Times of Our Lives - Chapter 20

Ji Qinyang played with his phone while Mo Suyuan finished changing clothes and came out of the fitting room, standing in front of the mirror to check herself from side to side.

 

“Does it look good?” Mo Suyuan asked her son. Ji Qinyang glanced over and smiled, “Everything looks good on you.”

 

Mo Suyuan scolded, “Do you think I’m a little girl, sweet-talking me like that?”

 

Ji Qinyang raised an eyebrow but didn’t reply. He waited until Mo Suyuan asked the shop assistant to wrap up the clothes and issue a receipt before leisurely asking, “When are we going back?”

 

“Weren’t we planning on staying for another week?” Mo Suyuan took out her wallet casually, “Let’s spend another week… I’ll check the dormitory building at Zhongyin School to see what’s needed in advance.”

 

Ji Qinyang said, “I might not stay in the dormitory.”

 

Mo Suyuan was taken aback, “Not staying there?”

 

“The space is too small, and it’s inconvenient for musical instruments,” Ji Qinyang explained, “It’s better to rent an apartment.”

 

Mo Suyuan glanced at him sideways, “You’re not living with a girl?”

 

Ji Qinyang looked innocent, “Which girl am I living with?”

 

Mo Suyuan snorted, “You know it yourself.” She winked mischievously, “If you want to rent a place, figure it out yourself. Mom won’t help.”

 

—

 

Early in the morning, Zhuo Xiaoyuan didn’t see Xie Meng coming to school and got no response to his text messages. After the first period of math class, Maitreya asked him to come to the office to help distribute exam papers.

 

“Send these out,” Maitreya handed the graded papers to Zhuo Xiaoyuan’s arms. The teacher at the next desk returned just in time and greeted Maitreya, “The exams from Qidong this time were quite difficult. How did your class do?”

 

Maitreya shrugged, “Same old.”

 

The teacher smiled, “Xie Meng came in first again?”

 

“He’s always the top,” Maitreya sighed, “This kid just has bad luck… Ah, it’s almost the college entrance exam, and something’s happened in his family. I wonder if he can handle it.”

 

A few exam papers slipped off Zhuo Xiaoyuan’s arms onto the floor. Maitreya noticed and said, “Be careful.”

 

“What’s wrong with Xie Meng’s grandmother?” Zhuo Xiaoyuan stared closely at Maitreya, his brows furrowed coldly into a deep frown, “What happened to his family?”

 

—

 

Zhang Xiujian’s funeral was simple, mostly assisted by neighbors. They set up an altar, invited monks for ceremonies. Because the old lady passed away peacefully due to old age, it was considered a happy death. Most of the mourners didn’t appear overly sad.

 

Xie Meng steamed mantou buns alone in the kitchen and brought out a bamboo steamer to share with everyone.

 

Master Jin from the martial arts school patted his shoulder, “Xiao Xie, you’ve worked hard.”

 

Xie Meng didn’t look too well; fatigue was evident in his eyes, “It’s nothing.”

 

Master Jin nodded, lit a cigarette, took a few puffs, and placed it on Zhang Xiujian’s memorial tablet, “What are your plans for the future?”

 

Xie Meng thought for a moment, “Go to University, continue studying.”

 

“Going to university is promising,” Master Jin smiled, looking at the wreaths in the courtyard, “Your grandmother always wanted the best for you.”

 

Xie Meng remained silent for a long time before murmuring, “Mm.”

 

The two chatted for a while longer. As the evening approached, guests began to leave one after another. When Xie Meng returned after seeing them off, Master Jin was gone, leaving a white paper package on the table. Xie Meng opened it and found 5000 Yuan(900usd~) inside.

 

The cigarette on the desk was nearly burned out. Xie Meng cleaned up the trash, lit incense, and knelt before Zhang Xiujian’s portrait, bowing three times.

 

The incense burned slowly, and most of the ashes fell into the incense burner. Xie Meng stood up straight, looking at the black and white photo of the old lady in front of him.

 

No matter how old Zhang Xiujian was, her youthful beauty could still be seen from her features. Her gentle and affectionate eyes were typical of a southern woman with a misty and graceful appearance.

 

Time seemed unwilling to make her older, quietly leaving a tender punctuation mark.

