Lin Zhixia was the pride of the Earth Legion.
Jiang Yubai's words echoed repeatedly in Lin Zhixia's mind. The "Exploring the Universe" comic series they co-created seemed to blend into reality, lending a fantastical hue to the real world and empowering her with strength drawn from the virtual realm.
After the elementary school reunion ended, Lin Zhixia and Jiang Yubai walked back together to their ninth-grade Class 17 classroom. They strolled leisurely along the path, pausing occasionally to admire the winter campus scenery—in the harsh cold of deep winter, plants had withered, yet a cluster of plum blossoms bloomed vibrantly amidst the frost, exuding an ethereal and elegant beauty.
A faint, refreshing fragrance of plum blossoms drifted nearby. Lin Zhixia stood relaxed beneath the tree, appreciating the flowers, when Jiang Yubai suddenly remarked, "I brought my digital camera today."
Lin Zhixia reached out her hand to him. "Quick, take out the camera. Let's snap a photo together."
Jiang Yubai slung one strap of his backpack over his left shoulder, reached into the bag with his right hand, and pulled out his digital camera.
The camera had a touchscreen. Lin Zhixia fiddled with it for a while, adjusting settings like resolution, aperture, and focus, then took a test shot on the spot. The resulting image was sharp with excellent lighting effects, prompting Jiang Yubai to praise her involuntarily, "You... have some talent for photography."
"Not really," Lin Zhixia laughed. "It's just that your digital camera is high-quality."
In the distance, four senior high school students approached. Lin Zhixia stood in the middle of the path, planning to stop them and ask a kind soul to take a photo of her and Jiang Yubai.
The four seniors walked in two pairs, slightly spread out, allowing Lin Zhixia to immediately spot the tallest among them—her brother, Lin Zeqiu.
Lin Zeqiu was sixteen this year and stood 187 centimeters tall. With his long legs and brisk pace, he hurried straight toward Lin Zhixia.
Lin Zhixia had thought that after all her experiences, she had matured mentally and grown much braver. Yet, the moment she saw her brother, she hesitated not a second before ducking behind Jiang Yubai.
"My brother is here," Lin Zhixia warned.
Jiang Yubai adjusted his backpack, straightened his posture, and prepared seriously. "I know."
"My brother looks fierce," Lin Zhixia commented.
Jiang Yubai gripped the digital camera tightly in his right hand. "Is he fierce every day?"
"Not exactly," Lin Zhixia explained honestly. "Brother can be quite gentle sometimes. One evening when we were studying at home, he even called me by my childhood name."
Jiang Yubai asked her, "What's your childhood name?"
"Xia Xia," Lin Zhixia said proudly. "Lin Zhixia's childhood name is Xia Xia."
Jiang Yubai tried calling her, "Xia Xia?"
Lin Zhixia responded cheerfully, "Xia Xia is here." Then she asked, "Jiang Yubai, what's your childhood name?"
Jiang Yubai listed them in detail: "My uncle calls me Xiao Jiang, my dad uses my full name. My mom used to call me Xiao Bai, but now she also uses my full name."
"Xiao Bai," Lin Zhixia enunciated slowly.
Jiang Yubai turned his face away uncomfortably. "That's a nickname for little kids."
Lin Zhixia nodded. "Okay! I won't call you Xiao Bai from now on. I'll just call you Jiang Jiang Jiang Jiang Yubai... and also, Chief Jiang Yubai, Your Majesty Jiang Yubai, Teacher Jiang."Jiang Yubai mimicked Lin Zhixia's phrasing, reciting in the same manner: "Lin Lin Lin Lin Zhixia, Captain Lin Zhixia, Queen Lin Zhixia, Teacher Lin..." His voice gradually lowered. The terms "Queen Lin Zhixia" and "Teacher Lin" made him feel somewhat embarrassed and self-conscious. Especially as Lin Zeqiu drew closer, he didn't want Lin Zeqiu to hear his words clearly.
Just as he finished saying "Teacher Lin," Lin Zeqiu stepped in front of him.
Lin Zeqiu's gaze swept past Jiang Yubai and landed on Lin Zhixia: "You told Mom and Dad this morning that you were having lunch with classmates. Where are these classmates?"
