The Li family’s ancestral home was situated in the northwest corner of Dongzhuang. It was a three-story small villa; although the Li family did not return often, Wei Ping and his wife kept the house in impeccable order. For the evening’s main meal, Wei Ping and his wife prepared a table laden with dishes, including the fish the boys had caught that afternoon. Before the meal began, however, the couple excused themselves, claiming they had business to attend to at the fishing pond. It was a transparent excuse to give the young people some space. Li Xiuheng and Xia Yinuo could not sway them and could only offer their repeated thanks before seeing the couple off. With that, dinner officially commenced.
Xia Yinuo sat with Xia Yiyan on her left and Liang Jueyun on her right. Beside Liang Jueyun sat Mai Shining, Zhang Jikang, Qi Qian, Chen Diandian, Ke Dinghao, and Li Xiuheng in sequence.
Not long after the meal started, Li Xiuheng stood up and raised his glass. "To my dearest sister—Happy Birthday!"
Liang Jueyun and Chen Diandian both looked at Xia Yinuo in shock. The others at the table showed no surprise; clearly, they had known all along.
Chen Diandian immediately interrogated Ke Dinghao as to why he hadn't mentioned it sooner. Ke Dinghao cried foul. "Senior Xia wouldn't let me say anything! She said that no matter whose birthday it is, it’s always just eating and drinking, which is boring. So this year, we decided to come out and have some fun first, and she’ll treat the rest of the lab mates to dinner later."
"Alright, Diandian. I was the one who told Xiao Ke not to say anything. Birthdays are just a formality; the most important thing is having a good time," Xia Yinuo consoled her.
"But," Xia Yiyan couldn't help but pipe up, "Sister, why aren't there any birthday cakes or candles?"
Xia Yinuo pulled the little boy into her arms. "It’s okay. We’re going home for dinner tomorrow night, and Dad has already ordered a cake. You can blow out the candles then, okay?"
"But I didn't remember Sister's birthday, so I didn't prepare a gift." The little boy lowered his head, his fingers twisting together.
Everyone burst into laughter. Xia Yinuo was moved to the core by the adorable boy; she leaned down to coax him. "Oh, our Xiao Yan is the best gift Sister could ever have!"
"Okay! Then I'll give Sister a kiss as a gift!" With that, the little boy puckered his lips and planted a loud *mwah* right on Xia Yinuo’s cheek.
The group erupted in mock protest, shouting that it was too much—not just sappy, but utterly saccharine! Chen Diandian teased that the boy definitely had a "sister complex." Li Xiuheng remarked that if their little boy was this sentimental at such a young age, what would become of him when he grew up? Zhang Jikang leaned his face toward Mai Mai, saying he wanted a kiss too, only to be shoved away by Mai Shining’s palm. Qi Qian, Ke Dinghao, and Liang Jueyun all couldn't help but chuckle.
Mai Shining leaned toward Liang Jueyun’s ear and whispered conspiratorially, "Those two siblings are really something to be envious of, aren't they?"
Hearing this, Liang Jueyun smiled and nodded in agreement.
Xia Yinuo smugly placed a piece of chicken into the boy's bowl. "Here, eat more of this free-range chicken. It’s good for growing up!"
Li Xiuheng chimed in from the side with a theatrical, high-pitched voice: "Sister, I want to eat meat-meat too!"
Xia Yinuo looked at Li Xiuheng with utter disdain. Li Xiuheng pinched his throat and acted out a scene of indignant hurt. "You—you—you! You’re discriminating against me because I’m not your biological brother!"
Even Mai Shining couldn't watch anymore, telling him he’d had quite enough.
Xia Yinuo couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Big Brother, I really can't take it. How about we negotiate? Either you go hit your head against a wall, or I will."
The meal was spent mostly teasing the little boy, interspersed with Qi Qian and Li Xiuheng sharing interesting anecdotes from the hospital. Liang Jueyun raised her glass to wish Xia Yinuo a happy birthday; having witnessed Liang Jueyun’s tolerance for alcohol, Xia Yinuo quickly insisted, "I’ll drain my glass, you just take a sip."
By the time they finished eating, it was already past eight o'clock. After dinner, the two young couples said they were going for a walk. Li Xiuheng intentionally led the little boy away, wanting to leave some private space for Qi Qian and Xia Yinuo to talk. Seeing this, Xia Yinuo caught Liang Jueyun’s eye and pulled her along, saying they were going out to help their digestion.
The two strolled casually until they reached the great camphor tree. This century-old tree was the village's premier spot for enjoying the cool air. A chessboard was set upon a stone table where two people were mid-match, while a few spectators sat or crouched nearby, focused intently on the game. Elders sat leisurely in rocking chairs under the tree, waving palm-leaf fans as they discussed history or shared jokes. Children chased each other in play, nearly colliding with Liang Jueyun. Before Liang Jueyun could react, Xia Yinuo scooped up the naughty child, gave him a few words of caution about safety, and the boy nodded before scampering off again.
They walked through the narrow country paths until they reached the edge of an open field. The sounds of cicadas and frogs intertwined. Looking up at the star-studded sky and breathing in the fragrance wafting from the fields, Xia Yinuo stretched her arms and sighed, "This feels so good!"
Liang Jueyun also marveled at the comfort and ease of the rural night.
Xia Yinuo pointed at the crops in the field and asked, "Senior, do you recognize what these are?"
"Corn and rice."
"And that one?"
"Edamame. Are you teasing me?"
"Hehe, I wouldn't dare. Nowadays, many city kids don't recognize these crops at all."
"I was a biology major, after all, even if I've returned most of my botany knowledge to my professors."
Xia Yinuo clapped her hands. "Haha, I didn't think the dignified Teacher Liang would say something like that."
