The Secret Realm of Time, His and Her Life Through the Changes

Wang Jie and Jian Zheng's pagers went off almost simultaneously.

The two looked down and saw that the message was from the same person, their dorm mate Zhang Qian: "Tonight in the dorm, all you can eat, skewers, and beer. My treat."

"Damn, I forgot to check this morning, does the sun rise in the west?" Jian Zheng said in surprise, teasingly. "I didn't see wrong, did I? He said he's treating."

“You read that right, he sent it to a group. I received the same message as you.” Wang Jie was also surprised.

"Skewers and beer, all you can eat. He must have struck it rich." Jian Zheng said, pointing at the pager.

"I guess Zhang Qian found a job, so we're going to celebrate together."

"Then don't go back to the dorm. It's inconvenient to bring beer in; you can only hide a few bottles. And in the summer, you're wearing less clothing, so you won't be able to drink to your heart's content."

"Let's go back to school and meet up."

"Go across from the school, there are barbecue skewers on the street at night and they're not expensive."

"Don't let him treat us; I'll pay the bill."

"Come on, let me do it. You don't need to invite any of you. Anyway, I live at home, and as long as I don't have a job, I don't have to pay living expenses. My mom still gives me pocket money."

"Hehe, it's great to have a rich friend."

"Come on, you've learned to tease me now. It seems Zhou Yanruo's personality is contagious to you."

"Her personality is unique, one of a kind." Wang Jie said with a doting expression.

"She's one of a kind. If she weren't good-looking, she would have been beaten up countless times."

"Let's see who dares."

"Uh, something's not right, something looks off."

"Stop messing around, are you coming or not?"

"Come on, let's go. Sleep in the dorm tonight, and tell Grandpa."

"It's too late to go home. I'll call the convenience store and ask Aunt Jin to tell Grandpa."

The two rode their bikes back to school and went to their dormitory to find Zhang Qian.

"Have you found a job yet?" Jian Zheng asked Zhang Qian impatiently as soon as he entered the room.

"I suppose so. It's too much to explain in a few words. We'll chat while we eat." Zhang Qian's eyes crinkled with laughter. When a man is pleased with himself, his expression changes, and his face begins to glow.

"Let's go out for some skewers; it's not convenient in the dorm," Wang Jie said.

"I only have 100 yuan," Zhang Qian said with a smile.

"No need for you to invite me, I'll do it." Jian Zheng said with his usual generosity.

"Let's go."

Zhang Qian followed them out the door, and only when he looked down did he realize that it was too hot in the dormitory and he was shirtless. "You guys go ahead, I'll put on some clothes and come right away."

"Don't wear it. It's so hot. You'll have to take it off in a bit anyway. Don't be so fussy," Jian Zheng said. "You haven't learned anything else in the past four years, but you've learned all this affectation from Wang Jie."

Zhang Qian ignored it and ran back to his dormitory to get dressed.

Opposite the west gate of the school, there is a row of street stalls.

The standard setup includes a homemade charcoal grill and a few small stools; for those who want something more luxurious, there will also be a few folding tables.

Usually, the owner personally grills the skewers, with several cases of bottled beer under his feet. Customers help themselves to the beer, and the bill is settled by counting the bottles at the end.

Smoke billowed from the grill, and mutton fat sizzled as it dripped into the glowing embers, filling the air with the aroma of cumin and roasted meat.

They chose a stall they frequented, and the owner was somewhat familiar with them.

Jian Zheng: "Boss, give me thirty skewers first."

Boss: "Alright, find a seat yourself. The beer is here, help yourself."

They found a seat with a table and sat down.

Jian Zheng went and brought over three bottles of beer.

After opening the bottle, the three men raised the bottle, clinked it together, and each took a big gulp.

Jian Zheng said to Zhang Qian, "Tell me, what's the good news? Let me share in your joy."

"You've heard about Professor Zhou's plan to jointly establish a laboratory with our school, right?" Zhang Qian said, looking at Jian Zheng and adding, "It's Professor Zhou, whom you respect the most."

“Of course I know. Professor Zhou and Professor Yan came to our school a while ago, and Wang Jie and I both met the couple,” Jian Zheng said.

"Yes, I only took a peek from afar," Wang Jie replied.

"Tch, don't tease me. Once the lab is operational, Professor Zhou and the others will come often. At that time, will you still have to worry about not having a chance to visit them?"

"I'm going to work in this lab," Zhang Qian said proudly.

"You, you're not a materials science major, what can you do there?" Jian Zheng asked in surprise.

"Are there any job openings in the lab?" Wang Jie asked.

“No, I’m not a lab technician. My senior helped me apply for the position,” Zhang Qian explained. “Government funding, university funding, and some social enterprise funding all require budget coordination and fund allocation management. The lab needs to have a dedicated person in charge so that it can cooperate with the university’s financial work in real time.”

Jian Zheng said, "You're going to do this job?"

Wang Jie said, "That does align with your major."

“Yes, yes, my senior also thought it was suitable for me, so he recommended me,” Zhang Qian said. “The school agreed that the dormitory would not be taken back during this period, and I can continue to eat in the student cafeteria.”

Wang Jie said, "That's great. Then you don't need to rush to find a place to stay. Living on campus is very convenient."

Jian Zheng asked, "How much do they pay you?"

Zhang Qian said, "Salary wasn't mentioned."

Jian Zheng said, "You didn't even ask?"

Zhang Qian said, "I didn't dare to ask."

Jian Zheng said, "You're too honest. You're working for nothing without getting paid."

“Generally, the budget for experimental projects is allocated annually. Is your position based on an accounting year, or is it a temporary job during the initial preparation period?” Wang Jie analyzed rationally. “What I mean is, if it’s a temporary job, it’s no big deal to help out. Aren’t we still providing dormitories and student meals? In the end, it temporarily solves your accommodation problem and alleviates your urgent needs, so it’s fine.”

Wang Jie paused for a moment and then continued his analysis: "If it's a long-term job without pay, that's probably not right. It's definitely necessary to ask clearly and have everyone talk it out so that you can work with peace of mind."

Jian Zheng said, "Wang Jie's thinking is more comprehensive. Zhang Qian, you should ask your senior when you get back."

Zhang Qian gave a thoughtful "hmm".

"What does that senior you always talk about do?" Wang Jie asked.

“My senior is from the same place as me, and we both graduated from the same high school. He’s four years ahead of me. He’s already graduated from Tsinghua or Peking University and stayed on as a faculty member.” Zhang Qian always speaks of his senior with admiration. “He told me that he’s going to the United States as an exchange scholar for two years at the end of the year, and he’ll probably be promoted to professor when he comes back. Wow.”

"You're four years ahead of me, so you shouldn't have been in the same high school at the same time."

"Why are you concerned about that senior? What, do you want him to introduce you to a job in the lab?" Jian Zheng said, handing Wang Jie an opened bottle of beer.

"No, it's just that I keep hearing him mention it and I want to know how outstanding he is."

“When I was in high school, my senior was already studying at Tsinghua or Peking University. During our senior year, when we were preparing for the college entrance exam, the school invited him back to give a report. That’s when I met him. He said he was waiting for me at Tsinghua or Peking University. Alas, I disappointed him.” Many years later, Zhang Qian still feels regret.

Wang Jie felt a sudden pang of sadness for no reason, and then took a big gulp of beer.

He stared at Zhang Qian, hoping he would say more about that senior, yet he also felt flustered and confused...

"Thirty meat skewers, all done!" The owner came over with a dozen skewers in each hand and placed them on the grill rack on the table.

Jian Zheng: "Boss, give me thirty more."

"Okay!" the boss replied happily.