Chapter 89
His answer was ambiguous, but Chu Jiujiu accepted it. Knowing that he was going to do something serious, the little awkwardness in Chu Jiujiu's heart immediately disappeared. She rubbed herself on the bed for a few times, changed herself into a more comfortable position, blinked her big watery eyes, looked at Han Shengyi, and said in a soft voice: "Then...will I still be your best friend in the future?"
She was a little embarrassed to ask this question. She was not a soft-natured girl like Wen Xiuwei. In Chu Jiujiu's opinion, she was a cool girl, and cool girls were not allowed to ask such clingy questions. But there are exceptions to everything. She was not feeling well today, so she could be a little willful.
Chu Jiujiu's eyes were bright. Han Shengyi lowered his eyes to look at her, raised his hand, and pulled the quilt on her body higher. Han Shengyi said softly: "You are not my best friend, you are my family."
Chu Jiujiu was stunned for a moment, and then, without Han Shengyi's help, she pulled the quilt higher by herself, hiding half of her face underneath, because she didn't want Han Shengyi to see her blushing.
Han Shengyi ignored her little action and put down his hand. He thought for a moment, "If I have to find a best friend, then my best friend might be Chu Shao."
He said it quite reluctantly. Chu Jiujiu heard the hidden meaning in his words and laughed out loud. Han Shengyi's words sounded like praise for Chu Shao, but in fact he was saying that in his heart, Chu Shao was not a family member, so he could only settle for being a best friend.
Fortunately, Chu Shao is not here, otherwise, I would have to fight with him.
…
Chu Jiujiu's dysmenorrhea lasted for three days, which was really unbearable. Except for Wen Xiuwei who had to go to the studio, everyone else would go upstairs from time to time to see her and sit with her for a while.
When she was full of energy again, Chu Shao was not home again, but Han Shengyi was still sitting at home steadily.
On the 29th day of the 12th lunar month, Grandpa Han, who had been busy everywhere, finally returned. Picking up his brush again, he smiled and wrote a dozen or so "Fu" characters, one for each door. This year was their most prosperous year yet. Grandma Han was especially generous, giving each child 20 yuan to go out and buy their favorite New Year's goods. Chu Jiujiu bought not only food but also a few beautiful red lanterns.
On New Year's Eve, every household must light a lamp, and the lamp must be on all night. Chu Jiujiu distributed red lanterns to everyone. Chu Shao held up the lanterns and hung them on the windows of each room. There were big lanterns outside and small lanterns inside. The small Western-style building suddenly became very Chinese in style.
Some people passed by on the street and saw that the house, which had been silent for a long time, was full of life again. They were also dazed for a moment, but when the cold wind blew, they woke up, quickly wrapped their cotton clothes tightly, and continued walking home.
Grandma Han made the New Year’s Eve dinner, and the whole family worked together to make dumplings in the evening. It has been like this for many years, and Chu Jiujiu has become much more skilled. At least, the dumplings will not turn into soup anymore.
This year's dumplings had a lucky charm inside. Grandma Han had placed a penny inside one of the dumplings. Whoever ate it would be blessed with good fortune next year. After hearing this, Chu Jiujiu, feeling a bit full, stood up stubbornly and continued eating the dumplings. The pot of dumplings weighed several pounds, and they were all devoured in no time. Wen Xiuwei was nibbling at them, and suddenly her teeth stiffened. Looking at the penny, which was half exposed, everyone burst into laughter.
Chu Jiujiu urged her, "Make a wish, make a wish now, and the Dumpling God will surely appear to you!"
Wen Xiuwei: “…”
There are gods among dumplings, and gods are truly everywhere in this world.
Although she didn't believe it in her heart, with so many people looking at her, she would definitely not spoil everyone's fun. She smiled mysteriously, then put her hands together and bowed properly to the half-eaten dumpling in her bowl.
Chu Shao, who was watching from the sidelines: "..."
Forget it, it’s New Year’s Day, he shouldn’t say anything to spoil the fun.
It’s Chinese New Year, and there are more programs on the radio. Everyone is sitting in the living room, ready to stay up all night to celebrate the New Year. I don’t know why, but in previous years, there was always someone who couldn’t hold on, either Chu Jiujiu or Grandpa Han. New Year, new atmosphere, this time, everyone clenched their fists.
