Chapter 24 - The Lover’s Knot
On the third day of the Lunar New Year, the festive crimson of the holiday still clung to the streets of C City, though the initial roar of celebrations had begun to settle into a steady hum. Xia Yinuo had arranged to meet Mai Shining, a friend whose presence always felt like a bracing gust of wind.
Mai Shining had been on an extended hiatus, having recently resigned from her position at the magazine. She was a woman of relentless action, and her plans for the coming year were already set in stone: she was going to open her own photography studio. It was a move that perfectly mirrored her temperament—bold, independent, and fiercely protective of her creative freedom.
"All that’s left is to convince my parents to chip in a little for the startup fund," Mai Shining said, leaning back with a look of practiced nonchalance. "I’ve got some savings of my own, of course, but a little extra cushion wouldn't hurt."
"I have a small 'private treasury' as well," Xia Yinuo offered sincerely. "If you need it, it’s yours whenever you say the word."
Mai Shining waved her off with a grin. "No need. I’ll have Old Mai cornered eventually. He’ll cave." Xia Yinuo could almost envision Professor Mai’s exasperated expression at his daughter’s stubbornness.
"Where’s Jikang?" Yinuo asked. "I’m surprised he isn't trailing behind you today."
"Busy with New Year visits," Mai Shining replied, her tone airy. "He’s a 'good boy,' after all. He has to do the rounds with the relatives."
"As long as you two are doing well, I can rest easy," Yinuo murmured.
Mai Shining rolled her eyes. "Listen to you. You sound like you’re eighty years old. Even my mother doesn't worry about us as much as you do."
"I only want the best for you both," Yinuo insisted, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Hearing that you two reconciled made me happier than almost anything else."
Mai Shining’s eyes twinkled with mischief. "If we’re talking about happiness and romance, maybe you should start worrying about yourself for a change."
The lighthearted atmosphere shifted. Xia Yinuo sat up straighter, her fingers interlacing tightly in her lap. The secret she had been harboring felt suddenly heavy, a delicate thing that needed to be handled with care. "Actually, since you brought it up... there is something I need to tell you. I hope you’re prepared."
"What’s with the mystery?" Mai Shining scoffed, though she leaned in closer. "I’m the 'Composed King,' remember? Nothing you say could possibly rattle me."
"Remember when I told you I liked someone?" Yinuo began. Mai Shining’s eyes widened instantly, her facade of composure crumbling as she hung on every word. Yinuo took a steady breath and let the truth fall into the quiet space between them. "That person... is a woman."
For ten seconds, Mai Shining’s face was a kaleidoscope of shifting emotions. Shock, realization, and disbelief flickered across her features before she finally settled on a look of intense scrutiny. Once she was certain Yinuo wasn't joking, she hissed three words through her teeth: "Liang! Jue! Jun!"
Xia Yinuo gasped, her heart skipping a beat. "How did you know?!"
"So it *is* her!" Mai Shining exclaimed, slapping her thigh in triumph.
"I haven't even said her name yet! How could you possibly have seen through it?"
"I’ve been wondering why you two were suddenly so close," Mai Shining said, her mind clearly racing back through the past few months. "Bringing her home for dinner, the way she looked after you when you were hurt, that trip to Beijing... Heavens! How far along are you? Are you officially together?"
"No," Yinuo admitted, her voice dropping. "It’s just... a one-sided realization on my part. I’ve only just discovered how I feel."
"You idiot!" Mai Shining groaned.
"I know it might seem strange, but I don't think liking someone is wrong, regardless of their gender. I thought you were more open-minded than—"
"Idiot! I’m not mad about *who* you like," Mai Shining interrupted, exasperated. "I’m mad that you didn't tell me sooner! And I’m mad that you’ve been pining away for ages and it’s *still* one-sided? Don't tell anyone you’re my disciple; it’s too embarrassing!"
Yinuo blinked, stunned by the unexpected direction of the critique. Mai Shining rubbed her chin, a predatory gleam in her eyes as she recalled her brief encounter with the researcher. "Liang Juejun... well, I have to hand it to you. You certainly have excellent taste."
For the next half hour, Mai Shining interrogated her with the precision of a seasoned detective. When Yinuo finally protested the prying, Mai Shining countered, "I’m 'prescribing the right medicine' here! I need to understand the situation to give you proper advice. You haven't liked anyone in eight hundred years, and now you’re clearly in over your head. We all thought you were 'romantically disabled'—can you blame me for being invested?"
"You really don't mind?" Yinuo asked, her gaze searching and steady.
"Mind what?"
"That I’ve fallen for a woman."
Mai Shining’s expression softened into rare earnestness. "Do you know why Jia Baoyu loved Lin Daiyu? Why I’ve loved Jikang all these years, and why you’ve always been my best friend? It’s because Lin Daiyu never lectured Baoyu on social status or 'useful' dogmas. And you’ve never tried to force me onto some 'proper' path. As long as you aren't hurting anyone or breaking the law, if you love someone, go for it. How many youths do we get? How many chances at true love?"
