Lin Zhixia is the pride of the Earth Legion.
Jiang Yubai's words echoed repeatedly in Lin Zhixia's mind. The comic book series "Exploring the Universe" that she and Jiang Yubai co-created seemed to be integrated into reality, giving reality a touch of fantasy and allowing her to gain strength from the virtual world.
After the elementary school reunion, Lin Zhixia and Jiang Yubai walked back to the classroom of Grade 3 (Class 17) together. They stopped and walked along the way, enjoying the winter campus scenery - in the cold winter, the grass and trees withered, only a plum blossom bloomed in the severe cold, blooming beautifully and elegantly.
The fragrance of plum blossoms lingered nearby, refreshing the heart. Lin Zhixia stood leisurely under the tree admiring the plum blossoms, and Jiang Yubai suddenly said, "I brought a digital camera today."
Lin Zhixia reached out to him: "Quickly take out the camera, let's take a photo together."
Jiang Yubai hung one of the backpack straps on his left shoulder, reached into the bag with his right hand, and took out his digital camera.
This digital camera has a touch screen. Lin Zhixia pondered for a while, adjusted the parameters of several options such as resolution, aperture, focus, and took a test photo on the spot. Her photo was clear and the light and shadow effects were very good. Jiang Yubai couldn't help but praise her: "You... have a talent for photography."
"No," Lin Zhixia said with a smile, "it's just that your digital camera is of good quality."
Four seniors from the high school department were walking towards them from a distance. Lin Zhixia stood in the middle of the road, ready to stop the seniors and find a kind person to take a photo of her and Jiang Yubai.
The four seniors walked side by side in pairs. Lin Zhixia immediately saw that the tallest senior in the crowd was her brother Lin Zeqiu.
Lin Zeqiu is sixteen years old this year, and is 1.87 meters tall. He has long legs and fast steps, and he walks hurriedly, heading straight for Lin Zhixia.
Lin Zhixia originally thought that after all her experiences, she had grown up and had become very courageous. However, when she found her brother, she hid behind Jiang Yubai without any hesitation.
"My brother is here." Lin Zhixia reminded.
Jiang Yubai put on his schoolbag, straightened his appearance, and prepared himself: "I know."
"My brother looks fierce." Lin Zhixia commented.
Jiang Yubai held the digital camera tightly in his right hand: "Is he mean every day?"
"Not really," Lin Zhixia narrated honestly, "My brother can be quite gentle sometimes. One night, my brother and I were studying at home, and he even called me by my nickname."
Jiang Yubai asked her: "What's your nickname?"
"Xia Xia," Lin Zhixia said proudly, "Lin Zhixia's nickname is Xia Xia."
Jiang Yubai tried to call her: "Xia Xia?"
Lin Zhixia responded happily: "Xia Xia is here." Then she asked: "Jiang Yubai, what is your nickname?"
Jiang Yubai listed a list in detail: "My uncle calls me Xiao Jiang, and my father calls me by my full name. My mother used to call me Xiao Bai, and now, she calls me by my full name, too."
"Xiaobai." Lin Zhixia read out each word.
Jiang Yubai turned his face away unnaturally: "This is a child's nickname."
Lin Zhixia nodded: "Okay! I won't call you Xiaobai anymore. I will call you Jiang Jiang Jiang Yubai... Also, Chief Jiang Yubai, His Majesty Jiang Yubai, and Teacher Jiang."
Jiang Yubai imitated Lin Zhixia's words and read out: "Lin Lin Lin Lin Zhixia, Captain Lin Zhixia, Queen Lin Zhixia, Teacher Lin..." His voice gradually became low. Because the two titles of "Queen Lin Zhixia" and "Teacher Lin" made him feel a little shy and embarrassed. Especially since Lin Zeqiu was getting closer and closer to him, he didn't want Lin Zeqiu to hear his words clearly.
When he finished saying the three words "Teacher Lin", Lin Zeqiu walked in front of him.
Lin Zeqiu's gaze passed Jiang Yubai and fell on Lin Zhixia: "You told your parents this morning that you were going to have lunch with your classmates at noon. Where are your classmates going?"
