In mid-November 2015, Lin Zhixia returned to her home country with great joy.
Having completed her postdoctoral work, Lin Zhixia felt an unprecedented sense of relaxation. She slept soundly for an entire day at home while adjusting her biological clock.
The next morning, Mom and Dad went to the grocery market and brought back a pile of vegetables, fruits, and seafood.
With the family's supermarket temporarily closed, Dad and Mom spent most of the day busy in the kitchen, preparing an exceptionally delicious "Seafood Feast," which included steamed crabs, oyster sauce scallops, cold mixed squid, spicy clams... as well as Lin Zeqiu's favorite green pepper stir-fried beef and Lin Zhixia's beloved shrimp and corn dumplings.
When Lin Zeqiu returned home from work and pushed open the door, Lin Zhixia immediately called out, "Brother, come and eat quickly. Tonight's dinner is especially lavish."
The chill of late autumn and early winter swept through the entire city, and the cold night wind blew into the hallway. Yet, inside Lin Zeqiu's home, it was a scene of warmth and comfort, filled with the lively atmosphere of a family meal. The steaming hot dishes swept away his fatigue. As he sat at the dining table, Lin Zhixia placed another plump and tender crab on his plate: "Brother, have some crab."
"These are sea crabs," Dad said with a beaming smile. "Qiu Qiu likes seafood, right? Eat to your heart's content!"
Lin Zhixia held her bowl with both hands and sighed, "It's so delicious."
Mom then asked, "Xia Xia, you haven't even picked up your chopsticks yet. How do you know it's delicious?"
Lin Zhixia replied honestly, "When I was in the U.S., I sometimes dreamed of eating at home. In my dreams, I ate until I was completely full, but when I woke up in the morning, I realized my stomach was growling with hunger, and the fridge only had cold milk and bread."
She lifted the crab shell and said, "The dishes Mom and Dad make have a special flavor. Whether I cook myself or eat at restaurants outside, I can never replicate that feeling..."
Tears welled up in Mom's eyes. She wiped the corners of her eyes with her fingers and said, "Xia Xia is home now. Mom and Dad will cook for you. Eat whatever you want. Our family's life has gotten better."
"Mom, don't cry," Lin Zhixia said, handing her a napkin.
Dad explained, "Your mom is just too emotional. The children have all grown up and achieved so much. Mom and Dad are truly happy... Qiu Qiu found a good job, and Xia Xia is going to be a university professor..."
At this point, Dad cheerfully drank another glass of wine. He patted Lin Zeqiu on the shoulder and said, "Qiu Qiu, Dad knows you've worked hard... for the sake of this family, you didn't stay in Beijing."
Lin Zeqiu replied calmly, "Beijing's housing prices are too high, and it's hard to get a household registration there. I'm doing quite well now, and my year-end bonus is tens of thousands."
Dad exclaimed in surprise, "Qiu Qiu, you're earning so well! You're much more capable than Dad."
Lin Zeqiu remained silent. He glanced at Lin Zhixia.
Lin Zhixia picked up a small hammer and forcefully cracked open a crab claw. She smashed two crabs in a row, gathering the translucent crab meat into a porcelain bowl until it piled up like a small mountain.
Just as Lin Zeqiu was about to ask her why she hadn't taken a bite yet, he saw her pick up the bowl of crab meat and place it in front of Mom and Dad: "Our family's life has gotten better. Both Brother and I can earn money now. Don't hesitate to eat. I noticed you haven't touched the crabs at all."Dad repeatedly agreed with "Okay," but couldn't form a complete sentence. He scooped a spoonful of crab meat, savored it carefully, then wiped his face and sighed from the bottom of his heart: "Ah, Xia Xia is back. Your mom, your brother, and I can finally rest easy. Our family of four is reunited."
Lin Zhixia casually remarked: "Brother works in the Software Technology Park, which is very close to the University Town. If I buy a place in the University Town, that'll become our family of four's new home."
Lin Zeqiu chimed in: "Mom and Dad can retire early."
Lin Zhixia said cheerfully: "Yeah, Mom and Dad should retire. Brother and I will take care of you."
"Ah, how could that be?" Dad immediately rejected the idea without hesitation. "Your mom and I are still young, we can still earn money."
