Times of Our Lives - Chapter 28

Beijing usually starts heating around mid-November, and after it snowed at the end of December, the outdoor temperature was much lower than in the south.

 

Xie Meng wore as many layers as he could when he went outside, but indoors he wore very little. When he first went to Ji Qinyang’s dormitory, almost everyone was wearing short sleeves.

 

Zhai Lin, showing off his white arms and legs, greeted Xie Meng with a “Yo.”

 

Xie Meng nodded while taking off his scarf: “Hello.”

 

Ji Qinyang motioned for him to sit inside.

 

“Little handsome guy,” Guo Linan set up a mahjong table. “Do you know how to play mahjong?”

 

Bai Xintian, meeting Xie Meng for the first time, greeted him and then sat down at the mahjong table: “Jiangsu and Zhejiang are major mahjong provinces, who are you asking?”

 

“Move over!” Zhai Lin came down from the upper bunk. “With our great Chongqing here, who dares to claim they’re better at mahjong?”

 

Ji Qinyang: “Don’t play with them. Last time, everyone had different rules from different places, and it was a mess.”

 

Guo Linan, with a cigarette in his mouth, laughed like a bandit: “In my capital, we play by capital rules! Zhai Xiaolin! Dare to play with eating and pointing guns?”

 

Zhai Lin shouted angrily: “Bring it on! Do you think I’m scared?!”

 

“…” Xie Meng couldn’t help but ask Ji Qinyang: “Don’t you all study for finals?”

 

Ji Qinyang put on a sweater over his t-shirt: “Zhai Lin stayed up all night writing music and just woke up.”

 

“Playing mahjong isn’t just for fun, it can relax your mind and might bring inspiration.” The guy put on a hat: “Guo Linan doesn’t usually smoke, but his nickname is ‘Song Smoker,’ one song, one pack.”

 

Xie Meng: “…”

 

Ji Qinyang helped him wrap his scarf: “Let’s go play by ourselves.”

 

“By the way, call Qian Mo next door,” Bai Xintian said with a smile. “We can’t play with only three people.”

 

Ji Qinyang pulled Xie Meng to knock on the next door. After a long while, Qian Mo finally opened the door, his long hair tied up on top of his head, and his face covered in green seaweed mud.

 

Xie Meng: “…”

 

Ji Qinyang was clearly used to this: “The next door is missing one player, come and fill in.”

 

Qian Mo leaned against the door frame, looked at their clasped hands, and raised an eyebrow: “Going on a date?”

 

“Just looking at the snow,” Ji Qinyang said. “You don’t see such heavy snow in the south.”

 

Qian Mo yawned and waved: “Have fun then.”

 

The snow had stopped early in the morning. The old alleys of Beijing looked like they were wrapped in cotton candy, with only a bit of black eaves showing.

 

Zhang Ganggang ate snacks from Huguosi while taking pictures for his social media, busy as a bee. Since they arrived early, the alleys were almost empty. After seeing Mei Lanfang’s house, they continued east through the alleys.

 

“It doesn’t snow this heavily in Suzhou,” Zhang Ganggang said, holding his camera high to take pictures of the snow-covered roofs. He was wearing Han Dong’s coat and was sweating after walking for a while.

 

Xie Meng wrapped a large scarf around himself, covering half his face, his eyes as clear as spring water. Ji Qinyang stood beside him, wearing a black and white ski hat with tassels, his coat open, and his jeans rolled up to show his ankles.

 

“Aren’t you cold?” Xie Meng frowned, looking at his feet.

 

Ji Qinyang admitted honestly: “Cold… I didn’t bring enough pants.”

 

Xie Meng: “Then unroll your pants.” He squatted down to help Ji Qinyang unroll his pants.

 

Ji Qinyang didn’t move. After Xie Meng finished and stood up, he said, “Skinny pants look too feminine, they don’t go well with boots.”

 

“…” Xie Meng couldn’t help but laugh at his obsession with style: “You…”

 

Zhang Ganggang signaled to the other three to stand at the other end of the alley. He adjusted his camera, shouting, “Act natural! Be more intimate!”

 

Ji Qinyang then very “naturally and intimately” hugged Xie Meng. Han Dong, standing aside, had a “…” expression.

 

“…Don’t think you can just bully him because he’s silly,” Han Dong said coldly. “Do you have no humanity, bullying both dogs and silly dogs?”

