Chapter Fifteen

  When Ji Xi returned home, Ji Shu Fan was sitting in the living room eating lunch. He had just come back yesterday and this time he could stay until the 15th of the first month.

  "Xie has returned, have you eaten?"

  He nodded slightly in prayer.

  "Your little teacher should have gone home by now, I originally said I would invite her to dinner, didn't expect to come back a day late."

  Qí shì zhī dùn le dùn jiǎo bù, dào dǐ méi yǒu kāi kǒu.

  Translation: Qi Shi stopped in his tracks and didn't say a word.

  As soon as he saw the letter, he knew that Yu Cai must not have returned. He hastily asked before his son entered the house, "Hasn't she come back? Where is she staying? Can you get in touch with her?"

  He muttered a sentence and then went into the room and closed the door.

  Qī shū fán yì yì jiǎn qǐ tā diū zài xié jià shàng de sù liào dài, fā xiàn jìng rán shì yī juǎn mén lián, jìng rán hái yǒu yī duì xǐ qìng de zhōng guó jié hé liǎng duì sù jiāo xiǎo mǎ, xīn zhōng gèng jiā yú yì, ér zǐ shén me shí hòu yǒu zhè zhǒng xián qíng le?

  The best way to figure it out was to ask someone, so Ji Shu Fan dialed He Qi Jia's phone number.

  He Qiye had just arrived home and, after listening to Qishu Fan's question, added fuel to the fire by recounting the events. Finally, in order to flatter Qishu Fan, he emphasized how Yu Cai was so sensible and could endure hardships, and that her small hands were frozen!

  Qibook hung up the phone and couldn't help but laugh. He had no way of knowing what his son was really thinking, but at least he accepted Yucai's kindness and took the spring roll home with him instead of throwing it away on the street. This was a big step forward.

  He didn't know what kind of existence Yu Cai was to his son, but at least he hadn't rejected her. From a young age, Qi Shi had rarely interacted with people, except for He Qi and Xia Yunyun, he almost had no friends, even with them, he rarely spoke. Now that Yu Cai had appeared, from the tone of He Qi's voice, it seemed that Yu Cai didn't like to interact with them unless necessary, this he also knew, it looked like he needed to make more effort to help his son keep this friend.

  At three o'clock, when Mr. Fan came down from the floor, Yu Cai was busy and happy during the period from two thirty to three thirty, which is the peak business time.

  Qī shū fán jìn le duì miàn de yì jiā yín háng, zuò zài xiū xí yǐ shàng ráo yǒu xìng zhì de kàn zhe bāo zhe yī tiáo hóng yàn yàn de wéi jīn, mǎn miàn xiào róng de yù cǎi, zhè yàng cái xiàng gè hái zi ma, měi cì gēn tāmen zài yī qǐ shí, yù cǎi xiào de tài guò chéng shú wěn zhòng, ràng tā dōu jué dé xīn téng.

  It was almost four o'clock and the crowd began to disperse. Yu Cai feared that her uncle and aunt would ask her to stay for dinner, so she made an excuse that she still had something to do and left early. Her uncle and aunt naturally understood, but it wasn't convenient for them to keep her either, so they could only send her off with gratitude.

  Qishu Fan saw Yucai walking away, and after waiting for a while, he slowly followed in the direction Yucai had gone, but Yucai seemed to have suddenly evaporated into thin air. Qishu Fan quickened his pace, walked a distance, still didn't see anyone, and was looking around when he suddenly discovered that the girl standing at the entrance of the small bookstore was actually Yucai.

  Yu Cai Zheng was huddled with his neck shrunk, quickly flipping through the magazine in his hand, occasionally holding a pen to jot down a few notes on a notepad. He couldn't help but feel some sympathy for him, thinking that as a poor man's child, he had to grow up too early and take responsibility. It was likely that even if he bought it back, he wouldn't even glance at it.

  "Little Yu teacher?" Chi Shu Fan's face showed a small surprise.

  Yu Cai was indeed somewhat surprised to see him, by all accounts this person should be the type who is busy outside, turning the world upside down, and as soon as he gets home, he buries his head in sleep.

