Times of Our Lives - Chapter 4

By the time school was out, the snow had already accumulated. Zhang Ganggang was excited and ran into the courtyard shouting with joy, while Xie Meng wrapped himself in a coat, his scarf covering most of his face, and slowly walked into the snow.

 

For a southern city like Suzhou, having such heavy snowfall was quite rare, and the students’ excitement level was akin to celebrating Chinese New Year.

 

“Let’s play a bit longer before we go,” Zhang Ganggang eagerly looked at Xie Meng. “Did you take a leave from the martial arts club today?”

 

Xie Meng adjusted his scarf and exhaled a breath of white mist, glancing around before nodding. “Alright.”

 

Zhang Ganggang raised both hands in triumph. “Yes!”

 

In the distance, Qi Fei shouted from the edge of the playground, “Hey, Zhang Ganggang! Come over here! Let’s have a snowball fight with Class Five!”

 

Xie Meng looked in the direction of Qi Fei’s voice and immediately spotted Ji Qinyang with his striking hair color. Despite the cold winter, the boys were dressed lightly, their coats unbuttoned as they rolled snowballs.

 

“We only have 20 boys in our class, that’s not fair,” Qi Fei’s obsession with winning was unusually strong. “Let’s organize a formation; we can’t afford to lose.”

 

Ji Qinyang smiled. “Let’s just go for it, no need for formations.”

 

Zhang Ganggang wasn’t concerned about winning or losing the snowball fight; he was busy taking selfies with his phone, trying hard to include Xie Meng in the frame.

 

“Don’t hold it so high,” Xie Meng gestured for him to come closer.

 

Zhang Ganggang was a bit worried. “Won’t it make my face look chubby if it’s too close?”

 

Xie Meng remained silent.

 

Qi Fei reached out to pinch Zhang Ganggang’s chubby cheeks. “You’ve got baby fat! Stop taking photos and join us for the snowball fight.”

 

Several students gathered in a circle, rolling snowballs. Only Xie Meng wasn’t wearing gloves and his fingertips turned red from the cold. Ji Qinyang noticed and took off one of his gloves, handing it to him.

 

Xie Meng accepted it without hesitation, revealing a smile reminiscent of the snowy winter. “Thank you.”

 

Ji Qinyang didn’t say anything, watching Xie Meng pull his scarf up to cover his nose, revealing only his dark eyebrows and eyes, looking like an immature young man.

 

“What are you two still doing?” Qi Fei shouted as he warmed up his arms. Some of the boys from Class Five had already stood up. “Get ready… Zhang Ganggang! Stop running around!”

 

Dodging the incoming snowballs, Zhang Ganggang continued shouting, drawing Qi Fei’s curse. Qi Fei grabbed him from behind, picked up a big snowball, and threw it out. Ji Qinyang pulled Xie Meng up, and as they were standing together, a snowball flew between them. Ji Qinyang retaliated, hitting the nearest person in the head.

 

Zhang Ganggang still held his phone up. “Take a photo, take a photo!”

 

Xie Meng dodged a snowball and heard a click. The camera captured a distorted doll-like face with facial features deformed against the screen.

 

Zhang Ganggang: “…”

 

Qi Fei: “Hahahahahaha!!!”

 

Xie Meng wiped the snow off his face and turned around to see Ji Qinyang shaking off his coat. The boy’s fluffy hair was half covered in melted ice crumbs. Xie Meng’s scarf hung half on his head and half around his neck.

 

Zhang Ganggang shivered as he ran over, still eager to take photos. He wanted to take a picture with Xie Meng. Qi Fei also took out his phone to capture the sorry state of Class Five’s boys. Out of habit, he asked Ji Qinyang, “Do you want to join for a picture?”

 

Ji Qinyang didn’t refuse. He stood with Qi Fei and wrapped in his scarf for a picture.

 

“You’re too handsome,” Qi Fei muttered. “I shouldn’t have taken a picture with you earlier.”

 

Hearing this, Zhang Ganggang eagerly approached. “Let’s take one together! Let’s take one together!” He pushed Ji Qinyang and Xie Meng into the frame, squatting in front, making his baby face look even larger.

 

“Use my phone,” Ji Qinyang suddenly said. “Your phone is running low on battery.”

 

Only then did Zhang Ganggang notice the low battery warning at the top right of his phone screen.

 

Ji Qinyang played with the camera on his phone, looked at Xie Meng, and lazily smiled. “Shall we take one together?”

