Mai Shining didn’t press Xia Yinuo for details about the person she liked. Instead, she said solemnly, "Xiaobao, just as you are to me, I will always support whatever decision you make. My only wish is that you don't get hurt. You deserve to have more happiness."
Xia Yinuo didn't speak, only nodding in response.
That evening, Li Qinglan and Li Du came to visit. Li Du had barely sat down before a phone call summoned him away again. While Li Qinglan was in the kitchen slicing fruit, Xia Yinuo went to wash her hands. Standing by the sink, she suddenly called out, "Mom!"
Thinking something was wrong, Li Qinglan hurried over. Xia Yinuo wiggled her right hand and squinted her eyes with a grin. "Mom, help me wash my hands. I really miss the way you used to wash them for me when I was little."
"You still remember that?" Li Qinglan gently eased Xia Yinuo’s right hand out of the sling, turned on the faucet, and took her hand to dampen the palm.
Xia Yinuo let her mother take over, saying with playful exaggeration, "Of course I remember! It was so painful! Every time, you’d grab my hand, lather it up, and scrub, scrub, scrub until my skin turned red."
"Listen to you," Li Qinglan said, rubbing hand soap into a lather in her own palms before grabbing Xiaobao’s hand for a thorough scrubbing. "I wonder who it was that used to get their hands pitch-black all day long?"
Xia Yinuo giggled. "That’s why having a doctor for a mother makes it easy to catch the germaphobe bug. Look at me now—I wash my hands habitually."
"Washing your hands is a good habit."
"Yes, Mother Dear."
"Back then, you were only this tall," Li Qinglan gestured at her own waist. "You had to stand on a small stool just to reach the sink. Now you’re taller than me. Time really flies; I’m getting old."
"Nonsense, my mom is the youngest and most beautiful. Ow, gently! I’m a patient here."
"Your grandmother is the one who loves being coaxed like that. I don't fall for your tricks."
Li Qinglan moved Xia Yinuo’s hand under the faucet, letting the running water rinse away the foam.
"Alright, alright, time for fruit!"
As Xia Yinuo spoke, she tried to shake the water off her hand, but Li Qinglan held it still, wrapped it in a towel, and meticulously patted it dry.
"What did you tell your grandmother when you called her?" Li Qinglan asked.
"Oh, I said I’ve been busy lately and might not be home for dinner for a while, and that I have to go out of town for a conference. Wait!" Xia Yinuo suddenly slapped her forehead. "Oh no, I almost forgot something!"
There were four girls in Xia Yinuo’s college dorm: the eldest, Chen Chuxiao; the second, Chu Meng; the third, Lin Shuwan; and the fourth, Xia Yinuo. Their friendship from those college days was pure, deep, and enduring. Back then, during their late-night chats after lights-out, they would joke about where they would end up years later and who they would eventually marry. They had promised to attend each other's weddings. Years had passed in a flash, and though they had gone their separate ways after graduation and contacted each other less frequently, their bond remained as close and familiar as ever.
The eldest, Chen Chuxiao, was from the Northeast—warm, boisterous, and full of humor. During their five years of university, Xia Yinuo had picked up quite a bit of that signature Northeastern banter. After graduation, Chen Chuxiao had gone to Beijing alone to build a career. She met her "Mr. Right" at the hospital where she worked, and they had registered their marriage six months ago. Now, they were finally holding the ceremony. Unfortunately, Chu Meng was studying abroad and couldn't return, leaving Lin Shuwan and Xia Yinuo as the essential guests. Both were locked in as bridesmaids, much to Chu Meng’s envious chagrin. The wedding date was specifically chosen for a weekend, as everyone was busy with work or studies—especially since they had to travel from C City to Beijing.
What Xia Yinuo had forgotten was that Chen Chuxiao’s wedding was next weekend. Man proposes, God disposes; Xiaobao’s hand injury really couldn't have come at a worse time.
Xia Yinuo called Chen Chuxiao. "Lao Da, I have some unfortunate news. I took a fall a couple of days ago and my arm is in a cast. So, I think I can still attend the wedding, but as for being a bridesmaid... hehe..."
"Xia Yinuo, you idiot! Where did you fall this time? You’re always the one getting bumped and bruised like a porcelain doll. Where is it? Is it serious?!"
"I was just careless. It’s fine, it’ll be better soon."
"If it’s fine, why is it in a cast? You’re asking for a beating!"
"Uh, Lao Da, I was wrong..."
"Wrong, wrong—your mouth is so sweet, but can you use your eyes next time?!"
"I will... But what about the bridesmaid situation, Lao Da?"
"I already have the dresses ready for you all, and then you pull this on me. There are only a few days left; where am I supposed to find another living soul to be a bridesmaid?"
"You have so many single young girls at your hospital. Just grab one at random..."
