On the way back, Mai Shining brought it up "casually." "Dr. Qi Qian seems to have quite a favorable impression of Teacher Liang. He even sent her flowers."
As expected, Li Xiuheng frowned. "I heard him mention it, but I didn't think much of it at the time. Xiao Bao, don't worry. I took Mom and Grandma away from you; I won't let anyone take your person away too. I'll try to be as tactful as possible when I advise him to give up on Teacher Liang."
Mai Shining secretly pinched Xia Yinuo and flashed a victory sign.
The Li household was very lively that evening, with a full table of people. Naturally, the topic of the Lunar New Year came up.
Li Qinglan asked Xia Yinuo, "Xiao Bao, your grandmother is spending the New Year at your uncle’s house this year. We’ll probably go to your brother’s paternal grandmother’s place and return around the second day of the New Year. Do you want to come with us, or go to your father’s?"
Xia Yinuo pondered for a moment. "Dad’s side will probably go to Xiao Yan’s grandmother’s house this year."
Upon hearing this, her uncle, Li Qingfeng, patted his chest. "That’s easy then. Xiao Bao, just come to our house for the New Year!"
Her aunt, Du Sa’er, winked at Xia Yinuo. "That’s right! I’ll make your favorite double-skin milk!"
Li Qinglan smiled. "That works. Mu Mu, you’re heading back to London tomorrow, right? When will you be back before the New Year?"
Li Mu replied, "Probably around the twenty-seventh of the lunar month."
Li Qingfeng cleared his throat and glanced at his sister. Li Qinglan then asked, "Xiao Bao, Mu Mu, what are your plans for work after you both graduate?"
Xia Yinuo was about to answer when Li Mu cut her off. "I was just about to tell Grandma, Auntie, and Uncle about this. I’ve decided to return to China to work. I’m not going to pursue a PhD anymore."
Seeing that her uncle’s expression wasn't great, Xia Yinuo immediately spoke up to support her. "A PhD is indeed very grueling. With you being out there all alone, the family worries too."
Du Sa’er added, "Finishing a Master’s was already hard enough for this girl. She’s not as smart as her older brother and sister."
Li Xiuheng rubbed Li Mu’s head and said dotingly, "Our Mu Mu is the smartest and cutest, isn't she?"
Li Mu reached out and high-fived Li Xiuheng.
Li Qingfeng sighed. "It’s not that I’m forcing you to keep studying, but you need to think things through. Why the sudden talk about going to volunteer as a teacher in the countryside? Sister, Brother-in-law, don't you think this is just reckless?"
Volunteer teaching? Where did this come from?
The elderly grandmother asked, "Mu Mu, is this for real? Why didn't you mention it to Grandma?"
"Grandma, don't worry, I was just mentioning it. Nothing is set in stone yet! Dad, don't scare Grandma," Li Mu said coquettishly. "I’ll go back first to handle my graduation, then come back to look for a job. As for whether I go to a law firm or somewhere else, I’ll consider it then. Of course, I’m not ruling out the possibility of volunteer teaching..."
Li Qingfeng scolded in a low voice, "Nonsense!"
Xia Yinuo quickly comforted him. "Uncle, Mu Mu hasn't decided yet. Besides, volunteer teaching isn't a bad thing."
Du Sa’er leaned over and pinched her daughter’s cheek. "Exactly. Don't worry, Mu Mu, Mom supports you!"
Li Qingfeng gave a bitter smile. "You... be careful, a doting mother spoils the child!"
Grandmother said, "Qingfeng, what are you doing? You’re even less open-minded than I am. I think Mu Mu’s idea is quite good!"
Li Mu’s eyes lit up. "Really? Grandma?"
Grandmother replied, "When has Grandma ever lied to you? I think traveling around like Mai Mai did is very good."
Mai Shining cupped his hands in a gesture of thanks to the old lady.
Li Qingfeng sighed, "It’s not that I’m opposed... Sigh, truly, children have their own fortunes. You’ve grown up, and I can’t control you anymore."
Seeing that the situation was going well, Li Mu stood up and scurried over to hug Li Qingfeng’s arm, acting spoiled. "I knew it! Dad, you’re the best!"
Li Qingfeng huffed, "Hmph, save it."
The table became exceptionally lively as everyone chimed in. Li Du sighed with a smile, "Time flies too fast. In the blink of an eye, you’ve all grown up and are about to start your own families and careers. We’re getting old too."
