Chapter 77

After landing in New York, the driver and Sophie came to pick them up.

Sophie had probably guessed something and observed carefully throughout the whole trip. Several times she wanted to ask but ultimately pretended to be unaware. It wasn’t until she heard her talking to Xiang Feiran on a video call that her heart was finally set at ease.
There was no breakup.

She wasn’t sure whether to breathe a sigh of relief or to lament.

Wu Baiyan seemed to be holding a grudge. After not visiting for a while and not interacting with Shang Mingbao on Instagram, he finally showed up in a hurry at the end-of-year banquet hosted by Wendy. Since Wendy hadn’t sent him an invitation but had assumed he was Shang Mingbao’s companion, the doormen, who knew him as Wendy’s young friend, didn’t stop him.

Dressed in a suit, Wu Baiyan was supposed to look handsome and elegant, but his clenched jaw and the luxurious tie and pocket square only highlighted his anger.

Entering the club’s banquet hall under the crystal chandeliers and red velvet drapes, he saw Shang Mingbao surrounded by several noblewomen. He hesitated slightly, then stepped forward with a forced smile and stood next to her, as usual, like a post.

The noblewomen were praising her video from the Dubai Jewelry Exhibition and mocking the lack of taste and refinement among the Middle Eastern aristocrats. After the small talk, Shang Mingbao clinked her slender champagne flute with theirs and was then pulled into a private room by Wu Baiyan.

“Why didn’t you contact me?” The twenty-two-year-old Wu Baiyan, full of youthful anger, finally decided he couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“You didn’t contact me,” Shang Mingbao blinked. “I thought you had cut ties with me.”

“You!” Wu Baiyan, though fiery and resolute, softened his tone, “When did I say I was cutting ties with you?”

“You ignored me when I told you I hadn’t broken up with Xiang Feiran.”

That day in the specimen room, after Xiang Feiran shared his mother’s story and his reasons for not wanting to marry, Shang Mingbao fell into a long silence. She understood his fear of marriage and the future but felt powerless to change anything. She couldn’t tell someone who had experienced tragedy and loss to just cheer up and believe in themselves. It felt too trivial, almost cruel.

If love, so intangible, is compared to destiny, a person with good luck tends to believe more in fate, while one with bad luck can never believe that good fortune will come.

So Shang Mingbao said nothing.

She didn’t even say “you deserve it,” because such powerless baby talk felt as deafeningly silent as her silence at that moment.

She hugged him for a long time and told him for the first time her dream of marriage.

“I used to love attending weddings when I was a child,” Shang Mingbao said.

“I thought the bridesmaids’ dresses and veils were so beautiful, and my mother had many beautiful dresses. There was a villa just for storing dresses, and I loved to play there, dragging them all over the floor, covering myself and imagining I was in a grand wedding hall.

“If I became a wedding planner, I’m sure I’d be amazing at it because I fantasize about weddings every night.

“Later, as I grew up, though the anxiety of dying tomorrow faded, this dream remained for some reason.

“I’ve also seen many failed marriages. Many children in our circle have parents who lead separate lives, keep mistresses, or have several illegitimate children. I wondered if it would be cooler and more modern to say I didn’t yearn for marriage.

“But I have to stay true to the dream that was born out of the shadow of death.”

Shang Mingbao looked at him.

“I’m also a product of my upbringing. What you don’t believe in is what I firmly believe in.

“If one day my marriage fails, then I’ll know that what I believed wasn’t as good as I thought, and that’s okay.”

“Your marriage won’t fail,” Xiang Feiran said, holding her face with both hands, speaking firmly. “Babe, your marriage will be wonderful. You will be happy for a lifetime, growing old with the one you love, living a long life. You’ll have children of your own, and they’ll grow up with your love, being brave, understanding love, and being as lucky as you are.”

He spoke with increasing urgency, and after finishing, he exhaled heavily, trembling.

Shang Mingbao didn’t refuse his blessing, placing her palm on his hand and nodding. “No problem.”

It was like accepting a life mission, promising him she would complete it well.

