Close Enough To Pluck the Stars” (GL) - Chapter 18

Chapter 18

To save his life, Zhao Pu dodged with all his might, his eyes fixed on the entrance of the noodle shop as he pleaded, “Stop, stop, stop! Your daughter is here.”

Liang Ke looked back and saw a slightly plump but upright figure standing there. Xiao Xiaoxiao was dressed in professional business attire, looking incredibly capable. Upon entering, she first shook hands with Zhao Pu, then took the vinegar pot from Liang Ke’s hand and asked, “What did my dad say to you both?”

Liang Ke was too embarrassed to speak. Zhao Pu, having taken a liking to Xiao Xiaoxiao, changed the subject: “Are you planning to go into business?”

Xiao Xiaoxiao gave a bitter smile. “Years ago, just so I could stay near Liang Ke’s place, I worked as a shelf stocker at a giant supermarket nearby. I lied to my dad and told him I wanted to start from the grassroots level. He believed me—but not entirely. He kept pushing, not only taking over the management rights of that supermarket but even sending people to spy on Liang Ke. Besides, after all these years of running, I haven’t managed to walk into anyone’s heart, so I plan to pursue what I want in a different way.”

Zhao Pu felt a deep sense of shared experience, and the two of them hit it off immediately. Using vinegar in place of wine, they began chatting about life ideals and future plans. During the meal, Zhao Pu mentioned his desire to resign and go back to school. Xiao Xiaoxiao expressed her approval. Several times Liang Ke tried to chime in, only to be suppressed by their warning glares.

“As long as you can bear the consequences of failure, all your choices should be respected,” Xiao Xiaoxiao told Zhao Pu.

“Mmh, thank you,” Zhao Pu looked at her gratefully.

Xiaoxiao looked back sincerely. “You’re welcome. Liang Ke’s friends are my friends.”

Zhao Pu then asked, “Then next time we play Sanguosha, can you go easy on me? Like you do for Liang Ke? Don’t always look at me so coldly and try to wipe me out.”

“Sure, no problem.”

The two quickly formed a united front. Liang Ke said sheepishly, “Well, aren’t we harmonious,” then turned to Xiaoxiao: “You agreed just like that? You don’t respect your ‘mother’ at all.”

“Times are changing; our ‘mother-daughter’ relationship needs a shift too,” Xiao Xiaoxiao teased.

“Great, you two can be aunt and nephew from now on,” Zhao Pu said hopefully. He then pulled the conversation back to the main topic, asking Liang Ke: “Since ancient times, all pursuits have been considered inferior to scholarly study. I want to enrich myself through reading—where should I start?”

“Well,” Liang Ke thought for a moment. “I definitely don’t recommend my major.”

“Then recommend something else!”

“I don’t know anything about other industries,” Liang Ke said honestly, slurping her noodles.

Xiao Xiaoxiao noted that this was a serious question and that she shouldn’t treat friends with such a perfunctory or playful attitude. Hearing this, Zhao Pu was moved to tears again, and Liang Ke accepted the criticism, deciding to give him an introductory lesson on Artificial Intelligence.

She asked the owner for some scrap paper, saying, “Let’s start with something simple.”

“Simple is good. Simple is beauty,” Zhao Pu flattered.

Liang Ke, enjoying the praise, asked them, “You’ve both heard of the Fourier Transform, right?”

The two shook their heads frantically.

“How about Bayesian Networks?”

More head-shaking.

“The foundation is a bit weak, but it’s fine. If I’m the one lecturing, even a great ape could understand,” Liang Ke said with grand ambition.

Five minutes later, the two liberal arts students collapsed in unison. Xiao Xiaoxiao wanted to flip the table several times, while Zhao Pu surreptitiously sent a distress text under the table.

Not long after, the “Goddess of Salvation” descended from the heavens. Shu Qingchen had clearly been working overtime at the Institute; she seemed to have rushed out to find someone, leaving her coat in the office and wearing only a small blazer. Despite this, her aura remained undiminished. Liang Ke had no time to hide and had to brace herself for the interrogation.

