The following day, the entire graduating class of the medical school, including Xia Yinuo, donned their black and red doctoral robes. After taking individual degree photos indoors, they moved to the medical school entrance for the group photo. These classmates, who usually spent their days sequestered in their respective laboratories, ranged from close friends to mere nodding acquaintances; there were even a few whose names Xia Yinuo couldn't quite recall. Once the session ended, no one was in a hurry to leave. They gathered in small groups, busy exchanging the latest contact information and discussing the progress or bottlenecks of their research projects.
The class monitor, Zhong Bing, was from the Immunology Department—a passionate chatterbox. True to form, she was currently cornering a few people by the faculty hall entrance, prattling on about job prospects. Xia Yinuo held her square doctoral cap properly in her hands, standing politely to the side. She didn't speak much, only answering when a question was directed her way.
By chance, they ran into Liang Jueyun, who was returning from a lecture in the teaching building accompanied by two foreign students. Zhong Bing, sharp-eyed as ever, saw them approaching the entrance. She stood on her tiptoes and waved excitedly at Liang Jueyun, then explained to those around her, "That’s Professor Liang from our department!"
From the sea of doctoral robes, Liang Jueyun spotted her own girl at a single glance, the corners of her mouth curling up into a subtle, involuntary smile.
As the three approached, Xia Yinuo stood tall and proper. She leaned forward slightly in a respectful greeting: "Professor Liang."
Liang Jueyun said a few words to the two students beside her; they nodded with smiles, waved goodbye, and departed. Only after watching them leave did Liang Jueyun turn back to face Xia Yinuo and Zhong Bing, her smile elegant and poised. "Dressed like this... you must be taking graduation photos."
*Oh please,* Xia Yinuo chuckled inwardly, *as if you didn't already know that last night! Life is a stage, and it all comes down to the acting!*
Zhong Bing said enthusiastically, "Yes! Professor Liang, are you in a hurry to get back? If you have a moment, would you mind taking a group photo with us?"
Liang Jueyun replied in a very good mood, "Of course!"
Zhong Bing quickly took the laptop bag from Liang Jueyun’s hand and stuffed it, along with her own phone, into Xia Yinuo’s arms. Then she stepped forward and intimately linked arms with Liang Jueyun. "Come on, Xiao Xia, help me take a photo with Professor Liang!"
Xia Yinuo stood about two meters back, tucked in her oversized sleeves, and raised the phone. "One, two, three! OK!"
Zhong Bing was dissatisfied. "Hey, hey, take a few more!"
So Xia Yinuo took several more shots before walking back to return the phone to Zhong Bing.
"Wait," Liang Jueyun called out to Xia Yinuo, her expression perfectly natural. "Student Xia, let’s take a few together as well."
Before Xia Yinuo could even process this, Liang Jueyun had already moved to stand beside her, gesturing to Zhong Bing. The class monitor hurriedly agreed, "Sure, sure! I’ll take them for you."
Xia Yinuo stood ramrod straight, leaving the space of an arm's length between them. Liang Jueyun moved closer without a word, reaching out to take Xia Yinuo’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
Zhong Bing: "Alright, look here. Good! One, two, three!"
*Click!*
After the photo, Liang Jueyun instructed Zhong Bing to please email the photos to her. "You all enjoy your photos; I’ll head back first."
Xia Yinuo and Zhong Bing both nodded respectfully. "Goodbye, Professor Liang."
Liang Jueyun’s smile was as warm as a spring breeze. "Goodbye."
A few days later, the university held the commencement ceremony. With the turning of the tassel, Xia Yinuo’s life as a student came to a perfect conclusion.
Renovations on the coffee shop officially began. Xia Yinuo transformed instantly from a "Snail Girl" into a busy little spinning top. Fortunately, Fan Mi was there to provide immense help.
Gu Yizhi seemed to call at the perfect time, offering congratulations on her smooth graduation. She mentioned she would have her assistant send over some materials regarding the projects the company was currently handling. It didn't matter if she started her job a bit later, but she might as well start familiarizing herself with the business now.
Busy as they were, Liang Jueyun still urged Xia Yinuo to exercise. After a sweat-drenched game of squash at the gymnasium, they arrived back at the apartment building. Liang Jueyun wouldn't let her take the elevator, insisting they walk up to relax their muscles.
