Translator: 549690339
Xiao Qianâs original plan was to take advantage of the New Year holiday and have a proper outing with him. After dating for so long, one could count the number of daytime dates they had on their fingers.
He was too busy, only sneaking out at night to be with her when he found himself free. Sheâd thought that he might at least have half a day off during the New Year.
Seeing her disappointed look, Yu Minglang also felt upset, but there was nothing he could do.
He was already squeezing out the time to come today, after working overtime. Fearing that Xiao Qian would be upset if she found out, he held back on telling her until they had to part.
âI still have workâ¦â
âWhat kind of work canât wait till after the New Year? Are they trying to kill their employees? Didnât we settle this last time?â Xiao Qian rarely ever raised her voice.
âBusiness people donât have holidays. There was a problem with the project weâre in charge of, and we have to deal with it now.â
âYu Minglang, are you here to fool with me? You come to tease me when you feel like it, and then strut around like some righteous man when youâre ready to go. Are you hoping for some spirited speech from me, expressing support for your work?â
Xiao Qian wasnât sure what she wanted to express.
This wasnât the first or second time something like this had happened. She knew what he did for a living when she met him. All she had to do now was give him an understanding smile and remind him to be careful.
But being confronted like this, right after enjoying the past few hours so much âstill savoring the sweet moment when the harsh reality struck so suddenly â it was hard for Xiao Qian, or any woman, to adjust.
Seeing that Xiao Qian was upset, Yu Minglang intended to explain the situation at his workplace to her. Unfortunately, it was a complex issue that he couldnât explain quickly.
âFine, just go. You can leave now.â
Xiao Qian pushed him away. Yu Minglang tried to hug her, but she pushed him away. He tried to hug her again, she pushed him away again. In the end, Xiao Qian gave him three consecutive pushes out the door and shut and locked the heavy iron door with a bang.
She leaned against the door, waiting for him to explain.
But he didnât.
Just like in a past life, walking away didnât need a reason. To hell with reasons.
Inside the room, Jia Xiufang was wiping Chen Zilongâs face with a towel; the drunkard still hadnât sobered up.
âWhat happened? Came back drunk after going out for a while? He should be more responsible â eh, Qianâer, what happened to you? Did you have a fight with Minglang?â
âIâm fine.â Xiao Qian went upstairs emotionlessly and locked herself in her room.
Standing by the window, she watched his Cherokee Cherokee get covered in dust as he departed.
Xiao Qian closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to use emotional management to quell her irritation.
It didnât work.
Only after she had washed her hands several times did her inner frustration subside a bit.
She went back to her room and took out a pen and paper, trying to use her profession to sort out her thoughts.
She was upset about something that she had known all along, and it wasnât like her to let it get to her.
Xiao Qian didnât understand most of the long string of words she wrote. She crumpled the paper into a ball and threw it into the waste bin, feeling upset for no apparent reason.
The moment she subconsciously planned their future, and he destroyed that setting with a single word.
He had been aware of the cruel outcome even before he arrived, yet still wanted to see her so invested, like a fool. And at the last moment, he cruelly tore it apart.
âYu Xiao Qiang is a jerk.â Xiao Qian complained as she took a nightgown out of the cabinet to change into. She needed to find something for herself to do; she couldnât keep focusing on their relationship.
Dating was a rather IQ lowering activity, and Xiao Qian felt that Yu Minglangâs impact on her had become too great. Some things, she needed to think carefully about.
With the sound of the window being opened, and the cold wind outside, Yu Minglang returned, holding a grilled skewer.
Xiao Qian glanced at him, and said coldly,
âLeave the grilled skewer and get out.â
Yu Minglang put the food on the table. Xiao Qian was applying lotion on her legs and did not look at him. Yu Minglang approached her, seemingly wanting to take over her task, but she kicked him away.
Yu Minglang reflexively grabbed her ankle, she kicked him again, but he didnât let go.
âWhen did you get this anklet?â
Yu Minglang noticed a white crystal anklet on Xiao Qianâs ankle and curiously fiddled with it.
âMy roommate gave it to me, donât touch it!â
âThis anklet looks ugly, when I come back, I will buy you a nicer one.â
Xiao Qian wanted to say, are you sure, I would always be waiting for you here? But when she saw his pleasing expression, she swallowed her words. His job was life-threatening; she didnât want to disturb his focus.
âYou should go.â They could talk when he returned.
Yu Minglang poked her face, âIâm leaving for real this time.â
He asked for a returning date but there was none.
He didnât explain, only expressed the greatest care and reluctance within his capabilities. Any explanation or promise would exceed his capabilities.
Just as he was about to leap out of the window, Xiao Qian called after him. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âYu Minglang.â
âHmm?â
âCome back in one piece.â
âYeah, and you donât go running around during your vacation, be safe. I heard there have been some safety concerns lately.â
By the time he said the last word, he had already jumped down.
Xiao Qian returned to her room and sat down. She wasnât as angry anymore, but she felt empty.
The winter temperature had cooled the skewers. She placed them atop the radiator, letting the aroma of cumin and charcoal waft through the room.
Xiao Qian stood up, feeling the need to wash her hands again.
The next morning, Xiao Qian bundled up thoroughly. Not only did she wear a down jacket, but she also put a fluffy hat over her head.
âQianâer, where are you going?â Jia Xiufang asked.
âIâm going to work.â
âDoing what? Need money? What do you want to buy, I can give you the money.â Ever since Jia Xiufang received the first batch of resettlement payment for the demolition of their home, she was filled with confidence.
âIâm an adult, why should I still rely on my parentsâ money?â
âYouâre still a child in my eyes. Why are you going out in such cold weather â no, you need to explain. Iâm worried about you.â Jia Xiufang had also heard some rumors recently that it wasnât very safe with the New Year approaching, and Xiao Qian was still a girl.
âIâm taking Shuixian to look for a job. Our goal is to earn 20 yuan in a day.â
âAre you joking? That dog is a money pit, donât let her freeze to death â hey, arenât you going to have lunch?â
Xiao Qian had already gone out the door. Jia Xiufang shouted after her from the doorway.
âIâve already eaten. I wonât be back for lunch.â
Just as Jia Xiufang was about to ask if Xiao Qian had any money in her pocket, she heard Chen Zilong scream from upstairs.
Jia Xiufang rushed upstairs.
She found her eldest son bare-chested, looking as if he had just woken up from a hangover. He was clutching his throat in agony, holding a skewer of grilled meat in his hand.
âWhy are you screaming like youâre being killed?â
âMy sister⦠poisoned⦠blegh!â Seems he saw a skewer of grilled meat on his sisterâs desk and decided to sneak a bite.
Xiao Qian probably knew that he would steal it and had heavily sprinkled chili powder on top before she left. Chen Zilong had bitten down on it without looking, and it felt like his throat was on fire.
âGood! This serves you right! Always stealing your sisterâs stuff, go do your homework now!â