Do you still remember your ex? You probably have to weigh your answer carefully. Remembering them makes you seem fickle; forgetting them makes you seem heartless. Some say an ex is like a utility pole you accidentally crashed into while walking; it hurt immensely at the time, and ever since, you’ve learned to walk around it. Long afterward, you no longer remember the exact sting of the pain, yet that pole remains rooted there forever.
To Gu Yizhi, Lin Shen had become that utility pole. How could a person trip over the same pole twice? Buses come every five minutes, subways every nine, but how many times does fate come around in a lifetime?
That day, in the parking lot of the office building where AM was located, Gu Yizhi had swept away with Xia Yinuo under Lin Shen’s astonished gaze. Gu Yizhi apologized for using Xia Yinuo as a shield. Xia Yinuo simply smiled and said it was fine, that she respected other people's private lives. Afterward, Gu Yizhi drove Xia Yinuo home, and the journey passed in peaceful silence.
Over the weekend, Xia Yinuo and Liang Jueyun found a moment of leisure amidst their busy schedules for a date.
Liang Jueyun pulled Xia Yinuo into a cinema, mentioning she hadn't been to a domestic theater in years. The movie was a clichéd hero flick, yet Liang Jueyun watched it with utmost seriousness. Xia Yinuo, growing bored, eventually took off her clunky 3D glasses just to watch the person beside her.
In the pitch-black theater, the flickering light cast shifting shadows across Liang Jueyun’s focused face, making her look incredibly vivid. Xia Yinuo recalled when they first met in the anatomy museum’s exhibition hall at the medical school; she had sat diagonally behind Liang Jueyun, watching her just like this. Back then, it was a secret gaze filled with curiosity and admiration; now, it was her prerogative.
The plot no longer mattered; the scenes blurred past, and Xia Yinuo had no idea what was happening. She pinched a piece of popcorn and playfully offered it to Liang Jueyun’s lips. The woman, focused on the film, merely glanced down, opened her mouth, chewed, and swallowed—obedient and a little dazed.
As more and more popcorn came her way, Liang Jueyun finally realized the "childish brat" beside her was up to no good. When the next piece of popcorn reached her lips, Liang Jueyun didn't hesitate; she bit down firmly on the culprit’s finger, startling Xia Yinuo so much she nearly cried out. Liang Jueyun’s tongue brushed ghost-like against Xia Yinuo’s fingertip as she swept the popcorn away, followed by a provocative smile.
The instigator was the one who ended up blushing furiously.
When the movie ended, they had to cross a commercial plaza to get to the parking lot. Liang Jueyun walked with her arm linked through Xia Yinuo’s, looking down at her phone as they moved. A clown in exaggerated makeup and a red nose suddenly stepped forward. Beneath blue eyeshadow, a pair of mischievous eyes winked at Xia Yinuo before making a "shushing" gesture.
Seeing Xia Yinuo stop, Liang Jueyun looked up and was genuinely startled by the clown’s face, instinctively tightening her grip on Xia Yinuo’s arm. The clown silently performed a few comical gestures to soothe the frightened Liang Jueyun and, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, pulled out a flower and presented it to her.
Xia Yinuo smirked. "Oh my, Professor Liang, you were so scared you nearly lost your composure."
Seeing Xia Yinuo’s teasing expression and the surrounding onlookers, Liang Jueyun gave an embarrassed smile. She took the flower from the clown and nodded politely in thanks.
Xia Yinuo laughed without restraint.
The plaza was bustling. Xia Yinuo scanned the crowd casually and spotted Gu Yizhi. Even in this freezing weather, there weren't many people who could be as eye-catching as Gu Yizhi—someone who clearly prioritized fashion over warmth.
Gu Yizhi was on the phone. Just as Xia Yinuo was hesitating whether to go over and say hello, the other woman spotted her. From barely ten meters away, Gu Yizhi paused for a moment before continuing her conversation.
Xia Yinuo gave Gu Yizhi a pure, innocent smile as a greeting, then quickly leaned in to whisper something into Liang Jueyun’s ear, making her laugh.
After ending her call, Gu Yizhi walked toward them. Only then did Xia Yinuo lead Liang Jueyun forward to meet her. "Senior Gu, what a coincidence."
"Junior sister," Gu Yizhi replied. "What’s this? Out shopping?"
"Yes," Xia Yinuo said.
"And this is?" Gu Yizhi asked.
Xia Yinuo introduced them. "This is my good friend, Liang Jueyun. And this is the person I mentioned to you, Senior Gu Yizhi."
"Hello," Liang Jueyun said, taking the initiative to extend her hand.