"My elementary school classmates are having a dinner together," Jiang Yubai explained for Lin Zhixia, "Our elementary school classmates are in the first grade of the Provincial No. 1 Middle School. The dinner just ended, and they all went back to the first grade teaching building. Lin Zhixia and I are going to the third grade teaching building."
"Yeah, the facts are just as Jiang Yubai said!" Lin Zhixia agreed confidently.
Obviously, Lin Zhixia and Jiang Yubai were in the same camp, and Lin Zeqiu became an outsider - this realization made Lin Zeqiu's thinking pause for a moment, and his brain went blank for a short time.
How could this happen
Lin Zeqiu and Lin Zhixia are blood brothers and sisters. Lin Zeqiu basically did his best in everything related to his sister. For example, he broke his bottom line and admitted that Lin Zhixia and he were siblings. Since then, his campus life in the second and third year of junior high school was filled with a thick haze that could not be dispersed.
Today, Lin Zeqiu is studying in the best science class in the Provincial No. 1 Middle School. Most of his classmates are in the top 200 in the city's middle school entrance examination. Lin Zeqiu carries a heavy study burden every day, and often hears his classmates talking about his sister, saying that his sister is a legend in the junior high school.
There were several other students in the class who were skeptical about his sister's achievements. Although Lin Zeqiu was disgusted by the name "Lin Zhixia" appearing in his campus life, he hated it even more when anyone questioned Lin Zhixia's learning ability. He argued with his classmates for a full ten minutes just to establish a positive image of Lin Zhixia.
Lin Zhixia didn't know her brother was so protective of her. Her mind was full of her brother's constant saying, "Boys must play with boys, and girls must play with girls." Lin Zhixia also discovered that even after entering high school, her brother still maintained an old-fashioned and conservative style, and insisted on drawing a clear line between himself and all girls.
Lin Zhixia tried to change her brother's deep-rooted stereotype: "Brother, Jiang Yubai and I have determined our academic plan for high school. We have been encouraging each other and working hard towards a bright future."
Lin Zeqiu just said: "Come here and stand on my side."
Lin Zhixia grabbed Jiang Yubai's digital camera and walked to her brother with the camera: "Okay, brother, please take a photo of Jiang Yubai and me. Thank you, brother."
Lin Zeqiu's three classmates also came nearby. When they heard Lin Zhixia calling Lin Zeqiu brother, they asked in surprise: "Is she your sister Lin Zhixia?"
Lin Zeqiu admitted with a cold face: "Yes."
The classmates were all amazed. They looked at Lin Zhixia with complicated eyes. Lin Zeqiu turned his head and asked arrogantly: "What are you three still looking at? Have you never seen the girls from the competition class?"
One of Lin Zeqiu's classmates said awkwardly: "You... why are you angry?"
Lin Zhixia suddenly had an idea: "Brother, come over and take a photo with us."
Jiang Yubai did not say anything to stop him. Jiang Yubai found an inconspicuous spot under the plum tree. He stood there straight and quietly. After a few seconds, Jiang Yubai revealed to Lin Zeqiu: "I will go to another city to study in high school."
"That's right," Lin Zhixia said, "My best friend and I are going to separate."
Lin Zeqiu looked at them, indifferent.
Lin Zhixia chattered, "We have never taken photos on campus, brother."
Without waiting for Lin Zeqiu's consent, Lin Zhixia handed the camera to Lin Zeqiu's classmate: "Excuse me, may I trouble you to take a photo for us? I have adjusted the parameters, you just need to press the shutter."
The senior quickly agreed to Lin Zhixia's request. He took the camera and stepped back a few steps: "Hey, no, the three of you should get closer. You are standing too far away, and the camera can't fit in the picture."
Lin Zhixia was determined to take a group photo. She walked closer to Jiang Yubai, and Lin Zeqiu immediately rushed to her side. The distance between the three of them was greatly shortened.
Lin Zhixia stood in the center. On her left was Jiang Yubai, and on her right was Lin Zeqiu. Her face was full of smiles, and she looked very happy.
