Jiang Yubai suddenly spoke up: “Lin Zhixia.”

Lin Zhixia replied confidently: “What? I haven’t finished what I was saying.”

Jiang Yubai opened the car window, letting in a crisp, cold breeze. His expression seemed calm, but his tone grew increasingly lower: “I don’t have any other intentions, I just wanted to take you out to play.”

Lin Zhixia laughed softly.

Her laughter was like a hook, catching his emotions and thoughts. He tried hard to push away those thoughts that shouldn’t exist, turning his gaze toward the vast landscape outside the window.

Lin Zhixia leaned against his shoulder and declared as if talking to herself: “I know you’re the best to me…”

The mountain ranges undulated continuously, the moon shone like a silver plate, and the night scenery of mountains and rivers was breathtakingly beautiful, but Jiang Yubai seemed blind to it all. In his heart, he silently called her nickname, Xiaxia, Xiaxia. She was as brilliant as the summer sunshine, and he had liked her since his youth.

Lin Zhixia was unaware of Jiang Yubai’s ever-changing psychological activities. She reached for her backpack with one hand, suddenly remembering Han Guang’s paper. She had promised Han Guang she would write a new review opinion for him before tomorrow night.

Lin Zhixia would never break her promise.

*

At nine-thirty in the evening, Jiang Yubai and Lin Zhixia arrived at the hotel.

As soon as she stepped through the hotel’s main entrance, Lin Zhixia was dazzled. The lobby was paved with light gold marble floors, with pure silver-based square columns stretching to the ceiling. The floor lamps were shaped like edelweiss flowers, surrounding them with bright lights, reflecting off each other, showcasing the luxury of a palace-style decoration.

Lin Zhixia very rigorously evaluated: “This place looks very expensive.”

But Jiang Yubai said, “It’s okay, not too expensive. It’s the off-season for tourism now.”

Lin Zhixia indirectly probed him: “What do you think the word ‘okay’ represents in terms of money?”

A very faint smile appeared in Jiang Yubai’s voice: “This is a difficult question. We need to consider the market’s inelastic demand and elastic demand, the market competition status of similar products…”

“Jiang Jiang Jiang Jiang Yubai.” Lin Zhixia interrupted him.

He called out once: “Lin Zhixia,” in response.

Lin Zhixia sighed: “You’ve become more mature.”

“We are all adults now,” Jiang Yubai replied casually.

Lin Zhixia agreed repeatedly: “Yes, we should do adult things.”

Jiang Yubai was checking in. Hearing Lin Zhixia’s words, Jiang Yubai’s fingers extended and rested on the cold counter. His exclusive attendant stood beside him, talking, but he was distracted for a few seconds before responding fluently in French.

After completing the check-in procedures, Jiang Yubai couldn’t help but ask: “You just said we should do adult things…”

“Yes.” Lin Zhixia nodded.

Jiang Yubai remembered that Lin Zhixia had previously told him she wasn’t mentally prepared enough, so why had she changed her mind now? Whatever plan Lin Zhixia had, they should take things step by step.

Jiang Yubai pondered her deeper meaning while closely watching her back.

Lin Zhixia pushed her suitcase briskly.

She and Jiang Yubai entered an elevator one after the other.

There were only the two of them in the elevator. Lin Zhixia said with full energy, “As adults, the most important thing is to be responsible. Today, I promised Han Guang I would help review his paper and write him an email tomorrow night. I will fulfill that promise.”

So that’s what Lin Zhixia meant by “adult things.”

Jiang Yubai’s mood rose and fell like an automatic elevator. As always, he encouraged her: “You still have a whole day, you’ll finish the review.”

Lin Zhixia moved behind Jiang Yubai and expressed her feelings directly: “I just realized that tomorrow, when I wake up, the first thing I’ll see is you. I’m very happy about that.”

Jiang Yubai swiftly grabbed the suitcase handle.

