Soul Returns to Hong Kong: From Tailor Shop to Richest Woman

The next morning, Shen Yanwen took the letter of intent signed by Lin Ying to the New Territories.

In the days that followed, every morning at eight o'clock, one could see Lin Ying's silhouette as she left home with her backpack on the nineteenth floor of Taikoo Shing.

From Monday to Friday without fail, she went to the Mid-Levels apartment in Central to receive Professor Smith's intensive lectures.

"Lynn, pay attention to the boundary conditions here, don't be fooled by appearances!" Smith slammed the chalk down on the blackboard.

Lin Yingxue has learned more and more knowledge points, but she can not only keep up with Smith's leaps of thought, but also directly report the next constant at key points.

Matthew's attitude also changed: from initially finding fault with things in a sarcastic and critical manner, to later sitting quietly on the living room sofa with a cup of coffee, listening attentively, and now...

"Father, your mathematical abstraction here is too absolute." Matthew walked in, picked up a piece of blue chalk, and added a term next to Smith's equation. "Lynn, in fluid mechanics, this solution would directly cause the system to collapse; you need to consider the coefficients."

Just as Smith was about to explode, Lin Ying stopped writing, looked at Matthew's formula on the blackboard, and asked:

"If that's the case, then the mathematical singularity is actually smoothed out by damping in this physical model?"

"That's right, mathematics gives you absolute truth, but physics teaches you compromises in reality; you have to learn to find a balance between the two."

Smith snorted, but this time, for the first time ever, he didn't kick his son out.

Occasionally, while Smith was out for tea and snacks, Matthew would sit directly opposite Lin Ying and give her a private talk about the thought processes of advanced physics. He was still quite stubborn, but when it came to explaining professional knowledge, he was remarkably skilled.

This high-pressure yet pure learning atmosphere made Lin Ying feel incredibly fulfilled.

Time passed quietly, and it was already the end of July, amidst the alternation of formulas on one blackboard after another.

At 2:30 pm on Friday, Lin Ying finished the last proof problem and closed her notebook.

Two more suitcases appeared in the living room; Professor Smith was stuffing several heavy books into the suitcases, while the Filipino maid helped organize the clothes.

Lin Ying came out with her backpack on: "Professor, what about the plane tickets for the day after tomorrow?"

Smith straightened up and rubbed his aching back: "Yes, I still have some things to take care of in England, and Matthew has to go back to his lab too."

The old man walked over and patted Lin Ying on the shoulder.

"Lynn, the first thing I'll do when I go back to England is to finalize your special admission with the department. As soon as your Form 5 exam results come out on the 7th of next month, call me immediately; if you meet the requirements, the £10,000 deposit will be deposited, and you'll only need to finish Form 6 in Hong Kong; I'll be waiting for you at Cambridge next summer."

Lin Ying: "I understand, Professor. I will contact you as soon as the results are released."

"Very good." Smith smiled with satisfaction, then turned and instructed the maid to make one last cup of black tea.

Just then, Matthew walked in from the balcony; today he wasn't wearing his usual casual shirt, but instead a light gray suit jacket, looking unusually formal.

"Father, go see if there are any leftover char siu pastries in the kitchen. I'll take them back to London to eat," Matthew said, deliberately sending Smith away.

Smith glared at him, but then turned and went to the kitchen.

Matthew walked to the sofa, sat down, and pointed to the seat opposite him.

"Sit down, Lynn."

Lin Ying put down her schoolbag and sat down opposite him.

"Lynn, I've come to really appreciate you these past few months." Matthew was no longer as nonchalant as he usually was. "You're incredibly smart, you learn things extremely quickly; and you're very sensible, you know when to ask a question and when to keep quiet."

Lin Ying didn't respond; she felt that such an opening remark was sure to be followed by the main event.

"You will definitely go to Cambridge next year without any surprises, but beyond academics, I think you should prepare yourself mentally in advance: Cambridge is not just an academic mecca, it is also an ancient, closed circle that places great importance on background and class."

"The students there are very arrogant; especially the British aristocratic children from Eton and Winchester, who are instilled from a young age that they are the center of the world; and the male-to-female ratio in the mathematics department is about nine to one."

Matthew stared at Lin Ying seriously and said, "And you are an Asian, a girl, a Hong Konger."

Lin Ying went over what Matthew had said.

Asian, female, from Hong Kong.

In the elite circles of British universities in the late 1980s, this identity was truly a huge disadvantage.

Lin Ying chimed in, "I'm going there to study, to learn the most advanced mathematics and algorithms. I can always ignore them, right?"

Matthew shook his head helplessly at her matter-of-fact attitude.

"Lynn, you're naively simplistic. Ignoring them doesn't mean they'll let you off the hook. You'll encounter verbal probing, passive-aggressive behavior, and people deliberately making jokes with incomprehensible slang during group discussions. Be prepared for people to express malice in a polite tone as well."

Yes, human malice needs no reason;

"But you don't need to worry too much." Matthew regained his rebellious air. "I knew some influential people in the department before I graduated. When you get there, I'll find someone to look after you."

"You're protecting me?" Lin Ying asked, somewhat surprised.

"At least I guarantee no one will dare to flip your desk or tear up your thesis in front of you." Matthew shrugged. "As for the rest, with your brains and my father's prestige in the department, you'll be able to establish yourself once you get through the initial rejection period."

Lin Ying looked at the British youth in front of her who had once looked down on her. He was now taking the initiative to warn her and promise her protection. This favor was not insignificant.

"Thank you, Matthew," Lin Ying said sincerely.

"No need to thank me yet. You might have to treat me to a real Chinese meal later." Matthew leaned back on the sofa.

At that moment, the kitchen door was pushed open;

Professor Smith came out carrying a plate of freshly baked char siu pastries: "What are you all talking about?"

The old professor walked to the single sofa and sat down: "Lynn."

"You are my most outstanding student. Your mind belongs to mathematics and to truth; but truth does not exist in a vacuum, it exists in human society."

For the first time, the old man spoke to Lin Ying in such a serious and warning tone: "When you go to Cambridge, remember what I told you today: never talk about politics."

"Don't talk about stances! The situation in Hong Kong these past few years has been very delicate. Your identity there will become a bargaining chip for all sorts of people with ulterior motives to test you. People will ask you what you think of Britain? What you think of the mainland? What you think of the future? No matter who asks you, no matter the occasion, even at a cocktail party or a dinner with friends, keep your mouth shut!"

Matthew, standing to the side, did not refute, tacitly agreeing with his father's words.

"You're going there to study math! Get the knowledge you want, get the degree you want, get the resources you want! Stay away from people and topics that try to drag you down, understand?!"

Lin Ying sensed the old professor's worry.

She understood that in the late 1980s, the tide of the times was brewing a huge wave, and Hong Kong was caught in the middle, with countless tests, attempts to win over, and exclusions surging in the shadows; Smith was teaching her how to survive safely in an arrogant and prejudiced elite circle.

"I understand, Professor. When I get there, all I know is math. I won't listen to or talk about anything else, and I won't take sides."

"Alright." Hearing this reply, the old man regained his usual gentleness. "Finish this plate of char siu pastries, and you can go back. Remember, don't give up your pursuit of knowledge."