Lin Zhixia’s cousin was named Ke Zhuangzhi.

Ke Zhuangzhi was one year older than Lin Zhixia and was a junior at a key university in the provincial capital. He stood just over 1.8 meters tall, had a well-proportioned physique, regular features, and could be considered a spirited young man.

Although Ke Zhuangzhi and Lin Zhixia were relatives, they hadn’t seen each other for many years.

One day last October, Ke Zhuangzhi was scrolling through his social media feed when he saw a news article shared by one of his university classmates: “The ceiling of a genius beauty’s capabilities: 19-year-old solves world-class problem.”

Ke Zhuangzhi casually clicked on it and glimpsed Lin Zhixia’s brilliant resume.

A classmate from Ke Zhuangzhi’s class commented: “This Lin Zhixia is truly beautiful and genuinely impressive.”

That evening, Ke Zhuangzhi told his parents about this.

The three of them discussed it and reached a unanimous decision to repair their relationship with Lin Zhixia and Lin Zeqiu.

In another year, Ke Zhuangzhi would be studying abroad. He planned to apply to several prestigious universities in the United States, Britain, and Canada—all of which required him to provide a personal statement.

Ke Zhuangzhi’s undergraduate grades were not outstanding, and his internship and research experiences were average. If Lin Zhixia were willing to help him build connections with professors from Peking University, Tsinghua, Cambridge, and MIT, his master’s application results would be much better.

He hoped Professor Lin Zhixia knew how could write a few “academic recommendation letters” for him.

Lin Zhixia had already begun to make a name for herself in international academic circles, and the outside world was generally optimistic about her future development. When she eventually worked at a university, she would undoubtedly start as an associate professor, with incomparable resources and connections. Befriending her would only bring benefits, not drawbacks.

Considering this, Ke Zhuangzhi called out to Lin Zhixia: “Xiaxia?”

Lin Zhixia did not react.

Today was the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month.

As was customary, Lin Zhixia’s parents would close their business from the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month until the third day of the new year before reopening.

With her uncle visiting today, Lin Zhixia’s feelings were quite ambivalent.

Her aunt gently reminded her: “Xiaxia, your cousin is talking to you.”

Uncle locked his Lexus and kept glancing at Jiang Yubai. Out of years of professional habit, he keenly perceived that Jiang Yubai was the owner of that luxury car and noticed an expensive watch on Jiang Yubai’s left wrist. He quickly asked, “Xiaxia, who is that young man to you?”

Jiang Yubai announced his status: “Hello, I’m Lin Zhixia’s boyfriend. Today is my formal visit to meet her parents…”

Before Jiang Yubai could finish, Uncle interrupted: “I’m a practicing lawyer at Yunshen Law Firm. You look familiar. Is your father our client, surname Zhou?”

Jiang Yubai understood this was a simple conversational tactic.

When strangers first meet and one wants to extract information from the other, asking directly might not yield an answer. At this point, one can deliberately propose an incorrect assumption and wait for the other person to correct it.

Jiang Yubai responded calmly: “I’m not very clear about family matters. I’ll ask when I get home.”

Lin Zhixia took Jiang Yubai’s hand, and Uncle followed behind them as they entered the house. Uncle continued asking: “Is your hometown in the provincial capital? Or are you from Beijing?”

Jiang Yubai responded like an old pro, evading the question: “Based on my accent, where do you think I’m from?”

“You don’t have an accent,” Uncle answered truthfully. “Your standard Mandarin is perfect.”

In the dimly lit corridor, the cement walls were painted white, and various small advertisements clung to the walls like psoriasis, filled with eye-catching phrases like “Professional Pipe Clearing” and “Professional Locksmith.”

Uncle seemed to kindly remind them: “Housing prices nationwide have been rising these past few years. Xiaxia, if your family can buy a house, you should buy early. Choose a good location; it’s a wise investment for you.”

After saying this, Uncle put his arm around Ke Zhuangzhi’s shoulder.

Ke Zhuangzhi was more concerned with another question. He turned to look at Jiang Yubai: “Which university do you attend?”

This time, Jiang Yubai didn’t conceal: “I’m Lin Zhixia’s classmate.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Zhixia opened their security door, bringing in four guests, including Jiang Yubai and Uncle’s family.

The aroma of stir-fried beef wafted from the kitchen, and the living room of a dozen square meters suddenly became crowded and chaotic.

