Rebirth: Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Part 117：A Chance Encounter at Huaqing

After climbing Mount Lingwu, Jiang Fan and Chu Ruoxi returned to Huqing University by car.

After dinner, the two of them strolled hand in hand around the campus of Huaqing University.

As they passed by the No. 3 teaching building, they happened to run into the esteemed Professor Qiao.

When Professor Qiao saw Jiang Fan, he paused for a moment, then glanced at Chu Ruoxi by his side. It seemed as though he understood something, and a smile spread across his face.

"Jiang Fan, you're something! The semester's barely started, and you've already found yourself a girlfriend!"

"Uncle Qiao, we were already in a relationship before university," Jiang Fan replied.

"Oh, so it's early romance, huh?" Professor Qiao teased, chuckling.

Jiang Fan felt a slight blush rise to his face at the comment.

Beside him, Chu Ruoxi looked at Professor Qiao with a sense of familiarity. It took her a while before she recalled who he was.

Wait... isn't this the renowned academic, Professor Qiao from their university?

She had heard him speak at the university's opening ceremony. Some of the senior students had mentioned that Professor Qiao had received the National Lifetime Achievement Award and, together with Long Lao from Dragon Science University, was considered one of the pillars of the scientific community in Dragon Country.

Long Lao, of course, was Jiang Fan's mentor, whom she had met before. But Professor Qiao was one of Huqing University's very own distinguished figures.

How could Jiang Fan know someone like him so well?

And it seemed they were quite familiar with each other too!

Chu Ruoxi couldn't help but notice how mysterious Jiang Fan seemed, as everyone he knew appeared to be someone influential in the scientific world.

However, she didn't dwell on it too much—after all, what she liked was Jiang Fan himself.

With a bright smile, Chu Ruoxi greeted Professor Qiao warmly.

"Good evening, Professor Qiao!"

Professor Qiao blinked, clearly surprised, and looked at her. "Oh? Do you know me?"

"I heard your speech at the opening ceremony," Chu Ruoxi replied.

"Ah, you're a student at Huqing University?" Professor Qiao asked.

"Yes," Chu Ruoxi nodded.

Upon hearing her answer, Professor Qiao felt a pang of regret. Back when he was competing with Long Lao for Jiang Fan, why hadn't he thought of approaching Jiang Fan's girlfriend?

Now that she was studying at Huqing University, all he had to do was convince her to persuade Jiang Fan to come here. That would have been easy!

Then, he would have been Jiang Fan's teacher, and Long Lao would have no say in the matter!

What a mistake—one mistake led to another!

Seeing the look of regret on Professor Qiao's face, Jiang Fan couldn't help but ask, "Uncle Qiao, what's wrong?"

Professor Qiao glanced at Jiang Fan and said with a knowing smile, "You're quite the secretive one, huh!"

Jiang Fan didn't understand what he meant, but didn't dwell on it, instead replying, "Uncle Qiao, if there's nothing else, we should be going."

"Where's the rush? Aren't you going to introduce me to your girlfriend?" Professor Qiao teased.

Jiang Fan suddenly realized what he had forgotten. He turned to Chu Ruoxi and said, "This is Chu Ruoxi."