That evening, dark clouds blanketed the sky, sending down flurries of snow.
The heavy snow swirled endlessly, shrouding the heavens and earth. The glow of countless homes melted into the cold nightscape. Lin Zhixia gazed absently out the window and murmured, "It's been so long since I came home."
The dining table was laden with steaming dishes. Mom ladled a bowl of soup for Lin Zhixia and sighed, "Your dad keeps talking about you every other day, worried you're suffering outside. For the next two years, Xia Xia, whenever you want to come home, just tell us. Mom and Dad will pay for your plane tickets."
Lin Zhixia cradled the soup bowl. "Mom, I can buy my own tickets."
"How much does Xia Xia have in her little treasury?" Dad asked.
Lin Zhixia answered frankly, "My postdoc annual salary is a hundred thousand US dollars."
The entire living room fell into silence.
Several seconds passed before Dad asked, "A hundred thousand dollars? Xia Xia can earn a hundred thousand dollars a year?"
According to the January 2014 exchange rate, a hundred thousand US dollars was roughly equivalent to six hundred and ten thousand yuan.
At just nineteen years old, Lin Zhixia could earn an annual salary of over six hundred thousand yuan, leaving her parents and brother utterly speechless with shock. And her plans were clear: "This second half of the year, I'll graduate with my PhD and go to MIT for a one-year postdoc. I'll return to China next October. I can use my savings to buy a new home—I want to live near the university district."
"Housing prices have risen these past few years. That area near the university is a school district," Dad said, opening a bottle of baijiu. "It's very expensive—over thirty thousand per square meter."
Lin Zhixia said excitedly, "I can pay the down payment first, then take out a loan. Once I secure a faculty position, the university will give me a relocation allowance. I want to buy a big apartment over two hundred square meters so our whole family can live there."
"Buying a big apartment" was also Lin Zeqiu's life goal.
Lin Zeqiu absentmindedly shoveled a few bites of rice into his mouth.
Dad downed half a glass of baijiu in one gulp. Mom tugged at his sleeve. "Drink less. You're not young anymore—you need to take care of your health."
"I'm happy, so happy in my heart," Dad said, his eyes reddening, his voice rising. "Our Xia Xia is so accomplished."
The alcohol taking effect, Dad clutched his chopsticks and rambled, "When Dad was little, he farmed in the village. Only during the off-season could he study. Our family didn't even have a table—Dad did his homework lying on the dirt kang... Back then, Dad just dreamed of moving to the city someday. How could he have imagined his daughter going to Peking University or Cambridge, buying a two-hundred-square-meter apartment..."
Lin Zhixia reminded him shyly, "I haven't bought the apartment yet. It's just a plan."
Dad snapped out of it. "When you buy next year, Mom and Dad will chip in some money."
Mom placed a chicken drumstick in Lin Zhixia's bowl. "The down payment for a big apartment is a lot. Let's buy a small one first so Xia Xia can live there and come home a few times a week to eat and sleep. That way, Mom and Dad can take care of you."
Lin Zhixia said firmly, "No, no, no. I want a big one. I can afford it."
Lin Zeqiu cautioned her, "You can't become fat with one bite. The mortgage pressure for a big place is heavy."The north wind howled, and the sound of falling snow rustled softly. Inside her warm home, Lin Zhixia felt her mood relax considerably. She picked up a piece of tender, crispy beef, carefully dipped it in the sauce, and placed it in Lin Zeqiu's bowl. "Brother, have some beef."
Lin Zeqiu loved stir-fried beef with green peppers the most. It was a dish he never tired of.
As he took a bite of the beef, Lin Zhixia revealed, "I have a senior who was selected for the 'Young Thousand Talents Program.'"
"Is it the Young Thousand Talents Program?" Lin Zeqiu responded.
Lin Zhixia began to elaborate enthusiastically on the benefits of the "Young Thousand Talents Program": "Yes, the state provides a one-time subsidy of 500,000 RMB for 'Young Thousand Talents' scholars. Universities in our city also offer an additional reward of 1 million RMB, which is tax-free. Moreover, professors in the program typically receive an annual salary starting at around 300,000 RMB, with research funding beginning at several million. I don’t have to worry about research funding. I can recruit graduate students and train them to become the next generation of talent... I’m very happy."