"It was an elementary school classmates' gathering," Jiang Yubai explained on Lin Zhixia's behalf. "Our elementary school classmates are in seventh grade at Provincial No. 1 Middle School. The gathering just ended, and they've all returned to the seventh-grade building. Lin Zhixia and I are heading to the ninth-grade building."
"Mhmm, that's exactly how it is, just as Jiang Yubai said!" Lin Zhixia affirmed confidently.
Clearly, Lin Zhixia and Jiang Yubai were in the same camp, while Lin Zeqiu had become the outsider—this realization caused Lin Zeqiu's thoughts to stall momentarily, leaving his mind briefly blank.
How did it come to this?
Lin Zeqiu and Lin Zhixia were siblings bound by blood. Lin Zeqiu had done his utmost in almost everything related to his sister. For instance, he had crossed his own boundaries by acknowledging his sibling relationship with Lin Zhixia, after which his school life in eighth and ninth grades was shrouded in an unshakeable gloom.
Now, Lin Zeqiu was enrolled in the top science advanced class at Provincial No. 1 Middle School. Most of his classmates ranked within the top 200 in the city's high school entrance exams. Burdened with heavy academic pressures daily, he often overheard classmates discussing his sister, referring to her as a legendary figure in the junior high division.
A few classmates even expressed skepticism about his sister's achievements. Although Lin Zeqiu detested the mention of "Lin Zhixia" in his school life, he disliked anyone questioning her academic abilities even more. He had argued with his classmates for a full ten minutes just to uphold Lin Zhixia's positive image.
Lin Zhixia was unaware of her brother's staunch defense. Her mind was filled with her brother's frequent mantra: "Boys must play with boys, girls must play with girls." She also noticed that even after entering high school, her brother maintained his rigid and conservative ways, insistently drawing clear boundaries with all female students.
Lin Zhixia attempted to challenge her brother's deeply ingrained stereotypes: "Brother, Jiang Yubai and I have finalized our high school academic plans. We've been encouraging each other and striving toward a bright future."
Lin Zeqiu simply said, "Come over here, stand by my side."
Lin Zhixia picked up Jiang Yubai's digital camera and walked over to her brother with it: "Okay, Brother, could you please take a photo of Jiang Yubai and me? Thank you, Brother."
Three of Lin Zeqiu's classmates had also approached the area. Hearing Lin Zhixia call Lin Zeqiu "Brother," they asked in surprise, "Is she your sister, Lin Zhixia?"
Lin Zeqiu admitted with a cold expression, "Yeah."
The classmates couldn't help but marvel in astonishment. They scrutinized Lin Zhixia with complex gazes. Lin Zeqiu turned his head and asked arrogantly, "What are you three still staring at? Haven't you ever seen a junior from the Olympiad class?"One of Lin Zeqiu's classmates said awkwardly, "Why... why are you so angry?"
Lin Zhixia suddenly had an idea: "Brother, come take a photo with us."
Jiang Yubai didn't object. He found an inconspicuous spot under the plum blossom tree. Standing tall and straight, he remained quietly in place. After a few more seconds, Jiang Yubai revealed to Lin Zeqiu: "I'm going to another city for high school soon."
"That's right," Lin Zhixia said, "My best friend and I are going to be separated."
Lin Zeqiu watched them indifferently.
Lin Zhixia chattered on: "We've never taken photos on campus before, Brother."
Without waiting for Lin Zeqiu's agreement, Lin Zhixia directly handed the camera to Lin Zeqiu's classmate: "Excuse me, could I trouble you to take a group photo for us? I've already adjusted the settings, you just need to press the shutter."
The senior quickly agreed to Lin Zhixia's request. He took the camera and stepped back a few paces: "Ah, no, you three need to stand closer. You're too far apart to fit in the camera frame."
Lin Zhixia was determined to get a group photo. She moved closer to Jiang Yubai, and Lin Zeqiu immediately came to her side. The distance between the three of them significantly narrowed.
Lin Zhixia stood in the center. Jiang Yubai was on her left, while Lin Zeqiu was on her right. Her face was filled with a smile, looking very happy.
