Chapter 85: Authorship of the Paper

Caught in the awkwardness, Lin Xiyu quickly shifted the topic. “...Let’s just stick to names.”
“All right, Sister Lin,” Tao Zhiming replied with a cheerful smile.
“…By the way, what do I need to do to use that machine to look up information?” Lin Xiyu decided not to dwell on the previous subject—perhaps people who grew up abroad simply had different customs. “I don’t really know much about this.”
She had meant it as a humble admission, but Tao Zhiming nodded in sincere agreement. “That’s true, you don’t know as much as I do.”
Lin Xiyu was momentarily stunned, thinking to herself, But I’m already a graduate student.
“Let’s eat, let’s eat. Try this and see if it’s authentic,” Tao Zhiming said, pointing to the dishes that had just been served.
Lin Xiyu could only chalk up his confidence to having lived in a developed country. A bit unconvinced, she gripped her chopsticks and picked up a piece of mapo tofu, popping it into her mouth. Instantly, a wave of comfort spread through her. Blowing on the spicy heat, she exclaimed, “Not bad!”
Though she usually couldn’t handle much spice, she couldn’t help but take another bite. Clearly, it had been a long time since she’d had Chinese food.
Tao Zhiming watched her, laughter in his eyes. What a charming little foodie—though the moment she spoke of the country’s future, there was an undeniable sense of responsibility about her.
The marks of the era were written all over her.
Truth be told, this was the cheapest meal he’d had in a long time, aside from the odd bite alone.
He’d chosen a simple restaurant and ordered modest dishes.
The flavors, in all honesty, were far from authentic.
But still, Tao Zhiming found a taste of home.
Leaving the restaurant and sitting once more on the bus back to campus, Tao Zhiming gazed at the dazzling Tokyo streets and quietly steeled his resolve for the future.
Since fate had brought him here, his future would take on a different shape.
“Lin Xiyu.” Once back at school, he spoke up suddenly.
“Hmm?” Lin Xiyu was a little surprised—why was he no longer calling her “Sister Lin”?
“You plan to study all the way to your doctorate, right?”
“Yes. Why?”
Tao Zhiming did a quick calculation—she’d be studying here at least another five years.
He said, “Since you want to serve your country through economics, then study Tokyo closely. Research this country’s economy well. I hope that by the time you graduate, you’ll produce a truly high-quality dissertation.”
Lin Xiyu found this a little odd.
Why did a third-year undergraduate suddenly sound like a graduate advisor?
Then Tao Zhiming turned to look at her, eyes serious. “You arrived in Tokyo last year, right? Start from the signing of the Plaza Accord and study the changes in this country’s economy. Understand?”
“…What?” Lin Xiyu stared at him in confusion.

Tao Zhiming withdrew his gaze. “You’ll understand in time. For now, let’s start with the machine I’m going to set up—get to know the wildest side of this country!”
In her mind, Lin Xiyu couldn’t shake the look in his eyes just moments before—that piercing light.
She wasn’t sure why, but she felt there was a depth to his words, as vast as the starry sky or the ocean, impossible to fathom but rich in meaning.
Research the whole shift of this country’s economy… Was that something she was really able to do?
But… Lin Xiyu gritted her teeth and nodded fiercely. “I’ll study hard!”
…
Ueda Kana had been holding back a stomach full of complaints, ready to give Tao Zhiming a piece of her mind when she saw him.
After all, she’d spent the whole day stuck at school because of him, and despite his call that morning, he hadn’t even invited her to lunch.
But when she saw Tao Zhiming approaching with a plainly dressed but stunningly beautiful girl, the expression on her face turned serene and composed.
She didn’t recognize the girl—she hadn’t paid much attention to the fleeting glimpse she’d caught in the car last time Tao Zhiming drove her home. She was never one to pay much heed to other women; she’d always been at the center of attention since childhood.
Now, Tao Zhiming was walking beside this girl, speaking quietly and politely.
His manner was nothing like the scoundrel she knew!
Before she could catch what they were saying, Tao Zhiming noticed her and waved, “Hey! Kana-sensei.”
Then he turned to introduce Lin Xiyu in the local language. “This is Ueda Kana, a third-year like me and vice president of the Kendo Club. When it came to the office, it was thanks to her help that I could contact your advisor.”
Lin Xiyu, though she had grown accustomed to local customs, bowed with a slightly awkward motion. “Pleased to meet you. My name is Kobayashi Yu.”
This was the name Professor Yamamoto had given her for convenience, and Lin Xiyu had adopted it accordingly.
But why did Tao Zhiming call this girl “sensei”? Weren’t they classmates?
Tao Zhiming smiled and added, “She’s a graduate student under Professor Yamamoto. To agree to be our adviser and request this office from the school, the condition was that I’d provide some data for his research project. Kobayashi-chan here is our liaison.”
“Research project?” Ueda Kana’s surprise was evident, but she bowed to Lin Xiyu, “Pleased to meet you, Senior Kobayashi.”
She then looked at Tao Zhiming, her eyes questioning.
What she really wanted to know was: why was this Kobayashi Yu a graduate student senior, and yet Tao dared to call her “Kobayashi-chan”? He was truly shameless.
“Yes, Professor Yamamoto said he needs a lot of the latest economic data for his project and wants to see me because of that—it’s not a security issue.” Tao Zhiming paused, then continued, “Of course, I’ll properly thank you for helping me sort out this matter.”
Ueda Kana turned away haughtily. “It’s no big deal. This way, please.”
The Kendo Club’s facilities were in an old building used as a gym. Ueda Kana led them to a room at the southwest corner. “Professor Yamamoto said the equipment to be installed is very expensive, so this room was set aside. It even has its own entrance.”
Tao Zhiming was delighted. “You’ve been a huge help!”

