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On the twenty-seventh day of this month, it was Tan Yang’s birthday. At noon, Zhang Ning brought her a large cake, saying that her father had been keeping a close eye on her lately and wouldn’t let her go out at night, so she couldn’t celebrate Tan Yang’s birthday with her. Tan Yang laughed and said, “It doesn’t matter, I’m not a child anymore, I don’t need sweets on my birthday.” Zhang Ning laughed along, then muttered quietly, “That Xu Zhizhong, all that devotion but never in the right place. You only have one birthday a year, and he doesn’t even send a message!”

After work, as soon as Tan Yang stepped out of the hospital, Fang Ya, who had been waiting outside, caught her and pulled her into the car, insisting on treating the birthday girl to dinner. Tan Yang was surprised. “I didn’t know you remembered my birthday so well!” Fang Ya glared at her indignantly. “You ungrateful wretch! I buy you gifts every year!” Tan Yang smiled and said nothing; every year Fang Ya gave her birthday presents, but they were always extorted afterwards by Bi Qingtang.

Tan Yang assumed that Fang Ya’s style meant dinner would be at Huizhong Restaurant, or at least a newly opened, respectable Western bistro. But Fang Ya instructed the driver to take several twists and turns, finally stopping at an obscure Chinese eatery. The place was newly opened, with red ribbons still hanging over the signboard, which was inscribed, in bold and square characters, with the words “Fu Shou Zhai.” The restaurant was large, but there were few patrons.

Tan Yang opened the menu, still smelling of fresh ink, and leafed through it, frowning and whispering to Fang Ya, “What kind of restaurant is this? It has all the main cuisines—Sichuan, Shandong, Guangdong—even Hangzhou and Suzhou styles, but none are complete, just scattered here and there, no system.” Flipping back, she added, “But, the pretentious, so-called fancy dishes are gone, and what’s left are real, home-style, affordable dishes.” Fang Ya nodded in agreement as she browsed the menu. “Exactly! This is how a restaurant should be run. I never thought of it before. Maybe this place will actually get lucky and become popular!”

Perhaps because there were so few customers, their table was quickly piled high with dishes. Tan Yang tasted a few, smiling as she asked, “Where did you hear about this place? I think I’ll become a regular here!” She glanced around the spacious dining room and its handful of scattered diners, worried, “If this place can stay open, that is!” Fang Ya laughed dismissively. “It’d be better if it doesn’t last—I’ll poach these chefs, and you can always come to my house for a good meal!” Tan Yang frowned and whispered, “Oh, Fang Ya, keep your voice down—they’ve just opened!”

The two ate and chatted, ordering wine at the height of their merriment. With a small cup, Fang Ya clinked glasses with Tan Yang, teasing, “I’ll drink it all, you just have a sip so you don’t get drunk and I have to send you to the Bi residence for convenience.” When she saw Tan Yang’s face fall, she quickly changed her tone. “Alright, alright. To my dear Yang, may you have this day every year, and this morning every age.” With that, she tipped her head back and drained the cup.

May you have this day every year, and this morning every age. With a small sip of wine, Tan Yang remembered this time last year: she was in Germany, studying hard to return home quickly. That morning, the sky was exceptionally blue; Heidelberg was tranquil and beautiful. She was carrying her white coat and notebook to the hospital when it suddenly occurred to her that it was her birthday. She detoured to the post office and sent a telegram to Shanghai: “It’s my birthday! Gift?” The telegram, just seven words including punctuation, was the very image of a spoiled, audacious girl, charming and innocent. She could almost picture her elder brother opening the telegram, cigarette between his fingers, shaking his head and smiling.

A few days later, he replied with a telegram, only five words, no punctuation: “Next year, double gift.” Tan Yang was happy all day, and before bed, she silently resolved that after finishing her studies, she would never leave Shanghai again, staying by his side, with her family, celebrating New Year, festivals, and birthdays together. If possible, she would have one or two more children, living a lively, bustling life forever!

She never imagined that, a year later, her twenty-seventh birthday would be spent like this. Now, she dared not think about next year, December 1937, how her birthday would be spent, where, and with whom.

“Yang, take a look—do you like it? It’s your birthday gift from your sister!” Fang Ya’s words dragged Tan Yang from her chaotic thoughts.

Tan Yang smiled as she took the rectangular blue velvet box Fang Ya handed her. Inside were two phoenix brooches, identical in size and shape, their heads facing each other, tails spread. Their heads and necks were set with yellow gemstones, while the bodies and tails were adorned with rubies and emeralds, the colors deepening gradually. These brooches were too extravagant to wear, their opulence would overshadow anything, but they were undeniably works of art, exquisitely crafted and priceless.

