Meng Jingnian had an extensive and far-reaching social network—from the administrative offices within the institute to volcano observatories as far away as Hawaii, he had people he could talk to everywhere.
But if one were to divide everyone in his social network into concentric circles, those who could enter the innermost ring closest to the center were, in truth, few and far between.
Xie Heng—the young man who had joked about Lin Qin—was one of them. Xie Heng had been recommended for graduate studies at Nancheng University from another institution, and was one of the few non-local students under Dean Jiang Sidao. Naturally clever, he was nevertheless somewhat lazy and undisciplined, which was precisely why Meng Jingnian was graduating this year while Xie Heng would have to wait until next year—he still owed a paper for a core journal that he hadn't published.
Xie Heng was an extremely thoughtful and socially adept person with remarkably good connections. Most of the time, when one absolutely had to deal with someone, the junior students in the same research group would still prioritize Xie Heng. The reason went without saying—Meng Jingnian was gentle, but not particularly approachable, carrying a certain sense of distance.
This meal was mainly organized by Xie Heng, both to welcome Meng Jingnian back and to celebrate his smooth passage through the pre-defense.
Meng Jingnian studied under Dean Jiang Sidao, conducting research in atmospheric dynamics, with his graduation thesis focused on an idealized numerical study of the optimal initial inner core for tropical cyclone intensification.
Today's defense committee included not only professors from Nancheng University itself, but also experts and professors from the National Meteorological Center, the National University of Defense Technology, and the Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. All had led key projects, and although they had collaborative relationships with Dean Jiang Sidao, they would show no leniency toward his student—if anything, they would be even stricter.
Under such circumstances, Meng Jingnian responded to their questions with ease and composure, not losing face for his advisor in the slightest.
Lunch was hotpot. Several junior students went ahead to prepare their dipping sauces, leaving Xie Heng and Meng Jingnian to watch over their belongings.
Xie Heng said, "You're relaxed now, but I'm hanging by a thread. Last December, I went to listen to Professor Huang's student's defense, and it wasn't nearly as strict as today. I feel like I might not graduate next year. I really regret choosing the dean as my advisor."
"The dean is in Mingzhu Tower, turn left and walk three hundred meters—you can personally submit your resignation to him and defect from the master's tutelage." Meng Jingnian said with a smile.
"Can't you be less of a jerk?"
Originally, Meng Jingnian had wanted to invite Jiang Sidao to the research group's gathering, but since all members of today's defense committee knew Jiang Sidao, he had instead hosted a meal at Mingzhu Tower. The name Mingzhu Tower sounded impressive, but it was just a three-story family restaurant. Because it was located near the school, it had become an unofficial canteen for faculty and students.
Xie Heng took a sip of water, glanced at Meng Jingnian, and cleared his throat. "Old Meng, that junior student from earlier…"
Xie Heng was good-looking, knew how to provide emotional value, and came from a fairly wealthy family—naturally, he never lacked female attention. His reputation in that regard wasn't great, and Meng Jingnian knew it, though some things had been unfairly pinned on him and weren't entirely his fault.
Meng Jingnian knew what he was about to ask. "She's the niece of Professor Lin Zhengjun from the History Department. I'd advise you not to set your sights on her."
Meng Jingnian knew that Lin Qin would likely hate being dragged into the whirlpool of nepotism gossip, because she hadn't publicly advertised her family relationship with Lin Zhengjun. That was why, earlier in the department office in front of so many people, he hadn't explained in detail to Xie Heng.
Xie Heng nodded, but a moment later something occurred to him. "Isn't Professor Lin your brother-in-law?"
"Mm."
"Then what does that make her to you? Does she call you uncle, or uncle-in-law, or senior?"
Meng Jingnian didn't answer, because he knew that no matter how he responded, Xie Heng would have a teasing remark waiting for him. He noticed a junior student returning, stood up, and walked toward the dipping sauce area.
After the lunch gathering ended, Meng Jingnian went home, took a shower, and changed clothes.
There was still a dinner engagement that evening—he was going to his advisor Jiang Sidao's home for a meal.
