“Dried tangerine peel is called chen pi,” he explained, flipping to the relevant page.
“The older it is, the better. It’s pungent, bitter, and warm, good for regulating Qi, strengthening the spleen, drying dampness, and resolving phlegm.” Pinching the boy’s chubby cheek, he added, “Your obesity is simple obesity, so we need to eliminate food stagnation, promote Qi flow, and strengthen the spleen.”
Reluctantly, He Shou Zheng sighed.
“Fine, I’ll drink it. Uncle, ever since Sister Shen went abroad, you’ve been picking on me. Just go after her already so I can have some peace!”
Poking the boy’s forehead lightly, he sighed, “Alright, I’m getting ready to go. But isn’t it a bit harsh to call me out like that?”
Shaking his head, He Shou Zheng replied, “When my mom goes on business trips, Dad does the same thing to me. I’ve seen through all men!”
* * *
While He Shou Zheng worked on his homework, He Su Ye sat at his computer checking emails. One unfamiliar sender caught his attention. Hesitating briefly, he clicked it open and was surprised by the content:
“From my advisor, I heard you’re planning to go abroad. I was surprised but quickly realized it makes sense. Someone as talented as you would be wasted staying in China. Congratulations!
A few days ago, Fang Ke Xin told me you’ve got a new girlfriend. That surprised me even more—especially when I heard you pursued her first and worked so hard to win her over. I’ve been wondering what kind of girl could move someone as slow as you. She must be kind and gentle. Just thinking about it makes me smile. Congratulations again!
I’m currently studying bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out. By the way, I’m planning to marry my boyfriend next March. If you’re free, I’d love for you to attend—and, of course, bring your girlfriend along.”
It was from Zhang Yi Ling. Smiling, he carefully composed a reply before sending it off.
Hitting “Send,” he felt a weight lift from his chest, as if a long-standing burden had finally disappeared. He felt light, refreshed.
Breaking up doesn’t mean losing friendship, he thought. It doesn’t matter who was at fault. Once happiness heals old wounds, we can forgive the past and let go.
The next time we meet, we’ll smile, exchange greetings, and ask, “How have you been?”—and that will be enough.
* * *
Two months later, when he arrived in the U.S., a distant relative’s son—who was studying law at Penn—picked him up. They were close in age and got along well, sharing a quiet but harmonious living arrangement.
Initially, He Su Ye planned to visit Ithaca as soon as he settled in. However, upon reporting to his research institute, he was assigned a project immediately. His Chinese-American colleagues were envious of his assignment, but he threw himself into the work diligently.
His advisor was a German, known throughout the university for his meticulousness and harshness. He particularly admired Asian students for their diligence and strong foundational knowledge, which was why, of the six students in his lab, three were from Germany and the other three were Asian.
The first time He Su Ye visited the lab, he was taken aback. A prominent sign on the door read:
“Researchers in this lab must work seven days a week, from 10 AM to 12 midnight, fully focused during work hours.”
“Well,” he thought, “at least this way, I’ll be just as busy as Shen Xi Fan.”
It seemed either his ability to conceal his location was exceptional, or Shen Xi Fan was too preoccupied to notice. Even though their schedules aligned almost perfectly, she never realized that the man she was chatting with on QQ lived less than a two-hour drive away, in Philadelphia.
0 Comments