Chapter 45 - A Family Portrait
"Such things cannot be rushed," Mai Shining said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper as she leaned across the small table. Her eyes were fixed on Xia Yinuo, filled with the kind of worldly wisdom only a best friend could offer. "Marriage is a marathon, not a sprint."
Xia Yinuo offered a helpless, weary smile. "I know," she murmured. She felt the weight of her family’s expectations like a soft but persistent fog, always present, even when unspoken.
Mai Shining continued, her tone turning more serious. "It’s not like they’re forcing you to walk down the aisle tomorrow. You’re still young. For the next few years, your best bet is to just drag it out—treat it like a war of attrition. Keep them at bay with vague promises and busy schedules. Who knows what kind of storms might brew by the time they get truly impatient? You need to buy yourself some breathing room."
Before Yinuo could respond, Li Qinglan’s voice drifted from the kitchen, warm and inviting, cutting through the heavy atmosphere of their conversation. "Xiao Bao, come help with the dishes. It’s time to eat!"
"Coming!" Yinuo called back, grateful for the interruption. She stood up, smoothing out her clothes, and headed toward the heart of the home.
The dining room was soon filled with the comforting, savory aroma of home-cooked food—the scent of ginger, soy sauce, and the subtle sweetness of steamed rice. It was the scent of safety. Li Qinglan busied herself with the practiced grace of a matriarch, piling generous portions of food onto Mai Shining’s plate.
"Mai Mai, you really should come over more often," Li Qinglan said, her face glowing with genuine affection. "Mu Mu is finally coming back from London at the end of the month. When he’s settled, we’ll have to invite Jikang over too and have a proper, big family dinner. It’s been far too long since the house was full."
"You bet!" Mai Shining chirped, her earlier gravity vanishing as she picked up her chopsticks. "In my book, being late for a meal is a serious character flaw, but missing one entirely? That’s a tragedy."
As the clink of porcelain and the soft murmur of casual conversation filled the room, Mai Shining suddenly paused, as if remembering something important. "Oh, I almost forgot the main event! Auntie Lan, I brought something for you." She reached into her bag and pulled out a beautifully printed ticket. "Our studio is going to be hosting a photography salon soon with a 'Family' theme. I’ve saved a special VIP spot for all of you. You should really come by and let us take a professional set of family portraits. If you’re willing, we can even enter the photos into the salon’s selection process!"
Grandma’s eyes lit up at the suggestion, her weathered face crinkling into a bright smile. "That’s a wonderful idea! It feels like it’s been ages since we had a proper family photo taken. The last one we have, Xiao Bao was still in middle school."
Mai Shining grinned, her pride in her craft evident. "And the best part? I’ll be the one personally behind the lens. I’ll make sure everyone looks like a movie star."
Li Qinglan nodded thoughtfully, already mentally flipping through their calendars. "We’ll have to coordinate. We’ll need to find a day when the hospital isn't too busy and everyone is off duty. Xiao Bao’s schedule at the university is usually a bit more flexible, so she should be easy to pin down."
Mai Shining let out an exaggerated, dramatic gasp, nearly dropping her chopsticks. "Auntie Lan, you have no idea! Our Xiao Bao isn't just a student anymore; she’s the Lead Senior Sister now. She’s incredibly busy! You wouldn't believe the weight on her shoulders. She has to oversee every little thing in the lab, from the equipment to the protocols. And her juniors? They’re so young, so green—half the time they don't know which end of a pipette is which. She has to hold their hands through every single experiment. It’s enough to make anyone’s hair turn grey before their time!"
Xia Yinuo rolled her eyes, though a small smile played on her lips. "Mai Mai, honestly, why don't you give up photography and go into professional crosstalk? You clearly have the gift for storytelling."
Li Qinglan laughed, turning her gaze toward her daughter with a look of mock-seriousness. "Lead Senior Sister, is that really how it is? Are you truly that indispensable?"
Yinuo sighed, leaning back in her chair. She allowed herself a moment of theatrical despair, her eyes downcast as she channeled the classic plight of a beleaguered heroine from a wuxia drama. "Master," she said, her voice trembling with feigned sorrow, "your Lead Senior Sister has been captured by monsters!"