 

Xie Meng: “…”

 

Ji Qinyang reluctantly said: “Fine, I know you’re lonely, come closer, stand by me, not by Xie Meng.”

 

Han Dong: “…”

 

Zhang Ganggang: “Smile! K-I-S-S—!”

 

Ji Qinyang stood behind Xie Meng, stretched his arms around Xie Meng’s shoulders, and pressed his lips to the top of Xie Meng’s head. Xie Meng smiled and made a V sign…

 

Zhang Ganggang peeked out from behind the camera, dissatisfied: “Han Daye! Be more intimate too, put your arm around Yimei’s shoulder—yes, like that!”

 

Han Dong’s muscles were stiff, his expression completely blank and lifeless.

 

After taking the photos, Zhang Ganggang ran over and showed everyone the pictures. He looked at Han Dong with dissatisfaction: “You shouldn’t try to steal the spotlight, you look so unnatural… I’ll take separate shots of you later, let’s first shoot Yimei and Mengmeng.”

 

Han Dong breathed a sigh of relief and immediately said: “I’ll carry your equipment bag, take your time.”

 

Zhang Ganggang didn’t hesitate, so Han Daye was instantly demoted to Han the Laborer…

 

The four of them walked and took pictures until they reached Shichahai. The lake had already frozen over. Zhang Ganggang saw people standing on the ice and was startled: “Won’t they fall through?!”

 

Han Dong glanced over: “The ice must be thick. It’s common to see people ice-skating at Shichahai in winter, nothing unusual.”

 

Xie Meng watched the people walking on the ice. Ji Qinyang asked him: “Do you want to try?”

 

Xie Meng smiled: “I’ve never even roller-skated.”

 

“Learn it,” Ji Qinyang said casually. “They might still be testing the ice. Keep an eye on the news; I’ll take you here before winter break.”

 

Xie Meng chuckled: “You seem to be good at everything.”

 

“Have to be,” Ji Qinyang reached out to touch his face. “Otherwise, how could I win you over?”

 

They walked around the lake to Yinding Bridge, then entered Yanxiedai Street. By this time, more people were around, mostly tourists. Foreigners with cameras were taking pictures, and Zhang Ganggang blended in, occasionally getting approached, needing Han Dong to rescue him when his English failed.

 

The shops on both sides sold similar items, which didn’t interest the boys. They ate their way through the street, treating it as lunch.

 

Zhang Ganggang finally tried the tofu dish Xie Meng had photographed that day. One bite left him dumbfounded.

 

“Who said this was delicious…” Zhang Ganggang almost cried: “It feels like a breakup… Mengmeng, you’ve turned bad too!”

 

Xie Meng replied innocently: “I didn’t say it was delicious. Can’t I take pictures of something that tastes bad?”

 

“…” Zhang Ganggang was speechless.

 

Since they had already been to Nanluoguxiang, they went straight to the bus stop near the south entrance and took bus 107. Han Dong and Ji Qinyang were both travel enthusiasts, with various apps on their phones. Ji Qinyang had three travel apps—Tongcheng, Ctrip, and Tuniu—while Han Dong only used Tongcheng.

 

“The two fish are cute,” Han Dong explained with a blank expression. “Once you’re used to it, they’re all the same.”

 

Zhang Ganggang was surprised: “I thought you liked that logo because you’re a Pisces.”

 

Han Dong: “…How do you know my birthday?”

 

Zhang Ganggang was stunned for a second, then burst into laughter: “Hahaha, so you really are a Pisces, hahahaha!”

 

…Han Dong didn’t talk to Zhang Ganggang for the rest of the trip.

 

Sanlitun wasn’t crowded. They first visited the largest Apple store. Ji Qinyang kept looking at the iPhone 6, which only Han Dong among them had.

 

“Just buy the regular size, the plus is a personal preference.” Han Dong took out his phone for Ji Qinyang to check. He asked: “Aren’t you saving money to move out? Why buy now?”

 

Ji Qinyang: “I can buy it in Suzhou during winter break. I want to get one for Xie Meng too.”

 

Han Dong clicked his tongue: “He might not want it, don’t make decisions for him.”

 

“I know,” Ji Qinyang smiled. “I’ll sort out the rent first.”

 

Han Dong: “Are you planning to work with that band from the other day?”

