Jiang Cheng got off the bus and looked at the old alleyway entrance as if in another world. It was still the same scene in his memory, unchanged.
The walls were so old that most of the plaster had peeled off, and a ditch covered with purple moss lay beside the path. A few days ago, a winter rain had caused the gray walls to erode further. Some pebbles had been laid on the narrow path to prevent people from slipping.
In the alley, there were two houses with their doors open. Several women sat together chatting about this and that, their hands busy with their work, probably knitting thick sweaters for their families.
The city's progress seems to have stopped here. It's hard to see these things in big cities. Hundreds of residents in a building are only a few meters apart, but their hearts are worlds apart.
Jiang Cheng looked at the familiar scene with a touch of emotion, then lowered his head and took Luo Xiaoli's hand. The two had met at this alley entrance before. Back then, a fallen telephone pole lay across the wall, but it had been moved now.
When Luo Xiaoli was three years old, she squatted on a telephone pole, tears streaming down her face, until she saw the alluring butterfly in Jiang Cheng's hand.
"Let's go in."
"Uh-huh."
The two then went inside. Jiang Cheng was wearing a mask and a very ordinary down jacket, with his bangs casually hanging on his forehead.
Before even reaching Jiang Cheng's house, which was located at the very end, one would inevitably have to pass by those gossiping women.
He noticed that Luo Xiaoli was a little nervous, so he gently squeezed her fingers to convey his warmth.
The two understood each other implicitly, exchanging silent glances but both knowing what the other meant.
He was determined to take this step eventually. In the blink of an eye, the two had been dating for four or five months. He was certain that Luo Xiaoli was the person he could spend his life with. At this age, having both a scientific research career and a lover, Jiang Cheng often felt happy.
The women who were talking noticed a young couple approaching and turned to look. They didn't recognize them at first and whispered among themselves until Jiang Cheng got closer.
He politely addressed her as "Auntie" or "Auntie," which are common terms used by younger people in the neighborhood to address their elders.
At first, the women wondered whose child this was, but when Jiang Cheng took off his mask, they were instantly stunned.
The alley was completely silent.
"Little Jiang," the usually eloquent auntie didn't know what to call him at this moment, because Jiang Cheng was not only the child of the neighboring Jiang family, but also a well-known scientific research leader in China, and the president of two academies.
His status and position have changed, reaching a height that ordinary people can hardly reach, a height that some people wouldn't even dare to dream of.
Calling her Xiao Jiang made them even afraid of offending her.
But Jiang Cheng wouldn't put on airs. He exchanged pleasantries politely and greeted everyone before saying, "I'm going home to see my parents. I'll go inside first."
"Oh... okay." The neighbor lady paused for a moment, then replied.
Only when he and Luo Xiaoli disappeared at the far end of the alley did these people realize what was happening and immediately began a heated discussion.
The words were mostly praise, saying how great it was that such a celebrity could emerge from Lanjing, especially since he was a kid from their own alley, giving them a sense of shared honor.
Then, some people began to wonder, what did Jiang Cheng mean by taking the girl home?
After thinking for a few seconds, they immediately realized a fact.
Could it be that Lao Jiang's child is dating someone and is bringing them home to meet his parents?
These neighbors had all seen Luo Xiaoli before, but that was over a decade ago, and she had just been wearing a mask, so they naturally didn't recognize her. They could only think, "How can this girl who walked with Jiang Cheng be so stunning?"
Because Jiang's parents had called ahead to let him know, they had prepared a table full of dishes and welcomed him with great enthusiasm. What they didn't know was that Jiang Cheng had some things to discuss besides visiting them.
Fathers and mothers naturally have different views.
When Jiang's mother saw Jiang Cheng, she naturally showered him with concern and asked what he had been busy with recently. She was even more distressed to learn that her son had spent two months in the Gobi Desert in Northwest China, as everyone knew that the conditions there were not good and the sandstorms were terrifying.
Her observations were very subtle. She felt that although Jiang Cheng hadn't gained weight, he had become more mature, and his every move unconsciously revealed the air of someone in a superior position.
This kind of temperament is mysterious and elusive. People like Zhong Lao, who have been in high positions for many years, can be seen to be big shots in their words and deeds without even realizing it.
The father was more concerned about Jiang Cheng's career, asking if he had been reading more lately. He emphasized that even if one holds a high position, one should not be arrogant or complacent, and should remain humble even after achieving success.
Jiang Cheng listened attentively and agreed without arguing, acknowledging that one must learn how to conduct oneself in relation to subordinates and superiors.
He seemed to have never considered the issue of being a person. Jiang Cheng thought for a moment and realized that having reached the level of the president of both the academy and the court, there was no need for him to cater to others; he only needed to be true to himself.
People in the Institute of Biotechnology and the Institute of Energy all know that Dean Jiang is a rather meticulous person who has never flattered or fawned over anyone. They know that such behavior is useless and that it is better to do things in a down-to-earth manner.
Jiang Cheng is such an ideal person, insisting on being himself, which is good because he has the ability to earn the respect of others.
Jiang's parents seemed more concerned about how Luo Xiaoli's university life was going.
"Why did you decide to get into Lanjing University? My sister told me that you have pretty good grades, Xiaoli."
"No, that's just how it is when you volunteer. I really like this place." Luo Xiaoli glanced at Jiang Cheng as she spoke, a little shy, without saying anything explicitly.
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