!"
Lu Linjiang’s pace suddenly halted. He turned slightly and looked down at Xu Sichen. "How long did the surveillance show Jiang Cheng stayed there?"
Xu Sichen’s heart skipped a beat. Lu Linjiang had clearly asked Jiang Cheng about the duration of his stay just moments ago... She looked at Lu Linjiang skeptically. The light was hitting his face, but he seemed completely oblivious to his subordinate's obvious doubt, his eyes fixed on her like a hawk.
"Ten minutes." Despite the weirdness of the situation, Xu Sichen immediately regained her professional composure. "I specifically checked the time when he entered: 12:00:05. He left at 12:11:00."
"Eleven minutes? Did he go back?"
"No." After hesitating several times, Xu Sichen finally asked cautiously, "Boss, you don't actually suspect Jiang Cheng, do you?"
"Evidence is the key." No emotion could be read on Lu Linjiang’s face. Given his habitual lack of expression, it was impossible to discern anything beyond his usual stoicism. However, his eyes were always exceptionally bright—so bright that anyone looking directly into them felt an inexplicable sense of guilt.
Staring into those eyes now, Xu Sichen’s palms began to sweat.
Xu Sichen and Tang Hua had been Lu Linjiang’s partners for a long time; he knew exactly what they were thinking. "The next time something like this happens, I expect you to speak plainly beforehand. There is no name that cannot be mentioned in my presence."
Xu Sichen sniffled and nodded.
Lu Linjiang didn't get home until nearly seven o'clock. He ran into the housekeeper, who reminded him that the groceries in the fridge had been replaced, the receipts were on the table, and the laundry was in the wash... Lu Linjiang’s sharp aura was nowhere to be seen; facing the talkative woman, he could only nod mechanically. It wasn't until she finally clocked out and closed the door that the apartment returned to silence.
"Silence" didn't quite describe it; in fact, one could almost hear a pin drop. Lu Linjiang’s private life was incredibly simple. The layout of the entire apartment was practically cleaner than his face—not a single redundant item in sight.
He poured himself a glass of water and sat down at the dining table. After a long day of work, Lu Linjiang had no desire to poison his stomach with another bowl of instant noodles.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 家庭煮夫 | House husband | A male version of "housewife" (家庭主妇). |
| 孙悟空 | Sun Wukong | The Monkey King from *Journey to the West*. |
| 菩提祖师 | Bodhi Patriarch | The immortal who taught Sun Wukong his powers in secret at night. |
| 修斯研究所 | Hughes Institute | The research organization Professor Tao belongs to. |
| 姜朗旻 | Jiang Langmin | A senior researcher under Professor Tao. |
| 珞珈 | Luo Jia | Professor Tao's long-time assistant. |
| 大师兄 | Senior Brother | A term of respect for the most senior student/disciple. |
| 郭俊毅 | Guo Junyi | Likely the medical examiner/coroner. |
| 杨博 | Yang Bo | A junior member of Lu Linjiang's team. |