Li Xiuheng said, "Dad, why say that? Grandma doesn't even feel old yet!"
Grandmother added, "Ah Du is right. You lot, pay more attention. Look at Jikang and Mai Mai, how wonderful! Xiuheng and Xiao Bao are about the same age now. Mu Mu, don't laugh, you need to be sharper too."
Li Du asked casually, "When are Mai Mai and Jikang planning to get married?"
Mai Shining just chuckled foolishly and stayed silent. Zhang Jikang couldn't help but laugh. "Aunt Lan, I’ve probably been asked this question since I was five or six years old, haven't I?"
Li Qinglan smiled. "Isn't that the truth? Twenty years have passed in the blink of an eye."
Li Du gently covered Li Qinglan’s hand and took over the conversation. "Xiao Bao has watched Mai Mai and Jikang all this way. Aren't you in a hurry too?"
Li Xiuheng glanced at Xia Yinuo, his expression somewhat complex. "Dad, everyone’s definition of happiness is different. I actually feel that marriage isn't the only way out."
Li Qinglan was startled. "What’s wrong, Xiuheng? Why the sudden sentiment?"
"It’s nothing," Li Xiuheng said somewhat unnaturally. "I just suddenly thought of some things and felt a bit moved."
Xia Yinuo asked with a half-smile, half-seriously, "I’d like to hear what requirements our elders have for our future partners?"
This was the first time Xia Yinuo had proactively raised this question.
Li Du said, "Naturally, as long as you are happy."
Li Qinglan added, "Me too."
Grandmother said, "That’s true, but the other person’s temperament, appearance, and education should ideally be a good match."
Li Qingfeng agreed, "Mom is right."
Du Sa’er said, "I’ve always been very open-minded! I have no requirements at all!"
Xia Yinuo smiled inwardly. Liang Juejun was indeed a perfect match—except for her gender.
Du Sa’er asked, "What are you smirking at, Xiao Bao? Do you have someone in mind?"
Xia Yinuo replied, "I wasn't smirking."
Li Xiuheng said, "I, of course, want to find someone with a pure heart like Grandma, virtuous like Mom, and humorous like Auntie!"
Li Du laughed, "You brat, your standards are quite high."
Grandmother couldn't stop smiling. "Just thinking about it makes me happy. I’m waiting to hold my great-grandchildren!"
Li Qinglan laughed, "Mom, Mu Mu is still young. Xiao Bao and Xiuheng know what they’re doing. They aren't at the age where we need to pressure them for marriage yet. Let nature take its course."
The short New Year's Day holiday ended. With one month left until the Spring Festival, a new round of busyness began.
Xia Yinuo was scheduled for her PhD dissertation defense in April, and the manuscript had to be finalized for review by March. Therefore, she had to start writing immediately after New Year's. In addition to the SCI papers with a certain impact factor required by the university during doctoral studies, the degree thesis—the so-called "big thesis"—also required strict quality control. Every doctoral candidate’s thesis had to undergo an expert blind review. Only after passing the blind review could they participate in the defense; and only after passing the defense could they receive their graduation and degree certificates. Many domestic universities followed a "strict entry, easy exit" policy, meaning getting in was harder than graduating, and it wasn't uncommon for graduate students to coast through and wait for graduation. However, with the continuous reform of graduate training programs over the years, the university degree system had become increasingly standardized.
Aside from the literature review, a biomedical degree thesis generally includes the introduction, abstract, materials and methods, experimental results, and discussion. Over five years, a lot of experimental data had accumulated. The materials, methods, and results were usually organized into drafts while the experiments were being conducted. Writing the degree thesis was a process of determining the direction, smoothing out the logic, and reformatting based on that daily work. After further discussions with Tang Shuliang regarding her project, Xia Yinuo’s experiments began to decrease, and her junior lab mates gradually took over to facilitate the subsequent handover. Xia Yinuo usually only had sporadic experiments in the morning; in the afternoon, she would return to her small apartment and nestle in the study to write her thesis.
Meanwhile, the mid-term assessment for Liang Juejun’s current project was also underway. During the Spring Festival, Liang Juejun had to return to San Francisco for reports and discussions. Furthermore, like other professors and researchers, Liang Juejun had to participate in the C University Medical School’s annual meeting and give a plenary report. Although it was only a twenty-minute presentation, she couldn't afford to be lax when facing so many faculty, students, and external experts. The key issue was that this was Liang Juejun’s first time giving an academic report in Chinese. A common problem among returnee professors and scholars was not knowing how to express professional terminology in Chinese.