Lin Zeqiu twitched his lips slightly, but was worried that his smile would be stiff and he would not look as good as Jiang Yubai. He admitted that Jiang Yubai was indeed good-looking. Even though Lin Zeqiu never cared about a man's appearance, he did not want to lose out in the comparison of the same photo.
Jiang Yubai didn't think too much about it. He just paid attention to his appearance as always. He guessed that Lin Zhixia would keep this photo properly. So, he had to show his best condition.
The student in charge of taking photos squatted on the ground, raised his digital camera, and called out loudly: "Smile and shout 'cheese'. I'll do it again. One, two, three... 'cheese'!"
Lin Zhixia was the most cooperative. She shouted excitedly, "Eggplant!"
Jiang Yubai looked straight ahead. He just kept repeating in his mind: Eggplant.
Lin Zeqiu stood still like a wax figure.
The classmate took ten photos in a row before returning the digital camera to Lin Zhixia.
Lin Zhixia checked the photos and said in amazement, "So beautiful."
The photos she saw not only showed Lin Zhixia, Jiang Yubai, and Lin Zeqiu, but also a patch of withered yellow grass, showing the bleakness and desolation of winter. The red plum blossoms on the trees were full of vitality and bloomed proudly, reflecting the magical creation of nature. This wonderful scene contained a strong color contrast, which made her temporarily forget Jiang Yubai and Lin Zeqiu.
Lin Zhixia turned around and looked at Jiang Yubai expectantly: "When you get home, can you send the electronic version of the photos to my email?"
Jiang Yubai held the strap of the digital camera and said straightforwardly, "I'll develop the photos, put them in a frame, and give them to you."
Lin Zhixia was overjoyed: "Okay, okay, thank you, Jiang Yubai!"
Jiang Yubai nodded: "You're welcome."
Lin Zeqiu watched the two of them getting along and seemed to be very polite. But he still felt uncomfortable. After all, he couldn't watch Lin Zhixia all the time. If he wasn't careful, Lin Zhixia would play with Jiang Yubai. His only consolation was that Jiang Yubai was going to another city to study in high school. This meant that the friendship between Jiang Yubai and Lin Zhixia was coming to an end. Lin Zhixia could only honestly find a girl to be her best friend in high school - this was the campus trajectory that a high school girl should have.
Since the beginning of winter this year, cold waves from Siberia have continued to hit, bringing a severe winter climate that only occurs once in a decade. The tall buildings in the city are hidden in the overwhelming cold. Every morning, her mother prepares Lin Zhixia's gloves, scarves, earmuffs, and hats for fear that her daughter will catch a cold on the way to and from school.
On the day of the final exam, the lowest temperature was only minus seven degrees Celsius, and Lin Zhixia was wrapped up like a dumpling. She and Jiang Yubai left the examination room together and walked slowly towards the gate of the Provincial No. 1 Middle School. Jiang Yubai took off his gloves without warning. He opened his schoolbag, took out an exquisite box, and handed it to Lin Zhixia.
"What is it?" Lin Zhixia asked him.
He said, "Photos and frames."
Lin Zhixia was about to take off her gloves, but Jiang Yubai stopped her and said, "It's cold, I'll take them off."
Jiang Yubai opened the gift box, and Lin Zhixia saw the exquisite photo frame made of yellow rosewood. In the photo, she, Jiang Yubai, and Lin Zeqiu stood side by side under a flourishing plum tree, full of the vigor and vitality of young people. Although Lin Zeqiu looked a little stiff, the overall flaws outweighed the merits, and this was a photo that was worth collecting.
The cold wind whistled past, making Jiang Yubai's hands cold.
Lin Zhixia quickly put the photo frame into her schoolbag and said, "Put on your gloves quickly." She added, "I will put this photo frame on the desk."
"I have one too." Jiang Yubai revealed.
Lin Zhixia asked in surprise: "Does your photo include my brother?"
Not included.
In the photo that Jiang Yubai saved, Lin Zeqiu was ruthlessly cut out by Jiang Yubai. Jiang Yubai felt no guilt at all. He had planned to give the cut version to Lin Zhixia. Later, for the sake of his character, Jiang Yubai held back. He could even guess what Lin Zhixia was thinking—Jiang Yubai was a good friend of Lin Zhixia who she had known for four years, and Lin Zeqiu was a brother that Lin Zhixia cared about very much. Both of them had special meanings to Lin Zhixia and were witnesses of her growth.