Lin Zeqiu slightly curved his lips, then worried that his smile might appear stiff and not as good-looking as Jiang Yubai's. He admitted that Jiang Yubai was indeed quite handsome. Even though Lin Zeqiu never cared about men's appearances, he didn't want to be at a disadvantage in the same photo comparison.
Jiang Yubai didn't overthink it. He simply maintained his usual attention to appearance. He guessed that Lin Zhixia would carefully preserve this photo. Therefore, he had to be at his best.
The student taking the photos crouched on the ground, raised the digital camera, and called out loudly: "Smile for me, say 'cheese'! Let me count again. One, two, three... cheese!"
Lin Zhixia was the most cooperative. She enthusiastically shouted: "Cheese!"
Jiang Yubai looked straight ahead. He only silently mouthed the word in his heart: cheese.
Meanwhile, Lin Zeqiu remained as still as a wax statue.
The classmate took ten consecutive photos before returning the digital camera to Lin Zhixia.
Lin Zhixia reviewed the photos and exclaimed in surprise: "So beautiful!"
In the photos she saw, there weren't just Lin Zhixia, Jiang Yubai, and Lin Zeqiu, but also a patch of withered yellow grass that highlighted the bleakness and desolation of winter. The plum blossoms covering the tree were vibrant and blooming proudly, showcasing nature's marvelous creation. Within this wonderful scene, containing intense color contrasts, she temporarily forgot about Jiang Yubai and Lin Zeqiu.
Lin Zhixia turned around and looked at Jiang Yubai expectantly: "When you get home, could you email me the digital copies of the photos?"
Jiang Yubai, holding the camera strap, said decisively: "I'll develop the photos, put them in frames, and give them to you."
Lin Zhixia was overjoyed: "Okay, okay, thank you, Jiang Yubai!"
Jiang Yubai nodded: "You're welcome."Lin Zeqiu observed the interactions between the two of them—they still seemed quite polite with each other. Yet he couldn't shake off his discomfort. After all, he couldn't keep an eye on Lin Zhixia every moment. The slightest distraction, and she would end up playing with Jiang Yubai. His only consolation was that Jiang Yubai would be attending high school in another city. This meant Jiang Yubai and Lin Zhixia's friendship was approaching its end. During high school, Lin Zhixia would have no choice but to properly find a girl as her best friend—this was the proper campus trajectory for a high school girl.
Since the onset of winter this year, Siberian cold fronts had been continuously sweeping through, bringing the harshest winter climate in a decade. The city's skyscrapers were shrouded in an overwhelming chill. Every morning, Mom would meticulously prepare Lin Zhixia's gloves, scarf, ear muffs, and hat, fearing her daughter might catch cold on her way to and from school.
On the day final exams ended, the temperature dropped to a low of minus seven degrees Celsius. Bundled up like a rice dumpling, Lin Zhixia left the examination hall with Jiang Yubai and strolled leisurely toward the gate of Provincial First High School. Without warning, Jiang Yubai took off his gloves. He opened his backpack, retrieved an exquisite box, and presented it to Lin Zhixia.
"What is it?" Lin Zhixia asked him.
He replied, "A photo and a frame."
Just as Lin Zhixia was about to remove her gloves, Jiang Yubai stopped her. "It's cold. Let me open it."
Jiang Yubai unwrapped the gift box, revealing an intricately crafted rosewood photo frame to Lin Zhixia. In the photo, she stood side by side with Jiang Yubai and Lin Zeqiu under a flourishing plum blossom tree, radiating the vibrant energy of youth. Although Lin Zeqiu appeared slightly stiff, the minor flaw didn't detract from the overall excellence—it was a photo truly worth treasuring.
A biting wind howled past, leaving Jiang Yubai's hands icy cold.
Lin Zhixia hurriedly placed the frame into her backpack. "Put your gloves back on quickly," she urged, then added, "I'll display this frame on my desk."
"I have one too," Jiang Yubai revealed.
Surprised, Lin Zhixia asked, "Does your photo include my brother?"
It did not.
In the version Jiang Yubai kept, Lin Zeqiu had been mercilessly cropped out. Jiang Yubai felt no remorse about it. He had even considered giving Lin Zhixia the cropped version, but after some moral deliberation, he restrained himself. He could easily guess Lin Zhixia's perspective—Jiang Yubai was her close friend of four years, while Lin Zeqiu was her deeply cherished brother. Both held special significance in her life, serving as witnesses to her growth.
