ushernet Chapter 44: Where did you pick it up from?
Chapter 44: Where did you pick it up from?
Chapter 44: Where did you pick it up from?
Late Autumn, Early Winter
By late autumn, the leaves had begun to wither and fall. After the first rain following the start of winter, the temperature plummeted. Xu Qing had already prepared down jackets, thermal underwear, thick socks in pinks and blues, and even a cotton hat with a fluffy pompom on top.@@@@
“Is this Miracle Nikki or what?” Xu Qing teased, snapping a few photos of Jiang He, now dressed for the cold. He grinned as he admired his handiwork. “Look at you. If you’d gone out on your own, wouldn’t you have frozen to death by now?”
Pointing at the frosted windows, he exaggerated a sigh. “Good thing this great hero planned ahead. By the way, does your martial arts help with the cold?”
“A bit. I’m more resistant than you.” Jiang He toyed with the pompom on her hat, finding the fluffy texture amusing.
“Ha, with those straw shoes of yours, aren’t your toes just waiting to freeze off?”
“...”
“Alright, I’m heading out. If you get hungry, cook something for yourself. No need to make anything for me. There are still tomatoes and eggs in the fridge,” Xu Qing said, bundling up before leaving.
It was already past mid-November, and Xu Qing hadn’t yet paid his rent. He initially thought of transferring the money directly but reconsidered. After the landlord lowered the rent last month, he felt it would be better to visit in person. Otherwise, his parents might show up unannounced.
Living with Jiang He—scratch that—taking in Jiang He might seem normal when explained to her, but to outsiders, it was anything but. Especially to his parents. To them, their son suddenly cohabiting with a woman would inevitably raise eyebrows. A single man and woman, under one roof, claiming to have nothing going on? Not even ghosts would believe that. Unless they were as naive as Winter Melon.
At home, Zhou Suzhi was unusually not playing mahjong with her friends and instead watching TV. Xu Qing suspected this was because he’d mentioned in the family group chat that he’d be dropping by.
“Just you?” Zhou Suzhi glanced toward the door as Xu Qing entered and closed it behind him.
“Who else?”
“Your girlfriend?”
“...She’s at home. I didn’t bring her,” Xu Qing lied smoothly, all for the sake of a rent discount.
Changing the subject, he asked, “Dad’s not back yet?”
“He’s been busy with some new discovery for days now—a relic, or whatever.”
“Ancient tomb, Mom. Not a relic. He’s out exploring.”
“Absolutely pure. I swear.”
“Pfft.” Zhou Suzhi rolled her eyes in a way only women could. “Regardless, be careful.”
“Careful about what?”
“What do you think?”
“...”
Xu Qing groaned internally. He hadn’t even thought about that.
“Bring her over next time. If she’s not suitable, you two should split up sooner rather than later,” Zhou Suzhi concluded before heading to the kitchen to start preparing dinner.
“If she’s suitable, will Dad waive my rent?” Xu Qing called out.
“We’ll see.”
Xu Qing had no intention of finding a conventional job. He believed in carving out his own path, even if it meant taking risks. Life, after all, was his own. Why live by someone else’s expectations? As he chewed on his tangerine, he chuckled, leaning against the kitchen door.
“You know, Mom, times have changed. The government doesn’t hand out housing or spouses anymore. It’s not like Dad’s era where iron rice bowls were the dream.”
“At least those iron rice bowls kept you fed.”
“And I’m not starving now.”
“You and that girl cooped up together all day—how is that reliable?”
Xu Qing grinned. “We make money through skills, which is more than I can say for Dad. You see, Dad just happened to catch the right era. Got housing, got a wife...”
“Who’s handing out wives now? Are you saying I was some government handout?” Zhou Suzhi was livid.
“Of course. That’s what Dad said. Back in the art troupe days, didn’t they organize meet-and-greet events? A bunch of guys and girls mingling, naturally pairing up. Isn’t that government matchmaking?”
“Out! Watch your TV and stop stirring up trouble!” Zhou Suzhi banged the cutting board with a knife, muttering about “free love.”