Mom sat beside Lin Zhixia. She reached out and gently patted Lin Zhixia’s head, and Lin Zhixia cooed, "Mom, I missed you so much while I was abroad."
Mom replied, "Mom missed Xia Xia too."
But Dad asked in a daze, "Xia Xia, is everything you just said true?"
Lin Zhixia nodded. "Of course it’s true."
Dad pulled out a tissue and wiped his face.
His complexion flushed with excitement.
He had grown some white hairs, which gleamed starkly under the light.
He ran his hand from his forehead back over his head, smoothing down his temples, and muttered repeatedly, "That’s wonderful, Xia Xia. Ah, Dad will have a couple more drinks. Don’t let your mom stop me. The feeling in Dad’s heart is just so smooth. Xia Xia is a talent and can even cultivate talent. Mom and Dad are both so proud of you."
Mom added, "Mom and Dad have saved up some money over the years. We’ll give all our savings to you. See if it’s enough for a down payment on a big house?"
Lin Zhixia declined Mom’s offer.
In front of her family, Lin Zhixia didn’t hesitate to lay out her calculations: "I earned over 300,000 during my undergraduate years. In the two years of my Ph.D., I’ve saved 140,000 from scholarships and teaching assistantships. Next year, I’ll save another 400,000. Combined with the various subsidies from the 'Young Thousand Talents Program,' I’ll have about 2.4 million in cash, which is enough for a down payment."
The staggering numbers Lin Zhixia listed made Lin Zeqiu forget to chew the food in his mouth.
After hearing about Lin Zhixia’s income, Lin Zeqiu couldn’t help but think of Jiang Yubai.
On the way home, Dad had told Lin Zeqiu that Xia Xia was an adult now and had seen more of the world than any of them. As a father, he couldn’t show his worries and should do his best to support Xia Xia and Xiao Jiang, not letting Xia Xia feel torn between her family and Jiang Yubai.
Lin Zeqiu had taken these words to heart.
At the airport exit, Lin Zeqiu had slammed his fist against the railing with all his strength. Now, hours later, his palm still ached faintly. The thought of Jiang Yubai tricking Lin Zhixia into living with him and teaching her to lie made his blood boil.
His sister had finally come home for a visit, and Lin Zeqiu didn’t want to ruin the family atmosphere by scolding her harshly. So, he decided not to bring up Jiang Yubai again.Lin Zeqiu deliberately avoided mentioning "Jiang Yubai," but Lin Zhixia proactively brought him up: "By the way, Jiang Yubai is also going to help me manage the 'Quantum Technology Laboratory.' It'll be registered under an internet company, so I can focus most of my energy on research."
Strangely, the family's reaction was lukewarm.
The silence in the living room stretched on.
Outside, snowflakes fluttered down in the vast night sky, and the windowsill was blanketed in a layer of pristine white snow. Dad glanced out the window before finally mustering a response: "Mom and I don't really understand the internet or laboratories, Xia Xia. You make the decision yourself, but be careful. If anything comes up, talk to us—we'll figure it out together as a family."
Lin Zhixia was eating shrimp dumplings. The vinegar in her bowl had run out, so Mom refilled it for her and asked, "How does Xiao Jiang treat you? I don't know him well, but he seems quite even-tempered."
Seizing the opportunity, Lin Zhixia enthusiastically boosted Jiang Yubai's image: "Jiang Yubai has an excellent temper—he's very gentle. He's never lost his temper, stays calm and collected in any situation, neither arrogant nor impatient, and his personality is steady. He's quick-witted and sharp; I love chatting with him... We've been talking for ten years, often exchanging diaries and notes. His writing is as interesting as he is. He's completely devoted to me...Lin Zhixia nearly blurted out, "He's reserved and subtle, guarding his virtue like jade."
Fortunately, she caught herself in time.
Then, she suddenly realized she rarely mentioned Jiang Yubai in front of her parents.
Jiang Yubai had given her so much emotional support, and she had buried all that support deep in her heart like a secret.
Now, Lin Zhixia laid her cards on the table: "I used to be very timid, and Jiang Yubai often encouraged me..."
Her voice softened: "Since we were kids, he's always said, 'You're outstanding—be brave and keep moving forward.'"
