To promote a “fair and equal” corporate culture, the internet company where Lin Zeqiu worked required every employee to adopt an English name. Colleagues addressed each other by these English names, avoiding honorifics like “President X” or “Manager X.”

When Lin Zeqiu was repeatedly called “Brother Qiu” by his former classmate, it drew frequent glances from colleagues. Lin Zeqiu couldn’t help feeling annoyed and coldly asked: “What do you have to say that can’t be said here?”

The classmate hurriedly explained: “Your sister is a celebrity from our high school. Her name is in the Provincial No. 1 High School’s alumni archives…”

Lin Zeqiu placed his tray on the table, the stainless steel utensils making a light “clang.” He sat down and took a few bites before asking: “You want to meet my sister?”

The classmate awkwardly admitted, “Just to make friends.”

Lin Zeqiu replied: “She’s very busy. Don’t bother her unless you have something important.”

Despite Lin Zeqiu’s cold attitude, the classmate didn’t lose heart. After gathering his thoughts for a moment, he revealed his true intentions. It turned out he had a cousin named Meng Liansi, who had just turned thirty and worked at the best university in the provincial capital—she was a lecturer in theoretical physics, not yet promoted to associate professor.

Lin Zeqiu thought his classmate wanted to discuss career development, but unexpectedly, the classmate said that his cousin was over thirty and still not dating, which greatly worried her family. Therefore, he wanted to introduce his cousin to Lin Zeqiu, and himself to Lin Zhixia—sister paired with brother, sister paired with brother, adding kinship upon kinship, joy upon joy. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?

Lin Zeqiu thought to himself: Get lost.

He put on a stern face: “Focus on writing your code, don’t think about these irrelevant matters.”

The classmate persisted: “My cousin is quite attractive, with a mature vibe, highly educated, a high professional title…”

Lin Zeqiu smiled sarcastically: “Enough, worry about yourself. My sister already has a boyfriend. Don’t bring this up with me again. We weren’t in the same class in high school, so you don’t understand what kind of person I am. I’m in a career growth phase and don’t want to waste a woman’s time.”

Lin Zeqiu’s final sentence closed all possible avenues. The high school classmate walked away sheepishly, while Lin Zeqiu continued eating. The beef rice bowl was tender and flavorful, each grain of rice soaked with drops of sauce. After finishing the meal, Lin Zeqiu was in a fairly good mood. He worked diligently all afternoon, and after leaving work in the evening, he bought a box of strawberries at a nearby fruit store before taking the company shuttle home.

*

Lin Zeqiu never imagined that tonight, Lin Zhixia would again not come home.

Lin Zhixia called her mother. She explained with sound reasoning: “I want to establish a quantum technology laboratory, and Jiang Yubai has prepared a ‘Business Plan.’ I need to discuss business cooperation with Jiang Yubai, Mom, so I won’t be coming home tonight…”

Her mother had turned on the speakerphone. Lin Zeqiu heard Lin Zhixia’s voice and directly asked her: “Are you coming back tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow morning,” Lin Zhixia said, “Jiang Yubai will drive me home.”

Lin Zeqiu didn’t respond further.

Her mother repeatedly reminded Lin Zhixia to be careful, and Lin Zhixia detected something in her tone.

During the year Lin Zhixia worked in America, Jiang Yubai often visited her family. He never came empty-handed, always bringing various gifts. However, Lin Zhixia felt that her mother still didn’t quite trust Jiang Yubai.

After hanging up, Lin Zhixia became thoughtful.

Jiang Yubai and Lin Zhixia sat in a restaurant with a dining table carved from white marble, blending seamlessly with the floor. This table surely costs at least five figures. Lin Zhixia gently tapped the cool tabletop and mused: “After so many years of human social development, why do we still use currency to exchange goods and services?”

Jiang Yubai peeled a giant lobster for her: “More valuable than currency is reputation.”

Lin Zhixia stared at him for a moment: “By reputation, do you mean fame, influence, achievements… things like that?”

Jiang Yubai wiped his hands with a wet tissue and began discussing “the causes of the 2008 subprime crisis” with Lin Zhixia, from “market confidence” to “Lehman Brothers’ bad debts.” Finally, he changed direction and stated directly: “From a reputation perspective, you’re wealthier than I am.”

Lin Zhixia roughly grasped Jiang Yubai’s meaning.

Financial institutions allowing unqualified borrowers to successfully secure home loans was one cause of the 2008 subprime crisis. Later, the collapse of market confidence led to the bursting of the real estate bubble, with Lehman Brothers declaring bankruptcy. Lehman Brothers was an investment bank and international financial institution. Jiang Yubai also owned investment companies. He took Lehman Brothers as a cautionary tale, yet couldn’t avoid the business risks caused by “market confidence.” In contrast, Lin Zhixia’s reputation was entirely self-determined and self-earned; her academic credentials were the best proof of herself.

Lin Zhixia tasted a piece of lobster before saying, “You’re always indirectly complimenting me.”

Jiang Yubai poured her a small glass of strawberry wine: “I’m just stating facts.”

Lin Zhixia raised the glass and took a sip, the wine staining her lips a tempting red. She enjoyed the taste of strawberry wine—its sweet and sour flavor mixed with the aromas of alcohol and strawberries was truly delicious. She couldn’t help picking up the bottle and taking a large gulp, but Jiang Yubai immediately stopped her: “Don’t drink like that, your alcohol tolerance isn’t good.”