In the room filled with their sparse memories, Xiang Feiran kissed her deeply, and they stopped talking. As Shang Mingbao’s tears mingled with the kiss, he didn’t ask or stop.

The kiss grew more passionate, with their body heat rising, and sweat forming, humidifying the previously dry air in the room.

Uncertain who was more eager or reckless, Wu Baiyan’s message vibrated several times in her jeans pocket before being pulled out by Xiang Feiran. With no time to reply, her vision blurred from the physical motions of being lifted and lowered. She could only type two words: “No breakup.” Then came a thud as her phone fell to the floor, and she had to cling to Xiang Feiran’s muscular shoulders to support herself.

The cabinet tipped over, and old specimens scattered everywhere. Amidst the choking dust, warm memories, and faded plants, the small, brightly lit room in the deep mountain seemed insignificant.

After this message, Wu Baiyan indeed didn’t contact her again until today, when he finally couldn’t hold back and came in person.

“Who’s ignoring you?” Wu Baiyan said through clenched teeth, “Busy with matches and training.”

He added, “You didn’t even come to my finals.”

“Well, you didn’t win the championship anyway.”

Wu Baiyan was at a loss with her. He often wondered if she was equally sharp-tongued and relentless in front of Xiang Feiran. After finishing a glass of champagne in one go, he asked, “Has he resolved his issue with marriage?”

Shang Mingbao nodded, “It’s resolved.”

“How was it resolved?” Wu Baiyan asked skeptically. “Did he compromise? Don’t tell me you did.”

“Nope,” Shang Mingbao said, stretching her arms. “Neither of us compromised.”

“And then?”

“Then… he agreed to try to change his mind and think more about our future. If one day he feels not resistance and fear, but yearning, he’ll let me know.”

It sounded beautiful but also like a distant mirage. It seemed like something that could happen tomorrow or might never happen.

Wu Baiyan looked incredulous. “What the hell is he afraid of? Why should he be afraid?”

“You said it,” Shang Mingbao smiled. “Childhood trauma and family issues, all that.”

Wu Baiyan slapped his forehead, closing his eyes in frustration. “You’re really naive, my friend!”

“Not everyone is as lucky as we are, Alan.”

“So, you plan to wait like this? Betting your youth? What if you don’t get it?”

Shang Mingbao smiled. “Why are you asking three questions in one sentence? If I don’t get it, then I won’t wait. It’s not a gamble because I’m happy being with him, more than I am with anyone else, more than I am with myself. I’m just enjoying the happiness while hoping for a good ending.”

Her eyes were calm and gentle. Wu Baiyan wasn’t sure if she had perfected the art of self-deception or if she truly had thought it through.

Wu Baiyan’s face was cold. “If there’s no deadline, I’ll consider you’re deceiving yourself.”

“There is one.”

Under Wu Baiyan’s intense gaze, Shang Mingbao continued to smile slightly. “27 years old.”

That was a year earlier than the deadline Wu Baiyan had once given her, which was unexpected.

Wu Baiyan’s mood was complex. “I thought you’d give it more time, like until thirty.”

“No need. Four years is enough. If he can change his mind, he will in these four years. If he can’t, then it’s not worth forcing it.”

After saying this, Shang Mingbao tilted her head. “So, why did you come here so aggressively?”

“To—”

Wu Baiyan was momentarily speechless and then shifted the topic fiercely. “To tell you that I’ll be interning in Hong Kong and Singapore next year. What about you?”

He had only studied archaeology for a semester before switching to finance. Archaeology was interesting, but it required patience. Wu Baiyan had patience, or he wouldn’t have waited around Shang Mingbao for so long, despite being mocked by a few friends for being a ‘loyal dog’. But archaeology involved fieldwork, which he couldn’t handle.

Shang Mingbao had completed her credits ahead of schedule and planned to graduate next year, already deciding not to apply for a master’s program. Wu Baiyan thought she would return to Hong Kong to be with Xiang Feiran, so he declined an internship opportunity on Wall Street and switched it to Hong Kong and Singapore.

