Chapter 67

Under the moonlight, the pearl-colored silk dress shimmered with an iridescent luster like a shell.

Shang Mingbao, unsteady on her feet, leaned against the wardrobe: “You said you weren’t interested last time…”

“Now I am.”

Shang Mingbao whispered, “No…”

Xiang Feiran proceeded to help her put it on. Despite the many tangled strings, it was no challenge for a newly minted PhD.

When one string of pearls threaded through, Shang Mingbao immediately softened, halting his attempt to tie the bow: “Not like this… Wrong… Wrong!”

Xiang Feiran calmly replied, “It’s not wrong.”

“Are you drunk or not?”

“When did I say I was drunk?” He denied it.

The butterfly-shaped adornment was pinned to her front.

Each wing had a string: the top two wrapped around her back, tied below the shoulder blades, while the bottom two circled behind her waist, intertwined at the curve of her sacrum.

In the transition between spring and summer, with no heating or cooling in the room, Shang Mingbao shivered slightly from the alternating sensations of cold and warmth.

“Done dressing,” Xiang Feiran said, methodically placing his hands on the wardrobe doors beside her ears, gazing at her in the moonlight, “Can you do it?”

Shang Mingbao did not understand what he meant until he pulled and adjusted the butterfly knots he had tied—

The hard-earned dress slipped down, pooling at her feet.

“Put it on yourself.”

“…”

As Shang Mingbao struggled to dress, Xiang Feiran maintained his position throughout, his eyes gently watching her. He showed no intention of helping, even as the butterfly slipped down twice.

The dress swayed, brushing against the shadow of his suit pants.

Shang Mingbao’s arms ached from lifting, her head down, avoiding his gaze. Her skin was cold, her breath warm. After a long struggle, she looked up, defiantly and with a nasal tone, saying, “I’m going to get you some hangover medicine.”

Xiang Feiran smiled slightly, “Alright.”

Adding a tone at the end, he still claimed not to be drunk!

Shang Mingbao wriggled out of his embrace, but as she reached for the door, she was covered by Xiang Feiran’s removed suit jacket.

“Don’t let anyone see.”

The warmth of his suit was overwhelming, causing Shang Mingbao to shiver.

She quickly grabbed the bag from the doormat, like a thief, and brought it inside. Unpacking and reading the instructions, she was carefully pulled into his lap.

She sat sideways at first, but Xiang Feiran seemed dissatisfied and adjusted her to face him.

The room was dark, with no light from the balcony. Shang Mingbao squinted for a long time until the tin and instructions were taken from her hands—Xiang Feiran took out two pills and placed them in his mouth.

“No water.”

Shang Mingbao stared, worried about what he might say in his current state. But Xiang Feiran simply patted her waist, “Get up, I’ll get some water.”

Her face flushed with embarrassment, she responded with an “Oh” and began to move, but was immediately pulled down and kissed by Xiang Feiran.

The Adam’s apple bound by the tie moved, and the pills were smoothly swallowed amidst their mingling saliva.

“Why are you blushing?” He noticed, his curved finger sliding down her cheek.

“I’ve never seen anyone drunk like you…”

“I’m really not drunk, just happy.” Xiang Feiran embraced her, inhaling the fragrance of her neck.

His academic career had come to a complete end today. The experience of a PhD graduation was different from that of an undergraduate. Even though he was a genius working in a field that didn’t require his full attention, he couldn’t lightly say the past few years were easy or joyful. Endless experiments, code, system trees, tiring meet-ups, unavoidable social interactions, boring conference breaks, and the necessity of silent compliance with social obligations… The journey had been long and exhausting, with no respite.

Postdocs were even more challenging. His new PI, Professor David, was generous, offering an annual salary of $80,000, much higher than the average postdoc salary at Harvard, but still insufficient. Xiang Feiran had even started researching advanced methods for using airline and credit card points to save on flights between Boston and New York for the next two years.

His only wish for the next two years was to keep talking. It wasn’t about publishing more papers or reaching a certain h-index, nor was it about using this path to get a green card like other Chinese postdocs. It was simply to keep talking for another two years.

His PhD thesis acknowledgments were straightforward and unembellished, focusing mostly on the trees on Columbia’s campus and the stones in Green-Wood Cemetery. He naturally mentioned all the professors who had guided and helped him. Shang Mingbao later searched for his thesis and read it, skipping the long text, endless terminologies in morphology, systematics, biogeography, and genomics, the complex chloroplast matrices and phylogenetic constructions, molecular clocks, protein structures, and species divergence rates, going directly to the acknowledgments, reading each word slowly.