"I can't believe you’d say that. Grab one at random? Can they be the same as you? Huh? Can they even compare to you?! You seemed like such a bright child, but without our guidance these past few years, you’ve grown even stupider."
"Lao Da, you’re honestly more of a nag than my grandmother. Are you sure you’re only one year older than me?"
"Getting cheeky, are we? Hmph, your 'Auntie' here is practically your grandma!"
Xia Yinuo broke into a cold sweat on her end of the line.
"The doctor-patient relationships at your hospital must be really tense. With a temper like yours, you must get pushed around a lot."
"Fine, fine, I don't care—you have to be there. Being a bridesmaid is just being a 'vase' anyway; you’re perfect for it. A broken arm is just a broken arm; it’s not like I’m asking you to perform a 'shattering a stone on your chest' stunt."
"How could you say that to me! So heartless! Waaaah, I’m going to tell Lao Er and Lao San."
"Hahaha, go ahead, go tattle, you little brat. Your 'grandma' is busy right now, so I’m hanging up. Figure it out yourself. Bye!"
Heaven as my witness! Who was it that just said college friendships were the purest and deepest?
That evening, Liang Juejun brought some fruit and snacks for Xia Yinuo. She took off her coat, rolled up her sleeves, and, under Xia Yinuo’s guidance, helped change LoVo’s water and feed him. Watching Liang Juejun do all this, Xia Yinuo felt that their recent "friends-like" mode of interaction was nice, yet she also felt a twinge of worry because of it.
"Senior, I have to go to Beijing next weekend. A close friend from college is getting married, and I promised to be her bridesmaid," Xia Yinuo said.
"Like that?" Liang Juejun pointed to Xia Yinuo’s arm.
"I told her that, but she said she only needs a 'vase,' not someone to perform 'shattering a stone on their chest.'"
Liang Juejun smiled. "Oh. Then go."
Xia Yinuo had expected Liang Juejun to at least object a little, but she hadn't expected such a ready agreement.
To her surprise, Liang Juejun continued, "It just so happens I have no plans next weekend. I’ll go with you."
"Huh?!"
"Am I not welcome?"
"I’m afraid of wasting your time. If you’re worried about me being alone, I can ask Mai Mai to go with me."
"It’s no trouble. I’ve always wanted to travel around a bit."
"Of course you can come! It’s just that the schedule is tight. We’d go Saturday and have to come back Sunday."
"No matter. Have you booked the tickets?"
"Not yet."
Ten days later, the two of them boarded the high-speed train to Beijing.
Liang Juejun wasn't sure if this was the right thing to do. At the very least, she wasn't comfortable letting the physically limited Xia Yinuo travel alone. It was said that to see if two people were compatible, a long-distance trip was enough. At that thought, Liang Juejun smiled to herself—what was she thinking?
Their luggage consisted of simple backpacks. A flight from C City to Beijing would take over two hours, while the high-speed rail took about five and a half. Since they couldn't book suitable flight tickets, they chose the train for the trip there and the plane for the return.
Both traveled light. The train’s air conditioning was strong, so Liang Juejun took off her heavy coat, revealing a form-fitting red hoodie, light-colored jeans, and casual sneakers—she looked radiant and youthful. Xia Yinuo, however, wasn't having as easy a time. Under her down jacket, she wore only a plain white short-sleeved shirt; her stubborn arm in its cast dictated her recent unconventional style. In this carriage, it was too cold without the jacket but too hot with it. Liang Juejun thoughtfully let Xia Yinuo take the window seat, unzipping her jacket for her and smoothing her clothes. Liang took the aisle seat to prevent passersby from bumping into Xia Yinuo’s arm. Xia Yinuo didn't say much, obediently letting Liang Juejun look after her before quietly reading a magazine.
A middle-aged man across the aisle leaned over to ask Liang Juejun, speaking with a thick C City dialect: "Hey, little girl, are you going to Beijing for business or for fun?"
"For fun," Liang Juejun replied.
"Are you still in school?"
"I’m already working."
Hearing this, Xia Yinuo straightened up slightly to peek over. She saw the man’s glittering gold ring and gold watch, with a cigarette tucked behind his ear. Xia Yinuo frowned slightly. At this moment, Liang Juejun reminded Xia Yinuo of when they first met—she carried that same air of cool detachment.
The man continued to chat with Liang Juejun. "My son is still in school. I’m going to Beijing to visit him."
"That’s nice."
"Yeah, my son is really something. He told me he joined some 'Student Union.' I’m not sure what that union does, but he’s basically an official now. I’m very happy."
"It’s good to gain experience in the Student Union."
The man got excited and reached for the cigarette behind his ear. Immediately, a flight attendant came over and said, "Excuse me, sir, this is a non-smoking carriage." The man sheepishly put the cigarette back in its pack, but his mouth didn't stop. "You think so too, right?"
