During her years of study, what comforted Jiang Mu most was her mother's change in mindset. Having experienced life and death, her mother seemed to view many things with detachment. Every day, she and Chris would drink tea and tend to flowers, finally enjoying a peaceful life she had never experienced before.
Even when Jiang Mu returned alone to China to visit her father, Jiang Yinghan didn't comment on it afterward.
Jiang Mu occasionally mentioned Jin Chao in front of Jiang Yinghan. At first, her mother seemed resistant to hearing about him, but later, when in a better mood, she would listen to some stories. As Jiang Mu chattered on beside her, Jiang Yinghan remained silent.
It took Jiang Mu a long time to recount Jin Chao's story over the years, because not every time was Jiang Yinghan willing to listen, nor could Jiang Mu always continue the telling. It wasn't until she had intermittently finished describing Jin Chao's legal case that Jiang Yinghan suddenly asked one day, "So what is he doing in China now?"
This question made Jiang Mu's nose sting with emotion. She picked up her teacup to conceal her swelling eyes, stood up, and walked toward the kitchen, replying, "We've lost contact."
After that, Jiang Yinghan never asked about Jin Chao again, and Jiang Mu didn't bring him up either.
...
The following year, Gu Zhijie completed his postgraduate courses. Jiang Mu asked if he planned to stay in Australia. Gu Zhijie clearly told her he intended to return to China. After so many years of study, he had finally graduated and wanted to put his knowledge to use, contributing his modest efforts to the country's aerospace industry.
Before his departure, Jiang Mu and some senior students organized a farewell party for Gu Zhijie. After drinking, Gu Zhijie asked about her future plans and whether she would return to China.
Jiang Mu swayed her champagne glass aimlessly, shrugged, and said, "I don't know. My family is here, so maybe I won't go back."
Gu Zhijie regretfully remarked, "That's a pity. You've worked so hard and achieved excellent results. Not returning would be our country's loss."
In recent years, with international tensions rising, overseas students felt this deeply. Discussions often naturally turned to national issues amid growing patriotic sentiments. Gu Zhijie was like this too. Although Jiang Mu knew he was teasing her, she still felt somewhat ashamed compared to him.
Before leaving, Gu Zhijie told her that if she ever had the chance to return to Jiangsu, she must contact him so he could treat her to crayfish and longfish noodles in Huai'an. Jiang Mu agreed.
After he returned to China, Jiang Mu occasionally kept in touch with him, but only through holiday greetings. Beyond that, they had no further interaction.
In her final year of postgraduate studies, Jiang Mu had an opportunity to accompany her professor on an academic exchange to Caltech. She cherished this chance immensely, as it was one of the world's top technological institutes, highly ranked in physics, planetary science, and aerospace engineering.
Before going, she had a deep conversation with Jiang Yinghan about post-graduation employment. Her research focused on astrometry and celestial mechanics, and finding suitable work in cities near Melbourne offered very limited options.
After hearing her plans, Jiang Yinghan remained silent for a long time before telling Jiang Mu that her premise for considering this matter was flawed. She shouldn't base her choices on geographical location but rather on her personal development.Back when Jiang Yinghan had just undergone surgery, her physical indicators were unstable, and having her daughter by her side during her most vulnerable moments was always comforting. Over the years, she had grown accustomed to Chris's companionship. Regarding Jiang Mu's future development, she encouraged her to take a long-term perspective and find a career she truly wanted to pursue.
After their conversation, Jiang Mu set off for Los Angeles. Little did she expect that this trip to Caltech would lead her to cross paths with an old acquaintance she hadn't seen in years—Gu Zhijie.
It was truly a twist of fate that they could meet in another country. Three years had passed, and he had matured considerably, his hairline beginning to show signs of receding from his relentless dedication to China's aerospace endeavors. Yet, overall, he remained a spirited and mature man.