The two walked one after the other, but they never expected that just as they stepped out of the stairwell, they would witness a spicy scene at the dimly lit exit of the fire escape. Even by their blurred silhouettes, they could recognize the iconic Ms. Cheng and Yan Wentian.
Xia Yinuo gasped, stifling a laugh, and turned to grab Liang Jueyun’s arm, shaking it. Liang Jueyun gave a light cough, and the two dark shadows instantly sprang apart.
"Oh, it's you!" Ms. Cheng still had one arm wrapped around Yan Wentian’s waist, looking completely unbothered. She couldn't wait to use her stiff Chinese to say, one syllable at a time: "Good! Eve! Ning!"
Yan Wentian flashed a bashful smile at the two of them.
Xia Yinuo teased, "No wonder I didn't see Professor Yan when I did a lap around the gym earlier. I remembered you had an aerobics class tonight."
Yan Wentian smiled sheepishly. "That course ended last week."
"Oh! I see!" Xia Yinuo turned her head, her eyes clear and mischievous. "Well then, Senior, shall we head back?"
Liang Jueyun looked at her "Little Treasure" with a mix of indulgence and helplessness. "Mhm."
"We're heading in now," Xia Yinuo said, winking playfully at Yan Wentian while pointing at the confused May. "You two... carry on! We didn't see a thing! Bye-bye!"
Yan Wentian held his forehead, caught between laughter and tears. "Xiao Xia, you really are..."
Liang Jueyun chuckled softly, reaching out to take her naughty treasure’s hand and pulling her toward their door. Xia Yinuo quickly leaned into May’s ear and whispered, "Nice going," after which the entire hallway echoed with Ms. Cheng’s wild, trembling laughter.
It truly was a season for love.
On the weekend, they had an appointment to try on dresses. The bride, Mai Shining, and the four bridesmaids—Xia Yinuo, Liang Jueyun, Fan Mi, and Li Mu—all appeared at the bridal shop. The bridesmaid dresses were simple and were decided upon quickly. However, besides the wedding gown, the bride had several other formal dresses to choose from. Trying them on one by one was truly an exhausting task.
Mai Shining was nearly overwhelmed by the choices, constantly rambling to Liang Jueyun: "Actually, come to think of it, I've taken wedding photos for quite a few people, but I was only responsible for the shooting, not the wardrobe. You only realize once you try it yourself that picking a wedding dress is really not that easy! Hey! Little Yunyun, do you think this one is too flamboyant?"
*What did she call her? Who is she calling that! Even I haven't called her that!* Xia Yinuo answered bluntly, "Yes, it's completely inconsistent with your noble and cold temperament!"
It so happened that during those few days, Xia Yinuo and Fan Mi were discussing the name for the coffee shop. Nothing pretentious, nothing cliché, something elegant but not pedantic, literary but not posturing. While Mai Shining was changing, they continued their discussion. After racking their brains, the two of them collapsed onto the sofa, staring at each other in silence.
Li Mu leaned against the corner absentmindedly, lost in thought. Seeing Fan Mi looking mentally exhausted, Xia Yinuo thought for a moment. "Actually, naming a shop is like picking a wedding dress. It doesn't need to be ornate or complex; the key is for it to be 'fitting.' Since this is a small coffee shop, why don't we just call it 'A Slice of Coffee'? What do you think?"
Li Mu remained listless. "Sounds alright."
Fan Mi suddenly stood up. "Hey! Now that you mention it, I remember there's a book bar on North Street called 'A Certain Bookstore.' It's actually right across from us! The names would echo each other perfectly. Xiao Bao, have you been to that 'A Certain Bookstore'?"
In front of the fitting mirror, Liang Jueyun bent down to help Mai Shining straighten her hem while joining the conversation. "She definitely hasn't been there."
Fan Mi was puzzled. "Why?"
Liang Jueyun straightened up and smiled. "She would think the books in the store are dirty. After touching them, she’d be looking everywhere for a place to wash her hands. If given the choice, she’d just buy the books and read them at home."
Mai Shining gave Liang Jueyun a huge thumbs-up in the mirror.
Li Mu added a finishing blow: "Exactly. Xia Yinuo is a total germaphobe!"
Xia Yinuo said helplessly, "Hey, I am not!"
Mai Shining: "How are you not?! Don't try to argue!"