On Jiang Yubai's father's office desk, there was also a family portrait. That photo included Jiang Yubai's parents, his uncle, and himself. Clearly, like any ordinary person, Lin Zhixia valued family bonds and friendships deeply.
Even so, Jiang Yubai answered honestly, "My photo doesn't include Lin Zeqiu."
Lin Zhixia nodded understandingly. "Hmm, that's what I thought."She also said, "Actually, that day, I imagined Mom and Dad coming to school too. Dad, Mom, Brother, you, and me—the five of us taking a photo together. You are all very important people to me. When I feel scared or nervous, you all help me. You are all my motivation to move forward."
"Helping you is what I should do," Jiang Yubai said modestly. "My dad says true friends naturally help each other."
"Yes, yes!" Lin Zhixia agreed enthusiastically.
Today was the last day of the first semester of ninth grade, and the gates of Provincial No. 1 High School were right before them. It seemed that once they passed through those gates, they would step into the long winter break and the lively Spring Festival. It was only then that Lin Zhixia spoke up: "I have another piece of good news to tell you. The paper I co-authored with two doctoral sisters is going to be submitted this month. Teacher Shen said if we're lucky, it might get accepted quickly... Then my first paper will be published, and I'm the first author."
Jiang Yubai had known Lin Zhixia for four years and considered himself well-acquainted with grand scenes. Yet, when he heard that Lin Zhixia's first paper as the first author was about to be published, he was still deeply shaken.
He asked, "Did you have time to write a paper?"
He suspected that over the past year, Lin Zhixia had been working very hard.
Lin Zhixia explained in detail: "I've been working with the doctoral sisters for over three years; they taught me a lot. I started writing last January, revised it a few times in between, and Teacher Shen also reviewed the draft for me."
Jiang Yubai pondered thoughtfully: "What is your research direction?"
Lin Zhixia answered truthfully: "My research focuses on the mixed parameterization analysis of the Ocean General Circulation Model in the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea, and East China Sea."
"What?" Jiang Yubai asked again.
Lin Zhixia looked at him: "Actually, I think in some research fields, truly groundbreaking and innovative papers usually have shorter titles. A long title like mine suggests that the work in this paper only includes minor improvements."
Jiang Yubai showed concern for her: "Is this research direction something you like?"
Lin Zhixia nodded: "Teacher Shen taught me step by step how to systematically express the ideas in my head. Do you remember Niu Siyuan? He's Teacher Shen's student. After reading Niu Siyuan's paper, I got the inspiration for my first paper. I shared my ideas with Teacher Shen. She gave me the first batch of raw data. Then, she helped me collect data in batches several times and encouraged me to start the project...
Actually, it took me a full three years to finish this paper."
"You probably don't have procrastination issues," Jiang Yubai commented.
Lin Zhixia immediately reflected on herself: "Well, I don't like to procrastinate. But sometimes, I'm afraid to take the first step."
She and Jiang Yubai walked out of the school gate together, and tiny snowflakes landed on her face. Suddenly, she remembered the winter break training camp during seventh grade, when she and Jiang Yubai participated together. She recalled that snowy night under the dim streetlights, she and Jiang Yubai shouting across the street to each other: "See you tomorrow!"
See you tomorrow.
Such an expectant phrase.
She began to miss that winter break training camp from seventh grade.Jiang Yubai stepped back slightly, speaking to her with considerable formality: "You've grown a lot, Lin Zhixia. You're braver and stronger than when you were younger."
Lin Zhixia repeated to herself: "Very brave, very strong."
"Yes," Jiang Yubai agreed, "you'll keep getting better and better."
Lin Zhixia immediately responded: "Jiang Yubai will also keep getting better and better. This is both a fact and my hope."
She took the first step onto the crosswalk: "See you next semester, Jiang Yubai!"
The green light was counting down its final seconds. Jiang Yubai waved at her: "See you next semester, Lin Zhixia."
Lin Zhixia laughed lightly and ran toward the bus stop as usual. Her winter break life in ninth grade had begun.
