Times of Our Lives - Chapter 30

Early the next morning, Mo Suyuan had already prepared sweet porridge and fried rice cakes. When Xie Meng arrived, he was greeted with a very warm hug.

 

“It feels like you’ve grown taller again,” Mo Suyuan said with a smile. “Has it been tough in Beijing?”

 

Ji Qinyang picked up a piece of rice cake and mumbled, “Mom, every time you see someone my age, you say they’ve grown taller. Do you think I’m very short?”

 

Mo Suyuan scolded him lightly, “When did I say you were short?”

 

Xie Meng also smiled, “Auntie, you’re still so young and beautiful.”

 

“Oh dear,” Mo Suyuan covered her face, “This child really knows how to flatter.”

 

Ji Shanrong had climbed a mountain again before the New Year and brought back a bunch of oddly shaped stones. Now, when he has free time, he arranges the stones, drawing and writing on them, either keeping them for himself or giving them away.

 

Mo Suyuan bought some red paper and instructed Ji Qinyang and Ji Shanrong to write couplets.

 

“Do we write directly?” Xie Meng asked, not understanding and only watching from the side. “Don’t we need to check how it’s done?”

 

Ji Qinyang was grinding ink, “Check what?”

 

Xie Meng wasn’t sure, “…To see how others write it?”

 

Ji Qinyang rolled up his sleeves and picked the size of the brush, “Couplets are simple; they just need to be parallel and auspicious.” He glanced at Xie Meng, “Can you help me grind the ink?”

 

Ji Qinyang ended up writing four pairs of couplets, which were pasted on the main door and his bedroom door.

 

“This is the first time I’ve seen you write calligraphy,” Xie Meng remarked.

 

Ji Qinyang smiled while pasting, “Isn’t it cool?”

 

“Yeah,” Xie Meng thought for a moment, “In the future, we should get a desk for you to practice calligraphy.”

 

Ji Qinyang laughed, “It turns out I’ve learned things that burn money.”

 

Xie Meng reached out and rubbed his head, “Don’t worry, I can support you.”

 

While pasting couplets and making dumplings, Mo Suyuan and Ji Shanrong each gave Xie Meng a red envelope.

 

“Happy New Year,” the couple sang in unison.

 

Xie Meng quickly replied, “Happy New Year.”

 

In the evening, during dinner, Ji Shanrong brought out some alcohol and signaled Ji Qinyang to pour. The two of them clinked glasses.

 

“Once you’re in college, you’re a man,” Ji Shanrong said lightly. “Whatever you want to do, you need to make your own decisions. Dad supports you.”

 

Ji Qinyang raised an eyebrow, “Thanks, Dad.”

 

Ji Shanrong added, “Even if you get drunk, drink up, cheers!”

 

Ji Qinyang downed the liquor in one go, so fast that Mo Suyuan was a bit startled, “Can you handle this? You never drank like this before; don’t get drunk later.”

 

“Let me get drunk!” Ji Shanrong waved his hand nonchalantly, “It’s at home, no problem. If you get drunk, just sleep. Xie Meng, please help take care of him.”

 

Xie Meng agreed and then noticed Ji Qinyang’s eyes were a bit unfocused.

 

“…Drinking too fast,” Ji Qinyang shook his head, and he laughed, “I feel a bit dizzy.”

 

Xie Meng supported him, “Do you want to go to sleep?”

 

Ji Qinyang shook his head. He took some chopsticks, picked up some food, finished a bowl of rice, and drank the soup until nothing was left.

 

The TV was on, showing the Spring Festival Gala. Ji Shanrong and Mo Suyuan occasionally chatted, clinked glasses, and looked like a very loving couple. They held hands under the table and leaned in to talk.

 

Ji Qinyang rested his shoulder on Xie Meng’s, one hand touching the earlobe with the earring.

 

Mo Suyuan looked at her son with concern, “If you’re drunk, go to sleep. Do you want some tea?”