Must stay up all night to succeed!
When the clock in the living room showed eleven o'clock, three people had already fallen down from sleepiness.
…
Chu Jiujiu lay on her arm, her ears filled with the humming of opera singing, the radio still on. Wen Xiuwei sat beside her, sound asleep. Chu Shao was even more exaggerated, his neck tilted, sleeping like he had been shot. Han Shengyi was still quite energetic, but everyone was asleep, and he was bored being alone. Grandma Han was still busy in the kitchen. That's just how she is. When she's awake, she has to work. If she's not allowed to work, she will definitely fall asleep.
Grandpa Han sat cross-legged on the bench like an old monk. He seemed to be in meditation, but in fact he was secretly snoring.
Looking at the whole audience, Han Shengyi fell silent.
It looks like they will never be able to successfully stay up all night to celebrate the New Year in their lifetime.
At twelve o'clock, every household would set off firecrackers. Everyone else was asleep, so he was the only one setting off firecrackers. He took out the Wangua firecrackers that Grandpa Han had specially bought from the cabinet. This thing could go off ten thousand times, and it was very long-lasting and noisy.
With some bad intentions, Han Shengyi didn't plan to wait until twelve o'clock to set off the firecrackers. He took the firecrackers and matchbox, walked into the yard, took a look at Dahuang and Erhuang, made sure they were staying in the nest well, and then he lit the match.
When he lights the fuse and the firecrackers pop, the sleepyheads in the house will surely wake up instantly.
Han Shengyi curled his lips and was about to bend down when two people walked over from outside the black iron railings with steady steps. One of them asked him, "Young man, is this Comrade Han Tinghui's home?"
Han Shengyi raised his head. It was dark under the lamp and he couldn't see what the people outside looked like. He squinted his eyes, extinguished the match in his hand, and took a few steps towards them.
"Yes, may I ask who you are?"
Han Shengyi asked as he walked over. When he reached the railing, he could see the faces of the people outside clearly. They were both strangers, one familiar and the other unfamiliar.
The guard was about to explain, but when Han Shengyi came over, his expression suddenly changed. He was stunned for a moment and didn't say anything.
Chu Liqiang stood beside him, looking at Han Shengyi's shocked expression, he smiled and said, "You are Shengyi, you have grown so tall."
…
Chu Liqiang had never met Han Shengyi, but Chu Jiujiu wrote the letter with so much detail that he even remembered Han Shengyi's height three years ago. Han Shengyi was stunned for a long time before he reacted.
Quickly opening the door, Han Shengyi said, "Why are you back at this time? Come in, I'll go call Chu Shao and the others."
Chu Liqiang: "No need, I'll go and call."
As he spoke, he strode inside. The guard was carrying a bag. Chu Liqiang walked too fast, so he could only run to catch up with him. Han Shengyi didn't care about the firecrackers outside. He hurried to catch up. The three of them walked into the living room one after another. Chu Jiujiu was the most uneasily sleeping. When she heard so many footsteps, she opened her eyes in a daze.
There was water in her eyes, so when she just opened them, her vision was a little blurry. Chu Jiujiu saw three men standing in front of her, one was Han Shengyi, and she didn't know the other two.
After blinking her eyes, her vision became clear and she could see the appearance of the two strangers clearly. Chu Jiujiu sat up straight.
She stared at Chu Liqiang blankly, somewhat suspecting that she was dreaming.
Military uniform, and looks similar to Chu Shao...
Ma'am, ma'am—
These were all Chu Jiujiu's psychological activities. Chu Liqiang took a look at Chu Jiujiu and found that she was indeed as beautiful as Nie Bai described. Then, he withdrew his gaze. What he was most concerned about at this time was his son whom he had not seen for many years.
Chu Liqiang looked at the sleeping Chu Shao, emotions surging in his eyes. He didn't have the heart to wake Chu Shao up, but Chu Jiujiu couldn't bear it.
After she realized what was happening, she quickly jumped up and shook Chu Shao's arm, "Chu Shao! Don't sleep anymore, wake up quickly, look who's here!"
She was not careful or serious. Chu Shao was still sleeping with his neck tilted. With a click, Chu Shao's neck was almost twisted to the back. He covered his neck which was in great pain and opened his eyes inexplicably, "What are you doing? Who's here..."
