November was Xia Yinuo’s favorite month. The crisp chill of late autumn seemed to sharpen her mind. Lately, she had been struck by several new ideas for her experiments, and keeping busy felt good. Life carried on as usual; on weekends, she would head back to either Li Qinglan’s or Xia Yan’s place for a casual meal. She wasn't sure if Liang Juejun had been busy lately, as the matter of the teaching assistant position hadn't been brought up again.
A university is a place of vibrant energy, but it is also a place of cruelty. The cruelty lies in the way one generation of newcomers replaces the old, while you remain exactly where you are. By the time you become a "senior" PhD student and look at those naive, green undergraduates, you can only smile at the memory of your younger self—because back then, you were likely exactly the same.
Mai Shining—better known by her nickname, Maimai—was another friend Xia Yinuo and Zhang Jikang had grown up with. She often said that staying in the same place for too long was detrimental to one's mental health. Xia Yinuo would always agree, teasing that Maimai’s world could never be "Shining"—a name meaning "peace and tranquility"—and that she should have been named "Restless" instead. After graduating from university, Mai Shining considered her duty to her parents fulfilled. For the next few years, she worked as a contributing photographer for a magazine, traveling the world with her camera. From every leg of her journey, Maimai would send back a postcard with a brief account of her travels. In her eyes, being on the road was far more interesting than settling down; her search and exploration never ceased. This was a trial for her parents. Mrs. Mai, who worked in the foreign languages department, was relatively open-minded, but Professor Mai of the history department—who had pinned all his hopes for "peace and tranquility" on his daughter—would practically jump with rage whenever she was mentioned. Alas, his wife only had one precious daughter, so he could do nothing but heave a long sigh.
Mai Shining had graduated with a degree in photography from the fine arts department. To outsiders, she seemed like a quintessential "artsy youth." They had once discussed this label as a group, and Mai Shining had been quite vocal about her disdain for how society had demonized the term. Why was it that any sign of restlessness was labeled as "unanchored youth"? Did reading a few books by Qiong Yao, Yi Shu, or Annie Baby suddenly qualify someone as an artsy youth? Being "artsy" didn't have to mean playing rock or indie music, writing poetry or music reviews, or spending one's days raising cats, gardening, and baking. Even among talented men, wasn't there a world of difference between someone like Dou Wei and Khalil Fong?
In the end, Mai Shining had patted Xia Yinuo on the shoulder and summarized: "Fortunately, we’re all just down-to-earth, ordinary youths. I’m the artsy one, you’re the 'closet' one, and Jikang is the dorky one."
But Mai Shining’s idol was Gu Long—the Gu Long who was both a wandering swordsman and a rogue.
*How wonderful it would be to fly, to fly as freely as a bird, over mountains and rooftops, over the house of the private tutor who always held a ruler, over the small river that one could never swim across no matter how hard one tried. Even if you woke up lying limp in bed, that sensation of flying would remain in your heart, as sweet as a piece of candy.*
And so, after graduation, Mai Shining became a photographer for a geographic magazine and began roaming the globe.
Zhang Jikang had liked Mai Shining since they were children—a classic case of childhood sweethearts. They had been together in high school, but Maimai broke up with him after university graduation. She left him with a single sentence: "If I come back and we still have feelings for each other, we’ll get back together." Then, she left without looking back.
A year ago, while shooting outdoors in Amsterdam, Mai Shining had strained her back. Something about the injury triggered an emotional breakdown; her homesickness surged until she was in tears. Xia Yinuo had taken leave to fly over and care for her for a week. During that time, Zhang Jikang had followed Xia Yinuo to Amsterdam, but he never showed his face. Xia Yinuo had even confronted him, asking why he wouldn't step forward since he was already there, especially since she knew Maimai’s feelings for him had never changed. Zhang Jikang had shed a few rare tears and told her, "You don't understand. But as long as it's what Maimai wants, I’m willing to do it—to keep the promise between us."
Xia Yinuo had told Mai Shining, "You’re so high-maintenance. You’re lucky that the person you met in this life is Jikang—someone who won't use love to bind you, who is willing to wait for you, and who tolerates and supports you unconditionally." Xia Yinuo had also asked Zhang Jikang what exactly he liked about Maimai. His answer was enough to make one's skin crawl: "I just love the tender, easily bruised little heart she hides under her wild and unrestrained exterior."
Sometimes, Xia Yinuo envied Mai Shining—envied those who had dreams and the courage to act on impulse for them. Mai Shining, however, would say, "Actually, Xia Xiaobao, you’re the most high-maintenance one of all. You’ve spent years waiting for a rabbit to hit a tree, but even when the rabbits all drop dead, you don't catch a single one. That's because you’re actually waiting for a bull as stubborn as you are."