With genuine feelings and the passage of time, Mrs. Wu was even concerned about her younger son and inquired about his progress. Upon learning that he was still studying King Goujian of Yue, she was so upset that she didn’t drink afternoon tea for two days. She had also mentioned giving up if things didn’t work out. After all, the Shang family, though prestigious, had Mingbao as the youngest daughter, not involved in core family decisions. A step back meant a broader world in Europe and America. Wu Baiyan had previously listened to his mother’s advice, but not this time.

Shang Mingbao said, “Australia.”

Wu Baiyan asked, “What?”

“Australia.”

Wu Baiyan had a thousand curses to say. “Aren’t you not going for a master’s? Why would a top student with a 3.8 GPA from a U.S. university go to Australia to study?”

“I’m not going to study. I’m going to work in a mining area—Lighting Ridge, an opal mining area.”

Shang Mingbao had once considered asking those wealthy ladies if they needed her to design and set jewelry, but she couldn’t break into that market. The high-end circles were too tight and narrow. Most high-value gems were used by wealthy individuals from India, the Middle East, and Russia as part of their asset allocation, while top jewelry suppliers and brands controlled the high-end jewelry market. The wealthy clients who could afford million-dollar gems and high jewelry already had designers lining up to serve them, all from top luxury jewelry houses, with no need for a newcomer like her.

Shang Mingbao had also thought of replicating the approach, designing a necklace for Wendy’s gemstones to help her gain a reputation. To persuade her, Shang Mingbao risked using Shena’s endorsement. But Wendy, with a charming smile, said, “Darling, you have to understand, I can go directly to Shena. Why would I come to you?”

A few days later, Wendy mentioned this incident to Wu Baiyan as a joke. The next day, Wu Baiyan brought two expensive stones to Shang Mingbao, asking her to design and set them. Wendy followed through, and though Shang Mingbao’s reputation was enhanced, when she saw the design, she squinted and shook her delicate, noble index finger like a pendulum. “Darling, you’re not up to it.”

At first, Shang Mingbao was unwilling to admit defeat. She left the design aside for half a month before looking at it again and finally crumpled it and threw it away.

It indeed didn’t work. She couldn’t view her work with a self-admiring attitude.

Shena could see her dilemma and frankly told her, “Your talent for gemstones is unique, but a designer and a gemstone expert are two different species. You’ve studied for three years and honed your skills on my goldsmithing bench for three years, exploring and discerning the latest techniques and methods. But you lack—desire. You design them as if you’re arranging pebbles, paving a park path, or marble tiles in the Waldorf Hotel. The best design you ever did, which was also the reason I decided to privately accept you as a student, was that initial amber watch.”

That night, after returning home, Shang Mingbao took out the amber watch from the top shelf of the jewelry cabinet.

It was a peculiar and bold bracelet-style watch. It was odd because one of its chains had five watch faces of different sizes and shapes. Some were made of mother-of-pearl, others were set with full diamonds, opals, or metal—but none of these watch faces kept time. Their hands were fixed in place. Only on the watch with a polished amber floral base did the real time appear.

The silver metal chain connecting these five watch faces was as rugged and bold as the vines of a tropical forest. The gaps between the watch faces were adorned with colorful gemstone flowers, butterflies, and dragonflies.

This is a “chaotic” design, but it requires the highest craftsmanship. Each material used, if considered alone, is more expensive than the amber piece, but as a finished product, it is undoubtedly the only visual focus because it represents the natural and life-giving essence.

Shena’s words echoed in her ears: “When I was young, I often heard my father and brothers discussing customer orders. When I wanted to interject, they would say that women should stay at the jewelry counter rather than behind the goldsmith’s bench. I was very unhappy. I had a destructive anger against all established norms, so my work is also hard, sharp, and cold. One cannot design something beyond her own life. I was moved by your amber watch because I saw metaphors for time and love in your design, an eternal flower blooming on the gift for your loved one, so vigorous and resolute. You need to find that inner essence.”

A small piece of snow from Mont Blanc in the Alps is like the tip of a mountain in the glass case kept at a constant subzero temperature;

Granites, slates, quartzites, and white marbles picked from Kilimanjaro, Mount Rwenzori, the Appalachian Mountains, and various named and unnamed mountain peaks, even volcanic craters… are all meticulously handled and placed in her study, recording the coordinates of the three years she spent with him.