“Why are you taking a long leave of absence?” she asked.

“The overtime intensity was too high before; I want to rest for a while,” Liang Ke replied, forcing herself to stay calm.

“Is that so?”

“Grandma is getting older; I want to spend more time with her,” Liang Ke said.

“You seemed to have just visited Professor Liang yesterday. If I hadn’t stepped in, she looked quite ready to kick you out,” Shu Qingchen stated matter-of-factly.

Xiao and Zhao wanted to laugh but didn’t dare. They racked their brains for an excuse and slipped away hand-in-hand, giving Liang Ke a “take care” look before they left.

Liang Ke’s eyes fired back: Take care of what? The moment you step out that door, we’re through!

“Liang Ke.” Shu Qingchen interrupted the “Calico Cat’s” distraction. The latter quickly withdrew her fierce gaze and acted obediently: “Yes?”

“Come back with me.”

“No… I’d rather not.” Liang Ke knew she was being a bit spiteful, but she still said, “I’m on leave. I’m not on the clock.”

Meeting Shu Qingchen’s eyes, Liang Ke admitted this standoff was suffocating. She gripped the ballpoint pen the shop owner used for accounts so tightly her palm was covered in sweat. Her gaze couldn’t hold and slowly drifted down to the hem of Shu Qingchen’s trousers. She thought this woman was truly too beautiful—every detail was perfectly in place—but she was just too cold. The moment work was involved, she became overly serious. Even those rare, gentle expressions vanished in an instant. Without the instincts of a secret agent, one would never discover her tender side.

“Escapism is not a solution. I hope you can face your problems bravely.” Shu Qingchen didn’t seem inclined to argue with a childish Liang Ke. She lightly dropped that piece of “chicken soup” for the soul and hurried away.

Liang Ke sat alone for a long time to calm down, then grabbed her jacket and walked out.

Fine, I’ll face it. For the sake of her mentor Old Hu, who was about to retire, and for her colleagues busy in the lab all year, Liang Ke gritted her teeth and headed to the city’s most exclusive high-end residential area.

“Back it up, there’s still plenty of space. Turn the wheel to the left… right, good, stop.”

Wu Chuchu was currently having a headache over reverse parking when she suddenly heard a familiar voice directing her. Seeing Liang Ke in the rearview mirror, she turned off her parking sensors and said, “You park it for me then.”

The usual tension between them was gone; it seemed like a moment of simple mutual aid between colleagues.

Under this illusion, Liang Ke parked the car for Wu Chuchu. The latter took the keys, gave a faint smile, and turned to walk away. Liang Ke bit her lip and chased after her: “Wait.”

Wu Chuchu didn’t look back. She tightened her grip on her bag and said softly, “I know why you’re here. Old Hu’s project is having trouble with the awards, isn’t it?”

“Yes.” Liang Ke felt humble and helpless, forcing herself to ask: “The anonymous report… was it you?”

“Liang Ke!” Wu Chuchu turned around in anger.

“No, I mean—it doesn’t matter if it was.” Liang Ke continued, her tone bordering on heroic: “As long as the matter is limited to me personally, it’s fine. Old Hu is old; his days at the Institute are numbered. Ye Tianze and the others are at a critical stage for their results. I can’t hold everyone back.”

“Stop talking.” Wu Chuchu interrupted her, suppressing her rage, and started to walk away.

Panicked, Liang Ke used her height and long legs to block Wu Chuchu’s path. “The investigation takes time, but the awards for the whole lab are imminent. It’s okay, Chuchu—as long as you can help with this, withdraw the complaint, I’ll do anything you want.”

“Me hating you is one thing, but I have never sought to involve others,” Wu Chuchu said coldly. “Move. I’m going home.”

Recalling Shu Qingchen’s words about “facing it,” Liang Ke resolved not to move. An infuriated Wu Chuchu lost her sense of restraint and swung her heavy shoulder bag hard at the “Calico Cat.”