I met my whole family through Baidu Tieba.

"It's Miss's business."

Upon hearing the man's question, Ruan Yue didn't say anything else and directly addressed the person on the other end of the phone: "Shen Kang said that she volunteered to be the main speaker at the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition."

The noise on the other end of the phone was a little louder; it seemed the man on the other end had sat up in bed.

The man knew about the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, and he also knew that He Qiuzhu had participated in it—Ruan Yue had already sent him all this information via email, and he had already read it.

When the man first learned that He Qiuzhu was going to participate in the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, he instinctively refused, but Ruan Yue persuaded him.

"...Her willingness to participate in this competition and to go on stage is a very good sign. Moreover, although there are many audience members, the main speaker is Shen Kang, so she doesn't need to speak; she only needs to stand, which greatly reduces her burden."

"Since the training is manageable and not particularly intense, I think this is a great treatment opportunity..."

After Ruan Yue's analysis, the man finally agreed.

Later, Ruan Yue's daily report proved that Ruan Yue's deduction was correct. He Qiuzhu did not have any problems under such pressure. On the contrary, she improved to some extent.

What the man didn't expect was that He Qiuzhu would now take the initiative to give the lecture?

This surprised the man greatly.

Is this still the same little girl?

Then, in a flash, the man realized something more and began to feel a surge of surprise. "She's gotten this much better? She's even willing to start showing herself off now?"

On the other end of the phone, Ruan Yue poured cold water on his hopes, "Mr. He, things aren't as optimistic as you think. According to Shen Kang, he had something come up and couldn't be the lecturer anymore, but he needed to explain things to the school, so they needed a new lecturer. Miss, you just wanted to help him, that's all."

The man was silent for a moment before speaking, his voice tinged with disappointment yet also optimism, "But it's a good thing, isn't it?"

Ruan Yue nodded, "Indeed."

There was a rustling sound on the other end of the phone, which seemed to indicate that the man was getting out of bed.

Then a male voice came over.

"Tna, tell me your thoughts."

After receiving Shen Kang's call, Ruan Yue quickly thought about the matter and therefore spoke without hesitation: "If Miss is allowed to speak on stage, there may be three possible outcomes."

"In the first scenario, the young lady won't even be able to complete the explanation of the first part of the project. Failure will cause her great frustration, making her more withdrawn, and the results of the previous treatment may be wasted."

"The second outcome is that the young lady completed the first part of the project presentation, but was unable to answer the judges' questions during the subsequent Q&A session, and failed again. This will also cause her great frustration."

"The third outcome is that the young lady completes all the steps, and with her guidance, her team receives affirmation and advances smoothly. This positive feedback will enhance her psychological well-being and greatly benefit her treatment."

After explaining the three possible outcomes, Ruan Yue began to summarize.

"Overall, this is a challenge with both rewards and risks. Based on my assessment, given Miss's current condition, completing the first part of the project presentation step by step shouldn't be a problem; the completion rate should be around 60%. The main risk lies in the second part, the judges' questioning session, which is very risky. As for the team's advancement, given Miss's current condition, I don't think it's very optimistic."

"In summary, of the three possible outcomes, I think the first outcome is the least likely, the second outcome is the most likely, and the third outcome is somewhere in between."

Ruan Yue's analysis was very clear.

The man on the other end of the phone listened silently until Ruan Yue finished speaking before he said, "I understand. Can I understand that if she takes on the role of main speaker, completes this competition, and leads her team to advance, and continues in the following competitions, then she will become more and more confident, her performance will improve, and she might even become a 'little orator'?"

When the man spoke of "orator," his voice was clearly excited, as if he highly valued He Qiuzhu's ability to possess such skills.

Ruan Yue, however, poured cold water on his enthusiasm: "Mr. He, according to what you said, Miss's condition will improve further, but I cannot guarantee whether she will make significant progress in her public speaking skills."

The man seemed optimistic. "But at least it's possible, isn't it?"

