The cold wind was biting, sharp as a blade, stinging Chai Yang’s face.
Chai Yang’s center of gravity tilted backward, his mind went blank. Words like “Yangyang Livestream,” “betting agreement,” and “Jiang Science Software” vanished without a trace. Years of ambition turned to nothing, and a sudden ringing pierced his eardrums.
He was about to die.
Baiqi Building stood a hundred meters tall.
Looking out from the top-floor window, cars on the street resembled toy models.
Four people stood by the window: Nie Tianqing, Jiang Yubai, Lin Zhixia, and Secretary Shen.
Jiang Yubai, quick-eyed and swift-handed, grabbed Chai Yang’s leg. In that instant, he exerted tremendous strength, veins bulging on his arm beneath his coat. He regularly bench-pressed over two hundred jin in his workouts, while Chai Yang weighed less than seventy kilograms. He lowered his center of gravity and pulled Chai Yang down. Secretary Shen quickly lent a hand, and Chai Yang gradually regained consciousness.
Chai Yang desperately clamped onto the window frame, shouting: “Save me! CEO Jiang!”
Lin Zhixia slapped the alarm button.
A few seconds earlier, Lin Zhixia’s view had been blocked by Nie Tianqing, so she hadn’t seen Chai Yang’s movements. But she noticed that Chai Yang had said “CEO Jiang save me,” not “Nie Tianqing save me,” and that Nie Tianqing was standing still like a bystander. Afraid Nie Tianqing might interfere, she positioned herself between Nie Tianqing and Jiang Yubai.
Nie Tianqing lifted his eyelids, and Lin Zhixia said coldly, “Take my advice and calm down. Assistants and security are nearby. If you stop now, Chai Yang has no evidence. If you make another move, you’ll spend the rest of your life in prison.”
Nie Tianqing couldn’t help but remark: “You are clever.”
“You’re not stupid either,” Lin Zhixia retorted, “You have quite the patience.”
While Lin Zhixia and Nie Tianqing were talking, Jiang Yubai and Secretary Shen had already pulled Chai Yang inside. Many staff from the CEO’s office rushed over. Security guards surrounded Jiang Yubai protectively, while Chai Yang lay flat on the ground with his arms outstretched.
The marble floor was snow-white and slightly reflective, highlighting several drops of bright red blood, nose blood flowing from Chai Yang due to extreme tension.
Secretary Shen knelt on one knee: “Mr. Chai?”
Lin Zhixia took Jiang Yubai’s right hand. Earlier, when saving Chai Yang’s life, he had used too much force, and his palm was scratched by the rough fabric of Chai Yang’s pants. But he acted as if nothing had happened and continued giving instructions: “Call the police, call an ambulance. Our company is downtown, there’s heavy foot traffic. Chai Yang almost jumped from the building; people below might have taken videos. Prepare a public relations statement…”
Hearing this, Secretary Shen immediately left Chai Yang. He pulled out a small notebook from his pocket, taking notes while saying: “Don’t worry, CEO Jiang, I’ll contact the PR and legal departments right away.”
It’s time to shine! Secretary Shen thought.
As the “Group’s First Secretary,” Secretary Shen always put his work first. He temporarily forgot about Chai Yang lying on the ground until Chai Yang coughed dully.
Chai Yang half-sat up, leaning against the wall, his face unprecedentedly pale—Lin Zhixia remembered clearly that the first time she met him at the coffee shop, his expression had been very similar.
Lin Zhixia observed him for a moment. He suddenly covered his face with both hands, as if organizing his thoughts.
“Mr. Chai,” Secretary Shen stood straight, “the ambulance will be here soon.”
Chai Yang didn’t respond.
Nie Tianqing blended into the crowd, retreating step by step. Taking advantage of the distraction, he left early.
Lin Zhixia glanced at Nie Tianqing’s receding figure, then turned to look at Chai Yang. She asked: “Do you still want to discuss equity distribution? The company buying back shares from departing employees is legal and reasonable. If you continue with the lawsuit, you definitely won’t win, and public opinion will be completely against you. It won’t benefit you.”
Chai Yang raised his chin, looking at Jiang Yubai.
He blinked heavily once, the creases of his eyelids visible.
Jiang Yubai’s secretary, assistant, the company’s management CEO, and investment manager all stood on the other side of the corridor. This group spoke in hushed tones, their volume extremely soft. Chai Yang faintly heard terms like “CEO Jiang.”
Chai Yang wiped his hair, murmuring: “CEO Jiang… saved me twice.”
This was the last sentence he spoke.
Lin Zhixia asked him: “Back then, when we met at the café, the investor who met with you didn’t take your business plan. Did you think that when you became successful, you could show them up? That when you became number one in some industry, you could make those who looked down on you regret it?”
Chai Yang stood up, supporting himself against the wall.
He didn’t respond to Lin Zhixia.
Lin Zhixia still generously said: “Professional investors have at least hundreds of projects in hand. Good luck to you.”
Chai Yang took a deep breath.
*
Around eight o’clock that evening, the local lifestyle channel broadcast an interview.
According to reports, at around 1:20 PM Beijing time, at the top floor of a building in the city’s financial district, “Yangyang Livestream” founder Chai Yang almost jumped off the building. Reporters who received the information rushed to the scene but missed him. Adhering to the tenacious spirit of media professionals, they managed to track him down to the hospital and finally found Chai Yang lying on a hospital bed receiving an IV.
Chai Yang agreed to an interview.
The camera focused on his haggard face.
The reporters were still waiting for sensational revelations, even uncertain whether those exposés could be published, while Chai Yang began speaking with unusual calmness: “I lost the court case, I wasn’t in a good mental state. I’ve seen all the criticism from netizens, and I agree with them. Friends who know me know that I came from the countryside to make it on my own, carrying heavy burdens on my shoulders, thin-skinned and concerned about my face. This afternoon, I wasn’t thinking straight and almost jumped, but fortunately, my investor saved me. I’ve deleted the videos I posted before… Jiang Science Software’s success is a blessing for me, the investors, and the employee team. Every investor has hundreds of projects. I’ve earned quite a bit of money over the years. For the contract dispute case, I’ve withdrawn the lawsuit. I shouldn’t have been impulsive; I thought too little and complained too much. I don’t understand the law. This morning’s court session made me reconsider… The court proceedings between Professor Lin and me can be found online… I’m still the same person I was before, the founder of Yangyang Livestream, leading my team to forge ahead, serving customers and society—that has always been my unchanging entrepreneurial purpose!”
Chai Yang delivered this speech fluently, without the slightest hesitation.
Lin Zhixia’s family sat with bowls in front of the television. Lin Zeqiu frowned and said, “Did he take the wrong medicine, taking all the responsibility onto himself?” Then he suspiciously added: “Does he have another move planned?”
“No more,” Lin Zhixia said mysteriously, “this matter is over for him.”
Lin Zhixia deliberately imitated Jiang Yubai.
She lowered her tone.
Lin Zeqiu admonished her: “Speak properly, make yourself clear.”
Lin Zhixia changed the subject: “You don’t need to worry about these things. How busy is work lately? I’m going to Hong Kong on a business trip next month and want to bring along a junior technical staff member. Your name is on the list of recommendations from the supervisor, brother.”
Lin Zeqiu narrowed his eyes slightly, looking like his favorite earthen dog emoji.
Lin Zhixia laughed: “In our company, everyone appreciates you.”
Indeed.
Lin Zeqiu often heard a phrase—Wow, you are Professor Lin’s brother.
He put down his bowl and solemnly asked: “When you go to Shanghai on your business trip, will Jiang Yubai go with you?”
“Of course,” Lin Zhixia said decisively, “Jiang Yubai will go.”
Lin Zeqiu picked up his bowl again. He held his chopsticks, poking at the rice in his bowl.
It was now 2017, and their family’s living conditions had greatly improved. Not only had they moved into a spacious, bright house, but the siblings’ jobs had become increasingly stable—Lin Zhixia’s performance was always more outstanding.
Quantum Technology Company had users all over the world, and Lin Zhixia’s income had risen accordingly.
She was no longer her former self.
Last Sunday, she went grocery shopping with Lin Zeqiu. At the seafood market, she didn’t even check price tags, just directly bagged the seafood, then told Lin Zeqiu: “Brother, let’s have a feast today. Mom and Dad have never eaten king crab. One for each of the four of us.”
