Upon hearing her colleague’s exclamation, Ji Shuiyao was also quite surprised. The Global Discovery website typically features one front-page article at a time. It was uncommon to see two articles simultaneously. The piece written under the pen name “Lin Xiaobao” was undoubtedly impressive.

The newly featured article, since it shared the spotlight with “Lin Xiaobao’s” work, had to be exceptional too. Ji Shuiyao’s curiosity was piqued, and she immediately leaned over to her colleague’s computer for a closer look.

She quickly discovered it was a scientific article focused on biochemistry. Although Ji Shuiyao specialized in marine biology, as a scientist, she had a decent grasp of other scientific fields. The quality of this new front-page article was indeed high, which was a rarity. The author’s pen name was “Wei Xiaobao,” a name that wasn’t unfamiliar.

Could it be purely coincidental that Lin Xiaobao and Wei Xiaobao had similar pen names, or was there a connection?

Just then, Lin Chen lazily strolled onto the deck. Noticing a group of scientists animatedly gathered around a computer, he paused. It was clear that the article he had written the previous night had been accepted and was now featured.

“Sixth Sister, what’s going on over here? What’s all the excitement about?” Lin Chen asked, pretending to be surprised.

“Oh, we came across two exceptional front-page scientific papers on Global Discovery,” Ji Shuiyao responded.

“Two front-page articles?” Lin Chen was slightly surprised.

“Yes.”

Lin Chen leaned over to take a look and indeed saw two front-page articles. One was his submission under the pen name Lin Xiaobao, and the other was by someone else, with a pen name that surprised him: Wei Xiaobao?!

He had chosen the name Lin Xiaobao, inspired by “Wei Xiaobao.” The “Lin” was from his surname, and “Xiaobao” was borrowed from the name “Wei Xiaobao.” Wei Xiaobao famously had seven wives in the story, and Lin Chen had always dreamed of marrying seven goddess-like sisters. That was why he whimsically chose the pen name “Lin Xiaobao.”

Lin Chen was amazed for a moment and immediately checked the article authored by “Wei Xiaobao.”

“Could the authors’ similar pen names mean they know each other?” people around discussed.

“That’s very possible; otherwise, their pen names wouldn’t overlap.”

“Or maybe it’s the same person?” Wang Haoran suggested with a smile, joining the discussion.

“It can’t be the same person!” Lin Chen immediately denied.

Wang Haoran gave him a knowing look but kept silent.

“Xiao Chen, why do you think that?” Ji Shuiyao asked, puzzled.

“I… I was just guessing.” Lin Chen didn’t want to reveal he was one of the authors. He hoped the publication on Global Discovery would earn him recognition in the scientific community and admire his Sixth Sister. Having only published one article, he was just starting out, far from achieving fame. Before he became truly renowned or impressed his Sixth Sister, Lin Chen didn’t plan to reveal too much.

…

Night.

The sea breeze was gentle.

Ji Shuiyao moved a chair and sat alone on the deck, reading a scientific tome. Qiu Qianwei was unwell and needed to rest, so she was taking a break. Wang Haoran, feeling bored in the cabin, came out to the deck.

Ji Shuiyao, engrossed in her book, didn’t notice Wang Haoran’s approach.

“The moon over the sea is truly beautiful,” Wang Haoran sighed to himself.

Beside him, Ji Shuiyao, focused on her book, realized someone had approached. She slightly closed her book, looked up at the bright moon, and said:

“The surface of the moon has dark and bright areas. The bright areas are highlands, while the dark areas are plains or basins, known as lunar seas. Ancient astronomers, observing the moon, thought the dark areas were covered with water, hence the name ‘seas,’ such as the Sea of Clouds, Sea of Moisture, and Sea of Tranquility. The bright parts are mountains, with craters known as lunar craters. Besides craters, the moon’s surface features ordinary mountains, with high peaks and deep valleys, offering a unique landscape.”

“But unfortunately, there’s no telescope on the ship to enjoy it directly,” she added with slight regret.

Wang Haoran, originally intending to discuss poetry and philosophy with Ji Shuiyao, felt his romantic interest dampened by her scientific explanation.

“Are you hungry? Shall we have some barbecue?” Wang Haoran suggested, trying to spark a more engaging interaction. Being at sea, there was plenty of seafood available. Enjoying the moonlit view, feeling the sea breeze, and having a barbecue on the deck seemed idyllic.

“Food is just for energy intake. Three meals a day are sufficient; I never consume extra energy,” Ji Shuiyao replied.

Hearing this, Wang Haoran felt a bit frustrated. He pondered for a moment and asked, “Can I borrow a book to read?”

“Of course.”

Ji Shuiyao fetched a book and handed it to Wang Haoran, then returned to her reading, paying little attention to him.

Reading alongside Ji Shuiyao was the most harmonious way to spend time with her, but it offered no interaction, which didn’t help their relationship progress. Wang Haoran found reading alone boring after a while and started observing Ji Shuiyao.

In terms of looks, figure, and temperament, Ji Shuiyao was impeccable, but her attire was overly casual. For instance, her thick black hair was casually tied back, looking a bit messy. While it didn’t detract from her appearance much, couldn’t she tidy her hair a bit?

“Miss Ji, don’t you have a comb in your cabin?” Wang Haoran, somewhat obsessive about details, couldn’t help but ask.

“I do,” Ji Shuiyao replied.

“Then why don’t you… comb your hair?”

“Is it strange not to comb my hair?” Ji Shuiyao countered.

“Isn’t it… strange?” Wang Haoran felt puzzled.

“From the perspective of natural biological behavior, females adorn themselves due to ‘mating’ tendencies, like peahens spreading their beautiful feathers, ducks grooming their feathers, and insects ‘dancing’ or making ‘beautiful sounds,’” Ji Shuiyao explained seriously. “And I lack that mating tendency, so I don’t deliberately dress up. What’s strange about that?”

“Aren’t humans different from animals?” Wang Haoran slightly retorted.

“In essence, there’s no difference,” Ji Shuiyao replied sincerely.

“You continue reading; I’m not feeling well and will go rest,” Wang Haoran found an excuse to leave. He had approached Ji Shuiyao with the intention of flirting, but after a brief conversation, he felt out of depth with Ji Shuiyao. She was a complete “iron straight woman,” utterly unflirtable.

…

Footnotes:

  • Lin Xiaobao and Wei Xiaobao: The names are inspired by the character Wei Xiaobao from the famous Chinese novel “The Deer and the Cauldron” by Jin Yong. Wei Xiaobao is known for having seven wives, humorously reflecting Lin Chen’s dreams of having seven goddess-like spouses.