The Academic God Becomes an Internet Sensation After Joining a Dating Show - C54 - Lifelong Happines

Escorted by security, they finally made their way into the venue.

Qing Lin and Shen Xuzhi headed to the reception room. As soon as Qing Lin saw him remove his mask, he asked, “Shen Laoshi, you’re here too?”

“I was invited to attend the opening ceremony of the planetarium.” Shen Xuzhi replied, gesturing toward the audio playing in the exhibition hall. “The background music playing inside was arranged by me.”

Qing Lin listened quietly for a moment before smiling. “So that’s how it is. That’s incredible.”

“I just heard you were filling in as the guide,” Shen Xuzhi added, “and I thought you might get stuck outside, so I came to look for you.”

Remembering the scene from earlier, Qing Lin couldn’t help but smile. “I didn’t expect so many people to recognize me.”

Shen Xuzhi hesitated, then asked, “You… like the cute type?”

The way he said it struck Qing Lin as unexpectedly adorable. Half teasing, he echoed Shen Xuzhi’s earlier words and quipped, “No, I think I like Teacher Shen a little more.”

Shen Xuzhi immediately went quiet, but up close, the faint blush on his ears and the glimmer of joy in his eyes gave him away.

After a few casual words, Qing Lin was preparing to start the guide duties when the reception hall door opened. A group of older scholars stepped inside, trailed by several cameras.

The host at the center caught sight of Shen Xuzhi and turned toward the camera with a smile. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is Shen Xuzhi, the composer of the original soundtrack for Interstellar.”

[Ahhh, Zhi!]

[Teacher Shen is incredible—he’s not just a singer, but also a composer with such a wide range!]

[This arranger is so good-looking. Well, he is a celebrity after all.]

[Wait a second… the person standing next to him is Qing Lin?!]

[What?! How did Qing Lin end up here?!]

When Qing Lin noticed the live cameras, his heart sank.

It was over.

The comments would surely accuse him of clinging to Shen Xuzhi. That morning, he had already been dragged over his academic record, and now he risked facing the wrath of Shen Xuzhi’s loyal fans.

Shen Xuzhi had a clear sense of what was happening. To ease the awkwardness, he started to make an introduction. “This is—”

“Ah!” A bespectacled professor suddenly cut Shen Xuzhi off from behind.

Stepping forward, he fixed his gaze on Qing Lin and asked, “You’re Qing Lin, aren’t you?”

Qing Lin studied him for a moment, a faint sense of familiarity surfacing. “Yes.”

[!! Isn’t that the physics PhD from Tsinghua they just introduced?]

[Yeah, that’s him! He’s the dean of Tsinghua’s School of Science and even a fellow of the Chinese Academy of Sciences!]

[Wait, what—he actually knows Qing Lin? Does that mean the professor watches dating shows too?]

[No way, that can’t be true.]

[Hold up… didn’t Qing Lin’s college entrance exam results get leaked this morning? Could it be that…]

“Qing, it’s been so long.” The professor, who had worn a stern expression just moments ago, suddenly broke into a warm smile. “Do you still remember me? Back when your college entrance exam results came out, I personally visited your school to invite you to Tsinghua.”

Recognition dawned on Qing Lin, and he answered, “Professor Zhang Zhengxi!”

“That’s right.” Zhang Zhengxi gave his shoulder a friendly pat. “It’s been a few years. Which year are you in now? Where are you studying?”

“I’m a junior at Zhejiang University,” Qing Lin replied politely.

“Zhejiang University, I see.” Zhang Zhengxi nodded approvingly, though with a hint of regret. “It’s an excellent university, of course, but it’s a pity you didn’t join Tsinghua. Our School of Science truly missed out on you.”

[Holy crap!]

[YouTube star, provincial top scorer in the college entrance exams… this guy is unreal! I wouldn’t even dare write a character like him in a novel.]