Lin Zhixia was wondering what he was going to do when the elevator reached the top floor.

Jiang Yubai first pushed the suitcase out, then lowered his head and squatted down. Since Lin Zhixia was still leaning against him, he picked her up on his back without much effort.

The hotel corridor was lined with a soft carpet. Lin Zhixia hugged his shoulders, her chin resting in the hollow of his shoulder. With each step he took, she laughed softly, her warm breath sweeping across his neck, reminding him of small fish playing among lotus leaves in a summer pond.

Jiang Yubai murmured: “You’re like a little fish.”

Lin Zhixia replied: “You’re the fisherman who caught me.”

Jiang Yubai also laughed: “I’m so lucky.”

Lin Zhixia was in high spirits and composed a love poem on the spot: “You are the fisherman who caught me; you are the bright light illuminating my heart; you are the gentle breeze blowing into my dreams… You are the embodiment of my ideal that I could meet but never seek.”

After reciting it, Lin Zhixia was quite satisfied.

She added, “This is the first time I’ve written a love poem for you. Emperor Qianlong wrote forty thousand poems in his lifetime. How diligent! I should also write forty thousand poems for you.”

After all, it only takes ten seconds to write one, Lin Zhixia thought.

This series of sweet words from Lin Zhixia did not evoke an intense reaction from Jiang Yubai.

Jiang Yubai’s breathing quickened, but his ears didn’t turn red. Lin Zhixia missed how he used to blush when he was younger. After he brought her into the room, she began a new round of advances.

At the front of the living room was a huge glass window, beyond which were steep, cold, snow-capped mountains and a deep blue, tranquil lake. The twinkling stars reflected in the lake water, and the ripples in the night emitted a faint glow.

“Look outside,” Lin Zhixia consciously guided Jiang Yubai, “those stars, what do they remind you of?”

Jiang Yubai responded unromantically: “Fireflies.”

Jiang Yubai was still immersed in the shock that “Lin Zhixia would write forty thousand poems for him.”

Lin Zhixia pondered for a moment, then improvised: “You must know about Japanese haiku, right? Haiku is a classical short poem from Japan. There’s a haiku I like, ‘Mono omoe ba taku no hotaru mo waga mi yori akugare izuru tama ka to zo miru'[1]. The Chinese translation means…”

She stood behind Jiang Yubai, slowly raising her right hand, awkwardly finding her way to his heart.

She continued translating the haiku for him: “When I think deeply of someone, seeing the fireflies by the marsh, I wonder if they are souls wandering out from my own body.”

Before she finished speaking, Jiang Yubai caught Lin Zhixia’s hand.

She pulled hard but couldn’t break free.

The next moment, Jiang Yubai held her and sat on the bay window. He leaned against the cold, colorless, transparent glass, his eyes burning like fierce fire—this was completely unexpected to Lin Zhixia. She had thought Jiang Yubai would be shy and turn his head away, unable to look at her, but now he was staring at her intently as if she owed him money.

She avoided his direct gaze, her cheeks flushing red: “Don’t… don’t look at me like that.”

He brushed her hair behind her ear: “You just said I’m the embodiment of your ideal that you could meet but never seek.”

Lin Zhixia was about to back away, but he wrapped his arm around her waist. He lowered his head and kissed the corner of her lips. She didn’t dodge, so he continued to kiss her. Under the dim lights of the living room, they silently embraced and kissed. Jiang Yubai also unbuttoned his shirt. He changed from his previous conservative style and openly welcomed Lin Zhixia’s scrutiny—this tactic worked very well, as Lin Zhixia’s gaze never left him.

“Want to touch?” Jiang Yubai asked her.

Lin Zhixia nodded vigorously.