  "Have you finished your holiday? How was your exam?"

  "What's the result of the Kaos' examination?"

  Qí shū fán jǔ jiān de jiào tāo le yī xià，"wǒ bù zhī dào".

  Translation:

  Qi Shu shrugged, "I don't know."

  Yu Cai felt a bit apologetic and hastily said, "Our scores should not have come out yet, I don't know if it's normal".

  "When is Teacher Xiao Yu going home?"

  "Let's go in two more days, our dormitory will be closed after two days."

  "Dorm? You live in a dorm?" Aren't high school students usually renting houses outside?

  "Yeah, it's just as convenient, and also more convenient for school."

  "Isn't the condition not very good?"

  "It's okay, Mr. Qi, where are you going?"

  "Oh, I'm fine, just taking a walk," Qi Shu Fan pretended not to see Yu Cai's expression that indicated she didn't want to talk anymore, and looked down at the book in her hand, "What are you reading?"

  Yu Cai looked at the "Family Friend" in her hand with some embarrassment.

  Guoran Qishu raised an eyebrow, "Does Little Yu teacher like watching this?"

  Yu Cai pretended not to see the smile in his eyes and said seriously, "I think whether it's friendship, love or family ties, they all need to be nurtured."

  "So what do you think is the right way to run it?"

  "I don't know, that's why I want to read this book."

  "Is Teacher Xiao Yu free?"

  "Huh, what's up?"

  "It was like this, before I came out, I just happened to bump into Shi Zhe throwing a book out of the house. I picked it up and saw that it was an English material. I thought he must have encountered something he didn't understand, got impatient for a moment and threw the book out. Does Xiao Yu teacher have time to explain the questions to Shi Zhe?"

  That ice sculpture will transform into a fire-breathing dragon? Yu Cai was skeptical, but also felt that Qi Shu Fan didn't seem to be lying, and there was no reason for him to lie, so he could only say, "It's too late now, let's talk about it next year?"

  "Problems that won't happen should be solved in a timely manner, Little Yu teacher has pushed it all the way to next year".

  Yu's words were inappropriate and he was caught off guard. He felt extremely depressed and vaguely said, "It's too late, let's talk about it tomorrow!"

  "Don't be late, don't be late! You should know that I'm in a bad mood. I'm the poor scapegoat, so just pity me!"

  Yu Cai could only nod in agreement, but firmly refused the suggestion to go to his house. Then, Qi Shu Fan took out her phone and dialed a number, "Sister, let Rui take a taxi to You Mei Lai, Teacher Yu wants to give him a lesson, tell him to bring his books over, we'll wait for him there."

  Yu Cai Hei Xian stared at him, was she going to give a lesson on releasing his restraints?

  Qishu's face was innocent, "Let's go, it just so happens that we've finished talking and can have lunch together. We really liked the gift you sent last time, and we haven't had a chance to thank you yet."

  "Are you sure you all like it?"

  Qishu laughed and said, "I don't know about that, but after I put the computer cover on, Shizhi didn't take it off, so he should like it."

  Yu Cai also burst out laughing, "Are you guys spending New Year's here?"

  "No, we're going to spend it at Grandma and Grandpa's house, just the two of us is a bit too quiet."

  Although Yu Cai was very curious about why Qi Shu Fan hadn't remarried, she still tried her best to control her curiosity and chatted with Qi Shu Fan in a casual manner. Before long, they arrived at the interesting part of their conversation, and soon Qi Shi also arrived.

  It's New Year's Eve, parents are more generous than usual, interesting businesses are better, and many rural parents bring their children to eat.

  Yu Cai's voice was still flat and calm, but it had a strange penetrating power and stability. Qi Shi and Qi Shu could hear everything clearly, and after a long time, they even felt as if they couldn't hear the noisy voices outside. Qi Shu smiled with satisfaction.

  Yu Cai stopped after speaking for about an hour and said softly, "Next time you have a problem you can't do, don't rush, and don't take it out on the book. I'll explain it to you next time in class."

