Chapter 16
“Well,” Jiang Zhong rinsed the foam from his mouth, “I’m going back. My mom just messaged me yesterday, asking me to come home for New Year’s.”
Xi Qin: “…Oh.”
‘Damn, I was a step too late.’
“Is something wrong?” Jiang Zhong removed his face towel and dampened it with warm water.
“No, just asking.”
“Aren’t you going back?” Jiang Zhong thought for a moment, “It seems like you haven’t gone home at all this semester.”
“Yeah.” Xi Qin glanced at Jiang Zhong, “My younger brother is in his senior year of high school this year. I’m afraid that if I go back, I’ll end up hitting him. If he does poorly on his exams, he’ll blame me.”
“Why is your younger brother so annoying?” Jiang Zhong said angrily, “He’s in his senior year and still doesn’t know how to behave?”
Xi Qin was silent for a while and then suddenly burst into laughter: “Why don’t you think it’s me who’s bullying him?”
“You don’t seem like that kind of person.”
Jiang Zhong didn’t know why Xi Qin had a half-brother who was just three years younger than him. He only felt that Xi Qin was the one being bullied and couldn’t help but comfort him: “It’s okay. Many people who go to college out of town don’t go home for an entire semester. Just think of yourself like them.”
“Okay,” Xi Qin replied.
Hearing Xi Qin’s obedient response made Jiang Zhong feel even more distressed. He patted Xi Qin’s shoulder again like a concerned father: “Don’t worry, I’ll always believe in you.”
Xi Qin was deeply touched and whispered, “Jiang Zhong, if you keep doing this…” ‘I might really not be able to hold back.’
Jiang Zhong mistakenly thought that Xi Qin didn’t like being patted on the shoulder. He awkwardly laughed a couple of times and went into the dormitory: “I’m done washing up.”
—
On December 31st, after his classes, Jiang Zhong first put his books back in the dormitory, switched his backpack for a crossbody bag that Xi Qin had given him on his birthday, and packed his data cables and other essentials. He was all set to head home.
Before leaving, Jiang Zhong smiled at Deng Letian and said, “Remember to tell us if there’s any new development.”
Deng Letian had successfully arranged a dinner date with the girl he liked for New Year’s Day. He even rushed to buy a new outfit online for the occasion.
Don’t ask how Jiang Zhong knew this, it was because Deng Letian consulted Jiang Zhong, the best dresser in their dorm, before placing the order.
After all, Jiang Zhong was a ‘campus star’ in high school and had put a lot of effort into fashion.
“Hope so,” Deng Letian nodded.
“Then we’re leaving,” Jiang Zhong said, and after a brief farewell to Deng Letian and Xiao Yuan, he and Xi Qin, who was waiting to leave the campus with him, departed from the dormitory.
When Jiang Zhong took a taxi home, it was already completely dark outside, in contrast to the bright lights at home.
Jiang Zhong used his key to open the door. Not seeing anyone in the living room, he went straight to the kitchen and, as expected, found his mother, Zheng Yinqiu.
Mother Jiang, whose full name is Zheng Yinqiu, is a decisive and strong woman who is also a loving wife and mother. She is passionate about her work and enjoys cooking.
Unfortunately, she has struggled to balance her career and family life. The demanding nature of her job often leaves her with little time to spend with her son.
Jiang Zhong had complained about this when he was younger, but as he grew up, he began to understand the frustrations of adulthood.
His parents provided him with a comfortable life and financial security, for which he is grateful. He also feels sympathy for their hard work.
Whenever she has the chance, Mother Jiang always cooks his favorite dishes.
Though he lacked companionship growing up, he never lacked love.
“Mom, I’m back.”
Zheng Yinqiu was serving food when she heard his voice. She turned with a smile, set down the plate, and opened her arms to Jiang Zhong: “My son is back! It’s been a while. Come here and let Mom give you a hug.”
Jiang Zhong smiled and went over to hug Zheng Yinqiu.
Zheng Yinqiu loved to express her affection physically. When Jiang Zhong was young, she would squeeze and hold him tightly.
