Pandora’s Box

After the fireworks ended at twelve o’clock, Cheng Yichen called all three of us to him and gave us red envelopes one by one, two for each of us.

“One is from me and the other is from your Uncle Lu.”

Having money to take, I was automatically very obedient. “Thank you, Uncle Chen. Thank you, Uncle Lu.”

Cheng Yichen smiled and said, “Put it under the pillow at night so that your year will flow smoothly throughout…”

This was the first time I had ever received red envelopes like this. Was this what it felt like to receive lucky money?

It was great to be a kid ah.

After the two of them went to bed first, Ke Luo instantly invited me to play games with him and was prepared to win the first round for the New Year — he probably had romantic troubles recently and was not in a particularly cheerful mood. It was time for him to game and relieve stress.

Zhuo Wenyang suddenly stopped me, “Lin Jing.”

“Mm?”

He took out a red envelope from his pocket and said, “This is for you.”

“Ah?”

He smiled and said, “It’s a rule from my hometown that those who already are working should give lucky money to those who are still studying.”

“Really?” Elated, I reached out to take it and my face became hot for no reason. I quickly turned to Ke Luo, “Then what about yours?”

Ke Luo was exasperated, “?? You are older than me and you want me to give you New Year’s money? We don’t have such rules.”

“Do as the Romans do. Stop talking nonsense and hurry up. Do you still want eat chicken?” (eat chicken = winnings)

Ke Luo grumbled as he went to his room and grabbed a red envelope to give to me, “Taking my lucky money, you have to call me big brother ah!”

When I saw the thickness, I was astonished. I couldn’t prevent myself from opening it on the spot, pulling out a one-of-a-kind.

“Only twenty yuan? Not even one hundred?”

Ke Luo looked innocent. “Do as the Romans do. My hometown only packs so much.”

“Don’t mess with me.”

“My ancestors are from G City, and red envelopes look like this. There’s still ten yuan.”

“That’s better!”

Ke Luo said, “You can’t just open mine; that’s not fair. Why don’t you open Zhuo Wenyang’s to take a look?”

I replied, “His is so big so there’s no need.”

I didn’t know why but after receiving their New Year’s money, Ke Luo and I could laugh and curse at each other, but we were too embarrassed to look at Zhuo Wenyang’s.

“Oh,” Ke Luo said ambiguously, “He has a big one, how would you know…”

“…..”

I signaled at him desperately, but he urged me further, “Take a quick look, maybe it’s 5200 inside.”

I scrunched my toes in embarrassment.

It was fine to mess around in private, but Zhuo Wenyang was still watching. He was so outspoken. Was he trying to scare Zhuo Wenyang into breaking off all relations with me?

I viciously snapped, “Hurry up and start the game. My sniper is hungry!”

After hearing my comments, Zhuo Wenyang said, “Then you have fun. I’m going to bed, goodnight.”

I didn’t even dare to look back at his expression and so, I could only say to him with the back of my head exposed, “Goodnight!”

After finishing the game, I went ahead and opened the red envelope given by Zhuo Wenyang before going to bed. Of course it couldn’t be 5200, but rather 6600, symbolizing that everything may flow smoothly.

I took away 1400 yuan and stuffed it into my wallet before putting the rest back. I stuffed it under the pillow so that I could have a good dream.

The next day, Cheng Yichen knocked on the door, waking me up. I saw hot breakfast already set up on the dining room table in the living room. There were dumplings and noodles, which represented traditions of north and south.

Sitting around and eating dumplings and noodles on the first day of the New Year, everyone was still immersed in the strong atmosphere of the Spring Festival. They were all joyful and energetic, full of vitality for the New Year.

Cheng Yichen suddenly asked, “It just so happens that everyone is on break. Do you want to spend time together?”

I immediately chirped, “Okay, where will we be going?”

“We can find a city near the ocean with a warm climate to relax and eat seafood.”

Everyone didn’t express any objections. Who would refuse escaping this cold season to a warmer place, a city that was warm enough to wear a single layer of clothing? Not to mention, there was going to be freshly caught seafood to eat.

Once travel plans were finalized, I started to pack my luggage. Air tickets and hotels were handed over to Lu Feng, Cheng Yichen was in charge of organizing daily necessities, and I only needed to bring my laptop.

Ah, with only a word, it was really a trip that one could just leave~

Cheng Yichen came into my room to confirm that I brought a change of clothes.

Ultimately, he looked at me flatteringly, “Xiao Jing, can I ask your father and others to see if they’d like to come?”

“Ah?”

Noticing my slight hesitation, he immediately said, “It is okay if you don’t want to. I was merely asking.”

Actually, I couldn’t warm up to my dad and Cheng Yi Chen yet. After I found out that I was not my dad’s biological child, the feeling of estrangement intensified.

However, that was all.

As far as emotions were concerned, like feelings of disgust, resentment, and hatred had long disappeared. As Mr. X said, love could help people forget the hatred (almost the same meaning, but I forgot his exact words).

I was happy now, happy enough, as if I could fill up all the gaps in my childhood. Therefore, I didn’t worry about “not moving on” from the past.