[And now he’s even the one that Tsinghua’s School of Science still regrets losing.]

[What cosmic luck do I have, getting to watch a top scorer show up on a dating show?]

[Hahaha, whoever started that thread saying Qing Lin’s “genius” persona was fake must be eating their words right now.]

Zhang Zhengxi asked, “Oh? Are you here for a tour today?”

Qing Lin glanced at Shen Xuzhi before answering, “I’m just filling in for the tour guide who couldn’t make it.”

“I see,” Zhang Zhengxi nodded in satisfaction. “So, you’re the specially appointed guide from Zhejiang University. That’s wonderful.”

[Holy crap, so he really wasn’t here because of Shen Xuzhi after all.]

[Wow, that’s incredible!!]

[See? I told you! I watched QL’s livestream on BiliBili. His concentration alone showed he’s a real academic god. Hard to believe people ever doubted him, stirring up all that nonsense.]

[Netizens really have too much time on their hands.]

When the host heard the words “tour guide,” he casually added, “Today marks the grand opening of the Hangzhou Planetarium, and we’ve invited local elementary and middle school students to join the tour. Qing Lin, which hall are you in charge of today?”

Before coming, Qing Lin had already read through the guide’s script, so he answered smoothly, “I’m guiding the elementary school students through the Cosmic Science Trail in Zone A.”

The host smiled. “Carrying out astronomy activities for young people is of great significance. Children are pure, full of imagination. We hope that through this program, their curiosity will be sparked, encouraging them to look up at the stars and planting within them the seeds of scientific inquiry.”

“Exactly,” Zhang Zhengxi agreed. “The true goal of science education isn’t to turn every child into a scientist, but to nurture their ability to think critically. Just like the words we saw on the exhibition hall wall when we first entered.”

The starry sky is vast and boundless.

Exploration knows no end.

[I’m in tears.]

[Salute to all the astronomy professionals.]

Since Qing Lin had accidentally ended up on the live broadcast, he quickly followed the lead staff member, put on his work badge, and headed toward his assigned post.

Before the official tour started, the guides went through a round of training. The instructor in charge of major projects personally led Qing Lin through Hall A, explaining the basic procedures in detail.

Qing Lin picked everything up with remarkable speed, memorizing the script in no time and delivering a lively, engaging demonstration back to the instructor.

“Excellent. As expected of a Zhejiang University student. Working with you is always reassuring,” the instructor praised.

Qing Lin smiled politely. “You flatter me.”

“No need for modesty. To not only master the script so quickly but also expand on it appropriately. That shows your depth of knowledge,” the instructor replied with a smile. “The next group you’ll be guiding are second graders from Hangzhou No. 1 Primary School. They’re young, full of energy, and may throw out some unexpected questions. You’ll need to be quick on your feet.”

“Of course, no problem.” Qing Lin glanced back at the exhibition hall and added with genuine admiration, “The planetarium’s design is truly thoughtful.”

And Qing Lin was absolutely right.

This design was truly a visual masterpiece.

Its brilliance lies not only in its technological sophistication but also in its focus on creating an immersive experience.

The exhibition hall feels as though it transports visitors into interstellar space itself, where they can gaze up at the endless starry sky.

A towering sun model, several dozen meters high, glows with a fierce red light, and standing close, one almost feels the heat radiating from its flames.

The moon, meticulously crafted, displays every intricate pattern of its surface. Beside it, a projection of Earth seems to capture its rotation in real time.

The sight reminded Qing Lin of a phrase he had once come across online:

“They say Earth and the moon drift one second farther apart every million years. As early as 2.5 billion years ago, we began our long farewell.”

Before long, the elementary school students filed into Astronomy Hall A.

Qing Lin was placed in charge of a group of ten lively children who bounced with excitement the moment they stepped inside.

“This place is huge!”

“Wow, it’s so beautiful!”

Qing Lin smiled and greeted them. “Hello, children. I will be your tour guide for today’s visit. My name is Qing Lin.”