How much did a king crab cost?
That exorbitant price made Lin Zeqiu’s heart skip a beat.
When Lin Zhixia was paying, Lin Zeqiu grabbed her wrist, applying a bit of force. Lin Zhixia said: “I’ve earned quite a bit of money and want to treat you and Mom and Dad to something nice… Before, in our family, Mom and Dad wouldn’t eat shrimp dumplings, wouldn’t eat beef, lamb, or fish. They always saved the best things for you and me.”
Lin Zeqiu slowly released her hand.
He was convinced by his sister.
That night, the four of them enjoyed a king crab feast at home—the delicate, tender crab meat melted in their mouths, the rich, fragrant aroma lingering in the dining room, lasting for a long time.
Occasional luxury consumption in life could bring tremendous happiness.
At that time, Lin Zhixia had also said at the table: “I want to take you all to a coastal city, for seafood, to eat to your heart’s content.”
Lin Zeqiu assumed that for Lin Zhixia’s Hong Kong business trip, business would come first, personal matters second, and she would take the family traveling on the side.
He didn’t say it explicitly, but he was looking forward to it.
*
The Hong Kong business trip was scheduled for early April.
Before leaving the provincial capital, Lin Zhixia made a phone call to Chai Yang.
Chai Yang had changed a lot recently. He often went to burn incense at an ancient temple in the suburbs. The temple was prosperous with constant smoky incense. He sat under an old tree and answered Lin Zhixia’s call.
Accompanied by the resounding temple bell, Chai Yang began: “Professor Lin, CEO Jiang has communicated with me.”
Lin Zhixia hit the nail on the head: “About the cause and effect of your resignation?”
“Yes, mmm.” After saying these two words, Chai Yang fell silent for a few seconds, then said: “Professor Lin, I’m sorry.”
He sat on the damp ground after a rain, the moist soil making his trouser legs slightly damp. He ignored the gazes of passersby, stretched out his legs, leaned against the tree trunk, as if returning to the fields of his hometown.
The sky was blue, his mind wandered far away, and inadvertently, he said again: “I’m sorry.”
He hoped Lin Zhixia would reply “it’s okay,” but her response exceeded his expectations: “People only live for a few short decades. Do things that bring you peace of mind, and bear the consequences they bring.”
Her words contained multiple deep meanings, both an angel’s blessing and a devil’s admonition.
Chai Yang responded vaguely, then hung up.
The online war between Chai Yang and Lin Zhixia had lasted for half a year, finally ending with a public apology video released by Chai Yang. He appeared very sincere in the video, not only saying “sorry” to Lin Zhixia three times but also bowing in apology.
After watching the video, Tang Tingting’s mind became active. She captured several screenshots and made a string of emoticons of Chai Yang.
In the spirit of “selfless dedication,” Tang Tingting shared this set of emoticons for free in their close friends group. Duan Qiyan immediately replied: “Don’t keep photos of such a scoundrel on your phone.”
Lin Zhixia echoed: “Hahahahaha.”
Tang Tingting sent Lin Zhixia a heart.
Duan Qiyan followed suit, also sending a bunch of “ha” characters, but Tang Tingting treated him differently: “What are you laughing at? Aren’t you in class?”
Duan Qiyan replied: “I just finished a class and am grading papers in the office.”
Tang Tingting didn’t say anything more.
Their WeChat group fell silent.
Now, Duan Qiyan was a mathematics competition coach at the Provincial No. 1 High School. He had gone through three rounds of interviews and numerous selections before obtaining this precious job.
Duan Qiyan’s monthly after-tax income was nearly twenty thousand yuan. Provincial No. 1 High School had also assigned him a ninety-square-meter two-bedroom apartment close to the school. Duan Qiyan’s life had become extremely regular—he woke up at seven every day, jogged downstairs for morning exercise, returned home for a shower, changed clothes, and went to work. On workdays, he had all three meals at the school cafeteria. On weekends, he would date Tang Tingting and take her to restaurants.
Duan Qiyan and Tang Tingting had been dating for several months, but their relationship wasn’t progressing as smoothly as he had imagined. Occasionally, when facing thorny issues, he would seek advice from Jiang Yubai, since Jiang Yubai was the first among his circle of friends to get engaged.
Jiang Yubai taught him a four-character motto: “Gentle and considerate.”
Regarding these four characters, Jiang Yubai didn’t elaborate further, just letting Duan Qiyan comprehend and understand on his own.
Duan Qiyan was very confident in his comprehension abilities.
Last Saturday, Duan Qiyan invited Tang Tingting to his home and personally cooked a table full of dishes for her. After just two bites, she said: “Husband, was cooking tiring for you? Let me wipe your sweat.”
While she wiped his forehead with a tissue, she calculated: “Your cooking skills are really good, you’re quite capable. After we get married, you’ll be responsible for grocery shopping and cooking. I have a lot going on at work, so I can come home to ready-made meals.”
After hearing this, Duan Qiyan casually replied: “I have a lot going on at school, too.” He emphasized: “I’m not a slacker.”
Tang Tingting hooked her arm around his shoulder and teased: “How busy can a teacher be? When we were in high school, which teacher stayed at school all day? The academic affairs office didn’t even require teachers to keep office hours.”
Duan Qiyan used one of their mutual friends as an example: “Lin Zhixia is also a teacher, and she’s busy all day long like a spinning wheel.”
Tang Tingting raised her chopsticks: “Why are you comparing yourself to her? She’s a university professor with her research group, several graduate students, responsible for national-level projects, and tackling technical challenges for the company…”
Duan Qiyan squeezed out a cold laugh from his throat.
That day, he got angry.
His manifestation of anger was not washing the dishes.
Tang Tingting didn’t notice this at all.
Tang Tingting sat on the sofa and watched a romantic movie, “A Moment to Remember,” with him. In the movie, the protagonists were toyed with by fate, loving each other but unable to stay together. Tang Tingting was deeply moved. She cried profusely, eventually falling onto Duan Qiyan’s lap, sobbing: “So tragic, they’re both so tragic. The male lead went blind, the female lead married the second male lead, I feel so sorry for them…”
Duan Qiyan murmured, “Why don’t you feel sorry for me…”
He sighed: “I’m a real person.”
The background noise from the TV was loud, and Tang Tingting didn’t hear him. She lifted the hem of his clothes and asked carelessly: “What are you mumbling about?”
Duan Qiyan didn’t answer.
From that day on, he hadn’t contacted Tang Tingting for a full four days. Tang Tingting didn’t reach out to him either. The two of them fell into an inexplicable cold war. For this reason, Duan Qiyan specifically consulted Jiang Yubai, whose answer simply made him despair.
Jiang Yubai said, “It’s okay, just four days. The other person is busy with work, be understanding.”
What kind of dog-headed military advisor was Jiang Yubai?
He didn’t have a shred of the pride and arrogance of a noble young master.
His method for resolving marital disputes was to simply surrender.
He was very skilled in business—Jiang Science Software was developing better and better, Baiqi Fund’s profits continued to rise, Quantum Technology Company’s performance was flourishing—but he was not a qualified relationship counselor.
Duan Qiyan stopped seeking advice from Jiang Yubai.
Taking advantage of Lin Zhixia’s appearance in the WeChat group, Duan Qiyan quickly sent her a private message: “I have a friend whose girlfriend hasn’t paid attention to him for four days…”
Lin Zhixia immediately reflected on herself.
She had indeed been busy again lately.
Her Quantum Technology Company had gained unanimous recognition in the industry. The governments and businesses collaborating with the company were quite satisfied. She received high attention from academic and industrial circles. Related research sprouted like bamboo shoots after rain, and the citation count of her papers skyrocketed in a short time.
This triggered a virtuous cycle.
The university placed increasing importance on Lin Zhixia. A group of undergraduates and master’s students hoped to become her disciples. Lin Zhixia even received emails from fellow PhDs asking if she could provide postdoctoral positions.
In recent days, Lin Zhixia had been interviewing undergraduates, master’s students, and doctoral students.
To expand her research group and improve team quality, Lin Zhixia had to ensure that students joining the group this year possessed solid foundations and stable mindsets. She devoted herself wholeheartedly to work as always, temporarily neglecting Jiang Yubai—this busy state had lasted exactly four days.