 

Ji Qinyang simply rested his head against Xie Meng’s back and replied somewhat sluggishly, “Drink Bi Luo Chun.”

 

Mo Suyuan got up to make tea. Xie Meng half-carried Ji Qinyang, “I’ll take him to bed.”

 

“It’s a hassle,” Ji Shanrong said with a smile, “Let his mom bring up the tea later.”

 

Ji Qinyang’s room was on the second floor. The bed had two blankets. Xie Meng spread one half, helped him out of his clothes, and tucked him into the blanket. Ji Qinyang kept his eyes open the whole time, watching Xie Meng, unsure if he was drunk or not, seeming both sober and not.

 

Xie Meng comforted him, “Time to sleep.”

 

Ji Qinyang still wouldn’t close his eyes, stubbornly staring at Xie Meng’s face.

 

“What are you looking at?” Xie Meng touched his hair gently and whispered, “Sleep.”

 

Ji Qinyang reached out and wrapped his arms around Xie Meng’s neck, “Looking at you.”

 

Xie Meng smiled, “What’s so special about me?”

 

“You’re good-looking,” Ji Qinyang mumbled. “I keep looking at you… afraid I might miss something and regret it later.”

 

Xie Meng didn’t respond. He leaned his forehead against Ji Qinyang’s and said softly, “Go to sleep. You can look tomorrow.”

 

Ji Qinyang obediently closed his eyes. After a while, Xie Meng confirmed he was asleep and carefully removed Ji Qinyang’s arm from around his neck.

 

The bedroom light was off. As Xie Meng stood up, he noticed Mo Suyuan standing in the doorway, her figure obscured by the shadows, making her expression unclear.

 

Xie Meng’s heart raced. He wasn’t sure how long Mo Suyuan had been watching or how much she had seen. He nervously called out, “Auntie…”

 

Mo Suyuan turned on the bedroom light with a snap.

 

“Is he asleep?” Under the bright light, Mo Suyuan’s smile was warm. She held a cup of freshly brewed Bi Luo Chun tea and said regretfully, “It looks like we’ll have to wait for him to wake up to drink it.”

 

“…” Xie Meng subtly sighed in relief. He hurried to take the tea cup from Mo Suyuan’s hand and said quietly, “It’s hot. I’ll take it…”

 

Mo Suyuan didn’t say anything, just smiling at him.

 

Xie Meng: “?”

 

“It’s late,” Mo Suyuan said gently. “You should go to sleep too.”

 

Xie Meng nodded in confusion, “Okay…”

 

Mo Suyuan prepared new pajamas and toiletries for him, made the bed, and took his dirty clothes to wash. Xie Meng hadn’t been cared for so attentively by an older woman in a long time, and he felt awkward about where to put his hands and feet. Mo Suyuan even tucked the corners of the blanket for him, saying, “Sleep well.”

 

Xie Meng buried himself in the blanket, his face reddening slightly as he muttered, “Thank you, Auntie…”

 

“You’re such a silly child,” Mo Suyuan said with a smile, brushing his bangs.

 

After turning off the light and closing the door, Mo Suyuan stood by the door for a long time before heading downstairs. Ji Shanrong was sitting on the sofa watching TV. When he saw her come down, he looked up and asked, “Did they go to sleep… What’s wrong?”

 

Mo Suyuan shook her head. Ji Shanrong frowned slightly, watching as his wife sat beside him and buried her face in his embrace.

 

“What’s wrong?” Ji Shanrong asked, holding Mo Suyuan’s shoulder with concern. “It’s the New Year, why are you upset?”

 

When Ji Qinyang woke up, it was just past 6 a.m. He had a slight headache and turned to see Xie Meng peacefully sleeping beside him. Ji Qinyang watched for a while, then couldn’t resist reaching out to touch Xie Meng’s face.

 

“…” When Xie Meng opened his eyes, he looked confused and groped for his phone. “What time is it?”

