Xia Yinuo knew better than to speak and remained silent.
After a long pause, Gu Yizhi suddenly asked, "Xiao Xia, do you believe in marriage?"
Xia Yinuo kept her hands on the steering wheel and her eyes on the road ahead. "I believe in love," she said softly.
Witty as she was, Xia Yinuo knew this wasn't the time to pursue that topic.
"Oh, right, Senior Gu. I forgot to ask earlier—what’s your dog’s name? We’ve shared an ordeal, after all."
Gu Yizhi saw through Xia Yinuo’s attempt to change the subject and followed the lead. "Xiao Bao."
Xia Yinuo was taken aback. "What?"
Gu Yizhi repeated, "I said, his name is Xiao Bao."
Xia Yinuo suddenly burst into laughter. Gu Yizhi gave her a strange look. "Is there a problem?"
Xia Yinuo felt a cold sweat. "No... nothing..."
She could hardly say, *Hey, what a coincidence! My nickname is the same as your dog’s.*
After dropping Gu Yizhi off, Xia Yinuo didn't return to the Liang residence until after eleven. Liang Juejun was sitting up in bed, reading on her Kindle.
Xia Yinuo immediately noticed the faint scratch on Liang Juejun’s face. Alarmed, she rushed over to ask what had happened.
Liang Juejun briefly explained the incident, which left Xia Yinuo fuming with indignation. Liang Juejun laughed it off, saying it wasn't a serious injury and that the person hadn't meant it; it would likely be gone by tomorrow. "Xia Xiao Bao" whined and grumbled, full of regret that she hadn't accompanied Liang Juejun today.
"Actually, looking at what happened today, I feel a sense of pity for Wang Jian’s character," Liang Juejun remarked.
She continued, "In the academic world, there is no shortage of impetuousness and quick-fix mentalities. I once read a passage about what 'culture' truly is. It said that culture should be a cultivation rooted in the heart, a self-awareness that needs no reminding, a freedom predicated on restraint, and a kindness that considers others."
Xia Yinuo looked at her. "So, that is the kind of person you are."
"It is the kind of person I strive to be," Liang Juejun replied.
"You already are," Xia Yinuo said, kissing the scratch on Liang Juejun’s face before pulling her into a tender embrace. "Having you... sometimes it feels like I have another mother, and sometimes it feels like I have a daughter..."
Hearing such childish yet doting words, Liang Juejun couldn't help but pinch Xia Xiao Bao’s cheek. "Alright, enough of that. It’s late. Go take a shower and get ready for bed."
Xia Xiao Bao started acting spoiled. "Wait! Let me hold you for a little longer."
Liang Juejun gave a helpless smile but leaned into Xia Yinuo’s arms anyway, wrapping her hands around her waist. Xia Yinuo smiled and lowered her head to kiss Liang Juejun’s hair.
Liang Juejun closed her eyes, pressing her ear against Xia Xiao Bao’s chest. "Don't move. Let me listen."
Xia Yinuo chuckled. "Hear anything?"
Liang Juejun nodded with satisfaction. "Mm, so soft."
"Professor Liang!" Xia Yinuo cried out, her face flushing crimson.
Liang Juejun stifled a laugh. "And your heart rate is a bit irregular."
For a couple newly acquainted with intimacy, the other’s body was like a spring of life, inspiring constant exploration and discovery. Sometimes, a tiny, inadvertent movement from the other person could stir ripples in the heart. Yet, due to certain unspeakable reasons—shyness, nervousness, or sheer tenderness—one often found themselves at a loss, caught between advancing and retreating.
Liang Juejun, however, remained perfectly poised. "Don't move. Is your 'daughter' not allowed to act spoiled once in a while? I'm a little sleepy..."
Xia Yinuo tightened her hold on the woman in her arms and gritted her teeth. "She is!"
Within five minutes, Liang Juejun had fallen asleep. Xia Yinuo carefully laid her down, tucked her in, and kissed her forehead. *Goodnight,* she mouthed silently.
***
The next morning, Shen Xuanyi followed her senior, Zhou Zan, to Tang Shuliang’s lab to borrow some equipment.