As Jiang Zhong grew older, stronger, and taller, it became him hugging her instead.
“Go take a shower and rest for a bit,” Zheng Yinqiu said after their embrace. She turned back to continue serving food. “We’ll eat when your dad gets home.”
“When will Dad be back?”
“He’ll be here soon. He called me just before you arrived and said he was off work already.”
Jiang Zhong nodded and went upstairs to his room to shower and change.
While he was getting dressed, he heard the sound of a car pulling in. When he went downstairs, he saw his father, Father Jiang, just entering the hall.
Zheng Yinqiu was asking for a hug from him.
Jiang Zhong waited for a moment, until his father had finished hugging his mother and kissing her on the forehead, before pretending he hadn’t seen anything and went downstairs.
“Dad,” Jiang Zhong greeted him.
“Back already?” Father Jiang said with a smile in his eyes. “How have you been recently?”
Jiang Zhong replied, “… Pretty good. I heard from Mom that you had some neck pain. Are you okay?”
Father Jiang responded, “It’s nothing serious, just from sitting too long. It’s much better now.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“Oh, you two never stop, do you?” Zheng Yinqiu couldn’t watch any longer. “Jiang Chengye, you haven’t seen our son for a while. Aren’t you going to give him a hug?”
Father Jiang cleared his throat awkwardly.
Jiang Zhong suppressed a laugh and took the initiative to gently hug his father’s shoulder.
Father Jiang, named Jiang Chengye, is a serious businessman who also dotes on his wife and son. His tenderness is mostly reserved for Zheng Yinqiu, and Jiang Zhong has only glimpsed a small part of it.
Jiang Zhong had received similar tender treatment from his father when he was younger, but as he grew up, Jiang Chengye seemed either embarrassed or something else, and their conversations became very formal and stiff.
“Alright, dinner’s ready. Jiang Zhong, go wash your hands,” Zheng Yinqiu instructed.
Zheng Yinqiu had prepared many dishes, all of which Jiang Zhong and Father Jiang liked.
However, after years of careful observation, Jiang Zhong realized that many of the things Father Jiang liked to eat were actually the ones Zheng Yinqiu preferred.
Thinking of this, Jiang Zhong suddenly thought of Xi Qin.
He had always felt that Xi Qin’s taste was very similar to his own, but after the last time…
Xi Qin clearly knew his likes and dislikes, managing to cook dishes he liked while avoiding those he didn’t. Jiang Zhong wasn’t sure if the truth was as he thought.
“Son?” Zheng Yinqiu called out again. “What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing,” Jiang Zhong came back to his senses. “What’s up?”
“I was just asking which day you’re off.”
“January 15th.”
Zheng Yinqiu nodded. “Then your dad and I will find some time to go out with you. Last time during National Day, your foot injury delayed us. Is there anywhere you want to go?”
“Not really,” Jiang Zhong said. “You don’t have to find extra time. Isn’t the end of the year the busiest time? It’s fine if you can just spend time with me at home when you’re free.”
After dinner, Father Jiang took Zheng Yinqiu out for a walk to help with digestion.
Leaving Jiang Zhong alone at home… to wash the dishes!
【Jiang Zhong: Are they being unreasonable, torturing their own son like this?】
When Xi Qin received Jiang Zhong’s message, he was also tidying up takeout boxes.
【Xi Qin: Uncle and Auntie have a really good relationship】
【Jiang Zhong: That’s true】
【Jiang Zhong: It’s just that both of them are a bit busy, so there isn’t much time to spend together】
【Xi Qin: Everyone has different pursuits】
【Jiang Zhong: Although I envy them, I still hope my future partner won’t be so busy】
Xi Qin read this message and repeatedly typed and deleted it in the chat box.
After several attempts, he finally typed out a satisfactory response and was about to click send.
【Jiang Zhong: Forget it, I’m going to wash the dishes】
Xi Qin deleted it again.
