As soon as he had this thought, Xuan Du’s figure appeared before him.

“What are you laughing at, you mountain field mouse?” Thinking he was mocking her ignorance, Xie Xitong became a little flustered and annoyed. “Is it not possible for someone to not know everything?”

You Xin smiled. “It’s just about two field mice falling in love.”

Lin Xia pondered aloud, “So, whether humans are like prairie voles or mountain voles depends mainly on the balance of two hormones in their brains?”

You Xin nodded. “Exactly. Each person’s level of fidelity is different because everyone’s brain structure varies. The distribution of vasopressin and oxytocin in the brain is naturally different too. The more receptors for these hormones in the brain’s reward system, the more faithful a person tends to be.”

Zhou Meng frowned. “So, whether someone is faithful or not is also related to these hormones?”

“Of course. Otherwise, why would there be unfaithful women in the world? Some people are never satisfied, no matter how well you treat them, all because of the influence of these two hormones. Fidelity is not just a matter for men.” He nodded. “Of course, this conclusion is drawn from experiments on lab mice. But human brains are much more complex, and our society is far more diverse. There are moral constraints as well as endless temptations. The reasons for infidelity multiply.”

“But we have to admit, humans still retain animal instincts,” Lin Xia said. “From a Marxist materialist perspective, this is a material, objective phenomenon—something beyond human control or change.”

You Xin laughed. “Not necessarily. Humans are emotional creatures; emotions can affect our hormones. Just like how two people, after spending enough time together, will naturally develop feelings for each other.”

Xie Xitong said, “If, one day, when technology advances enough, scientists invent an injection for all newlyweds before marriage, then there would be no more divorces, and the world would finally be harmonious.”

Lin Xia agreed. “That could happen. Who knows, maybe one day such a drug will really be invented, and it’ll have a beautiful name, like ‘Only You Forever’ or ‘One Heart, One Love,’ something like that.”

“What are you all talking about, so happily?” Sun Xiaoxiao caught up from behind. Seeing it was her, Lin Xia asked, “Didn’t you wait for Qianqian?”

“She’s with Liu Ziqing in the back. Brother Chen is giving her cousin a ride, and Liu Ziqing doesn’t seem too happy about it.”

“Really? Let me see.” Xie Xitong looked back and chuckled, “Ha! Doesn’t she always act so aloof? Even she has days like this, hmph!”

Lin Xia also looked back. No wonder she’s the reborn heroine—even destined couples can be separated by her, it seems.

She remembered her first encounter with Chen Zimo, the cold glance he gave, and now, there he was, riding with Zhao Xin.

Chen Zimo in white, Zhao Xin in her plain dress—from a distance, they looked like a painting.

“What are you thinking about?” You Xin’s gentle voice sounded by her ear. Only then did Lin Xia realize that Xie Xitong and the others had already walked ahead.

Lin Xia was startled, then replied: “When the breeze is clear and the moon is bright, I recall Xuandu.”

Many years later, when that boy had grown into a man and kept the memory of that girl deep in his heart, he finally understood the loneliness and sigh buried in her gentle tone back then.

That tranquil expression lingered in his youth, never fading.

When the breeze is clear and the moon is bright, do I recall Xuandu?

You Xin was taken aback. This reference was from an old classic, “A New Account of the Tales of the World,” about the relationship between Liu Zhenchang and Xu Xuandu.

Xu Xuandu was a recluse, fond of philosophical conversation, refusing to take office. When Liu Zhenchang was the prefect of Danyang, Xu Xuandu came to the capital and stayed at his house.

Liu prepared the most luxurious room and the richest banquet for him. Xu Xuandu sighed, “If I could always live like this, it would be far better than retreating to the Eastern Mountain.”

Liu Zhenchang replied, “If fortune and misfortune were truly in our hands, why wouldn’t I preserve this place?”

In the end, Xu Xuandu still left. Liu Zhenchang would often visit the place where he had lived, reminiscing and sighing, “When the breeze is clear and the moon is bright, I recall Xuandu.”

It means: whenever the breeze is gentle and the moon is bright, I cannot help but think of Xu Xuandu.

But why, at this moment, did Lin Xia use these eight words as her answer? What was she trying to express? Was she sighing over the impermanence of fate, or the fleeting nature of prosperity? Or something else?

At that time, You Xin was still too young. Though precocious, he was hazy about love and did not yet understand the deeper meaning behind Lin Xia’s words.

If only he had understood and acted then, would their ending have been different?

You Xin shook his head.

Because time cannot be reversed.

“What are you thinking about?”

On a day as beautiful as this, what are you thinking about?

“When the breeze is clear and the moon is bright, I recall Xuandu.”

She answered, I often think of someone, especially on the most beautiful days.

Thinking of a certain person.

When the gentle boy grew into a gentle man, recalling that scene and the look in the girl’s eyes, he realized that the one she missed had a bearing as serene as the clear breeze and bright moon.

Seeing You Xin lost in thought, Lin Xia’s eyes flickered. She had already let herself slip a bit today, actually voicing what was on her heart.