Two brand-new electric heaters had been moved beside the sofa, and one seat was covered with a woolen blanket—this was the spot Lin Zhixia had specially prepared for Jiang Yubai.

In Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, the “Princess and the Pea” could feel a pea beneath twenty layers of swan-feather mattresses. In Lin Zhixia’s eyes, Jiang Yubai was somewhat like a “prince on the pea.”

Lin Zhixia’s family sofa had been used for many years, and her parents had never been willing to buy a new one. The old sofa’s cover had split open in places, revealing pale yellow foam surrounded by rough, worn leather.

That morning, Lin Zhixia had taken out her most treasured woolen blanket to cover the damaged areas.

Unexpectedly, Ke Zhuangzhi sat down right on the woolen blanket.

Lin Zhixia froze for a moment.

This woolen blanket was purchased by Lin Zhixia at a resort hotel in Switzerland. She usually couldn’t bear to use it, only occasionally placing it by her pillow as a blanket for her little penguin plush toy.

Lin Zeqiu knew how much Lin Zhixia cherished this small blanket.

His face visibly darkened.

He and Ke Zhuangzhi had never gotten along.

When they were children in their rural hometown, these cousins fought constantly. Whenever they met, intense hostility would erupt between them.

Before Lin Zeqiu could speak, Lin Zhixia directly said, “Cousin, could you please stand up? Give me back my woolen blanket.”

Auntie’s red lips parted slightly as she said with a smile, “Xiaxia is so straightforward. Why are you fussing over a blanket with family members? With the blanket cushioning the seat, Zhuangzhi sits more comfortably…”

Uncle was also trying to smooth things over. He used this as an opportunity to elaborate: “Xiaxia, Qiuqiu, how can family members hold grudges overnight? Blood is thicker than water. Your uncle and aunt came specially to see you today. Don’t be so particular.”

Lin Zhixia’s lips curved slightly in a smile: “If I wanted to be particular with you, I should start from over twenty years ago.”

More than twenty years ago, Lin Zhixia’s mother had excellent grades. But her grandfather’s family could only afford to send one child to university, so her mother gave the opportunity to study at university to her brother. She worked in a factory and often sent tuition and living expenses to her brother.

Later, Lin Zeqiu was born, unfortunately with congenital heart disease that urgently needed surgical treatment, and Uncle didn’t contribute a penny—based on this point alone, Uncle shouldn’t consider himself Lin Zeqiu’s “relative.”

As for cousin Ke Zhuangzhi…

Lin Zhixia’s impression of him was even worse.

When they were children in their rural hometown, Ke Zhuangzhi often used “heart disease” to mock Lin Zeqiu and called Lin Zhixia a “freak.” The war between these cousins had never ceased.

Ke Zhuangzhi could even make Lin Zhixia and Lin Zeqiu put aside their internal conflicts, as the siblings would become unprecedentedly united.

Recalling various childhood memories, Lin Zhixia’s tone became more assertive: “Please get up. Don’t sit on my things.”

Lin Zhixia’s father had gone to the supermarket storage room to get drinks, while her mother was busy in the kitchen with the exhaust fan running.

With neither parent in the living room, no one could control Lin Zhixia.

Lin Zhixia grabbed one corner of the woolen blanket, making Ke Zhuangzhi particularly embarrassed. As a guest, how could he be treated so rudely by the host? Not even worthy of a decent cushion?

Ke Zhuangzhi was young and impulsive. With anger in his heart, he pressed down hard on the other side of the blanket.

However, in the next second, both Jiang Yubai and Lin Zeqiu helped Lin Zhixia. The three of them forcefully pulled the woolen blanket away together, nearly causing Ke Zhuangzhi to fall off the sofa. Ke Zhuangzhi steadied himself on the sofa, his face flushed red with shock and anger: “Is it necessary? Just for this one blanket!”

Lin Zeqiu sneered: “Just for this one blanket, and you won’t give it back to my sister? You even try to fight her for it?”

Lin Zeqiu had originally not wanted to make things too awkward. Having interned at an internet company for almost a year, he had learned some interpersonal skills and usually tried to avoid confrontations with others. Moreover, with the New Year approaching, arguments at home would only trouble his parents.

Lin Zeqiu turned his head slightly and saw an impatient expression on his aunt’s face as she glared fiercely at Lin Zhixia.

