"It sounds like you don't like this city much."
"Just not used to it, I suppose. On our way here yesterday, Peter said people who've lived in Portland too long would definitely develop country bumpkin goes to the city syndrome when they come to New York."
"Did last night's incident leave you with lingering fears?"
She shook her head, speaking matter-of-factly: "Not really. It happened too fast - it was over before I could even process it."
"Were you scared?"
"I was frightened, but not particularly terrified. After you left last month, I researched New York extensively and saw many people mentioning robbery experiences. They all said you must carry some money to hand over, and everything would be fine. I just didn't expect to encounter it so soon."
He held her tighter with tender affection: "I'm glad you don't dislike this place. I love it here - it's vast and complex enough to feel like it holds infinite possibilities. Places like Portland are more suitable for retirement. Maybe in a few decades, we can settle down in such a place."
She remained silent. Throughout the day, she had appeared relaxed and cheerful, completely enjoying what seemed like a carefree vacation. If Gao Xiang didn't know her well enough, he might have believed that the sudden fright at the hospital and the subway robbery had left no psychological impact on her.
"Xiao An, what are you worried about?"
"Nothing." Her voice involuntarily betrayed nervous tension. "I'm just somewhat afraid. Surprises that exceed expectations often feel unreal, and things planned too meticulously might be difficult to achieve."
"What kind of foolish talk is this, Xiao An? What did your mother say to you yesterday?"
"She actually didn't say much - my mother isn't one to waste time repeating things. But I'm not a child anymore, Gao Xiang. Even if she doesn't say it, and you don't say it, I understand that for us to be together, you'll face much stronger opposition than I will."
"Xiao An, do you remember before you came to America, when you said you wanted to stay in China, I didn't stop you?" She nodded. "Regarding opposition, I've thought about it more than you realize. But after seeing you, I discovered that sometimes we need to be a bit selfish and reckless. Since I've made up my mind, all those problems can be solved. You need to have a little faith in me."
She stared at him blankly, her eyes deep and profound, yet managing to smile: "Yes, I know." She leaned close to his ear and whispered, "I love you. As long as I can be with you, anywhere is fine."
10
Right after Bao Bao was discharged from the hospital, Chen Zi Hui urged Gao Xiang to return to China: "Your grandfather called saying there are many matters at the company now, and you need to book a flight back immediately."
"Bao Bao still needs follow-up examinations. How can I leave now?"
"The follow-up is in three months. It's not like I don't know the way to the hospital - I can take him for the checkup. If there's a language barrier, I can hire an interpreter. You should hurry back and not delay important matters."
"I haven't been at the company for months, and it's been operating normally. What important matters would be delayed?"
Chen Zi Hui could no longer contain herself and blurted out: "If you stay any longer, sooner or later someone will steal your heart away."He had long noticed Chen Zihui's restlessness during this period, initially assuming she was just worried about Bao Bao. But upon hearing her words, he was taken aback: "Since you brought this up, we might as well discuss it now. After Bao Bao recovers, I plan to stay in the U.S. for my studies."
"I absolutely will not agree to this."
Amused yet annoyed, he said seriously, "Mom, no matter what decisions I make, I'm willing to discuss them with my family. But you need to understand—I don't require anyone's permission or approval. If you keep using the same tone with me as you do with Dad, then there's no point in continuing this conversation."
Chen Zihui froze, recalling how her son had always been independent. Moreover, in her stubborn determination to punish her husband, Gao Ming had eventually retreated—not only ceasing to seek reconciliation but actively avoiding her. She rarely had the chance to use that commanding tone with him anymore. An inexplicable ache gripped her heart, and her resolve instantly weakened. "You've never respected me as your mother."
"Come on, of course I respect you. Otherwise, why would I bother discussing my plans with you?"
"Do you want to stay in the U.S. to be with Zuo En'an?" She gritted her teeth as she uttered the name.
Gao Xiang admitted frankly, "Yes."
"What on earth has gotten into you? There are plenty of nice girls in the world. Why must you be with her?"
"No matter how I explain it, you probably won't understand. You might as well assume I'm under some spell—that way, you won't have to ask so many whys."
"If... if you insist on doing this, I'll have your grandfather cut off your financial support. This damned place is expensive everywhere—without money, you can't move an inch. Forget studying; just the rent for this apartment costs over $5,000 a month. How do you expect to afford that?"
Gao Xiang burst out laughing. "Mom, after racking your brains, that's the best idea you came up with? I can work part-time. If I can't afford this place, I can manage a cheaper apartment with rent around $1,000 a month."
"Without a local degree or work experience, what kind of job can you get?"
"I can wash dishes or deliver food."
Chen Zihui was stunned, then stood up and exploded, "How can you say such a thing? I raised you so you could do those things for a woman? Just days ago, the Chinese newspaper reported a Fujianese deliveryman being robbed and beaten to death by some black men. Are you trying to give me a heart attack with such talk?"
"Calm down, calm down," Gao Xiang chuckled, pressing her back into her seat. "I was just giving an example. Finding a way to make a living in New York isn't hard—plenty of international students with no family money survive here. Cutting off my finances really won't defeat me."
Furious but helpless against her unflustered son, Chen Zihui retorted, "Fine, ignore me if you want, but what about your grandfather? He wants you to return. Are you planning to disregard him too?"
