Just as the woman at the elevator had suggested, Xia Yinuo later paid a visit with some pastries and coffee vouchers. The difficult female neighbor changed her tune, rambling on about how hard it was to raise a child, and stopped making trouble.
Fan Mi and Xia Yinuo finalized all the arrangements before the coffee shop’s grand opening, setting up the shifts for full-time and part-time staff so that Fan Mi would have time to care for her sick mother. Inspired by the air vent incident, Fan Mi made a point of delivering handmade coffee and snacks to the surrounding shops. She explained that the renovations had been a disturbance and asked for their neighborly favor in the future. The owners of the neighboring print shop and convenience store were full of praise for "A Slice of Coffee." When it was the turn of "A Certain Bookstore" across the street, only a part-time student was there, lounging idly. Upon inquiry, they said the owner wasn't in today and accepted the gift on their behalf.
On the coffee shop’s opening day, the turnout was massive. Relatives, friends, colleagues, and classmates all showed up. Liu Yan even suggested telling Professor Tang that their weekly lab meetings should be held here from now on, since it wasn't far anyway.
While some couldn't make it in person, their flowers arrived right on time—Gu Yizhi, for instance. The HR department at AM Company had called several times to confirm Xia Yinuo’s start date. She had originally wanted to enjoy a long summer break before starting work, but unable to push it off any longer, she agreed to take up her post in August.
Before starting work, there was one more matter on her mind: Mai Shining and Zhang Jikang’s wedding.
During the first trimester of her pregnancy, Mai Shining suffered from severe morning sickness and lost quite a bit of weight. Zhang Jikang, however, had grown rounder, all because the two Mothers Mai and Zhang prepared a rotating menu of supplements for Shining every day, and Jikang ended up sharing the bounty. Mai Shining constantly disparaged him, saying, "You really have no shame!" Since the bride’s bump wasn't too obvious yet, the wedding photos had to be taken first.
Even the best doctor cannot perform surgery on themselves, the best hairstylist cannot cut their own hair, and the best photographer cannot take their own wedding photos. Mai Shining and Zhang Jikang’s wedding shoot was handled entirely by Fan Mi.
Speaking of which, this was actually the first time in years that Fan Mi had picked up a camera for wedding photography. Mai Shining looked at her with doubt, telling her not to force it and that other photographers in the studio could do it instead.
Fan Mi ruffled her curly hair and boasted shamelessly, "A pastry chef who doesn't want to be a barista isn't a good photographer."
Who could argue with that?
Xia Yinuo delivered her wedding gift early—a simple little drawing. It featured simple lines and two slightly exaggerated, wobbly figures that were unmistakably Mai Shining and Zhang Jikang. Beside them was a line of small characters: *"May there be years to look back upon, and deep affection to share until our hair turns white."* It was signed with two bright red seals bearing the names of Liang Juejun and Xia Yinuo.
Zhang Jikang held the drawing, excitedly pointing things out to a smug-looking Xia Yinuo.
Mai Shining couldn't help but scoff, "Two children!"
Liang Juejun smiled and said, "The little thing spent several nights thinking about it, flipping through almost every photo of you two from childhood to now before finally deciding to draw this."
"Trust her to come up with that. Wait!" Mai Shining, as always, caught the key point. "What did you just call her?"
Liang Juejun feigned ignorance. "Who? Xiaobao?"
Mai Shining burst into laughter, burying her head in Liang Juejun’s shoulder in a mock-shy gesture. "Senior! You're so annoying! Since when did I become a 'little thing'!"
Xia Yinuo looked over at the sound, her eyes full of question marks.
Liang Juejun looked up at the ceiling—*I know nothing.*
Xia Yinuo looked at Mai Shining. "What’s wrong?"
Mai Shining said teasingly, "Little thing..."
Xia Yinuo blinked, then smiled and fell silent.
Mai Shining continued, "Hey, Xiaobao, I’ve never seen someone as narcissistic as you! You’re clearly not an art student, yet you always love drawing these strange things. Do you have any idea? Those 'masterpieces' of yours from over the years have been forcibly hung on my walls for so long I’m about to vomit looking at them!"