Shang Mingbao opened her five fully filled field notebooks on botany, sketches, and inspirations. Amidst the vague chaos, a ray of light suddenly appeared.

Her inner essence… vigorous, resolute, visible, audible, and smelled, the wilderness she had crawled through thousands of times, the treetops she had looked up at thousands of times, the countless flower vessels and leaf secrets captured with a macro lens.

But that night, she decided to focus her first post-graduation project on black opal, as it is a gem as dazzling as a nebula and the closest gem to the vibrant essence of life she knows.

Australia was a place Wu Baiyan never expected, but now, it was what it was. He coldly mocked Xiang Feiran: “He didn’t even stop you.”

It’s one thing if he didn’t stop her, but Xiang Feiran’s words in Shang Mingbao’s heart could counter a thousand of his.

“Not only did he not stop me, but no one in my family did either.” Shang Mingbao tilted her head: “Alan, go fall in love. I was much more mature than you at this time last year.”

Wu Baiyan was choked by her words, but as she smiled, his face full of anger instantly dissipated.

Shang Mingbao is still best suited with straight bangs. After passing through the mature phase at Wendy’s place, she grew her bangs back. She is bright-eyed and fair-skinned, with a doll-like, princess-like face, but not childish; petite, but not confined. It’s an almost imposing delicacy, even more so with champagne, crystal chandeliers, and high-end dresses.

Wu Baiyan suddenly felt a tightness in his chest and instinctively twisted his tie, gruffly saying, “Why is it so stuffy here?”

“You’ve been staying up too much; you’re physically weak.” Shang Mingbao said bluntly.

“What are you saying to a professional kayaker?” After saying this harshly, he opened the door and walked out briskly, his heartbeat taking a while to settle down.

What’s going on?

Wu Baiyan steadied his breathing, turned back to look at Shang Mingbao, who was smiling and greeting others casually.

Has it not snowed in New York yet? When it does, you can see her eyelashes catching the sparkling snowflakes.

This image and thought suddenly appeared in Wu Baiyan’s mind inexplicably, so strange and vivid that he couldn’t bear it. He left hurriedly before the banquet ended, leaving in the same fierce manner he arrived.

December 21st is the birthday of Shang Mingbao’s younger brother, Shang Lu. There were no final exams in her senior year, and she had already completed all the required courses in advance, so she was able to return to her country earlier.

It was a proposal Shang Mingbao would never forget in her life. Her brother and his lover, Ke Yu, after a very harsh two-year separation, reunited at this year’s Cannes Film Festival and finally reconciled.

Among the Shang family, Shang Mingbao is the closest to Ke Yu. When asking for advice on birthday gifts, Ke Yu revealed his intention to propose and asked her to keep it a secret.

Shang Mingbao was shocked and dazed, holding the secret and sneaking into Shang Lu’s study, leaning against the door frame, looking blushing and hesitant.

Shang Lu: “Did you take the wrong medicine?”

Shang Mingbao: “No, I have a secret, but it’s hard not to tell you. It’s so uncomfortable.”

Shang Lu: “Then I’ll tell you a secret too. That way, you’ll have two secrets, and it won’t be uncomfortable.”

Shang Mingbao narrowed her eyes: “Little brother… I’m already twenty-three!”

Shang Lu completely ignored her, beckoning her closer with two fingers. “I plan to propose to Ke Yu at the birthday party. Keep it a secret.”

Shang Mingbao: “……”

You two damn little lovers!

So she became the only person who knew both sides of the proposal plans.

Keeping secrets for others is painful, especially when there are two at once. Shang Mingbao took her brother’s Doberman to the botanical garden to find Xiang Feiran, who had just come out of the laboratory.

He had been a researcher since joining, with an independent laboratory, leading two postdocs, and planned to recruit graduate students next year. Xiang Feiran’s research focus was consistent with his work in Professor Harvey’s lab, continuing the study of angiosperm evolution from Magnoliaceae plants. The systematic phylogenetic relationships of Magnoliaceae, Piperaceae, Lauraceae, and other Magnoliaceae plant groups with monocots and dicots remain unclear, which is a challenging issue in angiosperm evolution research.