"Mai Mai..."
"Alright, enough with the gratitude. We have a problem to solve. I think you need to seriously re-evaluate your strategy for pursuing girls."
"And that would be?"
"First, confirm she’s single. Second, figure out her orientation. If she’s interested in women, win her over. If she isn't... well, put in some effort to 'bend' her! She’s always flying off to America for the holidays—isn't that exhausting? Are you sure she doesn't have a boyfriend or girlfriend over there?"
"I don't know," Yinuo said softly. "She doesn't have family in C City. It’s only natural she’d go back."
"You need more confidence."
"It’s not a lack of confidence. I told you, I want this to happen naturally. Our relationship is very harmonious right now. Realizing my feelings was a shock, but I’ve found a kind of peace in it. I don't want to ruin things by rushing. I think she’s the type who prefers to take things slow, too."
"Well, at least you aren't completely hopeless. Valentine's Day is in two days. You should make a gesture."
"I don't even know when she’s coming back. Besides, Valentine's Day is so... cliché. It’s too obvious."
"Cliché? Obvious? How else do you plan on pursuing her if you aren't obvious?"
"I want something subtle," Yinuo mused. "Something reserved, where a single hint is enough. I don't want to scare her off before the timing is right."
Mai Shining facepalmed. "Your 'literary youth' style of romance is truly beyond saving."
***
Valentine's Day arrived on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, the same day Liang Juejun’s flight touched down in C City. By the time she reached the apartment complex, the sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting long, amber shadows across the pavement. As she hauled her modest luggage toward the entrance, she spotted a familiar figure stepping out of a car.
Xia Yinuo had spent the morning at Sanhe Villa. Her family was small—her mother had only one brother, Li Qingfeng, and her father was an only child. Her younger half-brother, Xia Yiyan, had insisted on staying with his "big sister" at her place near the university. Li Qinglan had initially fussed, but eventually relented, letting the siblings head back to the campus area after an early dinner.
Xiao Yan hopped out of the car, his energy boundless. He noticed a beautiful woman watching them from a short distance away. Yinuo, busy retrieving bags from the trunk, hadn't noticed yet.
"Sister," Xiao Yan chirped, tugging at Yinuo’s coat. "Someone is looking at us."
Yinuo looked up, her eyes instantly brightening as they landed on Liang Juejun. "Shijie!"
"Xiao Bao," Liang Juejun greeted her, a genuine warmth in her voice. "I was just wondering if that was you."
Yinuo noticed the suitcase. "Did you just get back?"
"Just now. Straight from the airport."
"We just got back, too. This is my brother, Xia Yiyan. Xiao Yan, say hello to the lady." Yinuo gently pulled the boy from behind her, where he was pretending to be shy.
"Hello, beautiful Sister!" Xiao Yan said, suddenly the image of a perfect little gentleman. He extended his hand with practiced grace. "My name is Xia Yiyan. 'Xia' as in summer, 'Yi' as in radiant, and 'Yan' as in promise."
Liang Juejun smiled, bending down to shake the boy’s hand. "Hello, Xiao Yan. I’ve heard your sister mention you many times."
Yinuo beamed at the sight.
"May I ask what your name is?" the boy asked earnestly. "I only have one sister, so if I know your name, I’ll know what kind of 'Sister' to call you."
Liang Juejun didn't miss a beat. "My name is Liang Juejun."
"Then, may I call you Sister Liang?"
"Of course you may, if you’d like."
Yinuo watched the exchange with amusement, ruffling her brother’s hair. "You little rascal."
Liang Juejun looked at the two of them. Despite being half-siblings, they didn't share many features aside from the identical curve of their smiles. The height difference and the age gap made for a scene that felt remarkably cozy. "It must be wonderful to have such a young brother."
"He can be a real headache when he’s being naughty," Yinuo joked.
"I’m lucky to be with you," Liang Juejun laughed. "Otherwise, a child this age would probably be calling me 'Auntie'."
Yinuo chuckled, then gestured toward Liang Juejun’s luggage. "You haven't had dinner yet, have you?"
"No," Liang Juejun said, checking her watch. "It’s only five. Still early."
Xiao Yan puffed out his chest with pride. "My sister is going to make dinner for me later! We’re going to spend Valentine's Day together!"
Yinuo’s face flushed as she frantically smoothed down the boy’s hair. "We had a big lunch at my mother’s place, so we just brought some leftovers and simple greens for tonight. Don't mind him, he’s just talking nonsense!"
Liang Juejun was clearly charmed. "He’s adorable."
"Sister Liang, do you have a date tonight?" Xiao Yan asked, dodging Yinuo’s hand to fix his hair. He was only six, but his curiosity was sharp enough to pierce right through Yinuo’s composure.