Xia Yinuo laughed. "It’s your wedding. How could I do something as tacky as just giving a red envelope?"
"Hahaha, little thing!" Mai Shining waved her hands wildly. "I wouldn't mind at all! Our friendship is as solid as the Yuan!!!"
On the wedding day, they had originally wanted to keep everything simple, but the wedding planning company was incredibly meticulous. While they covered every detail, it also left the couple exhausted. Fortunately, this only happens once in a lifetime.
After finally getting through the initial ceremonies, they arrived at the hotel for the main event: the evening banquet. Mai Shining had been worried that Liang Juejun might feel uncomfortable because of Qi Qian’s presence, but fortunately, Liang Juejun was perfectly poised, and Qi Qian behaved appropriately. It was Xia Yinuo who kept stealing glances at Qi Qian, only to be caught several times by Li Xiuheng’s watchful eyes.
Taking advantage of Xia Yinuo returning to the dressing room, Li Xiuheng hurried after her to whisper, "Ooh, what a dish of 'Vinegar-Glazed Xiaobao' we have here!"
Xia Yinuo pinched Li Xiuheng’s arm. "Shut up! This is all because of you!"
Li Xiuheng begged for mercy. "Alright, alright! My mistake!"
Xia Yinuo took the chance to bargain. "Hey, then next time, take us to meet that female doctor you like!"
Li Xiuheng looked a bit awkward. "Huh? That... things haven't even started yet!"
Xia Yinuo punched Li Xiuheng in the chest. "Why are you so pathetic!"
Li Xiuheng raised his hands in a promise. "Fine! I'll do my best!"
Li Du and Li Qinglan were standing by the elevator and happened to catch the siblings' playful bickering.
"Mom, Uncle Li, you're here!" Xia Yinuo greeted them with a grin.
Li Qinglan smoothed Xia Yinuo’s hair. "Why are you two standing here?"
Li Xiuheng answered, "Accompanying Xiaobao to the dressing room to get a memory card for the photographer. We’re just about to head back to the front to greet guests."
Li Du said cheerfully, "Xiaobao looks very beautiful today!"
"Thank you, Uncle Li!" Xia Yinuo replied sweetly. She looked around and asked, "Wait, where’s Grandma?"
Li Qinglan said, "Mumu already took your grandmother inside."
Xia Yinuo said, "Oh! Then should I take you in to sit down first?"
"It's fine," Li Qinglan adjusted Li Xiuheng’s tie again. "You two get busy! We can find our own way in."
"Alright! We're off then!" After saying that, Xia Yinuo took Li Xiuheng’s arm and ran off, leaving the Li couple standing there, smiling at each other.
The guests were seated, and the wedding began.
The MC was being quite sentimental, saying a lot about being grateful to parents and thanking one's partner, even egging the guests on to grill the groom about the proposal. Fan Mi, Li Mu, Xia Yinuo, and Liang Juejun were lined up beside the bride. On the groom’s side were Li Xiuheng, Qi Qian, Zhang Jiteng, and Wei Bin. Zhang Jikang was in high spirits and answered every question thrown his way.
After a while of teasing, the MC finally let the groom off the hook. Seeing that it was about time, he prepared to start the feast.
But Mai Shining suddenly stopped him. "Wait a moment, I’d like to say a few words."
The MC was startled, but immediately put on a smile. "Oh? Our beautiful bride has something to say!"
Li Mu leaned over to whisper in Xia Yinuo’s ear, "This wasn't in the rehearsal!"
Xia Yinuo whispered back with a smile, "Don't forget, the person standing on that stage is Mai Mai!"
Mai Shining spoke with a beaming smile. "Dear guests, I hope you aren't too hungry yet? I know there wasn't originally a slot for the bride to speak, but life has no rehearsals; every day is a live broadcast. So, please bear with me for a few minutes."
Zhang Jikang took Mai Shining’s hand, looking at her tenderly.
The guests chuckled warmly.
