Times of Our Lives - Chapter 22

There’s always a saying in Suzhou that the winter solstice is as grand as the New Year. Despite the tense atmosphere nearing exams, Zhang Ganggang still looked forward to drinking winter-fermented wine at night.

 

Xie Meng also prepared two small cups of wine. He poured three cups in front of the portraits of his parents and Zhang Xiujian. The scent of incense and osmanthus wine mixed together, rich and heavy.

 

Early the next morning, Ji Qinyang came to pick up Xie Meng for school. There was a sprig of osmanthus flowers on the handlebars of the boy’s bicycle, and Xie Meng smiled when he saw it.

 

Ji Qinyang raised an eyebrow. “A luxurious BMW.”

 

Xie Meng shook his head. “You’re being too artistic.”

 

He climbed onto the back seat, holding the osmanthus branch in his hand. Ji Qinyang rang the bell as they passed through the old streets and alleys.

 

After the winter solstice, the sky brightened late into the morning. At seven o’clock, the old lady selling sweet porridge pushed her cart, steam rising from the large pot as she uncovered it.

 

“Feels like it’s going to snow,” Ji Qinyang said, cupping his hands with a bowl of sweet porridge. Xie Meng saw this and took off his gloves to give them to him.

 

Ji Qinyang smiled. “One for each of us.”

 

Xie Meng sighed. “It was originally yours. I’m not even riding a bike, yet you insist on giving me one.”

 

Ji Qinyang teased, “Then you’ll have to hold me tight from the back seat to keep warm.”

 

Xie Meng glanced at him without saying a word. After finishing their porridge and getting back on the road, the boy hugged Ji Qinyang from behind.

 

“My good boy,” Ji Qinyang laughed, looking ahead without turning back. “Have you memorized all the ancient poems?”

 

“Aren’t you afraid of catching a cold?” Xie Meng’s voice carried a hint of amusement. “Yes, I’ve memorized them all.”

 

“Then let me test you?”

 

Xie Meng was surprised. “Now?”

 

“Yeah.” Ji Qinyang thought for a moment. “Su Shi’s ‘Full Courtyard Fragrance,’ the last line.”

 

Xie Meng almost immediately recited, “In Jiangnan, fine wines by the thousand, a tune amid full courtyard fragrance.”

 

“Amidst countless searches.”

 

“Suddenly I turned, and there he was, at the dimly lit corner.”

 

Ji Qinyang smiled as he continued, “Holding hands.”

 

Xie Meng paused for a moment, then slowly said, “Growing old together.”

 

“Yeah,” Ji Qinyang turned his head. “That’s settled then.”

 

Xie Meng looked at him, smiling in agreement. “Okay.”

 

During the final exams, Ji Qinyang only needed to take two days. On the last day, while waiting for Xie Meng, Suzhou experienced its first snowfall since winter began.

 

Snowflakes stuck to Ji Qinyang’s dark hair as he stood in the snow without an umbrella, his flawless face glowing with a gentle and bright smile.

 

Xie Meng ran up to him, and Ji Qinyang opened his arms to embrace him amidst the falling snow.

 

Zhang Ganggang excitedly shouted behind Xie Meng, “Exams are over! It’s almost New Year!”

 

Qi Fei threw his school bag over to shut him up, while Zuo Xiaoyuan stood in the corridor, looking from a distance at the two still embracing.

 

“Hey,” Zuo Xiaoyuan called out to Xie Meng.

 

The boy turned around.

 

Zuo Xiaoyuan smirked. “Let’s celebrate the New Year together.”

 

Early on New Year’s Eve, Ji Qinyang arrived at Xie Meng’s house. They went shopping together for New Year goods, and the boy brought sweets made by Mo Suyuan, shaped like cute rabbit cakes, and filled with ample fruit tarts.

 

Ji Qinyang took one in his mouth. He hooked his arm around Xie Meng’s neck and leaned in close.

 

Xie Meng looked down and bit into the edge of a tart. Ji Qinyang ate half and pushed the other half into his mouth with his tongue.

 

“…,” Xie Meng tasted the creamy sweetness in his mouth.

 

Ji Qinyang licked his thumb. “Is it good?”

 

Xie Meng nodded, and Ji Qinyang kissed his cheek. “Take it with you, eat it on the way.”

 

Xie Meng took another one and fed it to Ji Qinyang, carrying the rest in a bag. They went to the nearby market at Shantang Street, where Xie Meng picked out vegetables and asked Ji Qinyang what he wanted to eat.

 

“Anything is fine,” Ji Qinyang said indifferently. “Just don’t buy too much.”

 

Xie Meng smiled. “You don’t have to save money for me.”

 

On the way back, Xie Meng also bought some sweets. When they were near the doorstep, from a distance, they could see Zhuo Xiaoyuan waiting there impatiently, holding Zhuo Jinjin’s hand.