After a moment's hesitation, the man asked one last question: "Tna, are you sure she can handle the presentation? I don't need her to perform exceptionally well, just be able to deliver the presentation smoothly."

After carefully evaluating the situation again in her mind, Ruan Yue gave an affirmative answer: "If it's just the kind that can be spoken, I'm sure."

"That's fine then."

The man was quite decisive. "Wait a moment, I'll let you know in a bit."

After hanging up the phone, the man looked outside.

He had just gotten out of bed and was standing in front of a huge floor-to-ceiling window.

The building is extremely tall, offering stunning views from the windows and a panoramic vista of Manhattan's cityscape.

Central Park, like a giant emerald embedded in a concrete jungle, glows softly in the night. Winding paths, tranquil lakes, and streetlights interspersed throughout create a hazy, ink-wash painting, contrasting sharply with the towering skyscrapers surrounding it.

In the distance, the spire of the Empire State Building pierced the sky, its red and white lights twinkling like a lighthouse, resembling a luminous giant guarding the heart of the city; the triangular windows of the Chrysler Building, against the backdrop of the night, reflected a flowing silver light like the Milky Way; the slender silhouette of 432 Pak Avnu, like a dazzling sword, pointed straight to the stars. The outlines of countless skyscrapers were clearly and beautifully defined by lights, floodlights, curtain walls, and spotlights at the top intertwining to create a sea of ​​light, as if the entire Manhattan was engaged in a never-ending carnival of light and shadow.

The Hudson and East Rivers transform into two flowing galaxies in the night. The lights on both banks are reflected on the water, and cruise ships glide gently like jeweled necklaces, their lights and the ripples creating a vibrant melody of light. The cables of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge are adorned with lights like golden strings, and the traffic flowing across them resembles shimmering pearls, connecting the bustling cityscape on both banks…

The man had no time to appreciate the scenery; he picked up his phone and made several more calls. Each call would, at the next juncture, be split into several new calls by another person, connecting to various non-profit organizations.

If radio waves had a physical form, they would be able to see a dense spider web, spanning half the globe, arriving in this ancient country and illuminating node by node.

At this end of the node are individuals from various universities.

They include men and women, some are lecturers, some are professors, some are deans, and so on. They have different identities, but they have one thing in common: they have all received "pure academic sponsorship" from some non-profit organizations.

After the radio waves were transmitted, some nodes remained silent, while the people at other nodes took out their mobile phones and began the next wave of radio wave relay.

Ultimately, these radio waves converged on the highest competition group of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition.

……

In the bathroom of the Haobo Hotel, the toilet seat was already closed. Shen Kang sat on it, holding his phone, waiting for Ruan Yue to call back. He had been waiting for quite some time.

What we heard first was the sound from outside.

"Shen Kang, are you ready yet?"

He Qiuzhu's voice came from outside, very close, right at the door.

At the same time, the sound of a doorknob being turned could be heard.

However, Shen Kang had already locked it from the inside, so it couldn't be opened.

"Alright, alright, I'll be right out."

Shen Kang didn't wait any longer. He stood up from the toilet, walked over, and opened the door.

As soon as the door opened, He Qiuzhu was seen outside turning the doorknob, her eyes filled with excitement.

When the door opened, she was caught off guard and stumbled, bumping into Shen Kang and hitting him in the chest.

Fortunately, Shen Kang practiced Wing Chun and had a stable foundation. He was not knocked down by her and caught her steadily with his body.

Shen Kang reached out and steadied her.

She immediately looked down at Shen Kang and saw that his pants were on properly, and her eyes showed some disappointment.

However, Shen Kang could only see the top of her head from above, not her eyes.

"Do you need to use the restroom?" Shen Kang asked casually, and once she was steady, he released his grip on her shoulders.

"no."

He Qiuzhu's muffled, sweet voice came from his chest, "I thought something had happened to you, so I came to save you."

"I think you're trying to spy on me." Shen Kang casually made up a story and pushed her towards the door. "If you're not going to the bathroom, go back to watching TV."

