Chapter 11

The deep darkness of the mountain night was pierced by the car’s high beams. Under the illumination of the xenon lights, all the lush vegetation was lit up as if a light snow had once fallen here.

Visiting late at night was truly impolite, so Shang Shao got out of the car and went to apologize.

There was no other choice. Shang Mingbao had sobbed all the way in the car without being able to explain anything, leaving Shang Shao to guess half the time. The thoughts of a young girl are as mysterious as a needle at the bottom of the sea, but he finally hit the mark with one sentence: “Did you find that the outside world isn’t as boring as you thought?”

The phrase “the outside world” encompassed so much, including everything Shang Mingbao understood and didn’t understand. Only then did she hesitantly and passively nod in agreement.

Compared to Hong Kong, Ningshi was overwhelmingly large. The people at the house had already washed up and gone to bed. When they received the call, Xiang Lianqiao threw on some clothes and waited in the living room, wearing a pair of glasses while reading a book.

Shang Mingbao walked in holding the corner of Shang Shao’s jacket, following closely behind him. Her eyes still showed signs of crying, but her face was filled with embarrassment.

Shang Shao politely apologized, saying that he deeply regretted disturbing them so late at night, but his younger sister couldn’t bear to leave her new friends there. Xiang Lianqiao also apologized, saying that they hadn’t taken good enough care of her and that Suining had returned today feeling sad and unhappy. With just a few words, they tacitly glossed over today’s incident.

Shang Shao then left his sister there, telling her to enjoy the remainder of the summer, with an additional reminder: “Don’t take the doctor’s orders lightly again.”

It was inconvenient to travel in and out of the mountains, and since it was late, Xiang Lianqiao invited Shang Shao to stay the night, but Shang Shao declined. He was rotating through various business sectors within the group and was too busy with work to spare any time. The afternoon’s events would require him to work until dawn to make up for lost time.

Accompanied by his assistant, Xiang Lianqiao personally escorted Shang Shao to his car and asked, “How has your grandfather been recovering lately?”

The news of Shang Boying’s illness had been in the newspapers several times, but Hong Kong media are known for exaggeration, turning a minor issue into something catastrophic, as if they couldn’t wait to prematurely arrange the funeral. Xiang Lianqiao had last spoken with Shang Boying two weeks ago when Shang Boying had asked him to look after his granddaughter, and at that time, he still sounded strong.

Shang Shao replied without revealing much: “The doctor says it’s nothing serious, just that his age is catching up with him, and he’s feeling a bit worn out. Thank you for your concern. To avoid worrying him, we haven’t told him about what happened today with Babe.”

In other words, he hoped that Xiang Lianqiao wouldn’t let anything slip either.

Xiang Lianqiao naturally understood and patted him on the shoulder: “I’ll visit him in Hong Kong soon.”

Shang Shao nodded. “It’s late, and the night is cold. Please don’t go any further.”

The Bentley drove away along the mountain road, and Uncle Kang, sitting in the passenger seat, remarked, “It’s rare for the Third Miss to want to take one last look at the scenery.”

Shang Mingbao’s personality was very different from that of her older siblings; she was the most pampered one. Although pampered, she wasn’t spoiled, but it was indeed difficult to make her happy. What could captivate her attention and make her linger were jewels worth hundreds of millions, exquisite porcelain that only circulated in auction houses, or intricately embroidered shoes from haute couture shows. Though nature is awe-inspiring, when you’ve seen the world’s most magnificent sights from a young age, other landscapes naturally seem dull and barren in comparison.

Shang Shao was resting with his eyes closed. Upon hearing this, he pondered for a moment and lightly tapped his fingers on his knee: “Whether it’s the people or the scenery, it’s hard to say.”

Uncle Kang naturally understood what he meant and smiled, “Babe is still a child.”

“Some things hurt the most when a child is involved.”

—

When Fang Suining heard that Shang Mingbao was back, she was so happy she jumped three feet high and then burst into tears, “You scared me to death today! I thought you were going to die!”

At such a young age, she didn’t know the taboos of speaking, casually mentioning life and death.

“It’s all that idiot Jiang Shaokang’s fault. He scared me so much that he couldn’t even speak properly, making me misunderstand.”

Jiang Shaokang was that classmate who resembled one of their crushes.