The winter break lasted one month. Lin Zhixia planned to focus her main energy on her paper. Her first paper discussed the practical application of the Ocean General Circulation Model and its localized improvements. To process the massive and fragmented data, Lin Zhixia utilized computer clusters and tried Google's newly released Preduce framework. The basic concept of this framework was very concise and easy to operate, giving Lin Zhixia inspiration to improve Preduce. Additionally, she wanted to deepen her understanding of quantum field theory and her thoughts on the boundaries of two-dimensional Riemannian manifolds. However, lacking confirmation and recommendations from relevant professional professors, she didn't rashly start writing.
Mom and Dad clearly noticed the changes in Lin Zhixia.
This winter break, Lin Zhixia was quieter and more reserved than in previous years. When she heard that Mom and Dad planned to take her and Lin Zeqiu back to their hometown, she calmly declared: "I'm not going. You and Brother can go back to the hometown. I'll stay home alone for seven days."
Every previous Spring Festival, Lin Zhixia hadn't wanted to return to their hometown. But she was a clingy person. She would always follow behind Mom and Dad. As long as Mom and Dad decided to spend the New Year in the countryside, Lin Zhixia could only comply with their decision.
However, during this ninth-grade winter break, Lin Zhixia suddenly became independent. She said: "I'm almost thirteen years old. I can take care of myself."
Dad asked in shock: "Can Xia Xia cook? What will Xia Xia eat if she stays home alone?"
Lin Zhixia thought for a moment before saying: "I can eat instant noodles, drink mineral water, and have marinated chicken wings. I'll also eat oranges to supplement vitamin C and prevent myself from getting scurvy due to vitamin C deficiency."
Mom criticized her: "The New Year is coming soon. Don't talk about illnesses and such things."
"Mm-hmm," Lin Zhixia nodded. She appeared very obedient and well-behaved.
But on the issue of "returning to the hometown," Lin Zhixia was particularly stubborn and wouldn't yield an inch. Especially when she heard that Uncle and Aunt would also go to the countryside for the New Year this year, she became even more resistant: "Grandpa and Grandma don't like me, and you know what Uncle and Aunt are like. These relatives have no affection for me, so why should I still try to please them?"
Dad called her: "Xia Xia..."
Lin Zhixia immediately continued: "When Xia Xia says she's not going, she means she's not going."
"I'm not going back either," Lin Zeqiu suddenly spoke up.
Like Lin Zhixia, Lin Zeqiu strongly disliked Uncle's family. Especially Uncle's son, that cousin who constantly flaunted his superiority in front of him - he had several times barely restrained himself from picking up his cousin and giving him a beating.The conditions at Grandpa's and Grandfather's homes were poor, and daily routines like bathing and using the toilet were not particularly refined. Whenever Lin Zhixia entered the bathroom at Grandpa's house, Lin Zeqiu would stand guard outside for her. The lock on the bathroom door at Grandpa's house was broken—Grandpa and Grandma were always reluctant to fix it, believing it unnecessary to spend money on repairing the toilet. Lin Zhixia would prop a chair and a few pieces of wood together as a makeshift "doorstop" against the door. Yet Lin Zeqiu still felt uneasy, as Grandpa's house often had many visitors... In short, Lin Zeqiu was uncomfortable with everything in their rural hometown. He strongly insisted on staying home with Lin Zhixia.
He said, "Lin Zhixia can't cook, but I can. I can even prepare a New Year's Eve dinner."
Lin Zhixia clapped happily. "Great, Brother, we don't have to eat instant noodles!"
"I wouldn't let you eat instant noodles during Spring Festival," Lin Zeqiu said firmly.
Lin Zhixia immediately started listing dishes: "Then let's have braised crucian carp, pork knuckle stewed with soybeans, stir-fried beef with green peppers, cold tossed tomatoes... okay, Brother?"
Lin Zeqiu sat on the sofa. Lin Zhixia came to his side and whispered: "Brother, I secretly saved two thousand yuan from my scholarship. It's enough for our Spring Festival expenses. You can buy whatever you want - I know you like beef... I'll buy you the best beef from the supermarket!"
Lin Zeqiu was taken aback.
