In the autumn and winter of 2013, smoggy days plagued many regions across the country. Even C City, a place renowned for its beautiful scenery, could not escape this fate. Overnight, "smog" and "PM2.5" became the top trending search terms.
Xia Yinuo brought Liang Jueyun several disposable medical masks and N95 respirators. Liang Jueyun was quite surprised by the display. Xia Yinuo explained, "The lab distributed them to everyone. It might seem a bit much, but we have to protect ourselves. Try to avoid outdoor exercise for the next few days."
Liang Jueyun nodded, then asked, "Are you going home for dinner tomorrow?"
Xia Yinuo confirmed that it was her routine family dinner.
"Don't drive," Liang Jueyun urged.
Xia Yinuo grinned and teased, "If I don't drive, will you take me?"
To her surprise, Liang Jueyun answered seriously, "I’d like to, but I don't have a domestic driver's license."
***
Xia Yiyan had recently learned a new poem at kindergarten and was babbling it to Xia Yinuo, making her burst into laughter. After dinner, the little boy sat obediently in front of the television watching his favorite cartoons while Deng Rouyue cleaned the kitchen. Xia Yinuo sat on the sofa, drinking tea and chatting with Xia Yan.
Her phone rang—an unfamiliar number. Xia Yinuo answered.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Junior Sister. It’s Gu Yizhi."
"Oh, Senior Gu, hello." Xia Yinuo wasn't foolish enough to ask how she got her number; the contact information for the faculty and students in charge of various affairs was posted all over the laboratory walls.
Gu Yizhi chuckled on the other end. "Have you eaten?"
"Yes, I have. Is there something I can help you with, Senior?"
"Nothing urgent. I just wanted to invite you out for a chat."
Xia Yinuo glanced at Xia Yan. "I’m afraid today won't work."
Hearing this, Xia Yan spared her a glance.
"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about whether you'd be interested in joining our company after graduation."
"Oh. Well, I still have more than half a year until graduation, and I haven't really made up my mind yet."
Xia Yan’s gaze grew more meaningful as he watched his daughter’s expression.
"Alright, I won't push you. Let's grab a meal when you're free."
"Thank you, Senior. Goodbye."
"Goodbye."
After hanging up, Xia Yinuo explained to Xia Yan, "One of Professor Tang's former students started her own company after returning to China. She asked if I’d be interested in working there after I graduate."
"I see." Xia Yan set down his teacup and asked, "So, Yinuo, have you thought about what you want to do in the future?"
"I’ve started thinking about it recently, but I don't have a clear goal yet," Xia Yinuo answered honestly.
"Tell me, then. What are your general thoughts?"
"You know I don't want to be a doctor."
"It’s my fault too; I’ve never really had a proper talk with you about this. I imagine your thoughts change at every stage of life. Right now, do you want to enter a public institution, a private company, or start your own business? Or perhaps go abroad?"
"Professor Tang asked me the same thing. He told me to discuss it with you and Mom. I’m not going abroad for a postdoc. I don't think I’m suited for a conventional job within the system, but I don't want to abandon my field of study either. So, joining a company or starting a business sounds like a good path."
Xia Yan nodded slowly. "It’s good that you have ideas. You still have a year to consider."
"Dad, do you think... I’m quite useless?"
"How could you say that?" Xia Yan was taken aback.
"Well, look. If I had studied management or design, I could have taken over your company. Or, I could have been a steady doctor. Or even gone abroad right after my undergraduate degree to come back as a lecturer or researcher. Isn't that what you hoped for?"
Xia Yan patted his daughter’s back with his large hand and laughed. "You! Your mind is far too clever for your own good. To say I never hoped for those things would be a lie, but whatever you do, I believe you will do it well. The important thing is that you like it. You have always been the pride of your mother and me."
Xia Yinuo looked at her father and asked seriously, "You say I’m your pride, but what if, in the end, I don't meet your expectations? What then?"