“Don’t blame him. It wasn’t his fault. He even came to see me and brought me flowers.”

Fang Suining shook her head, looking thoughtful, “What do you think of him?”

“He’s alright, a bit silly.”

“At this age, no boy isn’t silly,” Fang Suining said in a mature tone.

Girls are always more mature than boys; this is an undeniable truth of life.

“Do you have any feelings for him?”

Shang Mingbao was startled by the question, “Huh? Not really…”

“Why not? He’s a substitute!”

Shang Mingbao thought to herself that meeting the real person was just a phone call away, but she simply never cared enough. Why would she need a substitute?

Seeing no trace of girlish shyness on her face, Fang Suining knew she really wasn’t interested in Jiang Shaokang. This made her a bit curious because Jiang Shaokang was very popular at their international school and was one of her close friends.

Fang Suining asked, “Do you like someone else?”

“No.”

“Do you want to date?” Fang Suining blinked, “You know, in Hong Kong, you can get married at 16. It’s so early.”

“Although the law says that, you still need your parents’ consent…”

Fang Suining laughed and tickled her, “But you obviously haven’t dated before.”

Shang Mingbao dodged while seriously replying, “I haven’t met anyone I like. When I was a flower girl at nine, I really wanted to wear a wedding dress and kept urging my older siblings to get married quickly.”

Fang Suining: “No, you just wanted to wear a pretty dress.”

“……”

Shang Mingbao thought for a moment and admitted honestly, “Because I always felt that I was living on borrowed time, who knows if I might die suddenly one day, so I really want to get married. From what I saw in my parents, marriage is a beautiful thing.”

She asked, “Mommy, can Babe get married this year?”

Wen Youyi was puzzled, “Babe, you’re only nine. Do you want to marry Doraemon? But you’d still have to wait until you’re sixteen and get Daddy and my consent. You know, Doraemon still has Nobita, he’s not entirely yours.”

Shang Mingbao felt sad and worried, stomping her little feet alternately, “There’s no time! What if Babe dies tomorrow morning?”

Wen Youyi put a finger to her lips, “Shh, Babe won’t die, it’s just that when our little Bao is happy, her heart can’t help but want to dance too.”

“But Mommy can’t do it, and neither can Big Brother. No one can.”

“So, Babe has a unique heart. What does that mean?”

“It means… Bao is the main character.”

“That’s right, Bao is the main character.”

Shang Mingbao asked this question every year until she suddenly grew up at eleven and realized that marriage wasn’t something to be taken lightly. But still, at night before bed, she would pray to the heavens, begging them not to let her die before she meets someone she loves and gets married.

But finding someone you like is difficult, and the more you anticipate it, the pickier you become.

A crush on someone can happen quickly, but often, before it turns into genuine affection, it already feels boring. The family doctor said it was due to adolescent hormones, that it was the same for all teenagers. Shang Mingbao mumbled, “If my femoral vein doesn’t thicken, how can I even use my strength…”

Fang Suining asked, “Are your parents very loving?”

“Of course,” Shang Mingbao nodded, “Before high school, I thought everyone’s parents were as loving and sincere as mine. ‘Till death do us part.'”

After entering high school, she gradually became able to understand adult gossip and realized that in this circle, having illegitimate children, keeping multiple ‘wives,’ and having fleeting affairs with celebrities was the norm.

Fang Suining scratched her head, “Your parents are really great. My parents have a bit of a ‘love-shame syndrome,’ like it’s inappropriate to show affection in front of me, which makes me a bit like that too.”

Parents who can teach their children about love are angelic.

Fang Suining originally wanted to chat with Shang Mingbao about heart-fluttering topics that would make the dean of academic affairs furious, but seeing her innocence, she decided against it. Instead, they turned to discussing fictional character pairings, agreeing that fictional characters are easier to ship.

The next day, Fang Suining took Shang Mingbao hiking.

It was a winding path leading to the mountaintop, with rocks paving the way. Along the way, looking out, one could see rice fields and banana forests. Deeper into the woods, the vegetation became even more lush and vibrant.

Fang Suining had gone up the mountain several times with Xiang Feiran, so she could recognize some plants.

August in the mountains was the fruiting season.

“This is the oleander. Look, it’s fruiting now. This is its follicle, doesn’t it look like a pair of ram’s horns? Don’t pick it, it’s poisonous.”