Mai Shining continued, "Actually, I didn't want to have a wedding at first because I thought it was a hassle. I’m someone who fears trouble, but I didn't want to disappoint my elders. Later, I thought about it and realized a wedding is actually quite interesting. For example, right now, I can tell you all a little story."
The bride was humorous and witty, and the guests were clearly intrigued.
She began her tale: "It must have been back in 2009. I was working on a feature about Tibet—no colleagues, no assistants, just wandering alone through the remote corners of the region. During that time, I met a man in his forties. He was also alone. Seeing me carrying a bunch of heavy camera gear, he asked me to take a photo of him. The strange thing was, whenever he posed, he was always holding a picture frame. Out of curiosity, I asked who was in the photo. He asked me in return, 'Have you ever tried loving someone?' I said yes, but that my boyfriend and I had broken up. He said that was a pity and asked why. I said it was because I was too headstrong. Then, without any reservation, he told me that the person in the photo was his lover. I learned his story. The beginning was green and hazy, the carefree youth of two boys; the middle was legendary and tumultuous, spanning twenty years in the blink of an eye; but the end was heartbreaking—the person in the photo had died in a car accident. So, that man went alone to fulfill the dream they’d had in their youth: trekking into Tibet."
Among the many guests present, Mai Shining didn't speak too bluntly, but Xia Yinuo understood. The person in the photo was certainly a man.
"The man didn't collapse because of fate's cruel joke; on the contrary, he was at peace. After finishing his story, he gave me eight words: *'Turning mountains and waters, all roads lead to the same destination.'* I repeated those words over and over and realized that many things are like that. Regardless of nationality, religion, age, gender, profession, or any other factor, everyone longs to be cherished, safely placed, and carefully preserved. Aside from life and death, what obstacle is truly insurmountable? Suddenly, I thought of how Jikang often tells me that the reason a compass can draw a circle is because its feet are moving while its heart remains still. So, I told that man: if one day my boyfriend and I reunite, I will definitely give him those eight words."
Xia Yinuo glanced at Liang Juejun. Liang Juejun felt her gaze, and the two looked at each other, sharing a knowing smile.
The young people in the audience, especially the couple's classmates and colleagues, had already stood up and begun to applaud.
Mai Shining smiled and made a playful "shh" gesture before continuing:
"I’m sharing this story at my wedding for two reasons. First, I hope that love and marriage will not be held hostage by so-called morality. I once read a passage: I hope that eventually, people will see homosexuality and heterosexuality with the same lack of surprise, and admire a woman for her successful career just as much as for a happy marriage. I hope people can maintain a respectful distance from the private lives of others, respecting every individual's decision to have children or not, to marry or not, and appreciating everyone who lives a wonderful life—whether they are single or out, a housewife or a PhD student. Here, I wish that all lovers in the world may eventually find their way to each other."
Li Mu whispered to Xia Yinuo, "Wow! Sister Mai Mai is so cool!"
"Second, I finally have a formal opportunity to thank the people in my life who have tolerated me, supported me, and loved me unconditionally. My father has always taught me the principles of being a good person, which boil down to one phrase: *'Looking up, I am not ashamed before Heaven; looking down, I am not embarrassed before men.'* Even though we always bicker, I will remember your kindness for the rest of my life. My dear mother is the most beautiful and magnanimous person in the world. I love you. If there is a next life, I hope I can be your mother and give back to you everything you gave to me. Thank you to my parents-in-law; since I was a child, you have treated me like your own daughter with infinite tolerance and affirmation, and you raised such an upright and excellent son. Thank you to my friends, who are also my brothers and sisters. Thank you for your companionship along the way, allowing me to be bold and unrestrained."
After Mai Shining finished, she turned to face the groom, who was already moved to tears. Her eyes shone brightly.
"Finally, thank you, Zhang Jikang. A lifetime isn't that long. I’ve been making a fuss all the way, and you just smile. Turning mountains and waters, all roads lead to the same destination. It is because of you that, from now on, I cherish life, yet I do not fear death."