Mom shared Dad's opinion. She said gently: "Xia Xia, Qiu Qiu, you two have just entered society. Compared to other parents, we don't have connections or background to help you two... We can only save more money for you."
Dad echoed: "Yes, we need to save money for you."
Mentioning "saving money," Dad paused, as if remembering something. He put down his wine glass and immediately told Lin Zhixia that over the past year, during every major holiday, Jiang Yubai would visit their family, bringing various gifts. For example, during this year's Mid-Autumn Festival, Jiang Yubai had sent mooncakes, osmanthus cake, hairy crabs, and olive oil.
In front of Lin Zhixia's parents, Jiang Yubai never mentioned luxury goods - all his gifts were practical.
When Jiang Yubai met with Lin Zhixia's parents, he would actively share updates about Lin Zhixia's situation in America and explain her work - exactly the information Lin Zhixia's parents always wanted to hear, as they paid extremely close attention to their daughter.
Jiang Yubai's efforts continued for an entire year, successfully winning over Lin Zhixia's father.
Therefore, during tonight's dinner, Dad said a few good words for Jiang Yubai, Mom also praised him slightly, while Lin Zeqiu still maintained a serious attitude of "that guy hasn't passed the probation period yet."
Lin Zhixia buried herself in eating, her heart full of longing for him.
That night, Lin Zhixia sent Jiang Yubai a WeChat message, stating without reservation: "I miss you so much."
"I've been waiting for you," Jiang Yubai replied instantly. "The new home is decorated."
Near the University Town, there was an upscale residential area where the price per square meter was quite expensive and had shown a rapid upward trend this year. Jiang Yubai spent a fortune to buy an 800-square-meter penthouse, then hired the nation's best design team. After more than a year of renovation, it was finally completed this summer.
Not long ago, Jiang Yubai officially moved into this house. He invited Lin Zhixia to visit his home, and she happily agreed.
On Sunday morning, Jiang Yubai personally drove to Ancheng Community and successfully picked up Lin Zhixia. For eleven whole months, they hadn't seen each other. One of his ways to relieve lovesickness was trimming the golden camellia branches and leaves in his office.
Jiang Yubai often dreamed of Lin Zhixia.
But he never mentioned it.
He appeared completely calm.
He brought Lin Zhixia back to his new home.Passing through the entryway corridor, they arrived at the living room. Brilliant sunlight streamed through the Rose Skylight, and the vast, expansive 360-degree panoramic balcony captured Lin Zhixia’s attention. She walked softly across the exquisite, plush carpet and whispered, “Your new home is really so beautiful.”
Jiang Yubai stood behind her. “This is your home too.”
Lin Zhixia paused mid-step.
Jiang Yubai called her again: “Xia Xia.”
Lin Zhixia turned to face him: “Jiang Jiang.”
He chuckled softly and murmured, “Lin Lin Lin Lin Zhixia.”
Lin Zhixia replied in an extremely light voice: “Jiang Jiang Jiang Jiang Yubai.”
This was originally a secret code they had invented as children, but saying it now as adults felt like the murmuring whispers between lovers, carrying an indescribable sense of ambiguity.
A cold breeze blew in from the Sky Garden, carrying a refreshing fragrance that drifted everywhere. Lin Zhixia sat down on a soft chair on the spacious balcony and pointed to a bottle of red wine on a nearby wooden rack. “I’m in a good mood today. Let’s have a drink.”
Jiang Yubai asked her, “Has your alcohol tolerance improved?”
Lin Zhixia leaned close to him, seemingly to speak, but in fact, she stealthily kissed his cheek—this fleeting intimate gesture acted like a switch, triggering Jiang Yubai’s intense reaction. He tightly wrapped his arms around Lin Zhixia’s waist, holding her against the chair in a deep kiss. The loneliness of being apart for eleven months without being able to meet transformed at this moment into a surging tide of emotion, nearly overwhelming Jiang Yubai completely. In the brief pauses between kisses, Lin Zhixia murmured, “You… you’ve become so proactive, so passionate. I like it.”
Jiang Yubai stopped everything. “I can be even more proactive. Do you want to try?”
Lin Zhixia let out a light laugh.
She placed her hands on his shoulders. “Do you often think of me?”
“Every day,” Jiang Yubai looked at her, “and you?”