So, Lin Zhixia defended herself: “The girlfriend isn’t doing it on purpose. Family and career need to be balanced. She’s adjusting.”
Duan Qiyan thought: Remarkable, a genius is truly a genius. She immediately saw through that I was talking about Tang Tingting, and even helped persuade Tang Tingting for me.
Duan Qiyan felt somewhat moved. He replied: “Thank you.”
Lin Zhixia sent a question mark.
Duan Qiyan sent a “Chai Yang bowing” emoticon.
*
At around five in the evening that day, Jiang Yubai finished work. All his business operations were on track, and his workload had lightened considerably these days.
As the driver took him home, he looked out the window. The twilight scenery was picturesque, with the brilliant remnants of sunset coloring the high-rise buildings. His secretary couldn’t see his expression and tentatively called softly: “CEO Jiang.”
Jiang Yubai’s left hand rested casually on the leather armrest of his seat. He wore an extremely expensive mechanical watch with a deep black dial. Secretary Shen looked closely and reported the time: “It’s almost six o’clock.”
Jiang Yubai asked him: “What are your plans for tonight?”
Secretary Shen lowered his head slightly, pushing up the glasses on his nose bridge: “Checking the first quarter reports, rereading the managers’ annotations, confirming next week’s schedule arrangements…”
He was about to say “waiting for your electronic review” when Jiang Yubai interrupted: “International economic indicators have changed, new policies have been issued, the investment research group has modified the structural model, and I need to attend a group meeting next Monday. I’ll be traveling to Hong Kong on Tuesday. You stay at the company and submit the profit analysis results for this quarter as soon as possible.”
Secretary Shen nodded repeatedly.
The sedan moved forward smoothly, and Jiang Yubai added, “Get some rest when appropriate.”
Secretary Shen agreed without hesitation: “CEO Jiang, I’ll rest on the weekend.”
A moment later, he suddenly remembered something, sat up slightly straighter, and placed his palms on his knees: “CEO Jiang, we’ve roughly figured out the situation with Nie Tianqing.”
At this point, he paused.
The changing light of twilight shone on Jiang Yubai’s profile. Secretary Shen realized that he was almost expressionless. He still said calmly: “Continue.”
Secretary Shen reported truthfully: “Mr. Nie’s family ran a small factory, originally borrowing from banks. Later, the banks withdrew their loans, causing a cash flow disruption at the factory. His parents borrowed from private lenders, with interest rates ranging from three to four percent. They mortgaged their house to the creditors. Mr. Nie moved from ‘Taoyuan Riverside’ to ‘Ancheng Residential Complex.’ His family circumstances plummeted…”
“Taoyuan Riverside” was one of the city’s most famous wealthy areas.
As for “Ancheng Residential Complex,” it was an old-style residential building constructed in the 1980s, where Lin Zhixia’s family had previously lived.
Jiang Yubai had never heard Lin Zhixia mention Nie Tianqing; she probably didn’t know that Nie Tianqing had once been her neighbor. Jiang Yubai found this quite intriguing, while Secretary Shen continued diligently: “Mr. Nie’s family’s small factory… along with raw materials, patent rights, and independently developed equipment, was sold cheaply to…”
Jiang Yubai guessed: “Damei Construction Company?”
The chairman of Damei Construction Company was none other than Jiang Yubai’s mother.
Secretary Shen pressed his knees together and said in a businesslike tone: “Yes, CEO Jiang. Now the patent rights of that factory all belong to Damei Construction.”
Jiang Yubai’s mother managed multiple companies, extensively involved in clothing, steel, building materials, real estate, and other industries. Jiang Yubai vaguely recalled that Nie Tianqing’s expression had been unnatural when he first met his mother. He had originally thought it was because his mother looked so young, but it seemed he had oversimplified the matter; however, he had just turned ten years old back then. The biggest setback he had faced in life was forcing himself to accept Lin Zhixia’s crushing talent, so lacking a certain business acumen was understandable.
He continued asking: “What connection do Nie Tianqing and Chai Yang have?”
Secretary Shen discussed others’ private affairs with the most upright tone: “Mr. Nie dated a girl in college… You know, Mr. Chai is already married. Mrs. Chai is Mr. Nie’s ex-girlfriend. She’s seven months pregnant, staying at the best private maternity hospital in Beijing… Mr. Chai is unaware of his wife’s relationship with Nie Tianqing. Mr. Nie shouldn’t have directed his anger at Mr. Chai.”
On the day Chai Yang got married, Jiang Yubai was still studying in England, while Secretary Shen was already a proud member of the group. Therefore, Secretary Shen had attended Chai Yang’s wedding and met the bride.
Secretary Shen disclosed everything without reservation: “The wedding scene was very lively, the groomsmen performed three programs…”
Jiang Yubai raised his left hand: “You don’t need to tell me about that.”
Secretary Shen summarized: “We have learned the general situation through multiple information channels, privately.”
Jiang Yubai did not offer any evaluation.
The car stopped outside the main entrance of the luxury residential area. The faint moonlight receded into the night sky. The soft glow of street lamps illuminated a long street. Jiang Yubai walked alone on the street, his elongated shadow crossing a lush patch of grass. At that moment, he heard Lin Zhixia’s voice: “I just happened to reach your doorstep. I’ve been too busy these past few days to call you… But you should believe that I’m always thinking of you.”
He remained silent, but smiled soundlessly.
His right hand reached behind him, catching Lin Zhixia’s extended left hand.
They interlocked their fingers, palms pressed together, walking side by side on the way home.
Before stepping through the door, Lin Zhixia casually remarked: “Today, as soon as I got off work, I wanted to find you…”
Before Lin Zhixia finished speaking, Jiang Yubai held her by the waist and hoisted her up directly. Her legs dangled in the air. She quickly embraced his shoulders, being carried like a sack over the threshold.
With a loud “bang,” the front door was tightly shut. A glass vase on the entrance cabinet rippled with water. Light rippled through the transparent water, and the scent of roses permeated the air. Lin Zhixia said softly, “Put me down.”
But Jiang Yubai said, “Wait a little longer.”
Lin Zhixia couldn’t help but remark: “You’re being quite wild today.”
Jiang Yubai held her legs tightly with one arm: “You call this wild?”
“What else?” Lin Zhixia reasoned, “You usually let me have my way when we play games.”
Not necessarily, Jiang Yubai thought to himself.
Whenever Lin Zhixia and Jiang Yubai played intellectual games, Jiang Yubai always wanted to win. He always tried his best to strategize, never intentionally losing once, whether as a child or as an adult… but he had never been the winner.
Jiang Yubai carried Lin Zhixia into the study, and she sat at a spacious desk. Before Jiang Yubai could take a step, Lin Zhixia suddenly tugged at his tie, her fingertips alternately moving upward, finally tapping lightly on his Adam’s apple.
He swallowed before saying, “I have a gift for you.”
“What gift?” Lin Zhixia tilted her head. “How mysterious.”
Jiang Yubai pulled open the desk drawer and took out a heavy box carved from sandalwood. He opened the wooden box, displaying a row of amber pieces as translucent as colored glass. Each amber had a very natural coloration, including light red “yi amber,” vermilion “blood amber,” and rare “blue amber,” each encapsulating visible insects and plants. Lin Zhixia was indeed deeply attracted.
She grabbed a piece of amber and placed it in her palm: “This kind of insect might have lived in the Cretaceous period about one hundred million years ago, belonging to the family Pompilidae of the order Hymenoptera.”
She lowered her head: “This is from the family Staphylinidae of the order Coleoptera, also a living fossil from the Cretaceous period…”
The amber in the box had never been publicly exposed before, circulating among various artists and collectors worldwide for many years, now falling into Lin Zhixia’s hands.
Lin Zhixia held them, played with them, and even examined them carefully with a magnifying glass. She said with interest, “Look at this one, it might belong to the suborder Archostemata. It’s small, with side plates on the prothorax, scales attached to the body surface, and five-segmented tarsi…”
At this point, Lin Zhixia belatedly asked: “Where did you get so much amber from?”
Jiang Yubai told Lin Zhixia that not long ago, he had participated in an auction called “Natural History.” His family also had many collections. After sorting through them, he had coincidentally assembled a complete box.