“Yang, you’re educated, you should know, the phoenix is two birds,” Fang Ya said solemnly. Tan Yang gently traced the brooches with her finger. “Yes, the Feng is male, the Huang is female. Together, they fly side by side.” Fang Ya shook her head in resignation. “It’s not easy to give you a gift. You don’t care for things piled up with money; if I want something unique, I’m not a scholar, can’t figure out all those twists and turns. For half a month, I’ve scoured every jewelry shop in Shanghai. I just hope you really like these two birds.”

“I do, thank you Fang Ya,” Tan Yang lowered her head, closed the lid, and hesitantly put it away.

With half a bottle of wine in her, Fang Ya became noticeably talkative. She was always blunt, and now, with alcohol, even more so. “I have to say, your new boyfriend isn’t much. You have only one birthday a year, where is he?” Tan Yang just laughed and stayed silent. Fang Ya grew even more annoyed. “Don’t take it so lightly. I think he’s done once he’s won you over. You’d best see through that kind of man early, otherwise…” Seeing Fang Ya getting more and more worked up, Tan Yang interrupted with a wry smile. “Fang Ya, he’s away on official business, not in Shanghai right now.”

Fang Ya raised an eyebrow. “Official business? So climbing the ranks is more important than you. Maybe one day he’ll drop you for a more powerful connection. Not in Shanghai? Not in Shanghai and no gift, not even a word? If I were you, I’d wonder if he’s met some new lady, running around for her, so dazzled he’s forgotten your surname!”

Tan Yang picked peanuts from the cold dish, listening patiently as Fang Ya spoke. Seeing her like this, Fang Ya grew anxious. “Say something! Why are you just smiling? Have you not eaten enough?” Tan Yang obediently put down her chopsticks and looked at Fang Ya. “You’re overthinking it.” “I am? Maybe you’ve read yourself into a stupor. Normal women think about these things, but you don’t?” Fang Ya snorted. “But I’m not surprised. Years ago, you went off to study in Germany on your own. I always thought you must have a different kind of mind. If I were you, I’d never have the heart to go so far for school, always worried my wealthy, influential husband would misbehave. Aren’t you afraid things will go wrong when you’re away?”

Tan Yang smiled gently, patiently explaining to Fang Ya. “No, I’m not worried. If things really go wrong, it has nothing to do with whether I’m by his side, or whether I think about it. If I spent every day chasing shadows and doubts, such a suspicious, narrow self wouldn’t even be someone I’d like, much less expect him to like. When I first fell in love with him, I realized that I needed to stay true to myself. He fell for me as I was, and after gaining his affection, I must always remember not to lose myself in what he gives me. If a woman loses herself and becomes unrecognizable, you can’t blame the man for changing. Or rather, if she loses her own heart first, how can she hope to keep her husband’s?”

Tan Yang’s words sobered Fang Ya almost completely. She stared at Tan Yang for a long time before stammering, “No wonder Qingtang always mocks me, saying I’m shallow and clever, but not nearly as wise or sensible as his little sister. So it’s not just a lover’s bias. No wonder Qingtang—such a man—has given his whole second half of life to you, a slip of a girl.”

Tan Yang couldn’t help but smile bitterly. “It’s only his second half of life…” Fang Ya didn’t catch the implication, instead suddenly asking, “Yang, do you feel the same about that Xu now? You don’t worry about him, don’t lose yourself for him?” Tan Yang thought for a moment, then nodded belatedly. Fang Ya sighed, defeated. “Then I suppose he’s already fallen for you, too.”

They ate and talked, and by the time they stood to leave, it was past nine o’clock. Fang Ya rose to pay the bill, and when she returned, Tan Yang asked if dinner was expensive. Fang Ya joked, “It’s not your money, why worry?” Tan Yang laughed, “I’m thinking, if the price is right, I’ll come back myself.” Fang Ya widened her eyes and declared, “It’s not expensive! Come as often as you like!” With that, she took Tan Yang’s hand and went downstairs.

As they stepped out of the restaurant, a sudden boom echoed in the night. A hundred meters ahead, two columns of fire streaked into the sky, erupting into a pair of enormous, twin fireworks. In that dazzling burst against the dark heavens, Tan Yang was suddenly pulled tightly into someone’s embrace from behind…

Turning her face, she saw him: Xu Zhizhong, dressed in a deep green wool military overcoat, bearing the dust of a long journey, smiling at her beneath the fireworks. His gaze was as fiery and intense as the pyrotechnics above. Tan Yang, bewildered, lowered her head slightly, then looked up again at the new pair of fireworks blooming in the sky.