Shang Mingbao was very considerate, holding Odin and waiting outside the experimental building.

The man, who was used to wearing black windbreakers and hoodies, finally added other types of clothing to his wardrobe after starting work, such as shirts. Wearing a light blue shirt and a white lab coat, he came down the stairs. When he encountered students of other researchers who greeted him as “Professor Xiang,” he merely nodded.

He was the youngest full researcher at the Plant Institute, with an impressive record and achievements. With his appearance, he attracted a lot of attention upon joining. The very next day, the administrative office subtly inquired if he had a romantic partner— a common practice in institutions, regardless of gender.

Xiang Feiran did not use his commitment to not marry as a shield this time. He straightforwardly said he had a partner and was considering marriage.

The administrative staff remained enthusiastic, unwilling to let it go until a few days later when a rumor spread that he had a special background and connections that ordinary people could not bridge, so they eventually gave up.

This was Shang Mingbao’s first visit to the botanical garden to find him. Holding Odin, a majestic hunting dog, she was observed with some curiosity by the professors and doctors coming and going.

When Xiang Feiran stood before her, an associate professor from a neighboring research group passed by and asked, “Professor Xiang, is this your girlfriend?”

Xiang Feiran nodded and introduced her, “This is Professor Song.”

Shang Mingbao politely greeted him and, once they were out of earshot, whispered excitedly, “Is the associate professor more impressive, or is the researcher more impressive?”

“The researcher is more impressive.”

“But ‘researcher’ sounds less impressive,” Shang Mingbao said, licking her lips. “’Professor’ sounds better.”

“…”

Shang Mingbao looked back again and whispered, “But Professor Song looks like she’s in her forties.”

Xiang Feiran took the leash from her hand and naturally held her hand, saying, “That’s quite normal.”

“Do you feel pressured when they consult you?” Shang Mingbao asked, looking up at him.

Although he was twenty-eight, the man still had a youthful, reserved demeanor. In his lab coat, he resembled a PhD student rather than a principal investigator.

Xiang Feiran smiled at her question and said, “No.”

“What about them? Do they feel pressured?”

Xiang Feiran thought for a moment before answering, “It’s quite normal for them too. Everyone has their own expertise, and there’s always someone ahead in their field.”

Hearing his calm explanation, Shang Mingbao nodded, feeling reassured. She didn’t understand the academic world, but she feared that Xiang Feiran might be disadvantaged due to his youth.

The botanical garden was lively in the evening. Residents with annual passes came out for a walk, and the staff living on campus finished work, exercising, jogging, or reflecting on the wide pathways. Shang Mingbao was able to bring Odin in because of her “family member” status.

After enthusiastically discussing the proposal between Shang Lu and Ke Yu, Shang Mingbao suddenly realized that this might not be a topic Xiang Feiran was particularly interested in.

There was a brief pause in the conversation.

“Did you ever fantasize about proposals when you were young?” Xiang Feiran asked, turning his face.

“No…” Shang Mingbao said dejectedly.

She had imagined weddings thousands of times but never considered proposals. She really was someone who went straight to the ending.

Xiang Feiran smiled, though his brow furrowed slightly.

Strange… his mind began to unconsciously imagine proposal scenarios.

His momentary distraction was interrupted by Shang Mingbao’s voice.

Shang Mingbao asked politely but with hidden hope, “Do you have time tomorrow? I’d like you to come with me to a young man’s birthday party. It’s okay; my parents aren’t there.” She explained first, worried that Xiang Feiran might feel pressured.

… She forgot that her older sister Monica would be there.

Though Xiang Feiran was busy, he had flexible time and agreed with a nod.

“I thought you wouldn’t agree.” Shang Mingbao sighed with relief, watching the Doberman sniff around the greenery. “I wasn’t hinting at anything. If you’re uncomfortable or reluctant, it’s okay.”

Xiang Feiran held her hand firmly, paused, and whispered, “Babe, don’t be so distant with me.”