 

Xie Meng felt that he probably took all the selfies of his life on this day. Zhang Ganggang even brought a spare power bank. Ji Qinyang only took one photo with Xie Meng, after which Qi Fei took the phone and snapped a bunch of random things.

 

Xie Meng returned a glove to Ji Qinyang.

 

“Thank you,” Xie Meng said with a smile.

 

Ji Qinyang looked at his smile. He still wore Xie Meng’s scarf and had no intention of taking it off. “Shall I wash it and return it to you later?”

 

“Okay,” Xie Meng nodded, adding, “No rush.”

 

When Sun Tian came to find Ji Qinyang, the snowball fight had already ended. Ji Qinyang was busy sorting through the photos he had taken on his phone. Xie Meng’s scarf was wrapped around his neck, covering half of his face.

 

In terms of appearance, Ji Qinyang’s features were exceptionally delicate. Before he grew taller, he could even be described as having an androgynous charm.

 

Pouting, Sun Tian coquettishly said to her boyfriend, “I want to take pictures too.”

 

Raising an eyebrow, Ji Qinyang’s mouth was covered by the scarf, his voice muffled. “No battery left, maybe next time.”

 

Sun Tian complained, “Who knows if it will snow next time.”

 

Ji Qinyang replied flatly, “You can use your phone.”

 

Sun Tian, feeling displeased, said, “I want to use your phone and set it as my screensaver. Isn’t that what couples do, to prove we’re together?”

 

Ji Qinyang remained noncommittal, saying nothing in response to Sun Tian’s chatter.

 

“Are you even listening?” Sun Tian grew angry. “I’m talking to you.”

 

Ji Qinyang withdrew his arm from her shoulder, standing still. He turned his head slightly, expressionless as he looked at Sun Tian.

 

Taken aback, Sun Tian hesitated, seeming to want to soften her tone.

 

“You should go back first,” Ji Qinyang spoke calmly, without emotion. “I have something else to do, so I won’t walk you.”

 

After scrutinizing the snowball fight photos for a while, Zhang Ganggang finally found one he liked and sent it to Rou Rou. He didn’t feel comfortable sending his own photos to her, so he picked one that was just of the snow scene, with a caption underneath.

 

“Today, Xie Meng and I had a snowball fight, and our class won!”

 

After sending the text, Zhang Ganggang felt nervous. While he sipped his bubble tea, he anxiously awaited Rou Rou’s reply.

 

“Sounds great! I didn’t have time to have a snowball fight.”

 

Zhang Ganggang started grinning foolishly again. Xie Meng, without his scarf, could only raise the collar of his coat, looking at Zhang Ganggang with a mix of amusement and exasperation.

 

“Goddess replied to me,” Zhang Ganggang happily said, handing the remaining bubble tea to Xie Meng. “Drink up, warm yourself.”

 

Sighing, Xie Meng cupped the tea in his hands, watching as Zhang Ganggang earnestly typed out a reply.

 

“What should I say back?” Zhang Ganggang asked. “Should I ask her to have a snowball fight together next time?”

 

Xie Meng pondered for a moment. “She’s probably busy with her studies at S High. Maybe she doesn’t have time.”

 

“True,” Zhang Ganggang agreed. “Then should I reply, telling her to take care not to get too tired?”

 

“…” Xie Meng actually had no experience in appeasing girlfriends.

 

Completely immersed in the troubles of teenage love, Zhang Ganggang spent a long time editing a text message before sending it out.

 

Xie Meng’s car had arrived. He said goodbye to Zhang Ganggang. Still immersed in typing his reply, Zhang Ganggang didn’t even waste time on a farewell. Helpless, Xie Meng shook his head and got into the car.

 

The snow began to fall again.

 

The bus moved twice as slowly as usual. Xie Meng watched as the street lamps lit up one by one. The gentle snowflakes under the lights softly landed on the ground. Shantang Street was quieter than usual. The stall selling small wontons at the end of the bridge was also preparing to close.

 

As the snow fell heavier, Xie Meng stepped off the bus and soon was covered in snow. He lowered his head, with a thin layer of frost accumulating on his eyelashes.

 

Bridges and houses along the riverbanks, boats docked on the stone slabs, and the riverside homes and shops were adorned with lanterns. Xie Meng walked across the stone arch bridge. Amidst the snowflakes drifting around, the lights on both sides were reflected brightly in the water.

 

Zhang Xiujian held an umbrella. She wore a Republic of China-style jacket with a pleated skirt, embroidered cotton shoes under her large hem.

 

“Let me,” Xie Meng took the umbrella handle from her. “I’ll hold it.”