“How many have been set off?” Xu Zhizhong whispered warmly in her ear. Tan Yang frowned, confused. “I didn’t count, I don’t know!” Xu Zhizhong nodded seriously. “Twenty-six!” He gently released her, removed his leather gloves and tossed them to Lieutenant Lin, who threw him a box of matches. Xu Zhizhong waved the box playfully at Tan Yang, grinning, “Twenty-seven!” With that, he darted across the street, his manner mischievous, even more youthful than when Tan Yang first met him at Jingye Middle School.

He crouched down and lit the fireworks, then stood smiling at Tan Yang beneath the colorful display. It was as if they were meeting for the first time, and yet as if they had waited together under the fireworks for a lifetime…

After the fireworks, Fang Ya saw Xu Zhizhong grasping Tan Yang’s wrist tightly and teased, “Yang, aren’t you leaving? I need to drop you home and then head to the dance hall!” Before Tan Yang could reply, Xu Zhizhong interjected, “No need, Miss Fang. I’ll take Yang home myself!” Fang Ya glared at him, but Xu Zhizhong, seemingly oblivious, reached out in gratitude. “Miss Fang, thank you—thank you for spending Yang’s birthday with her today!” Xu Zhizhong’s sincerity was irresistible, and though Fang Ya was reluctant, she extended her hand, muttering, “You don’t need to thank me.”

Before Fang Ya’s car drove off, she glanced back at Xu Zhizhong and Tan Yang standing together outside. He, in military uniform, striking and heroic; she, in a cashmere coat, graceful and refined. They truly suited each other—unlike herself and Bi Qingtang, who always seemed like elder brother and younger sister. Fang Ya mused, resigned.

Xu Zhizhong kept smiling at Tan Yang, saying nothing. Tan Yang asked, “So, you’re back—has the situation settled?” Xu Zhizhong leaned close and whispered, “The president arrived in Nanjing last night; the negotiations are done. So after the morning meeting, I rushed home!” Seeing his weary, weathered face, Tan Yang felt sorry for him. “You didn’t need to hurry back so urgently—it’s too exhausting.”

Xu Zhizhong stubbornly argued, “What’s exhausting? I only wish I’d come sooner! I arrived in Shanghai after six, went to the hospital and missed you, then looked for Ning, who for once was dutifully staying with her father at home. I must talk to her about that—she’s always so loud, but disappears when you need her!” Hearing this, Tan Yang grew puzzled. “So how did you find me? This restaurant is new to me, too!”

Xu Zhizhong smiled and gently turned Tan Yang’s shoulders to face a shadowy alley nearby, packed with soldiers. He said sheepishly, “I couldn’t find you when I got back and got a bit anxious, so I had Lieutenant Lin gather about a hundred men. I told them, ‘Zhizhong has a private matter today, please help me out.’ They heard I was urgently searching for my girlfriend and thought we’d had a quarrel, so they all pitched in enthusiastically.” He opened the car door for Tan Yang, then returned to instruct Lieutenant Lin to take the helping soldiers out for a good meal.

Once they were both seated, Tan Yang asked, “They haven’t eaten yet—what about you?” Xu Zhizhong took her hand, replied softly, “I have.” Tan Yang turned to him, meeting his gaze. Xu Zhizhong smiled sheepishly. “I grabbed a few bites on the road.” Tan Yang glanced at her watch. “It’s almost ten—you’ve been running around all day. Instead of searching for another restaurant, why not eat at my place?” Xu Zhizhong laughed and agreed readily.

Once inside, Tan Yang took off her coat and went to the kitchen. Xu Zhizhong sat a little awkwardly on the living room sofa, listening to the clinking of pots and dishes, watching Tan Yang’s busy silhouette through the glass kitchen door. His heart overflowed with joy and sweetness; this moment of happiness was so fragile, he barely dared to breathe, lest he shatter the dream.

When cooking for herself, Tan Yang always kept things simple—so long as the meal was nutritious and easy to prepare, she didn’t fuss over variety or flavor. Even when guests came, it was the same. Zhang Ning had eaten at her place a few times, and always teased afterward, “Why not just throw everything in the pot together, cook it, and eat—wouldn’t that be even more convenient?”

In just ten minutes, Tan Yang served dinner: noodles with bamboo shoots and pork, topped with two poached eggs—a steaming, hearty bowl, complete with meat, eggs, vegetables. She handed chopsticks to Xu Zhizhong, embarrassed. “Ning always teases me for my awful cooking—just make do, it’s better than hunting for food outside at this hour.” Xu Zhizhong took the chopsticks and bowl, feigning indignation, “Don’t mention Ning! She always brags she’s tired of your cooking—so annoying!”