“How did you sort them?” Lin Zhixia asked casually.
Jiang Yubai described concisely: “I chose the largest ones, the ones most clearly visible.”
Lin Zhixia laughed. She raised her head to kiss his cheek while securing the lid of the wooden box. He gently stroked the back of her neck. As their breaths intertwined, he bent slightly, kissing the corner of her lips like a dragonfly skimming the water. She turned her head, extending her rosy tongue tip, licking her lips with lingering satisfaction.
The central air conditioning was set too high, making Lin Zhixia feel warm. She took off her coat but remained sitting at the desk. The trench coat encircled her waist, accentuating her slender waistline. The light white shirt she wore was taut across her chest, creating beautiful curves.
Jiang Yubai twisted open a bottle of mineral water and took two consecutive gulps, looking as if he’d been thirsty for a long time. His left hand was inserted diagonally into his pants pocket, his right hand tightly gripping the mineral water bottle. With the beautiful scene before him, he drank water with the demeanor of wine tasting.
Jiang Yubai stated discreetly: “We haven’t seen each other for a week.”
Lin Zhixia instantly understood. She said with a smiling tone: “Shall we go to the bedroom?”
The mineral water bottle made a “crack” sound as Jiang Yubai squeezed it, the plastic caving inward, sides touching. He was about to say “I’ll take a shower,” when Lin Zhixia said: “I have an important matter to discuss with you.”
Jiang Yubai instinctively stuffed the mineral water bottle into the drawer, temporarily abandoning the impure thoughts in his mind. Lin Zhixia’s attitude became increasingly solemn: “It’s like this, I love the amber box you gave me. I’ve read some paleontology books. Amber from hundreds of millions of years ago is an extremely precious research source…”
Jiang Yubai guessed her next words. He said, “Let’s donate them to a research institution. If the institution publishes papers, you can take the papers and teach me about the history of paleontological development, Professor Lin.”
Jiang Yubai was so thoughtful and reasonable that Lin Zhixia couldn’t say a word. She hugged the box, continued identifying the animals and plants in the amber, and asked Jiang Yubai a few more questions to confirm the ownership of these treasures. She was still a bit concerned: “Are you willing to let me donate all of them?”
“This piece,” Jiang Yubai picked out a blue amber, “has no living organism, just a heart-shaped bubble. It has no biological research value, so keep it.”
Lin Zhixia drew a heart in his palm: “Okay.”
She took out her phone from her coat pocket: “The School of Earth Sciences at our university has a paleontology laboratory. The discipline leader in paleontology is Shen Fuxuan’s father, also Professor Shen Zhaohua’s son-in-law. If I donate the amber to their laboratory, they might discover new species from the Earth’s Cretaceous period…”
She photographed the amber and saved the images on her phone.
Jiang Yubai helped her classify the amber pieces to facilitate her photography. She marveled for the ten-thousandth time that Jiang Yubai was truly gentle, kind, rational, calm, considerate, attentive, dignified, and graceful… They collaborated, worked for more than ten minutes, and completed the task.
Lin Zhixia was in a good mood. She left the study and ran into the bedroom.
Jiang Yubai followed behind her and entered. He sat on the edge of the bed, suggesting that Lin Zhixia come closer. Without hesitation, she sat on his lap, and he kissed the corner of her lips again—it wasn’t a passionate kiss, just a faint, fleeting touch.
Lin Zhixia was tantalized by him but maintained a serious attitude: “I want to say…”
“What?” Jiang Yubai asked.
Lin Zhixia deliberately teased him. She began to change the subject: “Paleontology is the foundation of geology. The organisms in amber reflect information about ancient environments, which helps in finding various mineral resources…”
“I understand,” Jiang Yubai interrupted her, “Professor Lin.”
Lin Zhixia improvised the role of a teacher: “The words the teacher just said are repeatedly emphasized points that will be on the final exam. You’re distracted now, not listening carefully. The teacher doesn’t know what to do with you.”
Jiang Yubai leaned to her ear: “I’m distracted because…” His fingertips traced her collar: “I noticed your shirt buttons.”
Lin Zhixia felt a quiver of excitement from his touch.
She didn’t speak, so he asked her: “What’s wrong?”
Lin Zhixia touched the back of his hand, and he muttered to himself: “Indeed, the buttons are fastened too tightly.”
He was like a well-intentioned student: “Let me loosen your buttons…” He described: “It will be more comfortable than now.”
Jiang Yubai wasn’t always like this. He used to be a boy who would blush at a few kind words. Over the years, he had indeed grown considerably… The more Lin Zhixia thought about it, the warmer her heart felt. Since she never suppressed her emotions, she simply pulled Jiang Yubai down onto the bed.
*
Lin Zhixia spent a weekend at Jiang Yubai’s home, and their life together was as sweet as honey.
Lin Zhixia also contacted He Yuanqian through Professor Shen Zhaohua’s connections—He Yuanqian was Shen Fuxuan’s father and a national-level paleontology professor. He received the amber photos Lin Zhixia sent and replied to her the next day.
He Yuanqian said that the batch of amber was extremely precious, with some species yet to be discovered. Lin Zhixia could loan the amber to them for research for four years. After four years, once the papers were successfully published, they would return the amber. This research model was quite common in universities and research institutions—paleontology experts collaborated with collectors, signed contracts, agreed on time limits, and when the time came, returned the collections intact.
Lin Zhixia asked once more: “Is a permanent donation not necessary?”
On Monday morning, He Yuanqian replied by email: “Hello, Professor Lin. We recommend considering a permanent donation to a museum.”
Museums were Lin Zhixia’s favorite places to visit. Since childhood, she had wished to tour the world’s museums with Jiang Yubai. He Yuanqian’s suggestion resonated deeply with Lin Zhixia.
That afternoon, Lin Zhixia brought the amber box and personally visited the School of Earth Sciences. She signed a four-year amber research agreement and met Professor He Yuanqian in person.
He Yuanqian was about fifty years old, tall and thin, with slightly graying temples. He wore gold-rimmed glasses, exuding a scholarly air. His features were seventy percent similar to Shen Fuxuan’s. When Lin Zhixia looked at him, it was as if she were seeing a fifty-year-old Shen Fuxuan.
He Yuanqian was an easygoing and talkative person.
Wearing a pair of gloves, he wiped the amber while chatting with Lin Zhixia about Shen Fuxuan. He said that Shen Fuxuan had just been transferred back from the grassroots level and was currently working in the provincial capital, leaving early and returning late, quite career-oriented.
The news of Shen Fuxuan’s political aspirations had already spread throughout their circle of friends.
Lin Zhixia wasn’t surprised at all to hear about his recent situation.
However, Professor He Yuanqian said that to thank Lin Zhixia for her generous support, he wanted to treat her to a meal, and incidentally invite Shen Fuxuan and the research students from his group—every April, Professor He organized a gathering because once April passed and the weather warmed up, he would take his students out for field research.
Lin Zhixia declined He Yuanqian’s kind offer. She was leaving for Hong Kong tomorrow and needed to pack her luggage in the evening. She would be staying in Hong Kong for two weeks, and by the time she returned to the provincial capital, Professor He and his students would have already left for the research base outside the province.
That night, the moon was very round, its halo rimmed with silver, resembling a jade-carved disc.
Lin Zeqiu was quite happy.
He sat cross-legged on the floor, nimbly folding clothes.
The curtains floated in the breeze, moonlight flowing into the room. Lin Zeqiu pressed down on his suitcase, then pulled out his phone and reviewed the “Hong Kong Travel Guide” once more. Afterward, he opened WeChat and composed a moment: “Starting tomorrow, two-week business trip to Hong Kong.”
Hong Kong was a coastal city, and Lin Zeqiu had never seen the ocean with his own eyes. Just like his sister Lin Zhixia, he had a vague natural yearning for island cities.
But after hesitating for a moment, he ultimately didn’t post that moment. He rarely posted updates throughout the year, except for liking merchants’ posts for discounts—from this perspective, he was probably a frugal person.
As Lin Zeqiu pondered briefly, Lin Zhixia burst into his room: “Brother.”
He responded: “What is it?”
