Ji Wei had given up on repairing the brotherhood between Ji Yan, Ji Yushi, and Ji Xuekong. In his few phone calls with Ji Yan, he would occasionally mention Ji Yushi and Ji Xuekong, but Ji Yan always seemed to be enjoying the spectacle. Over time, Ji Wei naturally gave up.
Ji Yushi and Ji Xuekong were certainly filled with regret, but even with their regrets, there was no chance to make amends, and the words they wanted to say could no longer reach Ji Yan.
They closed the door first, so they can't blame Ji Yan for adding another lock.
...
Life at home remained ordinary: chatting, strolling around, and playing with the kids. This year, Ji Yan had an additional task—chatting with Teacher Ning.
On the afternoon of New Year's Eve, Ji Yan showed Ning Wei the paper-cut window decorations that his family had already put up. This work was mainly done by Ji Qing, and Ji Yan was responsible for helping him hand over the decorations and holding the chair. However, in his description to Ning Wei, Ji Yan exaggerated his own contribution.
He had to make Teacher Ning realize how excellent he was.
Ning Wei then sent him a few rabbit thumbs-up emojis.
In his excitement, Ji Yan made a video call to Ning Wei. He regretted it as soon as the call connected and was about to hang up when Ning Wei answered.
Ji Yan was thinking from his own perspective.
He doesn't have the same social anxiety as Teacher Ning when interacting with others, but when communicating with people, he prefers to send messages instead of video calls or phone calls, because he feels that phone calls are too oppressive and seem too urgent.
It was the same after she got together with Ning Wei—
The two meet whenever possible, arranging the time and place in advance, which is more intimate than sending messages—Ji Yan almost never video chats with Ning Wei, as he feels that she doesn't really like interacting with people. Even though Ning Wei can change her original habits for Ji Yan, Ji Yan doesn't want that.
He hopes that they can always maintain their individuality in their relationship, remain equal, and face each other as they truly are.
As soon as the video call connected, Ji Yan couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Don't laugh," Ning Wei whispered, scolding him.
Judging from Ning Wei's background, she should be outside the house. Snow is falling in the yard, and the tree trunks and walls are covered with a thick layer of snow. Ning Wei appears in the shot wrapped up like a ball, wearing a bright red knitted hat and a red scarf around her neck.
It must have been very cold outside; the tip of his nose was red from the cold.
"You look great," Ji Yan complimented him first. "You look very good in red."
—Although he almost didn't recognize that this was his teacher, Ms. Ning.
Ning Wei's daily outfits are mostly dark colors, and he rarely wears bright colors. Ji Yan has never seen him wear a fiery and festive color like red. Ji Yan guesses that it is probably because his elders in the family force him to wear it. After all, Teacher Ning is only cold on the outside, but he is actually very gentle on the inside. He probably can't refuse his family's request.
"Did it snow where you are?" Ji Yan asked with envy. "It didn't snow where I am, but there was a cold snap, and the wind made my neck hurt."
He also honestly showed Ning Wei what he was like at home—on New Year's Eve, he only helped out, but was still ruthlessly kicked out of the kitchen for causing trouble. So now he was squatting alone in the room, wearing a cotton coat and trousers with rich patterns, slowly peeling and eating an orange.
The tangerines were very sweet, and Ji Yan showed off several right now.
“Look outside, it’s all gray.” Ji Yan pointed the camera at the window. “The weather forecast said it would snow, but unfortunately it hasn’t snowed yet.”
Ning Wei silently observed Ji Yan's room. The room was simply furnished, similar to the environment Ji Yan had described for his home. However, the room looked very clean. There were two old photos on the table, but unfortunately, they were too far away for Ning Wei to see clearly.
He could only see the outline of a chubby little boy.
The room also had bookshelves and wardrobes. On the bookshelves were several comic books that looked quite old, and some newer ones were music books. Although Ji Yan complained that he didn't want to bring his songwriting work home, he was still thinking about the songs he hadn't finished writing before the Spring Festival.
"Would you like to see my nephew?" Ji Yan suddenly asked.
Ning Wei looked somewhat bewildered, but the next moment, Ji Yan opened the door, and a small figure slipped in.
“I just heard him knocking on the door,” Ji Yan said with a smile. “He’s been sticking close to me ever since I got back.”
Ji Yan propped his phone up on the table, picked up Dundun, and introduced him to Ning Wei across from him: "One of my main tasks during the Spring Festival holiday is to keep an eye on this little kid who runs around all day."
When we came back two years ago, Dundun was still young and easy to coax, so taking care of him wasn't too troublesome. But this year, this little guy has become the most difficult person to deal with in the Ji family. He's vicious, destructive, and can appear in unknown corners without warning.
Ji Yan's biggest advantage is his handsome appearance. Little Dun Dun's nature of being a sucker for good looks is still there, so he always behaves very well when Ji Yan plays with him.
Ji Qing and Ji Yan's sister-in-law were both very relieved to entrust Dundun to Ji Yan's care.
Under Ji Yan's guidance, Dun Dun called out "Uncle" to Ning Wei in a clear voice. Then he ran downstairs to play by himself. He had recently become interested in the old comics in Ji Yan's room. Although he couldn't understand them, he especially liked the old man in the comic book whose clothes had the character for "turtle" printed on them. He would grin whenever he saw him.