Dean Jiang's home was in the old city district. Two subway transfers, a five-hundred-meter walk, and there it was: an aged blue-brick courtyard nestled among lush vegetation.
The advisor's wife had retired from her government position, but still held some roles in social organizations and rarely had time to rest. This family dinner was entirely prepared by the household chef—a table laden with an array of dishes in authentic Huaiyang style.
When Meng Jingnian entered, the advisor's wife, Wang Lanzhou, received him warmly. After half a cup of tea, she invited everyone to move to the dining room to eat and chat.
Jiang Sidao stood before the wine rack, asking with a smile, "Jingnian, what would you like to drink?"
"I'll follow the host's lead, Professor."
"Then dry red wine, how about that? A student of mine sent it from Jiayuguan—it's wine his family brewed themselves."
The housekeeper brought three red wine glasses and placed them before the three of them.
Meng Jingnian waited until Jiang Sidao had retrieved the bottle and sat down before taking his own seat after him.
Wang Lanzhou said with a smile, "Just looking at Old Jiang's expression, I can tell your defense went well today, Jingnian."
Meng Jingnian smiled and replied, "There are still many shortcomings that require the professor's continued guidance."
"You're about to graduate—what more could I possibly have to teach you?" Jiang Sidao said with a chuckle. "Each generation produces its own talents."
"That's quite the compliment," Wang Lanzhou remarked with a smile.
"To outsiders, I'd never say such things, lest they think I'm playing favorites. But in private, I'll certainly still sing her praises. Jingnian's trip to Germany wasn't wasted—she's done credit to the school's investment in her."
Wine glasses half-filled, Meng Jingnian took the lead in raising a toast to her teacher and his wife for their nurturing and care.
Wang Lanzhou personally served her food. "Jingnian, while you were in Germany, did you and A-Cheng see each other often?"
"Jiang Cheng is busy with her studies, and she's in Munich, so we didn't meet all that frequently."
"She's not the sharpest tool in the shed, yet she insisted on going all the way to Germany to study."
"Not at all, shimu. Jiang Cheng is extremely intelligent and diligent."
Wang Lanzhou smiled, a hint of dismissiveness in it. "Diligent she may be, but intelligent—that's a stretch. She's a grown woman, and she still needs me to pick out her winter clothes."
Meng Jingnian gave a faint smile and went along with the remark. "That's because you dote on your daughter."
During her time in Germany, Meng Jingnian had met Jiang Cheng two or three times, always on either her birthday or his own.
Each time they met, Jiang Cheng wasn't in great shape. She had moderate anxiety, which worsened around exam weeks. The last time they met, Jiang Cheng told her that her hair was falling out in clumps, and she didn't know if she'd even make it to graduation.
What truly devastated her, though, wasn't her studies—it was the fact that at twenty-eight years old, she still had to call Wang Lanzhou every single day to check in, and she had no say whatsoever in what she wore. Once, at a Christmas ball, she wore a red strapless gown. Midway through, she received a call from Wang Lanzhou, threw on a coat, and stepped outside to take it. Perhaps she hadn't bundled up properly, and Wang Lanzhou caught sight of her, remarking that the neckline was too low—girls from proper families should dress with decorum. Jiang Cheng had joked that thank goodness Wang Lanzhou hadn't visited Schult Island, where men and women on the beach sunbathed completely nude.
Wang Lanzhou said, "I hope she graduates smoothly next year and comes back home soon. At her age, she should start thinking about family as well."
As she said this, she looked at Meng Jingnian, all the deeper meaning hidden within that smile.
Meng Jingnian suddenly felt the air grow two degrees thinner.
They chatted about amusing anecdotes from the department, and the meal concluded with both host and guest well pleased.
Jiang Sidao and Wang Lanzhou walked Meng Jingnian to the door, offering to call her a cab. She politely declined with thanks, saying she'd walk to the subway station—the fresh air would help sober her up.
Along the path, a few sparse cherry blossom trees were planted, their petals already half fallen.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket.