  Although he didn't know where Yu Cai's words came from, in his impression, he had never been unable to do the questions and got anxious, let alone vented on books, but still following the principle that silence is golden, he nodded slightly.

  Knowing the nature of his own son, he wasn't worried that his lies would be exposed. He smiled and said, "Are you hungry? Let's eat! What do you want to eat, Little Yu teacher?"

  Yu Cai ordered a cover and yogurt, Qi Shu Fan took the menu to pay the bill. Yu Cai suddenly remembered that she hadn't washed her hands after selling the door couplet, and had just stained her hand with ink while explaining the topic to Qi Shu Fan. She regretted it and told Qi Shu Fan that she was going to the restroom to wash her hands.

  When Deng Yuzai came back, there was only Qi Shu Fan left in the seat. Seeing her arrival, he stood up and said, "I just met Xia Yunyun and her mother, there's not enough space here, they moved over there, let's go".

  Yu Cai couldn't help but sigh again that this small county town was indeed a small county town, where you could run into familiar faces wherever you went. What's more, the environment here was slightly better and there were more varieties to choose from, which seemed to be why that group of people came here every day, making it easy for her to catch them in the act!

  Whenever he saw Yuwen's gloomy face, he immediately said, "Yuwen you also know her, and her mother is also very easy to get along with, it's okay".

  Yu Cai could say nothing more, if she turned around and left, wouldn't that be petty? So Yu Cai followed Qi Shu Fan to the seat surrounded by a circle of sofas with elegance and poise but with a belly full of resentment.

  Xia Mu saw her and Yu Cai called out in a lovely voice: "Auntie!"

  Xia Mu stood up and smiled, "This is Xiao Cai, I often hear Yunyun mention that Xiao Cai's English grades are always the first in her grade, if you have time, can help Yunyun more".

  "Auntie, you're too polite. Xia Yunyun is doing very well in class, unlike me who always ranks last."

  Xia Mu said a few more polite words, and the several people sat down. The food had been served for some time, waiting only for Yu Cai and Qi Shu Fan to arrive. Yu Cai nodded and smiled at Xia Yunyun, then lowered her head to eat, anyway she was wearing Zhang Luoli's skin now, so she had the right to just eat without speaking.

  Qizhi was also silent, while Xia Yunyin was chatting and laughing with Xia Mu and Qizhi Shu Fan.

  "Xiao Cai, try some of this, Yunyun loves eating this."

  Yu Cai Zheng was eating with relish, when he suddenly heard his name being called. His chopsticks stopped abruptly and fell onto the table.

  Xia Mu's hand, holding the chicken wing, awkwardly hovered in mid-air. Yu Cai hurriedly took it over with a small bowl and smiled, "In the past, I saw the phrase 'overwhelmed with favor' but didn't know what it meant. Today, Auntie has finally taught me."

  Xia Mu and Qi Shu Fan both burst out laughing, Xia Yun's gentle voice said, "I heard He Qi say before, Yu Cai sometimes speaks very humorously!"

  Huh? Xia Yunyun, are you altering reality or something? He Qi said it was a special gas person.

  Xia Mu smiled and said, "Why doesn't Yu Cai eat hamburgers? I see that none of these kids don't like to eat them?"

  Yu Cai took a tissue and elegantly wiped her chopsticks, "I don't like that very much, rice is still more fragrant."

  "This kid likes to pretend to be mature in front of people, I reckon when no one is around she secretly buys and eats them."

  Yu Cai secretly rolled her eyes and said, "What's wrong with being genuinely mature?"

  This interlude was nearing its end, Yu Cai continued to lower her head and eat, eating until she was five or six parts full when she reached out to grab the yogurt, but unexpectedly touched another hand, startling her, hurriedly lifting her head, just as Ji Shiye also lifted his head to look at her, his expression somewhat unnatural, pushing the drink bottle towards her.

  Yu Cai Hei Xian, he wouldn't think she wants to drink his, would he?

  Hurriedly stretching out her hand to pick up the yogurt that had been placed on her left side for fear of being knocked over again, she said to Qi Shi, "Wrong one."

