Chapter 217: Forensics Award (1/2)
I planned to go back with a present for Xiaotao but I could find nothing in the small town. So, I decided to buy the gift in the city.
On the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, Bingxin and I went back to Nanjiang City. I asked Bingxin what would make a lovely present for a girl.
”Is it for Xiaotao-jiejie?” she asked.
I readily admitted to it. It was useless lying to her since they were the only two girls I knew.
“Give her something she can use daily!” Bingxin advised. “That way, she’ll think of you whenever she uses it. Without her even knowing, her affection for you will grow every time. Why don’t you give her a pretty umbrella? Don’t you think it'll be very sweet she opens the umbrella every time it rains? It’s just as if you’re shielding her from the wind and rain.”
”That's a good idea!” I said, enlightened. “I’m glad I asked you.”
Bingxin beamed like a cat that got the cream. ”Do you remember when my birthday is?”
”March 18th! I get it, I'll give you a birthday present when the time comes.”
”Pinky promise!” she said, before hooking my pinky with hers.
With Bingxin's advice, I bought an exquisite umbrella and met up with Xiaotao. As soon as she opened the gift, Xiaotao frowned, ”Who gave you such a bad idea for a gift? Was it Miss Sun?”
”What’s wrong? Don’t you like the umbrella?”
”You’re so terrible at romance, you know!” said Xiaotao as she laughed in between her sentences. “Don’t you know what it means to give an umbrella? Well, courtesy demands reciprocity. Next time she has a birthday or something, I'll buy her a clock.”
”I know what it means to give a clock!” I said.
After such a long time apart, Xiaotao invited me out for a meal, during which she complained how terrible her New Year’s was. It had nothing to do with work, but rather, the terrible mess of a situation at home.
During the Lunar New Year, her father invited Young Master Wang to their home for dinner. The young master’s attempt to ingratiate himself irked her no end. It seemed her father had already considered Young Master Wang as his prospective son-in-law.
”Why don’t you tell him off? I doubt he would continue to pester you if you do.”
I could hear the sneer in her voice. ”I know exactly what the man’s real intentions are. Young Master Wang has an older brother who is better than him in all aspects. Naturally, such an outstanding man is expected to inherit the Wang Conglomerate in the future. The young master is fully aware he has no ability of his own, so he’s chosen a different path instead. He wants to marry me and take over my father's company.”
”There’s not much else I’m useful for, but I’m available twenty-four hours, seven days a week just for you. You’re welcome to use me as a shield against his annoying advances,” I offered.
”That's perfect. Young Master Wang has invited me to dinner tomorrow. I’ll have to trouble you then!”
There was also a small matter I required her help with, that is, the promise I made to Mr. Qin. Xiaotao immediately agreed to help me find a trustworthy reporter to publicize the ghost marriage case and create a little positive social influence.
The next day, I accompanied Xiaotao to a hotel for her appointment with Young Master Wang. During our meal, I drew so much hatred from the man he seemed close to blowing up. I never expected this incident to be the glue that sealed a bitter enmity between us. Looking back, perhaps the animosity in his eyes should’ve clued me in.
Time flies when there’s much to do. After returning to university, I was occupied with trivial matters such as make-up exams, selecting courses and preparing for an internship. As part of our course, we had to attend an internship for two months. At the end of February, I received an overseas phone call from a man who spoke with a strong London accent. I couldn't understand a word he said except for his last sentence–he asked if I had an email so I gave him mine.
Then, I received an English email in my inbox. After a long arduous attempt at translating the email with the help of a trusty English-Chinese dictionary and Dali’s assistance, I barely pieced together what the email was about. It turned out that my dissertation on analytical methods for drug residues within bone marrow had taken the West by storm. The International Forensics Association had invited me to participate in an academic forum in Hawaii and also accept an award.
My mouth hung open in shock. The paper I had written for the purpose of obtaining a few academic credits had unexpectedly won an international award!
However, on second thought, it wasn’t so surprising after all. Research in the field of forensic science had already reached the point of data saturation. So when I put forward my views on forensic science from the perspective of a Traditional Coroner, naturally, they were all considered new discoveries.
”Oh my God, Song Yang! You’re fucking amazing!” gushed Dali. “No way dude, I have to make sure everyone knows about this! You’re definitely the pride of our school for winning an international award.”