Pandora’s Box

Since then, I happily and frequently went out to ride my bicycle in the park, accompanied by old men and women, racing with elementary students.

Although my way of life was getting mundane, I had to say that this was the healthiest period of my life.

Time passed peacefully and soon, it was the Mid-Autumn Festival.

In previous years, I had no attachments to holidays and was insensitive to them. At the end of the day, there was nothing to celebrate. Weren’t festivals an excuse for businesses to trick masses into spending more money? I was already spending money in various ways on weekdays so was it going to be any different due to holidays?

But with this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival, I was full of anticipation like never before. The school was on holiday (in previous years, I gave myself a holiday everyday anyways). Everyone would gather to eat and drink, and thinking about it made me very happy.

If shopping was needed for lanterns or the like, we wouldn’t join in on the fun. None of us liked to be in crowds, as we were all rough men. We lacked the idea of “when glancing back, that person remained in the dimly lit place” romantic feeling.

In order for Cheng Yichen to rest, the only activity we participated in was making an appointment for a door-to-door service from a famous barbecue restaurant on the day of the festival.

Was there anything more realistic and satisfying than this!

After the last two classes of the day before the festival, holiday mode would be activated. I asked Yuan Keke, “By the way, Mid-Autumn Festival is tomorrow so do you still have to work in a restaurant?”

“I’m not going,” Yuan Keke replied lifelessly, “I’ve been catching colds repeatedly recently. The store manager was afraid of me spreading it to the customers so he asked me to take a few days off and didn’t arrange a shift for me.”

“So, how are you going to celebrate the holiday?”

“How else can I? I’ll go the library.”

“…..” An honor’s student life was so plain and boring.

I said, “Don’t be so strict. You catch a cold every now and then since you don’t have enough rest. Your body’s resistance is too weak. Go out and relax during the holidays. Don’t you have dinner in your dormitory?”

She said angrily, “What am I gathering for? I haven’t made any money so how can I spend?”

I touched my nose. After a while, Yuan Keke said, “I’m sorry, I’m a little frustrated.”

“No,” I comforted her, “you were always so fierce.”

“…..”

“What’s wrong? Did someone harass you again?”

She shook her head, “No, there’s nothing wrong. I’m just a little tired from having a cold for a while. I really hate the holidays.”

“Ah?”

“I have to deal with family worries during the holidays. I have to call my family tomorrow night. They will definitely worry about me and ask if I had a good holiday, if I hung out with my classmates, and if I’ve eaten delicious food.”

“I can only eat instant noodles by myself and tell them with a smile that my place is very good, the food is delicious, and I have a lot of fun.”

“It’s really nothing. Beijing instant noodles are delicious,” she said, “It’s just that I have to pretend to be lively, full of emotions, and lie with my mouth while worrying that they will notice. Well, it’s a bit tiring. It’s better if it’s not a holiday.”

She was quiet for a moment, sniffing before saying, “It’s annoying to have a cold.”

From the time I knew her to the present, it appeared that she never returned home once. The train ride took too long, the high speed rail was too expensive, and the airport was too far away from her hometown. She would have to travel back and forth for a long time to get back to that small county.

Regardless if it was money or time, “going home” was too much for her. After all, one could still earn a bit of money by staying in T City during the holidays.

For someone who had to earn tuition fees by herself and send money to her younger sister in middle school back home, how was it possible for her to really miss home?

Although I had a similar experience of staying in a foreign country for two years without returning to my home country, I really didn’t have the face to tell her about it.

My worry-free days of spending money, playing, and frolicking every night without thinking about work was not the same as Yuan Keke leaving her home.

I scratched my head.

“Why don’t you come over to our house for dinner tomorrow night? You will like it when we eat barbecue on Mid-Autumn festival. By the way, your idol Zhuo Wenyang will also be there!”

She was a little surprised, “Me?”

“That’s right, come. There are only so many people. Including you, there are only six people. We ordered a serving for 8-10 people.”

In order to accommodate Lu Feng’s massive appetite and my big stomach, who could support a bed, it was better to prepare a lot of food in case there wasn’t enough to eat.

“We don’t know each other. It’s not appropriate to go there and eat for no reason,” she said, “Also, didn’t I tell you not to be dumb and be too generous to others? It’s not your home. What about the mess? Is this paid by you?”