Xia Yinuo: "Fine, a mild—notice, I said *mild*—case of contact-related mysophobia."
What a forced explanation. Fan Mi found it hilarious. "Then why did you study medicine? What do you do when you encounter dirty or toxic things in the lab?"
Li Mu: "She wears gloves for those."
"I am so relieved that someone finally called you out for being a hand-washing demon," Mai Shining laughed unkindly. "Though I don't know how you put up with LoVo."
Liang Jueyun shrugged. "True love. And hand-washing."
Mai Shining burst into wild laughter, then shook her head at the mirror again. "This one still isn't right. Next!"
"As you wish!" Fan Mi bowed like a servant, clearing a path. "Your Majesty, this way please!"
This time, even the shop assistant standing nearby, who hadn't said much, covered her mouth to hide a giggle.
Seeing Li Mu so dispirited, Xia Yinuo quietly walked over to her and asked softly, "Something on your mind?"
Li Mu sighed and answered honestly, "Axu graduated."
Xia Yinuo: "I thought as much..."
After graduation, Su Xu was going to the western regions to serve as a volunteer teacher; this had been decided long ago. At first, Xia Yinuo thought Li Mu was just being childish with a passing whim, but she hadn't expected that under Li Mu’s pursuit, Su Xu would soften. From that fleeting glimpse at San Mao’s wedding party to the song "To You All" after Zhang Jikang’s proposal, their relationship had developed smoothly.
Li Mu: "I want to go with him, but my dad..."
Xia Yinuo: "I know Uncle’s stance. What is Axu’s attitude?"
"He naturally doesn't want me to go either. For one, we aren't officially together. Secondly, my internship at the law firm has just begun. If I give up the internship now to go teach, he says he doesn't want my dad to resent him, nor does he want me to regret it later." Li Mu spoke bitterly, pausing before continuing, "He said he’ll go for two years. After two years, if our feelings are the same as they are now, he’ll come back and stay in C City."
Xia Yinuo sighed softly. "Mumu, Axu is actually right."
Li Mu lowered her head. "I’m just a bit scared, a bit insecure... I don't want to change his original life plans because of me, but I don't want to just give up like this either..."
Xia Yinuo put her arm around Li Mu’s shoulder. "Mumu, time likes to play tricks on people, saving the best for last. If it’s the right person in the end, it really doesn't matter if it’s a little late."
Hearing this, Li Mu’s voice choked up slightly. "Sister, I understand."
"Hey, you two, what are you doing hiding over there?" Mai Shining’s voice boomed over. "Your mother is dressed like this, and you haven't come over to worship and grovel!"
Xia Yinuo smiled. Just as she did with Xiao Yan, she ruffled Li Mu’s hair. "Our Mumu has finally grown up!"
"Hey, Xiao Bao! Mumu! Come here quickly!" Fan Mi called out.
"Coming!" Xia Yinuo replied. "Believe in yourself, okay? Let's go over."
Li Mu nodded firmly.
They saw Mai Shining in a floor-length, strapless white lace gown—exquisite, elegant, and very much like a queen.
Fan Mi praised her with a click of her tongue. "I specifically called you over to see this. Look at that cleavage!"
Mai Shining puffed out her chest, showing off. "How about it? Jealous, aren't you?!"
Li Mu regained her smile and said dismissively, "Pfft, who cares! It's not like I don't have it!"
"Oh ho ho! Our little Mumu is quite confident! Come, let big sister inspect the goods!" Mai Shining made a move to pounce and tease her.
Li Mu shrieked, clutching her chest and hiding behind Liang Jueyun. Xia Yinuo quickly blocked Mai Shining, pleading for mercy. "My dear sister, you're pregnant, don't mess around! This dress is great, let's go with this one."
Liang Jueyun smiled. "Yes, it's just a pity the groom isn't here today."
Perhaps every woman loves wedding dresses; they are the warmest, most tender dreams in the depths of the heart. The fluttering hems of the gowns stirred the hearts of those within the dream.
Xia Yinuo found herself becoming increasingly soft-hearted. *Mumu, my dear sister, if a love is worth your wait, do not be afraid to pay with your youth, and do not haggle over every trivial detail.*
After they finished, Zhang Jikang picked up Mai Shining, Fan Mi and Li Mu went home together, Liang Jueyun had an appointment with May, and Xia Yinuo went back to Sanhe Villa for dinner.
