February 17th, or January 29th on the lunar calendar.
Xu Si looked at the three people at his doorstep: “Why are you all here?”
Jiang Qiang waved the red couplets and small lanterns in her hand: “We’re here to bring you these.”
Yang Shikun smiled: “Si Ge, how can you not have red couplets for the New Year!” He showed the drinks and snacks in his hand: “Of course, we can’t forget these!”
Hao Ming was also carrying a bag of groceries: “Can’t be without supplies for the New Year.”
Xu Si’s refrigerator was packed full.
Yang Shikun held up the couplets at the door: “Big head big head, can we put it here?”
“It’s crooked, move it to the side a bit.”
Jiang Qiang and Xu Si were putting up other decorations inside.
The four of them spent quite a while before finishing all the decorations.
Jiang Qiang hung the two strings of small red lanterns at the door, completing the setup.
Yang Shikun leaned back on the sofa: “Si Ge, I won’t be able to come around for a while, have to visit lots of relatives during New Year.”
Hao Ming: “Same here.”
Jiang Qiang: “I probably won’t be visiting relatives.”
Yang Shikun: “Si Ge, you don’t mind if we mooch a meal off you?”
“Not at all.”
Yang Shikun slapped Hao Ming: “Let our most virtuous man show us his skills.”
“Get lost.” Though he cursed, Hao Ming still took the groceries to the kitchen.
Yang Shikun had barely entered when he was chased out: “Don’t come in and make trouble.”
“Fine, fine, no trouble.”
Jiang Qiang and Xu Si went in to help, and Yang Shikun followed to join the fun.
Jiang Qiang was cutting vegetables when Xu Si, worried she’d cut her fingers, said: “Let me do it.”
Watching Xu Si skillfully cut vegetables, Yang Shikun was curious: “Si Ge, how come you all know how to cut vegetables, and I’m the only one who can’t do anything?”
“Because you’re useless.” Hao Ming turned back to insult him while cooking.
“Get lost, Big Head, you think you’re so great?”
Hao Ming glared back: “Don’t eat a single bite later then.”
“That won’t do.” Yang Shikun eagerly moved closer, saying: “I may be cheap, but I still need to eat.”
“Get lost.”
…
Looking at the four dishes and soup on the table, Yang Shikun rubbed his hands: “Si Ge, Jiang Scholar, try it. Big Head may not look reliable, but he cooks really well.”
Hao Ming: Just pretend you’re complimenting me.
Jiang Qiang tried a bite: “It really is delicious.”
Xu Si also said: “Tastes good.”
Hao Ming scratched his head embarrassedly, then smiled.
Yang Shikun grinned: “At least this New Year I won’t have to eat belt-fried shredded meat, I’m so happy!”
Hao Ming laughed at him: “You’re easily pleased.”
Even Jiang Qiang couldn’t help but laugh.
…
After dinner, Xu Si saw everyone off.
The previously lively room became empty again.
He looked at the red couplets on the wall and the red calendar and Year of the Goat designs inside.
Though the room was still spacious, at least it had some New Year atmosphere now.
…
On New Year’s Eve.
Families reunited.
Festive scenes surrounded everywhere.
Auntie Liu made a full table of dishes that day.
They had invited Jiang Zhixu to come eat, but she was suddenly called back for an urgent order.
Jiang Qiang looked at the dishes on the table, but her mind wandered to what A-Xu would eat, what Xu Si would eat alone at home.
Jiang Zhien kept putting food on Jiang Qiang’s plate: “Qiangqiang, eat more, you’re too thin.”
“Thank you, Dad.”
Though they were family, the four people seemed somewhat distant and overly polite.
Jiang Qiang looked toward Auntie Liu who was still busy in the kitchen: “Auntie Liu, come join us.”
Auntie Liu wiped her hands on her apron, smiling: “I won’t join, I’ll just eat something later, still have a soup to make.”
Tian Ling looked at her: “It’s just three people, we don’t need so many dishes. Auntie Liu, come eat.”
Only then did Auntie Liu join the table, getting herself chopsticks and bowls.
She had been with the Jiang family for seventeen years.
She was hired as a nanny when Jiang Qiang was just born and stayed for over a decade.
She couldn’t have children and was rejected by her former in-laws, divorcing early.
All these years, she saw Jiang Qiang as her own daughter.
Tian Ling watched Jiang Qiang eating silently, not knowing what to say.
Auntie Liu broke the awkward silence: “Qiangqiang ranked second in the whole school, and first in her class.”
Jiang Zhien: “Qiangqiang is amazing.”
Tian Ling also chimed in: “Qiangqiang is wonderful.”
Jiang Qiang just said “It’s okay” and fell silent.
“I’ll transfer five thousand yuan to Qiangqiang as a reward for ranking second in school. New Year’s money will be given as usual tomorrow,” Jiang Zhien said while reaching for his phone.
Jiang Qiang shook her head: “No need, I have money.”
“This is Dad’s way of showing care, just accept it.”
“Alright then.”
The meal was somewhat awkward.
Jiang Qiang returned to her room after eating.
She received a message from Jiang Zhixu.
Jiang Zhixu was out dining with colleagues. She smiled seeing the photo of the bright, laughing girl.
She ordered takeout for Xu Si.
She couldn’t help but smile at Xu Si’s messages.
Xu Si: Teacher really cares for me, ordering so many dishes just for me.
[Jiang Qiang]: Eat well.
…
Near midnight.
The Spring Festival Gala continued.
The TV hosts were counting down.
“Ten.”
“Nine.”
“Eight.”
…
“One.”
“Happy New Year!”
Jiang Qiang received messages from Xu Si, followed by Jiang Zhixu, Yang Shikun, Hao Ming, and Luo Xing.
Jiang Qiang replied Happy New Year to each of them.
In their group chat of four, Yang Shikun sent a red envelope.
[Yang Shikun]: Red envelope.
[Yang Shikun]: Happy New Year!
Everyone got several dozen yuan, but Jiang Qiang only got three yuan fifty.
[Yang Shikun]: Hahaha, who has such bad luck? Three yuan fifty hahahahaha, I’m dying laughing, you unlucky one, hahahahahaha.
Yang Shikun’s message was recalled within seconds.
Jiang Qiang stared blankly at his recalled message.
Then she received messages from Xu Si.
Xu Si: Red envelope.
Xu Si: Red envelope.
Xu Si: Red envelope.
Xu Si: Red envelope.
Xu Si: Don’t grab red envelopes from his group, I’ll send you privately.
Jiang Qiang looked at his four red envelopes and couldn’t help smiling, then opened the first one.
Seeing it was 200 yuan, she didn’t open the second one.
[Jiang Qiang]: I won’t open the rest. Happy New Year!
Xu Si: These red envelopes are meant for teacher, quickly take them.
Only then did Jiang Qiang accept the other three red envelopes.
She sent Xu Si a message.
[Jiang Qiang]: I have something for you tomorrow.
Xu Si: What a coincidence, I have a gift for teacher too.
They chatted for a while before Xu Si urged Jiang Qiang to go to sleep.
Leave a Reply