"Hmm?" The old man leaned in, squinting at the screen. "Where?"


    "Try changing the 3 to a 6."


    Dubiously, the old man tried it. To his astonishment, the data processed almost instantly.


    "Juniper, you understand code?" he asked, staring at her in amazement. He''d been stuck on that tiny error for half a month, and she''d spotted it in a single nce. The mind of a top scorer was truly something else!


    "Hmm?" Juniper was happily munching on her spicy jerky, in a great mood. "A little," she nodded.


    A little? That meant she had a solid foundation. Combined with her high IQ, if she was willing to work hard, she would undoubtedly be a great asset to the country. Maybe... maybe she could even be like his master, bing an internationalputing giant at a young age, excelling in programming, data science, and software development.


    What a shame. The thought of his te'' master made the old man feel a pang of sadness. He grabbed a snack to lift his spirits.


    For her help, the old man happily gifted Juniper a few more snacks. "Make sure you read the introductory materials I gave you," he said sternly as they walked out after the session. "I''ll be quizzing you tomorrow."


    "Got it," Juniper replied cheerfully, her arms full of her snack bribe.


    "Professor Tucker."


    Just as they stepped out, a slightly older male voice called from behind them.


    Juniper and the old man turned around to see a middle-aged man approaching. He was impably dressed, with gold-rimmed sses, and a polished, schrly air.


    However, his smile reeked of


    ambition and made Juniper ufortable. She recognized his photo from the advisor selection files. He had numerous research achievements and awards, making him the most famous professor in Era University''sputer science department. The campus rumor was that only students under his guidance had a real future.


    "Well, if it isn''t Byron," Tucker said with a hint of surprise, followed by a cold snort.


    "Did your eyesight suddenly improve today?"


    Byron''s achievements and


    higher reputation than Tucker in both the university and the wider field. He was used to being fawned over, but Tucker had always refused to y along, earning Byron''s


    contempt. He usually pretended not to see Tucker, even when they came face to face. Had the sun risen in the west?


    Byron''s smile faltered for a second before he turned his attention to the girl beside Tucker.


    "You must be this year''s top scorer," he said, his tone a mix of arrogance and condescension. "I am Professor Byron Simpson from theputer science department. I''m sure you''ve heard of me. I..."


    "Byron Simpson?" Juniper lifted her gazezily at the name.


    "Yes," Byron said, puffing out his chest with pride. "That''s right. I am the nationally


    renowned professor from theputer science department."


    He had waited in his office all day, assuming this year''s top scorer would naturally choose him. Being her advisor would be a significant honor But to his shock, she had chosen the worst option Tucker. Now that she knew who he was, she would surely be filled with regret and begging to switch to him.


    Just as Byron braced himself for her plea, Juniper cut him off with a t, emotionless


    "Oh." Then she added with utmost sincerity, "Never heard of you."