Times of Our Lives - Chapter 29

Before winter break, Mo Suyuan called Ji Qinyang. Her voice was as energetic as ever.

 

“Did you buy your plane tickets?” Mo Suyuan asked with a smile. “Are you bringing your girlfriend home for the New Year?”

 

Ji Qinyang was packing his suitcase, his phone wedged between his shoulder and ear. “How about if I bring my boyfriend home?”

 

Mo Suyuan laughed heartily. “Didn’t you have a ‘boyfriend,’ Xie Meng, in high school? Is it still him this time?”

 

“Yes,” Ji Qinyang laughed. “How about I bring him home for the New Year?”

 

“Bring him home, bring him home,” Mo Suyuan said, thinking he was joking. “Mom will give you both red envelopes.”

 

Xie Meng had settled his wages with the tutoring family. Xu Shaohe’s parents were very pleased with him and planned to hire him again next semester.

 

“Meng Meng, aren’t you staying in Beijing for the New Year?” Xu Shaohe insisted on seeing him to the community gate. “Aren’t you the only one in your family?”

 

Xie Meng crouched down to put on his shoes. The boy in junior high had grown so tall, almost 180 cm, that Xie Meng had to look up to talk to him. “I have a friend back home I can spend the New Year with. You study the questions I gave you. I’ll test you when school starts.”

 

“…You’re even more nagging than our teachers,” Xu Shaohe complained.

 

Xie Meng laughed helplessly and said, “Then enjoy your New Year?”

 

Xu Shaohe: “Give me your phone number.”

 

Xie Meng: “I’ll give you my WeChat. You can ask me questions if you have any.”

 

Xu Shaohe mumbled, “I can also like your posts, not just ask questions…”

 

Xie Meng laughed, letting the boy scan his WeChat QR code. They parted at the bus stop.

 

“Remember to stay in touch.” Xu Shaohe confirmed again, “Can I ask you questions I don’t understand?”

 

Xie Meng: “…Didn’t you just say you wouldn’t only contact me to ask questions?”

 

Because they bought early, the plane tickets were discounted. Han Dong used his card to buy four tickets, and they would pay him back once they reached Suzhou.

 

Zhang Ganggang had the most luggage. Before leaving, he bought a lot of Beijing specialties, which Han Dong said they wouldn’t eat much of and would mostly give away.

 

After finishing the check-in, Zhang Ganggang asked Xie Meng before boarding, “Will you come to my house for the New Year? I’ve already told my mom.”

 

Ji Qinyang wrapped his arm around Xie Meng’s shoulder from behind. “No cutting in line. I already invited him.”

 

Zhang Ganggang was angry. “You guys are excluding me again! How many times have you done this? Going out together without me! Eating without me! What about our friendship?”

 

“How is there no friendship?” Ji Qinyang raised an eyebrow. “We didn’t take you to eat that terrible tofu, didn’t we? We’re really good to you.”

 

Zhang Ganggang: “…”

 

Ji Qinyang: “We make sure Han Dong takes you to eat all the good food we find, prepare travel guides for you in advance, and you only need to eat, play, and take photos… Isn’t that true love?”

 

Zhang Ganggang opened his mouth but was stunned for a moment.

 

Finally, Han Dong patted his head. “Let’s board. We can all hang out together during the New Year. Want to see the Sea of Fragrant Snow?”

 

“…Don’t think you can bribe me with the Sea of Fragrant Snow,” Zhang Ganggang took a deep breath, then looked pitifully at Han Dong. “I want to go…”

 

After buying high-speed train tickets at Hongqiao, Ji Qinyang was constantly on WeChat. Xie Meng leaned over to look, and Ji Qinyang made some room for him to see the chat history.

 

“Qi Fei and Zhuo Xiaoyuan will pick us up at Suzhou Station,” Ji Qinyang said, pinching Xie Meng’s neck. “We’ll go to your house first, and then mine for New Year’s Eve.”

 

Xie Meng glanced at him. “You’ve got everything planned out?”

 

Ji Qinyang nodded. “My mom even prepared a red envelope for you.”

 

Xie Meng smiled. “Then I should prepare a gift.”

 

Ji Qinyang hooked his arm around Xie Meng’s neck. “You don’t need to worry about gifts. I’ve got it all prepared.”

 

“…You’re getting more and more domesticated,” Xie Meng said, rubbing Ji Qinyang’s head helplessly.

 

As soon as they left the train station, they heard Qi Fei shouting from across the square, “Zhang Ganggang! Over here! Here!!”

