Chapter 52, Chapter 66 (Part 2), and Chapter 67

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Yilan Lin took out a thick file folder from her bag and handed it to the professor.
“Professor, this is the English version.”
Professor Wu adjusted his glasses. “You mean there are other versions as well?”
Yilan Lin nodded. “This is a project for a coastal town on the west coast of Zealand, Denmark. I also prepared versions in Danish and Chinese.
However, the Danish one was translated by me using a dictionary, so I might need someone with Danish language experience to help me. But so far, I haven’t found the right person.”
Besides the Chinese and English departments, the University of Technology doesn’t offer other language majors, so she had trouble finding anyone.
Worried about not finding someone, she specifically prepared the English version to send along with the others.
Professor Wu looked at Yilan Lin deeply, then opened the folder.
What he admired most about her, beyond talent and professional effort, was her character—she was someone who gave her all in everything she did.
The materials in the folder followed the order Yilan Lin used from her previous project experience.
The first page was the cover, the second was the table of contents, followed by a summary and brief analysis of the project, then the design drawings.
The first design drawing was a colored pencil “rendering” she made, showing the completed project all colored with colored pencils.
It must be said, at a time like this, a beautiful hand-drawn rendering has a strong impact.
Professor Wu thought so too.
It was the first time he saw Yilan Lin’s rendering. He lifted the drawing, pushed up his glasses, and began to admire it attentively.
“Xiao Lin, very good, really good. You could totally be a painter; I don’t think you’re any worse than art students.”
Such a rendering, full of life and human touch, was quite fresh.
When he studied, he had seen works by famous designers—many were colorful, but none captured people, the traces of life, and light and shadow like hers did.
Putting that aside, when he looked at the architecture itself, he paused.
“How did you come up with such a curved building?” Professor Wu looked up, his eyes sparkling. He felt like he had just unearthed a treasure!
Eagerly, he continued, “Have you consulted an engineer for the structural calculations? Would this building require a large budget? Is it feasible?”
Yilan Lin paused. She hadn’t yet had an engineer do the calculations, but she had roughly estimated it and saw no major issues. She had done similar calculations before, so the workload here wasn’t difficult for her.
With no special geographic conditions—if there were, she didn’t know due to lack of data—it was a single-story building, not large in area. Denmark was not a developing country, so the cost of reinforced concrete there wasn’t expensive.
She shared her thoughts honestly with Professor Wu and told him about her inspiration and architectural prototypes.
“Because it’s by the sea and a sailors’ center, I used the imagery of waves and fish. I hope they can have a bountiful harvest and sail against the wind and waves.”
“Professor Wu, do you think my design needs any modifications?” Yilan Lin asked cautiously.
Professor Wu put a finger to his lips. “Shh! Let me finish looking at everything first.”
There were many design drawings. Apart from the engineering documents still needed, this file was more comprehensive than what they currently filled out for projects.