  It's estimated that the conversation at the dinner table has been exhausted, and Ji Shu Fan couldn't help but say, "Xiao Cai has a good habit, I've advised Shi Zhi many times not to drink those carbonated beverages, but he never listens."

  Xia Mu also echoed in agreement, saying Xia Yunyun liked it too, and no matter what she said, it was useless.

  Yu Cai leaned in and whispered, "The first step in managing relationships is to never compare your child with others' children."

  Qishu Fan was taken aback, and with a scowl, he rubbed his nose. He naturally knew this, but how did this little girl catch on to it just by him casually mentioning it?

  On the other side, Xia Mu changed the subject again. Yu Cai sat up straight and looked like a well-behaved baby, glancing at Qi Shi who was drinking Sprite. She actually liked Sprite too, especially with ice in it, that's what made it refreshing and cool!

  After dinner, Xia Mu suggested going to the supermarket together, and it just so happened that the kids were all there, to see what New Year's goods they needed. Yu Cai immediately asked to leave, but Qi Shu Fan wouldn't let her, hypocritically saying that he was busy and didn't have time to care about his niece, and that this was a good opportunity to make it up to her.

  Her heart sank at the thought of his nephew's voice, and she felt a chill run down her spine.

  Inside the supermarket, Xia Yun and her mother were chatting and laughing, discussing prices, while Yu Qiao on the other hand was holding up an item and asking the two if they liked it. Yu Qiao shook her head, and Ji Xie's expression was even more unyielding, without a hint of emotion.

  The more times, Yu Cai felt that it was not going well, on the one hand asking Qi Jia if there were any New Year's goods that hadn't been bought yet, and on the other hand constantly looking at Qi Shi Zhe's expression, but the latter didn't give her a chance at all, and his face remained expressionless.

  Ji Shu basically has no concept of Chinese New Year, when he was young he only knew to look forward to it, as he grew older he had to study and later on didn't have the energy or interest, basically everything was prepared by his parents. Moreover, he doesn't celebrate Chinese New Year here, so there's nothing for him to prepare, as for food and other things, Auntie will naturally take care of them.

  Yu Cai once again demonstrated her selfless spirit as a good teacher, pointing out that even if you don't spend Chinese New Year in the county town, your home should still be cleaned up and decorated, and snacks for visiting children should be prepared. If there are already some at home, it's not enough, more is better. Moreover, what matters most is participation, after all, the key to celebrating Chinese New Year is to get into the festive atmosphere!

  Yu then picked out a large pile of colorful candies and small trinkets with gaudy flower-shaped bells, but as the saying goes, "there's always someone better than you", she didn't think that when it came to bad taste, it wasn't her turn yet, for example...

  Qishu Fan said, "Xiao Cai, come and try this."

  Yu Cai Hei Xian stared at the red scarf in his hand, "Dear Qi Shu Fan, your eyes are indeed special".

  Qishu looked at the scarf in her hand and thought it was quite special. It wasn't similar to the one she wore this afternoon, was it? "Uh, Xiaocai, where's your scarf?"

  Yu Cai did not notice Qi Shu Fan's illness and honestly replied, "I usually don't wear a scarf."

  Qishu thought that what she wore in the afternoon must have been her relative's, uh, her relative should be around 40 years old, so...

  Of course, we all know that things that have been decided by Comrade Fan cannot be easily changed, so he still warmly greeted Yu Cai with great enthusiasm, "Little Cai, try it on, a little girl should dress up more festively."

  Yu Cai's arm broke out in a layer of fine goosebumps, and people said that this person's smile was just like the legendary Wolf Granny.

  Whenever he saw her motionless, with great enthusiasm, he wrapped that wide and long scarf around her head and face, revealing only a pair of gleaming eyes, "Shi, take a look, is it good-looking?"

  Yu Cai was speechless, staring at the sky. On the other side, Xia Mu smiled and said, "Shu Fan has finally found a daughterly feeling, just like our family's Yunyun, I think about what clothes to buy for her every day."