 

Zhang Xiujian brushed off the snowflakes from his body, took off her shawl, and covered her grandson’s head with it. “It’s rare to have such heavy snow. Even I, an old woman, came out to enjoy the scenery.”

 

Xie Meng pulled down the shawl and wrapped it around his cheeks. Snow stuck to his eyebrows and eyelashes, as if melting would reveal a pool of spring water at the bottom of his eyes.

 

Xie Meng draped half of his shawl over his grandmother’s shoulders. “We can build a snowman in the yard tomorrow.”

 

Zhang Xiujian smiled. “I’m already so old.”

 

Xie Meng didn’t say anything, gently rubbing his cheek against Zhang Xiujian’s white hair.

 

Upon learning that Ji Qinyang had ordered a drum set to be delivered home, Mo Suyuan’s immediate reaction was to arrange for a larger music room for her son.

 

Ji Shanrong sighed. “You spoil him too much.”

 

Mo Suyuan didn’t think so. “I don’t intervene much in his usual affairs. Having hobbies is a good thing. Didn’t I support your hobbies too?”

 

Ji Shanrong had nothing to say. The Mo family had been tea merchants for generations in Jiangnan, with tea fields in Dongshan and substantial annual income. Mo Suyuan, being the sole inheritor, took disciples on her own and didn’t force her son to inherit the family business.

 

“I could have given up anything to marry you back then,” Mo Suyuan handed Ji Shanrong a cup of tea. She was wearing a qipao, her figure graceful, with hardly any trace of aging on her face. “If the elders can be forgiving, why be harsh on the younger generation?”

 

Ji Shanrong, having dealt with rocks his entire life, naturally couldn’t argue with his wife. He wrote a few words for himself and hung them in his study, summarizing his life simply and comprehensively:

 

“Read ten thousand books, travel ten thousand miles, find a virtuous wife, and maintain family harmony.”

 

Ji Shanrong drank his tea and sincerely praised his wife. “You are my virtuous wife.”

 

Mo Suyuan smiled. “And you are my good husband.”

 

The day before the final exams, Ji Qinyang was still in the music room, not studying. Mo Suyuan and Ji Shanrong went to the mountains for some private time together. Apart from hiring a cleaner, they left their son alone, which Ji Qinyang had grown accustomed to.

 

Xie Meng’s scarf was neatly folded and placed next to the drum set. Ji Qinyang leaned back, earplugs in, tapping his legs to a beat.

 

The phone rang three times in succession. It wasn’t until the fourth time that Ji Qinyang somewhat impatiently answered it.

 

“Studying for exams?” Qi Fei didn’t mind that Ji Qinyang hadn’t answered his previous calls. He prided himself on his perseverance and persistence. “Want to come out for a snack?”

 

Ji Qinyang flicked the headphone wire, casually asking, “With who?”

 

Qi Fei replied, “Just a few people.”

 

Ji Qinyang chuckled. “Sun Tian came looking for you.”

 

Qi Fei felt awkward. “She just wants to make amends with you… Can’t I have a chance?”

 

Ji Qinyang interrupted him. “She sent someone to provoke Yin Luoxue. Did she think I wouldn’t find out?”

 

Qi Fei was stunned. “I thought you… about Yin Luoxue…”

 

“There are two separate matters,” Ji Qinyang cut him off. “I know what Yin Luoxue wants to do, but at least she’s not malicious. Tell Sun Tian, a breakup is a breakup. Don’t make a scene.”

 

Qi Fei sighed. “Alright, don’t be angry. How about coming out for a game?”

 

Ji Qinyang remained silent.

 

Knowing there was little hope, Qi Fei finally said, “See you at the exam hall tomorrow,” before hanging up.

 

Ji Qinyang tossed his phone aside in annoyance, which happened to land on Xie Meng’s scarf. After a moment’s thought, he picked it up again.

 

The album was filled with photos taken on the snowy day, mostly taken by Qi Fei: various goofy expressions of Class 5, inexplicable snowscapes, and many shots that were out of focus. There was even one of Zhang Ganggang with only half of his face visible, and numerous silhouettes of people Ji Qinyang didn’t recognize. Ji Qinyang deleted as he browsed until he saw the photo of himself and Xie Meng.

 

Ji Qinyang asked Xie Meng, “Want to take one together?”

 

Xie Meng glanced at him and nodded. “Sure.”

 

They stood close together, their heads almost touching. Ji Qinyang wore Xie Meng’s scarf around his neck. Xie Meng looked expressionless at the camera. Behind them was the snow that seemed to connect heaven and earth.

 

Clear skies for the young, and a perfect moment in time.