“…I really don’t know why Professor Yamamoto is taking this so seriously,” Ueda Kana muttered. “To free up this room, everyone in the Kendo Club was busy all afternoon!”
“Uh… once term starts, as a new club member, I’ll treat everyone to a nice meal as a thank you!”
“…Who agreed to let you join the Kendo Club?” Ueda Kana grumbled quietly.
Their conversation was brisk, and Lin Xiyu actually didn’t quite follow.
She didn’t talk much here—she spoke only when necessary, spending the rest of her time studying.
Yet, Ueda Kana was secretly surprised. When the two of them walked over earlier, hadn’t this girl been talking nonstop? Why was she suddenly so quiet?
Glancing around the empty room, Tao Zhiming nodded with satisfaction. “Now we just need to add some essential furnishings.”
He didn’t want to keep moving things back and forth, so he simply pulled a mobile phone out of his backpack and called Satani Nick.
Seeing the device in his hand, Ueda Kana was astonished. “Why buy something so impractical?”
Tao Zhiming shot her a puzzled look, but the call had already connected. “I’m at the installation site. You can get going. Nick, since you’re coming by truck, could you bring some furniture too? The stuff in your office looks pretty good—you can just buy some like that. But I’ll need two sets of tables and chairs, and a bookshelf… Just bring them, keep the receipts, I’ll reimburse you.”
After hanging up, he asked, “Why is it impractical?”
Ueda Kana gave him a speechless look and pointed nearby. “There’s a phone in the Kendo Club office!”
“But isn’t this more convenient?” Tao Zhiming replied cheerfully. “It’s a bit pricey, but sometimes time matters more.”
Ueda Kana was lost for words.
But if he’d made so much money from attending those briefings, should he really be spending it on something so flashy and impractical?
She recalled his forceful, arrogant demeanor in front of Shizuko, and those words he’d said—“If you’ve heard about my recent situation and start pestering me again, that’ll be a problem. It’s rather disgusting, honestly.”
That kind of confidence was certainly not an act.
Professor Yamamoto said the machine he wanted to install cost two million yen, and now he’d bought a mobile phone that alone cost over a million. Ueda Kana couldn’t help but ask, “You’re not just interested in research, are you? Are you investing to make money?”
Tao Zhiming was momentarily taken aback, then laughed. “You’re very sharp!”
Though it was praise, it sounded to Ueda Kana like an adult complimenting a child. She muttered, “Everyone is talking about these things now—what’s so special about it?”
Tao Zhiming didn’t press further but continued, “Doing research is certainly an important goal. See? This time it’s official. Professor Yamamoto said if the project succeeds, I can be listed as third author on the paper.”
Ueda Kana and Lin Xiyu both widened their eyes in shock.
“You’ll be credited as co-author on Professor Yamamoto’s paper? Professor Yamamoto Akihito himself?!” Ueda Kana’s composure slipped completely. “How is that possible?”