“This is the false apple.”

“This is coralberry.”

“Indian cobra wood. You can eat this one; it’s sweet.”

Shang Mingbao instinctively shook her head, “I don’t want to, the name is scary.”

“Its official Chinese name is Luofu persimmon. Try it, just think of it as a wild persimmon.” Fang Suining was enthusiastic, breaking off a branch with orange-yellow fruit.

They both took a bite, then spat it out simultaneously.

“Well, there’s a reason some things don’t make it to market…”

Seeing the Five-Fingered Peach, Fang Suining’s eyes lit up, “This one! Five-Fingered Peach! It’s great in soup. Have you tried it?”

Shang Mingbao nodded uncertainly, “I think I’ve had it, just didn’t know it was called that.”

This is almost considered East Province’s provincial soup; whether it’s stewed chicken or pig bones, it has a unique flavor. When we encountered it, Fang Suining exerted both hands to pull it out and, panting, introduced, “Its roots can be used as medicine. In Chinese, it’s called *Thick Leaf Ficus*. Let me teach you how to identify it. It’s easy to recognize.”

She displayed the plant she had pulled out by the roots: “You see, its leaf arrangement is alternate, it feels like paper, and the edges are serrated. This is its fruit—golden yellow, covered with hard hairs.”

She asked Shang Mingbao to join her in being a *Five-finger Peach* killer.

It was Shang Mingbao’s first time as a killer, and she hesitated a bit. Fang Suining was surprised, “You haven’t pulled out any plants before?”

Shang Mingbao honestly shook her head. She had only been a ruthless flower destroyer.

Under Fang Suining’s persistent encouragement, Shang Mingbao grabbed the *Thick Leaf Banyan* stem with both hands and pulled upward with force. It seemed like there was a “pop” sound from the soil, as if the *Thick Leaf Banyan*’s roots had to leave their home.

Goodbye, soil. Tonight, I’m jumping into the hot pot…

With the sound of the roots breaking apart, the soil’s resistance lightened from heavy to light, and an indescribable joy trembled through Shang Mingbao’s entire body.

“How strange!” Shang Mingbao stared at the *Thick Leaf Banyan* she had pulled out by the roots with wide eyes, her mouth uncontrollably curling up into a smile, “What a strange feeling…”

A bit refreshing and oddly satisfying. Her entire body, inside and out, was fulfilled.

Fang Suining said seriously, “My friend, this is the call of your ancient ancestors, inviting you to experience the joy of harvest etched in your genes for millennia.”

Shang Mingbao instinctively looked up at the sky.

The sky was a deep blue, sliced by the tree canopy, casting golden sunlight.

Then she looked down at the ground.

The soil under her feet was scattered, and the creeping grass was flattened by her steps. The *Tiger Ear Grass* swayed in the wind, with white flowers gently shaking like white paper dragonflies.

The strange shiver still wandered through her body. She took a deep breath and suddenly felt like even her pores were breathing, taking in everything in the wilderness.

“What expression are you making?” Fang Suining was both amused and exasperated, “Don’t act like it’s your first time doing this, okay?”

Shang Mingbao pressed her lips together, not responding. She resolutely bent down, “How many do we need to pull out? I’ll do it.”

Fang Suining warned, “Be careful not to overdo it and make your palms sore, or you’ll end up with thin calluses.”

Shang Mingbao hesitated a bit. Her hands were beautiful, naturally suited to the most exquisite jewelry.

But who knows, maybe high pearls have their own happiness, and *Five-finger Peach* has its own joy.

Returning home with the *Thick Leaf Banyan* and a large bouquet of wildflowers, even her steps felt light.

Although Fang Suining was straightforward, she had a slight obsession with cleanliness, so she went ahead to wash her hair and bathe.

Shang Mingbao happily handed the *Five-finger Peach* to Aunt Lan and leisurely walked into the building with the wildflowers.

Behind the row of “No Entry” houses at Xiang Feiran’s place, a black Rolls-Royce Cullinan had appeared at some point.

It was too majestic and out of place here. Shang Mingbao paused and walked closer, and the voices became clearer.

“Do you really want to choose a plant taxonomy direction?”

It was a strange, deep male voice, clearly middle-aged.

Shang Mingbao’s heart raced.

Plant taxonomy direction.