 

Ji Qinyang didn’t deny it: “Qian Mo asked me for songs. I want a share of the profits. They can earn 30,000 to 50,000 yuan per concert. I’m asking for a 40/60 split, and their leader is considering it.”

 

“You really don’t hold back,” Han Dong teased. “Asking for half, aren’t you afraid they’ll beat you up?”

 

Ji Qinyang raised an eyebrow: “I can handle all the songs they need for one concert, and guarantee the quality. In a year, they could release an album, as long as they have the talent.”

 

Han Dong: “You want to make a star out of them? Promote the band and sign with an entertainment company?”

 

Ji Qinyang: “I haven’t thought that far ahead yet, but for the band to survive, this is the only way.”

 

“As for entertainment companies,” Ji Qinyang snorted. “It’s better to set up our own studio and affiliate with them. Their star-making ability is strong, but how many truly good works do they have? The music industry is highly polarized with scarce and unevenly distributed resources. If lower-tier musicians sell out to entertainment companies, they won’t last a few years. Those with looks will go solo, those without will go behind the scenes, and musicians will end up in multi-faceted careers. How many singers actually stick around?”

 

Han Dong was silent for a while, then slowly said: “You’re right, but once money gets involved, things change. If the band you’re promoting doesn’t share your vision, everything you’re doing now will be in vain, a wasted effort, and you’ll have offended entertainment companies. You might not be able to survive in Beijing.”

 

“That’s why we need more interactions,” Ji Qinyang said calmly, lifting his head. His gaze fell on Zhang Ganggang and Xie Meng playing a small game. Xie Meng’s scarf had loosened and hung around his neck, his side profile gentle and handsome.

 

“The great way is as clear as the sky, yet I alone cannot follow it.”

 

“With Xie Meng around,” Ji Qinyang said, “I have nothing to fear.”

 

The basement of Sanlitun had many brand stores. Ji Qinyang and Han Dong found a coffee shop to use the internet and recommend apps to each other, while Xie Meng went with Zhang Ganggang to take photos and browse a few men’s clothing stores.

 

“Everything here seems expensive…” Zhang Ganggang whispered.

 

Xie Meng frowned, checking the tags seriously.

 

The shop assistant wisely didn’t disturb them. Xie Meng looked at a few pairs of pants and finally chose a pair of dark casual trousers: “Excuse me, I’d like these in size L.”

 

“Would you like to try them on?” the shop assistant suggested. “Or should I wrap them up directly?”

 

Xie Meng: “They’re not for me, just wrap them up.” He paid and went to get the receipt. When he returned, the pants were already packaged.

 

Zhang Ganggang carried the bag for him, looking pained: “Over three thousand for a pair of pants… you really splurged…”

 

Xie Meng just smiled without responding. Passing by a shoe store, he bought a pair of men’s winter boots.

 

Ji Qinyang was searching for discounted movie tickets when he looked up and saw Xie Meng walking in with bags. “Why didn’t you call me when you were buying things?” he said, reaching for his wallet. “How much? If you need more, I’ll give you my card…”

 

Xie Meng pressed his hand back: “Do you think I’m raising a child?”

 

Xie Meng took out the boots, squatted next to Ji Qinyang, and changed his shoes. Once both feet were fitted, Ji Qinyang realized: “You bought these for me?”

 

“I bought them for a pig,” Xie Meng retorted, rolling his eyes. The pants fit perfectly into the boots. He gestured for Ji Qinyang to stand up and walk: “Are they comfortable?”

 

Ji Qinyang sat there, speechless, trying to find the right words.

 

“I also bought pants,” Xie Meng said, showing him the bag. Ji Qinyang carefully checked and noticed the price tags were gone.

 

“You…” Ji Qinyang wanted to ask something but didn’t know how.

 

Because of his one comment about skinny pants not looking good without boots, Xie Meng had looked through so many tags, paid for them, and cut off the tags. Ji Qinyang couldn’t ask about any of it.

 

Love, perhaps, was just a pair of shoes on his feet, filled to the brim, making even his heart ache.

 

“Let’s go,” Xie Meng stood up, satisfied, and pulled Ji Qinyang’s hand: “Let’s go to the movies.”

 

Ji Qinyang wiped his face and smiled: “Alright.”

 

“Did you book the group tickets?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Not too expensive?”

 

“Not too expensive.”

 

“That’s good.”

 

“Mhm.”