Gu Yizhi reached out and shook it. "Hello." Then, she arched an eyebrow and asked Xia Yinuo with a half-smile, "Am I not your friend too?"
Xia Yinuo remained unfazed. "Senior, you're joking. You're making me blush."
"Just teasing you," Gu Yizhi said. "Where are you headed?"
"It's getting late, so we're heading back," Xia Yinuo replied.
"Yes, it's cold at night." Gu Yizhi waved her phone. "My friend is waiting for me up ahead, so I'll see you another day. I'm still waiting for your answer, you know. Remember to call me."
Xia Yinuo smiled brightly. "Alright. Take care, Senior."
"Mhm, goodbye." Gu Yizhi turned to Liang Jueyun, her eyes turning sultry. "Miss Liang, let's chat again when we have time. Goodbye."
Liang Jueyun smiled gently. "Alright, goodbye."
Watching Gu Yizhi walk away, the two continued toward the parking lot. Liang Jueyun spoke up, "The senior you mentioned?"
"Yes. Didn't I go to see her company the other day? I asked for your opinion on whether I should work there."
Liang Jueyun said leisurely, "She's very beautiful."
Xia Yinuo didn't catch the drift. "Huh?"
"Successful career," Liang Jueyun added.
"Hey!"
Liang Jueyun continued to twist the knife. "And she looks out for you so much."
Xia Yinuo felt like crying. She pulled on Liang Jueyun in protest. "I clearly gave you a 'vaccination' earlier!"
The whisper Xia Yinuo had breathed into Liang Jueyun’s ear earlier was: *“Even though your girlfriend is very charming, she only likes you.”*
Liang Jueyun couldn't hold back her laughter. "Alright, I'm just teasing. She’s right; I think it’s a good opportunity. It’s worth a try. Ask your parents when you get back."
"Oh, okay," Xia Yinuo said.
Liang Jueyun patted Xia Yinuo’s head. "Good girl."
The medical school’s annual meeting was only a few days away, but Liang Jueyun received a last-minute notice to attend a conference in another province the next day. Xia Yinuo checked her phone calendar and noted that the schedule was very tight. Liang Jueyun sighed; Academician Cheng’s team was originally only sending three professors, but they suddenly decided to send a total of ten, including students. Xia Yinuo clung to Liang Jueyun all evening, nearly leaving her no time to pack.
When Academician Cheng’s group arrived in City S, the first day consisted of keynote speeches by experts—broad, macro-level overviews typical of the research world. The second day featured research reports from various universities and institutes. Time was limited and the speakers were many, making it a "duck-stuffing" style of information overload. If one were truly interested in a specific research direction and wanted a deep discussion, it had to wait until after the sessions. During the tea break, Liang Jueyun remembered something Xia Yinuo once said: these so-called scientific annual meetings were just a chance for "internet friends" who usually communicated via papers and emails to finally meet in person.
Professor Qi Milan was also traveling with them. After finishing a call with her husband and child during the break, she naturally brought up her cousin, Qi Qian, again. Professor Qi was a warm-hearted person, kind to both faculty and students—there was no doubt about that. It was just that some things were hard to say directly, and Liang Jueyun didn't want to snub her good intentions.
Clearly, Qi Milan knew nothing about the intersection between Qi Qian and Liang Jueyun; she was purely being a helpful matchmaker. Thus, Liang Jueyun explained simply, "Actually, Dr. Qi and I have met a few times. He’s a colleague of my friend’s older brother."
Qi Milan was delighted to hear this. "That’s perfect! I was thinking of introducing you two! You're both such excellent young people. Even if there's no spark, you can just be friends!"
Liang Jueyun smiled. "I appreciate the thought, Sister Qi, but I actually already have someone I like."
"Is that so? Then... just pretend I never mentioned it." Qi Milan felt a bit awkward, and a little regretful.
Liang Jueyun gave an understanding smile. "You meant well, I understand. By the way, you have a daughter, right? What grade is she in now?"
With that, she skillfully changed the subject. And once the topic turned to her daughter, Qi Milan, like many mothers, could talk non-stop for an hour.
After the discussion summit on the third morning, the organizers arranged a tea party and a local day-trip for the following day. Academician Cheng, burdened by a thousand matters, had already returned the previous day. With the critical conference segments over, the other professors and students breathed a sigh of relief. Liang Jueyun inquired with the organizing committee and was told the tour was voluntary, mainly for out-of-town attendees; most locals wouldn't be going. Liang Jueyun raised an eyebrow, said her goodbyes to the group, and called the airline to confirm her flight change.
