Rejecting Tsinghua and Peking Universities: I Will Lead Harbin Institute of Technology to World Lead

The afternoon sun shone through the cafeteria windows, casting a warm beam of light between Lin Feng and Shen Moran.

Shen Moran's eyes, bright with excitement, were fixed on Lin Feng, as if afraid that the person in front of her would disappear again.

"Junior Lin, we meet again!"

Her voice was filled with barely suppressed joy, and even through the mask, her pure happiness was clearly palpable.

"This time, could you give me a chance? Let me treat you to a meal to properly thank you for...saving my life that day!"

When she spoke of the life-saving grace, her voice trembled slightly, and her eyes welled up with a mixture of lingering fear and gratitude.

Lin Feng looked at her and calmly shook his head.

"Senior Shen, you're too kind. It was just a coincidence, a small favor, nothing to do with gratitude."

His tone was gentle but as distant as ever.

The light in Shen Moran's eyes dimmed slightly, and the corners of her mouth twitched in grievance beneath her mask.

As expected... he was still so polite, so... distant.

However, Lin Feng's next words sent her on a rollercoaster ride, her mood soaring from rock bottom to the sky!

"However," Lin Feng changed the subject, a faint but genuine smile appearing on his lips.

"What the senior said is right. It's fate that we met again at Harbin Institute of Technology."

He glanced at Zhao Weiguo beside him and explained with a mix of helplessness and amusement:

"Perfect timing, I've been quite free lately and was just wondering where to kill time."

"Now that you've come to Harbin Institute of Technology, how about I extend some hospitality and treat you to a meal?"

What a twist of fate!

Shen Moran could hardly believe her ears!

Not only did he not refuse, he actually invited me?!

Those beautiful eyes lit up again, and the previous disappointment vanished.

"Really? Junior!" she confirmed with surprise, her voice filled with undisguised joy.

"Of course." Lin Feng nodded, his tone frank. "It's always a happy thing to meet a fellow alumnus in a foreign land. What would you like to eat, senior? I'm quite familiar with Harbin."

Shen Moran's heart was pounding like a drum.

She wanted to say, "Anything is fine, as long as I eat with you," but when the words came out, she felt it was too direct.

In the end, she simply said softly, "I'm fine with anything. I'll leave it to you, junior. I trust your taste."

After speaking, his cheeks under the mask quickly became hot, alarmingly so.

Fortunately, no one saw it.

Lin Feng pondered for a moment.

"Since you're not picky, how about I take you to try some authentic hometown flavors?"

"The taste of home?" Shen Moran blinked. "You mean... Chongqing hot pot? Authentic Chongqing hot pot is available here too?"

She found it hard to believe. The soul of Chongqing hot pot lies in its unique broth and atmosphere; it's difficult to find the authentic version outside of Sichuan and Chongqing.

Lin Feng smiled mysteriously: "You'll see when we get there. Did you drive, senior? If not, you can ride with us."

"Okay! I'll go with you!" Shen Moran agreed without hesitation, afraid that if she hesitated even a second, the other party would change their minds.

Zhao Weiguo quickly drove over in a low-key but comfortable black car.

He sat in the driver's seat, his eyes fixed straight ahead, professionally playing the role of both driver and bodyguard, leaving the back seat space for the two of them.

The car smoothly drove out of the campus and merged into the traffic.

The carriage was initially quiet.

Shen Moran secretly glanced at Lin Feng beside her.

He leaned back in his chair, his profile clean and sharp, his gaze calmly fixed on the street scene outside the window.

Seemingly sensing her gaze, Lin Feng turned his head and asked gently, "Senior, what brings you to Harbin Institute of Technology this time?"

"Ah... I don't have a job." Shen Moran quickly looked away, her heart skipping a beat.

She can't exactly say, "I came here specifically to see you," can she?

"Well... after finishing filming my last movie, I wanted to take a break and change my surroundings. I heard that Harbin Institute of Technology's campus is very unique, so I came to check it out." She found a reasonably plausible excuse.

"I see." Lin Feng nodded, not delving into it further.

Shen Moran took the initiative to bring up the topic of their high school days.

They talked about the teachers at school, the path behind the school, and the sports meet every spring...

The atmosphere between the two of them, warmed by memories, unconsciously became much more natural.

Amidst laughter and conversation, the car pulled up beside a relatively quiet street.

"arrive."

Lin Feng got out of the car first and gentlemanly opened the car door for Shen Moran.

Shen Moran looked up at the familiar sign and was shocked once again!

"Lin's Hot Pot?! The Lin's Hot Pot from Chongqing?!"

As a native of Chongqing, she knew all too well the significance of this brand!

That is the undisputed king of Chongqing hot pot, with branches all over the country.

She never expected that such a branch would be hidden in the faraway ice city!

"Yes, that's the one." Lin Feng smiled, offering no further explanation, and led her inside.

The shop's decor is simple yet grand, with a strong mountain town style.

The familiar yet pungent aroma of butter and chili filled the air, instantly stirring up Shen Moran's cravings and homesickness.

The waiter clearly recognized Lin Feng. Upon seeing him, he immediately greeted him respectfully and, without asking any questions, led them directly to a private room with the best location and the most tranquil environment.

"Mr. Lin, you've arrived. Is it the same as always?" The manager came over to greet him personally.

"We have a guest today. Bring the menu over so this lady can order," Lin Feng gestured to Shen Moran.

The manager understood, immediately presented the beautifully prepared menu, and then politely withdrew.

"Senior, see what you'd like to eat. Don't worry, the broth, ingredients, and even the chef who stir-fries the sauces are all directly sourced from the headquarters in Chongqing. I guarantee it will be exactly the same as what you eat back home."

Lin Feng pushed the menu in front of Shen Moran, his tone carrying a barely perceptible hint of... pride in his own business?

Shen Moran took the menu.

Looking at those familiar dish names: fresh tripe, duck intestines, beef aorta, pig brain, dried bamboo shoots, sweet potato noodles...

Her taste buds were already cheering.

"Then I won't be polite!" She smiled, regaining the cheerfulness of a girl from Chongqing.

"I absolutely have to have tripe! Duck intestines! Beef aorta! And this...this...oh my, I want to eat them all!"

She enthusiastically ordered a bunch of things, and with each item she ordered, she subconsciously looked at Lin Feng, as if seeking his approval.

Lin Feng nodded with a smile throughout, his eyes gentle.

Seeing how happy she was, he suddenly felt that being forced to take a vacation to have this meal wasn't so bad after all.

At least, it's much more interesting than being cooped up in your dorm room or wandering around aimlessly.

The spicy broth quickly boiled, bubbling and releasing enticing bubbles.

Spicy and fragrant steam filled the air, making the small private room warm and inviting.

"Here, senior, have a taste and see if it tastes right." Lin Feng picked up a perfectly cooked piece of tripe and placed it in Shen Moran's dipping sauce.

Shen Moran carefully put the tripe into her mouth.

Instantly, the familiar yet intensely spicy and savory flavors exploded in my mouth!

The chewy and crisp texture, combined with the complex aroma of butter and dozens of spices, hits you right in the head!

"Mmm! This is the taste! It's so authentic!" She squinted her eyes in satisfaction, almost moved to tears.

To be able to taste such authentic hometown flavors in the far north is a happiness beyond words.

More importantly, the person sitting opposite her was someone she longed to thank and someone she wanted to get close to.

Amidst the rising steam, the two smiled at each other across a pot of boiling red oil.

The unfamiliar barrier seemed to melt away quietly amidst the spiciness and aroma.