Initially, when they learned of Xia Yinuo’s idea to open a shop, Li Qinglan had said to do what she liked, as it would be good experience. Li Du followed his wife’s lead and naturally agreed. Xia Yan asked if she needed help with the arrangements. Deng Rou月 and Grandma were only worried if taking on a side business would be too tiring for her. Li Xiuheng supported any decision his sister made. Later, once the storefront was rented and renovations were going smoothly, Xia Yinuo humbly asked for her elders' opinions, which they were happy to give.
Before dinner, the two siblings squeezed onto the sofa, holding an iPad and playing games, laughing and playing around.
Li Qinglan called the family to eat.
At the dinner table, the old lady couldn't help but nag. "Young people these days, it's either phones or computers. Even an old woman like me knows what 'phubbing' is now."
Li Xiuheng said with a smile, "Grandma, you're right. It's our fault."
The old lady: "I've been meaning to ask, that tablet computer you play with—the apple on the back looks like someone took a bite out of it. What does that mean?"
Xia Yinuo smiled. "Grandma, that’s a product from Apple Inc. Their company logo is an apple."
The old lady: "Oh, then why is a piece missing?"
Xia Yinuo: "They say it doesn't have a specific meaning. But because of the coincidence, the public prefers to interpret it as a tribute to the pioneer of artificial intelligence, Alan Turing."
The old lady: "Oh? What did he do?"
"Alan Turing, the father of computer science and artificial intelligence. During World War II, he helped the Allies crack Germany’s famous Enigma code system." Xia Yinuo glanced at Li Qinglan and continued, "However, his lifestyle was a bit different from others. Because of that, he suffered persecution and pressure that ordinary people could hardly endure, and he eventually died of cyanide poisoning. When he passed away, there was an apple with a bite taken out of it by his bedside."
The old lady was startled, her curiosity piqued again. "And why was it like that?!"
Xia Yinuo picked up a piece of celery, chewed, and swallowed before speaking slowly. "Because he was a homosexual."
The old lady frowned slightly. "Oh..."
Li Qinglan kept to herself, eating without making a sound.
Li Xiuheng spoke up. "Mom, what do you think?"
Li Qinglan looked up. "Hmm?"
Li Xiuheng: "What do you think about homosexuality?"
Li Qinglan was taken aback. She thought for a moment and said, "Homosexuality is not a mental illness. I respect everyone’s way of life. As far as I know, we have young people like that at the Affiliated Hospital as well."
Li Xiuheng smiled. "I think so too. Then do you support same-sex marriage? Actually, many countries now..."
Li Du interrupted his son. "You boy, always talking about useless things. Help your grandmother get another bowl of soup."
Li Xiuheng pursed his lips, stole a glance at Xia Yinuo, and stopped talking. Only the sound of eating remained at the table.
After a long while, Li Qinglan spoke again. "Lingxiao came to my office yesterday to deliver invitations—wedding invitations for Jikang and Mai Mai."
The old lady: "Oh! Then Xiuheng and Xiao Bao will be the best man and bridesmaid, right?"
Xia Yinuo: "Mhm."
Li Qinglan: "Just the two of you?"
Xia Yinuo: "There are four bridesmaids and four groomsmen. Besides me and Mumu, there are two other friends. I’m not too sure about the groomsmen, but besides Brother, there should be Jikang’s cousin."
"And Qi Qian and Wei Bin," Li Xiuheng added, quickly glancing at Xia Yinuo. "Jikang has been too busy lately and asked me to help find a few unmarried young men who can handle their liquor. These unmarried young men are really hard to find..."
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
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一爿咖啡 | A Slice of Coffee | The name of Xia Yinuo's coffee shop. "Yi Pian" (一爿) is a literary measure word for shops or small patches of land.
艾兰·图灵 | Alan Turing | The British mathematician and computer scientist mentioned in the dinner conversation.
有间书屋 | A Certain Bookstore | A bookstore across from the coffee shop; its name literally means "There is a bookstore."
事业线 | Cleavage | Literally "career line," a Chinese slang term referring to a woman's cleavage.
拨穗正冠 | Turning of the tassel | The graduation ritual of moving the tassel from one side of the cap to the other.
低头党 | Phubbers / Phubbing | Literally "the head-lowering tribe," referring to people constantly looking down at their phones.
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