Tan Yang turned away to clean the pot; when she returned, Xu Zhizhong had already finished the big bowl of noodles, not even leaving any soup. Tan Yang shook her head. “You must have been hungry.” Xu Zhizhong laughed. “No, not hungry—just impatient to finally taste it!” “And how did it taste?” “To be honest, it was like Pigsy eating ginseng fruit—before I could savor it, it was gone.”

Tan Yang shook her head, laughing, and gathered up the dishes to wash. But Xu Zhizhong grabbed them instead, solemnly declaring, “If I can eat ginseng fruit from time to time, I could live to a hundred—become a god, perhaps?” Tan Yang watched as he washed the dishes, carefully dried them, and put them away, dazed for a moment before she said, “If you want noodles, just come over—it’s no trouble.”

Returning to the living room, Xu Zhizhong pulled something from his pocket, saying it was Tan Yang’s birthday gift. He hadn’t bothered with a box, just handed it to her casually; it was still warm from his hand.

Tan Yang opened her palm to find an ivory ring with a red tassel, engraved in small seal script with two characters: “Jun Xie.” She couldn’t help laughing. “A bell charm? Am I going to be eaten by a tiger? Old Chinese doctors wear these, but I’ve never seen a Western doctor with one!” Xu Zhizhong nodded. “Sun Simiao, the famous physician, once met an injured tiger and used a tiger charm to protect himself and treat the beast. So later, the tiger charm evolved into a bell charm—your profession’s talisman.” His expression grew serious. “Yang, I give this to you because, in turbulent times, practicing medicine is fraught with hardship. You have a chivalrous heart, but I bear the responsibilities of nation and family and cannot always protect you. Keep this charm by your side—to remind you, while saving others, to protect yourself first. Remember yourself, your child, and me.”

Tan Yang looked at the anxious Xu Zhizhong and nodded gravely. He had just returned from turmoil, bringing with him a sense of unrest that quietly infected her. She felt, vaguely, that the air of carefree revelry in Shanghai was soon to end…

In the stifling atmosphere, they sat in silence for a long while. Xu Zhizhong suddenly smiled with relief. “Yang, after my month away, you’ve recovered—your cheeks are full again, that’s wonderful!” Tan Yang looked at him and sighed, “But you, after a month, are clearly thinner. Was the journey hard?” Xu Zhizhong was startled, then lowered his head, silently stroking the ivory charm in her hand.

“Zhizhong, what’s wrong?” Hearing her concern, Xu Zhizhong raised his head and murmured, “The situation…”

He told Tan Yang everything that had happened in the past month—what he’d seen, heard, thought, and felt. To him, Tan Yang was not only the woman he loved, but also a confidant, someone he could trust completely, with whom he could share everything.

Once they started talking, they couldn’t stop. Tan Yang yawned accidentally, and when they looked at the clock, it was nearly one in the morning. Xu Zhizhong hastily stood to say goodbye, joking that he had truly spent an extra year with her.

Downstairs, Xu Zhizhong banged hard on the car door to wake the driver and Deputy Li, who grumbled sleepily, “At this hour, why not just stay at Miss Tan’s? You’ve missed her so much lately, even that wooden Lieutenant Lin has noticed!” Xu Zhizhong replied sternly, “We’re not married yet!” “Ah, but you’ll marry her soon—it’s only a matter of time.” “She’s destined to be my wife; all the more reason to protect her reputation. If I let desire run wild, where’s the respect?” Xu Zhizhong retorted.

Seeing Xu Zhizhong a bit upset, Deputy Li quickly changed the subject. “Shall we return to headquarters, then?” Xu Zhizhong thought for a moment, troubled. “Yes, but I want to take Yang to the hospital tomorrow. She mentioned she has trouble hailing a rickshaw when she’s in a hurry and wants to learn to drive. I can teach her on the way to work. You don’t need to come tomorrow—I’ll teach her myself!” Deputy Li asked, “Isn’t that too much trouble, sir?” Xu Zhizhong glared at him and snorted, “If you know it’s trouble, hurry up and find me a place nearby to stay!”

Before bed, looking at the seal-script characters “Jun Xie” on the charm, Tan Yang suddenly remembered that besides meaning “a gentleman’s prized possession,” these words, thanks to Wang Wei’s famous poem, also refer to red beans—the seeds of longing. Carving red beans on ivory, she instinctively recalled Wen Tingyun’s delicate verse—

“Exquisite dice, enshrining red beans inside;
To the bone, does longing show—do you know?”