Was he talking to Xiang Feiran?

Xiang Feiran was back?

The young girl’s arms holding the flowers tightened unconsciously, almost crushing the delicate herbaceous flowers.

Without waiting for a response, the man continued, “Have you considered that with your current achievements, you could get any offer you want? I admit that Tryon’s team is indeed world-class, but taxonomy is just taxonomy. No matter how perfectly you tell an evolutionary story, what does it matter? Outside of this field, does it have value? Does anyone care? The hybrid origin species differentiation and system development genomics of the Gentianaceae family—beyond your small domain, no one cares.”

Shang Mingbao didn’t understand fully, but instinctively fell silent, holding her breath, though her anger was simmering inside.

She didn’t like the way this person spoke—pressing, full of authoritarian skepticism and rudeness.

“I will personally talk to Zhou Yingshu. Reject Tryon’s direct PhD offer before next Monday.”

There was silence from the other side until the man delivered his ultimatum, after which Shang Mingbao heard a laugh.

Xiang Feiran leaned against the Cullinan’s car door and said, “But I care.”

“Care about what? Xiang Feiran, you’re just here to collect a debt from me!” Xiang Weishan coughed in anger, “You’re even giving up on Qingbei just to upset me. You…”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Xiang Feiran bowed slightly and responded calmly, “Dr. Xiang, no one is here to collect a debt. The one who has been obsessively clinging to me is you, isn’t it?”

“You are my son. If I don’t manage you, you’ll end up dead on some desolate shore in the future—”

Under the sharp gaze from Xiang Feiran, Xiang Weishan abruptly stopped, his face changing.

Xiang Feiran straightened up, staring at him for a few seconds, and expressionlessly said, “Enough. Get lost.”

Xiang Weishan never expected to hear such words from him. For a moment, he felt blood rush to his head. After a pause, he coldly said, “Life is not a game. I advise you to find your way back. I will personally write to Tryon to explain the situation. Your direct PhD advisor and direction must be approved by me.”

Soon, there was a loud slam as the car door was angrily shut.

Shang Mingbao turned and pressed her body tightly against the wall corner.

The Cullinan reversed and turned around. The man in the driver’s seat made eye contact with her, and both of them were caught off guard. Shang Mingbao’s expression was blank as she bit her lip, her eyes wide open.

This was indeed a face that resembled Xiang Feiran’s, but the demeanor was quite different.

Shang Mingbao suddenly understood. He was the real uncle that Fang Suining disliked and that everyone avoided talking about—Xiang Feiran’s biological father.

It seemed that the angry sound of the engine was swallowed up by the dense forest. After he left, the world returned to a silence so profound it was almost eerie.

Shang Mingbao’s heartbeat was still racing as she swallowed.

She wasn’t sure whether she should greet him.

A very faint sound, like a grinding wheel, came from behind her.

After a moment, Shang Mingbao almost thought she was mistaken. But no, it was indeed the smell of nicotine and tar, gradually becoming stronger, wafting around the corner and into her breath.

Xiang Feiran… was smoking?

Shang Mingbao found it hard to imagine because he was described by Fang Suining and Xiang Lianqiao as one of the top young people—gentle, upright, and exceptionally gifted, dedicated to the pursuit of academic truth. She clearly remembered, “Brother Feiran is very disciplined and never touches cigarettes or alcohol.”

Xiang Feiran took two deep drags, then composed himself, took the cigarette from his mouth, and habitually tapped the cigarette pipe with his fingertips: “Come out.”

Fang Suining’s habit of eavesdropping really needed to be addressed.

Shang Mingbao’s heart instinctively shivered, unsure of what had revealed her presence.

Her heartbeat quickened.

After a few seconds, the rustling of the grass, she finally walked out obediently.

In her arms, the wildflowers were delicate, and her long skirt brushed against the direction of the wind.

Xiang Feiran, with the cheapest white sand cigarette between his fingers, his other hand in his pocket, glanced at her.

That glance was one she often remembered when she secretly smoked on the balcony of her Manhattan apartment.

But at this moment, she stood rigidly in his cold gaze and eagerly said, “I didn’t see anything. I won’t tell anyone that you’re smoking.”

Yes, she was eager to become his secret accomplice.

But Xiang Feiran only showed a brief and indifferent surprise at her appearance, coldly saying, “Whatever.”