He rested his hands on his knees, slightly tightening his grip on the fabric of his trousers. A sudden warmth surged in his heart. Although he felt he invested one hundred percent of his familial affection in Lin Zhixia, while she only returned about forty percent when she was in a good mood... still, he genuinely appreciated her kindness.
He and Lin Zhixia enthusiastically discussed the New Year's Eve dinner menu.
Their Dad was stunned for a moment before reacting: "Qiuqiu, Xia Xia, Mom and Dad haven't agreed to let you stay home by yourselves yet. You didn't go back to our hometown last year, or the year before that - you can't disappear again this year."
No one listened to Dad.
Dad helplessly looked at Mom.
Mom was knitting a sweater. The stove in the living room burned brightly, filling the space with cozy warmth as her fingers deftly worked the needles. She stated: "If we don't go back for three years, the villagers will gossip. Our parents would feel bad hearing that. I still need to make a trip back."
Dad said: "Alright then, I'll go back with you."
But Mom responded: "You stay here and take care of Qiuqiu and Xia Xia. How can the house be without adults during the New Year holidays? There have been more burglars lately, and with our small shop and living on the first floor with lights on, we're too attractive to thieves."
Lin Zhixia belatedly cried out: "Mom..."
Lin Zeqiu was very worried - Lin Zhixia, this Mommy's cling-on, simply couldn't be separated from Mom.
His concern proved justified.
Lin Zhixia quickly switched sides: "Mom, Mom, I'll go back with you." She stood before Mom, gently holding up a corner of the sweater: "Mom, won't you be unhappy going back to our hometown alone? Uncle and Aunt don't treat you well. Once, when you were talking with Uncle, I heard... Uncle blamed you for not giving him enough money when he was studying for his master's degree..."
"There was such a thing?" Lin Zeqiu frowned deeply. "That piece of trash - who could bear to eat at the same table with him?"
Dad said gently: "Lin Zeqiu, don't say anymore. Don't upset your mother."
Lin Zeqiu retorted immediately: "Can't I say a few words? Is it illegal?"
Lin Zhixia worked hard to defend her brother: "Uncle dared to say such things to Mom precisely because no one guided him, no one taught him properly. He grew up in an environment where all family resources were tilted toward him, and he throws tantrums when relatives don't follow his wishes. He's someone who benefits himself at others' expense, while also being able to stoop and conquer. My brother is absolutely right. Dad, you can't criticize Brother just for telling the truth. Dad, seeking truth and being pragmatic is one of our school mottos. Exposing facts carries risks, but it's also praiseworthy."
Lin Zhixia was indeed silver-tongued.After hearing his daughter's words, Dad temporarily lost his ability to speak and couldn't refute her at all.
Lin Zhixia turned around and high-fived her brother.
Dad still hadn't figured out why his two children, who usually argued all day, had suddenly united in their stance.
Mom skillfully continued stitching the sweater. She held up the entire garment, examining it repeatedly before saying, "Xia Xia, try this sweater on later. If you don't like the collar, Mom can still alter it for you."
"Okay," Lin Zhixia tugged at her mother's sleeve, her voice soft and sweet, "Mom is so good."
Mom added, "Xia Xia, if you don't want to go back to the hometown, you don't have to in the future. Mom will only stay for a few days before returning. You don't need to come with me. It's too troublesome for Mom to travel alone with you."
Lin Zhixia could only agree.
This Spring Festival, she spent it very quietly.
During the seven-day Spring Festival holiday, Lin Zhixia was always bent over her desk studying. She would also take time to inspect Lin Zeqiu and offer guidance on his winter vacation homework. Though Lin Zeqiu appeared thoroughly reluctant on the surface, he actually prepared a seat for her and laid out a soft cushion.
Meanwhile, Dad hadn't opened the shop for business for three consecutive days. He suddenly found himself with plenty of free time. He would either watch TV in the living room or call his wife, urging her to return home early.
After several more days, Mom finally returned, covered in dust from her journey. Lin Zhixia had been waiting at the door early and rushed toward her mother from afar, running while calling out, "Mom, Mom, I missed you so much."