As soon as she finished, Zhang Jikang stepped forward and pulled her into an embrace.
The entire banquet hall erupted in thunderous, prolonged applause.
Xia Yinuo felt a wave of emotion; Liang Juejun gently took her hand, their fingers interlacing. On her other side, Li Mu also silently took her sister's hand.
The usually prickly Fan Mi lowered her voice. "Holy crap! Holy crap!! Did she prepare a script? If she didn't, I, Fan Mi, will admit from this day forward that Mai Shining is a true artist!!!"
Xia Yinuo smiled. "Don't use bad words..."
The MC stepped forward, visibly moved. "The bride spoke so well! It was truly touching! I wonder what our groom thinks after hearing that?"
Several children, no more than seven or eight years old, came running up from below the stage. Indeed, little ones, how could you possibly know the meaning of "all roads lead to the same destination"? But, little ones, you can wait a little longer, just a little longer, before you have to understand the loves and hates of the human world.
Zhang Jikang wiped away a tear, took Mai Shining’s hand, and said with a smile, "Young people, remember to love passionately and study with all your might!"
Another round of applause broke out.
During a break in the banquet, Mai Shining went to the dressing room to change her gown. Liang Juejun went up and took her hand, saying softly, "Mai Mai, thank you."
Mai Shining patted Liang Juejun’s shoulder; everything was understood without words.
Li Qinglan’s family and Xia Yan’s family were seated at different tables for relatives and friends. When the bride went to toast at Xia Yan’s table, Xia’s father congratulated Jikang and Mai Mai with a beaming face. Deng Rouyue praised the bride’s beauty and added that it would soon be their Xiaobao’s turn. Zhang Jikang and Mai Shining quickly played along, thanking Uncle Xia and Auntie Deng for gracing the wedding with their presence. Xia Yan looked at his daughter, his eyes full of pride. This was also the first time Liang Juejun had met Xia’s father. If Xia Yinuo’s features and the way she occasionally showed her...
***
### CHAPTER 69: The Working Life
In August, Xia Yinuo’s professional career began.
The C-City High-Tech Industrial Park, where AM Company was located, was about a thirty-minute drive from C-University. On the day Xia Yinuo officially reported for duty, Gu Yizhi was out on business and specifically instructed her assistant, Xiao Ge, to take good care of the new Technical Director.
Xia Yinuo had crossed paths with Gu Yizhi’s assistant a few times before, though they hadn't been formally introduced. The General Assistant was young and refined; at first glance, she seemed like a mature and steady person. Now that they were colleagues, Xia Yinuo said politely, "I’ll be relying on your guidance from now on, General Assistant."
The assistant smiled sweetly. "There aren't that many rules in the company. Don't worry about 'General Assistant' this or that. In private, you can just do what Sister Gu does and call me Xiao Ge."
Since she had put it that way, Xia Yinuo wasn't one to stand on ceremony. She replied, "Alright then. I imagine we’re probably around the same age."
After finishing the HR paperwork, Xiao Ge led Xia Yinuo with a brisk pace through the technical staff's office area and pushed open a door.
The room was bright and clean, tidy and refreshing. Through the floor-to-ceiling glass, one could see the road outside the office building as well as the company’s entire open-plan workspace.
The assistant introduced, "The company hasn't been around long, and there aren't many people. We have plenty of offices, though they're a bit small. Here, this one is yours, Director Xia."
Xia Yinuo looked around, smiling shyly. "This is perfect. Also, just call me Xiao Xia."
The assistant burst out laughing. "Haha, I was just teasing you! Later on, even if you want me to call you that, I might not be willing!"
Xia Yinuo pursed her lips. "That’s fine. By the way, I don't know your full name yet?"
The assistant walked to the window and pulled it open. "My name is Zhou Gaige! Gaige as in 'Reform'!"
Hearing this, Xia Yinuo almost laughed out loud.
Seeing Xia Yinuo’s look of disbelief, Zhou Gaige patted her arm and laughed reproachfully, "What? Are you making fun of my name!"