 

“Why did it take so long?” Zhuo Xiaoyuan complained, and Zhuo Jinjin looked shy but with a face that said “I love you” to Xie Meng.

 

Ji Qinyang frowned. “Why did you come so early?”

 

Xie Meng handed the sweets to Zhuo Jinjin and opened the door for the guests.

 

“Come and help,” Zhuo Xiaoyuan took the bag from Ji Qinyang’s hand. “I don’t eat for free.”

 

The three boys were busy in the kitchen, while only Zhuo Jinjin was sitting in the living room watching TV. Xie Meng glanced outside and patted Zhuo Xiaoyuan’s arm. “Go out and accompany your sister. Ji Qinyang and I can handle it here.”

 

Zhuo Xiaoyuan selected vegetables and dried his hands. “The crucian carp needs another 10 minutes to steam.”

 

Xie Meng nodded. “Got it.”

 

Zhuo Xiaoyuan worriedly said, “Cook properly and don’t be flirting all the time.”

 

Xie Meng: “…”

 

When the dishes were ready, the little girl came to help, tiptoeing carefully to take the plates from the sink. Xie Meng was cutting fruit when he heard someone knocking on the door.

 

“Who else did you invite?” Ji Qinyang stuffed an apple slice into Xie Meng’s mouth.

 

“I don’t know…” Xie Meng mumbled, “I’ll go check.”

 

Zhang Ganggang stood outside the courtyard gate, bundled up like a ball, laughing foolishly. “Surprise!”

 

Xie Meng: “…”

 

Zhang Ganggang pushed through, carrying two large food containers. Ji Qinyang followed behind him and raised an eyebrow. “What are you doing? Not celebrating at home?”

 

Zhang Ganggang started unloading things and began taking off his clothes one by one. “I told my mom already! Look, she made all of these!”

 

Zhuo Xiaoyuan opened the food containers and almost got blinded by the sight. There was a full range of dishes from all eight culinary styles, and Zhuo Jinjin leaned over to see, but Zhang Ganggang lifted her up.

 

“Alright,” Zhuo Xiaoyuan sighed helplessly. “Our dishes are all for nothing.”

 

Xie Meng hesitated. “Should I call a few more people?”

 

Ji Qinyang chuckled. “Who would come on New Year’s Day?”

 

As soon as he finished speaking, the courtyard gate, which hadn’t been properly closed, was pushed open again from outside.

 

Han Dong came in with flowers and wine, and he paused when he entered the room. “So many people?”

 

Ji Qinyang: “…”

 

Xie Meng glanced at him and couldn’t help but laugh. “Should we call Qi Fei too?”

 

When Qi Fei arrived, the other five had already started eating. Han Dong placed the flowers in front of Zhang Xiujian’s portrait, and they decided not to drink the wine. They finished off a bottle of fruit juice.

 

Zhuo Jinjin was delighted to see Qi Fei. The two played a game at the dinner table where they alternated clapping each other’s hands. Zhuo Xiaoyuan watched his sister and occasionally helped her with the food.

 

Zhang Ganggang asked him, “Which university are you planning to attend?”

 

Zhuo Xiaoyuan: “Probably Shanghai, to be closer to take care of my sister.”

 

Qi Fei chimed in, “It would be more convenient to stay in Suzhou.”

 

Zhuo Xiaoyuan shook his head. “There isn’t a good medical school in Suzhou… My mom will be able to take care of Jinjin next year. I’ll study in Shanghai and come back on weekends.”

 

Han Dong glanced at Zhang Ganggang. “Where are you going?”

 

Zhang Ganggang bravely glanced at him sideways. “Why should I tell you!”

 

Han Dong squinted his eyes, but before he could say anything, Ji Qinyang spoke up for Zhang Ganggang. “He wants to apply to Beijing Communication University. A future journalist?”

 

“It’s not that simple!” Zhang Ganggang proudly declared. “I want to be a great journalist! Become China’s number one photographer!”

 

Xie Meng encouraged him, “Then you have to work hard. Did you bring your camera?”

 

Zhang Ganggang had just saved enough money in the first half of the year to buy a SLR, and he treated it like a treasure, carrying it with him every day.

 

“You almost made me forget.” Zhang Ganggang cheerfully took out his photography equipment bag. He adjusted the lens and aimed at Ji Qinyang and Xie Meng. “Come on, let’s take a photo.”

 

Ji Qinyang naturally reached out his arm and hugged Xie Meng’s shoulder. The two leaned their heads together for Zhang Ganggang to take the picture.

 

“Awesome!” Zhang Ganggang brought out the photo for them to see and exclaimed, “You guys are so good-looking together, a perfect match.”

 

“…,” Knowing that the other was just complimenting them, Xie Meng still felt a bit embarrassed.

