In the early morning, when Xia Yinuo woke up, Liang Juejun was lying on her side, watching her. It was unclear how long she had been looking, but her eyes were clear and bright. Xia Yinuo rubbed her eyes, her post-sleep expression carrying a touch of childish sluggishness that was exceptionally endearing.
Liang Juejun smiled faintly, leaned in to kiss Xia Yinuo’s forehead, brushed away the stray hairs near her ear, and fastened a small diamond stud onto her lobe.
“Morning. Your Christmas present,” Liang Juejun said, her voice carrying that distinct morning rasp—lazy and sensual.
A few days ago, during a moment of intimacy, Professor Liang had flicked Xia Xiaobao’s earring away with such flair that they hadn’t been able to find it since. Waking up to such a thoughtful gift filled Xia Yinuo with joy. With a beaming smile, she burrowed into Liang Juejun’s arms to act spoiled. “Shouldn’t it have been tucked inside a red stocking? My Santa Claus.”
When Xia Yinuo laughed, the small dimple on her right cheek reappeared, sparkling in Liang Juejun’s heart just like the diamond in her right ear. Tightening her embrace, Liang Juejun kissed Xia Xiaobao’s perked-up ear and chuckled. “It’s the same regardless of where it’s placed.”
After enjoying the soft, fragrant warmth of the hug for a while, Xia Xiaobao couldn’t help but start gloating. “I prepared a gift for you too! I’ll go get it right now!”
With that, Xia Yinuo threw back the covers. “Hiss, so cold!” She wrapped herself in a robe and jogged all the way to the study. She had hidden the gift yesterday in a cardboard box, tucked away in a corner of the study cabinet for fear that Liang Juejun might discover it.
By the time she returned to the bedroom, Liang Juejun had sat up and was tying her long hair into a loose ponytail.
“Stay under the covers, don’t catch a cold.” Xia Yinuo walked to the bedside, pulled the duvet up for Liang Juejun, and then presented the box with both hands, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Here, open it and see.”
Liang Juejun grew wary, narrowing her eyes at Xia Yinuo. Squatting by the head of the bed, Xia Yinuo pleaded, “I promise it’s not a prank!”
As it turned out, it wasn't a prank, but it was certainly... unique. The gift was actually the plaster cast that had been removed from Xia Yinuo’s right arm when it was fractured. The mold was propped up on a stand and encased in a beautiful glass box. The plaster still bore the "masterpieces" of Xia Yiyan and Liang Juejun: "I love you" and "I am the Universe Superman Crayon Shin-chan."
The nonsense they had scribbled so casually back then now seemed sweet enough to drip honey.
Liang Juejun was delighted. She looked at Xia Yinuo and asked urgently, “How do you still have this?!”
Xia Yinuo pursed her lips and smiled. “Because I already had my eye on you back then!”
Liang Juejun felt a surge of sweetness, yet she frowned slightly. “You know, you were injured because of me back then. I’ve always felt terrible about it...”
“This is what they call a blessing in disguise. I only suffered a minor injury, but in exchange, I got a whole month of free breakfasts. It was a total steal!”
“So, was this actually your 'martyr' strategy?”
Xia Yinuo leaned in close, lightly brushing her nose against Liang Juejun’s cheek. “Well, you had to cooperate for it to work, didn't you? I just went along with the flow. Besides, I didn't ask you to accompany me to Beijing for the Boss's wedding, nor did I ask you to bend down and tie my shoelaces, did I? When it comes down to it, it's because you liked me. Tell me, did you like me even back then?”
Seeing Xia Xiaobao’s smug, "villain-in-triumph" expression, Liang Juejun pinched her cheek. “Narcissist! I was just worried your hand would have lasting complications that might affect your future life.”
“Is that so?” Xia Yinuo stood up, rotated her right wrist, and looked at the ceiling as if deep in thought, her grin nearly reaching her ears. “Fortunately, everything seems very harmonious now. It hasn't affected your... happy life at all...”
Liang Juejun caught the double meaning in Xia Yinuo’s words. Her face flushed, and she made a move to swat her. “Xia Xiaobao, you rogue!”
“Hey, hey, hey! That’s not fair! What did I even say?” Xia Yinuo laughed loudly, not dodging but instead pulling Liang Juejun—duvet and all—into her arms. “I didn't say anything. You’re the one with the dirty mind!”
Wrapped tightly in the thick duvet, Liang Juejun was unable to move, but her voice was full of threats. “Say. That. One. More. Time...”
“Okay, okay! I’ll stop!” Xia Yinuo giggled, taking a while to calm down before kissing Liang Juejun on the cheek and raising her hands in surrender. “Speaking of which, I’ve lived here for over half a month. How come I haven't seen Miss Cheng?”
“Which Miss Cheng?” Liang Juejun gave Xia Yinuo a pointed look as she prepared to get out of bed and dress.
Xia Yinuo argued her case righteously. “Miss Cheng! Don't you know? Our neighbor lady. Her Chinese name is Cheng Yaojin, and her English name is May.”
Liang Juejun couldn't help but burst out laughing. “She took some students to Y Province for plein air sketching. She should be back around now.”
Xia Yinuo teased, “Isn't she a Western Art History major? Why did she come to China and run off to Y Province to sketch?”
Liang Juejun gave Xia Yinuo a deep look. “Coincidence is a mysterious thing.”
Xia Yinuo leaned against the headboard, looking melancholy. “Sigh, what should I do then? I even prepared a Christmas gift for her!”
“Oh, really?” Liang Juejun arched an eyebrow and pointed to the phone on the nightstand. “Then why don't you call and ask?”