In perfect unison, the children replied, “Hello, Teacher Qing.”

Qing Lin waved to the children, then looked up to see that Shen Xuzhi had quietly slipped into the group.

He held a camera in one hand, pointed to the “Staff” badge on his chest, and pressed a finger to his lips in a silent gesture.

Qing Lin guessed he must have returned to take photos, standing in for the original staff photographer.

He had even changed out of his suit and into a work vest. With his gold-rimmed glasses and gentle smile, he truly looked the part.

A little girl standing in front of him tugged at his sleeve and asked, “Uncle, are you here with us?”

Shen Xuzhi faltered slightly at being called “uncle,” while Qing Lin covered his mouth to stifle a laugh.

Bending down, Shen Xuzhi said gently, “Yes, Uncle is here to listen to the teacher’s explanation too.”

The girl tilted her head. “But you’re so big. You still need to listen?”

Shen Xuzhi ruffled her hair and replied, “No matter how old you are, you should always keep learning.”

His presence quickly drew the children’s attention. After all, he was strikingly handsome, and children naturally adored this kind of charming, storybook-like uncle.

Qing Lin joined in with the same playful tone the children had used when calling him “Uncle.” “But this is no ordinary uncle. The background music you hear in the exhibition hall right now was composed by him.”

The children cried out together, “He’s an amazing uncle!”

Their enthusiasm nearly made Shen Xuzhi burst into laughter.

Wearing his lapel microphone, Qing Lin smoothly guided everyone back to the tour. “Alright, what you’re looking at now is the Foucault pendulum in our planetarium.”

The children craned their necks, gazing curiously.

In the center of the hall, a massive pendulum swung steadily back and forth, encircled by a ring of gauges.

“Do you all know that the Earth revolves around the Sun?” Qing Lin asked.

“Yes!” the children answered.

“That is Earth’s revolution. But in addition to revolving, Earth also rotates on its axis,” Qing Lin explained. “This experiment was created by a French scientist named Foucault. Because of Earth’s rotation, the pendulum’s path slowly shifts from its original trajectory, knocking down the metal pointers one after another. This demonstrates Earth’s rotation.”

The children stared, wide-eyed, as the pendulum swung.

With a heavy thud, the pendulum knocked over two metal pointers in succession.

“Wow!” the children exclaimed. “It really fell down!”

Applause filled the hall, and Shen Xuzhi lifted his camera, capturing the moment.

Qing Lin led the children into the exhibition hall, beginning with the Cosmos Hall. They passed through a long interstellar corridor, and once inside, it felt as if their bodies had merged with the vast universe itself.

Nebulae filled the hall, their vibrant, three-dimensional projections spreading crimson halos across the air and scattering shimmering patches of light.

They glowed with the radiance of the cosmos.

In the dim light, a little boy pointed at the 3D projection and said, “This is so pretty! It looks just like a butterfly!”

“This is the NGC 6302 Nebula. You can also call it the Butterfly Nebula,” Qing Lin explained, bending down as he spoke. “The star’s superheated body expands outward, forming a shape that looks just like a butterfly. Isn’t it breathtaking?”

“Mmm!” The boy’s eyes sparkled as he gazed upward at the magnificent, dreamlike universe.

“I think so too,” Qing Lin said gently. “See? Every galaxy shine in its own special way.”

On the wall, an interactive display responded to movement, making the quantum particles sway in sync with every gesture. The children laughed with delight, waving their arms to watch the particles ripple.

Meanwhile, Shen Xuzhi quietly adjusted his camera, flipping through the photos he had just taken of Qing Lin guiding the children so attentively. Without realizing it, a smile spread across his face.

Just then, a child tugged at his sleeve. “Uncle.”

Shen Xuzhi thought something might be wrong and was about to bend down to ask, when the child continued, “You should listen carefully. Don’t just stare at the teacher.”