She didn’t see them in her acknowledgments, those long, endless lists.

She was too impatient, sliding so fast, until she slid back to the beginning of the Dedication page and suddenly saw the three lines of centered English:

“Dedicated to Mr. Xiang Lianqiao

Dedicated to Ms. Tsuki

And, dedicated to the only love: Mingbao”

The thesis was permanently archived in the database, so discreet yet openly declaring to the world, as long as people searched “Xiang Feiran,” they would see his heart.

The butterfly’s wings couldn’t cover the sand dunes, and from the edges, soft parentheses leaked out, shimmering with a smooth arc under the moonlight. As they moved, that light trembled like a water ball.

In Xiang Feiran’s gaze, Shang Mingbao softened.

He repeatedly kissed her, his slightly calloused palms pressing against her contours, gently stroking and caressing from the edges of her butterfly wings.

Shang Mingbao felt herself become a river in the rainy season—high temperatures, abundant water flow, with intense beating from the earth’s core below.

She swallowed, momentarily thinking that he probably wouldn’t be able to hold back any longer today; then she wondered if she would have to apply medicine again tomorrow… She clearly felt that Xiang Feiran was different today, with no other actions, only deeply kissing her.

Until Shang Mingbao could no longer contain her request, he seemed to remember this matter and fiddled with the pearl necklace.

Shang Mingbao suddenly found herself unable to speak. Xiang Feiran, however, asked in her ear, “Baby, what is that sound?”

The sound of peach flesh being mashed into puree, the soft and mushy water sound stirred up under the mixer.

Under such a slow and deliberate action, he suddenly said, “Today during the defense, I couldn’t help but get distracted thinking about you.”

“I didn’t know what you were doing, and I wanted to send you a WeChat message in front of the committee chairman.”

“After the defense ended, he asked me how I felt, and I said, ‘I’ll be in a long-distance relationship with my girlfriend. It’s very regrettable.'”

“…”

“When I walked out of the conference room and didn’t see you right away, I still felt a bit disappointed.”

Shang Mingbao finally managed to speak, though with difficulty: “You didn’t let me come.”

Although she had classes, skipping a bit wouldn’t hurt, as it was an important moment in his life. But Xiang Feiran insisted she attend classes and stay busy.

“Mm.”

His words and actions were distinct.

“During the undergraduate graduation ceremony, the school originally wanted me to give a speech as a student representative, but I declined. I stayed up all night in the lab the day before and slept until the afternoon the next day, so I wasn’t in that year’s tassel ceremony video.”

Graduation ceremonies in the Eastern Province were always grand, a family event with aunts and uncles eager to attend, bringing flowers, taking photos, and dining together. During that time, Xiang Lianqiao was in Beijing for a conference. Xiang Weishan did come, but after failing to reach him by phone and having a tantrum outside the ceremony’s gym, he returned disappointed.

Accustomed to quietly passing through major life milestones alone, there was a growing sense of grand embarrassment; if she really waited for him outside the defense room and gave him flowers, he wouldn’t know what to do.

Good things, even if heaven-sent, can feel painful when one is unaccustomed.

The night was still young, with the sound of the car scraping around the street corner carried by the wind.

Xiang Feiran stopped, his starry eyes fixed on her: “Shang Mingbao, wish me a happy PhD graduation.”

Shang Mingbao wrapped her arms around his neck: “Happy graduation, Xiang Bo.”

One second after saying this, she met Xiang Feiran’s possessive kiss. He stopped being slow and deliberate, intertwining his fingers with hers, taking her to loosen his tie, and after undoing the bowtie, he guided her to touch his Adam’s apple, where his palms were hot and taut, full of anticipation.

Just as they were about to reach the final step, Xiang Feiran strangely became sober.

He breathed heavily, his voice hoarse, but he said, “No.”

Shang Mingbao touched his eyelashes, his profile, and felt his breath: “Are you sober now?”

Xiang Feiran looked at her, dressed messily, laughed and panted: “This part isn’t sober. Your friend… has quite the taste.”

When Shang Mingbao took the initiative and kissed him, Xiang Feiran held his breath for a moment and pulled her tight against him.

He had drunk quite a bit, and the effect of the hangover medicine was minimal, so when Shang Mingbao helped him sit down, his first reaction wasn’t to refuse but to feel quite pleased.

Very honest.

But since he had already endured for nearly two months, it proved he wasn’t just putting on an act or being polite; he was genuinely determined. Therefore, after the moment of muffled groans and tightness in his scalp, he still adjusted his breathing, sighed deeply, and said, “Go down.”