Lin Zhixia said, “Tomorrow morning, Jiang Yubai will pick us up downstairs, then we’ll go to the airport together. A classmate of mine will travel with us. He’s a competition teacher at Provincial No. 1 High School and specifically requested time off…”
Lin Zeqiu had some impression: “Is it the one called Duan Qiyan?”
“Yes,” Lin Zhixia answered.
Lin Zeqiu nodded slightly. He earnestly advised his sister: “Is everything okay at school? Being away for two weeks, make sure to settle your graduate students first.”
“Don’t worry about that,” Lin Zhixia chatted casually with him, “I’ve planned for it a long time ago. Everything’s calm at school, basically no issues…”
She sat down beside Lin Zeqiu, helping him fold clothes: “The day before yesterday, Jiang Yubai gave me several pieces of amber. This morning, I took the amber to the paleontology laboratory…”
Lin Zeqiu’s hands paused, and he responded: “The kind of amber with insects inside?”
Lin Zhixia immediately took out her phone. Just as she opened her photo album, Lin Zeqiu said, “Is this what Jiang Yubai gives you? Dead flies, dead beetles, dead snails… They should be donated to the laboratory. Having them at home would be disturbing.”
Lin Zeqiu had a fatal weakness—from childhood, he had been extremely disgusted by, loathed, and feared insects. He had once been bitten by a centipede and hated all insects ever since. When he was in middle school, Lin Zhixia caught a beetle, which made him drop his cold and arrogant mask and scream in the living room.
Past scenes floated in Lin Zhixia’s mind.
She covered her mouth and laughed.
Lin Zeqiu glanced at her sideways.
She immediately restrained her facial expression and patted Lin Zeqiu’s shoulder: “There’s a list of travelers in the WeChat group. Check it. Wake up at six tomorrow morning, don’t oversleep. Alright, I’ve finished my instructions and am going back to my room. Goodnight, brother.”
Lin Zeqiu reluctantly and perfunctorily replied: “Goodnight.”
Lin Zhixia rested her chin on her hand: “Can’t you call me by my nickname?”
Lin Zeqiu locked the suitcase: “Asking people to call you by your nickname all day—are you twenty-two or two years old?”
Lin Zhixia walked to the door, then took a step back, taunting: “See you tomorrow morning, Qiuqiu.”
Lin Zeqiu was left speechless.
*
Early the next morning, a light rain fell on the horizon, creating a thin layer of mist. The high-rise buildings were immersed in the vast, misty colors.
The air, moistened with dew, seemed especially fresh. Lin Zhixia carried her suitcase, stood downstairs, and took a deep breath. Poetically inspired, she recited Bai Yuchan’s “Night Talk at the River Tower”: “The river mist on the autumn tower is white, lamp flowers in night rain are green, in nine heavens without a single dream, this path entrusted to the morning star.”
In this poem, there was “river” (jiang), “white” (bai), and “autumn” (qiu). Lin Zeqiu glanced at her, but she only looked into the distance: “Jiang Yubai is here.” She waved at him twice, filled with her usual enthusiasm.
Jiang Yubai’s driver brought a business vehicle, spacious enough to accommodate the luggage of the Lin Zhixia and Lin Zeqiu siblings. Lin Zeqiu sat in the back row with his sister, his seat directly facing Jiang Yubai. The vehicle sped along the wide road, and Lin Zhixia joked: “Today, our family is going on a trip.”
Jiang Yubai played along: “Hong Kong has many fun places. We can take time to tour for a day.”
Lin Zeqiu didn’t make a sound. He rested his chin on his right hand, his gaze drifting outside the window.
Lin Zhixia chatted with Jiang Yubai: “I’ve emailed Professor Gu Likai. I want to establish a joint research group among four universities, including our school, Peking University, the University of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. There are mainly two purposes: first, remote testing of quantum communication; second, attempting to develop a practical quantum universal computer… The chip problem hasn’t been properly resolved. To be honest, I don’t have much confidence. My current idea is that even if the development fails, all technological breakthroughs made during the exploration process have certain value. Previously, to develop a quantum programming language, we reconstructed graph theory. I participated less in this part; the main work was done by the team established by Feng Yuan and that Russian mathematician… Because the theory succeeded, Feng Yuan quickly passed his doctoral defense, and that Russian friend still has a chance to compete for the Fields Medal.”
The Fields Medal is hailed as the Nobel Prize of mathematics.
So far, the youngest winner in the world is Peter Scholze, who received the Fields Medal at the age of thirty, and Lin Zhixia’s Russian friend was also approaching thirty—he was not only gifted but also extremely hardworking and diligent, maintaining high-intensity work and high-intensity output year-round. Lin Zhixia sometimes wondered if he was smarter than her, but they had chosen different development paths.
Jiang Yubai took out three bottles of mineral water, distributing them to Lin Zhixia, Lin Zeqiu, and himself. Both he and Lin Zhixia were people with a sense of ritual. They toasted with mineral water bottles, and Jiang Yubai added: “Wishing that friend success in obtaining the Fields Medal.”
“Could you win the Fields Medal?” Lin Zeqiu suddenly asked.
Lin Zhixia blinked: “Me?”
Lin Zeqiu sat upright: “If not you, who else? Neither Jiang Yubai nor I could win it.”
The business car’s interior was spacious, with leather soft seats featuring massage functions. Beneath the armrest was a customized small thermos box containing two baskets of freshly steamed xiaolongbao. As soon as Jiang Yubai opened the lid, Lin Zhixia excitedly said: “Smells so good, let me taste it. I left home in such a hurry this morning, I hardly ate anything.”
Jiang Yubai opened another porcelain plate containing a stack of strawberry crepes. His thermos cup held fragrant peach blossom lemon tea. The enticing aroma of food filled the entire car, and Lin Zhixia immediately sat beside Jiang Yubai. She drank water from the cup he was holding, and he skillfully adjusted the angle of the cup rim, clearly having done this countless times.
Lin Zeqiu started.
Lin Zhixia continued: “You just asked if I could win the Fields Medal?”
The rain pattered gently on the car windows, and her voice was softer than the rain: “Of course not. I don’t specialize in mathematical theory research.”
She traced her finger along the car window, following a water streak downward: “We all have our paths. ‘What we waste or gain is precisely the fleeting time'[1].”
Jiang Yubai agreed: “To gain, one must give up something.”
Lin Zhixia high-fived him.
Lin Zeqiu leaned back in his chair. Jiang Yubai handed him a plate of xiaolongbao, and he absentmindedly accepted Jiang Yubai’s kindness. After eating two buns, he belatedly said: “Thank you…”
Jiang Yubai responded naturally: “You’re welcome, big brother-in-law.”
Lin Zeqiu pulled out a napkin and wiped his mouth. Afterward, he didn’t speak, maintaining a silent demeanor. He watched the scenery rapidly change outside the window, the rows of buildings gradually disappearing. Under the brilliant morning sun, the arched roof of the terminal building was resplendent.
Just then, an airplane passed through the sky, its flight path extending to the end of the horizon, hidden among the snow-white clouds. Lin Zeqiu stared, entranced, until Lin Zhixia patted his shoulder: “Let’s go, it’s time to get out.”
*
That afternoon, Lin Zhixia’s group arrived in Hong Kong and checked into a hotel operated by Jiang Yubai’s family.
Four crystal fringe chandeliers hung in the hotel lobby. The granite floor was spotless, and the perimeter of the round pillars was inlaid with gold leaf, displaying luxury from the inside out.
Lin Zeqiu looked around and pulled at Lin Zhixia’s sleeve: “Business suites aren’t cheap. How much will it cost for all of us to stay for two weeks?”
Lin Zhixia lowered her voice: “The travel expenses can be reimbursed, and Jiang Yubai has an internal discount… Don’t worry about the money. This time we’re in Hong Kong, besides contacting academic institutions, we’ll also survey the Hong Kong stock market. Our company might go public in Hong Kong in the future, just like NetEase, Xiaomi, and Alibaba Group.”
She generously patted his arm: “By then, Lin Zeqiu, you’ll be an executive of a listed company! How about that? Do you feel more confident now?”
He snorted lightly, without answering.
Lin Zhixia still played along: “Don’t you care about being an ‘executive of a listed company’? As expected of you, Lin Zeqiu, viewing money as dirt.”