Shen Xuzhi: “…”

Qing Lin then guided the group to the next exhibition hall, the main display area for the Sun, Earth, and Moon. The enormous models immediately drew gasps of awe from the children.

“Wow—” The children stared at the blazing, immense Sun.

“You all recognize this, right?” Qing Lin asked. “Exactly! This is our daily companion, the Sun.”

“In the future, the sun will become a red giant and eventually fade into glowing ashes within a nebula. This is the fate of all stars. When a star dies, its elements are released and become cosmic dust that drifts through the universe.”

The VCR in the exhibition hall plays the evolution of the universe.

13.8 billion years ago: The Big Bang.

4.6 billion years ago: Earth was born.

And then, suddenly, the sun vanished. The crimson sky faded into darkness, and gradually, music began to play, depicting the chaos of war on Earth. Then, once again, everything plunged into darkness, and all fell silent.

A little girl timidly raised her hand. “Teacher, does that mean we’ll all turn into dust in the universe?”

A boy in the back asked, “Does that mean we will all die, Teacher?”

“Ah… are we going to die?”

“If we die, does that mean I will just disappear?”

“That’s so scary… I don’t want to disappear.”

The children began whispering to one another, huddling in small groups, their voices filled with worry.

Shen Xuzhi stood behind them, watching as Qing Lin picked up the microphone and spoke, his voice soft and gentle.

“This isn’t scary, children,” Qing Lin reassured the little ones, gesturing toward the starry sky above. “Do you see this galaxy behind me? In the universe, atoms never truly disappear. Everything that makes us up comes from the countless stars scattered across the cosmos after the Big Bang.”

The children fell silent, following the direction of Qing Lin’s finger.

The universe stretched endlessly, its starlight dazzling.

Countless stars, densely packed and innumerable, each shone with its own unique color. Time and space seemed to merge, with every river of light illuminating the dark night that encompassed all phenomena.

“We have existed for billions of light-years, present since the very beginning of the universe,” Qing Lin said with a gentle smile. “That is why we will never truly vanish. You can proudly say that each of us is a star.”

______________________________________________________________________________

The tour concluded successfully.

Qing Lin delivered an exceptional performance, earning unanimous praise from the children and the accompanying officials alike.

The photos Shen Xuzhi took were striking. Qing Lin in his white work coat, surrounded by children who listened intently. In those images, one could almost see the promise of astronomy’s future.

After changing out of his uniform, Qing Lin stepped outside to find Shen Xuzhi waiting.

Although the planetarium had opened its doors, official ticket sales would not begin until tomorrow. Today’s events were primarily for promotional purposes.

Shen Xuzhi handed Qing Lin a packet of cookies. “Here, space-themed cookies,” he said.

Qing Lin accepted the gift, noticing that the cookies were shaped like the eight planets, each labeled with its name on the back of the bag.

“Wow, what a thoughtful souvenir design,” Qing Lin remarked.

“Want to explore some more? The curator said we can wander freely until closing at five,” Shen Xuzhi suggested. “It’s a rare opportunity.”

Qing Lin’s eyes lit up. While touring the exhibition halls earlier, he had spotted several intriguing exhibits. “Sure! I want to check out Zone C. They have a black hole simulation and the Giant Dome Planetarium.”

Shen Xuzhi nodded and followed Qing Lin through the venue, visiting every exhibit he wanted to explore. The space was cleverly designed, with every corner perfect for capturing on camera.

Taking advantage of the quiet, Qing Lin tried each interactive exhibit. He and Shen Xuzhi experienced the 8D cinema “Leap Across the Planets,” reclining in plush seats as they observed the simulated movements of celestial bodies. The experience was immersive and unforgettable.

After exploring nearly everything, they arrived at the final exhibit in Zone C.

Here, silence reigned. Black curtains lined the walls, transforming the space into a cosmic void, as if they had reached the edge of time and space.

