Times of Our Lives - Chapter 11

Before summer vacation, Zhang Ganggang nervously texted Rourou: “Do you have time to go swimming during the holidays?”

 

She replied quickly: “Sorry… I might have to attend extra classes during the summer vacation.”

 

It was impossible not to be disappointed, but as a sensible and magnanimous man (…), Zhang Ganggang naturally wouldn’t dwell on it.

 

Rourou sent another message: “Take photos when you go swimming and send them to me! I miss you so much. The basketball photo has been my screensaver for ages.”

 

Zhang Ganggang: “…”

 

Xie Meng finished noting down his summer homework and turned around to see Zhang Ganggang’s flushed face.

 

“…” Xie Meng was concerned, “Feeling unwell?”

 

Qi Fei smirked, “He’s not unwell, he’s just feeling frisky.”

 

Zhang Ganggang: “…”

 

After the summer solstice, Suzhou truly entered a period of high temperatures. During the day, the sunlight was intense and the air humid and hot, though the nights were cool. Occasionally, Xie Meng would bring out a rattan chair for Zhang Xiujuan to sit and cool off in the courtyard.

 

His routine hadn’t changed; he still got up early to practice boxing and sparred with Zhang Xiujuan. 

 

“Aren’t you going out to play during the summer vacation?” The old woman’s palm wind was sharp, showing no mercy to her grandson. “Don’t stay cooped up at home all day, you’ll grow moldy.”

 

Xie Meng sighed, “I go out every day. What if something happens to you?”

 

Zhang Xiujuan said, “What could happen to me? Don’t be so reclusive.”

 

“…” Xie Meng laughed helplessly and said, “I’m going swimming today.”

 

Zhang Xiujuan got excited, “With a girl?”

 

Xie Meng said, “A guy. He’ll be here soon.”

 

Zhang Xiujuan stared, “Oh, you’re quite popular. Ask him to take out the mung bean soup from the fridge and warm it up. It’s hot, and you should be polite.”

 

When Ji Qinyang arrived, he saw Xie Meng holding a thermos. He raised an eyebrow, balancing on one foot beside his new mountain bike.

 

“It’s mung bean soup made by my grandma,” Xie Meng explained. He unscrewed the lid and poured a cup for Ji Qinyang. “Try it.”

 

The timing was just right; it was cool and refreshing after being warmed up, with added rock candy making it sweet but not cloying.

 

Ji Qinyang drank it while smiling, “Is this your transportation fee?”

 

Xie Meng also chuckled, making a rare joke, “Then you’re too cheap.”

 

Ji Qinyang didn’t deny it. He gestured for Xie Meng to sit behind him and hung the thermos on the bike’s handlebar.

 

There were many bridges on Shantang Street, small but high. Ji Qinyang stood up to pedal as he carried Xie Meng uphill.

 

“Should I get down and push?” Xie Meng suggested.

 

Ji Qinyang held his breath and didn’t say anything. As they went downhill, the summer breeze lifted his bangs, revealing a smooth forehead. “Stand up and lean against my shoulder.”

 

“?” Although Xie Meng didn’t understand, he did as Ji Qinyang said.

 

With a burst of effort, Ji Qinyang rushed up to the highest point of the bridge.

 

The hot wind roared, hitting them head-on. Xie Meng squinted and unconsciously tightened his grip on Ji Qinyang, who laughed. He turned his head back, and the brilliant sun softened his delicate features.

 

When they arrived at the swimming pool, Zhang Ganggang and Qi Fei were already waiting there. Surprisingly, Zhang Ganggang even brought a swimming ring, matching a big yellow duck.

 

Qi Fei looked somewhat surprised when he saw Ji Qinyang. “Didn’t you just get your ears pierced yesterday? Is it okay to swim today?”

 

Xie Meng heard this and turned back with some confusion.

 

Ji Qinyang revealed his left ear; there was a small silver earring on his earlobe.

 

“…” Xie Meng stared at it for a long time.

 

Ji Qinyang smiled and turned his face sideways. “Does it look good?”

 

Qi Fei couldn’t stand it anymore; in his eyes, Ji Qinyang was just too narcissistic. “Okay, boss, you’re the most beautiful, absolutely sexy!”

 

Zhang Ganggang was more concerned about whether he would be found out by Maitreya after school started. But according to Qi Fei, Ji Qinyang had dyed his hair. In such a small place, who could manage it?

 

“So are you swimming today?” Xie Meng got used to it and didn’t think much of it. In his eyes, Ji Qinyang looked very handsome, sometimes more suitable than girls in terms of dress.

 

Ji Qinyang: “I’ll just watch from the side. The swimming pool is cool enough.”

 

Because they arrived early, there weren’t many people in the swimming pool. Zhang Ganggang insisted on lying on the big yellow duck and demanded that Qi Fei push him around. Ji Qinyang sat bored by himself at the poolside, unconsciously staring at Xie Meng in the water.

 

Xie Meng swam towards him like a fish, his body drenched, making him appear completely relaxed.

 

Ji Qinyang watched as he approached, stretched his arm, and sat down beside him.