Lin Zeqiu tightly clutched the key card to the “business suite.” He refused to let the bellboy carry his luggage, insisting on carrying it himself. He followed Jiang Yubai into the elevator, while Duan Qiyan chattered beside them: “Your schedule starts tomorrow. You’re free this afternoon, right? Want to go to Cheung Chau Island in Hong Kong?”
Duan Qiyan wore an Adidas tracksuit with a black baseball cap on his head. His attire and demeanor were like those of a university student in his early twenties.
Tang Tingting looked at him for a moment and smiled: “Sure, the seafood in Cheung Chau is delicious. Let’s go to Cheung Chau.”
Lin Zhixia had learned from Jiang Yubai that Tang Tingting and Duan Qiyan’s relationship wasn’t stable—they not only argued but also periodically gave each other the cold shoulder. To create an opportunity for them to be alone, Lin Zhixia casually found an excuse: “You go ahead, I won’t join.”
She tugged at Jiang Yubai’s sleeve: “Jiang Yubai and I need to discuss some work-related issues.”
Jiang Yubai was in sync with her. He added: “The company plans to advance its Hong Kong stock listing plan next year.”
Tang Tingting nodded repeatedly: “Alright then, you two carry on with your work.”
She turned to ask Luo Ying, “Senior, do you have plans tonight? Why not join us at Cheung Chau Island?”
The gold-lacquered elevator walls reflected Luo Ying’s tall figure. Her outfit was extremely tasteful, with large wavy hair cascading down her back, the smooth black strands so glossy they reflected light. She wore a diamond earring on her left ear, its brilliant radiance flashing into Tang Tingting’s eyes.
Luo Ying also wore a perfume that mixed lily and rose scents. Tang Tingting couldn’t help but take a deep breath, and Luo Ying responded: “I won’t go, thank you. I want to read in my room. I haven’t finished reading the papers in ‘Annals of Mathematics’.”
“Which part are you reading, senior?” Lin Zhixia asked curiously.
Luo Ying smiled back at her, a smile both genuine and graceful. Tang Tingting was entranced, while Lin Zhixia remained calm: “The review cycle for ‘Annals of Mathematics’ is so long. A classmate of mine submitted a paper more than two years ago and still hasn’t received a response from the editor.”
Luo Ying asked her: “Have you ever submitted?”
Lin Zhixia shook her head.
Luo Ying muttered to herself: “I have submitted.”
Before she finished speaking, the elevator chimed, and the doors slowly opened.
Duan Qiyan seemed to have inexhaustible energy. He enthusiastically picked up his suitcase, rushed into the corridor, and said while running: “Tang Tingting, I found our room!”
Tang Tingting chased after him: “Lower your voice.”
But Duan Qiyan said, “We won’t disturb anyone. Jiang Yubai has booked this entire floor.”
Tang Tingting looked at Jiang Yubai in shock: “You are extraordinarily wealthy.”
Jiang Yubai avoided the topic. He confirmed the next day’s schedule with his secretary and inquired about everyone’s work progress. Duan Qiyan occasionally interjected a few words. Finally, they bid farewell at their respective room doors.
Duan Qiyan and Tang Tingting stayed in Room 1401. As Tang Tingting took out her key card, she teased: “Hey, remember our high school study tour? Back then, I roomed with Lin Zhixia, and you roomed with Shen Fuxuan…”
Duan Qiyan seized the opportunity to ask: “Would you rather room with me or with Lin Zhixia?”
In the winter training camp of their first year in middle school, Lin Zhixia had saved Duan Qiyan’s reputation. For all these years, Duan Qiyan had been grateful to Lin Zhixia. However, recently, Duan Qiyan had suddenly started seeing Lin Zhixia as an imaginary rival.
Tang Tingting pulled Duan Qiyan into the room and earnestly advised: “Why do you always compare yourself with Lin Zhixia? You’re in your twenties now; stop comparing all the time. You finally got time off and came to Hong Kong with me. You should learn to keep a level head and not always pick fights with me. I’ve been wanting to talk to you about this. For a man, the most important thing is family. These heartfelt words, outsiders won’t tell you. Only I, as your girlfriend, will tell you the truth.”
Duan Qiyan was drawn in by her words.
He hesitated slightly: “A man shouldn’t rely on a woman’s support, much less be a slacker. Career is most important.”
Tang Tingting invited him to sit on the bed. Then, she crossed her legs and put her arm around his shoulder, guiding him like a senior cadre: “Little Duan, your thinking shouldn’t be too extreme. When did I ever ask you to be a slacker? I want you to be more family-oriented… When I bring you out to meet friends, give me some face, don’t always compare yourself with Lin Zhixia. Lin Zhixia is my direct supervisor. You making such a fuss makes things difficult for me. Put yourself in my shoes.”
Duan Qiyan vaguely seemed to acknowledge Tang Tingting’s point.
Tang Tingting pressed on: “Look, our company will go public in a couple of years. I’m the leader of the hardware department. And you? You’ll be the husband of a core department leader in a listed company, plus a competition class teacher at Provincial No. 1 High School. Shouldn’t your mindset be broader?”
Duan Qiyan laughed coldly: “From what you’re saying, my current mindset isn’t broad enough?”
Tang Tingting made a second-tone “ai” sound and asked: “Husband, why are you going down a dead end again?”
Duan Qiyan took off his hat, and Tang Tingting ran her hand through his hair. He removed his track jacket, and Tang Tingting rubbed his arms. When he was in middle school, he often played on the field, daring to play soccer under the sun even during the hottest days of summer—years of sun exposure had darkened his skin. But Tang Tingting quite liked that color.
She encircled his upper arms with both hands, pressing and kneading. His shoulders suddenly tensed. They maintained a static position for a few seconds before he stammered in a low voice: “Not now… I want to wait until after marriage.”
Tang Tingting erupted in a hearty laugh like a squealing pig: “Oh my god, hahahahaha, Duan Qiyan, what’s wrong with you, being so coy! I never instilled such ideas in you.”
Duan Qiyan fell into deep thought.
She continued with relish: “I remember now, you were like this in middle school, too. Didn’t people in our class spread rumors about us back then? Haha, we played a married couple in the stage play ‘Transformation,’ and other classmates said we were a drama couple who would date in the future. When you heard what the classmates said, you were furious, your face red as blood.”
She lay on the bed: “Time flies; it’s been more than ten years since then.”
“We’ve all grown up,” Duan Qiyan reflected.
He lay down beside her, and she murmured: “Yes, everyone has grown up.”
*
That afternoon, no one went to Cheung Chau Island.
All team members stayed in their hotel rooms. Lin Zhixia changed into a nightgown, sat by the coffee table, and ceremoniously picked up a bowl of purple sweet potato fresh milk sago dessert sent by the hotel. She took a small taste and repeatedly praised: “Delicious, delicious.”
Jiang Yubai moved closer to her: “How delicious is it?”
Just as Lin Zhixia was about to pass him the spoon, he had already lowered his head to kiss the corner of her lips, saying: “So sweet.”
The distance between them was only a few centimeters. Lin Zhixia lowered her gaze and saw his moving Adam’s apple, his half-exposed collarbone, and the smooth muscles faintly visible beneath his collar. Lin Zhixia’s breathing quickened as she smelled the faint fragrance from his body. She suddenly felt parched and gulped down the entire bowl of sago dessert.
Jiang Yubai reminded her: “Be careful not to choke.”
She put down the porcelain bowl and jumped directly into his arms.
“Hug me,” she said coquettishly.
Lin Zhixia’s skill at acting coquettish was unparalleled.
Jiang Yubai embraced her back with one arm, and she confided in him: “Last Friday night, I was meditating at home, sorting through my memories. I finally figured it out. From that time onward, I’ve liked you very much…”
Jiang Yubai was fully prepared mentally to receive Lin Zhixia’s soul-stirring sweet talk. But before she could say the next sentence, her phone rang inopportunely, displaying a landline number from a local Hong Kong university department. Lin Zhixia didn’t dare to neglect it and immediately pressed the answer button.
Her voice instantly became steady and dignified.
The caller was an assistant to a university professor. This assistant’s Mandarin wasn’t standard, and his pronunciation was slightly halting, so Lin Zhixia simply switched to Cantonese. The conversation indeed became smoother—the only drawback was that Jiang Yubai couldn’t understand what Lin Zhixia was saying.