At the center stood a square enclosure and within it floated our blue home—the Earth.

A display panel bore the words of renowned astrophysicist and science writer Carl Sagan.

“On this tiny dot, every person you love, every person you know, every person you’ve ever heard of, and every human being who has ever lived, spent their entire life. They all lived here. A mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.”

Qing Lin leaned against the railing, quietly watching the rolling clouds over Earth.

His brows relaxed, his expression calm and indifferent. The elegant lines of his profile, catching the faint, gentle glow, looked striking yet soft.

Shen Xuzhi’s phone rang. He gestured for Qing Lin to hold on while he stepped aside.

Only a few words were exchanged.

“Mm, understood,” Shen Xuzhi replied. “Alright, I’m aware. Appreciate your efforts.”

After ending the call, he returned to Qing Lin, who was still gazing at the Milky Way. Shen Xuzhi hesitated, unsure if now was the right moment to speak.

Then he reminded himself—this matter was important to Qing Lin. He paused briefly before calling out, “Qing Lin.”

Qing Lin turned to look at him.

Shen Xuzhi said quietly, “We caught Ma Zi.”

After a moment of silence, he continued, “This guy is a repeat offender. Thanks to a tip from a fan in a group-buying chat outside the official fan community, we quickly traced Ma Zi’s account. The police arrived, arrested him, and have now released an official statement.”

He paused again. “…Your brother must have seen it too.”

Shen Xuzhi’s gaze lingered on Qing Lin.

He did feel, at times, that he was closer to Qing Lin—when Qing Lin was willing to tell him that he was Orphic, to tell him about his younger brother, and to ask for his help.

But Shen Xuzhi also felt that Qing Lin was so far away.

Even though they were physically close, even though he knew Qing Lin’s struggles, even though he could be more direct in helping, loving, and caring for him—he simply didn’t dare.

He was still afraid Qing Lin might break.

He was too fragile.

Qing Lin pulled out his phone. As expected, Weibo had pushed the arrest notice from the Z Province police.

Posts tagged #Orphic# flooded his feed.

Everyone soon realized the mastermind was someone else, and Hwie was let off the hook. Some netizens even began defending him, calling it pitiful that he had been used as a pawn.

Online sentiment shifted so quickly. It took only the slightest spark to divert everyone’s attention.

Just then, a notification appeared on Qing Lin’s phone.

[Hwie sent you a message.]

It was Qing Yejie.

He must have seen the news and the comments before reaching out on WeChat.

Qing Lin opened the chat.

Before he could read the message, it was quickly retracted, leaving only “The other party is typing…” at the top of the screen.

He waited over a minute, watching the typing indicator remain active, then opened his contacts and called directly.

After several rings, the call connected.

Silence stretched. Dead silence.

Neither of them spoke first.

The planetarium itself was quiet, and within the exhibition hall, even the faintest sound seemed magnified.

“…I’m sorry…”

After a long pause, Qing Yejie finally spoke.

Qing Lin listened.

“I saw the police notice. This… must be connected to you, right?” Qing Yejie said. “Mazi deserved to be arrested, but I also committed infringement under a false identity… I was blinded for a moment by empty fame and exploited by an illegal organization… It was especially despicable. I know I got off lightly this time, and I know… you covered for me…”

Qing Yejie’s voice was soft, as if he had gone out of his way to find a quiet spot, yet even so, the background noise was still noticeable.

“I hope you truly understand now,” Qing Lin exhaled slowly. “Anshan Police Station. One month of community service. Reflect on your actions.”

“No second chances, Qing Yejie.” His tone was cold, his eyes unreadable. “If this happens again, I won’t save you, not even if you’re dying.”

“…I understand,” Qing Yejie replied. There was nothing more he could say. Everything else felt meaningless.

Qing Lin stayed silent.

“I’m sorry,” Qing Yejie repeated.

This time, he added, “Truly.”

Silence followed.