Xia Yan’s expression turned solemn. "Yinuo, you must understand that those so-called expectations are hollow. Parents might talk about wanting their children to become 'dragons and phoenixes,' but in the end, they only want their children to be healthy and happy. That is enough."
"Really?"
Xia Yan feigned a stern face. "When has your father ever lied to you?"
"It’s not just about work," Xia Yinuo’s gaze lost focus slightly. "What if I disappoint you in other ways?"
"Don't overthink things. You’re young; there are so many possibilities ahead!"
Xia Yinuo smiled. "Yes, so many possibilities."
Xia Yan added, "Precisely because you have always been so good and sensible, your mother and I were afraid of putting too much pressure on you. You’ll understand the heart of a parent once you have children of your own."
Xia Yinuo once read a passage: *“Happiness is when the familiar people remain. Under the dinner light, the same people sit in the same seats, talking about the same topics. The young still chatter about school, and the old still grumble about their dentures. The kitchen still smells of fried fish, and the living room still echoes with the noisy television news.”*
Xia Yinuo noticed the white hair at Xia Yan’s temples, then turned to see the well-behaved little boy and the woman in the kitchen working hard for her husband and children. She felt fortunate that everyone had their own version of happiness, and she hoped that one day, everyone’s happiness could be understood, accepted, and embraced.
***
Taking advantage of a rare clear day, Mai Shining went to C University for an outdoor shoot. Afterward, she asked Xia Yinuo out for dinner, specifically requesting that Professor Liang join them.
Liang Jueyun was just about to leave work. As she closed her office door, she heard a loud crash from the laboratory next door. The lab space was divided into many small workstations and offices. Liang Jueyun leaned in to look toward the source of the noise and saw two of Academician Cheng’s doctoral students, Wang Jian and Cao Jing, grappling with each other. Plastic centrifuge tubes and pipette tips were scattered all over the floor.
The two scrambled to let go when they saw Liang Jueyun, their expressions fraught with embarrassment. Realizing she had arrived at an awkward moment, Liang Jueyun gave them a kind smile and withdrew.
The restaurant Mai Shining had booked was near the university, so Liang Jueyun walked there. A car horn honked twice beside her. The window rolled down, and Qi Qian poked his head out. "Professor Liang, what a coincidence."
Liang Jueyun leaned down slightly. Seeing it was Qi Qian, she greeted him politely. "Hello, Dr. Qi."
"I’m here to drop some things off for my cousin."
"I see."
"Have you eaten? Why don't we have dinner together?"
"That’s very kind of you, but I already have plans."
"Ah, never mind then. Where are you headed? Can I give you a lift?"
"No need, it’s just up ahead. Thank you."
"Alright, I won't keep you. Goodbye."
"Goodbye."
The window rolled up, and the car slowly drove away.
When Liang Jueyun arrived, Xia Yinuo was waiting at the restaurant entrance. As dusk fell, the light from the restaurant sign cast a glow over Xia Yinuo’s tall, slender frame. Liang Jueyun stepped forward and took her arm, gently chiding her for not waiting inside. Xia Yinuo smiled and said it was no trouble.
Once they were seated, Mai Shining handed over the menu, saying she and Yinuo had already ordered a few dishes and that Professor Liang should pick two more.
The waiter standing nearby immediately listed the dishes already ordered. Liang Jueyun said there was no need for more and told him to serve the food, adding at the end, "No cilantro, please. Thank you."
The waiter beamed. "These two ladies already mentioned no cilantro. Are there any other dietary restrictions?"
Liang Jueyun replied, "Oh, no. Thank you."
As soon as the waiter left, Mai Shining asked, "Does Professor Liang not eat cilantro either?"
Liang Jueyun paused, then smiled. "I can eat it."
Seeing Xia Yinuo’s infatuated and smug expression, Mai Shining understood. The only one who was a picky eater was Xia Yinuo.