He was there for work, assigned to a collaborative project. Upon asking, Jiang Mu learned that after returning to China, Gu Zhijie had gone back to Nanjing and was now working at a branch of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. When she asked what he did, he said he spent most of his time at the observatory.
That was the place where the asteroid "China" had been discovered. Jiang Mu had heard about the scientific achievements over the years but regretted never having the chance to visit the mountain site to see the ancient astronomical instruments like the armillary sphere and the gnomon.
Noticing her interest, Gu Zhijie asked when she would graduate. Jiang Mu told him it would be in a few months. He mentioned that they were short of two research assistants and, if she was interested, he would reserve a position for her upon his return.
The topic came so suddenly that Jiang Mu couldn't respond immediately. Gu Zhijie smiled and said there was no rush—she had a few months to think it over. He also invited her to a small gathering the next day, mostly colleagues who had come with him from China and some local peers.
The venue was a rooftop bar, and the crowd was predominantly Chinese, with men making up the majority. As soon as Jiang Mu arrived, everyone started teasing, urging Gu Zhijie to introduce her. Rarely showing embarrassment, Gu Zhijie said, "This is Jiang Mu, my junior whom I met while studying in Canberra."
There were about a dozen people. They drank a little, chatted about trivial matters, and the atmosphere remained relaxed.
Later, Jiang Mu stepped to the edge of the rooftop to take a call from her professor and ran into a middle-aged man who had come out for a smoke. During introductions earlier, she had heard everyone address him respectfully as Teacher Gan, so after hanging up, she politely nodded to him.
Teacher Gan, however, fixed his gaze on the small jade ball pendant resting against her collarbone and said, "The exquisite dice embedded with red beans."
Jiang Mu was taken aback, lowering her head to grasp the small jade ball. "Do you know the story behind this pendant?" she asked.
Teacher Gan smiled and explained, "The agate inside the jade dice is carved to resemble red beans, symbolizing lovesickness. This hollow design, with a single red bean set into it, forms six sides—all red, representing 'the exquisite dice embedded with red beans, do you know the lovesickness deep in my bones?' In ancient times, it was popular as a token of love, though it's rarely seen today."
After finishing, Teacher Gan extinguished his cigarette and went back inside.
Jiang Mu turned around, facing the night breeze, her long hair whipping in the wind.
"Will you give it to me now? You were so stingy when we were young, refusing no matter how much I begged."
"I couldn't give it to you back then, but now..."
"Now you can? Why?"
"It has to do with the origin of this object. I'll tell you slowly in the future."...
She had tried to explore this world, encountering numerous remarkable men over the years, yet her heart remained unmoved, for none of them were him.
To be precise, they had only been together for a week—a brief span that felt etched into her very bones. Even recalling his past words could stir turmoil within her. Only he could make her clutch this small jade ball in an unfamiliar city, among unfamiliar faces, nearly losing composure.
In that moment, she realized it was over. In this lifetime, no one but him could ever easily stir such waves in her. Only that land, only him.
She picked up her phone and dialed Jiang Yinghan, saying, "Mom, I want to return to China to pursue my career..."
A few minutes later, Jiang Mu approached Gu Zhijie with gleaming eyes. He was still clinking glasses with friends but, noticing her intense gaze, excused himself to others with, "Please excuse me."
Rising, he followed her to a quiet spot and asked, "What's wrong?"
Jiang Mu's chest heaved with excitement—this was no small decision for her. Made in an instant, it marked the first time in years she had taken charge of her own life. Emotions surged, painting her cheeks with a vibrant flush as she addressed Gu Zhijie: "What you mentioned yesterday about needing a research assistant—was that serious?"
Gu Zhijie paused, then replied, "Of course it was serious. Have you thought it through?"
Jiang Mu nodded. "I have. I'll return right after graduation."
A smile touched Gu Zhijie's eyes. "Didn't you say your family was here and you had no plans to go back?"
Uncontainable enthusiasm radiated from her face. "I must return—to contribute my part to the nation's aerospace endeavors."
Gu Zhijie laughed heartily.
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