Lin Xia, a doctoral student in biostatistics at Johns Hopkins University, is immersed in a world of complex data. But after her younger sister's death, she finds herself trapped in a mire of grief. An unexpected discovery while working on the "Silent Mentor" project, a string of mysterious astronomical symbols, draws her into a puzzle-solving journey spanning science and art, history and the modern day.
To unravel the mystery, Lin Xia must team up with Ayala, a local Baltimore artist. Together, they roam the city's streets and alleys and the corners of its campus, from the historic Peabody Library to scenic Patterson Park and the mysterious Green Mount Cemetery. Every place hides clues and reveals the everyday life of Baltimore.
As their investigation deepens, they discover that the puzzle is closely connected to cutting-edge brain-computer interface research and raises a host of ethical questions. With Professor Holloway as her mentor, Lin Xia must solve the mystery while confronting the moral dilemmas of scientific research.
Through this adventure, Lin Xia gradually emerges from her grief and learns to bring logic and emotion together. This book is not only a gripping mystery, but also a unique survival guide for students studying abroad in Baltimore. It takes readers around the city and offers a glimpse into the details of studying and living there. It also hopes to help readers find their own starry-night equation in this historic, vibrant city and achieve a double leap forward in their academic and personal lives.