Shang Mingbao ignored him, feeling her way in the dark to kiss him, immersing herself fully, breaking through, and closing her eyes.

It was so painful that the instant piercing sensation overwhelmed all her senses. Her eyes filled with stars, tears welled up, but she stubbornly didn’t let Xiang Feiran retreat.

“You can’t keep enduring like this until we break up.”

“…”

She didn’t mean to say something so disheartening, but it was a very practical truth.

Xiang Feiran took a deep breath and said hoarsely, “I’m just afraid you’ll be in pain.”

Shang Mingbao closed her eyes, gritted her teeth, and trembled, “I’ll get used to it.”

“… Can you really get used to this?” Xiang Feiran asked hesitantly, unfamiliar with this area.

Shang Mingbao, fighting back tears, said, “I can.”

Xiang Feiran, drenched in a thin layer of sweat from her embrace, chuckled and sighed, “Since it hurts so much, don’t force it.”

He moved her away, hearing her say, “What if my future husband isn’t as tender as you?”

At her words, everyone fell silent.

Shang Mingbao couldn’t see his expression, only guessing from the frequency of his breathing, unable to decipher it. She simply gave up: “Do you want to thank my future husband for me?”

With a “pop,” the red wine cork was removed from the bottle, almost as if in slow agony.

In a silence that made one’s heart feel unsettled, Xiang Feiran spoke coldly, word by word: “Shang Mingbao, there’s no need to provoke me like this.”

He used action instead of words, unceremonious and merciless, like a fierce storm.

Only when she was left unable to speak did he brush aside her sweaty long hair and whisper in her ear: “Is this what you wanted? Hmm? Did you want this by provoking me?”

He said many indecent things.

“Shh, the neighbors are knocking.”

“People downstairs can hear you, Shang Mingbao.”

“Why is your stomach swelling up?”

Cold, calm, and probing.

“Your future husband won’t reach this place.”

“Only I can reach here, right?”

“Speak up, thank your future husband for me. I’m listening.”

No matter how she hit and kicked him, he could effortlessly turn it into a favorable position.

The effect of two hangover pills kicked in later that night, but it was ignored.

Xiang Feiran only briefly informed her: “I’m sober now.”

Being sober made a difference, reflected in his strength and preferences. He took care of her, keeping her subdued and molding her slowly and tightly, each part of them fitting perfectly together.

After a while, the heated breath laughed: “Why is it so comfortable?”

It wasn’t a river in the rainy season’s jungle, but a river from the earth’s core, with the heat of molten lava. Was it a hot spring?

Shang Mingbao also felt something different, but she didn’t say anything, her eyelashes furrowed like leaves on a wisteria tree, bunched together, her brows tightened.

“Not going to scream anymore?” Xiang Feiran tapped her cheek, “No sleeping.”

Shang Mingbao wanted to call out, having called him “Feiran Ge” and “Xiang Feiran” and even “teacher” in the swaying boat. What kind of teacher? In her most disoriented state, she opened her mouth, her gaze confused, wanting to call him by whatever came to mind—

In the depths of her feelings, calling him anything else seemed insufficient and strange.

As she was about to call him “husband,” she forcefully swallowed it, her heart jolted, and her eyes were awakened.

No, he wouldn’t like it; he would think she was breaking their rules.

Shang Mingbao could only lean in and kiss the corner of Xiang Feiran’s mouth, clinging to him affectionately, feeling it was never enough.

The next day, she woke up to the sun high in the sky, and he examined her wounds in the warm spring-summer breeze. She had one foot resting on the edge of the bed, the other hanging down, her hands neatly positioned at her sides, her face red, mumbling it didn’t hurt.

“No medicine then?” Xiang Feiran asked uncertainly.

Shang Mingbao nodded: “Mm.”

“Really not painful?”

“Really.”

Seeing was believing, and Xiang Feiran indeed felt this time was better than before. The pity and compassion he usually felt were reduced, and the desire to have another round had to be held back with great difficulty.

He coughed lightly and asked: “Why?”

Shang Mingbao pursed her lips, her body radiating warmth: “Maybe… things like this are better tried more, if you don’t try…”

She found it hard to say, looking at him, her two fingers touching.

Xiang Feiran: “…”

Shang Mingbao, embarrassed and furious, quickly changed her words: “I don’t know, I’m just guessing!”

As she was about to flee, Xiang Feiran caught her, her ankle also falling into his burning palm, lifted up: “Practice is the only criterion for testing truth.”

Shang Mingbao made a sound of “um.”

This phrase was not meant to be used at this time!