There is also a family photo on Jiang Yubai's father's desk. The photo includes Jiang Yubai's parents, Jiang Yubai's uncle, and Jiang Yubai himself. Obviously, Lin Zhixia values family and friendship like all ordinary people.
Even so, Jiang Yubai still said honestly: "There is no Lin Zeqiu in my photo."
Lin Zhixia expressed her understanding: "Well, that's what I thought."
She also said: "In fact, on that day, I imagined that my parents also came to school. Dad, mom, brother, you and me, the five of us took a photo together. You are all very important people to me. When I feel scared and nervous, you will help me. You are all my motivation to move forward."
"It's my duty to help you," Jiang Yubai said modestly, "My father said that true friends will naturally help each other."
"Yes, yes!" Lin Zhixia agreed.
Today is the last day of the first semester of the third year of junior high school, and the gate of the Provincial No. 1 Middle School is just around the corner. It seems that after passing through that gate, we will enter the long winter vacation and the lively Spring Festival. Only then did Lin Zhixia say, "I have another good news to tell you. The paper I collaborated with two doctoral sisters will be submitted this month. Teacher Shen said that if we are lucky, it will be approved soon... Then, my first paper will be published, and I will be the first author."
Jiang Yubai and Lin Zhixia had known each other for four years, and he thought he was used to big events. However, when he heard that Lin Zhixia's first paper as the first author was about to be published, he was still greatly shocked.
He asked, “Do you have time to write your paper?”
He suspected that Lin Zhixia had a hard time over the past year.
Lin Zhixia described in detail: "I have been with these PhD sisters for more than three years, and they have taught me a lot. I started writing in January last year, and I revised it several times during this period. Teacher Shen also helped me review the manuscript."
Jiang Yubai thought for a moment: "What is your research direction?"
Lin Zhixia said frankly: "My research direction is the analysis of the mixed vertical parameterization scheme of ocean circulation patterns in the Bohai Sea, the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea."
"What?" Jiang Yubai asked again.
Lin Zhixia looked at him and said, "In fact, I think that in some research fields, the titles of very impressive and innovative papers are generally not too long. My paper, with a long title, implies that the work done in this paper only includes a few minor improvements."
Jiang Yubai was concerned about her: "Do you like this research direction?"
Lin Zhixia nodded: "Teacher Shen taught me how to express the ideas in my head more systematically. Do you still remember Niu Siyuan? He is Teacher Shen's student. After reading Niu Siyuan's paper, I got the inspiration for my first paper. I told Teacher Shen about my ideas. Teacher Shen gave me the first batch of raw data. Then, she helped me collect data in batches several times. She encouraged me to start a project... Speaking of which, it actually took me three whole years to finish this paper."
"You should not have procrastination." Jiang Yubai commented.
Lin Zhixia immediately reflected on herself: "Well, I don't like procrastination. But sometimes, I don't dare to take the first step."
She and Jiang Yubai walked out of the school gate at the same time, and tiny snowflakes fell on her face. She suddenly remembered the experience of participating in the training camp with Jiang Yubai during the winter vacation of her first year in junior high school. She remembered that on that snowy night with dim street lights, she and Jiang Yubai shouted to each other across the street: See you tomorrow!
See you tomorrow.
These three words are really full of expectations.
She began to miss the winter training camp during her first year in junior high school.
Jiang Yubai distanced himself from her and said to her formally, "You have grown a lot, Lin Zhixia. You are braver and stronger than when you were a child."
Lin Zhixia kept repeating to herself: "Very brave, very strong."
"Yes," Jiang Yubai agreed, "You will get better and better."
Lin Zhixia immediately said: "Jiang Yubai will also get better and better. This is a fact and it is also my hope."
She took the lead and stepped onto the zebra crossing: "See you in the new semester, Jiang Yubai!"
The green light was counting down, and Jiang Yubai waved at her: "See you in the new semester, Lin Zhixia."
Lin Zhixia laughed and ran to the bus stop as usual. Her winter vacation life in the third year of junior high school began.
