A Glorious and Arduous Mission

From December to January, Los Angeles was technically in winter according to climate classifications. But this city in sunny Southern California had winters that were exceptionally gentle.

If its winter could be summed up in one sentence, it would be the typical "mild and dry, with large temperature differences between day and night." Though the calendar had already turned to the end of the year, the skies over Los Angeles were still often a clear, spotless blue.

On one bright day in early December, the California Institute of Technology's final exams for the semester finally came to an end amid the frantic scribbling and head-scratching of its students.

Once all the exams were over, Lin Hai, Gwen, Peter, and Harry returned to their cozy little home together. The moment they entered, the four of them each threw themselves onto one of the soft, comfortable sofas in the living room and went limp.

It was worth mentioning that ever since the unexpected yet sweet kiss in Lin Hai's room last time, something seemed to have switched on in the relationship between him and Gwen.

Some of their gestures and behavior had become more natural. Now, they could sit pressed closely together on the sofa even with Peter and Harry watching.

Gwen naturally leaned against Lin Hai, while his arm rested casually along the back of the sofa behind her. Of course, they knew where to draw the line and would not make any further intimate gestures when others were present.

"Ah—! It's finally... finally over!" Peter, sprawled across another armchair, let out an exaggerated wail. His limbs were splayed out as he stared blankly at the ceiling.

"I feel like half the cells in my brain died fighting those damned formulas and theories! My head is totally empty now. All that's