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After reviewing the drawings, he didn’t miss the subsequent series of analytical reports.
When he finally looked up, the sun was already at its zenith.
“Xiao Lin, I don’t think I can teach you anything more.” Professor Wu pondered for a moment, a flood of emotions gathering into that single sentence.
Seeing the stunned look on her face, he burst out laughing. “Yilan Lin, if I had ideas like yours at eighteen, I’d be strutting around campus by now.”
“I’m really curious—how did your mind develop? I’ve seen gifted young architects before. Their work had charisma but was immature; you are completely different. From these drawings alone, you’re already a mature designer.”
Professor Wu carefully organized the materials in front of him, patting his thigh with a mix of regret and joy.
The smile on his lips was unstoppable.
He was truly lucky to have encountered such a student.
Yilan Lin scratched the back of her head, forcing a smile. “Professor, you’re exaggerating. I still have so much to learn from you.”
Professor Wu nodded, lifted his tea cup, and drank it down in one gulp. “Do you want me to help find an engineer for you? Or someone proficient in Danish?
Or if you need help with anything else, just tell me!”
Yilan Lin hesitated briefly, then tentatively asked, “Do you have any comments on my design drawings?”
Professor Wu shook his head. “As I said, you’re already a mature designer in my eyes. Unless there are serious problems, I don’t intend to criticize your work.
Just keep following your direction.”
“When you need me, come find me. As your teacher, I’ll always support you.”
Yilan Lin looked directly into Professor Wu’s eyes, seeing the expectation and recognition there. Just as he said.
Xiao Lin, boldly move forward.
After lunch, Yilan Lin took her leave from Professor Wu’s home.
Professor Wu accompanied her out of the kitchen.
In the yard, he suddenly stopped by the flowerbed, and Yilan Lin stood beside him.
“Xiao Lin, if you want to submit projects or enter design competitions in the future, tell me ahead of time. But you don’t have to show me your designs.”
After speaking, Professor Wu turned to Yilan Lin with a kindly look. “You are a talented, imaginative, and very capable designer. Your work is already very close to perfect. If I were to change anything, it wouldn’t be improving it, but spoiling it.”
“But before you enter projects or competitions, tell me. Not just domestic ones, but international projects and contests can be complicated. If you don’t know in advance, it’s easy to get into trouble.
As a teacher, the most important thing is protecting my students.”
“Of course, after you graduate, you’ll have to make all decisions on your own. This is the only help I can offer now.”
Yilan Lin’s face flushed red. She waved her hands vigorously and thanked him, unsure how to express her gratitude.
She never imagined becoming a student of a top expert, and that this expert would be so patient and caring.
She almost envied herself in this lifetime for having such a good family and such a great teacher.

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“Thank you, Professor!” She bowed deeply.
Her eyes shining brightly as she looked at him, she took a deep breath. “I’m sorry about this project. In the future, I will communicate with you ahead of time as you advised.
If I have any questions, I will consult you! But please don’t ever think I’m a bother.
Thank you, Professor Wu. You truly are the best teacher in the world.”
Professor Wu’s face turned red at her words. But since she said she would come to him with questions, he immediately felt happier and laughed heartily. “Alright, I won’t think you’re a bother. Having a student like you makes me very happy.”
“Okay, I won’t keep you talking, don’t want to delay your afternoon plans.”
Professor Wu walked Yilan Lin to the door, and she pushed her bicycle as they parted ways.
Yilan Lin waved. “Goodbye, Professor! Please have a good rest during the summer break, and remember to take your medicine on time.”
Professor Wu nodded and waved back. “Let’s go!”
She gave a hum, pushed the bike a few steps, then swung one leg over and rode off.
Watching her disappear around the corner, Professor Wu finally lowered his hand and turned back home.
When he returned, Li E’lan had just finished washing the dishes and came out of the kitchen.
“Professor Li, thank you for hosting my student today.”
Li E’lan smiled, untying her apron. “Professor Wu, you’re too polite. When my students came before, you hosted them as well.”
Seeing the slight frown beneath the smile on her husband’s face, she walked to the yard, hung her apron on the tea table, and sat down on a nearby chair.
“Old Wu, sit down, let’s have a chat.”
Professor Wu, hands behind his back, carried a chair to sit beside his wife. “Sure, it’s been a long time since we enjoyed the flowers and chatted in the yard.”
Li E’lan stood with her hands on her knees. “I’ll get the tea that Xiao Shen brought before. We’re in the mood for it today.”
Upon hearing this, Professor Wu stood eagerly. “Alright, I’ll boil the water in the kitchen.”
They divided the tasks, and within ten minutes, the tea was ready.
Li E’lan held the cup, first inhaled its aroma with a sound of appreciation, then took a small sip.
“Mmm, not bad. Xiao Shen, where did you get this tea? It’s so fragrant.”
“Really?” Professor Wu took a sip, raising his eyebrows. “Indeed it’s good. Next time I’ll ask Xiao Shen. If you like it, I’ll buy some.”
Professor Li nodded and placed her cup on the tea table. “Sure, ask him. If it’s easy to get, buy some; if not, forget it.”
After a moment of silence, only the sound of tea drinking filled the air.
“Alright, Wu Congshan, tell me what happened today. How did a perfectly good, beautiful young lady end up crying in our home?” Li E’lan poured herself another cup of tea.
Professor Wu sighed deeply and recounted everything that had happened between him and Yilan Lin to his wife without leaving out a single word. He looked at Li E’lan in confusion. “Tell me, what are these kids thinking nowadays?”