It was her father, Meng Zhenqing. "Jingnian, finished dinner with your teacher?"
"Yes, I have."
"The tea leaves your mother asked you to bring—you didn't forget, did you?"
"No, I didn't. Shifu liked them very much and said she'd arrange to go hiking with Mom sometime."
"I heard from your teacher—your pre-defense went well."
"…Mm."
"Good. You haven't disgraced your teacher's efforts." Meng Zhenqing's voice carried a note of satisfaction. "Are you back at school yet? Come home and rest tonight?"
"…I'm already on my way."
"Alright then. Get some rest when you're back, and come home for dinner this weekend."
"Okay. You and Mom should rest early too."
The call ended. Meng Jingnian stepped into a small convenience store by the roadside and bought a bottle of ice water.
After paying, she returned to her WeChat home screen. A chat bubble with a little red dot had floated up beneath the pinned File Transfer Assistant.
Lin Yiyi: Little uncle, did you go to Dean Jiang's house for dinner tonight?
Meng Jingnian held the water in one hand, walking out as she typed a one-handed reply: How did you know?
Lin Yiyi: Guessed.
Meng Jingnian smiled slightly and replied: That smart, huh.
Lin Yiyi: Are you staying at your parents' place tonight?
mjn: No. Heading back to school.
Lin Yiyi: Drove over?
mjn: Took the subway.
Lin Yiyi: Can you wait for me? I'll come with you.
Before she could type out her question, Lin Yiyi had already replied: Came to the old campus this afternoon.
mjn: I'm almost at the subway station. Come over—I'll wait for you.
Meng Jingnian sent her the subway station's location pin.
Lin Yiyi: I'll be there in ten minutes.
mjn: Okay.
This station wasn't a popular stop, and the evening rush had already passed—only a handful of passengers lingered inside.
Meng Jingnian passed through security, scanned her transit code at the gate, rode the escalator down to the platform level, and found a metal bench to sit on.
The station's cold white lighting made the space feel especially vast. When a train pulled in, damp air from the underground tunnel rushed over her face.
Meng Jingnian leaned forward slightly, elbows braced on her knees, phone held in her hand, turning it over absently.
Three trains came and went. Over ten minutes passed, yet the heavy fatigue still hadn't seeped out of her bones.
A moment later, she heard hurried footsteps approaching from not far away.
She turned to look, her gaze fixing on the figure. She studied it for a moment before confirming it was Lin Qin.
She must have just finished a photo shoot, still wearing her makeup—dark purple eyeshadow and lipstick. She had on a black slip dress stitched together from scraps, with a layer of black mesh sewn over the skirt. Beneath the mesh, dark red withered roses were scattered, trailing down like a trail of blood from her chest.
She carried a black backpack slung over one shoulder, phone clutched in her hand, running breathlessly.
Her gaze swept over, and only after she spotted him did her pace slow: "Sorry, I took a cab over—traffic was a bit heavy on the way."
Meng Jingnian smiled and said, "No worries. No need to rush."
Lin Qin glanced at the display screen—the next train was still three minutes away. She walked over to the bench, set down the backpack that looked heavy enough to weigh a ton, and sat down beside Meng Jingnian.
"Just finished shooting?"
"Yeah."
"Where at?"
"The botanical garden."
Meng Jingnian mentally mapped out the location—there was a subway station right next to the botanical garden, and it was on the direct line to the school, if he remembered correctly.
So why bother taking a cab?
His gaze landed on Lin Qin, pausing for a moment.
Lin Qin was still catching her breath. She steadied her breathing, then turned to look at him.
Meng Jingnian looked away.
"Didn't the defense go well?" Lin Qin studied him. "You don't seem too happy."
"It went very well." Meng Jingnian gave a faint smile. "I'm not unhappy, just a little tired."
Lin Qin stared at him.
Being stared at by a pair of eyes with such exaggerated purple eyeshadow made Meng Jingnian feel anything but at ease. He smiled and said, "Why are you staring at me? That's rude."
"Oh." Lin Qin looked away. "I just wanted to see what you look like when you lie."