"Professor Xie, you’ve come from afar, why not rest for a few days? If you have time, it wouldn’t be bad to take a trip around Feng County Ancient City." Chen Song took the initiative to accompany Xie Xiao to the high-speed rail station.

Xie Xiao actually had to rush back overnight.

Xie Xiao replied, "I would love to have a break too, but today is only Monday, and today’s leave was hard to come by."

"Professor Chen, you go ahead and do your work. My kid is just a little rascal; can’t really hit her, but feel free to scold her. No matter the issue, I’ll take responsibility."

Xie Yuan’an’s expression turned bewildered: "Dad? Am I really your biological child?"

"I’m just trying to teach you how to rein in your temperament outside!" Xie Xiao knew her daughter well.

"She hasn’t really stepped out of the family’s protective circle in over thirty years, so when it comes to speaking and doing things, she’s hardly polished."

"Compared to you all, she’s quite lacking. But this is her chance to gain some experience."

Chen Song chuckled, "Researcher Xie is actually quite good, maybe you’re overthinking it, Professor Xie."

"See, even Professor Chen says I’m doing well." Xie Yuan’an repeated a bit sheepishly.

"When others say so, and you feel that way too, most of the time, it’s others lifting you up, not holding onto your mistakes."

"Keep your intentions in check. You’re not a consumer now. Think carefully about what that means." After saying this, Xie Xiao turned and walked straight into the high-speed rail station.

Traveling from Ji City back to Han City was quite a hassle, having to transfer at Sha City, but it was only a matter of time.

Two cars were taken, and Chen Song drove one ahead with no passengers. It was because Chen Song’s wife was on a rotational rest in Ji City, and the children were still in school, not yet on winter break.

Chen Song was only forty, and no one would disturb this two-person world.

As they left the high-speed rail station, Xie Yuan’an was still somewhat unconvinced, but her voice was noticeably weaker: "Xiao Mumu, do you think I really don’t understand social niceties?"

Mu Nanshu motioned towards Lu Cheng with her mouth: "Are you asking me this question?"

Xie Xiao’s words of advice were common, even if not spoken from Mu Leng’s mouth, Mu Nanshu had also reflected.

She herself could hardly talk about social niceties, relying solely on her persistence.

But Lu Cheng, on the other hand, in his usual words and deeds, seemed a bit slippery.

Xie Yuan’an looked at Lu Cheng again: "Lu Cheng? What do you think?"

Lu Cheng, being the driver, had his attention on the traffic jam and replied vaguely: "Seems fine, girls, unless specially trained, rarely experience these things."

"Being straightforward and unpretentious counts as being normal."

"Just keeping the fairy-like mindset in check is good."

Lu Cheng’s indirect response was basically an acknowledgment.

"Am I really that exaggerated?" Xie Yuan’an said with slight defiance.

Lu Cheng responded, "No, Teacher Xie, you’re exceptionally brilliant, coming up with ideas right on point. Being genuine is just amazing."

Xie Yuan’an quickly said, "It’s not that exaggerated. I just think I did pretty well myself."

However, Xie Yuan’an quickly realized the irony in Lu Cheng’s words. Lu Cheng was teasing her, and she gritted her teeth, "Is hypocrisy really social manners?"

Lu Cheng shook his head, "The ways are deep. Sincerity is the trump card, hypocrisy is an essential part."

"Mu Nanshu thinks I’m slippery; others might think I’m cunning. There’s no correct answer."

"Be honest with gentlemen, be cunning with rogues; I can’t see through it either."

"If I could choose, I’d rather prove myself through strength. That’s other people’s social business."

Lu Cheng thought he was doing well socially, but having encountered someone like Du Qiang, a seasoned trickster, where even he couldn’t tell truth from falsehood, Lu Cheng realized his own skills were still shallow.

Just not offending people was about as far as it went.

Xie Yuan’an couldn’t find a solution either and changed the topic: "Lu Cheng, does this mean you’ve accepted my dad’s invitation?"

"So, we’ll be in the same research team, right?" Xie Yuan’an’s phoenix eyes narrowed into a slit, and her arched eyebrows were so happy they flattened out.

Mu Nanshu, in the passenger seat, saw Xie Yuan’an’s expression through the hanging rear-view mirror and could only sigh inwardly.

Mu Nanshu didn’t dare say anything; Lu Cheng’s charisma was what made him appealing.

Actually, if it came down to who’s "provocative," Mu Nanshu’s looks would certainly be more so.

This sort of thing—actions, intentions, not appearances—can’t be judged.

Lu Cheng said, "Teacher Xie, is it possible that your dad is in our research team but you’re not?"

Xie Yuan’an immediately countered, "Why is that?"

"With Professor Xie here, whether you come or not, what difference does it make?" Lu Cheng joked.

"I, I, I." Xie Yuan’an thought seriously for a moment and realized she couldn’t compare to Xie Xiao in any way, not even in terms of information flow or gossip efficiency.

Feeling a little down, Xie Yuan’an lowered her head.

Mu Nanshu glanced at Lu Cheng, her eyes twinkling lightly before saying, "Sister Xie, Lu Cheng is just joking with you, don’t take it seriously."

Xie Yuan’an nodded, "Thank you guys. If not for my dad telling me these things today, I wouldn’t have really understood it."

"I’m just an ordinary second generation, like a little bonsai in disguise."

"Whether I win awards or have clinical abilities, it can’t change that label." Xie Yuan’an’s voice carried a hint of loss.

Lu Cheng said, "Being a second-generation isn’t bad, is it? I’d like to be second-generation and not have to work hard."

"But I have no chance of that; I’ll just strive to make my children second-generation."