During her years of study, what pleased Jiang Mu most was her mother’s change in attitude. Perhaps after facing life and death, many things became insignificant to her. She spent her days drinking tea and tending to flowers with Chris, enjoying a peaceful life she had never experienced before. Even when Jiang Mu returned to China alone to visit her father, Jiang Yinghan didn’t say anything upon her return.

Occasionally, Jiang Mu would mention Jin Chao in front of Jiang Yinghan. Initially, her mother was reluctant to hear about him, but later, when in a good mood, she could listen to him a bit. As Jiang Mu rambled on beside her, she remained silent. It took Jiang Mu a long time to tell Jin Chao’s story over these years, as Jiang Yinghan wasn’t always willing to listen, and sometimes the story couldn’t continue. After Jiang Mu finally finished telling about Jin Chao’s case in fragments, one day Jiang Yinghan suddenly asked, “So what does he do in China now?”

This question brought a sting to Jiang Mu’s nose. She picked up her teacup to hide her welling eyes as she stood up and walked toward the kitchen, responding, “We’ve lost contact.” After that, Jiang Yinghan never asked about Jin Chao again, and Jiang Mu never mentioned him.

…

The following year, when Gu Zhijie finished his graduate courses, Jiang Mu asked if he planned to stay in Australia. Gu Zhijie told her clearly that he would return to China. After studying for so many years and finally graduating, he wanted to put his knowledge to use and contribute to the nation’s aerospace industry.

Before his return, Jiang Mu and some seniors organized a farewell party for Gu Zhijie. After drinking, he asked about her plans and whether she would return to China. Jiang Mu absently swirled the champagne in her glass and shrugged, “I don’t know. My family is here, so maybe I won’t go back.”

Gu Zhijie expressed his disappointment: “That’s a shame. With your hard work and excellent grades, it’s the country’s loss if you don’t return.”

The international situation has been turbulent these two years, particularly affecting overseas students like them. Due to stance issues, there had been many patriotic trends, and conversations would unconsciously turn to national matters. Gu Zhijie was like this, and although Jiang Mu knew he was teasing her, she still felt somewhat ashamed compared to him.

Before leaving, Gu Zhijie told her that if she ever had the chance to return to Jiangsu, she must contact him – he would treat her to crayfish and long fish noodles in Huai’an. Jiang Mu agreed. After he returned to China, they occasionally kept in touch, but only through holiday greeting messages, nothing more.

In Jiang Mu’s final year of graduate school, she had an opportunity to visit Caltech with her professor for an academic exchange. She particularly cherished this opportunity, as it was one of the world’s best technical universities, ranking highly in physics, planetary science, and aerospace programs.

Before going, she had a deep conversation with Jiang Yinghan about post-graduation employment. Her research focus was celestial measurement and celestial mechanics, and she wanted to find suitable work near Melbourne, though options were very limited.

After hearing her plans, Jiang Yinghan remained silent for a long time before telling Jiang Mu that her premise for considering this matter was problematic. She shouldn’t use geographic location as a selection criterion but should focus on her personal development. When Jiang Yinghan had just undergone surgery, her vital signs were unstable, and having her daughter nearby during her most vulnerable time was reassuring. Years had passed, and she had grown accustomed to life with Chris. Regarding Jiang Mu’s future development, she encouraged her to take a long-term view and find work she truly wanted to do.

After this conversation, Jiang Mu embarked on her journey to Los Angeles, never expecting to encounter an old acquaintance at Caltech – Gu Zhijie.

It truly seemed fated that they would meet again in another country. After three years, he had aged considerably, constantly traveling for the country’s aerospace industry, his hairline showing signs of concern, but overall still an energetic, mature man. He was there for work and sent abroad for a cooperative project. Through their conversation, Jiang Mu learned that after returning to China, Gu Zhijie had gone back to Nanjing and now worked at a branch of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, mostly at the observatory.

That was where the asteroid “China” was discovered, and Jiang Mu had heard of their scientific achievements over the years. Regrettably, she hadn’t had the chance to visit the old site on the mountain to see the armillary sphere, gnomon, and other ancient astronomical instruments in person.

Seeing her interest, Gu Zhijie asked when she would graduate. Jiang Mu told him it would be in a few months, and he mentioned they had two research assistant positions open – if she was interested, he would keep a position for her when he returned. The topic came up so suddenly that Jiang Mu couldn’t respond immediately. Gu Zhijie smiled and said there was no rush, she had a few months to consider. He also mentioned a small gathering the next day with colleagues who had come from China with him and some local peers, inviting Jiang Mu to join.

The venue was a rooftop bar, mostly filled with Chinese people, predominantly men. When Jiang Mu arrived that evening, everyone started teasing, pressing Gu Zhijie to introduce her. He showed rare embarrassment as he said, “This is Jiang Mu, my junior schoolmate from Canberra.”

It wasn’t a large group, just over ten people. They had some drinks and chatted about casual topics in a relaxed atmosphere. Later, Jiang Mu went to the terrace to take a call from her professor and encountered a middle-aged man who had come to smoke. Earlier, she had heard others respectfully address him as Teacher Gan, so after hanging up, she politely nodded to him.

Mr. Gan’s gaze lingered on the small jade bead at her collarbone, and he said, “A love dice holding a red bean.”

Jiang Mu paused, touching the small jade bead: “Do you know the meaning behind this pendant?”

Mr. Gan smiled and said, “The agate within the jade dice is shaped like a red bean, made into a love bean. This type, with a hollow space holding a red bean, completed on all six sides – all six sides red, that’s a love dice holding a red bean. ‘Do you know of bone-deep longing?’ It was popular as a token of love in ancient times, but rarely seen now.” After speaking, Mr. Gan extinguished his cigarette and went inside.

Jiang Mu turned to face the night wind, her long hair flying.

“Will you give it to me now? When we were young, you wouldn’t give it no matter how much I asked, so stingy.”

“I really couldn’t give it to you then, but now…”

“Now I can have it? Why?”

“It starts with the story of where this came from, I’ll tell you slowly someday.”

…

She had gone out to see the world and met many excellent men over the years, but her heart never stirred again, because none of them were him. They had only been together for a week – just one week that seemed to have been etched into her marrow. Even remembering his words from the past could stir her emotions. Only he could make her nearly lose control in this strange city, among strange places and strange people, just by holding this small jade bead.

At that moment, she realized there would never be another. In this lifetime, besides him, no one else could easily stir her heart – only that land, only him.

She picked up her phone, called Jiang Yinghan, and said, “Mom, I want to return to China to develop my career…”

A few minutes later, Jiang Mu approached Gu Zhijie with bright eyes. He was still drinking with friends, but seeing Jiang Mu’s intense gaze, he excused himself: “Pardon me.” He stood and walked with her to a quiet spot, asking, “What’s wrong?”

Jiang Mu’s chest heaved with excitement. This was a significant decision for her, made in an instant, and the first time in many years she had taken control of her own life. Her emotions welled up, bringing a lively flush to her cheeks as she said to Gu Zhijie, “About that research assistant position you mentioned yesterday – were you serious?”

Gu Zhijie was taken aback: “Of course I was serious. Have you made up your mind?”

Jiang Mu nodded: “I have. I’ll return as soon as I graduate.”

Gu Zhijie’s eyes twinkled with amusement: “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t go back because your family was here?”

Jiang Mu’s face radiated uncontainable excitement: “I must go back, to contribute to our country’s aerospace industry.”

Gu Zhijie burst into hearty laughter.