After hanging up, Lin Zhixia became Jiang Yubai’s Cantonese interpreter. She relayed the entire conversation content and then arranged very seriously: “Tomorrow I’ll take my colleagues to give a lecture, then talk with their leaders. You’ll attend your meeting at the financial office, and in the evening, we’ll meet at the university campus entrance.”
Jiang Yubai joked: “Dividing our forces.”
“Mmm,” Lin Zhixia nodded, “we can finish work during the day and go shopping together in the evening.”
*
Early the next morning, Lin Zhixia and her colleagues went to a famous local university in Hong Kong. They gave a lecture in a grand hall, exchanging insights about Quantum Technology Company’s academic background and business model with the school’s faculty and students—the lecture was very successful, with the entire audience applauding at the end, creating a highly charged atmosphere.
Lin Zhixia seized the opportunity and agreed on a “Four-University Joint Research Group” cooperation agreement with the school’s management. The school actively responded to her plan, willing to cooperate with all academic work, though the specific details of the contract still needed to be repeatedly refined.
On the first day of the business trip, Lin Zhixia was already quite satisfied with such a response. She led her colleagues off the campus, walking happily on the street outside. It was nearly six in the evening, the sun was setting, and the restaurant signs along the street were full of Hong Kong style. The aroma of food wafted through the vast space.
Lin Zeqiu was relaxed. He raised his phone to take photos of the distance.
At this moment, they passed through an old street district, and ahead, a group of tourists complained softly: “Get out of here, this cockroach can fly?”
A black spot vaguely appeared on Lin Zeqiu’s phone screen. His subconscious made him step back, but the black spot came closer and closer, accompanied by a buzzing sound of flapping wings.
He heard Lin Zhixia’s tone of surprise: “This cockroach is huge, the biggest cockroach I’ve ever seen.”
Tang Tingting laughed and gave it a nickname: “Cockroach King!”
Lin Zhixia laughed too.
How could they laugh?!
Lin Zeqiu had heard before that southern cockroaches were big and strong, but he hadn’t expected to witness insects flying on the first day of his official business trip. His legs felt as heavy as lead, and even Luo Ying noticed his condition.
Luo Ying asked him: “Are you okay?”
Lin Zeqiu kept his mouth shut.
The sky was growing darker, and colorful neon signs illuminated a long street. Lin Zhixia and Tang Tingting walked arm in arm toward a Cantonese restaurant. They stood outside a window, studying the menu posted on the glass. The flowing colored light cast diagonally across their faces, creating a sense of glamorous yet worldly beauty, like a scene from a Hong Kong film of the 1990s.
Luo Ying inexplicably took out her camera.
Her lens pointed at Lin Zhixia.
She turned on the camera function, and Lin Zhixia seemed to sense it. She turned back to look at Luo Ying: “Are you taking pictures of me?”
Luo Ying pressed firmly on the metal case of the camera, the outer rim of her nails turning slightly white.
Lin Zhixia suddenly suggested: “Let’s take a longer video, with all colleagues in the frame, starting with Tang Tingting and me, how about that?”
Everyone agreed.
Pedestrians passed by, with steps either fast or slow. The night sky was blocked by sign after sign. Luo Ying was immersed in this bustling, prosperous market street. She stood still, the surrounding noise not belonging to her. Through the lens, Lin Zhixia looked back at her.
Lin Zhixia wore a light beige suit dress, with both her skirt hem and long hair catching the light. Her hair was black, glossy, and smooth, with natural waves at the ends. Her skin was snow-white and soft, her figure curvaceous, and even her shadow cast on the ground was like a sketch-a sketch drawn by a perfectionist.
She called again: “Senior?”
After graduating from university, Luo Ying went abroad for her PhD, maintaining contact with Lin Zhixia by phone. Every time Luo Ying answered the phone, Lin Zhixia would first call her “Senior”—this address had been preserved until now.
The camera screen was only palm-sized, and such a narrow space couldn’t contain Luo Ying’s emotions. She recalled repeatedly the tone Lin Zhixia used when discussing mathematics with her, Lin Zhixia’s reputation, ideals, hobbies, troubles… countless fragments converged, piecing together characteristics that were both blurry and clear—how contradictory, just like Luo Ying’s current situation.
Luo Ying was still filming Lin Zhixia. But she lowered her eyes to look at the floor, her palm slightly damp.
The restaurants on both sides of the street had their characteristics, and the kitchen smoke drifted into her eyes.
Only two minutes had passed.
Lin Zhixia looked up at a tile: “I thought that cockroach had flown away, but it’s been perching here all along. Let’s include it in our video. Such large flying insects are uncommon in our hometown.”
Tang Tingting laughed “haha” and said: “The King has returned. You know, this little creature is quite clever.”
Luo Ying was also calm and composed. When she studied at Columbia University in the United States, she lived in a student apartment in New York. She had seen a group of fat, round American cockroaches downstairs in the apartment building. After being overly shocked, she became immune to the appearance of cockroaches.
So Luo Ying casually agreed: “Alright, I’m filming.”
But Lin Zeqiu’s right eyelid twitched twice.
He had an extremely ominous premonition.
Why weren’t his sister and his sister’s friends alarmed at the sight of a cockroach? Instead, they could gather together to joke and film videos. Were they planning to co-write “The Life of Insects”? While Lin Zeqiu was thinking wildly, the cockroach suddenly activated again, diving directly at Lin Zeqiu at high speed, with fierce momentum, wings trembling, as if Lin Zeqiu were its sworn enemy.
Lin Zeqiu’s scalp tingled subtly.
He opened his mouth due to extreme tension, and that damned insect flew toward his lips and nostrils. His psychological defense line was immediately shattered, and he let out a shrill scream on the street: “Ah—insect!”
Everyone in the team, except Lin Zhixia, was stunned.
Lin Zeqiu usually maintained a proper, aloof, serious, and unapproachable demeanor at the company. He was responsible for building the underlying technology platform, also known as “Infrastructure Engineer.” The technical group he led with two other tech experts was often called the “Infra Group,” and everyone knew that the members of the “Infra Group” were all exceptionally skilled and formidable.
In this afternoon’s negotiation meeting, Lin Zeqiu had also won full applause.
But now he was frantically shouting: “Help! Damn, such a huge cockroach!”
Lin Zhixia immediately ran to him: “Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid, I’m coming!”
Passersby stopped one after another, and Tang Tingting was confused: “What’s going on… sister saving brother?”
Lin Zhixia indeed wanted to save her brother, but the current situation was somewhat thorny—the cockroach had landed on Lin Zeqiu’s back. Lin Zeqiu, still shaken, asked: “Has the insect flown away?”
Lin Zhixia was about to lie when an enthusiastic hero came to the rescue from the street. The hero was nearly 1.9 meters tall, young and handsome, elegant, with a rolled newspaper in hand. He swatted hard at Lin Zeqiu’s back with the newspaper, and the cockroach fell to the ground, crushed to pieces by his black leather shoes.
Lin Zhixia called softly: “You’re here.”
“Who?” Lin Zeqiu asked vigilantly.
He didn’t dare to turn around.
Because he had already guessed that the cockroach had met a tragic end behind him.
He heard Jiang Yubai’s voice, devoid of any emotion: “It’s fine, I’ve dealt with it.”
Lin Zeqiu repeatedly confirmed: “Is the corpse still there?”
“Destroyed,” Jiang Yubai answered.
Hong Kong-style signs hung above their heads, casting a dim shadow, as Jiang Yubai lowered his head slightly, his profile half-lit, half-dark: “When I heard you call for help, I didn’t leave it alive.”
Only then did Lin Zeqiu turn around, and indeed, the cockroach had vanished from his world. He finally breathed a sigh of relief and even patted Jiang Yubai’s shoulder—this was the first time in his life he had taken the initiative to show goodwill toward Jiang Yubai. Jiang Yubai seized the opportunity: “Big brother-in-law?”
Both Jiang Yubai and Lin Zeqiu were wearing suits, having attended very formal meetings today. Lin Zeqiu loosened his tie, still unable to utter family terms like “brother-in-law,” but he promised: “I won’t block you anymore…”
Until now, Jiang Yubai had always been on Lin Zeqiu’s WeChat block list. In other words, Jiang Yubai couldn’t see Lin Zeqiu’s Moments at all. Lin Zeqiu’s willingness to unblock him was already a significant effort to show goodwill.