“Ah, it’s not my family but they’re like my family,” I said boldly, “Uncle Chen doesn’t treat me like an outsider so why would I treat myself as one?”

Yuan Keke was stunned by my cheekiness.

“If you don’t believe me, I’ll call Uncle Chen now.”

Cheng Yichen quickly answered, “What’s the matter, Xiao Jing?”

I voiced it out, “Uncle Chen, can I bring a classmate to have dinner with me tomorrow night? It’s just that Yuan Keke doesn’t have anything to do by herself during the holidays and so, I want us to have fun together. If it’s inconvenient, then I won’t force it.”

“Oh? Is that your friend?” Cheng Yichen spoke clearly, “Of course, it’s fine and it’s not an inconvenience. Tell me what she likes to eat and I’ll add it to the menu later. Remember to tell me if she has dislikes.”

I hung up the phone and Yuan Keke was speechless.

“Still worried? Zhuo Wenyang knows you, and I’ve mentioned you to Uncle Chen. Isn’t it normal to have a classmate over for a meal at home? No one is that small minded, caring about your little self coming over,” I said, “The only thing is that they are all men so hopefully, you don’t mind.”

I patted my chest, “But don’t worry. Although they are all old men, no one will have any inappropriate thoughts towards you!”

“…..” Yuan Keke seemingly wanted to hit someone.

“By the way, don’t bring anything for politeness. You’re so poor, what can you bring?”

“…..” Yuan Keke picked up her textbook and began to beat me with it aggressively.

This evening, we barbecued on the big terrace of the top floor. Two assistants, man and woman, came early with their equipment from the barbecue store.

The terrace was spacious with a comfortable shed set up, tables and chairs arranged, and barbecue grills properly placed. The lights were bright and transparent. Around this time, any indication of heat and dryness dissipated and replaced with the most cooling temperature that wasn’t cold. The bright moon lit up the sky, the night wind was cool, and the air was filled with essence of happiness.

The charcoal fire burned, and the warm and inviting aroma gradually permeated amongst the busyness of shop assistants.

Lu Feng accompanied Cheng Yichen in watching a historical drama he liked to watch recently on the computer. Zhuo Wenyang was recording a video while Ke Luo was studiously discussing meat quality and barbecue techniques with the assistant. I brought out my new favorite bicycle and showed off my improved riding skills.

I did not bother to question why we could do whatever we wanted here without the fear of disturbing residents downstairs.

Lu Feng already bought out the entire top floor so that Cheng Yichen could venture to the top of the building to enjoy the scenery, and take a walk at any time without psychological pressure. How annoyng was that?

Yuan Keke hesitated and finally sent a message to tell me that she was coming. When I went down to pick her up, she was obviously shy. Fortunately, this place wasn’t a mansion. Otherwise, I would have to persuade her to get inside from the front door.

I brought her up to the terrace and Cheng Yichen saw her with a surprised look.

“Ah, that’s her, your friend?”

“Yes,” I introduced them to each other, “This is Uncle Chen and this is Yuan Keke. I give half of the credit to Zhuo Wenyang and the other half to her for helping me from failing.”

Cheng Yichen looked at her carefully and smiled, “Then I have to thank her.”

Everyone greeted her and even Lu Feng nodded silently–this was simply his best acknowledgement to strangers.

To tell the truth, as long as Cheng Yichen stood beside him, Lu Feng would be emotionally stable and harmless to humans and animals. Who would have guessed that he had a civilized and polite side to him?

Yuan Keke was a little cautious at the beginning, but she gradually relaxed when she started to eat. After all, the barbecue I brought to her was too delicious. It was the right thick-cut beef tongue, A5 wagyu that could just melt on your tongue, juicy beef, boneless short ribs, and ribeye…

The entire time, she exclaimed “delicious!” “It’s so good! How can it be so delicious!” Generous compliments scattered around, enough to fill up the skies.

“Oh my god, you can eat so much! It’s like a meat vacuum!” I was amazed and sighed, “You weren’t like this last time in front of Zhuo Wenyang!”

Yuan Keke took the initiative to fill her own plate with meat again and detachedly said, “It’s different now.”

“What’s the difference?” I pondered, “The main reason is because the restaurant is too intimidating, stressing you out. The atmosphere at home is more relaxing, so you can properly enjoy yourself, right?”

Yuan Keke gave me a blank look and said, “You know crap.”