Ning Wei, who learned from Ji Yan about Dun Dun's obsession with looks: "..."
To be honest, he was a little hurt. Although he already knew that children liked good-looking people, he hoped that Dundun would like him a little more.
"Teacher Ning is so handsome!"
My boyfriend is super handsome!
Although Ji Yan only muttered it in a very low voice, Ning Wei was still flattered by his praise. In the footage, whether it was from the wind or from Ji Yan's compliments, Ning Wei's face looked much redder than before.
The snow in the yard was falling heavier and heavier, and Ning Wei went back inside.
"We're having fireworks here tonight, are there any where you live?" Ji Yan asked. "I'll take pictures and show them to you."
"good."
After hanging up the video call, Ning Wei transferred money to Ji Yan via WeChat, with the note "New Year's red envelope for Dun Dun".
Ji Yan didn't stand on ceremony with Ning Wei. Instead, after receiving the transfer, he asked matter-of-factly, "What about mine?"
He even used panda emojis to bolster his courage, using the panda's cuteness to cover up his shameless act of reaching out.
Because he knew very well that Ning Wei would definitely indulge him.
Sure enough, just a few dozen seconds after he sent the message, Ning Wei sent him a New Year's red envelope.
Ji Yan accepted the red envelope with a smile, and then sent Ning Wei a red envelope in return: "Happy New Year, Teacher Ning!"
"Happy New Year."
Let's stay together next year too.
The rabbit was nodding earnestly at the other end. Even though Ji Yan couldn't see the other's face at this moment, he could still imagine the earnest look in its eyes and its movements.
In the new year, he couldn't help but like her a little more.
...
For the past few years, Z County has banned fireworks, and Ji Qing's area happens to be within the prohibited area. However, every Spring Festival, a special area is designated for fireworks, which can be set off and watched. Gradually, the fireworks have become more and more spectacular each year, and many people come to join in the fun on New Year's Eve.
Ji Yan sent Ning Wei a video of the fireworks: "Isn't it beautiful?"
"nice."
Ning Wei's family is allowed to set off fireworks. He played with the kids at home last year, but they didn't this year.
"I want to let it go too."
The wind was cold, and Ji Yan had to hunch his hands while typing. Then, he saw Ning Wei's latest message: "Can I invite you to my house?"
Ji Yan smiled and said, "I'll think about it."
"No need to consider it."
The rabbit sent a pleading emoji, and Ji Yan's smile became even brighter.
Ji Qing was not far from Ji Yan. Upon seeing his expression, she whispered to Ji Yan's sister-in-law next to her, "Is Xiao Yan in a relationship?"
“He was indeed glued to his phone the whole time he came back.”
"I haven't seen any news about him being in a relationship."
The sister-in-law glanced at Ji Qing: "You usually read serious news, but when I read entertainment gossip, a lot of it is tied to Xiao Yan."
"Did you talk about his partner?"
"No."
Ji Qing: "..."
He even thought his wife knew some inside information that he didn't.
So you're just like him.
Regardless of whether Ji Yan is in a relationship or not, Ji Qing doesn't intend to ask any more questions. It's Ji Yan's freedom to like or dislike whoever he wants, as long as he's happy. Ji Qing even thinks it's great that Ji Yan can still fall for someone.
Ji Qing felt that Ji Yan's condition hadn't been very good since returning from his biological brother's place; to use a popular phrase, his worldview might have been turned upside down.
After all, if his blood relatives could treat him that way, how could he have confidence in an even more unstable relationship?
When it comes to love, Ji Qing won't restrict Ji Yan, but as his older brother, if Ji Yan is willing to speak up, he will still remind him to be serious.
"Xiao Yan has reached this age too," Ji Qing remarked with a sigh.
Ji Yan's sister-in-law glanced at him and said, "Xiao Yan is already doing very well, and you are doing very well too. Don't always look like you're under a lot of pressure. Xiao Yan knows all about it."
As the older brother, Ji Qing has done a very good job.
Therefore, Ji Yan and his sister-in-law are now on the same side. They both hope that Ji Qing can have an easier life and break free from the burden of being his older brother.
"I know."
Ji Qing walked over and patted Ji Yan on the shoulder: "Don't play for too long, your sister-in-law and I are going back first."
"Okay!"
Ji Yan was busy chatting and didn't notice the smile on his brother's face. He took a picture of the fireworks and sent it to Ning Wei. The fireworks lasted for a long time, and the weather got colder and colder. On the way home, Ji Yan heard the sound of the midnight bell.
Happy New Year, Teacher Ning.
He thought Ning Wei was already asleep, because he had already said goodnight to her a little after 11 o'clock.
But it didn't happen.
The instant Ji Yan sent his voice message, almost simultaneously, the other person's voice wishing him a Happy New Year reached him. It was as if they were in perfect unison; they wished each other a Happy New Year at the same time.
"This time it's really goodnight."
Ji Yan walked slowly towards home. The sky should have been very dark on a winter night, but the whole county was brightly lit on New Year's Eve. After walking for a while, Ji Yan started running. Hearing the whistling wind in his ears, his body, which had been standing for a long time, slowly warmed up.
It's a new year again.
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