 

Zhang Ganggang turned around, abandoned his luggage, and ran to jump on Qi Fei, shouting, “Mom Qi!!!”

 

Qi Fei almost fell over from the impact, holding onto him and groaning, “Get down, get down! I’m going to fall!”

 

Han Dong, with a dark face, pulled Zhang Ganggang off. Zhuo Xiaoyuan, who was behind them, hugged each person in turn.

 

“How have you been?” Zhuo Xiaoyuan fist-bumped Ji Qinyang. “Got used to Beijing?”

 

Xie Meng thought for a moment. “I’m used to it, but it’s so big. Suzhou feels really small in comparison.”

 

“Of course,” Zhuo Xiaoyuan said, helping them with their luggage. “You haven’t lost any weight.”

 

He looked at Xie Meng. “Ji Qinyang has taken good care of you.”

 

Xie Meng smiled without saying anything. Ji Qinyang dragged over his suitcase and raised an eyebrow. “Don’t worry, of course I’ll take good care of him.”

 

Zhuo Xiaoyuan scoffed disdainfully, his eyes slanting.

 

Han Dong’s family sent a driver to pick him up, forcibly taking the young master home first. He planned to meet up at Xie Meng’s house later. Qi Fei rented a car, first taking Zhang Ganggang home to drop off his things. Zhang Ganggang’s mom insisted on packing a bunch of food for them, filling four large lunch boxes. Ji Qinyang decided not to go home for now. He had little luggage, so one suitcase didn’t matter much.

 

Before leaving, Xie Meng cleaned the house, laid down white sheets, and asked the neighbors to look after the garden. When he returned, the flowers and plants were thriving.

 

Ji Qinyang distributed Beijing specialties to Xie Meng’s neighbors, only to receive more in return than he had given away…

 

Zhang Ganggang and Qi Fei fetched water and wiped the tables and chairs, swept the floor, and washed the dishes. Zhuo Xiaoyuan and Xie Meng took the quilts and bedding out to the yard to air.

 

Ji Qinyang cleaned the portraits of Xie Meng’s parents and Zhang Xiujuan. The smile in the old lady’s photo was as gentle as the water of Jiangnan, her features as delicate as they were back then.

 

Xie Meng lit incense, bowed his head, and placed it in the incense burner. He then sat down next to Ji Qinyang.

 

In the kitchen, Zhang Ganggang and Qi Fei were noisily washing dishes and chatting. “I’m telling you, Rou Rou and Han Dong are at the same school, so I know everything about her. We’re really close.”

 

Qi Fei: “You’ve said that so many times. Have you even met up with her?”

 

Zhang Ganggang: “Han Dong says Rou Rou is busy. She’s in the student council now and running for president.”

 

Qi Fei: “So you’ve only been hanging out with Han Dong?”

 

Zhang Ganggang: “It’s the same thing. We take lots of photos to show Rou Rou.”

 

Qi Fei: “…If I were Rou Rou, I’d be pissed. Not only are you hanging out with another guy, but you’re also sending her photos to rub it in… Who’s your girlfriend anyway?”

 

Zhang Ganggang: “…”

 

Xie Meng frowned and couldn’t help but ask Ji Qinyang, “What’s the deal with Rou Rou and Zhang Ganggang, and how did Han Dong get involved?”

 

Ji Qinyang laughed lazily. “Someone created their own mess and has to clean it up. Don’t worry about it.”

 

Xie Meng glanced uneasily at the kitchen, then suddenly felt warmth in his palm as Ji Qinyang held his hand.

 

“…Xie Meng: “Zhuo Xiaoyuan is still outside.”

 

Ji Qinyang, unconcerned, shrugged. “It’s not like he doesn’t know.”

 

Xie Meng smiled helplessly, but there was nothing he could do. Ji Qinyang lit incense and bowed three times, just like Xie Meng.

 

“Let’s go get some sun,” Xie Meng said, squeezing Ji Qinyang’s fingertips and smiling.

 

Zhuo Xiaoyuan was sitting in the yard, scrolling through his phone, a cigarette between his fingers, almost finished. He raised his eyebrows when Ji Qinyang and Xie Meng came out. “Done with your sweet talk?”

 

Ji Qinyang retorted, “Can’t do it properly with you around.”

 

Zhuo Xiaoyuan smirked and took a drag of his cigarette, not responding, and continued scrolling through his phone with a frown.

 

“How’s Jinjing doing lately?” Xie Meng suddenly asked him.