Liang Jueyun shrugged. "I'm just telling the truth. Unlike some people, who don't even mention it's their birthday."
"Hehe, wasn't it a surprise?"
"It was quite a surprise. So don't blame me for not having a gift for you."
"You can make it up to me next time; I don't mind."
"If I make it up later, it's not a birthday gift anymore; it's just a regular gift."
"Ha, then just do what Xiao Yan did and give me a kiss." Xia Yinuo grinned, making an irreverent joke.
Liang Jueyun turned her head and narrowed her eyes at Xia Yinuo. At this moment, "Xiao Bao" looked a bit childish and a bit like a rogue. Without a word, Liang Jueyun took hold of Xia Yinuo’s head and planted a kiss on her right cheek. Then she pulled back. "There. Your birthday gift. Happy Birthday."
In the backlit glow, Liang Jueyun’s face was haloed by the soft light of the streetlamp. As the wind blew, she curled her lips into a smile and watched Xia Yinuo quietly. Feeling the warm breath near her ear, Xia Yinuo felt for a moment as if she were distanced from all the world's clamor. Her face turned a deep crimson.
"What? Didn't you say it yourself?"
"Oh, look how round the moon is tonight." Xia Yinuo felt her face burning and pointed at the moon, trying to change the subject.
"Today is August 17th, 2013. It’s not even the fifteenth of the lunar month; how is the moon round? Also, don't point at the moon with your finger, or else while you're asleep, the moon will come and cut off your ears."
"Huh?"
"Let's go back."
"Oh."
The dim yellow streetlights stretched their shadows very close and very long. Xia Yinuo suddenly asked, "Senior, how are those two plants doing?"
"They really are suited for lazy people. They don't need much care and are growing very well."
"Oh."
They walked back along the path, mostly in silence, fully immersing themselves in the clear moonlight of the summer night. Once they reached the Li residence, they bid each other goodnight and headed to their respective rooms.
However, Liang Jueyun was intercepted at her door. It was Mai Shining.
"Senior Liang, a word?"
Liang Jueyun followed Mai Shining downstairs to the pavilion in the courtyard. Liang Jueyun found a stone stool and sat down, while Mai Shining stood there stiffly. It took a while before she spoke. "Longing can already be bone-deep and soul-consuming, but what does it feel like to 'not dare to long'? Since ancient times, passion only leaves behind regrets. If you can no longer be passionate, and dare not be passionate, even if the love is deep in your bones, you can only bury it there, let it rot there, and let it die there. What kind of feeling is that?"
"...?!"
"Senior Liang, do you know what I'm talking about?"
"No."
"Ugh, forget it. Besides, those aren't my words; they're Gu Long's."
"Oh, I heard from Xiao Bao that Mr. Gu Long is your idol."
"We're getting off track. Actually, I wanted to talk to you about Xiao Bao."
"Alright."
Mai Shining cleared her throat and began. "Originally, I didn't want to meddle and had no right to interfere. But Xiao Bao is my best friend; how could I just stand by and watch? Xiao Bao... she has a simple life, a kind character, she's quite smart, good-looking, and has a bit of talent. She’s focused, responsible, and goes above and beyond for her family and friends. She really does have a lot of virtues. But in certain aspects—and I mean *certain* aspects—maybe because of her family... you know her family situation is a bit complicated... she’s a bit... a bit... slow to warm up! Yes, very stubborn, and... a closet romantic! I think you are a reasonable person, Senior Liang, and I admire your calm wisdom. You don't have to answer my question, but a person must always face their own heart honestly, after all..."
"I like her." Liang Jueyun interrupted Mai Shining’s rambling.
Not expecting Liang Jueyun to be so direct, Mai Shining, who had prepared a whole speech, was suddenly choked up. Her eyes widened, and she didn't know what to say.
"Is that answer satisfactory?"
"You people are going to be the death of me!" Mai Shining clutched her forehead and cried out. "What is this? The emperor isn't worried, but the eunuch is frantic! If you like her, then be together! Honestly, just let me die of frustration!"
"I like her, and I suspect she likes me too—and you certainly know she likes me, otherwise you wouldn't have come to find me." Liang Jueyun raised an eyebrow and smiled lightly at Mai Shining, continuing with composure. "Xiao Bao is the kind of person who makes many hearts flutter. It’s not that I don't want to be together, but the days ahead are long. We aren't in a rush, so why hurry? In our interactions over the past year, I’ve discovered the reserved stillness behind her cheerful personality. As you said, perhaps because of her family, she lacks a sense of security in relationships. So, in the process of her recognizing and confirming her own feelings, I want to give her some time rather than acting on a momentary impulse. I appreciate her unhurried pace, brewing until it is mature enough, firm enough. When she is completely ready and can take that first step toward me without looking back, I am willing to walk the remaining ninety-nine steps for her."
Hearing Liang Jueyun’s words, Mai Shining felt a mix of complex emotions. More than anything, she felt lucky that her friend had met such a clear-sighted and perceptive person.
Liang Jueyun continued, "Of course, I think Xiao Bao is very lucky to have a friend like you. Thank you for what you said to me today."
Mai Shining sighed. "Don't thank me; I didn't do anything. Everything you said makes sense, and I'm quite moved. Actually, dealing with someone like Xia Xiao Bao—she’s so reserved and hesitant—you should just be simple and blunt."
"Is that so? Perhaps you're right, but I quite enjoy this slow simmer, stewing until the essence comes out," Liang Jueyun said softly.
Mai Shining gritted her teeth. "You two really are two of a kind! Just act like I never said anything..."
"You've already said it; how can I act like you didn't?"
"Xia Xiao Bao, you're absolutely done for..."
***