A fire instantly flared up in Lin Zeqiu’s heart, and he no longer cared about “face” or “dignity,” ready to say the most unpleasant things.

He looked at Ke Zhuangzhi: “You’re getting older but not smarter. Told to return the blanket and you won’t, told not to come to my house and you still come. Tell us, what brings you here today? Say it quickly and get out quickly.”

Ke Zhuangzhi was burning with anger.

Outside, it was cold. Ke Zhuangzhi and his parents had prepared gifts and come to his aunt’s house for New Year’s greetings, yet they couldn’t even sit down properly and were still being humiliated by Lin Zeqiu.

All these years, Lin Zeqiu’s family had been dirt poor, never able to hold their heads high in front of Ke Zhuangzhi. Now the tables had turned, and Ke Zhuangzhi was fuming. He immediately lashed out: “You think too highly of yourself. Who cares about your blanket?”

Lin Zeqiu cursed even more fiercely: “If you don’t care, then get out quickly!”

Jiang Yubai aligned with Lin Zeqiu, though his wording was more polite: “Let me see you out.”

Ke Zhuangzhi thought Jiang Yubai had a softer temperament and vented his anger on him: “Who are you anyway?”

Jiang Yubai suddenly laughed: “I’m an ordinary person. After the age of three, when visiting someone’s home, I don’t rummage around, touch things, or speak out of turn.”

Lin Zeqiu added fuel to the fire: “Ke Zhuangzhi, how old are you now?”

Jiang Yubai immediately responded: “Can’t guess.”

Lin Zeqiu laughed heartily.

This form of provocation without obscenities opened the door to a new world for Lin Zeqiu. He and Jiang Yubai instinctively played off each other, leaving Lin Zhixia too surprised to speak.

Jiang Yubai and Lin Zeqiu had originally been in a severely antagonistic relationship, yet now they cooperated seamlessly, as if they had practiced for years. Ke Zhuangzhi couldn’t compete verbally against the two of them. He was repeatedly battered and was so angry his stomach felt full.

Uncle, having seen many client disputes, calmly interjected: “Alright, alright, you children, stop arguing. Everyone, sit down. How can family members speak as if they’re strangers…” He went to the kitchen: “Little sister, little sister?”

This call brought Lin Zhixia’s mother out.

Mom was wearing an apron and holding a spatula. Looking at the people in the living room, her brows involuntarily furrowed. She said, “Big brother, if you’re going to visit my home, at least call first.”

Uncle’s smile didn’t diminish: “Little sister, we siblings are family. Family doesn’t need formalities. You should visit my house when you’re free. These past two years, my work hasn’t been busy…”

But Mom said, “I am busy.”

Lin Zhixia righteously echoed: “Exactly!”

Uncle raised his hand, wanting to pat her head, but she dodged.

Uncle’s left hand hung in midair, his face showing some embarrassment.

Auntie also came over to pacify: “Xiaxia, your uncle and aunt always think of you. While you were studying abroad, we even thought of asking connections to go see you, bring you some food and necessities. We’re all relatives; helping each other is natural… Why are you getting so worked up?”

Auntie had a leather bag slung across her shoulder.

She unzipped the metal zipper of her purse and took out a Givenchy packaging bag containing a lipstick and an eye shadow palette. She said: “Take it. A girl should wear makeup and dress up more. Your aunt doesn’t have a daughter and wishes she had one…”

Lin Zhixia did not accept her aunt’s kindness.

In front of her whole family, Lin Zhixia asked the question that had been buried in her heart for years: “When my brother was sick back then, why didn’t you help at all? If not for my parents’ persistence, I wouldn’t have a brother now.”

Auntie’s expression changed slightly.

Lin Zhixia pursued relentlessly: “Are you going to say, ‘Helping others is kindness, not helping is one’s right’? But have you ever thought about why my mother gave up her chance to go to university for Uncle? When I was little, every time we went back to our hometown, you would tell me that your family was very wealthy, able to travel all over the world…”

Auntie flatly denied it: “You remember wrong. I would never say such things.”

Ke Zhuangzhi defended his mother: “Lin Zhixia, are you dreaming? Pinning false accusations on my mom.”

Lin Zhixia stared at him: “You’re the one dreaming. I remember everything, including every word you’ve ever said.”

Ke Zhuangzhi was forced to take two steps back by her gaze: “No, Lin Zhixia, you’re being obstinate. Didn’t you curse people when you were young? Never said dirty words? Just the things your brother said to me were worse than a fishwife’s scolding.”