 

Zhuo Xiaoyuan paused, finishing his cigarette before slowly replying, “Not great. I’ve sent her medical records to several major hospitals, but none of the responses were satisfactory.”

 

Ji Qinyang frowned. “Have you asked in Beijing?”

 

“I have,” Zhuo Xiaoyuan nodded. “I’m planning to take her to Beijing for treatment once her health improves a bit in the second half of the year.”

 

Xie Meng: “Whenever you come, don’t forget to call us.”

 

Zhuo Xiaoyuan punched him lightly. “Don’t worry, I won’t miss the chance to bother you guys.”

 

Because of his sister’s health, Zhuo Xiaoyuan left after dinner. Zhang Ganggang and Qi Fei stayed, and the four of them played mahjong for a while. Halfway through, Qi Fei got a call and had to leave to take care of some kids.

 

“Relatives’ kids come over during the New Year,” Qi Fei lamented. “My third aunt just had another one… The number of brats is almost in double digits.”

 

Zhang Ganggang sympathized. “Hang in there, Mama Qi…”

 

Ji Qinyang: “Free up the first day of the New Year, we’ll go see the sea of plum blossoms.”

 

“Absolutely,” Qi Fei gave a thumbs up. “Whatever you say, Lord Yimei. I would go through fire and water without hesitation!”

 

Ji Qinyang kicked him, and Qi Fei laughed as he dodged, then said to Zhang Ganggang, “Let’s go.”

 

“?” Zhang Ganggang looked puzzled. “I want to play a bit longer.”

 

Qi Fei rolled his eyes. “Play my foot! Go to bed!”

 

Zhang Ganggang: “…”

 

After everyone left, the yard became noticeably quieter. As Xie Meng tidied up the mahjong table, he sighed, “It’s gotten a lot quieter.”

 

Ji Qinyang glanced at him and smiled. “It’ll get lively in a few days.”

 

Xie Meng nodded and rubbed his forehead against Ji Qinyang’s, then went to the kitchen to boil hot water. Ji Qinyang set up the table and brought out the wooden foot tub.

 

“It’s cold… How about soaking our feet together?”

 

Xie Meng: “Sure.”

 

When the hot water was ready, they sat facing each other with their feet in the tub. Ji Qinyang rubbed Xie Meng’s foot with his toes, and they both laughed when their eyes met.

 

“Does it feel good?” Xie Meng asked him.

 

Ji Qinyang squinted his eyes. “Yes, should we add some more hot water?”

 

Xie Meng gestured for him to lift his feet, then carefully added more hot water.

 

“Wait a sec.” Xie Meng ran to get a blanket, draped it over both their legs, and took out a new hand cream. He pulled Ji Qinyang’s hand over. “I felt your fingertips were dry… Let’s apply some cream.”

 

Ji Qinyang raised an eyebrow. “Taking care of me so well?”

 

Xie Meng quietly replied, “You need to practice the piano; your hands are important.”

 

Ji Qinyang didn’t say anything. He watched as Xie Meng meticulously applied the cream to each of his fingers. Satisfied, Xie Meng kissed the back of Ji Qinyang’s hand. “There, all nice and fragrant.”

 

Ji Qinyang: “…”

 

Xie Meng laughed. “Why are you blushing?”

 

The freshly sun-dried quilt smelled like sunshine. Xie Meng lay down first, and Ji Qinyang sat on the edge of the bed, pulling Xie Meng’s foot out from under the covers.

 

“?” Xie Meng yawned and mumbled, “What’s wrong?”

 

Ji Qinyang held nail clippers. “Just trimming your toenails. You can sleep.”

 

“Don’t cut them too short,” Xie Meng joked. “I’ll keep an eye on you.”

 

Ji Qinyang glanced at him. “If you hurt, wouldn’t I feel it too?”

 

Xie Meng couldn’t stand it. “That’s so cheesy…”

 

“Not as cheesy as you,” Ji Qinyang muttered, focusing on carefully clipping Xie Meng’s toenails.

 

Trimming all ten toes took quite a bit of time. Ji Qinyang kept Xie Meng’s feet warm in his lap. By the time he finished, Xie Meng had already fallen asleep.

 

The winter nights on Shantang Street were tranquil and timeless. Ji Qinyang held Xie Meng in his arms, their warm feet entwined, breathing softly and steadily.

 

In the gentle dreams of the young, there was an endless water town of Jiangnan.

 

Time flowed sweetly, and the years stretched long.