He Qiuzhu was pushed forward by him, her back to Shen Kang, her expression somewhat panicked: How did he know? ...

After pushing He Qiuzhu back to the bedside, Shen Kang pulled up a chair and sat down.

He Qiuzhu used to sit on the edge of the bed watching TV, and she continues to do so now.

The TV is showing Huang Xiaoming's version of "The Deer and the Cauldron". The costumes, props and everything are pretty good, and the actors are all doing a good job, but I just can't get into it.

After suppressing her initial panic, He Qiuzhu spoke up again: "Shen Kang, can I be the team leader?"

Shen Kang was waiting for Ruan Yue's professional assessment, so he couldn't give an answer immediately. "I'm still thinking. Let's watch TV first."

He Qiuzhu obediently said "Oh" and didn't ask any more questions.

The two fell silent for a moment, with only the sounds coming from the television.

"The earth shakes the high hills, a landscape of timeless beauty unfolds, the gate faces the sea, where three rivers converge and flow for millennia..."

On TV, Lord Wei is visiting friends and relatives in Yanjing.

Outside the television, Shen Kang somehow made his way to the bed and sat against the headboard. He Qiuzhu sat beside him, lying in his arms, and he naturally reached out to put his arm around her shoulder and hug her.

So how did I end up in bed?

Shen Kang was puzzled.

His body seemed to have its own thoughts.

However, Shen Kang quickly found the reason: mainly based on his own judgment, she was in a fragile and insecure state, like a frightened little animal, needing a loving embrace to comfort her.

Thinking this way, Shen Kang felt at ease and put his arm around her.

On television, Lord Wei had already returned to the palace.

This scene depicts the assassination attempt on Emperor Kangxi at the Mu family mansion, where they intend to frame Prince Pingxi. Lord Wei rescues Fang Yi, who then ends up keeping Mu Jianping company in his room. Lord Wei also begins flirting with the two girls, suggesting they sleep together and become his wives.

Seeing this, He Qiuzhu asked, "Shen Kang, does sleeping together mean we're husband and wife? Then am I your wife?"

"..."

Shen Kang cursed inwardly, "What a load of rubbish! It makes absolutely no sense. Who says sleeping together makes you husband and wife? It's utterly misleading!"

Give me back my wife...

Shen Kang seemed to be thinking of something, and a slow smile crept onto his face.

But the next second, he suddenly thought of his ex-wife from his previous life, which made him shiver and immediately sober up.

My wife is no good at all!

Even dating enthusiasts don't date! Let alone get married!

So he decisively said, "There are many relationships where we sleep together. For example, if I'm the older brother and you're the younger sister, we can sleep together. Just like many siblings, we slept together when we were little."

He Qiuzhu was a little doubtful: "Really?"

Shen Kang was certain, "Yes. You haven't seen it before?"

He Qiuzhu shook her head slightly against his chest: "I don't have any brothers or sisters. Shen Kang, do you?"

"I don't have any either."

Shen Kang added, "But I have seen it. Lao Yin has a cousin. One summer when I was little, I went to his house to play and saw him and his cousin taking a nap on the same bed. They were hugging each other, just like we are now."

Although Yin Mingyang didn't have any cousins, that's the kind of time a good brother is needed.

"So, it's perfectly normal for older brothers and younger sisters to sleep together!"

"Oh……"

He Qiuzhu gave an "oh," buried her head in Shen Kang's chest, leaving only the top of her head exposed, and remained silent.

Shen Kang glanced down and a thought struck him: She seemed more vulnerable and insecure today…

"However, it's also possible for brothers and sisters to call each other husband and wife."

Shen Kang spoke again, changing the subject: "For example, like that time on your birthday when we played house. Anyway, we're free now, so why don't we play house? I'll be your husband, and you'll be my wife."

He Qiuzhu suddenly raised her head, staring at Shen Kang from below, her eyes sparkling. Then she nodded repeatedly, "Mm!"

Shen Kang quickly added, "Just one hour."

He Qiuzhu nodded repeatedly, "Mmm!"