Before Liang Juejun could answer, Xia Yinuo tapped her arm and blinked. "Senior, I want some water."
Liang Juejun took the hint. "Okay, I’ll go get you some hot water. Sit still." With that, she gave the man an apologetic smile, picked up the thermos, and stood up. Xia Yinuo also smiled at the man, who took the hint and turned away.
Xia Yinuo adjusted her posture, only to find a pair of timid yet curious large eyes peering through the gap between the two seats in front of her. A small head with a "Chibi Maruko-chan" haircut was peeking back at her with a hint of shyness. "Little Maruko" stared at Xia Yinuo’s hand for a long time. Xia Yinuo remained calm and even playfully winked at her. Finally, the little girl turned back and whispered into her mother’s ear in a high-pitched, childish voice, "Mom, look, the sister behind us has a really strange hand."
Xia Yinuo laughed internally. Children were so funny—they didn't realize their "whispers" were actually quite loud.
The mother clearly didn't know what was going on and looked at her daughter with confusion until the girl’s small hands physically turned her mother’s head around. She finally saw Xia Yinuo’s cast. Meeting Xia Yinuo’s gentle smile, the mother gave an apologetic look before turning back to pull her child close, scolding softly, "Sit properly. Don't be rude."
Having received no answer, Little Maruko continued to lean over the back of the seat, her watery eyes fixed on Xia Yinuo like a curious kitten.
Liang Juejun returned from getting water just in time to see this. After sitting down, her gaze toward Xia Yinuo was filled with question marks.
Xia Yinuo thought, *Why are you all looking at me like this? Do I look like a copy of 'One Hundred Thousand Whys'? Keep looking and I’ll eat you up!*
"Little friend, is something the matter?" Xia Yinuo asked kindly, pretending she hadn't heard what the child said to her mother.
Encouraged, Little Maruko asked happily, "I want to ask, Sister, why is your hand like that?"
Xia Yinuo leaned in and whispered, "Why... because Sister didn't listen to her mommy, so it turned into this."
"Oh! Thank you, Sister!" The little girl seemed to realize the vital importance of listening to one's mother. she slowly slid down from the seat back, adjusted her position, and didn't look back again.
Liang Juejun burst out laughing. She couldn't believe Xiaobao actually said that! She had clearly scared the poor child.
Liang Juejun leaned slightly toward Xia Yinuo, who leaned in to whisper in her ear, "To prevent the uncle next door from bothering you further, I have no choice but to personally bother you myself."
"As long as you understand."
"Let me think... during this long journey, what can I say that’s safe and won't be overheard?" After speaking, she straightened up and playfully scanned her surroundings like a little thief.
The movement was a bit too large. Liang Juejun let out a low gasp of concern. "Watch your arm!"
Xia Yinuo stuck out her tongue. "It’s fine. Where do you want to go in Beijing? I’ll accompany you."
"Have you been to Beijing before?"
"Mhm. Once when I was little, once during university. This is the third time. What about you?"
"I’ve never been."
"Then that’s a rare treat. If you don't mind, I can be your somewhat incompetent little tour guide."
"Sure," Liang Juejun pulled a map of Beijing from her bag, which had several places circled. "We don't have much time, so I just looked around casually. The main priority is your friend's wedding."
Hearing this, Xia Yinuo felt deeply moved and a bit guilty. "I might not have much time to spend with you, I..."
"It’s the same wherever we go. As for you, it’s a rare chance to see old friends. You should catch up properly; don't worry about me."
"I told Lao Da I was bringing a friend. She’s already booked the hotel and invited you to the wedding."
"I haven't even prepared a gift."
"What gift? You’re the person I brought."
"Okay."
"Lao Da is very hospitable. You don't need to worry."
"Okay."
The two had a simple lunch in the dining car and arrived in Beijing exactly at one in the afternoon. Before getting off, Liang Juejun once again helped Xia Yinuo tidy her clothes with attentive care. Carrying her own backpack, Liang Juejun also took Xia Yinuo’s bag. Xia Yinuo regretted not streamlining her luggage even further. With her hands empty, she didn't know how to help.
The train station exit was chaotic as usual. Liang Juejun stood on Xia Yinuo’s right side, gently supporting her cast-bound arm. "Be careful, don't get bumped."
Xia Yinuo pointed at the crowded exit and asked Liang Juejun, "Senior, do you know how to describe this 'people mountain, people sea' scene?"
Liang Juejun shook her head.
"It’s called: People mountain, people sea."
Liang Juejun smiled softly and tightened her hold on Xia Yinuo’s arm.
*People mountain, people sea. Amidst the surging crowds, I only see you.*
***
**Glossary**