Qing Yejie waited, silently longing for a single “It’s okay” from Qing Lin. But it never came. At the very end, only a flat, detached command reached him: “Hang up.”

Qing Yejie ended the call.

He didn’t know how things had come to this, why they had reached such a state. He didn’t know how to control his emotions, or how to face this new reality.

But his thoughts drifted back to how Qing Lin had been at that time.

He could never go back to him.

Or perhaps he had never truly hated Qing Lin—he had only been too dependent on him.

They had endured winter together in their childhood. They could have been lucky enough to witness spring together. They could have stayed together forever.

He had believed they would be together forever.

But how could that ever be possible?

Suddenly, his phone vibrated a few times.

Qing Yejie glanced at it and froze.

It was a message from Qing Lin.

[Bro: Eat well, sleep well, study well, draw well.]

Draw well…

In that instant, everything seemed to collapse.

Qing Yejie felt his heart stop, suspended in time, before it pounded uncontrollably. He gripped his phone tightly, his eyes stinging, blurring with tears.

Sunlight filtered through gaps in the crumbling alley walls, spilling golden patches across the uneven pavement. He couldn’t help tilting his head back, squinting to catch that brightness.

The chat background image was the very first painting Qing Lin had taught him to create.

Countless times, Qing Yejie had wanted to replace it, but having lost the original sketch, he couldn’t bring himself to do so.

He feared he might never see it again.

His hand, clenched tightly around the phone, relaxed. The painting on the phone’s background perfectly matched this scene.

It was that same indescribable light, struggling to break through everything.

Tears streamed down his face uncontrollably.

Qing Yejie bent forward, unable to hold back the storm raging inside him.

Then he straightened, frozen in place.

Finally, he couldn’t hold it in anymore and cried out loud.

—

Planetarium.

Qing Lin hung up the phone.

He turned to Shen Xuzhi and said, “Thank you, Mr. Shen. It’s because of you that we caught Ma Zi.”

Shen Xuzhi stood beside him, a faint trace of tension visible, but it soon seemed to lift, leaving him noticeably more relaxed.

Qing Lin murmured quietly, “I wonder… if what I did was truly right.”

Shen Xuzhi followed his gaze toward the starry expanse. “I don’t think everything has to be judged as right or wrong.”

Qing Lin lowered his eyes and spoke softly. “According to the parallel multiverse theory in quantum mechanics, within every garden of forking paths, there is always one road that leads people to happiness at every turning point. For every choice we make, there is always one path where we choose correctly.”

“Some romantics say, ‘In the vast Milky Way of the universe, there is always one version of you who will find happiness for a lifetime.’”

Qing Lin’s words remained light and airy, as if drifting on the wind, his breath clean and crisp.

“But is that version of me in the parallel universe truly… me?” he mused. “He can’t feel what I feel, can’t live what I’ve lived. When I think about it, it feels a little sad. Why can’t the me in this timeline be the one to find lifelong happiness? Who wouldn’t want that?”

“A lifelong happiness.”

Shen Xuzhi murmured the words softly, his gaze still fixed on the dazzling expanse of stars. His voice carried a gentle warmth, deep and resonant.

The stars across the sky intertwined their radiance, each a singularly dazzling point.

“How insignificant we are in the vastness of the universe. It’s never too late to begin a lifetime’s journey.”

He felt someone draw closer, leaning gently toward him.

Qing Lin caught a faint trace of perfume, a hint of musk mingled with something enticing, brushing lightly against his ear as his voice whispered close.

The warm, resonant tone whispered beside him, sending a shiver through his earlobe.

He turned slightly and saw Shen Xuzhi, soft strands of hair falling across his forehead, eyes reflecting the starlight.

Those eyes were deep and earnest, a dance of light and shadow within them.

He heard only the man’s slow, deliberate words.

“You will be happy,” Shen Xuzhi said, his gaze locking onto Qing Lin. “From this moment on.”