 

“Is it boring?” Xie Meng wiped the water dripping from his chin. His complexion was fair, not the transparent kind like Ji Qinyang’s, but due to the chill after coming out of the water, Ji Qinyang noticed that his nipples had hardened.

 

Ji Qinyang touched his nose and coughed lightly. “A bit.”

 

Xie Meng grabbed a towel to dry his hair and thought for a moment before saying, “Let’s let them play on their own later. I’ll take you somewhere else.”

 

Ji Qinyang became interested. “Oh? Where to?”

 

Xie Meng smiled and tossed the towel aside. “It wouldn’t be fun if I told you.”

 

After greeting Zhang Ganggang and Qi Fei, Xie Meng took Ji Qinyang out and happened to run into Zuo Xiaoyuan. Zuo Xiaoyuan was wearing a pretty swimsuit with lace, and upon seeing them, she screamed again.

 

Xie Meng: “…”

 

Zuo Xiaoyuan said coldly, “You don’t need to be embarrassed with that body of yours.”

 

Zuo Jinyuan punched his brother indignantly.

 

Ji Qinyang bumped fists with Zuo Xiaoyuan. “Take care of your sister.”

 

Zuo Xiaoyuan raised an eyebrow. “No need for you to tell me.” He glanced at the two. “Did you finish swimming?”

 

Xie Meng didn’t respond directly. “Zhang Ganggang and Qi Fei are still inside.”

 

Zuo Xiaoyuan frowned unhappily. “Playing with those idiots again.”

 

Xie Meng: “…”

 

When Ji Qinyang rode his bike to the entrance of the martial arts center, he hadn’t realized what was going on yet. Xie Meng walked up a few steps and waited for him.

 

“When I was young and not in good health, Grandma sent me here,” Xie Meng greeted the gatekeeper and walked confidently towards the Sanda arena. There was no one in the locker room, so Xie Meng handed a new set of sportswear to Ji Qinyang.

 

The boys wore satin short robes and bare feet without shoes.

 

Ji Qinyang followed suit, taking off his shoes. The two entered the venue one after the other.

 

The martial arts instructor was still teaching his disciples, many of whom were only five or six years old, practicing their horse stances and punching with childish voices.

 

“Do I learn like them too?” Ji Qinyang asked curiously, watching Xie Meng put on wrist guards and handing him two.

 

“You don’t have time to learn the basics now.” Xie Meng smiled. “I’ll teach you practical boxing routines, useful for self-defense.”

 

Ji Qinyang found it somewhat unbelievable. “I didn’t expect you to know this.”

 

Without saying a word, Xie Meng took Ji Qinyang’s arm, intertwining it with his own, and demonstrated a palm strike followed by a push. Ji Qinyang followed the rhythm and did it once.

 

“Left foot forward, right foot back, front knee slightly bent,” Xie Meng said as he demonstrated. His left leg circled around Ji Qinyang, and his intertwined arms suddenly pushed and pulled. Ji Qinyang’s upper body surged forward, but before he could react, Xie Meng’s knee pressed firmly against his shin. With a twist, Ji Qinyang found himself immobilized on the ground.

 

Ji Qinyang: “…”

 

Xie Meng looked down at him. “Ancient Wing Chun, targeting head, fingers, palms, fists, elbows, shoulders, knees, legs, hips, and arms—every part is a potential attack, emphasizing unexpected strikes, focusing on practicality.”

 

He helped Ji Qinyang up and assumed a defensive stance. “You give it a try.”

 

Ji Qinyang lay on the ground, covered in sweat. Xie Meng poured him some green bean soup.

 

“What was that just now?” Ji Qinyang suddenly asked.

 

Xie Meng: “Wing Chun boxing, three-stroke combo.”

 

Ji Qinyang: “Is this also kickboxing?”

 

Xie Meng: “It belongs to traditional Chinese martial arts.”

 

Ji Qinyang laughed, “How come you know everything, like a grandmaster.”

 

“Wong Kar-wai’s films are not bad,” Xie Meng also chuckled, “just the special effects are a bit exaggerated.”

 

Ji Qinyang nodded, “Yeah, ‘duangduang’.”

 

Green bean soup almost sprayed out of Xie Meng’s mouth. Ji Qinyang paused for a moment and then stood up, stretching his wrists and ankles.

 

“You’re still practicing?” Xie Meng looked surprised. “This kind of thing can’t be rushed. Aren’t you afraid you won’t wake up early tomorrow?”

 

Ji Qinyang raised an eyebrow, ambiguously saying, “When it comes to fighting, a man can’t afford to lose.”

 

After half a month of summer vacation, Qi Fei invited Ji Qinyang out for swimming again.

 

“Is your ear piercing healed?” Qi Fei held his phone, fanning himself with a palm leaf fan, and coaxing his aunt’s grandson to nap, “I’ve arranged to meet Zhang Ganggang and Zhuo Xiaoyuan. You and Xie Meng should come too, or else I’ll have to entertain those two idiots alone.”

 

Ji Qinyang laughed on the phone, “I’m busy lately, working on other things.”