Xia Yinuo found time to go back to Sanhe Villa for a meal. While her grandmother napped and the Li father and son were on duty at the hospital, she asked her mother, Li Qinglan: "Professor Tang had a student who now runs a company in City C. They represent imported consumables and provide technical outsourcing, but the key is they also do independent R&D for regenerative medical materials. This Senior Gu has invited me to work there. What do you think?"
"Shuliang’s mother had a gout flare-up recently. He brought the old lady to the Affiliated Hospital, and we met. He did mention this to me."
Tang Shuliang and Li Qinglan had been in the same graduating class. After graduation, one became a clinical doctor and the other went into basic research, but their friendship as former classmates remained strong.
"How is the old lady? Is she alright?"
"She's fine, just an old chronic issue."
"Oh. What did Professor Tang say?"
"When we talked about your graduation, he couldn't help but feel it was a waste. He thinks you should stay at the university."
"Does Mom think it's a waste?"
"Little Treasure, you're the type of person who keeps many things bottled up inside. But even if you don't say it, I can guess. Sometimes I even wonder if you only chose medical school so we wouldn't worry about you."
"Haha, Mom, you're overthinking it."
"Listen to me. You're sensible and you respect us. I'm very happy that you ask for my opinion before making a decision. But your life is your own. I won't make choices for you, and you shouldn't let your concerns for us influence your path. When Xiuheng didn't want to join the Affiliated Hospital because he was afraid people would talk about nepotism, your Uncle Li told him that whether he becomes a good doctor has nothing to do with his parents. Little Treasure, do the job you love, not because I want you to or because I 'allow' it. You should know that whatever decision you make, your mother will support you."
"My brother obviously relied on his own merit," Xia Yinuo murmured to herself. "You all say the same thing."
"The same? Your father said that too?"
"Oh, no, a friend," Xia Yinuo joked. "So, if I live off you for all these years, will you get tired of me?"
"Your grandmother used to say that children are debts from a previous life that we come to repay in this one. My only fear is that I haven't given you enough..."
"How could that be?"
"Did you visit your father last week?"
"I had lunch there on Sunday."
"Your grandparents passed away early, and Xiao Yan is still young. We have plenty of people on our side; when you have time, go back more often to see your father and Auntie Deng."
"I know."
Zhang Jikang had once secretly told Xia Yinuo that a certain aura Liang Jueyun radiated was a bit like Auntie Lan, which was why Xia Yinuo liked her. Xia Yinuo had laughed and said she didn't have a mother complex; it was just the specific presence unique to intelligent women.
Liang Jueyun and Li Qinglan were not the same.
Xia Yinuo had witnessed Li Qinglan’s working style as a doctor—her patience and meticulousness with patients, her calm decisiveness on the operating table, even her "ruthlessness" when necessary. Li Qinglan often told her students—those young doctors just entering clinical practice—that the most important trait for a doctor was to be *danding*—composed. Composure was not indifference or numbness; it wasn't a lack of passion or care. It was calmness and wisdom, a form of spiritual steadfastness. To make clear judgments rationally in the face of complex, critical, and urgent illnesses and to take timely, effective life-saving measures was the pinnacle of clinical diagnosis. If a doctor was indecisive or, worse, anxious and panicked, it would cause the patients and their families to lose all confidence. Li Qinglan was such a composed person. Perhaps she sometimes gave off a sense of distance, but throughout Xia Yinuo’s upbringing, Li Qinglan felt she owed her daughter something. This sense of debt made her soft, like any ordinary mother.
Zhang Jikang’s words weren't entirely false. To some extent, Liang Jueyun was also composed. Whether lecturing in class or giving academic reports, she was poised and confident. But when you fall in love with someone, beyond the image they present to the public, you discover so many joys, angers, and sorrows within them, laid out vividly before you. For this, you give up the advantages of being single and willingly fall into the mortal world to be a person of flesh and blood. You realize that no one can replace her—not even your most beloved mother.
When young, one might not know what kind of life they want to lead. To Xia Yinuo, a mundane life built on weighing pros and cons and cold calculations held no attraction. In this regard, Xia Yinuo and Mai Shining were actually the same; so-called "success stories" weren't worth mentioning to them. It was just that Mai Shining was direct and flamboyant, while Xia Yinuo was reserved and subtle.
It might sound childish or ridiculous, but the things Xia Yinuo pursued had always been just three words: Truth, Goodness, and Beauty.
After Liang Jueyun got off the plane, she rushed home. She unlocked the door to find the living room cold and quiet. The study was also empty. She gently pushed open the bedroom door and peeked inside, only to see Xia Yinuo lying peacefully on the bed.
***
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