During the one-month winter vacation, Lin Zhixia planned to focus on her thesis. Her first thesis was about the practical application of the ocean general circulation model and its improvement based on local conditions. In order to process the huge and trivial data, Lin Zhixia used a computer cluster and tried the MapReduce framework newly released by Google. The basic concept of this framework is very simple and easy to operate, which also gave Lin Zhixia inspiration to improve MapReduce. In addition, she also wanted to improve her understanding of quantum field theory and her thinking on the boundaries of two-dimensional Riemann manifolds. However, due to the lack of affirmation and recommendation from professors in related majors, she did not start writing rashly.
Mom and Dad clearly noticed the changes in Lin Zhixia.
This winter vacation, Lin Zhixia was quieter and more reserved than in previous years. When she heard that her parents were going to take her and Lin Zeqiu back to their hometown, she calmly declared: "I'm not going. You and your brother go back to your hometown together, and I'll stay at home alone for seven days."
Every year during the Spring Festival, Lin Zhixia didn't want to go back to her hometown. But she was a clingy person. She would definitely follow her parents. As long as her parents decided to go to the countryside for the Spring Festival, Lin Zhixia had no choice but to obey her parents' opinions.
However, during the winter break of her third year of junior high school, Lin Zhixia suddenly became independent. She said, "I'm almost thirteen years old. I can take care of myself."
Dad asked in shock: "Can Xia Xia cook? Xia Xia is alone at home, what is she going to eat?"
Lin Zhixia thought for a moment before saying, "I can eat instant noodles, mineral water, and braised chicken wings. I will also eat oranges to supplement vitamin C to prevent myself from getting scurvy due to vitamin C deficiency."
Her mother criticized her: "It's almost the New Year, don't say such things about being sick or not."
"Yeah." Lin Zhixia nodded. She behaved very well and obediently.
But when it comes to the issue of "returning home", Lin Zhixia is particularly stubborn and refuses to give in. Especially when she heard that her uncle and aunt were also going to the countryside to celebrate the New Year this year, she became even more repulsive and said, "Grandpa and grandma don't like me, and you all know what my uncle and aunt are like. These relatives have no affection for me, so why should I try to please them?"
Dad called her: "Xia Xia..."
Lin Zhixia immediately responded: "Xia Xia said she won't go, so she won't go."
"I'm not going back either." Lin Zeqiu suddenly said.
Just like Lin Zhixia, Lin Zeqiu disliked his uncle's family, especially his cousin who was always showing off in front of him. He couldn't help wanting to pick up his cousin and beat him up several times.
The living conditions at my grandpa's and grandpa's houses were not good, and they didn't pay much attention to bathing and going to the toilet. When Lin Zhixia was at my grandpa's house, whenever she went into the bathroom, Lin Zeqiu would stand outside to guard the door for her. The door lock of the bathroom at my grandpa's house was broken - my grandpa and grandma were always reluctant to fix it, and they felt it was unnecessary to spend money to repair the bathroom. Lin Zhixia used a chair and a few pieces of wood to make a so-called "jack" and propped it against the door. But Lin Zeqiu was still worried because there were many guests at my grandpa's house... In short, Lin Zeqiu was not used to everything in his hometown in the countryside. He strongly requested to stay at home with Lin Zhixia.
He said: "Lin Zhixia can't cook, but I can. I can also cook a New Year's Eve dinner."
Lin Zhixia clapped happily: "That's great, brother, we don't have to eat instant noodles anymore."
"I won't let you eat instant noodles during the Spring Festival." Lin Zeqiu said firmly.
Lin Zhixia immediately started ordering dishes: "Then let's have braised crucian carp, stewed pig's trotters with soybeans, stir-fried beef with green peppers, and cold-mixed tomatoes... Okay, brother?"
Lin Zeqiu sat on the sofa. Lin Zhixia came to him and whispered, "Brother, I secretly hid two thousand yuan of scholarship money, which is enough for us to use during the Spring Festival. You can buy whatever you want. You like beef... I will buy you the best beef in the supermarket!"
Lin Zeqiu was stunned.