Jiang Yubai pulled at his collar, becoming somewhat hesitant. He knew Lin Zhixia’s curiosity was very strong, and she had long wanted to examine him from head to toe, but he wasn’t one hundred percent confident in his self-control. He decided to establish ground rules with Lin Zhixia, setting up a series of boundaries. Before he could speak, Lin Zhixia said, “I won’t force you. If you don’t want to, forget it. It’s ten o’clock now, I’m going to shower and sleep. Tomorrow I need to get up early to revise Han Guang’s paper. I’m very busy.”

With that, Lin Zhixia pulled away.

Her heart was pounding, her face flushed red. She wanted to calm down quickly.

Her pajamas and toiletries were in the suitcase.

Lin Zhixia dragged her suitcase and rushed energetically into a bedroom. She unzipped it, knelt on the ground, and couldn’t help but peek at Jiang Yubai through the crack in the door. She found that Jiang Yubai was still sitting alone and desolately by the bay window.

The faint moonlight by the window outlined his profile as he lifted his head slightly, as if admiring the overlapping snow-capped mountains. The mountain scenery was cold and quiet, and Lin Zhixia’s heart suddenly ached. She quickly ran back to Jiang Yubai, hooked her arms around his neck, and kissed his face again and again.

He supported Lin Zhixia’s waist and directly pressed her down. She remembered him asking, “Want to touch?” so she randomly caressed him all over, praising: “Good, good, your muscles are well-developed… becoming more and more solid.”

Jiang Yubai didn’t respond. He kissed her neck and collarbone. Behind him was the starry sky under the deep blue night. Lin Zhixia, immersed in this moment, felt as if her soul was floating in warm currents. Jiang Yubai was still calling her nickname: “Xiaxia…”

He pressed against her ear, murmuring like a dream: “Xiaxia.”

Lin Zhixia’s bones softened and her muscles relaxed, but her voice remained strong: “Why do you keep calling me Xiaxia?”

He took her earlobe between his lips, which was his response.

Lin Zhixia’s mind instantly went blank. She completely forgot about papers, computers, advisors, and students. She didn’t even have the energy to spend ten seconds writing a love poem. She also began to call his name: “Jiang Yubai…”

Only now could she fully understand him.

*

Jiang Yubai and Lin Zhixia were of one heart and mind. At the height of passion, Jiang Yubai picked up his coat, held it in front of his legs, and calmly said: “I’m going to take a shower.”

“Okay,” Lin Zhixia was especially considerate, “I’ll also take a shower. Together?”

Jiang Yubai looked back at her. His eyes were darker than the night, and Lin Zhixia quickly explained: “There are three bathrooms here, we can use separate ones.”

Jiang Yubai got up from the bay window: “Get some rest early tonight. Tomorrow we’ll study together in the study.”

“Mm, okay!” Lin Zhixia happily agreed.

Lin Zhixia returned to the bedroom, rummaged through her suitcase, and sorted her things. She had brought a swimsuit because Jiang Yubai had told her there was an indoor hot spring in the hotel room. She had never soaked in a hot spring before and wanted to try it.

This swimsuit was bought at a shopping mall near the school. The style wasn’t very conservative—she couldn’t find any conservative ones. That lingerie store was full of bikini swimwear… She pondered for a while, becoming increasingly embarrassed.

With a “snap,” Lin Zhixia closed the suitcase tightly and fled to the bathroom.

Lin Zhixia showered for more than ten minutes.

She put on her nightgown, came out of the bathroom with a completely clear mind, and temporarily had no desire to sleep. She wandered around the suite and quickly found the gym, the hot spring terrace, and the outdoor swimming pool. Standing indoors, she scanned the surroundings. The mountains and lakes were like a continuous scroll painting, surrounding the outdoor swimming pool.

Where was Jiang Yubai?

Lin Zhixia thought that Jiang Yubai must have already gone to bed.

Lin Zhixia walked without making a sound. She quietly stepped into Jiang Yubai’s bedroom—the lights were fully on, bright as day, indicating that Jiang Yubai hadn’t gone to sleep yet.

The spacious bed was shielded by exquisite bed curtains. Lin Zhixia frankly called out, “Jiang Yubai!”

