That evening, dark clouds covered the sky, sprinkling snowflakes everywhere.

The heavy snow fell continuously, blanketing everything in sight. Countless house lights melted into the cold night. Lin Zhixia gazed absently at the scene outside the window and murmured, “It’s been a long time since I came home.”

Steaming hot dishes filled the dining table. Mom ladled a bowl of soup for Lin Zhixia and sighed, “Your father mentions you every other day, worried that you’re suffering out there. For the next two years, Xiaxia, whenever you want to come home, just tell us, and we’ll pay for your plane ticket.”

Lin Zhixia held the soup bowl. “Mom, I can buy my plane tickets.”

“How much money does Xiaxia have in her little savings account?” Dad asked.

Lin Zhixia replied frankly, “My postdoctoral salary is one hundred thousand US dollars per year.”

The entire living room fell into silence.

After several more seconds, Dad finally asked, “One hundred thousand US dollars? Xiaxia can earn one hundred thousand US dollars a year now?”

According to the foreign exchange rate in January 2014, one hundred thousand US dollars was approximately 610,000 yuan.

Lin Zhixia had just turned nineteen and could already earn an annual salary of over 600,000 yuan, which left her parents and brother speechless with shock. Her plans were also very clear: “In the second half of this year, I’ll graduate with my doctorate and do a one-year postdoc at MIT, then return to China next October. I can use my savings to buy a new house. I want to live near the university district.”

“Housing prices have been rising these past few years. The university area is in a school district.” Dad opened a bottle of baijiu. “It’s very expensive, more than 30,000 yuan per square meter.”

Lin Zhixia spoke enthusiastically, “I can pay the down payment first, then get a mortgage. When I get my teaching position, the university will also give me a housing allowance. I want to buy a large house of over 200 square meters where our whole family can live together.”

“Buying a large house” was also Lin Zeqiu’s goal in life.

Lin Zeqiu absentmindedly took a couple of bites of rice.

Dad tilted his head back and downed half a glass of baijiu. Mom tugged at his sleeve, “Drink less, you’re not young anymore. You need to take care of your health.”

“I’m happy, so happy in my heart,” Dad’s eyes reddened as his voice grew louder, “Our Xiaxia is so accomplished.”

As the alcohol took effect, Dad held his chopsticks and rambled on, “When I was young, I worked in the fields in the village, only able to study during the agricultural off-season. Our family didn’t have a table, so I would lie on the earthen bed to do my homework… Back then, I just hoped to move to the city someday. How could I ever imagine my daughter would attend Peking University and Cambridge, and buy a large house over 200 square meters…”

Lin Zhixia somewhat shyly reminded her father, “I haven’t bought a house yet; it’s just a plan.”

Dad came to his senses, “When you buy a house next year, Mom and Dad will contribute some money.”

Mom placed a chicken leg in Lin Zhixia’s bowl. “The down payment on a large house would be quite substantial. Let’s buy a smaller one first, for you to live in. You can come back several times a week to eat and sleep, so we can take care of you.”

Lin Zhixia firmly replied, “No, no, no, I want to buy a large one. I can afford it.”

Lin Zeqiu reminded her, “You can’t bite off more than you can chew. A big house has a lot of mortgage pressure.”

The north wind howled, and the sound of falling snow made a rustling noise. Sitting in the warmth of her home, Lin Zhixia couldn’t help but feel more relaxed. She picked up a piece of tender, crispy beef, carefully dipped it in the sauce, and placed it in Lin Zeqiu’s bowl. “Brother, have some beef.”

Lin Zeqiu loved green pepper stir-fried beef the most. This dish, he never tired of eating.

As he took a bite of the beef, Lin Zhixia revealed, “I have a senior schoolmate who was selected for the ‘Youth Thousand Talents Program.'”

“Is it the Youth Thousand Program?” Lin Zeqiu asked.

Lin Zhixia began to enthusiastically discuss the benefits of the “Youth Thousand Program”: “Yes, the country provides a one-time subsidy of 500,000 yuan to ‘Youth Thousand’ talents, and our city’s university offers an additional 100,000 yuan bonus, which is tax-free. Moreover, Youth Thousand professors generally receive an annual salary starting from around 300,000 yuan, and research funding begins at several million. I won’t have to worry about research funding. I can recruit graduate students and train them to become the next generation of talents… I’m very happy.”