Due to the smog, many of the studio's outdoor shoots had been canceled or postponed, leaving Mai Shining with a lot of free time lately. "Today’s clients were C University graduates, even younger than us. They’re getting married. Besides the wedding photos, they specifically requested a campus-style couple shoot. Before I knew it, the '90s generation reached the age for late marriage. Don't you think time just flies?"
Best friends aren't truly best friends if they don't poke fun at each other. Xia Yinuo teased, "Boss Mai, you can just sit back and collect the money. What are you complaining about? Or maybe you should get married yourself sometime. Don't make Ji Kang wait too long."
As she spoke, Xia Yinuo busied herself serving food to Liang Jueyun, pointing out which was the signature dish and which was good for the lungs.
Seeing this, Mai Shining huffed. "I’m in no rush to marry him. But you... you really are like the saying: 'a grown daughter can't be kept at home'..."
Liang Jueyun lowered her head to eat, a gentle smile on her face. Xia Yinuo looked perfectly content.
Mai Shining clicked her tongue. "Tsk tsk. Xia Yinuo, one look at you and it’s obvious you’re the bottom!"
"Hey!" In public, and right in front of Liang Jueyun, Xia Yinuo felt like she might cough up blood. She shot a quick glance at Liang Jueyun; fortunately, the professor didn't seem to understand and showed no reaction.
Mai Shining leaned toward Liang Jueyun, lowering her voice with a mischievous grin. "Professor Liang, our Yinuo has three great virtues: a soft voice, a supple body, and she’s easy to push over. Isn't that right?"
Xia Yinuo choked violently on her water, feeling her dignity rapidly depleting.
"Cough... Mai Mai, watch your words. Senior doesn't understand that."
Liang Jueyun patted Xia Yinuo’s back and said airily, "Oh, I actually understand that quite well."
Xia Yinuo: "...!"
Mai Shining’s eyes crinkled into lines with delight. "In that case, I’ll leave Yinuo in your capable hands, Professor Liang!"
***
Liang Jueyun had booked a flight back to San Francisco for November 26th. On the night before her departure, as she was packing her luggage, Xia Yinuo asked what would happen with the lab work. Liang Jueyun replied that everything had been arranged. Xia Yinuo then asked about the Thursday night class. Liang Jueyun smiled and explained that it was Thanksgiving, so the international students had the day off.
Xia Yinuo gave a muffled "Oh."
Liang Jueyun set down her things and hugged the stubborn girl. "So, you *are* jealous, aren't you?"
Xia Yinuo pouted. "Who said that..."
Liang Jueyun teased, "Hmm, no? I was planning to give you a proper coaxing before I left."
Flustered and embarrassed, Xia Yinuo lunged forward to hug Liang Jueyun.
Liang Jueyun didn't pull away, nestling into Xia Yinuo’s embrace. She whispered, "It’s only for a week. Wait for me to come back."
Xia Yinuo suddenly pointed out the window. "Look, a UFO!" The moment Liang Jueyun was distracted, Xia Yinuo kissed her. Liang Jueyun let out a small gasp of surprise, then cooperatively wrapped her arms around Xia Yinuo’s waist.
Liang Jueyun’s lips were soft, like warm jelly; once touched, one never wanted to let go.
Since they had started dating, they had always been affectionate but disciplined, rarely letting things escalate. But today, Xia Yinuo felt bold. *Who’s the bottom? Who has the soft voice and supple body and is easy to push over? Me?*
They sucked and twined together for a long time. When they finally pulled apart, both were breathing heavily, suppressing the sudden surge of restlessness and desire. The "troublemaker" buried her head in the crook of Liang Jueyun’s neck, inhaling the fragrance of her skin. Her voice was thick with a tenderness that wouldn't dissolve: "How many 'missing person notices' did I have to post in my past life to find you in this one? It’s only a week... I’ve always been the best at waiting."