Before Xiang Feiran went to Harvard, he finally had hotpot with Fang Suining in Flushing.

Fang Suining asked him to bring his girlfriend, and at the waiting area outside the restaurant, she saw Shang Mingbao. She warmly pulled her in, “Oh, what a coincidence, I’m here with Feiran Ge for hotpot! Do you also like hotpot? Alone? Where’s your friend?”

“Uh…”

Xiang Feiran had some matters at school. After Shang Mingbao had done three hours of wax carving at Shena, she came alone.

She was always dusty when leaving the metalwork studio, so she specially went back to shower and change clothes. She couldn’t tell Sophie she was going to Queens; otherwise, Sophie would be suspicious. She told her she was going to a boutique in Tribeca.

Fang Suining had Shang Mingbao sit in the chair next to her: “Let me tell you, this hotpot is delicious and authentic, guaranteed to give you a feeling of returning to the country.”

Flushing did feel quite like returning home, with streets full of Chinese signs, selling rice rolls, massage services, pedicure shops, and Chinese products. But Fang Suining didn’t know Shang Mingbao’s background; she didn’t feel any sense of belonging or familiarity with such streets and was somewhat at a loss.

Shang Mingbao pondered whether to speak now or wait for Xiang Feiran to arrive.

Seeing Fang Suining’s excited face, she really didn’t have the courage and could only be like a turtle hiding its head.

Fang Suining also asked: “Where’s your friend?”

“He, he hasn’t arrived yet…” Clearing her throat, “On the way.”

Fang Suining: “Your face is so red.”

“Ah, really?” Shang Mingbao touched her cheek with the back of her hand, keeping her head down: “Maybe…”

“Allergic reactions, spring and summer are the easiest times to be allergic.” Fang Suining waved her hand.

Shang Mingbao: “…”

“Right.”

“Such a pity that today Feiran Ge is bringing his girlfriend, otherwise I would have invited you to join us,” Fang Suining said regretfully.

Shang Mingbao swallowed hard.

“I don’t know what kind of girl Feiran Ge likes.” Fang Suining clicked her tongue, “Honestly, I don’t like his girlfriend very much.”

Shang Mingbao looked up: “Ah?”

How did things go wrong from the start?

“They’ve been dating for a long time, since last year, but for more than half a year, Xiang Feiran hasn’t introduced her to me, saying it’s inconvenient, and his girlfriend isn’t ready yet.”

“……”

Well, that is the truth…

“So I think our vibes don’t match. I can’t get along with pretentious people.”

“Am I pretentious?”

Shang Mingbao was being quite straightforward.

Fang Suining glanced at her and said honestly, “A little, but not too bad. You have a nice personality and are cute. If you weren’t so unwilling, I’d try to set you up with Feiran Ge.”

Chance!

Shang Mingbao parted her lips, about to speak.

Fang Suining added, “But never mind. Otherwise, I wouldn’t know how to face both of you.”

“……”

Her fists were clenched!

“What kind of person do you think Feiran Ge would like?”

Shang Mingbao bit her lip.

“Beautiful? But usually, someone very handsome doesn’t have such high standards for their partner’s looks.”

Shang Mingbao: “Who says?”

“Smart,” Fang Suining said firmly. “That’s a given. He always thinks I’m stupid and gets impatient with me. If his girlfriend isn’t smarter than me, I’d laugh him to death.”

Shang Mingbao: “……”

Start laughing then.

“Sexy? No, that feels weird,” Fang Suining dismissed the idea, then suddenly lowered her voice. “By the way… how far have they gone?”

Shang Mingbao: “……”

She wanted to get up.

“Uh, I just remembered I have something to do…”

This scene was too overwhelming! She couldn’t handle it!

Fang Suining didn’t hear her soft comment and continued guessing on her own: “Maybe someone who contrasts with him, someone no one would expect to be a couple with him.”

After saying this, Fang Suining looked at Shang Mingbao for no apparent reason, making Shang Mingbao want to flee.

“For example, if you two stood together, I wouldn’t think you were a couple.”

Shang Mingbao closed her eyes.

Enough!

“Suining…”

“I’ll send a message to Feiran Ge to ask, in case he and his girlfriend agree.”

“Don’t—”

“Oh, Feiran Ge’s here.” Fang Suining stood up and waved enthusiastically toward Xiang Feiran.

If this jerk weren’t so handsome, Fang Suining would have fought him twice as much throughout their lives.

Seeing him casually making his way through the crowd with a coffee cup in hand, Fang Suining said, “Oh, where’s his girlfriend?”