She quickly smiled, “Let’s catch up to them, or Tongtong will be yelling for me again.”

“We,” You Xin liked those two words. He had just nodded when he saw Xie Xitong stop, cup her hands around her mouth, and shout, “Hey, are you two growing mushrooms back there? Hurry up!”

Lin Xia and You Xin exchanged a glance and both saw the laughter in each other’s eyes before pedaling quickly to catch up.

Once they reached their destination, they chose a spot by the water under the trees. The girls laid out the tablecloth and set up the food, while the boys hooked up the speakers and microphone and plugged in the MP3.

In her previous life, every time Lin Xia passed an overpass or an underground walkway, she would see people singing for money with a portable speaker. She had always been envious, but it wasn’t as if she could just buy a speaker and go singing in the street. Now, at last, she had a legitimate excuse.

A female singer’s sentimental voice drifted from beneath the trees, full of feeling and atmosphere.

Lying on the carpet they’d brought, sunhat covering her face, listening to the distant music, Lin Xia felt utterly content.

Once everything was in order, the boys and girls sat in a circle.

Xie Xitong, as the initiator, saw everyone looking at her, pursed her lips with a smile, and said, “Today the sun is shining and the breeze is gentle. We’re all gathered here—thank you, everyone…”

“To attend the wedding of our classmate Xie Xitong,” Zhou Meng interjected. “That sounds just like something a wedding host would say.”

At that, everyone burst out laughing.

Wasn’t it just so?

Xie Xitong shot him a fierce glare before continuing, “Since we’re all here to have fun, of course, we need to put on some performances. Look, our crew has already set up all the equipment. You can sing, dance, perform a skit, or tell a joke. Just so you know, everyone must perform—those are the rules. No exceptions.”

Xie Xitong’s round eyes twinkled as she pursed her lips and said, “Now, I’ll punish the person to my right, who interrupted the host, to give us a performance. I hope he’ll break the ice and make the rest of the performances even better.”

Lin Xia was the first to clap and cheer, “Zhou Mengmeng, give us something! Zhou Mengmeng, come on!”

Sun Xiaoxiao and Zhao Qian joined in the laughter and cheers. Zhou Meng didn’t seem the least bit shy. He winked at Xie Xitong, struck a cool pose, and stepped aside. “Well, then, forgive my clumsy attempt. I’ll give everyone a street dance performance. But since I’m a local, don’t mind if it’s not up to par—just enjoy the show.”

Chen Zimo changed the music for him, and a burst of energetic music played, instantly perking up the drowsy crowd.

It was an excellent opener—at least half a success already.

The rest munched and drank, critiquing Zhou Meng’s moves, enjoying themselves thoroughly.

“Hey, where did this apple come from? Did we buy apples?” Lin Xia asked in confusion.

The apple looked so fresh and luscious. In two lifetimes, she’d never seen one so—well, translucent. Yes, a translucent apple.

Zhao Qian laughed, “My cousin brought them. She felt bad for imposing, so she brought some fruit from home for everyone to try. These are homegrown, naturally pollution-free—everyone can eat them without worry.”

Seeing how considerate Zhao Xin was, Xie Xitong’s impression of her improved. Liu Ziqing hadn’t contributed anything, after all.

Picking up an apple, Xie Xitong smiled, “It looks delicious. I’ll try it first.”

Chen Zimo doted on Xie Xitong, and Zhao Xin had heard about it from Zhao Qian. If Zhao Xin and Chen Zimo ended up together in the future, she naturally smiled gently, “All the apples have been washed, so everyone can eat without worry.”

Xie Xitong took a bite, her eyes lighting up. She turned to Lin Xia. “Mmm, it’s so good! You should try it.”

Lin Xia was tempted, but seeing how cold the apple looked, she hesitated and whispered, “Don’t you remember my ‘condition’? I can’t eat anything cold.”

Xie Xitong nodded, “True, what a pity.”

Lin Xia smiled, “No need to pity me. Save one for me, I’ll eat it later.”

Glancing at Zhou Meng, who was still performing, Xie Xitong quickly tucked an apple into her bag. “Judging by that rascal’s look, he’s probably a glutton too. Better hide one now.”

Lin Xia shook her head, laughing. “You’re always at odds with him. I think he’s quite nice.”

“At odds with him?” Xie Xitong nearly jumped up. “It’s that annoying guy who’s always coming after me, hmph.”

Just then, Zhou Meng finished his last move. Seeing Lin Xia and Xie Xitong watching him, he gave a roguish, flirtatious grin. To Xie Xitong, it was the height of insufferable arrogance.

“See, there he goes again, acting all cool and suave,” she complained.

“All right, don’t be mad. The host has to take the stage now.”

Wiping sweat, Zhou Meng strolled over, arching his brow at Xie Xitong. “Well, how was that? Pretty good, right?”

She rolled her eyes. “What you say doesn’t count—it’s up to everyone to vote.”

(To be continued. If you enjoy this story, feel free to subscribe or support it—your support is my greatest motivation.)