He placed his hands on his knees, slightly clenching the fabric of his pants, and a sudden warmth welled up in his heart. Although he felt that he had invested 100% of his affection in Lin Zhixia, and Lin Zhixia only gave him 40% in return when she was happy... But, no matter what, he appreciated Lin Zhixia's kindness.
He and Lin Zhixia were discussing the menu for the New Year's Eve dinner enthusiastically.
Their father was stunned for a while before he responded: "Qiuqiu, Xiaxia, mom and dad haven't agreed to let you stay home by yourself. You didn't go back to your hometown last year, and you didn't go back to your hometown the year before, so you can't not show up this year."
No one listens to Dad.
Dad looked at Mom helplessly.
Mom was knitting a sweater. The fire in the living room was burning brightly, and the air was filled with warmth. Mom's fingers were flying with the needle and thread. She said, "I haven't been back for three years. People in the village are gossiping about me. My parents must be upset. I have to go back again."
Dad said, "Okay, I'll go back with you."
But my mother said, "You should stay and take care of Qiuqiu and Xiaxia. How can we be alone during the New Year and other holidays? There are many thieves these days. We run a small shop and live on the first floor. With the lights on, it's too tempting for thieves."
Lin Zhixia realized it belatedly and shouted: "Mom..."
Lin Zeqiu was very worried because Lin Zhixia was a mother-clinging girl and couldn't leave her mother at all.
His concerns turned out to be correct.
Lin Zhixia quickly changed sides: "Mom, Mom, let me go back with you." She stood in front of her mother and gently lifted a corner of her sweater: "Mom, will you be unhappy going back to your hometown alone? Your uncle and aunt are not good to you. Once, you talked to your uncle, and I heard it... Your uncle blamed you for not giving him enough money when he was studying for his master's degree..."
"There's such a thing?" Lin Zeqiu frowned. "Who would want to eat at the same table with a piece of trash like him?"
Dad said in a gentle voice: "Lin Zeqiu, stop talking and don't make your mother unhappy."
Lin Zeqiu retorted on the spot: "Can't I say a few words? Is it against the law?"
Lin Zhixia tried hard to defend her brother: "Uncle dared to say that to mom because no one guided him or taught him. He grew up in an environment where all the family resources were tilted towards him, and he flew into a rage when his relatives didn't follow his wishes. He is a person who harms others for his own benefit, but he is also a person who can bend and stretch. What my brother said is absolutely right. Dad, you can't criticize my brother for telling the truth. Dad, seeking truth and being pragmatic is one of our school mottos. Revealing the truth is risky and worthy of praise."
Lin Zhixia is a silver-tongued person.
After hearing what his daughter said, the father temporarily lost his ability to speak and was completely unable to refute her.
Lin Zhixia turned around and high-fived her brother.
Dad still hasn't figured out why his two children, who used to quarrel all day, suddenly united as one.
Mom sewed the sweater skillfully. She picked up the whole sweater, looked at it several times, and then said, "Xia Xia, try this sweater later. If you don't like the collar, Mom can change it for you."
"Okay," Lin Zhixia grabbed her mother's sleeve, her voice soft and sweet, "Mom is so nice."
My mother also said, "Xia Xia, if you don't want to go back home, don't go there in the future. I will be back in a few days, you don't have to come with me. It will be too troublesome for me to take you along on the road alone."
Lin Zhixia could only agree.
She spent a very quiet Spring Festival.
The Spring Festival lasted for seven days, and Lin Zhixia was always studying at her desk. She would also take time to inspect Lin Zeqiu and guide him on his winter vacation homework. Lin Zeqiu seemed reluctant, but he actually helped her prepare a seat and covered it with cushions.
Dad didn't open the shop for three days in a row. He suddenly had a lot of free time. He would either watch TV in the living room or call his wife to urge her to come home early.
A few days later, her mother finally came back exhausted. Lin Zhixia waited at the door early in the morning, rushed to her mother from a distance, and said as she ran: "Mom, mom, I miss you so much."
