Aunt Qin took the pen and examined it carefully, a sudden wave of nostalgia flashing in her eyes.
It was as if she was reminiscing about her youth.
“A Hero pen… I haven’t used this brand in years. Seeing it reminds me of my school days.”
She gently stroked the pen, lost in thought, and casually asked, “Shuyu, your mother must be an intellectual too, right? To have raised such an outstanding daughter, she must be quite remarkable.”
Ji Shuyu nodded. “Not exactly. My mother never went to college, but she did have some knowledge of materials science.”
Based on the notes left by the original host’s mother, Ji Shuyu felt that the original host’s mother was either interested in materials science or had studied it systematically.
However, the book never mentioned what the original host’s mother did for a living.
There was very little information about her mother.
She could only give such an ambiguous answer.
“Oh?”
Aunt Qin became intrigued upon hearing this.
She remembered that Ji Shuyu’s hometown was the same as hers.
“Which school did she graduate from? I might even know her. There weren’t many girls studying this field back in our day.”
Ji Shuyu told her her mother’s name and the high school she had attended.
To her surprise, Aunt Qin’s eyes widened in shock, and she nearly stood up. “What? Did you say your mother is Su Wanning? And she attended Haicity Third High School?!”
“Yes… Aunt Qin, you…”
Ji Shuyu was also stunned.
Aunt Qin clapped her hands excitedly. “Oh my! What a small world! Your mother and I were high school classmates! We were even in the same extracurricular group, both studying the basics of materials science!”
“No wonder when Old Qi mentioned you were from Haicity, I thought it was such a coincidence to meet someone from my hometown here.”
Even He Yuan and Political Commissar Qi were surprised, never expecting there to be such a connection.
“This is… truly such a coincidence!”
Ji Shuyu was both shocked and delighted. She never expected that this visit would lead her to someone who knew the original host’s mother.
“It’s more than a coincidence—it’s fate!”
Aunt Qin seemed especially happy, holding Ji Shuyu’s hand and asking her all sorts of questions.
“How has your mother been? We lost touch after graduation.”
“My mother… has already passed away.”
The smile on Aunt Qin’s face faded slightly. She never expected that her old friend had already passed away.
She let out a soft sigh, as if speaking to herself or to Ji Shuyu.
“Back in school, your mother was the talented one in our class. Her mind was always on experiments, and the teachers said she had a natural gift… We all thought she would continue down this path.”
She didn’t elaborate further, but the regret in her words was evident.
Ji Shuyu’s heart sank.
Mom had talent? And could have pursued further studies?
After marriage, the original host’s mother seemed to have completely buried her expertise, becoming an ordinary housewife.
And Ji Guodong… never seemed to have supported her career. The notebook locked away in a box, hidden from sight, only confirmed these suspicions.
Could it be that there were some hidden secrets between Ji Guodong and Su Wanning?
Aunt Qin seemed to realize she had said too much and quickly steered the conversation back.
“Look at me, getting lost in the past. Let’s get back to business. Regarding the research institute, I’ll fully support it!”
“I’ll contribute some of the funds, and Old Qi and the others will help with the procedures as much as possible. Shuyu, you have the knowledge and the vision, just like your mother back in the day. This research institute will surely succeed.”
With this classmate connection and her appreciation for Ji Shuyu’s talent, Aunt Qin’s support became even more sincere.
The two of them even discussed some preliminary plans and the equipment that needed to be purchased on the spot, finding themselves more and more aligned as they talked.
She thought to herself that it was a good thing for Su Wanning’s daughter to carry on the path she hadn’t been able to continue back then.
On the way home, Ji Shuyu remained somewhat silent.
He Yuan noticed her unusual behavior and asked with concern, “What’s wrong? Still thinking about the research institute?”
Ji Shuyu shook her head, hesitated for a moment, but eventually spoke up.
“He Yuan, I never told you this before, but the reason I came here is actually because my dad and my stepmother forced me to give the job you found for me to my stepsister and take her place in going to the countryside.”
“I had no other choice, so I came here.”
She sighed, but He Yuan’s heart was stirred with waves of emotion.
“What? Why didn’t you tell me back then?”
He Yuan knew that Ji Shuyu’s stepmother, Lin Xiumei, had ill intentions.
He had reminded Ji Shuyu many times, but although she always agreed on the surface, she would forget about it afterward.
Feeling helpless, he had no choice but to ask someone to find a job for Ji Shuyu so she could have a place to settle down.
But he never expected Lin Xiumei to be so malicious.
Fortunately, Shuyu had come to her senses and was no longer being deceived by Lin Xiumei.
“I was just foolish back then…”
Ji Shuyu found it hard to explain—the things the original host had done, she could only take responsibility for them herself.
After all, she couldn’t exactly tell He Yuan that it wasn’t her.
But now, she suddenly felt that Ji Guodong might not have loved Su Wanning at all.
In the original host’s memories, Ji Guodong held a lot of resentment toward both the original host and Su Wanning.
“Let’s not talk about the past anymore.”
He Yuan stepped forward and hugged Ji Shuyu. His voice was deep and gentle, carrying a comforting strength.
“What happened before is in the past, but now you’re smarter and more capable than anyone.”
Ji Shuyu looked up and met his dark, profound eyes.
In them, she could clearly see her own reflection, filled with undisguised trust and pride.
“Your father lacked the vision to see your worth and failed your mother, but that’s not your fault, understand?”
He gently rubbed her shoulder with his thumb and continued, “Now you have me, you have Aunt Qin’s support, and the entire island needs you.”
“That materials research institute isn’t just your career—it seems now that it’s also about fulfilling the dreams your mother couldn’t continue back then.”
“Shuyu, we will make it happen, and we will make it exceptionally successful.”
The sea breeze rustled the edges of their clothes, and in the distance, the sound of waves crashing against the rocks could be heard.
“He Yuan, thank you.”
Ji Shuyu hugged He Yuan back and whispered her gratitude.
She hadn’t actually thought that far ahead—her mind was occupied with the matters between Ji Guodong and Su Wanning.
It seemed there were many secrets surrounding Su Wanning.
But no matter what, the most important thing right now was the Island Materials Research Institute.
With Aunt Qin’s strong support, Ji Shuyu felt much more at ease.
However, she didn’t want Aunt Qin to cover all the expenses—she had her own money.
What researchers never lacked was the courage to start over.
In her previous life, she had dedicated so many years to materials science. Here, she was certain she could rebuild her career!
“Darling, ‘thank you’ isn’t just something you say—you have to give me a kiss for it to count.”
He Yuan lowered his head, kissed the corner of her lips, and only then, satisfied, took Ji Shuyu’s hand and led her home.
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