Liang Juejun had a class that evening, and Xia Yinuo secretly slipped in again, sitting in the very last row.
The person in the seat gazed wantonly at the person on the stage. Perhaps because that gaze was too burning and filled with infatuation, throughout the entire lecture, the person on stage pointedly avoided looking at the person in the back. The person in the seat chuckled to herself.
During the break, Liang Juejun took out her phone and quickly typed a line to Xia Yinuo: "You're distracting me."
Xia Yinuo held her phone, her heart full of joy, and replied: "You've been distracting me since the first time I saw you."
A few seconds later, Liang Juejun looked down at her phone. A smile escaped her lips, and she actually blushed slightly, coughing twice to cover it up.
A young woman’s sentiments are always like poetry. Xia Yinuo’s mood instantly soared, though for the next half of the class, she restrained her gaze and focused on the content.
After returning home, the two of them each had a laptop, occupying corners of the desk. The feeling of being busy together was wonderful. Liang Juejun happened to look up and saw the warm light hitting Xia Yinuo’s face—her porcelain skin, her delicate features. For a moment, Liang Juejun was dazed, as if seeing a painting:
A young girl sitting on a wall, leaning down to hand her a wild lily, while she reached out her hand to touch it. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in her fingers, and that bright warmth was like the dimples on the girl’s cheeks.
Sensing Liang Juejun’s gaze, Xia Yinuo stopped typing and asked with a smile, "What are you looking at?"
Liang Juejun stood up, walked over to Xia Yinuo, and lightly caressed her face. "I’ll go heat up a glass of milk for you."
People say that companionship is the longest confession of love. A mode of being together that is silent yet not awkward, where both are relaxed and happy—the vivid sense of security and the grounded sense of belonging all came from being with you.
The next morning, Xia Yinuo received a call from Gu Yizhi.
"Hello, Junior Sister!"
"Hello, Senior Sister Gu."
"Are you free tonight? I’d like to treat you to dinner."
"Oh, I couldn't."
"You helped me take Xiao Bao to the pet hospital late that night; I haven't had a chance to thank you properly yet!"
"Senior Sister Gu, you’re really being too polite. It was nothing. There’s no need to go through the trouble of dinner."
"How is it trouble? It would be very disrespectful if you didn't go!"
"Well... actually, I’m quite busy today."
"No matter how busy you are, you still have to eat, right? I happen to be going to C University this afternoon. I’ll call you then."
"Senior Sister Gu, wait—"
"Beep, beep, beep..." The other party had already hung up. There was no escaping this meal. Since Liang Juejun had a lab group meeting tonight anyway, it was better to accept respectfully than to decline.
The place Gu Yizhi took Xia Yinuo was actually the High-Tech Industrial Park in the west of the city. The car drove into the underground parking lot of a large building. Gu Yizhi skillfully swiped her card to enter. At the entrance, Xia Yinuo caught a glimpse of the building’s directory; the AM Company logo appeared prominently. She understood instantly and sighed inwardly—Senior Sister Gu was truly something.
After getting out of the car, Gu Yizhi familiarly turned into the elevator and pressed the button for the 3rd floor. Right next to the button for the 11th floor, it clearly said "AM Company." Xia Yinuo curled her lips into a smile. Gu Yizhi saw this and laughed brightly. "What, do you feel like you’ve boarded a pirate ship?"
Xia Yinuo replied, "No, I just think Senior Sister Gu is a natural at business."
At the restaurant entrance, a server was already waiting to lead them to a small private room.
"I come to this restaurant often. They do a good job. Order whatever you like."
Throughout the meal, Gu Yizhi didn't mention business at all. Instead, they talked about dogs, their time at C University, and embarrassing stories from Xiao Tang’s childhood. Then, inevitably, they spoke about Xia Yinuo’s graduation.
Xia Yinuo said, "Actually, I want to start a side business, like opening a coffee shop. Of course, I won't abandon my profession either."
"Is that so? That’s a good idea," Gu Yizhi smiled, her fingers habitually tapping the tabletop. "What do you think of this restaurant? There are many good storefronts nearby. I can help you look around."
