Liang Juejun took Xia Yinuo and Chen Diandian to a famous fusion restaurant near the university; the location had actually been chosen by Chen Diandian. Before the food arrived, the three of them chatted, though Chen Diandian did most of the talking. Perhaps sensing that Xia Yinuo might feel awkward, Liang Juejun struck up a conversation by asking about her current research project and its progress.
Xia Yinuo explained her topic and her current findings with modest understatement.
Chen Diandian immediately chimed in, "Professor Liang, you have no idea how amazing Senior Xia is. She handles several projects all by herself. In three years, she’s done more work than most people do in five, and she’s already published several major papers!"
Liang Juejun cast an admiring look her way. Xia Yinuo felt a bit embarrassed. "It’s not that exaggerated. I’ve just had decent luck. I only wanted to make the most of my time so I could eventually do my own thing."
"Are you in such a hurry?" Liang Juejun asked, the words slipping out before she realized she hadn't intended to pry into personal matters. She quickly changed the subject. "I’ve heard the pressure to graduate with a PhD in China is quite high these days. Meeting the requirements early is certainly a good thing."
"I thought you’d be planning to go abroad for the last two years of your doctorate, Senior Xia," Chen Diandian said. "With your talent, it would be a waste not to do research overseas."
"I love doing experiments and exploring things that interest me, but for my future career, I don't want to be trapped solely in academia. Besides, I don't believe everyone in research has to go abroad. While conditions overseas are indeed very attractive, there are many excellent institutions and research groups here in China now. Plus, my English isn't that great, haha." Xia Yinuo spoke the truth, though she held some things back.
Liang Juejun nodded in agreement. "I share your view. Doing research abroad isn't always what most people imagine. Research should be an interest, not a burden. Diandian, you’ll understand once you’ve been in the field a bit longer."
Just then, the waitress arrived with their dishes, bringing that topic to a natural close.
Most of the dishes had been ordered by Chen Diandian, a self-proclaimed foodie who boasted of having eaten at every restaurant and street stall around C University. As Liang Juejun picked at her food with unhurried grace, Xia Yinuo noticed she wasn't eating much. After a moment's thought, she asked, "Professor Liang, are you still accustomed to the Chinese food here in C City?"
Liang Juejun set down her chopsticks and smiled. "I’m a native of C City; I grew up here. Even when I was in the States, my family made Chinese food every week. I’d also join the local Chinese community gatherings where everyone brought a dish they’d made. I love Chinese food—it’s a way to practice my Chinese, too. Of course I love the food in C City."
Chen Diandian said excitedly, "Exactly! Even though I’m from the North, I really love Southern cuisine too."
This comment amused Xia Yinuo, who teased, "Is there any food you *don't* like? Haha."
Liang Juejun laughed as well. Chen Diandian pouted. "What’s wrong with that? It just means I’m easy to please. Oh, Professor Liang, you’re eating so little. I hope it’s not because the food isn't to your taste—I forgot to ask if you had any dietary restrictions."
"I don't have any restrictions. My appetite is just a bit poor today. Let me ask you two a question: after seeing so many human specimens this afternoon, don't you feel... anything? Like a loss of appetite? Or perhaps a bit of fear?" Liang Juejun asked.
"Hahaha, so that’s it! Professor Liang, we’re from the medical school. Never mind specimens—we had to dissect cadavers ourselves back in class. This afternoon was a walk in the park. You’re not actually afraid of that, are you? Haha," Chen Diandian declared immediately.
Xia Yinuo nodded. "Yes, we’re used to it." At the same time, she broke into a cold sweat for Chen Diandian—who speaks to their supervisor so bluntly?
"It’s not fear, exactly. I recently read a suspense novel that featured a museum of human anatomy, and I suppose I got a bit carried away by the story. Although I’m also in the medical school, my background is in biology; I’ve had very little clinical contact," Liang Juejun explained.
Xia Yinuo said, "Even if your appetite is poor, you should eat a bit more. The stomach, you see, is the heaviest part of the human body. Once it settles in a place, it can never be moved. When the stomach finds the right place, the person has found a home." She spoke calmly, yet her tone was remarkably certain.
As Liang Juejun was savoring the sentiment of "when the stomach finds the right place, the person has found a home," Chen Diandian interrupted her thoughts. "Professor Liang, you actually read novels? I never would have guessed!"
Liang Juejun replied, "Yes, books are a good way to understand society. Besides, coming back to China, I also wanted to find some things that belong to me."
"Things that belong to you?" Chen Diandian asked.
"Mhm. For instance, what Student Xia just said—finding the right place to find a home."
"Oh, I see! So you’re planning to settle down in China for good, Professor Liang. Coming back is great! The sky over the liberated areas is a bright blue sky!"
"Pardon?"
Xia Yinuo’s face was a mask of exasperation. *Professor Liang, what kind of student have you recruited?*
"Er, what she means is... Communism is great!"
Well, that explained absolutely nothing.
The dinner lasted over an hour. Liang Juejun was not one to put on academic airs; she possessed the reserved cultivation of a traditional Chinese upbringing combined with the democratic openness of an American one. Xia Yinuo was easy to talk to, and Chen Diandian was utterly unrestrained. The three of them enjoyed themselves thoroughly.
After dinner, they parted ways. Chen Diandian headed back to her dorm, while Liang Juejun naturally headed toward the faculty housing, which happened to be the same way Xia Yinuo was going. Liang Juejun was a bit surprised. "You live in the faculty housing?"
"Yes. My mother is a doctor at the affiliated hospital and holds a position in the Clinical Medicine Department of the medical school, so she has an old apartment here. I’ve been staying there," Xia Yinuo explained.
"A medical family. That’s wonderful. Your mother must be very proud of you."
"Unfortunately, I’m not suited to be a doctor. That’s why I gave up clinical practice to pursue research in basic medicine."
"Is that so?"
"Mhm. The hospital environment... it doesn't really suit me."
Night had quietly fallen, and a summer breeze brushed against their faces. Engaging in simple conversation, the two walked through a small path near the school and arrived at the faculty residential area.
"I live in Building Two. What about you, Professor Liang?" Xia Yinuo was wondering how to say goodbye politely yet gracefully. For some reason, being alone with Liang Juejun always made her feel a bit stiff, even though they had maintained a safe distance of over half a meter the entire way.
"I live in Building Two as well. I didn't realize we were neighbors."
"Haha, really? I’m in Unit Two."
"I’m in Unit One."
And so, in front of Building Two, after bidding each other farewell, one turned left and the other turned right. It was a pity there was no circular fountain between them. Yet they did not yet know that some people, even without a fountain, a violin, or a romantic rainy day, are destined to meet in the end.
Just as she was about to turn away, Xia Yinuo thought of something and suddenly called out, "Professor Liang!"
Liang Juejun didn't expect to be called back. "Yes?"
"About the TA position... you can actually give me more to do. Otherwise, I feel like I’m not really helping and just holding a redundant post. It makes me feel quite bad." Her eyes sparkled, her words playful yet sincere.
Liang Juejun couldn't help but chuckle at that, thinking to herself what a lovely person she was.
"Alright, I understand," Liang Juejun said. "Go get some rest. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
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