Shen Wenhuan, whom I initially thought worked in research and was not talkative, proved to be quite the opposite upon meeting. She was an absolute chatterbox, incapable of stopping. While this could normally be annoying, her sweet smile made her seem interesting and sincere.
Liu Nanfeng vaguely recalled Shen Wenhua’s childhood appearance. It wasn't that she had changed into this person as she grew up; she had always been this way. However, Liu Nanfeng hadn't seen her for years, and many of his memories had faded. Now, they were becoming clear again, more vivid. He remembered how she used to follow Yu Huilan, her little mouth spewing provocative words. A smile involuntarily curled his lips.
“What are you smiling about?” Shen Wenhua asked, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She seemed to favor this gesture.
“I’m smiling because you haven’t changed a bit since you were little. By the way, are you doing biological research now?” Liu Nanfeng inquired curiously.
“Yes, I majored in biology in college and joined an institute as a researcher after graduation,” Shen Wenhua said, taking a sip from her cup.
Liu Nanfeng, who was paying close attention, noticed Shen Wenhua glance at Zhan Zhongxiao, who was browsing the menu beside her, while she was speaking. "Does she really know something?" Since their last phone call, a remark she'd made offhandedly had made him suspicious. Zhan Zhongxiao had left Jiangcheng in sixth grade, so she must have known this secret before starting junior high. Was her subsequent choice of biological research somehow related to this?
“Oh, right, Dundun, didn’t you say you had a gift for Wenhua? Where is it?” Liu Nanfeng asked with a smile. He wanted to gauge Shen Wenhua’s reaction. Thinking back, Shen Wenhua had only spoken to him and Su Huamei since arriving, rarely addressing Zhan Zhongxiao.
Hearing Liu Nanfeng’s sudden remark, Zhan Zhongxiao’s cheeks flushed beet red. “That… that…” Zhan Zhongxiao desperately wanted to hide behind the menu, but felt it was too cowardly. He forced himself to stay composed but didn’t know what to say.
“You’re a grown man, stop being so hesitant. Just take it out already,” Liu Nanfeng chimed in again.
“Is there a gift? I didn’t buy anything!” Shen Wenhua asked, leaning slightly towards Zhan Dundun.
“I… I bought it casually while shopping. I don’t know if you’ll like it?” Zhan Dundun said, lowering his head and avoiding Shen Wenhua’s gaze. He fumbled with his waist pouch.
Not only Liu Nanfeng but even Shen Wenhua could sense his nervousness. A flicker of surprise crossed Shen Wenhua’s face, followed by a smile. “What gift is it? I’ll have to see it to know if I like it!”
Upon hearing this, Zhan Zhongxiao hurriedly took a small box out of his pouch and handed it over. Shen Wenhua accepted it without ceremony, opened it, and her expression turned one of pleasant surprise. “It’s a brooch,” she said with a smile. She took it out of the box. Liu Nanfeng then noticed it was a brooch shaped like bamboo. Liu Nanfeng looked at Zhan Zhongxiao with a hint of surprise. This wasn't casually bought while shopping as he claimed; it had clearly been prepared with great care.
Shen Wenhua pinned the brooch to her chest. Seeing Zhan Zhongxiao’s lips move as if he wanted to say something but dared not, Liu Nanfeng asked, “Do you like it?”
“It’s nice,” Shen Wenhua replied. This statement was interesting; she neither disliked it nor explicitly liked it. Liu Nanfeng didn’t press further. At this point, the waiter came to ask if they were ready to order.
“I’ve ordered. See if you want to add anything else,” Zhan Zhongxiao said, handing the menu directly to Shen Wenhua next to him. Shen Wenhua, however, passed it to Su Huamei, who was sitting opposite. “I’m not a picky eater. Sister Su, please see if you need to add anything.”
Su Huamei looked at the dishes Zhan Zhongxiao had ordered and added a few more that Liu Nanfeng liked. This brought the total to fourteen dishes. “Isn’t this a bit too much? There are only four of us, we definitely won’t finish it,” Shen Wenhua said.
“It’s fine. Those two are big eaters and won’t waste it,” Su Huamei replied. In reality, Liu Nanfeng could eat all of these by himself.
“By the way, I haven’t asked yet, did you buy me a gift too?” Shen Wenhua asked Liu Nanfeng with a playful smile.
“Dream on. I’m treating you to this meal tonight, consider that my gift,” Liu Nanfeng replied.
“Hehe, are you afraid Sister Su will get jealous?” Shen Wenhua asked, smiling.
“Not at all. I had no idea about you either. He only told me this morning, so I didn’t prepare anything,” Su Huamei said with a smile.
“Sister Su, I was just kidding, please don’t take it seriously.”
“Heh heh…”
“Heh heh…”
Liu Nanfeng and Zhan Zhongxiao exchanged glances, feeling that there was something subtly manipulative between the two women.
“Oh, what kind of biological research do you do?” Liu Nanfeng asked curiously.
“We research everything. Dogs, cats, bears, lizards, pandas, ostriches, and so on. We study all living things on Earth.” Shen Wenhua’s words seemed casual, but Zhan Zhongxiao, standing beside her, felt an inexplicable unease.
“What’s the point of researching these things? What’s the use?”
“They are immensely useful. Through biological research, we can better understand the world, solve current intractable diseases, and even peek into the secrets of ancient creatures by studying present-day biological genes…” Shen Wenhua spoke passionately about her profession, rattling off many technical terms they didn’t understand, but it all sounded very impressive.
“How many days will you be staying in Jiangcheng this time?” Liu Nanfeng asked. This question was actually asked on Zhan Zhongxiao’s behalf.
“I don’t know yet. My supervisor knows I’m from Jiangcheng and wrote me a letter of recommendation to join a research institution in Jiangcheng. I haven’t decided yet.”
“What good biological research institutions could there be in a small place like Jiangcheng?”
“That’s not entirely true. The institution in Jiangcheng is backed by the Haiwang Group. They initially focused on marine biology research and achieved significant results, gaining considerable fame in academia. In recent years, they’ve started branching into terrestrial biology and expanding their staff, which is how I got this opportunity.”
“I see. In that case, you might as well return to Jiangcheng. On one hand, large institutions like that would surely offer salaries comparable to those in Xi’an. With the same salary, living in Jiangcheng would be much more comfortable than in Xi’an, and your parents are also here… Of course, this is just my personal suggestion. It’s your decision, so consider it carefully.”
“I think Nanfeng is right. The cost of living in Jiangcheng is low, your parents are nearby, and it wouldn’t hinder your career. It’s a win-win situation,” Zhan Zhongxiao added from the side. This was the longest sentence he had spoken all evening, his intentions as clear as day.
Su Huamei, being a perceptive woman, looked at both of them and then smiled, saying, “I also think it would be better for you to return to Jiangcheng. Being with your parents would at least remove life’s worries, allowing you to focus on your research.”
This statement hit a nerve. Living alone in Xi’an, the trivial matters of daily life could indeed be overwhelming. Thinking of this, Shen Wenhua felt a pang of temptation, but she didn’t make an immediate decision. “I’ll consider it carefully,” she said. However, in Liu Nanfeng’s opinion, the chances of her staying in Jiangcheng were very high.
At this moment, the proprietress began serving the dishes one after another, and everyone started chatting while eating.