Xia Yinuo smiled. "No, I want it to be around C University."
"Really? I didn't realize you had such a campus complex."
"Yes, C University is very important to me."
Gu Yizhi nodded, then asked with a smile, "You know our company is upstairs. Are you interested in going up to take a look?"
Xia Yinuo gave a knowing smile. "Since I’m already here, I should naturally take a tour."
Gu Yizhi brought Xia Yinuo back to the company. Upon entering, there was a circular reception desk displaying various product introductions and R&D material models the company represented. On the walls were posters introducing the company and its products. Further in was an open office area, meeting rooms, and several independent offices—simple and clear. Both sides of the corridor were lined with instrument rooms and operation rooms. To have built a company to this scale in two years was quite an achievement.
Gu Yizhi made a gesture of invitation. "Feel free to look around."
The rooms were packed with instruments, and the workstations were clean and orderly. Everywhere she looked, reagent bottles, pipette tip boxes, centrifuge tube racks, and kits were neatly arranged. The pipettes were also the latest models. Looking at this setup, just as Gu Yizhi had described, the company likely handled a significant amount of outsourcing services. It was already past closing time, but some technicians were still working overtime. They greeted Gu Yizhi simply when they saw her.
Gu Yizhi asked Xia Yinuo, "The cell culture room and animal facility are further inside, so I won't take you in there for now. Well? Compared to the university labs, what’s the difference?"
Xia Yinuo answered honestly, "University space is always tight. By comparison, this place is naturally much more spacious and bright. The environment is great, and the equipment is very complete."
"So, would you consider coming to work here?" Gu Yizhi leaned against a doorframe, arms crossed, asking with a beaming smile.
Xia Yinuo said sincerely, "To be honest, I don't plan on staying in academia or other public institutions. I can't think of anyone else who would invite me as sincerely as you have, Senior Sister Gu. I’ll discuss it with my family and give you a final answer."
Gu Yizhi’s eyes were full of mirth. After touring the other labs, Gu Yizhi offered to drive Xia Yinuo back. Xia Yinuo said it wasn't necessary and she could just take a taxi.
Gu Yizhi said, "I don't live at the company; I have to go home too."
"I know, but we don't seem to be going the same way." Xia Yinuo remembered that the last time she drove Gu Yizhi and her Golden Retriever home, it had been a long detour.
Gu Yizhi dropped the line, "For someone who wants to take you home, every direction is on the way," and turned into the elevator.
In the parking lot, Gu Yizhi suddenly stopped, frowning slightly with displeasure.
Xia Yinuo followed Gu Yizhi’s gaze and saw Lin Shen. Recalling the phone call she had accidentally overheard between the two, Xia Yinuo stood to the side and remained silent.
Lin Shen spoke first. "Yizhi."
Gu Yizhi’s tone was laced with helplessness. "Mr. Lin."
Lin Shen glanced at Xia Yinuo. Xia Yinuo gave an awkward smile. Lin Shen said to Gu Yizhi, "We need to talk."
Gu Yizhi’s voice was cold. "Business? Fine, but please make an appointment during working hours. Private matters? No discussion."
Aware of an outsider’s presence, Lin Shen spoke evasively. "You know I’m not willing to let go."
Xia Yinuo instinctively took a step back, wanting to give them space. Clearly, Gu Yizhi didn't care about Xia Yinuo’s presence. "I don't understand why you’re saying this, Mr. Lin. I heard Haotian has been trying to snatch WS’s orders lately. Is Mr. Lin worried that he can't compete with AM in business, so he’s started playing the sentiment card?"
Lin Shen was stunned. "Do you really think that? Have I become that kind of person in your heart?"
Gu Yizhi turned her head away. "I thought we made ourselves very clear last time. This is private time after work. You wouldn't want to be someone who can't distinguish between public and private, would you?"
Lin Shen laughed hollowly. "I just wanted to confirm with you... are you and John really..."
"Mr. Lin, do you know what 'superfluous' means? A cotton coat in summer, a cattail fan in winter, and your attentiveness after my heart has already turned cold." Gu Yizhi suddenly pulled Xia Yinuo toward her. Xia Yinuo, completely unprepared, nearly stumbled. Gu Yizhi steadied her and linked arms with her, saying to Lin Shen nonchalantly, "Furthermore, whether I’m with John or with her, it’s none of your business anymore..."
***