 

Ji Qinyang smiled and kissed the tip of his nose. “It’s early. Did I wake you?”

 

“No,” Xie Meng said, preparing to get up and put on his coat. “It’s just my usual routine. You stay here, and I’ll get you some water.”

 

Ji Qinyang pulled him back, “No need. Stay with me for a bit.”

 

Xie Meng, seeing no other choice, lay back down, and they both lay facing each other.

 

Ji Qinyang suddenly cupped his hands around his mouth, took a deep sniff, and wrinkled his nose. “There’s no smell…”

 

Xie Meng: “?”

 

Ji Qinyang pinched his chin and kissed him.

 

“…” Xie Meng protested, “I haven’t brushed my teeth yet…”

 

Ji Qinyang’s expression was very serious. “I checked. You don’t smell bad.”

 

Xie Meng: “…”

 

When Han Dong’s private car arrived, Ji Qinyang and Xie Meng had just finished breakfast. Mo Suyuan packed some of her homemade sweets for them to take with them.

 

“Wrap your scarf properly,” Mo Suyuan reminded, adjusting Xie Meng’s scarf and smiling at him. “You really are a handsome young man.”

 

Xie Meng’s scarf covered most of his face. He smiled awkwardly.

 

Ji Qinyang put on his shoes and waited by the door.

 

“My mom really likes you,” Ji Qinyang said, putting his arm around Xie Meng’s shoulders as they went outside.

 

Zhang Ganggang called from a distance, “Hurry up and come over!”

 

Xie Meng waved and said to Ji Qinyang, “Your parents are really nice.”

 

Ji Qinyang raised an eyebrow, “Otherwise, how would they have produced me?”

 

Xie Meng couldn’t help but laugh. He gave Ji Qinyang a playful shove, and Ji Qinyang returned the gesture.

 

Zhang Ganggang, growing impatient, shouted, “Stop fooling around! Get in the car! We’re going to see the plum blossoms!”

 

In Guangfu Town, Suzhou, the fragrance of the Xuehai Plum Blossom is not widely known outside the area. Most of the visitors who come to admire the plum blossoms each year are locals from Suzhou. In the cold weather, there are even fewer people, and the whole hillside seems almost deserted.

 

Zhuo Xiaoyuan had brought Zhuo Jinjin with him. The little girl had lost even more weight and was extremely happy to see them.

 

“Is Beijing fun?” Zhuo Jinjin asked Xie Meng, looking up at him. Due to her health issues, she was carried by several of her older brothers in turns. When she switched to Xie Meng, her face flushed.

 

“Beijing is very large,” Xie Meng said gently, looking down at her. “How about you come visit in October this year?”

 

Zhuo Jinjin nodded, “My brother said to bring me for treatment. Can we have fun while getting treatment?”

 

Xie Meng replied, “Of course. Your brothers will take you around, and you can play as much as you want.”

 

Zhuo Jinjin smiled, “Can we climb the Great Wall?”

 

Xie Meng thought for a moment, “Hmm… Climbing the Great Wall might be a bit strenuous. We can have a look.”

 

“I know a saying,” Zhuo Jinjin suddenly said.

 

Xie Meng asked, “What saying?”

 

Zhuo Jinjin proudly said, “He who has not climbed the Great Wall is not a true man!”

 

Xie Meng laughed, “Does Jinjin want to be a true man?”

 

“Can a true man be healthy?” Zhuo Jinjin tilted her head, “If I go to the Great Wall, will I get better?”

 

Xie Meng held her tightly and after a while said, “You will definitely get better.”

 

“Okay then,” Zhuo Jinjin smiled so much her eyes squinted, “I will be a true man.”

 

In mid-February, the plum blossoms were just beginning to bloom. The white plums, like snow, covered the hillside, and there were plum blossom stumps under the trees. Zhang Ganggang stood on one of the stumps, photographing the flower buds at the top of the branches.

 

The fragrance of the plums was deep and the flowers seemed like clouds.