Xia Yinuo quickly waved her hands. "No, no, I definitely didn't mean it that way. I just think it’s very interesting."
Zhou Gaige pointed out the window and said righteously, "Xiao Xia, look. Outside is the thriving High-Tech Industrial Park; look back, and our company is full of vigorous, ambitious young people. Don't you feel proud? So I’m telling you, our generation grew up bathing in the spring breeze of the 'Reform and Opening Up' policy. We are the 'Red and Expert' youth building a moderately prosperous and powerful country! What’s so strange about my name being Reform?"
Xia Yinuo asked cautiously, "Then do you have a younger brother or sister named Zhou Kaifang?"
This time it was Zhou Gaige’s turn to be surprised. She gave a cheeky grin. "Hey! How did you know?"
*Huh? For real?*
The assistant then continued solemnly, "Since you guessed it, I’ll tell you a little private secret. My aunt is named Zhou Hong and my dad is named Zhou Zhuan. Together, they're 'Hong Zhuan'—Red and Expert! How about that?"
*Seriously? That works too?*
Mai Shining always said she had a dry sense of humor, but Xia Yinuo felt this assistant was even better. She couldn't help but give a thumbs up. "Impressive!"
On the other side, Ke Dinghao had been looking forward to Xia Yinuo starting work. Seeing her in professional office attire, he chuckled for a long time. Xia Yinuo was speechless. "What exactly are you laughing at?"
Ke Dinghao said, "Nothing, I just think you look great! I was thinking that when our Diandian starts working in the future, she’ll look like this too. I’m starting to look forward to it!"
"I heard Diandian is transferring to a PhD program?"
"Yeah, you know me, I have a thing for female doctors."
"You’ve really had enough."
"Hey, I’m just telling the truth. You’re my senior sister and my future boss; you have to look out for me."
"Sorry, I’m afraid I can't cover for you. You’ll have to find Senior Sister Gu for that."
"Don't be like that! It’s best if both of you look out for me! It’s almost lunch break, let me take you to the restaurant downstairs!"
The two of them joked around, instantly feeling like they were back in their student days in Tang Shuliang’s lab. Xia Yinuo felt that with a new environment and a new atmosphere, work was going to be very interesting.
Since science and technology are the primary productive forces, science and technology naturally cannot be separated. So, what was the difference between corporate R&D and university research?
In terms of purpose, corporate R&D is generally product and service-oriented, driven largely by the market. Universities, on the other hand, mainly focus on exploring basic scientific questions and cultivating students' research abilities and basic qualities. In terms of process, corporate researchers follow a cycle of experiment-testing-market-experiment-testing-market. For university faculty and students, research is experiment-testing-characterization-experiment-testing-characterization. This "characterization" is much more complex than the "market." As for the final goal, the company aims to meet customer needs and satisfaction to gain a commercial reputation and profit. University faculty and students use their work to publish papers, earn degrees, apply for grants, and continue pursuing their academic dreams and exploring the unknown.
The key to the transition between these two roles lies in two words: mindset.
The company’s R&D department was under the Technical Department, collectively known as the Technical R&D Department. The director, John, had to handle both outsourcing services and R&D, and he was exhausted. Xia Yinuo’s arrival was undoubtedly a huge relief for him. John was like a kind older brother; he arranged for Xia Yinuo to work in the Technical Department at first, and once she got the hang of things, she would start leading a small independent team, mainly responsible for a patent application. After two weeks, the work was going smoothly.
However, the weather was brutally hot. The weather forecast’s maximum temperature even soared to 42 degrees Celsius. The lab was kept at a constant 25 degrees year-round, so it didn't feel extreme, but the moment one stepped outside, a wave of heat would hit, making it truly hard to breathe.
Xia Yinuo joked with Liang Juejun that if the 42-degree heat continued, they wouldn't even need a water bath for heat shock during transformations.
Although Xia Yinuo was born in August and even had the surname "Xia" (Summer), she didn't particularly like the season. She didn't like the sweaty smell in elevators, the sticky feeling after sweating, or how people's tempers flared along with the temperature. Most importantly, there were too many mosquitoes in summer, and she was far too popular with them.
