Times of Our Lives - Chapter 47
Xie Meng spent two months completing all the work handovers in Beijing. The headhunter in Suzhou also sent the interview results from the new company, and he would officially start at the end of the year as expected.
Ji Qinyang had already packed up the large musical instruments and sent them back. The house was rented until the end of the month. After booking the flight tickets, he invited Xiong Baobao out for a meal and drinks.
“Come to my film set,” Xiong Baobao said, the noise in the background was deafening. “I’m so busy here that I’m almost flying. Bring some beer, and we’ll drink on set.”
Ji Qinyang asked, “… What about food?”
Xiong Baobao replied, “We have boxed meals on set. One meat and two vegetables. The food is really good.”
Xie Meng and Ji Qinyang took the drinks to Xiong Baobao’s film set, where they indeed received two boxed meals and sat in front of the camera with Xiong Baobao to eat.
Xiong Baobao turned on the camera and said, “We’re documenting the real life of a Beijing drifter.”
“Let’s interview the great music producer, Mr. Ji Qinyang,” Xiong Baobao said, using a spoon as a microphone and holding it up to Ji Qinyang. “How does it feel after eight years in Beijing?”
Ji Qinyang cooperatively leaned toward the spoon. Clearing his throat, he said seriously, “I’ve learned a lot, faced many setbacks, but gained even more.”
“Too official,” Xiong Baobao complained, scrunching his face. “You’re on the podium now, give us something with more impact.”
Ji Qinyang raised his eyebrows, turned around, and kissed Xie Meng’s face firmly.
“… Cut! Cut! That doesn’t count! Do it again!!”
Xie Meng laughed uncontrollably. Xiong Baobao actually re-recorded it, complaining behind the camera, “Ji Qinyang, you ate all the vegetables! It’s already this time, you’re still being willful! Watch out for Xie Meng not supporting you!”
Ji Qinyang, looking embarrassed, had to finish all the green leafy vegetables in his boxed meal, while Xie Meng laughed and rubbed the back of his head.
Xiong Baobao focused on the camera and asked, “After deciding to return to Suzhou, what was the feeling at that moment?”
Ji Qinyang pondered for a moment, while Xie Meng looked back at him.
“Like a migratory bird weary of flying,” Ji Qinyang said softly with a smile. “The wanderer finally returns home.”
When Mo Sujuan learned that her son was coming back, she didn’t express much, until Ji Qinyang and the others landed. She sent a text saying the instruments had been packed and sent to Xie Meng’s house.
Ji Qinyang was amused, while Xie Meng found it funny and joked, “It’s like you’re moving into our house.”
“So,” Ji Qinyang said, hugging Xie Meng’s shoulders while replying to the message, “I’m now penniless, without a car, a house, health insurance, or retirement funds. You can’t abandon me.”
Xie Meng glanced at him, “Am I on a pirate ship?”
Ji Qinyang raised an eyebrow, “Regret it, Captain?”
“Regret what?” Xie Meng smiled, “Such emotions are too complex. I might need a lifetime to sort them out.”
Zhang Xiujuan’s old house had remained untouched behind Shantang Street. Xie Meng and Ji Qinyang spent a whole day cleaning both inside and out. They went grocery shopping together and then took a walk around Shantang Street, discovering many new stores.
With the New Year approaching, red lanterns had already been hung on both sides of the riverbank. The black-tiled roofs were covered with snow, and the sound of oars and songs from the river boats was distant and clear.
Ji Qinyang sat on the bluestone slabs, wearing headphones, tapping his fingers on his legs. Xie Meng bought some stinky tofu and sat next to him, eating slowly.
On the way back, Xie Meng asked Ji Qinyang, “So, any inspiration?”
Ji Qinyang held his hand, swaying as they walked, humming various tunes but not speaking.
Xie Meng didn’t press further. After listening to Ji Qinyang hum for a while, he suddenly said, “The many songs you wrote for me could actually be used, posted online, and Xiong Baobao and Zheng Ming could help with the promotion.”