"I will go back, but only after Bao Bao finishes his check-up. Why don't you return to China first for a while? I'll take good care of him."Chen Zi Hui widened her eyes and stared at him. After a moment, she jumped up again angrily: "This must have been suggested by that Zuo Si'an, right? She's truly vicious. After causing my brother's death and charming you into bewilderment, she actually wants to drive me back to China so she can openly move in and take Bao Bao away. I always knew she harbored hatred for our Chen Family and has been scheming to get revenge on us."
"Where did you get such ideas? This is entirely my own thought. Haven't you been constantly complaining about how uncomfortable life is here?"
"Don't try to fool me. You must remember how she threatened to strangle Bao Bao with her own hands right after giving birth. What kind of person says such things at such a young age? Later she came to our house making a scene - her heart is thoroughly malicious. If you hand Bao Bao over to her, who knows what she might do. I will never agree to this. I'm staying right here and not going anywhere."
Chen Zi Hui stormed back to her bedroom, leaving Gao Xiang sighing helplessly at the sky.
Meanwhile, Zuo Si'an was having an unprecedented heated argument with Yu Jia.
At Yu Jia's insistence, Zuo Si'an had applied to several universities she selected. By March spring break, she had received admission offers from seven universities, including Yu Jia's top choice - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, which promised a full scholarship.
However, a few days later, Zuo Si'an told Yu Jia she planned to write to inform the university that she wouldn't be attending. Yu Jia had originally hoped Gao Xiang's family would firmly stop him. But during this period, Gao Xiang had maintained regular phone contact with Zuo Si'an, and after each call, Zuo Si'an's expression appeared sweet and dreamy, showing no signs of being obstructed.
Yu Jia grew increasingly concerned about the situation. She tried hard to warn herself against using harsh words again, but seeing Zuo En'an actually preparing to give up such a great opportunity to study accounting at a school she considered lacking academic atmosphere still made her furious and unsettled. She couldn't help regretting her momentary softness in New York: if she had let Chen Zi Hui make a scene, the worst outcome would probably have been just Zuo Si'an being sad for a few days.
Peter reminded her again that maintaining this cold war with her daughter was pointless.
She said angrily: "She's being completely irrational, giving up a top-three public university to attend some City University of New York."
"That's not fair to CUNY graduates," Peter said. "They've produced at least ten Nobel Prize winners. Besides, the Baruch College she plans to attend is quite reputable within CUNY - not everyone gets admitted. The job prospects for accounting majors have been very good in recent years. It could be considered a wise choice."
"That's not a place for serious academic pursuit," Yu Jia stated firmly.
Peter chuckled: "I can understand your expectations for your daughter, but it's her life, isn't it?"
"You probably think I'm a terribly controlling mother, right? But you Americans don't understand - in Chinese families, no one's life is completely independent. Parents and children influence each other throughout their lives. No one can completely break away from family. This applies not only to my relationship with Xiao An, but also to Gao Xiang's family's relationship with him."Peter had to admit that cultural differences were powerful, and Yu Jia was equally unpersuadable. He raised his hands in surrender: "Alright, alright, darling. 'We Americans' won't comment on this matter anymore. Handle it as you see fit. But there's one thing—you need to start preparing for your daughter's high school Graduation Ball in June."
Yu Jia was puzzled: "What ball? Isn't graduation just about having a ceremony and taking photos?"
"Hey, the Graduation Ball is a big deal for American kids. I still remember the girl I danced with back then—it's one of the happiest and most cherished memories for many people. You should help Si'an choose a suitable dress and ask if any boys have invited her."
"If she'd actually go on a date with a local boy and attend the ball, I wouldn't have to worry so much."
Zuo Si'an similarly didn't understand why her classmates started bustling about the Graduation Ball months in advance. It was only after Sarah's explanation that she realized this dance held extraordinary significance for American teenagers throughout their student years. Girls selected evening gowns with no less seriousness than when choosing wedding dresses later in life, and speculating about which boy would ask which girl was another major source of amusement.
During her two years at school, she had buried herself in studies, unwilling to engage socially. She only maintained nodding-acquaintance relationships with classmates, exchanging brief "Hi"s. Only Sarah, who was particularly lively, had suddenly jumped in front of her one day, batting large blue eyes with an innocent expression while asking for help with physics and math tutoring—and inquiring about her rates. Startled, Zuo Si'an hastily waved her hands saying she wouldn't charge. Sarah laughed heartily at her reaction, and that was how they became friends.
That day, Sarah invited her to Portland's largest shopping mall to look for formal dresses. They browsed store after store, with Zuo Si'an waiting outside fitting rooms watching Sarah try on outfit after outfit, responsible for providing feedback. However, their perspectives didn't align—her contributions were limited to "quite pretty" or "a bit tight," while Sarah wanted evaluations about whether something was "sexy" enough, counted as "hot," or would make boys "could not keep their eyes off."
Seeing Zuo Si'an blush, Sarah was amused again: "Why are you so shy? You clearly borrowed keys for a date with a man that time. Do all girls in your country remain chaste before marriage?"
Zuo Si'an smiled wryly. She liked Sarah, but simply couldn't share secrets with this girl like close confidantes. She could only point to another golden strapless cocktail dress and say: "This one should meet your requirements."
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