Lin Zeqiu was much more reserved than his sister. He just helped his mother carry the luggage, and heard from his mother that the trains during the Spring Festival travel rush were too crowded, and the prices of instant noodles and boxed lunches on the road had increased. His mother had been traveling all night without eating, but she brought some snacks from her hometown for her daughter and son. It was said that they were high-quality specialty preserved fruits that the daughter of an uncle brought from Beijing.
As my mother opened the suitcase, she spoke: "That great uncle's daughter used to work in the fields with me. She was bitten by a snake, and I carried her to the village clinic. She always said that I saved her life. In the past two years, she has been doing business in Beijing and has made some money..."
The newly installed light bulb in the living room cast a slightly yellowish warm light. My mother sat in the light, took out an exquisitely packaged paper box, and carefully opened the seal.
Lin Zhixia smelled a fresh and familiar scent.
Soon, Lin Zhixia was stunned because she saw preserved strawberries - there was such a good thing in the world!
As soon as her mother lifted the plastic wrap, Lin Zhixia couldn't help but move closer. Her mother fed her a piece of preserved fruit and asked, "Is it delicious, Xia Xia?"
Lin Zhixia nodded: "It's delicious!"
It is worthy of being called Beijing’s high-end specialty preserved fruit.
Then, she suddenly remembered that her mother had been running around all night and had not eaten anything. During the journey, even if her mother was very hungry, she did not open the box of preserved strawberries and eat them.
Suddenly, the strawberries were not so sweet anymore, and Lin Zhixia felt a sour taste in her heart. She leaned close to her mother's arms and whispered, "Mom... My mom is the best mom."
Mom touched her head and said, "Mom's Xia Xia is also the best Xia Xia."
This winter vacation is the best winter vacation.
Soon after the second semester of her third year of junior high school began, Lin Zhixia's thesis was approved and published in the Journal of Physical Oceanography, which was her first formally published paper.
Jiang Yubai printed out Lin Zhixia's articles, bound them into a book, and read them carefully during the morning reading class.
Jiang Yubai thought that his English was OK. However, reading Lin Zhixia's article posed a great challenge to him. He read the series of narratives in the paper with great effort, and the repeated mathematical transformations made his temples ache.
Previously, Lin Zhixia claimed that she had only made some "minor improvements". Jiang Yubai thought that her paper was simple and easy to understand. He really didn't expect that the "minor improvements" Lin Zhixia mentioned were like this.
The last attachment of the paper was a seven-page boundary proof, all written by Lin Zhixia. Jiang Yubai simply didn't want to admit that he was also a student in the mathematics competition class. He was like reading a book without words, forcing himself to read Lin Zhixia's entire derivation process.
But Lin Zhixia was still waiting for his evaluation.
Jiang Yubai is obviously not a reviewer for Journal Physical Oceanography, but he seems to play a role more important than a reviewer.
Jiang Yubai covered the first page of the paper with a piece of draft paper, covering the abstract that he could barely understand half of. Then, he sincerely congratulated Lin Zhixia: "I have read your first paper. The mathematical theory is solid and the computer processing flow is clear..."
"Is it clear and easy to understand?" Lin Zhixia asked with great anticipation.
Jiang Yubai couldn't lie. He described it implicitly: "Clear and obvious."
"Obvious?" Lin Zhixia carefully weighed Jiang Yubai's words. After a long while, she suddenly realized: "You mean, I wrote it too complicated? In fact, these things are not difficult for those who know, and difficult for those who don't."
Jiang Yubai nodded and wrote on the first page of the printed paper: The first planet successfully captured by Captain Lin Zhixia.
Lin Zhixia was immediately excited: "I will capture more planets in the future, all kinds of planets!"
"I know." Jiang Yubai signed "Earth Legion" on the printed manuscript.
He looked at the stack of papers and said slowly, "I believe you."
"Yeah!" Lin Zhixia responded.
This paper did not change Lin Zhixia's life. She remained as low-key as before, still refusing all media interviews and even not giving any explanation. Because her explanation might also appear in the newspaper.
Some students in the Grade 3 (17) class were blocked by reporters at the gate of the Provincial No. 1 Middle School. When the reporters asked them about Lin Zhixia's conduct, they all maintained a unified tone, following the three principles of "not clear, not knowing, and not sure".
Among them, Shen Fuxuan's rhetoric was the most outstanding.