"This kid really enjoys playing house," Shen Kang thought to himself.

It was around this time that the TV series "The Deer and the Cauldron" showed the scene where Lord Wei wanted to "complete his mission and kiss his concubine Mu Jianping."

"..."

Shen Kang remained expressionless, glancing at the television and then at He Qiuzhu on his chest.

He Qiuzhu's eyes shone even brighter as she stared at him, like two high-wattage searchlights.

"We're just playing house."

Shen Kang solemnly reminded Ms. He to remain calm.

He Qiuzhu didn't say anything else, she just uttered two words: "Brother~~"

"..."

Shen Kang thought to himself, "You're really good at this."

They're playing house, pretending to be husband and wife. Logically, if she's going to call someone, she should call them "husband."

Shen Kang knew very well that he had a stress response to "husband," and if she really called out, he wouldn't fall for it at all.

But strangely, she didn't have a stress response to her "brother".

Are you too good at this?

You're usually just pretending to be a pig, aren't you? You definitely are, right? ...

Just as Shen Kang hesitated, He Qiuzhu called out again, her voice soft and sweet.

"Brother~~"

I'm starting to feel the strain.

After all, she already calls him "brother".

Shen Kang was really struggling to hold on. But thankfully, he still had a sliver of reason left.

This last vestige of rationality triggered a mental storm in Shen Kang's mind, and he actually managed to find a way to deal with the situation.

"In terms of our real relationship, we're brother and sister. But from the perspective of our current role-playing, we're husband and wife. So, all things considered, we're somewhere in between. For this in-between relationship, a kiss on the lips is obviously inappropriate and doesn't correspond to that. Let's kiss on the cheek instead."

Shen Kang finished speaking with great difficulty, then breathed a sigh of relief.

He Qiuzhu stared at him for a while, blinking her eyes as if she was thinking.

After a while, He Qiuzhu nodded vigorously and said "Mmm," then tilted her little head up a bit, the meaning of which was quite clear.

come on.

Kissing each other on the cheek is perfectly normal; after all, they are brothers and sisters, family. In some countries, kissing on the cheek between relatives is perfectly commonplace. Although China doesn't have such a custom, their relationship isn't purely that of brothers and sisters, but rather somewhere between husband and wife and siblings. In this intermediate state, kissing on the cheek is... well, let's just say it happens.

While trying to reassure himself, Shen Kang slowly lowered his head and moved closer to He Qiuzhu's face.

getting closer and closer

getting closer and closer

They're almost touching.

Before Shen Kang's eyes, He Qiuzhu's skin was incredibly smooth, white as jade, and even had a rosy glow, whether from good blood circulation or shyness, it was hard to tell.

A faint, delicate fragrance wafted into his nostrils. It was similar to what he usually smelled, yet somehow different, causing a strong physical reaction and making his mind somewhat foggy.

Could this be pheromones?

Shen Kang's mind was filled with all sorts of random thoughts.

Then he saw that He Qiuzhu's beautiful eyes were still open, wide and bright, staring at him.

"...Close your eyes."

"oh."

He Qiuzhu obediently closed her eyes.

Shen Kang finally kissed her on the cheek.

Originally, Shen Kang only intended to give it a quick kiss, but perhaps because it tasted so good, he inexplicably took another sip. Luckily, he realized his mistake quickly and stopped.

"Alright." Shen Kang tried his best to keep a calm expression.

Upon hearing this, He Qiuzhu opened her eyes, then began to wriggle and climb upwards, saying, "My turn."

Shen Kang didn't say anything, just sat on the headboard and let her climb up and bring her face close to his.

He closed his eyes on his own, and then felt something soft and wet kiss his face.

She was a little clumsy; after kissing him, she didn't move, but she didn't move her mouth away either. Seemingly inspired by Shen Kang's earlier actions, she suddenly started sucking on his lips as well.

Not only that, Shen Kang also felt another wet and soft thing come to his face and lick it bit by bit.

Shen Kang could still hear her breathing become heavy.