Ji Qinyang was taken aback and laughed, “Those? Even if I die, I don’t plan to use those to gain fame.”
Xie Meng frowned, “?”
Ji Qinyang said淡淡道, “Those songs are written for you, just for you.”
A few days before the New Year, Ji Qinyang contacted Qi Fei and Zhuo Xiaoyuan. Zhang Ganggang and Han Dong had to spend the last New Year in the Middle East, so only the four men could gather.
On New Year’s Eve morning, Xie Meng’s home was visited by an unexpected guest.
Gu Meiyan, dressed in a short skirt and a sweater with a leather jacket over it, and high boots, stood at the gate with a regal air.
Xie Meng: “…”
Gu Meiyan flipped her long hair, “Hi~”
Ji Qinyang looked behind her, “Where’s Qi Fei?”
“He went to buy wine,” Gu Meiyan began moving things in. Xie Meng noticed a few more people were following her.
“You don’t need to worry,” she stopped Xie Meng from helping. “Let them bring everything in. My chef has prepared the New Year’s Eve feast. We have everything—flying, running, swimming.”
Xie Meng couldn’t help but laugh, “You just needed to come; why bring so much?”
Gu Meiyan neatly tied up her hair, “I’m from the family, I have to show proper respect.” She extended her hand to Xie Meng, “Gu Meiyan, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
“Hello, Meiyan,” Xie Meng shook her hand and smiled, “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
When Qi Fei returned with the wine, Gu Meiyan had already set the dishes. He was urged by his wife to open the wine, and they bickered like a typical adorable couple.
When Zhuo Xiaoyuan arrived, the last dish was just being served. Xie Meng instinctively looked towards the gate when he heard the noise. Zhuo Xiaoyuan was standing there, his hair longer, his figure tall, with the same slightly mischievous handsomeness, and his eyes full of smiles.
In that moment, it felt like eight years had passed in an instant.
The snow from the previous night hadn’t melted yet, lying on the black tiles and eaves. The handsome young man stood at the gate, smiling at Xie Meng.
“Let’s celebrate the New Year together. I don’t eat for free.”
Ji Qinyang and Zhuo Xiaoyuan bumped fists. Zhuo Xiaoyuan sat next to Xie Meng and observed, “You haven’t changed much.”
Xie Meng poured him some wine, “You haven’t changed much either. How have you been lately?”
“In the hospital,” Zhuo Xiaoyuan pulled out a cigarette, asking Qi Fei for a lighter. “How can it be any better? Same old night shifts, busy all day.”
Gu Meiyan complained, “You come to my house for a meal, and it’s either full or hungry. Your stomach will be ruined, and you’re a doctor yourself.”
Zhuo Xiaoyuan smoked, resting his thumb against his temple, and grinned, “It’s worse at your place. Being tortured by public displays of affection. Do you think I’m stupid?”
Qi Fei kicked him, and they clinked glasses, both drinking in one gulp.
Ji Qinyang, known for his good drinking capacity, drank openly this time. The three of them quickly finished a bottle of white wine. Zhuo Xiaoyuan was surprised, “Impressive, not even a change in complexion. When did you train for this?”
Ji Qinyang smiled silently, signaling Xie Meng to open the red wine.
Gu Meiyan took photos with her phone and suddenly exclaimed, “Ah!”
“What’s wrong?” Qi Fei leaned in, patting his wife’s head, “What did you see?”
Gu Meiyan excitedly said, “Ganggang posted on Weibo. Come and see.”
Everyone became interested. They gathered around her phone to see Zhang Ganggang’s Weibo page, which had indeed been updated just a few minutes ago.
The vast blue sky with no clouds, Han Dong squatting on the ground with a slightly impatient expression looking at the camera. Below was Zhang Ganggang’s caption.
“Happy New Year! Mr. Han, smile!”