Shen Fuxuan was very good at making jokes and diverting the topic to other directions. For example, a reporter from a newspaper who was keen on digging up explosive news asked Shen Fuxuan in detail how Lin Zhixia studied in school, whether she received help from outsiders, and whether she had someone ghostwrite her thesis. Shen Fuxuan began to discuss the difference between quality education and exam-oriented education with the reporter, and also talked about the history and educational background of the provincial capital. In the end, the reporter thought he was too long-winded and gave up the interview.
Shen Fuxuan came to Lin Zhixia to take credit: "Those adults are so boring. I helped you block the reporter from the Evening Mirror. I've read this newspaper. It reports on the private lives of celebrities in the entertainment industry and some boring urban rumors every day."
"Then why are you reading this newspaper?" Lin Zhixia's focus was actually here.
The usually eloquent Shen Fuxuan suddenly stuttered: "I, I..." He came up with an excuse: "Curiosity."
Lin Zhixia laughed out loud. Then, she politely asked Shen Fuxuan how he was doing recently and whether he was preparing for the physical education test for the high school entrance examination.
When it comes to the physical education test for the high school entrance exam, Shen Fuxuan is like a deflated ball. He and Jiang Yubai have been training intensively for half a year, and Jiang Yubai's pull-ups have reached the "excellent" standard, while Shen Fuxuan is still struggling to pass the passing line.
It was not until this time that Shen Fuxuan realized that Jiang Yubai had been learning martial arts since he was a child, and his physical fitness was much better than his.
Shen Fuxuan had already won the first prize in the junior high school league and was promoted to the high school competition class of his school. But he still pursued high scores in the junior high school entrance examination and wanted to sprint to the top of the city - that was a symbol of glory, just like the Spaniards who worked hard to expand the sea area during the Age of Exploration, they always had to come up with some real money to show their strength.
Like many of his classmates in Class 17 of Grade 9, he studied for the high school entrance exam day after day.
As June approached, the class did not feel sad about separation. Most of the students were able to enter the high school department of the Provincial No. 1 Middle School. Even if they were not in the competition class, they could still see each other frequently. This calm and appropriate atmosphere lasted until the end of the high school entrance examination.
On the day of the high school entrance examination, Jiang Yubai revealed to several classmates in the third grade (17th) class that he would go to an international high school in Beijing next semester. He would spend the entire high school time in Beijing, then go abroad to study for an undergraduate degree, and then return to the provincial capital to work.
Jiang Yubai has a very clear life plan.
Duan Qiyan was dumbfounded. He stood outside the examination room in a daze. After hearing Jiang Yubai's words, he couldn't believe it: "You are going to Beijing?"
The wind in mid-June was sultry, not only did it not bring a bit of coolness, but it also forced a bit of heat. Duan Qiyan's forehead was sweating. He wiped his forehead and asked again: "Jiang Yubai, are you going to Beijing?"
Jiang Yubai and Lin Zhixia walked out of the examination room one after the other: "Yes."
Duan Qiyan shouted, "Lin Zhixia, are you just going to let him go like this?"
Lin Zhixia said nothing. She was distracted in the examination room for the high school entrance examination, and she was absent-minded in writing the Chinese composition and history papers. As for Jiang Yubai... As the date of separation was getting closer, Lin Zhixia deliberately avoided thinking about her daily life without Jiang Yubai.
She answered Duan Qiyan vaguely: "Everyone has their own choices. You will understand it sooner or later, Duan Qiyan."
Lin Zhixia's sudden steadiness and maturity made Duan Qiyan freeze in place.
Their examination was held at a high school in the city center, which was also several decades old, with a tall and dilapidated gate and rusty iron rings.
Lin Zhixia reached out her hand and knocked on the door. She said goodbye to many classmates as usual and said with a smile, "See you next semester!"
When it was Jiang Yubai's turn, Lin Zhixia actually said, "See you tomorrow."
Jiang Yubai also replied: "See you tomorrow."
Lin Zhixia and Jiang Yubai have made an appointment that they will meet at the provincial library every Saturday and Sunday this summer vacation to spend the last long vacation before high school starts.