 

—

 

Late at night, Ji Qinyang was still somewhat incredulous when he received Xie Meng’s call. He got up from bed and walked to the balcony.

 

“Why aren’t you asleep yet?” Ji Qinyang stared blankly out of the hotel’s high floor. With a downward glance, he could see the bustling night scene. Unlike Suzhou, even after 10 PM, Beijing was still brightly lit, bustling with activity.

 

Xie Meng’s voice was soft, “I’m about to sleep… were you asleep?”

 

Ji Qinyang lied, “Of course not, I’ve been waiting for your call.”

 

Xie Meng breathed quietly on the other end. He was silent for a while before slowly saying, “It rained heavily in Suzhou tonight…”

 

“Oh really.” Ji Qinyang looked at the neon lights flickering on the tall buildings in the distance, “The weather in Beijing is nice, windy but not humid…”

 

“Ji Qinyang.” Xie Meng suddenly interrupted him.

 

“Yeah?”

 

“…When are you coming back?”

 

Ji Qinyang paused for a moment, then smiled, “It’s rare to hear you say something like this… Do you miss me?”

 

Thunder rumbled in the background, and even Xie Meng’s voice seemed wrapped in humidity.

 

Seeming somewhat helpless, the boy sighed, “Who else would I think of besides you?” After a pause, Xie Meng lowered his voice, “Come back soon.”

 

“…” Ji Qinyang rubbed his forehead and muttered after a long pause, “I really want to see your expression right now…”

 

Embarrassed, Xie Meng replied, “…Let’s not, it’s not a good sight.”

 

“What’s not good? Are you crying?” Ji Qinyang teased.

 

Xie Meng remained silent.

 

After a moment of thought, Ji Qinyang said softly, “You would look handsome even if you cried.”

 

Xie Meng’s voice was hoarse, “I’ve never cried in front of you, how would you know?”

 

Ji Qinyang stayed quiet for a while before chuckling softly, “There will be chances in the future.”

 

After hanging up with Xie Meng, Ji Qinyang didn’t immediately return to his room. He furrowed his brows, scrolled through his contacts, leaned against the balcony, and dialed Zhuo Xiaoyuan’s number.

 

Zhuo Xiaoyuan answered quickly, his voice clear and cool, “Wait a moment.” He said to Ji Qinyang, then turned as if to comfort someone, speaking softly, “We’ll be back after this injection, let’s rest a bit if you’re tired, I’ll be with you…”

 

Ji Qinyang waited until it quieted down on his end before asking, “What’s up recently?”

 

“It’s an old issue, nothing urgent,” Zhuo Xiaoyuan replied calmly. “I was just about to contact you; Xie Meng’s phone has been unreachable these past few days, not responding to texts either…”

 

Ji Qinyang raised an eyebrow, “I just finished a long chat with him.”

 

“…” Zhuo Xiaoyuan hesitated, then gritted his teeth, “Can’t you let me speak properly?”

 

Ji Qinyang smirked, “Okay, I won’t say anything.”

 

Zhuo Xiaoyuan sighed, muttering, “If he only talked about lovey-dovey stuff to you, shut up! I’ll report you for dog abuse in the middle of the night!”

 

Ji Qinyang chuckled, “Then I better not say anything.”

 

“You guys…” Zhuo Xiaoyuan sighed in frustration, “I don’t know if I should envy your good relationship or what. If Xie Meng doesn’t want to talk to us, fine, but hiding it from you too… Anyway, you’re taking exams in Beijing; he probably didn’t want to bother you.”

 

Ji Qinyang suppressed his smile, “So what exactly happened?”

 

After a moment of contemplation, Zhuo Xiaoyuan slowly explained, “Grandma Zhang passed away last Saturday. Xie Meng took leave for til the seventh day of mourning. I was supposed to go today, but something came up with Jinjin. Tomorrow Zhang Ganggang and Qifei arranged to go first. When are you coming back?”

 

Ji Qinyang tightened his grip on the phone.

 

After Zhuo Xiaoyuan talked for a while and received no response, he hesitated and asked, “Are you even listening? Anyway, the sooner you come back, the better. Xie Meng is moody; I’m afraid he might develop some issues if he keeps bottling up…”

 

“It won’t happen,” Ji Qinyang said confidently, “I’ll be there.”