Mom sat beside Lin Zhixia. She reached out and stroked Lin Zhixia’s head, and Lin Zhixia said coquettishly, “Mom, I miss you so much when I’m abroad.”

Mom replied, “Mom misses Xiaxia too.”

But Dad was asking in a daze, “Xiaxia, is what you just said all true?”

Lin Zhixia nodded, “Of course it’s true.”

Dad pulled out a tissue and wiped his face.

His face glowed red.

He had some white hair, which shone blindingly in the light.

He ran his hand from his forehead backward, smoothing down his temples, while muttering continuously, “That’s wonderful, Xiaxia. Ah, Dad will have a couple more drinks. Don’t let your mother stop me. The feeling in Dad’s heart is so gratifying. Xiaxia is talented and can even nurture more talent. Dad and Mom are proud of you.”

Mom also said, “Dad and Mom have saved some money over the years. We’ll give you all our savings. See if it’s enough for the down payment on a large house?”

Lin Zhixia politely declined her mother’s offer.

In front of her family, Lin Zhixia calculated openly, “I earned over 300,000 during my undergraduate years. In these two years of doctoral studies, I’ve received scholarships and worked as a teaching assistant, saving 140,000. Next year I’ll save another 400,000, plus the various subsidies from the ‘Youth Thousand Program,’ I’ll have about 2.4 million in cash, enough for my down payment.”

The series of astronomical figures reported by Lin Zhixia made Lin Zeqiu forget to chew the food in his mouth.

After hearing about Lin Zhixia’s income, Lin Zeqiu inevitably thought of Jiang Yubai.

On the way home, Dad had told Lin Zeqiu that Xiaxia was an adult now and had seen more of the world than they had. As her father, he couldn’t show his concerns and should try to support Xiaxia and young Jiang, not making Xiaxia feel caught between her family and Jiang Yubai.

Lin Zeqiu had taken these words to heart.

Lin Zeqiu had pounded the railing at the airport exit with full force. Now, several hours later, his palm still throbbed with pain. Whenever he thought about how Jiang Yubai had tricked Lin Zhixia into living together and taught her to lie, he couldn’t contain his anger.

His sister had finally come home for a visit, and Lin Zeqiu didn’t want to harshly criticize her and ruin the family atmosphere, so he simply stopped mentioning Jiang Yubai.

While Lin Zeqiu deliberately avoided the three words “Jiang Yubai,” Lin Zhixia brought him up herself: “By the way, Jiang Yubai will also help me manage the ‘Quantum Technology Laboratory’ and serve as a nominal position at an internet company. This way, I can focus my main energy on scientific research.”

Strangely, the family’s response wasn’t enthusiastic.

The silence in the living room extended.

In the vast night sky, snowflakes fluttered down, forming a layer of pure white snow on the windowsill. Dad glanced outside before coming up with a response: “Dad and Mom don’t understand internet companies or laboratories. Xiaxia, make your own decisions, but be careful. If anything happens, tell Dad and Mom, and we’ll figure it out together as a family.”

Lin Zhixia was eating shrimp dumplings. She had used up all the vinegar in her bowl, so Mom poured her more and asked, “How does young Jiang treat you? Mom doesn’t know him well, but he seems to have a good temperament.”

Lin Zhixia seized the opportunity to boost Jiang Yubai’s image: “Jiang Yubai has an excellent temperament, very gentle. He never loses his temper, remains calm and composed in all situations, neither arrogant nor impatient, with a stable personality. He thinks quickly, has strong reflexes, and I enjoy talking with him… We’ve been talking for ten years, often exchanging diaries and notes. His writing style is as interesting as he is. He is devoted to me wholeheartedly…”

Lin Zhixia almost said, “He is reserved and chaste.”

Fortunately, she stopped herself in time.

Then, she suddenly realized that she rarely mentioned Jiang Yubai in front of her parents.

Jiang Yubai had given her so much emotional support, and she had kept all that support as a secret buried in her heart.

Now, Lin Zhixia was frank: “I used to be very timid, and Jiang Yubai often encouraged me…”

Her voice grew softer: “From childhood to adulthood, he always said, You are excellent, be brave and move forward.”

“Young Jiang is a good child,” Dad commented with a slightly drunken tone.

Mom’s attitude was still unclear: “Does young Jiang have time to come to our home again? Let Dad and Mom chat with him. Today at the airport wasn’t convenient to talk in detail.”