“It’s fine,” Lin Zhixia replied, “I never get dizzy no matter what I drink.”

Jiang Yubai made a skeptical sound: “Really?”

Lin Zhixia pulled her chair closer to him: “Really, trust me.”

She gazed at him quietly, her eyes bright and expectant.

Jiang Yubai inexplicably felt his mouth go dry. He took away Lin Zhixia’s wine glass, used her glass to take a sip of wine, then leaned to whisper something in her ear. The strawberry-scented wine breath spread continuously, making her increasingly shy and bashful: “You…”

Jiang Yubai kissed her reddening earlobe: “I what?”

Lin Zhixia didn’t answer.

She stood up from her seat and ran away quickly.

She inadvertently ran into Jiang Yubai’s bedroom. Jiang Yubai followed her in and locked the door behind him. She suddenly found it thrilling because Jiang Yubai usually indulged her every whim, allowing her to do as she pleased. Situations like tonight were rare, and she had always loved seeking new experiences. She laughed softly, kicked off her slippers, walked barefoot on the floor, and disappeared into the bathroom doorway.

Jiang Yubai paused his steps.

Lin Zhixia leaned against the doorframe, showing only half her face: “Come in quickly.”

Her tone was coquettish, with rising intonation, like a water nymph from ancient legends luring travelers toward water.

Jiang Yubai could still maintain ample patience. After all, he was long accustomed to self-restraint. He turned off his phone, ensured the door was securely locked, activated the do-not-disturb mode for the doorbell, and finally turned off the bedroom lights. In complete darkness, he entered the bathroom, falling into a bright world of surging water.

*

Late at night, Jiang Yubai carried Lin Zhixia back to bed. They were like newlyweds on their honeymoon, inseparable and devoted to each other. Lin Zhixia was tired and sleepy, yet mentally excited, unable to fall asleep. Her mind replayed last night and tonight, she couldn’t help secretly making comparisons. Her sensory memories reawakened, and in the darkness, it seemed like a raging wildfire burned from her heart to her ears.

Jiang Yubai felt her body heating up and quickly asked: “Are you feeling unwell?”

Lin Zhixia, like someone caught doing something wrong, explained without conviction: “I’m not feeling unwell at all.”

Jiang Yubai questioned her several times, and unable to find a suitable excuse, she simply told the truth. As soon as she finished speaking, she immediately hid under the covers, only to be pulled out by Jiang Yubai. He held her with disheveled clothes, kissed her cheeks, repeatedly calling her “Xiaxia.” When emotions ran high, he restrained himself, softly coaxing her to sleep.

Jiang Yubai’s embrace was incredibly reliable. Lin Zhixia became increasingly relaxed. She yawned: “I need to sleep now.”

“Sleep,” he said, “I’ll sleep with you.”

Lin Zhixia’s consciousness grew hazy: “I still want to hear you tell a story…”

Jiang Yubai was intrigued: “What story?”

Lin Zhixia’s voice grew softer, her tone unclear: “The adult version of ‘Exploring the Universe.'”

Jiang Yubai inhaled the faint fragrance in her hair and murmured: “Lin Zhixia and Jiang Yubai landed on a strange planet, where there were only the two of them…”

“For the continuation of humanity,” Lin Zhixia added half-asleep, “Lin Zhixia decided that she would do… with Jiang Yubai…”

Do what with Jiang Yubai?

Jiang Yubai waited for Lin Zhixia to describe in detail the human reproduction history on the strange planet, but after waiting a long time, Lin Zhixia didn’t say another word. He completely abandoned the adult version of “Exploring the Universe.” He held her closer, kissed her cheek again, and gradually drifted into sleep.

*

Early the next morning, Jiang Yubai drove Lin Zhixia home.

Lin Zhixia parted with him at the entrance of Ancheng Residences, and he took a detour to go to work. His work efficiency was higher than usual, processing documents much faster. Even when he noticed that a subsidiary’s annual performance was utterly dismal, he felt no disturbance in his heart. During a midday video chat with his elders, he mentioned that company in passing, and his grandfather told him: “A new company was divided off last year, only given to you to manage this year. Losses are common, it’s not a big deal. Do things your way.”

Jiang Yubai took out a document and shifted the topic to the “Quantum Technology Laboratory.” His team had already drafted a contract, and he signed his name on it. His grandfather reminded him: “Be careful with new industry investments.”

Jiang Yubai declared: “I’ll be responsible for profits and losses.”

He strongly believed in Lin Zhixia’s abilities.

Lin Zhixia had not yet received the university’s formal appointment document. However, the vice dean had already contacted Lin Zhixia, hoping she could teach a course called “Quantum Bits and Computers” for third-year undergraduate students in the Interdisciplinary College—students from mathematics, physics, computer science, and electronic engineering departments could also select this course.

The vice dean also mentioned that with both research and teaching responsibilities on her shoulders, the pressure on young faculty would be considerable. If Lin Zhixia didn’t want to teach, the college leadership would understand.

Lin Zhixia immediately responded: “It’s no problem, I enjoy teaching. I will prepare lessons carefully, ready teaching materials, assignments, and exam questions, looking forward to the new semester in September.”

The vice dean was gratified: “Great, wonderful, Professor Lin, the students await you this September.”