Upon arriving, Zhou Zan encountered a student in a white lab coat passing by the entrance. "Excuse me, I’d like to use the fluorescence microscope. I’ve already spoken with Professor Chen Jing about it. But Professor Chen doesn't seem to be in. Could you possibly show us how to use the equipment?"
Wang Meng, who was busy, glanced at the light-shielding box in Zhou Zan’s hand. "Oh, Professor Chen is in class. Go ask Senior Xia. She and Professor Chen are the ones in charge of the microscopes in this lab."
"Do you mean Xia Yinuo?" Zhou Zan asked.
"Yes. She’s inside. You can just head in."
Xia Yinuo was currently conducting an experiment with Liu Yan. Zhou Zan stepped forward to explain their purpose. Liu Yan looked up, saw her roommate, and made a face at Shen Xuanyi before immediately turning to Xia Yinuo. "Senior Xia, go ahead and help them. I can handle things here on my own."
Xia Yinuo checked the progress, said "Alright," and led Zhou Zan and Shen Xuanyi to the microscope room. Zhou Zan politely explained that their lab’s microscope was broken and they were waiting for an engineer, so they needed to use this one urgently for a couple of days. Xia Yinuo replied that sharing resources was perfectly normal and there was no need for formalities.
In the pitch-black microscope room, the three of them huddled around the instrument. To avoid light interference, only a small desk lamp was lit. Xia Yinuo expertly powered on the microscope and the connected computer. She then carefully instructed the two on how to turn on the power supply and the mercury lamp, how to switch fluorescence channels, and how to transfer images to the main computer for software processing.
In the darkness, Shen Xuanyi secretly observed Xia Yinuo. They said a woman was most beautiful when she was serious, and it was true. Xia Yinuo’s focused expression was both professional and captivating.
"That’s the gist of the operation. It’s quite simple," Xia Yinuo said. Just then, her phone rang. She spoke politely to the two, "Excuse me, I need to step out for a moment. If you need anything, you can find me in the lab next door."
Shen Xuanyi hurried to say, "Okay, thank you, Senior Xia."
Zhou Zan also stood up. "Sorry for the trouble."
Xia Yinuo pulled off her gloves, waved with a smile, and walked quickly out of the room.
Zhou Zan watched the doorway with lingering interest, nudging Shen Xuanyi. "Seeing her in person is even better than the rumors. Pretty, isn't she?"
"A sight for sore eyes," Shen Xuanyi agreed.
***
Li Mu’s goofy face was flashing on the phone screen. Xia Yinuo picked up. "Mumu."
A young, excited voice came from the other end. "Sis! I’m coming back!"
Xia Yinuo smiled. "So soon? I thought you weren't coming back until Christmas."
"Do you wish I wasn't coming back?" One could almost imagine Li Mu pouting; as her grandmother would say, her lip was hanging low enough to hook an oil bottle.
"No, of course not!" Xia Yinuo said.
"I don't have many classes lately, so I’m free. Since the holidays are coming up anyway, I’m coming back early," Li Mu explained.
"Do Uncle and Auntie know?"
"Duh! My dad meddles in everything; how could he not know? By the way, is Grandma staying at Sanhe Villa with Auntie and the others lately, or is she at my house?"
"She’s at Sanhe Villa," Xia Yinuo replied.
Li Mu grumbled, "No wonder!"
"What’s wrong?"
"Nothing. My dad told me to go straight to Auntie’s place for dinner as soon as I get off the plane. Lately, every time he calls, he tries to convince me to go to grad school. My ears are growing callouses! I bet he’s mobilizing the whole family to lobby me. I was hoping Grandma would be at my house so I could avoid my dad buzzing in my ear all day. It’s so annoying."
Xia Yinuo teased, "Look at you, needing Grandma to back you up."
"Hmph! I don't care. Maybe I’ll stay at your place instead. Then we can call Brother Xiuheng and Xiao Yan over and we can all have a happy hour together!"
"You little maniac. You think everyone is like you? Brother is busy with work, I have experiments to do, and Xiao Yan has to go to kindergarten."
Li Mu wailed, "Ugh, it’s Christmas! I don't believe for a second that no one has any free time."
Xia Yinuo relented slightly. "We’ll see when the time comes. For now, just be a good girl and listen to your father."