I suddenly realized, “No wonder, I understand you so well!”

“…..”

I laughed and avoided Yuan Keke’s violent beating. However, when I turned around, I saw Cheng Yichen staring blankly at our teasing. The usual smile disappeared from his face and his brows slightly furrowed as if he was deep in thought.

While Yuan Keke walked away to answer her phone, I quietly asked Zhuo Wenyang, “What’s wrong? Does Uncle Chen not like Yuan Keke?”

“Of course not,” Zhuo Wenyang said, “Probably, this reminds my father of my mother.”

“What?”

I had seen photos of Zhuo Wenyang’s mother, and she was indeed bright and kind with large and lively eyes. Also, she looked so gentle and full of grace, elegant and conservative. She was not quite the same as Yuan Keke.

“Is there any similarity between a tigress like Yuan Keke and a fairy like your mother?”

Zhuo Wenyang smiled as if he remembered something, “How do you know my mother isn’t a tigress?”

I almost spat out my tea.

I didn’t expect him to rouse his dead mother so much.

Surprisingly, I felt a little envious. This joke that could only be told out of affection and love.

Many people born in broken familiar had difficulty reconciling with their parents throughout their lives, but Zhuo Wenyang seemed to already achieve a deep understanding from early on, leaving behind pure love and attachment for them.

However, if you thought about it carefully, if one could snatch Cheng Yichen from the beast’s mouth like Lu Feng, then no matter how weak and fairy-like Aunt Zhuo’s appearance may be, she definitely had a personality that was not easy to mess with. “Tigress” may be understating it.

After all, apart from her, there wasn’t a woman in this world that would dare to confront Lu Feng head-on like this, right?

Thinking of this, I couldn’t help but be in awe of her.

Aunt Zhuo was the heroine of females!

Yuan Keke was busy video chatting with her family on the sidelines, laughing and chatting merrily. During the period, she would run over to show off the barbecue grill and dining table excitedly to the camera.

“I didn’t lie! I really ate a lot of meat and vegetables. Look at this salad… it’s all delicious! When you come out to T City, I will also take you to eat barbecue!”

When the video chat ended, Yuan Keke fell silent. She stood alone in the corner with her back to everyone, seemingly distracted.

I went over and patted her on the shoulder, “Why, did the battery run out?”

She quietly turned around and the tears on her face startled me.

“Are you crying? What’s wrong? Didn’t you eat enough? Or did your mother scold you?”

She shook her head. “No, it’s just that I finally reassured my parents today. They finally believed that I have a good life tonight and wouldn’t worry about me.”

“…..”

Yuan Keke wiped her face with her sleeves and said, “Hey, thank you for inviting me.”

I felt distressed and stretched out my hand, hanging it for a while before deciding to pat her head lightly.

Towards the end of the barbecue, everyone cut and ate the mooncakes that we attempted to bake for several months as the ending of a rather successful Mid-Autumn Festival.

After seeing off the assistants and Yuan Keke, we began tidying up the remaining items and cleaned the space before heading downstairs back home.

When I returned home, Cheng Yichen suddenly said to me, “Xiao Jing, I have something to talk to you about.”

“Hm?”

I ate grapefruit as I followed him to the balcony step by step.

Cheng Yichen glanced at me, “You don’t like girls, do you?”

I almost spat out the grapefruit from my mouth all over his face.

“Well…”

“Is that right?”

“Well…”

I had always been carefree about this and didn’t feel any need to hide or deny this fact. Yet, in the face of Cheng Yichen, anything abnormal about myself made me feel very guilty.

Cheng Yichen gently said, “Don’t be nervous. I’m just confirming this with you. It doesn’t matter. As long as you are happy, you can like anyone. I only want to remind you, that is, you must not ever misled other girls.”

“Girls? Who?” I was taken aback, “You mean Yuan Keke?”

“Yes. She likes you, doesn’t she?”

I was so scared that I immediately waved my hands. “That’s not the case! How can she be interested in me? Her idol is Wenyang!”

“Really?”

“She almost despises me to death. How can she feel anything for me, a scumbag, who copies her homework everyday?”

Cheng Yichen sighed in relief, “Then that’s good, that’s good. Just don’t delay others like me. You and her are both good children.”

“…..”

He touched my head, whispering, “Go to bed early.”

For some reason, I thought he looked a little indescribably sad.