Lin Zeqiu was much more reserved than his sister. He merely helped Mom with her luggage and listened as she described how crowded the train was during the Spring Festival travel rush, how the instant noodles and boxed meals on the road had increased in price, and how she hadn't eaten anything after traveling all night. Yet she had brought some snacks for her daughter and son from their hometown, reportedly premium specialty dried fruits that some granduncle's daughter had brought from Beijing.
While opening her suitcase and speaking, Mom explained, "That granduncle's daughter used to work with me in the fields. When she was bitten by a snake, I carried her to the village clinic. She always says I saved her life. These past two years, she's been doing business in Beijing and has earned some money..."
The newly installed light bulb in the living room cast a warm, slightly yellowish glow. Sitting within this light, Mom took out an exquisitely packaged paper box and carefully broke the seal.
Lin Zhixia caught a whiff of a fresh and familiar fragrance.
Soon, Lin Zhixia was astonished. Because she saw dried strawberry fruits—such wonderful things existed in this world!
As soon as Mom lifted the plastic wrap, Lin Zhixia couldn't help but lean closer. Mom fed her a piece of the dried fruit and asked, "Is it delicious, Xia Xia?"
Lin Zhixia nodded: "So delicious!"
It truly lived up to being a premium specialty dried fruit from Beijing.
Then, she suddenly remembered that Mom had traveled all night without eating. Throughout the journey, no matter how hungry she was, Mom hadn't opened that box of dried strawberry fruits to eat them.
Suddenly, the strawberries didn't taste as sweet anymore. Lin Zhixia's heart felt sour and astringent. She nestled closer into her mother's embrace and whispered, "Mom... my mom is the best mom."
Mom stroked her head and said, "Mom's Xia Xia is also the best Xia Xia."
This winter vacation was, moreover, the best winter vacation.Early in the second semester of ninth grade, Lin Zhixia's paper was accepted. Her article was published in the Journal of Physical Oceanography—her first formally published paper in her life.
Jiang Yubai printed out Lin Zhixia's article, bound it into a booklet, and read it carefully during morning reading class.
Jiang Yubai considered his English proficiency to be decent. However, reading Lin Zhixia's article presented him with a tremendous challenge. He struggled through a series of descriptions in the paper, the convoluted mathematical transformations making his temples throb faintly.
Previously, Lin Zhixia had claimed she only made some "minor improvements," leading Jiang Yubai to believe her paper would be simple and easy to understand. He never expected Lin Zhixia's idea of "minor improvements" to be like this.
The final appendix of the paper included seven pages of boundary proofs, all written by Lin Zhixia. Jiang Yubai was almost unwilling to admit he was also a student in the math Olympiad class. It felt like reading an incomprehensible celestial text as he forced himself through Lin Zhixia's entire derivation process.
To make matters worse, Lin Zhixia was waiting for his evaluation.
Though Jiang Yubai was clearly not a reviewer for the Journal of Physical Oceanography, he seemed to be playing a role more important than one.
Jiang Yubai covered the first page of the paper with a draft sheet, hiding the abstract which he could barely understand half of. Then, he sincerely congratulated Lin Zhixia: "I've read your first paper. The mathematical theories are solid, the computer processing flow is clear..."
"Clear and easy to understand?" Lin Zhixia asked with particular anticipation.
Jiang Yubai couldn't lie. He described it tactfully: "Clear. Evident."
"Evident?" Lin Zhixia carefully weighed Jiang Yubai's choice of words. After a long while, she suddenly understood: "You mean I wrote it too complicatedly? Actually, these things are easy for those who can do them, difficult for those who can't."
Jiang Yubai nodded and wrote on the first page of the printed paper: The first planet successfully captured by Captain Lin Zhixia.
Lin Zhixia immediately became excited: "I'll capture more planets in the future, all kinds of planets!"
"I know," Jiang Yubai signed "Earth Legion" on the printed copy.
Looking at the stack of papers, he said softly: "I believe in you."
"Mm!" Lin Zhixia responded.
The paper didn't change Lin Zhixia's life. She remained as low-key as before, still declining all media interviews without even offering any explanations. Because her explanations might also appear in newspapers.
Some classmates from Class 17, Grade 9 were actually stopped by newspaper reporters at the gate of Provincial No. 1 High School. When reporters asked them about Lin Zhixia's character and conduct, they all maintained a unified stance, adhering to the "three no's principle": unclear, don't know, uncertain.