His voice was lazy, and it stopped abruptly when he saw Chu Liqiang.
Chu Shao looked up, stunned for a long time, and then called out: "Dad."
Chu Liqiang's throat tightened. He raised the corners of his mouth and smiled at Chu Shao, "Yeah."
After a pause, he added, "Grown up."
All of a sudden, the whole Han family became lively again. Grandpa Han woke up and quickly asked him to sit down. Chu Liqiang shook hands with him and thanked him. The two adults talked politely. Grandma Han came out of the kitchen and found that Chu Liqiang had returned before the Spring Festival. She quickly brought in the frozen dumplings outside and cooked another big pot.
The New Year for other families is coming to an end, but the New Year for the Han family is restarting. The happiest people are Grandpa Han and Grandma Han, while Chu Shao sits silently at the table without saying a word. Chu Jiujiu is almost the same. She even sits the farthest away from Chu Liqiang and is not as noisy as usual.
Chu Shao was more timid because he was close to home, while Chu Jiujiu was worried that she would not be able to get through this.
The Han family was too polite. Chu Liqiang actually wanted to greet his son, but seeing this, he had no choice but to pick up the chopsticks with the guard.
While they were eating, Han Shengyi set off firecrackers. It was getting late, and after Chu Liqiang finished, he said he wanted to see Chu Shao and then go back to the guesthouse. Grandma Han wouldn't let him go. She asked Han Shengyi and Chu Shao to sleep with her, freeing up their room for Chu Liqiang and the guards. The Han family's old lady was overly enthusiastic, and Chu Liqiang felt that if this continued, he wouldn't be able to talk to Chu Shao tonight, so he quickly stood up.
"Thank you, but I want to say a few words to Chu Shao first. Is that okay with you?"
Grandma Han was stunned for a moment, then she realized that she had forgotten to give the father and son some time alone. She smiled and said, "Of course, no problem. Chu Shao, Jiujiu, quickly take your father upstairs."
Hearing what Grandma Han said, Chu Liqiang couldn't help but look at Chu Shao and Chu Jiujiu. Three years ago, when Nie Bai came back from Qingzhu Village, he did tell him that Chu Jiujiu had always regarded herself as Chu Shao's biological sister in Qingzhu Village, but he didn't expect that the Han family still thought so after arriving in the capital.
Aren’t they afraid of being exposed?
Chu Liqiang couldn't understand it. He went upstairs with his backpack and didn't notice that after he took that look, Chu Jiujiu and Chu Shao both looked nervous.
Chu Jiujiu didn't dare to go up again. She wanted to run away. Chu Shao was also nervous, but seeing her like this, he grabbed her collar and said in her ear with gritted teeth: "Don't be a coward!"
Chu Jiujiu cried, "I'm a woman, I'm not a coward."
Chu Shao: “…”
No matter what she said, Chu Shao wouldn't let her go. The two of them walked with heavy steps to the bedroom of Chu Shao and Han Shengyi on the third floor, closed the door, and blocked out the noise downstairs, but couldn't block out the sound of firecrackers outside.
Chu Liqiang casually put his backpack on a bed, and then he sat on the bed.
Turning around, he saw that both children were a little nervous. He couldn't help but smile, "It's okay, you did a great job. I don't mean to blame you."
After saying that, he waved to Chu Jiujiu and said, "Come here, let your uncle take a look at you."
When Chu Jiujiu heard the word uncle, she frowned slightly, but still walked over as she was told.
The next questions should be, who are your parents, why do you know Chu Shao, and why are you staying alone in Qingzhu Village. Chu Jiujiu knew she couldn't avoid these inquiries, she just didn't know how to answer.
She walked slowly to Chu Liqiang, clasped her hands together nervously, not daring to look into Chu Liqiang's eyes. She lowered her head, and Chu Liqiang did not speak for a while.
Chu Jiujiu didn't dare to look at him, but Chu Shao didn't feel that pressure. Therefore, he saw with his own eyes how his father's expression changed from indifferent to astonishment.
Moreover, he seemed to be staring at Chu Jiujiu's chest?
Chu Shao was confused. On the other side, Chu Liqiang finally spoke.
"...How did this necklace end up on you?"
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