Liang Juejun remarked, "Those reasons are just your biased summary of summer. How do you explain the fact that you can wear light clothes, go swimming, and eat ice cream and watermelon?"
Xia Yinuo replied, "Well... First, seeing people dressed too revealingly on the street isn't very aesthetic; some even leave you speechless. Second, you know I don't have many athletic cells, so I can't swim, la la la. Third, you can eat ice cream and watermelon in any season, not just summer."
To this, Liang Juejun could only offer one evaluation: "Sophistry."
One night, perhaps because a window hadn't been closed tightly, Xia Yinuo was tormented by mosquitoes in the middle of the night. She woke up feeling several itchy bites and carefully moved Liang Juejun’s hand from her waist, preparing to get up.
Moonlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains. Xia Yinuo grumbled to herself: *Mosquitoes, oh mosquitoes, this sister next to me is practically bare, yet you don't bother her at all. It’s clear how much you adore me.* But she also felt secretly relieved; fortunately, she was a living mosquito coil, so the woman beside her could sleep so peacefully.
The night was very quiet, save for the hum of the air conditioner. Xia Yinuo sat cross-legged on the bed, staring intently at the sleeping Liang Juejun.
*Have you ever seen the sun at three in the morning?* Some might say that’s a silly question. *But I have.* It’s when I open my eyes at three a.m. and see your gentle, tranquil sleeping face beside me. In this moment, you swallow up all the light in the darkness, and I feel as if I’ve tasted a spoonful of golden honey.
Xia Yinuo smiled, leaned over to steal a kiss on Liang Juejun’s cheek, and then crept out of bed to find some mosquito repellent.
The next day was Saturday. Liang Juejun went back to the lab early for a meeting. Xia Yinuo slept until she woke up naturally, went back to her own small apartment to change LoVo’s water and feed him, bought a few things, and then leisurely made her way to the coffee shop.
However, after parking her car, she accidentally scraped a white Q5 parked in the adjacent spot while getting out. Xia Yinuo looked around, waited for a while, and seeing no one, she had to write a note and tuck it under the car's windshield wiper: *"So sorry, I accidentally scraped your car. Please contact me at xxxxxxxxxxx. — Xia."*
There were a few customers in the cafe. After entering and greeting the servers, Xia Yinuo walked past the bar and into the back kitchen to find Fan Mi.
A batch of cranberry cookies had just come out of the oven. Seeing Xia Yinuo walk in with bags, Fan Mi picked up a cookie and stuffed it into Xia Yinuo’s mouth.
Xia Yinuo opened her mouth, chewed, and swallowed before speaking. "Mmm, tastes good. That white Q5 out front—do you know who the owner is?"
Fan Mi carefully arranged the cookies in a box, thinking back. "I don't know, but that car seems to be parked there all the time, like it’s rarely used. Why?"
Xia Yinuo put down her plastic bags and went to the sink to wash her hands. "Oh, I accidentally scraped it just now."
Fan Mi looked up. "Huh?"
Xia Yinuo shrugged helplessly. "My own fault. I was careful while reversing, but then my phone rang just as I was opening the door. I used a bit too much force and hit the other car's door. It’ll probably need a paint job."
Fan Mi asked, "What about your car?"
Xia Yinuo said, "Scraped a bit of paint too. I left a note with my phone number. I don't know when the owner will see it."
Fan Mi nodded. "Well, you’ll just have to wait and see. It’s quite a coincidence, having the same model as you. But parking around here is really inconvenient."
Xia Yinuo said, "Can't be helped. Old neighborhoods are all like this."
Once Fan Mi finished her work and washed her hands, she rummaged through the bag Xia Yinuo had brought and asked in surprise, "Why did you buy so much fruit? The fruit in the fridge is enough for the platters for the next two days."
"Didn't you say you were going back to see your mom this afternoon? This is for you to take back," Xia Yinuo replied.
Fan Mi hooked an arm around Xia Yinuo’s neck. "Hey, you even thought of that! So sweet!"