I generously agreed, “Of course you can.”

Cheng Yichen’s eyes reactively lit up, “Really? Good, good, good!” He looked at me with such joy, repeating a series of “good,” and left beaming.

I was also infected by his elation and became cheerful.

For him, it must be his wish to spend the Spring Festival with his only younger brother, and I was happy to make his wish come true.

When we took the latest flight and landed in Y City, we found that my dad and Cheng Yi Chen already arrived a step ahead of us, waiting for us in the hotel lobby.

Seeing us arrive, Cheng Yi Chen immediately stood up. His eyes sparkled and his face was full of anticipation and joy. My dad looked silly and happy like an idiot.

Seeing that my agreement, which was not even an authorization, could make them so happy had me feeling a little guilty and soft-hearted.

Although I once held grudges against the adults, I actually was not good myself.

My dad was certainly not a good father, but how could I say that I was a good son?

Everyone greeted each other, and the two brothers gave each other a strong hug. Cheng Yi Chen looked at me, “Xiao Jing.”

“Mm?”

The expression on his face was visibly strained, but after looking at me for a long time, he only said, “Happy New Year.”

I also replied with auspicious words, “Happy New Year, may you be happy and prosperous.”

He quickly reached into his pocket, pulling out two thick and red envelopes, “This is from your father and me, lucky money. It’s not much, just for good luck.”

“…..” It really should cause Ke Luo to reconsider what “not much” meant.

I had already accepted that he would remain as the spokesperson. Also, my dad was too obedient and useless. If he wanted the right to speak, then just give it to him. At least he was not a bad person and he was willing to have a better relationship with me, in which was better than having a poisonous scorpion as a stepmother.

Thus, I took it calmly and smiled, “Thank you, Uncle Chen.”

He repeated, “You’re welcome, you’re welcome, you’re welcome!”

Zhuo Wenyang and Ke Luo also took their share of red envelopes. After exchanging New Year pleasantries and wishes, the hotel staff accompanied our group and we headed to the villa we booked.

Amidst our laughter, the New Year began in this warm and city-like spring.

Soon, I realized I was naive. It was not only warm as spring, but also hot as summer. I went to the beach and frolicked in the water, and was bitten by mosquitoes without any chance of defending myself.

So, I visited a nearby store to buy anti-itch ointment. On the way, I received a call from Cheng Yichen, saying that his brother also needed a mosquito repellent and requesting for a bottle.

I bluntly said, “Okay, I’ll send it to him later.”

Cheng Yichen repeated again, “Good, good, good.”

The two brothers had a tendency to repeat their speech lately. I went back to the hotel with my shopping bag and rang the doorbell of my dad and Cheng Yi Chen’s room.

As soon as I pressed it, the door instantly swung open, stunning me due to the quick response.

Cheng Yi Chen stood at the door, showing a funny expression. The corner of his mouth was curved into a smile but it was a bit tense because of his nervousness.

I handed their items over, smiling politely, “Here’s your mosquito repellent.”

“Come in and sit! Come in and sit!”

“…..”

He invited, “I have a large coconut that is opened and it’s very sweet. It’s very hot outside so drink some!”

“Oh, okay.”

I entered the room, sat down on the chair, and drank the coconut juice he pushed over.

My dad wasn’t here. He was usually by Cheng Yi Chen’s side, but I didn’t know where he was now.

With only the two of us alone, there was an inevitable and awkward silence between us.

I could sense that he was hesitating to speak.

In fact, I could roughly guess what he wanted to say even if he didn’t say anything yet.

Therefore, I interrupted his torment. I took the initiative to say, “I don’t hate you.”

He looked at me.

“I’m not used to it yet.”

“…..”

“Just taking it easy.”

He was so ecstatic for a moment that he was on the verge of bursting up in happiness, but he desperately tried to control his expression. It looked as if two people were pulling his face backwards at the same time, which was amusing.

“Then in the future, can we visit you in T City often?” He quickly added, “It won’t be too often.”

I was a little confused. It was not my house and I wasn’t the head of the family. Why did he ask for my consent?

However, I still answered straightforwardly, “Sure, it’s just that there aren’t enough rooms at home so you still have to book a hotel.”

He quickly beamed with joy, “I will, I will!”

During the days of lazily eating, drinking, and basking in the sun of Y City, the elders appeared to be in a good mood. Because of Lu Feng’s lack of expressions, I couldn’t tell if he was in a good mood. However, since Cheng Yichen was happy, he must also be happy.

Also, Zhuo Wenyang finally had a consistent vacation schedule and there wasn’t a sudden need to return like last time. Being able to spend time with him everyday was also satisfying to me.

Everyone continued the vibrant atmosphere of the New Year, except for the depressed Ke Luo.

I guessed that the reason for his depression may be due to Lee, but it may be more complicated than that. He didn’t come to talk to me, the master of romance, so it probably was more than an emotional problem.

Even though I was sympathetic, I got rid of this big light bulb (third wheel) to spend time with Zhuo Wenyang because Ke Luo was busy dealing with his troubles. I was ruthlessly building my happiness from Ke Luo’s pain.