Among them, Shen Fuxuan's rhetoric stood out the most.Shen Fuxuan was adept at using banter to steer conversations in other directions. For instance, when a reporter from a newspaper keen on digging up sensational stories asked him in detail about how Lin Zhixia studied at school, whether she had received external help, and if her papers were ghostwritten, Shen Fuxuan launched into a discussion about the differences between quality-oriented education and exam-oriented education. He even delved into the history and educational background of the provincial capital. In the end, the reporter found him too long-winded and voluntarily gave up the interview.
Shen Fuxuan went to Lin Zhixia to claim credit: "Those adults are so boring. I fended off the reporter from the Evening Mirror for you. I’ve read that newspaper—it’s always reporting on the private lives of entertainment celebrities and some pointless urban rumors."
"Then why do you read that newspaper?" Lin Zhixia’s focus unexpectedly landed there.
The usually quick-witted Shen Fuxuan immediately stammered, "I—I..." He came up with an excuse: "Out of curiosity."
Lin Zhixia laughed heartily. Then, she politely asked Shen Fuxuan how he had been lately and whether his preparations for the physical education test in the high school entrance exam were going smoothly.
Mention of the physical education test deflated Shen Fuxuan like a punctured ball. He and Jiang Yubai had undergone intensive training for half a year. Jiang Yubai had already reached the "excellent" standard for pull-ups, while Shen Fuxuan was still struggling to meet the passing mark.
It was only then that Shen Fuxuan realized Jiang Yubai had practiced martial arts since childhood and was far more physically fit than him.
Shen Fuxuan had long secured a first prize in the junior high school league, guaranteeing his admission to the high school competition class at their school. Yet he still aimed for high scores in the high school entrance exam and even aspired to become the city’s top scorer—a symbol of honor, much like the Spaniards during the Age of Exploration who relentlessly expanded their maritime territories, needing tangible achievements to showcase their strength.
Like many of his classmates in Class 17 of the third year, he studied day after day for the high school entrance exam.
As June approached, there was no sense of separation or sadness in the class. The vast majority of students would advance to the high school division of Provincial No. 1 High School, and even those not in the Olympiad class would still see each other frequently. This calm and reassuring atmosphere persisted until the day the high school entrance exam ended.
On the day the exam concluded, Jiang Yubai revealed to a few classmates from Class 17 that he would be attending an international high school in Beijing next semester. He would spend his entire high school years in Beijing, then go abroad for his undergraduate studies before returning to the provincial capital to work.
Jiang Yubai’s life plan was crystal clear.
Duan Qiyan, however, was dumbfounded. Standing dazedly outside the exam hall, he could hardly believe what he had just heard: "You’re going to Beijing?"
The mid-June wind was stiflingly hot, offering no relief but instead intensifying the heat. Beads of sweat formed on Duan Qiyan’s forehead. He wiped his brow and asked again, "Jiang Yubai, you’re going to Beijing?"
Jiang Yubai and Lin Zhixia walked out of the exam hall one after the other: "Yes."
Duan Qiyan exclaimed loudly, "Lin Zhixia, you’re just letting him go like that?"
Lin Zhixia remained silent. During the high school entrance exam, her mind had wandered. She had written her Chinese essay and history paper half-heartedly. As for Jiang Yubai... with the day of separation drawing nearer, she deliberately avoided thinking about daily life without him.
She answered Duan Qiyan evasively: "Everyone has their own choices. You’ll understand someday, Duan Qiyan."Lin Zhixia's sudden display of maturity and composure made Duan Qiyan freeze in place involuntarily.
Their exam venue was a high school located in the city center. The school had several decades of history, with a tall yet dilapidated gate whose iron rings were covered in rust.
Lin Zhixia reached out and knocked on the iron rings. She bid farewell to her numerous classmates as usual, even saying with a smile, "See you next semester!"
When it was Jiang Yubai's turn, Lin Zhixia unexpectedly said, "See you tomorrow."
Jiang Yubai also replied, "See you tomorrow."
Lin Zhixia and Jiang Yubai had already made plans to meet at the provincial library every Saturday and Sunday during this summer vacation, spending their last long holiday together before high school began.
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