Xia Yinuo laughed and broke free from Fan Mi’s "clutches." "Don't be too moved. Senior Sister specifically reminded me; she was afraid you’d be too busy to have time."
"Alright, no need to be modest. Anyway, I’ll thank you and Professor Liang on behalf of my old lady." After saying that, the sharp-eyed Fan Mi suddenly noticed a red mark on the back of Xia Yinuo’s neck. "Wait! Xiaobao! Turn around, turn around!"
Xia Yinuo was confused.
Fan Mi forcibly turned her head, then let out a gasp. "Ooh! What’s this on the back of your neck? A hickey!"
The part-time girl at the bar heard this and looked toward the kitchen.
Xia Yinuo instinctively reached for the back of her neck.
"Don't bother looking!" Fan Mi let out a low, wild laugh, took out her phone to snap a photo, and handed it to Xia Yinuo. "Here, see for yourself! Your very own mark of love!"
Sure enough, the photo clearly showed a bright red bruise, neither too large nor too small, on Xia Yinuo’s snowy-white neck.
While Xia Yinuo was still bewildered, Fan Mi leaned against the wall with her arms crossed, marveling. "I really didn't expect Professor Liang to be so... fierce with her mouth. Look at that strawberry she planted..."
Xia Yinuo was suddenly bashful. "What are you talking about?!"
Fan Mi nudged Xia Yinuo with her elbow, teasing, "What, now that you’ve started working and can't be a 'Snail Girl' at home, are you playing that game—'the rice is in the pot, and I’m in the bed'?"
Xia Yinuo was caught between laughter and tears. "Hey!"
Fan Mi grinned wickedly. "Hey! Let me see if there are any more elsewhere!" As she spoke, she made a move to pull at Xia Yinuo’s clothes.
"Hey!" Xia Yinuo quickly shielded her collar. "Are you kidding me? You’ve really been corrupted by Mai Shining!"
Fan Mi looked teasing. "Don't blame Mai Mai or me! This is what they call: 'If you don't want people to know, don't do it'..."
Xia Yinuo felt like she had three black lines on her forehead, feeling like she was "swallowing bitter herbs with no way to speak of the pain." "Sister, if it were true, I’d admit it, but it really isn't! It was a mosquito bite from last night; I probably just scratched it red by accident!"
Fan Mi raised her index finger and gave it a cool "No, no, no" wag. Then, for the rest of the day, she kept staring at Xia Yinuo’s neck with an ambiguous smile.
Xia Yinuo felt like she was getting goosebumps all over. Frustrated, she snapped, "It’s a mosquito bite, it’s a mosquito bite, it’s a mosquito bite!!!"
Fan Mi patted Xia Yinuo’s shoulder and said earnestly, "Explaining is just covering up, and covering up is just the truth. Young lady, I understand! Just take it easy, okay?"
When she got home that night, Xia Yinuo told Liang Juejun about it. Liang Juejun laughed heartily.
Xia Yinuo was gloomy. "You’re actually gloating!"
Liang Juejun said, "What else should I do, with you walking around with a neck full of hickeys..."
Xia Yinuo: "..."
Liang Juejun: "To be kissed like this by a mosquito for no reason... logically, I should be the one who’s jealous."
Xia Yinuo: "..."
Liang Juejun: "But it’s okay. We can go to the bedroom and 'swat mosquitoes'."
Xia Yinuo: "..."
Liang Juejun pulled Xiaobao toward the bedroom.
Xia Yinuo: "Ah? Really? But are there even any mosquitoes to swat right now?"
Liang Juejun just smiled. "Let’s go!"
Xia Yinuo dragged out her words to express her protest. "What for? I’m not going..."
What for? To compensate for the double trauma to Xiaobao’s soul and body, Liang Juejun decided to cover the rest of Xia Yinuo’s body with *real* hickeys.
Xia Yinuo cried out—she was the fish on the chopping block!
In the sweltering summer, the room was filled with the glow of spring.
***
**Glossary**
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