Xia Yinuo would just smile at that, neither confirming nor denying it.
Now, more than three years after graduation, Mai Shining, who was in Australia, suddenly sent an email: "I’m coming back! This Saturday at 2:00 PM Beijing time. Have the chickens, ducks, cattle, and sheep ready to welcome me!"
Xia Yinuo was in the middle of an experiment when Zhang Jikang’s call came through. Ke Dinghao saw the name on the caller ID and hurriedly answered it, rushing over to hold the phone to Xia Yinuo’s ear, his gossip-hungry heart plain for all to see.
"Xiaobao, did you get the email?! Maimai is coming back!" Zhang Jikang said excitedly.
"I got it. I was going to talk to you about it once I finished up here."
"So... shall we go to the airport together?"
"Of course. We'll talk later, I'm hanging up now." With a sharp look, she signaled Ke Dinghao to hang up. He did so obediently, muttering, "Why are you so mean to me?"
On Saturday, Zhang Jikang woke up early, groomed himself meticulously, and bought a bouquet at a flower shop. Xia Yinuo called him, and they agreed to set off together after lunch. When they met and she saw the radiant Zhang Jikang holding his flowers, Xia Yinuo teased, "Tsk tsk, Kang-ah, you’ve really put in the effort! Worthy of praise!"
The usually boisterous Zhang Jikang actually looked a bit embarrassed. "You know how it is."
Xia Yinuo turned serious. "It’s been so many years. Once Maimai is back, are you two going to have a real talk?"
"I know. I’ve got a plan, don't worry."
"Great. I don't want to be your shield anymore!" Xia Yinuo stretched, her mood light.
"Pfft, please. Who knows who’s been acting as whose shield!" Zhang Jikang was speechless. Over the years, he was the one on the front lines fending off Xia Yinuo’s unwanted suitors. Xia Xiaobao was truly one to kick a man while he was down.
They joked and reminisced about old times as they drove, the deep bond of old friends flowing between them. After parking at the airport, they waited at the arrival gate. Zhang Jikang kept looking up at the flight information display with anxious anticipation. Xia Yinuo looked at him with mock disdain, telling him to stay calm. When people finally began to emerge, the two of them leaned forward to look. Before long, they both spotted a stylish woman in a trench coat and sunglasses, pulling two large suitcases and walking with a confident stride. With that figure and that aura, who could it be but Mai Shining?
"Maimai! Over here!" Zhang Jikang called out excitedly.
Mai Shining looked toward the sound. Seeing her old friends, she broke into a smile and quickened her pace. Zhang and Xia both moved to meet her. Maimai dropped her suitcases and immediately gave Xia Yinuo a crushing hug. After letting go, she gave Zhang Jikang a generous hug as well, then raised both hands to announce, "The legend has returned!"
She slung her arms around their shoulders. For a moment, the three of them looked at one another and burst into laughter.
Xia Yinuo cried out happily, "You finally decided to come back!"
Zhang Jikang finally handed over the flowers, saying, "Maimai, we’re so happy you’re back."
His eyes were so full of doting affection and infatuation that Xia Yinuo felt like a very bright third wheel.
Mai Shining took the flowers casually and handed her luggage to Zhang Jikang. "Alright! We’re going to have a proper celebration tonight!"
"Aren't you going home to drop off your bags first?" Xia Yinuo asked.
Mai Shining arched an eyebrow. "Actually... I haven't told the old man and the old lady that I'm back yet!"
"Huh?! That is so like you." Xia Yinuo sighed inwardly for the elder Mais.
Mai Shining stomped her foot playfully. "Oh, come on, it’s already done. Let’s go eat first, I’m starving."
"Okay, we’ll eat and rest a bit before notifying Uncle Mai. I’ll call and book a restaurant."
*Classmate Zhang Jikang, where are your principles?*
*But then again, what use does love have for principles?*
***
**Glossary**
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 麦世宁 (麦麦) | Mai Shining (Maimai) | Childhood friend of Xia Yinuo and Zhang Jikang; a photographer. |
| 世宁 | Shining | Maimai's given name, meaning "world at peace/tranquility." |
| 麦教授 | Professor Mai | Maimai's father, a history professor. |
| 麦太太 | Mrs. Mai | Maimai's mother, works in the foreign languages department. |
| 文艺青年 | Artsy youth / Literary youth | Often abbreviated as "wenqing," a subculture associated with literature, art, and music. |
| 古龙 | Gu Long | A famous wuxia (martial arts) novelist known for his wandering, rogue-like protagonists. |
| 我胡汉三回来了 | The legend has returned / I'm back! | A famous movie quote used humorously to announce one's return with bravado. |
| 柯定豪 | Ke Dinghao | Xia Yinuo's lab mate/friend. |