Xia Yinuo acted coy. “You call. My English isn't good.”
Liang Juejun, helpless against her, finished dressing and ruffled Xia Yinuo’s hair, telling her to take off her robe and change while she searched through her contacts.
The call went through, and it turned out the other party had returned to C City yesterday. She had gone to a Christmas party and didn't get back until the middle of the night, so she wasn't out of bed yet. Xia Yinuo stood by with sparkling eyes, waiting for news. Liang Juejun covered the mouthpiece and whispered, “She’s home!”
Xia Yinuo quickly changed and ran to wash up. Liang Juejun said to May on the phone, “We’ll head over in a bit. Xia has something to give you.”
When the door to the house next door opened, May still looked half-asleep. She stared at Liang Juejun and Xia Yinuo with a dazed expression.
Liang Juejun waved a hand in front of May’s eyes, and May stepped aside to let them in.
Xia Yinuo presented the gift with both hands. “Surprise! Merry Christmas, my new neighbor!”
May finally processed what was happening and let out a loud shriek, giving Xia Yinuo a massive bear hug. “Xia! You’re so wonderful! I can’t believe you remembered me when preparing gifts! This is such a touching surprise. Thank you! My sweetheart!”
Her exaggerated expression and tone made Xia Yinuo genuinely worry she might burst into tears of gratitude at any moment.
May clung to Xia Yinuo like an octopus. Xia Yinuo could only hold the gift up with both hands, caught between laughter and tears. “I was rude during Halloween, so I wanted to give you a surprise this time. You’re so happy without even knowing what it is—don't you want to open it? What if it’s something weird?”
The blonde girl let go of Xia Yinuo and opened the gift with great anticipation. Inside the box were two painted clay figurines, exquisitely crafted and lifelike.
Xia Yinuo explained, “This is a type of Chinese folk art called painted clay figurines. I picked them out specifically for you. I hope you like them.”
“I love them! Thank you, sweetheart!” May excitedly hugged Xia Yinuo again. “You are so thoughtful!”
“Claire’s friend is my friend. Actually, I originally wanted to give you a book for learning Chinese. You really should learn some. You speak so fast every time; my English is only average, so I can't always understand you.”
“Really? For you, I can speak slower! But learning Chinese is just too hard for me! By the way, you said you moved in next door? Are you living with Claire? That’s fantastic!”
“Yeah, it’s great, but... could you let go of me first?”
Liang Juejun stood leaning against the corner with her arms crossed, watching the two of them go back and forth until she couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Xia Yinuo turned her head and said to Liang Juejun in Chinese with a look of mock heartbreak, “Professor Liang, how can you be so heartless! Your girlfriend is being held captive by a passionate foreign girl who won't let go! She’s even calling me 'sweetheart' over and over! What does 'sweetheart' translate to in Chinese? Is it 'heart's desire'?”
Liang Juejun rubbed her chin and thought for a moment. “Usually, it’s a term of endearment between lovers. I think what May means is something like... calling you a... little cutie?”
*Are you kidding me? Little cutie?! Professor Liang! How can you stand this?!*
Xia Yinuo pried herself out of May’s clutches, grabbed May’s shoulders, and said seriously, “You know, if you keep hugging me like this, Claire will get jealous.”
May turned to Liang Juejun in surprise. “Claire, really?”
Liang Juejun shrugged, looking innocent. “Oh, I prepared a gift for you too, but now I’m not sure if I should give it to you...”
“See? She’s jealous!” Xia Yinuo turned May back by the shoulders and said solemnly, “Also, I’ve given you a Chinese name. It’s Cheng Yaojin. I hope you like it.”
Liang Juejun clapped her hands and laughed.
May looked at the two of them, baffled. She could only shrug. “Whatever, if you like!”
From then on, in May’s mind, Xia Yinuo was a humorous, tech-savvy, warm, and thoughtful "world's little cutie" who even cried during movies...
The sweet morning ended, and they each had to head to work or school. When Liang Juejun arrived at the lab, several students were gathered together, chattering about how they had spent Christmas Eve. Chen Diandian asked curiously, “Professor Liang, what did you do last night?”
Liang Juejun answered casually, “I watched an old movie at home.”
“That was the right move! There were way too many people out yesterday. The restaurants and malls were packed, and the cinemas didn't have any good movies. Dinghao and I both fell asleep...”
As they spoke, a courier holding a bouquet of white roses stood at the lab entrance and called out, “Which one is Miss Liang Juejun? Your flowers, please sign for them!”
The moment Chen Diandian saw the flowers, her eyes lit up. She waved to the courier. “Over here, over here!”
Liang Juejun felt a flicker of confusion but followed the procedure to sign for them, politely accepting the bouquet.
Chen Diandian was more excited than if she had received the flowers herself. “White roses represent innocence, purity, and respect. Their meaning is—I am worthy of you! Professor Liang, someone is confessing to you!”
Liang Juejun only gave a faint smile. she picked up the card and saw a line of bold, powerful handwriting: *Merry Christmas.*
The signature was just one character: *Qian.*
***
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
程咬金 | Cheng Yaojin | A historical general; Xia uses it as a joke name for May.
塞翁失马 | Sai weng shi ma | A blessing in disguise (lit. "The old man at the border losing his horse").
泥人彩绘 | Painted clay figurines | A traditional Chinese folk craft.
小可爱 | Little cutie | Liang's playful translation of "sweetheart."
人间小可爱 | The world's little cutie | A phrase describing someone exceptionally adorable.
谦 | Qian | A given name; the sender of the roses.
我足以与你相配 | I am worthy of you | The flower language for white roses mentioned in the text.
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