 

Zhuo Xiaoyuan held his sister under the tree, having picked a plum blossom branch for her. The two of them leaned their heads together quietly enjoying the blossoms.

 

Xie Meng took off his scarf, which had several plum petals on it. He carefully shook it clean. Next to him, Ji Qinyang reached out and brushed the petals from Xie Meng’s hair.

 

“It smells so nice,” Xie Meng said, smelling the scarf.

 

Ji Qinyang remained silent, just watching him.

 

“What are you looking at?” Xie Meng suddenly asked.

 

Ji Qinyang lazily said, “Just looking at you.”

 

Xie Meng glanced at him, “I remember you used to look at me like this back in high school too.”

 

Ji Qinyang didn’t expect him to say that and awkwardly touched his nose, “Did I?”

 

“Yes,” Xie Meng nodded. “You said it yourself last night.”

 

Ji Qinyang opened his mouth, holding his forehead, “I drank too much last night… I forgot what I said.”

 

Xie Meng wrapped the scarf around himself again, smiling at Ji Qinyang, “It’s fine if I remember.”

 

Qi Fei struck a Bruce Lee pose on the plum blossom stump, shouting at Zhang Ganggang to take the photo quickly.

 

“That looks so silly, Qi Mama,” Zhang Ganggang said disdainfully. “Can’t you do something else?”

 

Qi Fei gritted his teeth, “Why complain? I went through all this effort to look cool! Just take the picture!”

 

Zhang Ganggang had no choice but to take the photo.

 

“What’s so bad about it?” Qi Fei looked at the photo with satisfaction. “I look super cool!”

 

Zhang Ganggang looked at him with contempt.

 

Qi Fei picked up Zhuo Jinjin, “Take a picture of me and Jinjin too.”

 

The little girl smiled and tucked a plum blossom behind Qi Fei’s ear. They took a photo together.

 

“We should take one too,” Xie Meng suggested, signaling Ji Qinyang to come over. Zhuo Jinjin put her arms around the necks of both men, and Ji Qinyang held her as they posed together.

 

Zhang Ganggang also wanted a photo. He taught Zhuo Xiaoyuan how to press the shutter, then found the right angle and hugged Zhuo Jinjin with Han Dong.

 

At the end of the white plum sea, there were also many red plums. Zhang Ganggang wanted a group photo. He set up the camera for continuous shooting and said to Qi Fei on the other side, “Run slowly! Don’t end up like last time with the immortal shot!”

 

“I won’t!” Zhang Ganggang struck a running pose, “I’m coming!”

 

Han Dong saw the boy running towards him and instinctively opened his arms. Zhang Ganggang quickly hugged him and turned around, shouting, “First shot!”

 

Qi Fei yelled, “No! The wind is too strong!”

 

Plum petals fell like snow, and everyone could barely keep their eyes open.

 

“Second shot,” Zhuo Xiaoyuan said, holding the laughing Zhuo Jinjin, “The wind has died down. Quickly!”

 

Ji Qinyang hugged Xie Meng tightly, smiling as he shouted, “K-i-s-s——!”

 

Han Dong lowered his head, his lips brushing Zhang Ganggang’s forehead.

 

Zhang Ganggang: “…”

 

“Ahhhhh!” Zhang Ganggang freaked out. “Can’t you cooperate a bit?! Last time it was Mei and Mengmeng! This time it’s Mr. Han!”

 

Xie Meng looked down at the camera and laughed, “It turned out quite well.”

 

In the sea of white plums, the youth’s appearances lost their childishness, their smiles bright and spirited.

 

Everyone was at their youngest and most beautiful.

 

Without worries, and never apart.

 

Bi Luo Chun (碧螺春) is a type of green tea from China, known for its delicate flavor and fragrant aroma. The name “Bi Luo Chun” translates to “Green Snail Spring,” referring to the tea’s appearance and the spring season when it’s harvested. It’s highly regarded for its quality and is often enjoyed for its refreshing taste.