Side Story 24: Sweet

Xijing University, Comprehensive Building, Room 306.

This was an undergraduate chapter on thermodynamics and statistical physics.

Under normal circumstances, the attendance rate for this class would be less than 60%, but today, the entire classroom was full.

Occasionally, some students would whisper with excitement on their faces.

The usual teacher for this class was sick and had been hospitalized. She had even undergone an operation. Hence, Shen Zhijin had been taking this class for the past two weeks.

Ever since Shen Zhijin had appeared in the classroom during the last class, the news had quickly spread throughout the whole of Xijing University.

So, even though this was only the second class, everyone had come as soon as they heard the news.

Shen Zhijin stepped in at the sound of the bell.

He was obviously very young, but he had an aura that was distinctively his. Just by standing there, everyone subconsciously quieted down.

However, because he was handsome and refined, he was particularly eye-catching.

Many girls did not hide the admiration in their eyes.

Shen Zhijin stood still on the podium as his gaze swept across the classroom.

He did not have any teaching materials in his hand, only a name list.

However…

There seemed to be no need to name names.

He immediately started his lecture.

Just then, a person sneaked in from the back door.

Shen Zhijin saw the familiar-looking small backpack and suddenly paused.

The crowd did not know why he suddenly stopped, but they were all in tears.

Had the prodigy finally shown some mercy and given them some extra time to think about what he had just taught?

Gu Tingyin finally found a seat, but it was in the middle of a few seats, and there were already people on both sides.

She gently patted the shoulder of a student in front of her and whispered, “Classmate? Classmate?”

The boy had been anxiously staring at the blackboard, but because his thoughts were suddenly interrupted, he could not help but be a little angry.

However, when he turned his head, he saw a beautiful, dainty face.

He was suddenly stunned and his previous displeasure disappeared as he looked at her in a daze.

Gu Tingyin flashed him an apologetic smile.

“Excuse me, please?”

The boy immediately came back to his senses and quickly responded with a red face.

However, in order to make it more convenient for her to sit, he immediately moved one seat in and gave her the seat near the aisle.

In the next second, Shen Zhijin saw her put down her small backpack and smile at the boy next to her.

She seemed to be thanking him.

With a slightly restrained look on his face, he rapped his fingers on the podium.

In the quiet classroom, this sound was very clear, and everyone focused their attention on him.

He said, “Have you finished copying the contents on the blackboard? Next, we’ll talk about the thermodynamics of the magnetic field.”

Everyone was shocked.

This… this fast?

Someone asked in a trembling voice, “S-senior Shen, aren’t we only learning the full differential function of the Gibbs function today?”

“That part takes more than one class.”

Shen Zhijin glanced at the clock hanging at the back of the classroom.

“I’ll give you another five minutes.”

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone fell silent for a moment before they immediately began to copy the words on the blackboard.

Those who could enter the Physics Department of Xijing University were, of course, all the cream of the crop.

However, one still had to admit that there was still a gap between a top student and a god.

Shen Zhijin was very efficient and fast in his lessons.

Most people basically could not keep up with his thinking. They could only take notes and go back to comprehend it on their own.

This was especially true today.

He was the only one who could do such a perverted thing. He had finished the lesson that their usual professor was supposed to teach over the course of two weeks in just one class!

Gu Tingyin subconsciously dodged to the side when she saw the boy next to her furiously immersed in copying the notes, his pen almost flying out.

So… So brutal.

Fortunately, she was only here to listen to the classes.

However, she still had to act like was here as a serious student. She took out her notebook from her bag and started copying as well.

Shen Zhijin looked at her for a while.

This was probably her first time attending this particular class, but she was so focused on copying that she did not even look at him the whole time.

These five minutes seemed to pass by very quickly.

...

Shen Zhijin withdrew his gaze and continued with the class.

…

At the end of the class, almost all the students were dizzy.

Attending Shen Zhijin’s class was both a pain and a joy.

Gu Tingyin was about to get up and walk over when she saw a tall girl walking over to the podium.

“Senior Shen, I didn’t quite understand what you were saying in class. Could you help me by explaining it again? ”

As she spoke, she handed him a book, but her eyes were glued to Shen Zhijin.

Gu Tingyin’s little face fell.

Shen Zhijin lowered his eyes.

“Where?”

The girl was overjoyed and pointed with her finger.

...

Gu Tingyin gripped her little notebook tightly.

She could not really hear what they were talking about from where she was. Of course, even if she did, she would probably still be just as confused and would not understand much.

Shen Zhijin said a few words in a low voice, as the girl nodded repeatedly.

Gu Tingyin lowered her head to look at the notes she had copied and slumped down on the table.

In the past, she had thought that she was already very happy to be able to attend Shen Zhijin’s class and see him.

But now, when she saw those people discussing things she did not understand with him, she realized that there seemed to be a barrier between them.

She was unhappy again.

This kind of distance could not be eliminated just by her coming over and looking at him.

She did not even know how to ask him questions.

After Shen Zhijin finished speaking, he looked up and was surprised to find that she had not come to look for him. Instead, she had stayed in her seat and fiddled with the white pony toy attached to her backpack. Even her little head looked dejected.