***
Two mornings later, Li Mu—having secretly obtained the key to Xia Yinuo’s apartment from their grandmother—sent Xia Yinuo a selfie of herself lying on the sofa. The caption read: *Guess where I am?*
*My little ancestor!*
Without a word, Xia Yinuo rushed home. She opened the door to find Li Mu sitting on the living room sofa with her legs crossed, watching TV.
Seeing Xia Yinuo, Li Mu jumped up and gave her a bear hug, then said pitifully, "Sis! You’re finally back."
Xia Yinuo looked around the room like a thief with a guilty conscience, then let out a sigh of relief. She changed her shoes and walked in, looking at Li Mu’s suitcase by the door. "Have you been home yet? Did Uncle and Auntie really agree to let you run off here? You only have a ten-day break, right?"
"Of course! I went to pay my respects to Grandma as soon as I got off the plane this morning. My parents don't mind; I told them, and they’re still counting on you to be their lobbyist!" Li Mu returned to the sofa, hugged a cushion, and sat cross-legged.
Xia Yinuo plopped down next to Li Mu. "No wonder you have the key. I really owe you one!"
Li Mu scooted over, sounding indignant. "Why are you being so stingy? Look, there are three rooms here. I won't touch anything in the study or the master bedroom. Surely I can sleep in the guest room? I’m your only sister, Xia Xiao Bao. You’re cold, you’re heartless..."
Xia Yinuo threw a cushion at Li Mu, cutting her off. "And you’re being unreasonable! Fine, I give up. I’ll take the afternoon to air out the quilts so I can make the bed for you tonight."
Li Mu struck a classic Astro Boy pose. "Yes!"
Xia Yinuo went to the guest room, took the quilts out of the closet, and carried them to the balcony. As she did, she said to Li Mu, "Actually, Uncle has a point. While I won't lobby you, you should seriously consider the matter. You’re graduating next year."
Li Mu followed her with her hands behind her back, a sly grin on her face. "Sis, when did you become such a nag? I think my business is small potatoes. Maybe we should sit down and have a real talk about *your* business..."
"What? I don't have anything to talk about." Xia Yinuo glanced at Li Mu and continued hanging the quilts.
Li Mu leaned against the sliding balcony door, arms crossed, and cleared her throat. "Sis, look for yourself. There isn't a single piece of clothing hanging on the balcony. There’s almost no food in the fridge. And most tellingly, there’s a thin layer of dust on the coffee table. How could a neat freak like you allow that? And the second I said I was here, why did you rush back in such a panic?"
Xia Yinuo froze, momentarily speechless.
"Confess! Where are you actually living right now?!" Li Mu narrowed her eyes, her gaze sharp as she stepped closer to Xia Yinuo.
Xia Yinuo lowered her head and rubbed her forehead.
"Who is that person? Does Auntie know?"
Xia Yinuo looked up. "Mumu, listen to me..."
"Fine, I can tell from that opening line that you’re just going to give me some excuse!" Li Mu turned to walk away.
Xia Yinuo grabbed her arm, took a deep breath, and exhaled. "Mumu, how old are you this year?"
Li Mu shook off Xia Yinuo’s hand. "Three years younger than you! I’m twenty-two!"
Xia Yinuo smiled. "Twenty-two. You should be sensible now."
Li Mu rolled her eyes. "Duh!"
Xia Yinuo suddenly looked as serious as a student answering a teacher’s question. "I don't want to lie to you. I’m living with a friend right now. She is... my girlfriend."
Li Mu’s eyes widened. "What?!"
***
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
小宝 | Xiao Bao | Literally "Little Treasure." A common nickname for children or pets.
夏小宝 | Xia Xiao Bao | A playful version of Xia Yinuo's nickname.
三河山庄 | Sanhe Villa | A residential area or estate name.
李沐 | Li Mu | Xia Yinuo's younger cousin.
周赞 | Zhou Zan | A senior student (Shixiong) in the lab.
王萌 | Wang Meng | A student in Tang Shuliang's lab.
荧光显微镜 | Fluorescence microscope | Scientific equipment used in the lab.
汞灯 | Mercury lamp | A light source for the fluorescence microscope.