Lin Zeqiu let out a cold laugh.

He hadn’t yet told his parents that Lin Zhixia and Jiang Yubai were already living together.

Lin Zhixia suddenly looked at him.

Her eyes were clear and pure, like melting snow and ice on a high mountain. He ultimately couldn’t bear to put her in an awkward position and ended up helping her conceal the fact of their cohabitation.

Subsequently, a more severe challenge arrived.

Lin Zeqiu had to take on the responsibility of his parents.

He needed to explain clearly to Lin Zhixia the risks of a girl living with a man.

He spent a long time mentally preparing himself.

By late night, after ten o’clock, the light in Lin Zhixia’s room was still on.

Lin Zeqiu steeled himself, knocked on his sister’s door, and strode into the room. His sister looked at him with confusion as he brought over a chair, intending to have a heart-to-heart talk with her.

Lin Zeqiu had thought it through carefully. Jiang Yubai had attracted Lin Zhixia with his “gentle and calm” personality. If Lin Zeqiu continued to simply blame his sister, it would only push her further away.

Therefore, Lin Zeqiu changed his previously fierce and strict attitude, and his lips even managed to squeeze out a slight curve. He said, “There’s something you must know.”

Lin Zhixia stared at his expression and shuddered, “I just got home. Don’t scold me again.”

Lin Zeqiu frowned slightly. “I wasn’t planning to scold you.”

Lin Zhixia asked quietly, “Aren’t you just trying to talk to me about living together?”

Lin Zeqiu’s composure instantly crumbled. He put on a cold face again.

Lin Zhixia was drawing.

In her picture were blue skies, clear waters, flying fish, and sea birds.

She was in a good mood and said softly, “Are you going to tell me to be careful? Don’t worry, I won’t make you an uncle at such a young age. Jiang Yubai and I haven’t reached that stage yet.”

Lin Zeqiu stood up, supporting himself against the table.

“What’s wrong, brother?” Lin Zhixia asked him.

“I’m leaving,” Lin Zeqiu said coldly, hurriedly departing from Lin Zhixia’s bedroom.

His sister was indeed very smart. He thought perhaps he didn’t need to worry about her at all.

*

On the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, Jiang Yubai woke up early.

He had received Lin Zhixia’s invitation to visit her parents today.

Jiang Yubai told his family about this.

His uncle immediately said, “Xiao Jiang, this is important. You must make a good impression in front of your future in-laws.”

His aunt reminded him, “Don’t forget to bring gifts. For a formal visit, don’t go empty-handed.”

Uncle put his arm around Aunt’s shoulder, “My wife is so thoughtful. What good things do we have at home? Ask the butler to prepare several items, and Uncle and Aunt will help you choose. When I first visited your aunt’s home, I didn’t make a single mistake…”

Compared to his uncle and aunt’s enthusiastic attitude, his parents were more composed. His father told Jiang Yubai to be polite at his girlfriend’s home, and his mother asked him to come back early in the evening as there was a dinner party at home.

But Jiang Yubai said, “I’ll have dinner at their house in the evening.”

Mother put down her teacup and said gently, “That’s fine then. It’s good for you to spend more time with them.”

That morning, Jiang Yubai bathed, burned incense, changed into a new set of clothes and shoes, and, carrying several bags of expensive gifts, personally drove a Rolls-Royce Phantom to Lin Zhixia’s Ancheng community.

Jiang Yubai parked his Rolls-Royce not far from Lin Zhixia’s building.

He picked up a bunch of paper bags, carrying his uncle and aunt’s eager expectations, and walked slowly toward Lin Zhixia’s doorstep.

In recent years, the driveway of the Ancheng community had been renovated, making the road straight and neat, though the snow had not melted on both sides of the road. Lin Zhixia ran out wearing a pair of rubber shoes and greeted him warmly, “You’re here! I’ve been waiting for you for a long time. Come in quickly, I made lychee mousse cake.”

Before Lin Zhixia finished speaking, another Lexus sedan drove by nearby.

The moment the car door opened, Lin Zhixia frowned slightly.

Lin Zhixia stood in place, not saying a word.

Just as Jiang Yubai was wondering what was wrong with Lin Zhixia, he heard her say emotionlessly, “Uncle, Aunt, Cousin, good morning.”