  Qibook suddenly said, "How can you see Yucai wrapped up in that strange way and feel happy?" It turned out to be the dress of a parent, so he was even more excited. He picked up a more festive scarf next to him and wrapped it around Yucai's head. Yucai looked at Qibook with black lines, and said that such behavior really didn't match Qibook's image as a successful person!

  As they didn't head in the same direction, after leaving the supermarket, Qi Shu Fan took a taxi with Qi Shi Zhi and Yu Cai, while Xia's mother and daughter took another taxi back home.

  Arriving at the school gate, Qi Shu Fan got off the car to send Yu Cai back to her dormitory. After Yu Cai declined in vain, she had no choice but to let him do so.

  Unexpectedly, when I arrived at the entrance of the dormitory courtyard, I found that it was pitch black inside. Yucai stretched out her hand to push the courtyard door and found that it was locked from the inside.

  Yu Cai wanted to cry but had no tears. It's only 9 o'clock now, is it necessary for these people to be so defensive?

  She knocked on the door for half a day before Auntie Door finally came to open it with a resentful face, "Why haven't you gone home yet? All your classmates have left, and only you're still here."

  Yu Cai couldn't believe how quickly these high school students acted, just yesterday they were on holiday and today they all left without a single one remaining. Weakly, she replied with a sentence, "Isn't the gate supposed to be locked in two days?"

  Auntie's attention shifted to Qi Shu Fan behind Yu Cai, and she said discontentedly, "What is your relationship with her? The child lives alone here, you can rest assured. Since you played so late into the night, shouldn't you be from the county town? What's wrong with staying at your house for a few days?"

  "Sorry about that, I didn't know it would turn out like this either. Xiaocai, go pack your things and come to my place."

  "Don't bother, Auntie is here too."

  "No way, I'm not at ease with you being alone here, hurry up and listen, go pack your things."

  "It's really not needed—"

  "What's wrong with you kid? Aren't you afraid being alone here?"

  Crowded with black lines on her forehead, she stared at her, Auntie, don't you count as a human being?

  "Yes, yes," Ji Shu Fan immediately chimed in, "Living alone in such a big house is scary even for adults. Xiao Cai, don't be stubborn, my family isn't outsiders."

  Uncle, you're also too casual with yourself, aren't you?

  "Hurry up and let's go," seeing Yu Cai's determined expression, Qi Shu Fan said with a hint of killing intent, "Then we'll accompany you to stay here!"

  Yu Cai lost again at the hands of the old fox, and dejectedly went to pack his things.

  Qishu followed Yucai into the dormitory and was shocked by the simple conditions, "Are your parents willing to let you live in this?"

  Yu Cai Zheng scowled with a belly full of resentment, and said in a bad temper, "What's the big deal if you don't want to give it up? Do you think everyone has a good father like Qi Dashi?"

  Qishu silently watched Yu Cai pack her things, but there was nothing much to pack, just two sets of spare clothes, and she finished quickly.

  After they went out, the two were silent for a while. Yu Zai spoke in a low voice, "Mr. Qi, your enthusiasm makes me feel very uneasy."

  "I think we've already discussed this issue last time."

  Yu sighed and said, "I think you're used to giving orders."

  "Xiao Cai, if my way of doing things makes you unhappy, I apologize."

  Yu Caiyang raised her head and stared at him with piercing eyes, "If you did all this for the sake of releasing your guilt, then congratulations, you are a good father."

  "Is it crucial what others think?"

  "He needs time to grow up."

  Qishu Fan was confused again, is this little girl really only fifteen years old?

  Ji Shi was surprised at Yu Cai's return, but didn't show it, only slightly nodding his head.

  Yu Cai shrugged her shoulders, "Everyone in the dormitory has left, only I am left, and Auntie drove me out".

  The house of the praying mantis was very large, and at that time houses were still very cheap. There were four rooms, two halls, one kitchen, and two bathrooms. Although Auntie was also a little surprised by Yu Cai's arrival, she quickly tidied up the guest room and warmly told Yu Cai not to be polite.

  Yu Cai was a bit uncomfortable, but she still hid her emotions well, washed up and went back to her room to sleep. After all, she was quite tired today.