 

Qi Fei said, “Still busy with lyric writing and composing, that’s Xie Meng for you. He must have time.”

 

Ji Qinyang replied lazily, “He’s busy too, no need to ask.”

 

Qi Fei exclaimed, “Gah?!”

 

Ji Qinyang said lazily, “So it’s just you three idiots playing together.”

 

Qi Fei was speechless.

 

When Zhang Ganggang called Xie Meng, he was teaching Ji Qinyang how to quickly subdue an opponent face-to-face, reversing the opponent’s hands and placing one leg between their legs.

 

“Sorry…” Xie Meng gestured that he had answered a call. Ji Qinyang looked somewhat embarrassed, trying to relax his body against the wall.

 

“What are you and Yimei up to?” Zhang Ganggang complained over the phone, “Can’t even get you out to hang out.”

 

It took Xie Meng a moment to realize who Yimei was…

 

“I’ve been working recently,” Xie Meng said, glancing at Ji Qinyang. It wasn’t a lie; besides teaching Ji Qinyang, he was also coaching kids in martial arts at the center.

 

Zhang Ganggang knew well about Xie Meng’s family situation and immediately changed the subject, “Oh… Is it tough?”

 

Xie Meng replied, “Not bad.”

 

Zhang Ganggang asked again, “Is it fun?”

 

Xie Meng thought for a moment, “It’s fun.” He glanced at Ji Qinyang pinned against the wall by him and emphasized with a smile, “Very fun.”

 

Ji Qinyang smirked, suddenly moved his shoulder, bumped into Xie Meng’s shoulder, and when the latter was unprepared and leaned back, Ji Qinyang pushed him back, swapping their positions.

 

Xie Meng: “…”

 

Ji Qinyang grinned mischievously, mouthing, “Ver·y·fun·ny.”

 

By the end of the summer vacation, Ji Qinyang could now handle over ten moves from Xie Meng in their sparring sessions. Though Mo Suyuan didn’t understand why her son suddenly developed this strange hobby, she still supported him and made him a set of traditional Chinese martial arts uniforms for all seasons.

 

Ji Shanrong was quite pleased and even wrote a pair of Chinese characters, “A martial artist of high virtue, righteous and kind,” to hang in Ji Qinyang’s music studio.

 

In the last few days of summer vacation, Ji Qinyang woke up early every day, jogging, cycling, listening to music, and practicing a set of Xingyi Quan.

 

After making breakfast, Mo Suyuan looked lovingly at her son, “My boy is so handsome.”

 

Ji Shanrong pretended to cough seriously.

 

Mo Suyuan smiled and said, “Okay, old man, you’re handsome too.”

 

After finishing his soy milk, Ji Qinyang kissed his mother’s cheek.

 

Mo Suyuan patted his back, “Are you coming back for breakfast?”

 

Ji Qinyang shook his finger in a “no” gesture, put in his earphones, hummed a song, and ran downstairs.

 

“…,” Mo Suyuan worriedly touched her face, “Is my son in love?”

 

Ji Shanrong shook the newspaper and snorted, “He’s brought girls home before.”

 

Mo Suyuan said, “This time is different,” smiling, “If my son really likes someone, how could I not know?”

 

Xie Meng and Ji Qinyang faced each other, practicing Tai Chi steps. They were subtly preparing for a martial arts exchange. Perhaps due to Ji Qinyang’s lack of foundation, he instead learned without constraints, like splashing ink on a blank canvas, creating an extraordinary scene. His fighting style pursued only speed, accuracy, fierceness, and victory.

 

Left fist cutting through the air, Xie Meng raised his hand to block. Ji Qinyang’s right knee followed, Xie Meng resisted, then suddenly used his palm as a shield to deflect Ji Qinyang’s punch, causing him to stagger back a few steps.

 

Xie Meng smiled faintly and didn’t let up. He kicked towards Ji Qinyang’s shoulder, but Ji Qinyang reacted quickly, grabbing Xie Meng’s calf.

 

Xie Meng: “!”

 

Ji Qinyang’s other hand gripped Xie Meng’s chest forcefully, almost lifting him halfway up, and they both fell to the ground together after circling half a turn.

 

Xie Meng: “…”

 

Ji Qinyang pressed down on Xie Meng, propping himself up on his arms, smiling down at him.

 

Xie Meng felt a bit frustrated. “What was that move just now…”

 

“Learned it from a movie,” Ji Qinyang seemed in no rush to get up, propping his chin and suddenly brushing Xie Meng’s bangs aside. “Wasn’t it useful?”

 

Xie Meng sighed and moved his legs. “Let’s get up…”

 

Ji Qinyang lazily refused to move.

 

Xie Meng: “…”

 

Suddenly, Ji Qinyang rubbed against his shoulder like a puppy. Xie Meng raised his hand and felt Ji Qinyang’s sweat…

 

“You…” Xie Meng chuckled.

 

Ji Qinyang laughed twice, then stood up and grabbed Xie Meng’s arm. “School is starting soon. Have you finished your homework?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Great, help me copy the math…”

 

“…”