"I don't," Liang Juejun replied playfully, giving the boy’s cheek a gentle pinch.
"Then, Sister Liang, would you like to spend Valentine's Day with us? You, me, and my sister—all together?"
Yinuo’s heart hammered against her ribs. *He really is my brother! What a god-level assist!*
"I’d love to," Liang Juejun said, her answer surprisingly swift.
Yinuo felt a surge of affection for the little boy. *I haven't spoiled you for nothing!* She turned to Liang Juejun, her smile radiant enough to show the deep dimple in her right cheek. "Shijie, why don't you go home and rest for a bit? We’ll head up and start getting things ready, and then you can come over."
"Alright. I’ll see you in a bit."
As Liang Juejun disappeared into the building, Yinuo scooped Xiao Yan up into a hug. "How are you so smart, hmm? Come here, let me give you a kiss!" She planted a loud kiss on his cheek, and he giggled, returning the gesture with equal enthusiasm.
Inside her apartment, Yinuo moved with a frantic, happy energy. She hadn't expected this encounter, let alone a Valentine's dinner. She set Xiao Yan up in front of the TV and dove into the kitchen. Her mother had packed her with supplies: pork rib soup, osmanthus honey lotus root, and a large bundle of fresh asparagus.
Around six o'clock, the doorbell rang. Xiao Yan raced to open it, greeting Liang Juejun with a shy, beaming smile. Liang Juejun had changed into comfortable clothes, looking relaxed and refreshed.
As Yinuo began to stir-fry the vegetables, Liang Juejun leaned against the kitchen doorframe, watching her. Yinuo’s long, dark hair fell over her shoulder, and she looked less like a PhD student and more like a focused chef.
"Do you cook often?" Liang Juejun asked.
"I know a little," Yinuo replied.
"How much is 'a little'?"
"I can do tomatoes with eggs, and eggs with tomatoes."
Liang Juejun laughed. "So you’ve never made this asparagus before?"
"I think of cooking like a lab experiment," Yinuo said confidently. "Give me a protocol, and I can produce the result you want!"
Liang Juejun chuckled at the bravado, and Xiao Yan, ever the mimic, leaned against the other side of the doorframe in the exact same pose. The sight of them both watching her made Yinuo blush. "Go on, you two! Get out of here, you’re making me nervous!"
The dinner was simple—three dishes for three people—but the flavors were surprisingly delicate. Xiao Yan, however, seemed to find something missing. "Sister, people usually have candles for Valentine's Day."
Yinuo nearly dropped her chopsticks. *Kid, do you know too much?*
She rummaged through her cabinets and eventually found a set of aromatherapy candles. "Someone gave me these years ago. I never had a reason to use them until today."
"They look lovely," Liang Juejun said, her eyes reflecting the soft, flickering light.
The conversation flowed easily, though Liang Juejun’s fatigue eventually began to show. Sensing her exhaustion, Yinuo suggested she head back early to rest. Before leaving, Liang Juejun handed Yinuo a small box. "A New Year’s gift—some chocolates for the little one."
Xiao Yan threw his arms around Liang Juejun’s legs in thanks. The sisters walked her to the door. Before she left, Liang Juejun pulled Yinuo into a brief, gentle hug. "Thank you for dinner. Happy Valentine's Day."
Before Yinuo could process the warmth of the embrace, Liang Juejun knelt down and kissed Xiao Yan’s cheek. "You too, Xiao Yan." Then, with a final wave and a bright smile, she was gone.
Later, as the siblings lounged on the sofa, Xiao Yan looked up from his chocolate. "Sister, are you going to eat some?"
"No, you have it."
"Sister, what are you thinking about?"
Yinuo wiped a smudge of chocolate from his mouth. "I’m thinking about someone I like, but I don't know how to tell them."
Xiao Yan blinked innocently. "Just say, 'I like you very much'."
"It’s... a bit more complicated than that."
"What’s 'complicated'?"
Yinuo ruffled his hair. "You’ll understand when you’re older."
"Why do I have to wait until I’m older?"
"Well... do you have someone you really like at kindergarten?"
"Yes! I really like Tiantian!"
"And how do you show her you like her?"
"I gave her my pudding."
"And was she happy?"
"Very happy!"
Yinuo leaned back, a thoughtful smile on her face. "I wonder if Sister Liang likes pudding... though I think she probably prefers chocolate."
Before she went to sleep, Yinuo sent a final text: *Xiao Yan says thank you for the chocolates. Get some rest. Goodnight.*
Liang Juejun, just about to turn off her light, saw the message and smiled, the image of the two siblings’ radiant faces vivid in her mind.
*Goodnight.*
*Deep in my heart, there are a thousand knots. Lingering thoughts, tender emotions, ten thousand threads of longing, all woven into a single lover's knot.*
***
