008 Destiny Intertwined in the Shadows

I drifted through that lecture in a daze. Clutching the medicine bottle in my hand, I stole a glance through the gaps between my classmates toward the back row. Seeing nothing more than the faint outline of Musa’s red-and-white keffiyeh, I held my breath and turned away, not daring to look again.

The educational model in Dubai is much like that in the West, with a heavy emphasis on research and discussion, unlike the domestic approach where one can pass by simply taking an exam after class. As the lecture ended, the professor announced that students must form groups of three for periodic presentations and submit a joint research paper.

To avoid the awkwardness of pairing up with the two men in white robes, my first instinct was to look toward the back right, where I urgently fixed my eyes on Jiayi. "Jiayi," I said, "let's find one more person to form a group."

Jiayi froze, a look of hesitation immediately crossing his face. "I saw you getting along so well with those two in white robes, I thought you’d be teaming up with them..."

I shook my head and explained, "I’ve only exchanged a few words with them; I don't really know them."

The look of hesitation on his face deepened. "But the professor just finished speaking, and the three of us guys have already sorted it out. It wouldn't be easy to change things now..."

I suddenly realized. Abroad, Chinese students naturally gravitate toward one another. There were exactly four of us in this major, but with groups of three, everyone was worried about being the one left out. The other boys had quite logically chosen to isolate me.

The psychology behind it was perfectly normal, yet I still felt the sting of being pushed aside. Helpless, I waved my hand and said, "Never mind, then. I'll find someone else."

As it turned out, I didn't need to look at all; Ayoub came to me. No sooner had I finished speaking with Jiayi than I turned around to face his beaming smile. "Cece, regarding the presentation the professor assigned today, Musa and I were hoping to group with you. Would that be alright?"

In this classroom, aside from the few Chinese students, Ayoub and Musa were the only ones I knew. Forming a group with them was not only the most logical path, but also the only option left—a perfect remedy to save me from isolation. Who could have guessed that the professor would insist on groups of three?

I shot a sullen glance toward the back. Musa was still at his desk, tidying his books. He kept his head lowered, the sunlight melting softly into his skin and reflecting brightly off his white robe, though his expression remained unreadable. I looked at Ayoub’s expectant gaze, then back at Musa’s indifferent silhouette. Tightening my grip on the white medicine bottle in my pocket, I finally gave a small nod and said, "Okay."

Perhaps it was at that very moment that our vastly different life paths became intertwined, destined by some unseen force to face the turbulent ups and downs that lay ahead.

After exchanging phone numbers with Ayoub, I left the classroom ahead of him to meet Lianpian in the lobby. Having just arrived in Dubai, we still lacked many necessities. With a light class schedule today and no assignments from our advisor, we decided to head to the supermarket for some supplies.

When I reached the lobby, I found Jiayi there as well. He hadn't seen Lianpian for a long time and had volunteered to act as our porter for the day’s shopping.

Though Lianpian didn't care for Jiayi, she had long grown accustomed to his persistent, caring presence. As for me, having a willing, free laborer for the day was an opportunity I wasn't about to pass up.

Along the way, Lianpian and I walked in front, while Jiayi trudged diligently behind us, carrying bags large and small without a single word of complaint. Seeing him drenched in sweat, I couldn't bear it any longer and stepped in to carry some of the load, finally giving him a chance to catch his breath.

Watching Lianpian’s light, vibrant silhouette, I felt a faint stir of envy. In a foreign land, the hardest thing to overcome is loneliness. When one is utterly alone, even the most trivial gesture of care is enough to make one feel deeply grateful. I envied Lianpian because, here in the strangeness of Dubai, she had Jiayi’s devoted watch, while I, perhaps, had only that mysterious, unexplainable white medicine bottle.