"Xiao Jiang is a good kid," Dad remarked, slightly tipsy.
Mom's stance remained unclear: "Is Xiao Jiang free? Have him come over to our house again. Mom and Dad would like to chat with him properly—it wasn't convenient to talk in detail at the airport today."
Lin Zeqiu let out a cold snort.
He hadn't yet told their parents that Lin Zhixia and Jiang Yubai were already living together.
Lin Zhixia suddenly turned her gaze toward him.
Her eyes were clear and pure, like melting snow on a high mountain. In the end, he couldn't bear to leave her in a difficult position and vaguely helped conceal the cohabitation.
Then, a more daunting challenge arose.
Lin Zeqiu had to shoulder the responsibility of their parents.
He needed to make it clear to Lin Zhixia the risks of a young woman living with a man.
He spent a long time mentally preparing himself.
By past 10 p.m., the light in Lin Zhixia's room was still on.
Steeling himself, Lin Zeqiu knocked on his sister's door, strode inside, and faced her puzzled expression. He pulled up a chair, intending to have a heart-to-heart talk with her.
Lin Zeqiu had seriously considered it: Jiang Yubai had won Lin Zhixia over with his "gentle and calm" demeanor. If Lin Zeqiu kept scolding his sister, he would only push her further away.
So, he abandoned his former harsh and stern attitude, even forcing a slight curve at the corner of his lips. He said, "There's something you must know."
Lin Zhixia studied his expression and shivered. "I just got home—please don't yell at me."
Lin Zeqiu frowned slightly. "I really don't plan to yell at you."Lin Zhixia whispered, "Aren't you here to talk about cohabitation?"
Lin Zeqiu instantly broke character. He put on a stern face again.
Lin Zhixia was drawing.
Under her brush emerged blue skies, clear waters, flying fish, and seabirds.
In high spirits, she said softly, "Are you going to tell me to be careful? Don’t worry, I won’t make you an uncle at such a young age. Jiang Yubai and I haven’t reached that stage yet."
Lin Zeqiu propped himself up from the table and stood.
"What’s wrong, Brother?" Lin Zhixia asked him.
"I’m leaving," Lin Zeqiu said coldly, then hurried out of Lin Zhixia’s bedroom.
His sister really was clever, he thought. Maybe he didn’t need to worry about her at all.
On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, Jiang Yubai woke up early.
He had received an invitation from Lin Zhixia to visit her parents at their home that day.
Jiang Yubai told his family about it.
His uncle immediately said, "Xiao Jiang, this is very important. You need to make a good impression on your future parents-in-law."
His aunt reminded him, "Don’t forget to bring gifts. It’s a formal visit—don’t go empty-handed."
His uncle put an arm around his aunt’s shoulders. "Your aunt is so thoughtful. Let’s have the housekeeper prepare some of our best items, and your uncle and aunt will help you choose. When I first visited your aunt’s family, I didn’t make a single mistake…"
Compared to his uncle and aunt’s enthusiasm, his parents were calmer. His dad told Jiang Yubai to be polite at his girlfriend’s house, while his mom asked him to come home early since there was still a family banquet that evening.
Jiang Yubai, however, said, "I’ll be having dinner at their place."
His mom set down her teacup and said gently, "Alright then, it’s good for you to spend more time with their family."
That morning, Jiang Yubai bathed, changed into new clothes and shoes, and, carrying several bags of expensive gifts, drove a Rolls-Royce Phantom himself to the Ancheng residential area where Lin Zhixia lived.
He parked his Rolls-Royce not far from Lin Zhixia’s building.
Laden with paper bags and carrying his uncle and aunt’s earnest expectations, he walked slowly toward Lin Zhixia’s doorstep.
In the past two years, the roads in Ancheng had been renovated—they were now straight and tidy, though the snow on either side hadn’t melted. Lin Zhixia ran out in a pair of rubber boots, greeting him warmly, "You’re here! I’ve been waiting for so long. Come inside quickly—I made Lychee Mousse Cake."
Before she finished speaking, another Lexus pulled up nearby.
As the car door opened, Lin Zhixia frowned slightly.
She stood still, silent.
Just as Jiang Yubai was wondering what was wrong, he heard her say tonelessly, "Good morning, Uncle, Aunt, Cousin."
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