But Jiang Yubai couldn’t change his mercenary businessman nature. He bargained: “Next August, I plan to have a wedding with Lin Zhixia.”
Lin Zeqiu didn’t react at first: “Next August’s matter, if you want to do it, then… a wedding?”
Lin Zeqiu’s expression became somewhat grave, although he knew that Lin Zhixia and Jiang Yubai’s marriage was inevitable. But in his and his parents’ hearts, Lin Zhixia was always the one who needed more protection, as any emotional pain would be a permanent torment for her.
Lin Zeqiu paced on the street of the Hong Kong night market, with Jiang Yubai walking alongside him. Their conversation topics always revolved around Lin Zhixia. Lin Zeqiu perceived the depth of Jiang Yubai’s feelings for Lin Zhixia. Given that Lin Zeqiu had been single since birth, he couldn’t quite understand Jiang Yubai’s state, but deep down, he hoped Jiang Yubai would maintain this momentum.
Meanwhile, Lin Zhixia, accompanied by Tang Tingting and Luo Ying, was sampling various foods. They were selecting beautiful and unique earrings and bracelets in a roadside jewelry store, and no one noticed that Duan Qiyan had already been lost.
*
Duan Qiyan carried his phone, but to save money, he hadn’t activated the “Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan roaming feature,” so his phone couldn’t connect to the internet or make calls.
He wandered back and forth on the bustling street, gradually separating from his friends.
The night was dark and boundless, like the vast sea in the darkness, with neon signs like isolated islands. Duan Qiyan looked around, suddenly losing his sense of direction. He stood bewildered at the busy intersection, like a cruise ship that had stopped sailing.
Fortunately, he had a thousand Hong Kong dollars in his pocket.
At worst, he could take a taxi back to the hotel, he calculated.
With this thought, Duan Qiyan relaxed.
He entered a small restaurant and bought an oyster omelet and a bowl of fish porridge. It was dinner rush hour, and there were crowds everywhere. The seats in the restaurant were already full. So, he took the plastic food box and sat on a bench on the street, lowering his head to eat with chopsticks under the soft light of the street lamp.
Several mainland tourists passed in front of him, led by a cultured and amiable middle-aged man who said to his young son: “Is Hong Kong fun?”
The son answered: “It’s fun.”
The father continued: “Good son, next semester you’ll be in sixth grade. If you get double hundreds again, Dad will take you abroad to play!”
The son asked him, “Dad, if I get into Tsinghua or Peking University, where will you take me to play?”
The father encouraged with a smile: “If you get into Peking University or Tsinghua, you’ll have money, you can go wherever you want, without dad taking you…”
Duan Qiyan crossed his legs. As an outstanding graduate of Peking University, he always had an indescribable pride in his heart. His university classmates were widely distributed around the world, pursuing PhDs, starting businesses, working, each heading towards distinctly different futures. However, getting into Peking or Tsinghua University didn’t equate to “having money.”
No one was talking to Duan Qiyan. So he pondered life in the noisy night market.
As a teenager, he had grand ambitions.
But now, he hadn’t achieved any of them.
He crouched on the street corner like a small character in a Hong Kong film, holding disposable chopsticks, taking food out of a plastic bag. The night wind grew colder, and rain sprinkled on his head. A sense of bitterness and desolation of “unfulfilled ambitions” suddenly rose in his heart.
*
“It’s raining,” Lin Zhixia said.
People on the street scattered, clouds obscured the moonlight, and Tang Tingting exclaimed in surprise: “It’s raining? The weather forecast said there was a thirty percent chance of rain today.”
Lin Zhixia took out her phone: “I’ll send Jiang Yubai and the others a text message.”
“Duan Qiyan is probably with them,” Tang Tingting guessed.
Lin Zhixia agreed: “Probably.”
They stayed in a jewelry store, and Luo Ying was still selecting earrings. She picked up a pair of delicate red strawberry earrings and held them in front of Lin Zhixia: “Are these pretty? Shall I help you put them on?”
Tang Tingting reminded, “Senior, she doesn’t have pierced ears.”
“I know,” Luo Ying straightened the golden chain of the earrings, the plump red strawberries lying on her fingertips. “These are ear clips, you can wear them without pierced ears.”
Lin Zhixia stood in front of a mirror, and Luo Ying followed silently. She lifted Lin Zhixia’s long hair, placing the strands behind her ear—the hair was soft, smooth, black, and shiny, like the highest quality black silk.
“Your hair is very well-maintained,” Luo Ying commented softly.
“Perhaps because I comb it every day and get enough sleep,” Lin Zhixia generously shared her hair care tips. She looked at Luo Ying in the mirror and reciprocated the compliment: “Senior, you’re the most beautiful.”
Luo Ying smiled. When she smiled, all flowers would pale in comparison.
She didn’t touch Lin Zhixia’s skin, just opened the ear clip, the metal lightly touching Lin Zhixia’s earlobe.
Luo Ying’s fingers were slender, long, and snow-white. Lin Zhixia’s skin tone was similar to hers. Her mind blurred for a moment, making her increasingly aware of her movements.
A faint sweet fragrance permeated the air, and Luo Ying was very close to Lin Zhixia. The scent vividly and passionately stimulated her nerves. The faster her heart beat, the harder it was to hide, so she simply held her breath until she finally secured the ear clip.
Lin Zhixia toyed with the strawberry pendant hanging on her left ear.
“It’s quite cute,” she said.
Luo Ying happened to be standing behind Lin Zhixia. She picked up a strand of Lin Zhixia’s hair, twirled it around her finger, then slowly released it. Her fingers almost touched Lin Zhixia’s body. When she felt Lin Zhixia’s warmth transmitted through the dress, she immediately abandoned all contact.
She stepped back and covered her cheeks.
“Senior?” Lin Zhixia turned to look at her.
She suggested: “Let’s go back to the hotel.”
Lin Zhixia stared into her eyes: “Your face is a bit pale, are you feeling unwell?”
“It’s stuffy in here,” Luo Ying found a random excuse.
Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the night rain fell heavier, water streaming down the transparent glass, instantly dispersing into thousands of rivulets. Pedestrians on the road hurried, while Jiang Yubai stood motionless holding a black umbrella, looking at Luo Ying and Lin Zhixia in the shop through a window.
Lin Zeqiu didn’t notice the abnormality in the store. He only asked Jiang Yubai: “You seem a bit off?”
But Jiang Yubai said, “It’s nothing.”
Lin Zeqiu asked again: “Is Duan Qiyan inside too?”
Jiang Yubai casually replied: “Very likely.”
“Nice going, this guy,” Lin Zeqiu said, “following them and picking out jewelry for so long.”
Lin Zeqiu put his hands in his pockets and strode into the store. After the group chatted briefly, they suddenly realized Duan Qiyan was missing. Tang Tingting became anxious, her right hand straightening the chain of her purse, her arm tensing tightly. Lin Zhixia comforted her: “Duan Qiyan brought money. He can take a taxi back to the hotel.”
Lin Zeqiu also said: “He’s a grown man, not a seven or eight-year-old boy.”
Tang Tingting took an umbrella from her bag: “I feel a bit guilty. He’s a high school competition teacher without winter or summer breaks, only one week of personal leave per year… He came to Hong Kong with us, but neither of our groups paid attention and lost track of him… His phone doesn’t work, he only has cash, and the rain is heavy now, making it difficult to get a taxi…”
Tang Tingting proposed a plan. This long street was a one-way road, and she decided to search for Duan Qiyan along the street alone, while the others returned to the hotel first. If they ran into Duan Qiyan, they should call her.
Before Tang Tingting finished speaking, Jiang Yubai’s phone suddenly rang. Jiang Yubai answered the WeChat call, and Duan Qiyan notified him from the other end: “I’m back at the hotel, where are you guys?”
Jiang Yubai put it on speaker. He got into a business car, and Lin Zhixia responded: “We’re planning to go back too. What do you want to eat for dinner? I’ll bring something for you.”
“I’ve had oyster omelet and fish porridge,” Duan Qiyan answered in detail. He lay on the large hotel bed, looking at the ceiling. Jiang Yubai chatted with him for a few more sentences and then hung up.