 

In contrast, Ji Qinyang was much more shameless. He touched the earlobe where Xie Meng wore an earring and agreed, “I feel the same way.”

 

The other three boys at the dinner table all had expressions of “oh my god” and “this is so cheesy,” while Zhang Ganggang looked dumbfounded but happily praised.

 

“Take a picture of us too,” Zhuo Xiaoyuan said, holding Zhuo Jinjin. The little girl smiled sweetly and made a V-sign, and the boy leaned down to kiss his sister’s cheek.

 

Zhang Ganggang snapped a picture of this scene.

 

“Strong man with a soft heart,” Qi Fei teased as he looked at the photo. Zhuo Xiaoyuan raised an eyebrow and jokingly told him to get lost.

 

Xie Meng took out the fireworks that Zhuo Xiaoyuan had bought. He set up the large ones in the yard and gave the small ones to Zhuo Jinjin. Zhang Ganggang ran around with his camera, and Qi Fei tried to capture images of jumping in the air under the dazzling fireworks, succeeding after a few attempts.

 

Xie Meng accompanied Zhuo Jinjin to set off sparklers, while Ji Qinyang stood by, gently watching him with his head lowered.

 

“Do you want to play?” Xie Meng asked, lifting his head. Unable to resist, Ji Qinyang bent down and kissed the boy’s forehead.

 

Xie Meng: “…Jinjin is right here.”

 

The little girl’s eyes widened with joy, wrinkling her nose and sticking out her tongue teasingly. “Qinyang brother is shy~”

 

Ji Qinyang raised an eyebrow and lifted Zhuo Jinjin onto his neck. The little girl cheered and waved the sparkler in her hand.

 

In the distance, Zhuo Xiaoyuan lit the largest firework.

 

Han Dong looked up at the sky, where brilliant fireworks burst open, reflecting colorful lights on the distinct outlines of the boys’ faces. Instinctively, Zhang Ganggang picked up his camera and captured this moment.

 

Turning back, Han Dong found the boy’s camera still focused on him.

 

“Um…” Zhang Ganggang suggested, sticking his head out, “Why don’t you smile?”

 

Han Dong didn’t speak. After a moment, he smiled at Zhang Ganggang’s camera.

 

Zhang Ganggang: “…”

 

Han Dong smiled and asked, “Are you done taking pictures?”

 

“Oh, oh!” Zhang Ganggang quickly adjusted the focus. After hesitating for a moment, he pressed the shutter button. Once Han Dong was done, he turned away to continue watching the fireworks. Stealthily, Zhang Ganggang retrieved the picture he had just taken.

 

In the photo, Han Dong’s smile softly blended with the dazzling light of the fireworks, as if his gaze pierced through the lens, engraved in his eyes.

 

There were too many fireworks purchased, and the six of them spent a full two hours before finishing. They cleaned up the yard and borrowed lights from inside to set up a mahjong table.

 

Zhuo Jinjin started to feel sleepy after 8 o’clock, but she kept nodding and refused to go to sleep. Zhuo Xiaoyuan picked her up and took her inside. Xie Meng poured a bowl of soup and handed it to him.

 

“You go play,” Zhuo Xiaoyuan whispered as he held his sister. “I’ll stay with her.”

 

Xie Meng smiled. “It’s okay, Ganggang is here.”

 

Zhuo Xiaoyuan smiled back slightly. Xie Meng brought out a new quilt and spread it out for the siblings. Zhuo Jinjin hugged her brother’s neck and murmured. Zhuo Xiaoyuan lay down with her, gently pressing their foreheads together. “Happy New Year.”

 

Xie Meng gestured to leave, and Zhuo Xiaoyuan nodded gently, mouthing silently, “Thank you.”

 

Xie Meng closed the door for Zhuo Xiaoyuan and saw Ji Qinyang waiting in the living room.

 

“Why aren’t you playing mahjong?” Xie Meng asked curiously.

 

Ji Qinyang shrugged indifferently. “I let them compete.”

 

Xie Meng chuckled and shook his head. “You…”

 

Ji Qinyang hugged the boy from behind. “Let’s watch the Spring Festival Gala.”

 

Xie Meng agreed with a smile. He brought out another quilt and the two sat on the couch, covered with a blanket, watching TV together. They chatted and laughed, unknowingly until almost dawn. From the yard came Zhang Ganggang’s energetic shout of “Boom!” as the countdown to the Spring Festival Gala began, and firecrackers outside echoed in celebration.

 

Ji Qinyang hooked his arm around Xie Meng’s neck, and the two exchanged a kiss, their foreheads touching.

 

“Happy New Year,” Xie Meng softly said with a smile.

 

“Happy New Year,” Ji Qinyang kissed his lips again. “I love you.”