He lifted his foot, intending on walking over.

Seeing that he was about to leave, the girl was reluctant and quickly said, “Senior Shen, can you repeat what you said about the confirmation of entropy? I…”

Shen Zhijin turned his head and glanced at her as he spoke to her in a calm tone of voice.

“I’ve already explained this part twice today. If you still can’t understand it, then you might not be suitable for Physics. You should consider changing your major.”

The girl had not expected Shen Zhijin to say something like that and her face instantly turned red.

A few girls who had been eager to come over and ask questions immediately gave up on the idea.

It turned out that asking questions to get close to Shen Zhijin was useless, other than proving to this god of studies that they were a hopeless slacker.

The people in the classroom gradually dispersed.

Gu Tingyin heard footsteps approaching.

“Why aren’t you leaving?”

Shen Zhijin asked as he stood beside her.

Gu Tingyin sat up and looked up at him.

Only then did he see the grievance on her small face.

He paused, and his voice carried a gentleness that he himself did not notice.

“What’s wrong?”

Gu Tingyin whispered, “I don’t understand either…”

Shen Zhijin’s gaze fell on the notebook that was spread out on her desk.

Well, it was very neat and beautiful.

Other than copying the wrong formula, there were no other flaws.

“Which part of it did you not understand?”

Gu Tingyin choked for a moment. Seeing that he was about to answer her, she pointed to a place hesitantly.

Shen Zhijin glanced at it.

“That’s the full differential form of internal energy. During the exam, just remember it and add the value directly.”

“…”

Subconsciously, her hand slid down again.

“That’s the basic thermodynamics equation that is used when ignoring the volume change of the magnetic medium.”

“…”

She began to regret having copied the contents on the blackboard!

“You still don’t understand?”

Shen Zhijin asked.

She blushed.

The girl had still been able to ask a few questions just now, but she was unable to even get a single word out.

Shen Zhijin looked at the clock on the wall again and sat down beside her.

“I don’t have any other classes today, but I have to go to the laboratory at six o’clock in the evening to prepare for an experiment.”

Shen Zhijin said, “What else do you not understand?”

Gu Tingyin’s eyes widened in shock.

Did this mean that the rest of his time today was hers?

Seeing that she had not said anything, Shen Zhijin took her pen.

“The first law of thermodynamics. Have you learned it yet?”

She looked at him and coughed lightly.

“I’ve heard of it.”

This was a really subtle answer.

Shen Zhijin paused and he put the pen down.

“It’s also called the law of conservation of energy. It means that the total energy in a closed system is always the same.

“Energies are neither created nor destroyed. It merely transforms from one form to another, or transfers from one object to another, while the total amount of energy remains the same. This is one of the universal laws of nature.

“This is also the foundation of this course.”

Gu Tingyin’s eyes lit up.

“I see!”

…

An hour later.

In the huge classroom, the two people sitting side by side were silent.

After a moment, Gu Tingyin finally gathered her courage and asked carefully, “Shen Zhijin, are you thirsty? ”

Shen Zhijin said, “I’m okay.”

She quietly put away the notebook.

“Then, how about I treat you to a drink?”

Shen Zhijin gently nodded.

She finally heaved a sigh of relief and quickly picked up her backpack.

“There’s a dessert shop near the school. I heard it’s very good. Shall we try it? ”

…

This dessert shop had opened near Xijing University. Although it was a little expensive, it was very popular because of its delicious treats.

Fortunately, there were not many people in the shop at this time.

As Gu Tingyin stood in front of the food display cabinet, she looked at it and said, “This brand’s flagship store is in Bai City. This seems to be their first branch in the Capital. When I was studying in Bai City, I really liked their peanut milkshake!”

Shen Zhijin paused.

“Aren’t you allergic to peanuts?”

“Yes, that’s why I could only smell it every time.” Gu Tingyin scrunched up her nose with a face full of regret, but she quickly pointed to the other desserts in the cabinet. “Their peanut crisps are also their signature dessert. You must try it!”

In the end, Shen Zhijin ordered a cup of peanut milkshake and a peanut crisp. Gu Tingyin ordered a cup of Earl Grey tea.

The two of them chose a seat that was further in.

The first to be served was the peanut milkshake.

Shen Zhijin had just picked it up when a small head moved in closer.

Gu Tingyin’s body leaned forward slightly, and her elegant nose twitched in envy.

“It smells so good!”

Why did she have to be allergic to peanuts?

“It must be delicious. It’s a pity I can’t eat any of it. Shen Zhijin, can you help me eat more?”

She was very close to him, so close that he could see her eyelashes.

He was so close that if he raised his hand slightly, he would be able to touch her soft and fair cheeks.

Soundlessly, Shen Zhijin moved back.

“Yes.”

Gu Tingyin also sat back down. She rested her chin in her hands and urge him with anticipation.

“Quickly, try it!”

He took a sip with a straw, and the rich aroma of peanuts and milk filled the air.

Her dark, round, almond-shaped eyes stared at the peanut milkshake and then at the corner of his lips.

“Is it good?”

Shen Zhijin’s Adam’s apple moved slightly as he suddenly felt that the taste of it was a little too sweet.

It was so sweet that it made him even more thirsty.