57

With a sip of Lei Zhengyang's offered tea, the master-disciple bond was sealed.

"Zhengyang, you're my final disciple," Academician Wang Liangeng declared. "Study diligently and don't betray everyone's hopes. These notes are my years of research insights—take them, study them. If you're stuck, check the library, ask your senior brothers, or better yet, puzzle it out yourself. On X-matter, I'll verify your claims. We'll discuss once I have results."

"Though I've taken you as a student, you'll mostly self-study. Next time, I'll get you an access pass for free entry. Zhengyang, this talk has taught me plenty. Come back often, understand?"

Zhengyang nodded. "Don't worry, Teacher, I will."

Dropping the antimatter theory was a calculated move, decided after researching Wang's work the previous night. Zhengyang knew scientists like Wang—and his own father—lived for breakthroughs, toiling tirelessly for results. Antimatter was a global race; leading it meant more than fame—it was a lifelong dream fulfilled, a legacy to die for. Wang was cut from the same cloth.

Xu Miaoli beamed, overjoyed. A businesswoman fluent in commerce, she was lost in the jargon of physics and chemistry, but Wang drinking her son's tea signaled success. "Academician Wang, Zhengyang's in your hands. If he slacks, call me—I'll sort him out." Truth be told, no matter his faults, she'd never scold him; it was just talk.

"Zhengyang's bright," Wang replied. "I believe he'll soar. I might even ride his coattails someday. Rest easy, Madame Lei."

The room buzzed with cheer. Wang's disciples, though skeptical of Zhengyang's reputation, saw the upside of cozying up to a Lei. Networking had its perks, so they welcomed their new "junior brother" warmly. Only one wasn't thrilled: Ye Qingcheng. A year younger than Zhengyang, she bristled as he called her "Senior Sister" with a teasing lilt. She glared, refusing even a huff, her disdain for this "junior brother" crystal clear.

Zhengyang grinned. "Teacher, you flatter me. I'm eager to learn from my senior brothers—and Senior Sister."

The eldest disciple, in his forties, a Tsinghua grad now in a government ministry, chimed in. "Teacher, congrats on the new disciple! Junior Brother, let's stay in touch. Need help? Just say the word." With the Leis' clout, what couldn't be smoothed over? Zhengyang nodded solemnly. "Absolutely, we'll connect. Oh, Senior Sister Ye, what's your number? Can I ask you for guidance?"

Qingcheng froze. His game was obvious—using mentorship as a pretext to pester her. The senior brother, oblivious, answered, "Junior Sister's number is 139XXXXXXXX. Note it, Junior Brother!"

No one was blind—Zhengyang's interest in Qingcheng was plain. The senior brother played wingman, knowing her icy beauty and Leaf family status were beyond their reach. But Zhengyang? He and Qingcheng seemed a fated pair. Zhengyang dialed, and her phone rang. Her face darkened, but he played dumb. "Thanks, Senior Brother. Senior Sister, I'll be counting on you."

Zhengyang decided then: late-night calls to this haughty, gorgeous Senior Sister would be his "humble inquiries," a perfect retort to her lofty attitude. Like it or not, this "shameless" guy was now her junior brother, with every right to her contact info.

Zhengyang and Xu Miaoli left, armed with a six-month study schedule. Wang's packed days meant lessons were sparse—one or two a month, or ad-hoc when he called. He was more a titular mentor, exactly what Zhengyang needed. Next, he'd gradually introduce his futuristic tech ideas, piquing Wang's interest for validation, pacing it carefully to avoid suspicion.

"Zhengyang, you really burned bridges with Qingcheng," Xu Miaoli teased. "She wouldn't give you her number before, no matter how you begged. Now you've got it—planning to chase her? She didn't look happy."

Xu Miaoli stifled a laugh. Qingcheng, usually poised, was visibly fumed today—her son's doing. No matter who he upset, it proved his prowess. Zhengyang smirked. "Chase her? Nah. But a few late-night calls to bug her? Sure. You know I'm a night owl, Mom."

She burst out laughing, catching his mischief. "Don't go too far, you rascal. Qingcheng's got a legion of suitors—watch out for trouble."

"Trouble?" he scoffed. "Your son fears nothing—especially not that. Life's too smooth? Boring."

Xu Miaoli swatted his arm. "Don't talk nonsense! I'm not old yet, and you're whining about boredom? Need a beating? You need a woman to rein you in. Qingcheng's great—why not pursue her? I'll sweet-talk the Leafs. If that fails, just… make it a done deal. I'll ensure the Leafs won't object."

Zhengyang paled. One scandal with Song Yingfei was enough—he wasn't repeating that. "Mom, relax. Tsinghua's crawling with beauties. By year's end, I'll have a girlfriend. Next year, a grandson for you."

"You said it—no backing out, or you'll regret it," she warned.

Back at Wang's villa, Ye Qingcheng vented. The unscheduled lesson, out of sync with the syllabus, had tipped her off to Wang's plan when Zhengyang appeared. She'd played the villain to block him, only for Wang to accept him. Her efforts? Wasted.

"Teacher, why didn't you hold firm?" she pressed. "Zhengyang's unfit to be your student. With all of us backing you, he wouldn't have dared make a fuss if you refused."

Wang looked up from Zhengyang's equations. "Qingcheng, I called you all here to avoid taking him. It was a favor I couldn't dodge, and you did nothing wrong. But many misjudge Zhengyang. Forget the rest—could a high schooler write these equations?"

The senior brother jumped in. "Teacher's right. We've heard tales of the Lei Third Young Master's debauchery, his playboy ways. But today? He's polite, not a hint of spoiled arrogance."

Another disciple added, "He's nothing like the rumors. No entitled air—just approachable, easy to like. Unless he's faking it."

Wang nodded. "I've spent a lifetime in scholarship, and I've got an eye for people. Zhengyang's not the man of those tales. If he's earnest about learning, why deny him? If these antimatter equations prove correct, he's a prodigy. Qingcheng, you're all from great families—drop your bias against him."

Even her revered mentor defended that rogue. Qingcheng was speechless.