Jiang Yubai heard her call from the bathroom.

Water droplets soaked his hair, and droplets slid down his jawline. He stood naked in front of a full-length mirror, both hands pressed on the sink. He instinctively responded loudly: “Lin Zhixia!”

Lin Zhixia ran over with a “tap-tap-tap” sound.

Jiang Yubai quickly stopped her: “I’m showering.”

Lin Zhixia stood outside the bathroom door, her tone somewhat puzzled: “Why have you been showering for so long?”

Jiang Yubai took a deep breath and said with extraordinary calmness: “I was… meditating.”

Lin Zhixia believed him. She said: “So that’s it. I understand you.”

Jiang Yubai’s bedroom was connected to a spacious balcony that faced a vast, boundless lake. The wind blowing toward them contained moisture, diffusing the coolness of the night.

Lin Zhixia sat on Jiang Yubai’s bed, closed her eyes, and sank into a meditative state. A few more minutes passed, and Jiang Yubai came out of the bathroom. He sat near Lin Zhixia without making a sound to disturb her, but she flopped into his arms, nuzzling against him with considerable dependence.

That clean, crisp scent addicted her.

“Time for bed,” Jiang Yubai reminded.

“Then I’ll go back,” Lin Zhixia said.

Jiang Yubai whispered in her ear, “How about we sleep in the same bed? We can chat before sleeping…”

Lin Zhixia deliberated for a moment, then slipped under the covers of this bed. Jiang Yubai turned off all the lights and finally returned to her side. She rolled into his arms again, softly whispering coquettishly: “Hug me.”

Jiang Yubai put an arm around her and said, “Goodnight.”

“Didn’t we agree to chat before sleeping?” Lin Zhixia questioned.

Jiang Yubai asked in return: “Chat about what?”

Lin Zhixia said, “Let me tell you a bedtime story.”

Jiang Yubai’s lips curved into a smile as he asked: “A story you made up yourself?”

“Mm,” Lin Zhixia began narrating on her own, “After years of arduous exploration, Captain Lin Zhixia found a resource-rich planet in the vast universe. She told Jiang Yubai the good news…”

Jiang Yubai moved closer to her.

She continued: “Exploring the universe is a long process. Both Jiang Yubai and Lin Zhixia had their things to do. But in Lin Zhixia’s heart, Jiang Yubai was always her top priority. The joy Lin Zhixia felt when sharing good news with Jiang Yubai was enough to offset the confusion and difficulties she had experienced…”

Her voice grew smaller and smaller.

She fell asleep in a daze.

But the impromptu story she created, like a collector’s edition side story to the “Exploring the Universe” comic series, was deeply etched in Jiang Yubai’s mind. He held her tightly, his embrace feeling especially warm because of her. He also fell into a deep sleep as his body and mind relaxed.

*

At seven-thirty the next morning, when Lin Zhixia woke up, Jiang Yubai was getting dressed with his back to her. She rolled over, hid under the covers, and made a small hole by curling the edge of the blanket. She peeked at Jiang Yubai’s back through the hole, feeling that the lines of his back were solid and smooth, perfect.

Jiang Yubai heard the movement behind him and turned around, saying: “I just went to the living room. Your phone was vibrating; someone was calling you…”

“Did you answer it?” Lin Zhixia asked him.

Jiang Yubai vaguely replied: “The caller was your brother.”

Lin Zhixia was shocked.

Unknowingly, it had been half a month since she last called her brother. Counting on her fingers, today was indeed the day she was supposed to talk with her brother. It was rare for her brother to take the initiative to call her. Why did she feel guilty?

Lin Zhixia put on her slippers, walked to the living room, and saw four missed calls displayed on her phone. Without a moment’s delay, she quickly dialed Lin Zeqiu’s number.

Author’s note:

Reference material: [1] The haiku’s author is Izumi Shikibu, a female poet from Japan’s Heian period.