Lin Zhixia gazed into his eyes and saw her own reflection in them. He looked so deeply affectionate, incomparable, as if the entire world consisted only of Lin Zhixia, and by gazing at her, he had created a new world. Her heartbeat was steady yet filled with a light, floating sweetness, as if stuffed full of sweet honey.
So, Lin Zhixia took his hand and pointed to her own chest. “Of course I think of you. I don’t just miss you with my head, but also with here.”
After hearing her words, Jiang Yubai grasped her right hand and brought it to his lips. He lowered his head and gently kissed her fingertips, starting from her index finger and ending with her pinky. The entire process was silent, both fervent and solemn, devout and lingering. Suddenly, a fire ignited in Lin Zhixia’s heart, blazing fiercely to its peak in an instant.
Lin Zhixia’s breathing grew slightly uneven, and without thinking, she said, “I’ve returned to the country. We won’t be separated anymore; we can see each other every day.”
“Can you move in here?” Jiang Yubai asked her.
Lin Zhixia avoided his direct gaze. “I’ve told you, I want to buy my own place.”
Jiang Yubai stood up from his seat. He took out a bottle of champagne and two wine glasses, handing one to Lin Zhixia. He personally poured the champagne for her; the clear, delicate bubbles rose, and as Lin Zhixia caught the scent of the wine, she took a small, shallow sip.
“It’s delicious,” she said.Jiang Yubai clinked glasses with her: "You could move here with your family—your mom, dad, and brother..." Leaning back in the soft armchair, he leisurely savored his wine while gazing at the distant sky. "I suppose I count as your family too."
His words made Lin Zhixia's heart flutter once more.
It was as if Jiang Yubai was saying, "I've belonged to you all along."
Ever since Lin Zhixia stepped into his home, his calculated words and actions had completely unsettled her thoughts. In one gulp, she downed the champagne in her glass and, slightly intoxicated, confessed to him: "Yes, you're my best friend, my favorite person, my family..."
Before she could finish, Jiang Yubai drew closer again, coaxing her to turn and meet his kiss. This deep kiss carried the sweetness of champagne. Heavily drunk, she wrapped her arms tighter around him.
Lin Zhixia lay back on the plush sofa, her dark hair spilling loose. Against the backdrop of blue sky and white clouds behind Jiang Yubai, he leaned over her and formally proposed: "Let's sleep together tonight."
Lin Zhixia nearly agreed.
But then she remembered last Christmas—that breathtakingly sensual and soul-stirring scene she'd witnessed in the hotel bathtub. Beyond curiosity, a thread of worry and apprehension surfaced: "Will it hurt? I'm really afraid of pain."
Yes.
Lin Zhixia was terrified of pain.
She possessed not only photographic memory but also sensory memory.
Jiang Yubai hesitated. He had no experience in that regard. He simply longed to try it with Lin Zhixia, yet he also feared he might hurt her. After careful consideration, he set aside his personal desires and resolved: "Never mind. Let's take it step by step."
That night, Lin Zhixia didn't return home. She stayed at Jiang Yubai's place, sharing his bed and pillow. They talked late into the night, discussing her career plans.
In June this year, Lin Zhixia had submitted her review materials for the Young Thousand Talents Program. Her interview was scheduled for late November. If all went smoothly, by March next year, her name would appear on the "Selected Candidates Public List." Come September, she would join the best university in the provincial capital, securing a formal faculty position with substantial research funding.
In fact, university HR staff had already contacted Lin Zhixia.
She had been assigned to the Institute for Frontier and Interdisciplinary Science, where both the dean and vice-dean held high expectations for her.
The only issue was Lin Zhixia's youth. By the time she started recruiting graduate students next year, most would be older than her.
"My age," Lin Zhixia said, "is still a bit of a problem."
In the pitch-dark bedroom, Jiang Yubai murmured reassurance: "You're so intelligent and hardworking. During your three-year undergraduate degree, you didn't even go home for winter and summer breaks. Studying in the UK, you left early and returned late every day; working in the US, you rose early and stayed up late—devoting vast amounts of time to academia..."
Lin Zhixia turned and nestled into his embrace, listening as he continued: "You're capable of handling any responsibility. I believe in you and support you."
Touched, Lin Zhixia replied softly: "Okay."
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