【Xi Qin: Alright, go ahead】
Jiang Zhong turned off his phone screen and tossed it onto the sofa with a sigh of resignation.
Once again, the familiar “the other party is typing” appeared.
Father Jiang and Zheng Yinqiu hadn’t been out for a long walk. They returned just after Jiang Zhong finished washing the dishes.
“It’s so cold outside,” Zheng Yinqiu said as she took off her coat after coming inside. “It’s much more comfortable at home.”
“Yeah,” Father Jiang said as he helped her hang up the coat. “It might snow later.”
Zheng Yinqiu, thinking it had been a while since she last saw Jiang Zhong, insisted on watching a movie with him.
When the plot became less engaging, Zheng Yinqiu couldn’t help but ask Jiang Zhong, “Son, have you started dating anyone?”
Jiang Zhong: “…”
Why bring this up suddenly when they’re watching a comedy?
Jiang Zhong replied, “No.”
“That shouldn’t be,” Zheng Yinqiu thought. Nowadays, kids start dating in middle or high school, right? She and Father Jiang had never strictly forbidden Jiang Zhong from dating early, so why hadn’t he been in a relationship?
Such a handsome face wasted.
“Is there a right or wrong about dating?” Jiang Zhong didn’t want Zheng Yinqiu to bring up his girlfriend again. “I’m not even 20 yet, you’re not starting to push for marriage, are you?”
“No, Mom was just asking,” Zheng Yinqiu said.
She thought for a moment and continued, “But you could start dating now.”
Both Father Jiang and Zheng Yinqiu were very perceptive, and Jiang Zhong, fearing saying too much would lead to mistakes, replied, “If I meet someone I like and who’s suitable, then I’ll date them naturally.”
As Father Jiang mentioned, it did snow that night, just as the new year arrived.
Jiang Zhong learned about it from Xi Qin.
He was already in bed, ready to sleep, when he received a call from Xi Qin right after putting down his phone.
“Hello, Xi Qin?”
“It’s snowing,” Xi Qin’s voice came clearly through the phone. “It’s snowing here at school. Has it started snowing at your place?”
“Let me check,” Jiang Zhong replied. With the curtains drawn in his room, he got up and lifted a corner. “It’s snowing here too, looks pretty heavy.”
Snowflakes fell from the sky and melted on the leaves, grass, and the cement-paved paths.
“I was going to send you a picture if it wasn’t snowing at your place,” Xi Qin said.
Jiang Zhong laughed. “Why go through all that trouble? It’s not like it’s the only snowfall. If it hadn’t snowed here, I’d see it when I get back to school.”
“It’s different,” Xi Qin insisted. “It’s different.”
“How is it different?”
“Tonight is New Year’s Eve. Tomorrow morning will be the new year.”
Just as Jiang Zhong was about to speak, he heard cheers from outside. The nearby villas were loudly counting down.
Feeling the moment, Jiang Zhong glanced at his phone.
About two seconds later, the time on his phone screen changed from December 31, 20xx 11:59 PM to January 1, 20xx 12:00 AM.
Jiang Zhong’s heart raced with the change of time. He quickly put the phone back to his ear and said to Xi Qin, “There’s no need to wait until tomorrow morning. It’s already the new year. Happy New Year!”
Xi Qin responded with a smile, “Happy New Year!”
After that, both fell into silence. Jiang Zhong could hear the faint sound of Xi Qin’s breathing on the other end.
Almost a minute passed.
“Jiang Zhong,” Xi Qin said very seriously, “Do you think the foundation of our relationship is solid enough?”
Jiang Zhong opened his mouth but couldn’t speak. His heart pounded again, and his breathing grew rapid.
Xi Qin spoke again, “I made a New Year’s wish just now. Can you help me fulfill it?”
“What… what wish?” Jiang Zhong asked with difficulty.
“Can you help me fulfill it?” Xi Qin pressed.
Jiang Zhong tried hard to steady his voice, “You have to tell me what it is before I can know if I can do it.”
“You can,” Xi Qin said. “I wish that Jiang Zhong can be my boyfriend.”