Lin Zhixia countered: “So what?”

Jiang Yubai, as an outsider, wasn’t really in a position to interfere in Lin Zhixia’s family matters. Everyone in this room, except for him, had legitimate blood relations. After quietly listening to the cause and effect, he shifted the focus in another direction: “Has the money owed from those years been repaid?”

With his reminder, Lin Zhixia immediately said: “Exactly! You still owe my family money! When are you going to repay it?”

Lin Zeqiu sarcastically remarked: “Lin Zhixia’s first question—why aren’t you saying anything? If none of you want to speak, I’ll say it: It doesn’t matter if you don’t repay the money you owe; you just wish I had died earlier.”

“Qiuqiu!” Mom sternly stopped him, “It’s almost New Year’s. Don’t say such things.”

Uncle’s voice rolled out from his throat: “I have regretted it, Qiuqiu. Your uncle truly regretted it. That winter, you were just born, I had just graduated, your grandparents had high blood pressure and needed medicine, I was short on money, didn’t know anyone in the provincial city, couldn’t establish roots… The money your mother gave me, a few dozen yuan at a time, wasn’t much, just for emergencies.”

Jiang Yubai and Lin Zhixia exchanged a glance, understanding each other’s thoughts.

Jiang Yubai interrupted Uncle’s words: “I study economics. A few dozen yuan from that era is equivalent to several thousand yuan today.”

Uncle let out a long sigh: “Your uncle made a mistake back then, but now I want to make amends. Although we’re two separate families, your mother still shares the same surname as me…”

Just at this moment, the front door was opened.

Lin Zhixia’s father had returned.

Lin Zhixia called out: “Dad!”

Dad was carrying several bottles of orange juice, cola, and milk, and let out a hissing sound: “So many people came?”

Jiang Yubai greeted him and took the heavy bottles from his hands, appearing every bit the refined, polite, and sensible young man.

The front door was wide open, and Lin Zeqiu blocked the gap with his foot, turning to tell Uncle, “You all should leave. Don’t stay in my house. Out of sight, out of mind.”

The son’s behavior was so crude and agitated that it made Dad’s movements stiffen slightly. Dad glanced at Mom, and seeing that she didn’t stop Lin Zeqiu, he understood the situation.

Dad said, “I’m sorry, elder brother-in-law, we have other guests at my house today.”

Jiang Yubai picked up the red wine and tea from the ground—these were the gifts brought by Uncle’s family. He handed them to Ke Zhuangzhi, who snatched the plastic bag. Jiang Yubai then said to him, “You came to find Lin Zhixia today because of studying abroad?”

Ke Zhuangzhi was secretly surprised that Jiang Yubai could guess his intentions.

It wasn’t hard to guess.

From the previous conversation, Jiang Yubai deduced that Uncle and Auntie placed great importance on Ke Zhuangzhi’s academic credentials—merely the credentials, not the education itself.

Jiang Yubai, appearing well-intentioned, advised in a low voice: “Don’t look for shortcuts; rely on your efforts. If you seek out professors from Peking University and Cambridge, what could you possibly discuss with them?”

Ke Zhuangzhi looked up and met Jiang Yubai’s eyes.

Ke Zhuangzhi thought: This guy acts well-behaved in front of Lin Zhixia’s parents, but he’s quite irritating. This bag of green tea should be given to him.

Ke Zhuangzhi took a deep breath of cold air. Carrying the two bags of gifts, he followed his parents out of Lin Zhixia’s home.

Outside, it was snowing again.

Fine snowflakes fluttered down, and the world was shrouded in misty fog. Lin Zhixia leaned against the doorframe and said once more: “Uncle, if you truly regret it, then don’t contact us again. This isn’t about money; the emotional connection has long been broken. There’s no use trying to remedy it now.”

Uncle’s figure paused for a moment.

But he didn’t turn back.

He held his son’s hand with his left hand and his wife’s with his right, walking into the pale, snowy landscape.

*

After seeing off the unexpected visitors, Lin Zeqiu’s mood improved. He slowly closed the door, exhaling a breath of turbid air. Jiang Yubai then asked him: “Can I add you on WeChat today?”

Lin Zeqiu glanced at him, recalling how protective he had been of Lin Zhixia, and inexplicably agreed: “Sure, go ahead.”