 

Zhuo Xiaoyuan’s tone was disdainful, “Where does your confidence come from? He hasn’t told you anything.”

 

Ji Qinyang smiled, “I don’t need him to say it; I already know.”

 

Looking up, the neon lights from the hotel roof cast shadows on his face. Ji Qinyang’s expression was calm and gentle, “Whatever Xie Meng is thinking, I understand.”

 

Since Zhang Xiujian’s death, Xie Meng’s daily routine had been irregular for a few days. He stayed up the first night and never quite adjusted, spending several nights unable to sleep.

 

Too tired in the morning and unable to sleep at night, all Xie Meng could do was force himself to eat more to avoid physical collapse.

 

After finishing the call with Ji Qinyang that night, Xie Meng finally drifted off to sleep groggily, waking up the next morning to clear skies.

 

Cleaning the incense ash neatly, Xie Meng wiped the picture frame again.

 

As October passed, the feeling of deep autumn grew stronger. With high clouds and gentle winds, the fragrance of osmanthus from deep in the alley floated into the courtyard. Xie Meng thought for a moment, then got up to open the front door, intending to air out the place. However, as soon as he pulled open the door handle, he came face-to-face with someone arriving.

 

Ji Qinyang stood outside with his hand raised as if about to knock, dragging his luggage, his hair disheveled and lacking any semblance of order.

 

Xie Meng: “…”

 

Ji Qinyang paused for a moment, then smiled, “Good morning.”

 

“…” Xie Meng blinked, “Weren’t you…”

 

Ji Qinyang said, “I bought a flight ticket for early morning, spent the night at the train station. Luckily, there was an early bullet train from Shanghai to Suzhou.”

 

Xie Meng was at a loss for words for a while.

 

Ji Qinyang’s gaze lingered on Xie Meng’s face, then he opened his arms and smiled, “Come here, give me hug.”

 

The first thing Ji Qinyang did after eating was to rush to wash his hair. Since the water heater wasn’t on yet, Xie Meng boiled water and prepared a basin. After wetting his hair and washing his face, Ji Qinyang stood with the basin while Xie Meng poured water over his head.

 

“Is it too hot?” Xie Meng’s fingertips combed through Ji Qinyang’s soft hair.

 

Shaking his head, Ji Qinyang mumbled, “It’s fine… Give me the shampoo.”

 

Rolling up his sleeves, Xie Meng said, “I’ll wash it for you.”

 

Ji Qinyang murmured in agreement.

 

Xie Meng lathered up the shampoo and massaged Ji Qinyang’s hair several times before rinsing it off.

 

“Don’t move,” Xie Meng instructed, handing Ji Qinyang a towel and going inside to fetch a hairdryer. When he returned, he saw Ji Qinyang drying his hair himself.

 

Ji Qinyang hung the towel around his neck, grabbed Xie Meng’s hand, and pulled him between his legs.

 

Xie Meng looked down at him.

 

Ji Qinyang reached out to touch Xie Meng’s hair, then his cheek, and finally paused at his lips. He pressed against Xie Meng’s neck, who bent down, and the two exchanged a kiss.

 

“…Let’s dry your hair first,” Xie Meng kissed Ji Qinyang’s forehead.

 

After paying respects to Zhang Xiujian’s memorial tablet, Ji Qinyang saw Xie Meng making a phone call in the courtyard. When Xie Meng hung up, Ji Qinyang asked, “Zhang Ganggang?”

 

Xie Meng nodded, “Yeah, he’s coming with Qi Fei this afternoon.”

 

Ji Qinyang raised an eyebrow, “This afternoon, huh…”

 

Xie Meng: “?”

 

Ji Qinyang stepped forward, reached Xie Meng, and lifted him up in his arms.

 

“!” Xie Meng instinctively tried to struggle, but Ji Qinyang didn’t let go, even weighing him as if gauging his weight.

 

“You’re lighter again,” Ji Qinyang turned his head, looking down at Xie Meng, “Shall we go take a nap first?”

 

Embarrassed, Xie Meng said, “A Nap…What if I can’t sleep?”

 

Ji Qinyang carried him to the room and said calmly, “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you fall asleep.”