Twenty-four
"Love cannot be born from repression."
On December 31st, it was almost dark when they left the cemetery, but neither of them really wanted to go home, so they randomly found a quiet bar nearby and sat down to chat.
"Love is simply because of love."
“Upward emotions can survive and develop under repression, but they do not exist because of repression.” Song Moxiao explained logically, “Don’t get confused.”
Ning Yi'en pressed her temples with her hand and did not offer any opinion.
"Anyway, all I could muster in my senior year of high school was hatred for the school, the playground, my classmates, and the cafeteria—pure hatred!"
"Sigh...actually..."
"Okay, I know you might think what I'm saying isn't very credible, but I'm absolutely speaking from the heart!"
“It’s not that I don’t believe you, I just…” Ning Yi’en closed her eyes, hesitating to speak.
“You just feel that this matter is not important to you, and you don’t want to spend time studying it, but that’s okay. I’m just saying this to make you face this emotion so that you won’t have more regrets or spend more energy on it later. Also, whatever choice you make, I will support you.”
Song Moxiao finished speaking in one breath, "After all, you are Ning Yi'en."
"Thank you." Ning Yi'en tilted her head to look at him. "The best Song Moxiao in the world."
"Hey, is there going to be a performance here later?" Song Moxiao asked the bartender in front of the stage.
"Not really, but the view from here will be great during the New Year's Eve drone show. The best spot is on the second floor by the window." She pointed upwards.
"Okay, thank you." Song Moxiao tugged at Ning Yi'en's hat. "Let's sit down, I want to see this."
"Ah," Song Moxiao said, standing at the top of the stairs with a cup in his hand, "the windowsills are all full. Why are you so out of touch?"
“Me?” Ning Yi’en pointed to herself. “My cell phone signal only has two bars.”
"If it's not funny, try something else. You might as well say you're a caveman."
Ning Yi'en said "Oh" to indicate that she understood, "I'm a senior in high school."
"This is kind of funny." Song Moxiao gave him a somewhat caring look. "Let me see which one looks more friendly and strike up a conversation so we can share a table."
"Okay. You take a look first, I'll reply to your message."
"I'm coming in." When Lu Yunian's father brought fruit into his room, he was deep in thought about a chemistry problem.
"Studying so late? You're not like yourself anymore. You've finally figured it out!"
"Isn't it good that your son is studying hard?" Lu Yunian stretched and reached over to grab a pillow from the bed, ready to throw it at his father.
"Hey, hey, stop!" Lu Qin gestured that he was still holding something in his hand, and then hit Lu Yunian on the head hard when Lu Yunian weakly threw the pillow back onto the bed.
"It's good that you love learning, but is this really my son? You haven't been possessed, have you?"
It's no wonder he thinks that way. Lu Yunian used to be a complete layabout. A week ago, his biggest dream was to get into a local ordinary non-985/211 university, and after graduation, he would take over his mother's coffee shop, living a leisurely and carefree life.
Moreover, with his current level, even if he spends the remaining six months sleeping in class every day, getting into that school is a sure thing.
As for the parents' attitude—they've long since let him grow up freely. As long as he doesn't turn into a young, dissolute hoodlum who fights, climbs over walls, gets tattoos and piercings, and harasses girls before adulthood, they don't care.
However, Lu Yunian lived up to their expectations and grew up healthily without causing trouble.
“I was planning to take you to the beach for New Year’s Day, but your brother came back too, so you insisted on staying home to study.”
"You and my mom go, I'm home alone with nothing to do."
"Hey, your mom still wants to spend more time with you."
"Wait!" Lu Yunian suddenly jumped up from his chair. "My brother? When did I get a brother? Who secretly had him behind my back?"
"Are you crazy?" Lu Qin, who was peeling grapes, wanted to kick his son the moment he heard this. "If you're stupid, you shouldn't be studying, I'm telling you, your cousin!"
"Where would I get..." He suddenly paused, then remembered that he did indeed have a brother. "Oh, I remember now."
"Hmm, you haven't completely gone stupid after watching it." Mr. Lu nodded in satisfaction, popped a peeled grape into his mouth, and said, "Your mother and I are going downstairs to set off fireworks. You'll have a boring New Year's Eve by yourself."
"Oh right, there are some sparklers and stuff by the door, and a lighter on the table. You can play with them if you want." Lu Qin walked out of the room. "We're leaving."
"Go ahead, go ahead."
Lu Yunian lost interest in studying and lay on the bed scrolling through his phone.
He typed and deleted a few words in the chat box, finally made up his mind to press the send button, and then quickly stuffed his phone into the bedside drawer. He then sat down at his desk, propped his head up, and absentmindedly studied the chemistry he had just finished writing.
“That guy sitting over there is really handsome and has a great vibe.” Song Moxiao squinted at him—a long-haired boy wearing a black hoodie and a beanie. Even in the dim light and from a distance, his superior features were still noticeable. “How about we sit there?”
"Sure, it's not like you're choosing a partner, why are you being so picky about looks?"
"Ning Yi'en, when did you become so mean? A pretty face can make people feel good," Song Moxiao said as he walked toward his target. "Besides, it wouldn't hurt to develop a relationship... no way!"
When he recognized who was there, Song Moxiao emphasized the last two words.
"I haven't even complained about you yet, sit down." Qi Yun smiled at them and casually pulled out the chair next to him.
“I won’t let you sit here,” he slapped Song Moxiao, who was about to sit down, hard. “I want Nian to sit next to me.”
"Look, does she even acknowledge you? And you're still pinching and squeezing." Song Moxiao pointed at Ning Yi'en, who was looking at her phone, and disdainfully moved aside. "Acting like nobody cares about you."
"I'm being lenient by not kicking you out."
"cut……"
"When did you two start arguing again?" Ning Yi'en put down her phone, breaking the tense atmosphere.
"They've never made up." The two said in unison.
"Alright then." Ning Yi'en couldn't quite understand the subtle atmosphere between the two, but she showed respect, since the three of them were getting along very well. "Didn't you say you weren't coming back this year? Why are you back again?"
“Hey! Young Master,” Song Moxiao interjected, “it doesn’t matter where you sleep, right? You can just sleep on the plane and you’ll be home, isn’t that great?”
"Don't listen to him. Anyone with eyes can tell who the real young master is here at a glance, right, Young Master Song?"
"Get lost, you son of a bitch." Song Moxiao reached out and slapped his head again.
"Just kidding. I was actually planning to visit you tomorrow, but we bumped into each other here instead."
"Why have you grown your hair so long?"
"If you want to keep it, then keep it. It's kind of handsome, isn't it?" Qi Yun took off his hat and tied his hair up.
"You're so beautiful, pretty lady." Song Moxiao winked at him cheekily.
"I was thinking of asking you to come along," Qi Yun ignored him and continued talking to Ning Yi'en, "but you probably can't go to school, right?"
“You were already depressed enough…” Ning Yi’en always smiled faintly, making it difficult for people to discern his emotions. “You look like a wild man with long hair, but you’re still handsome with it.”
"How could that be! Such an exquisite face, like a work of art by God, could only belong to a world-renowned artist."
"Shall we play cards?" Song Moxiao pulled Ning Yi'en's arm. "Let's play against his landlord."
"No." Ning Yi'en held up her phone. "You two can play Tractor, or Stacking Poker."
"Yes, you're not allowed to waste the limited time high school seniors have to play on their phones. Go buy some playing cards."
"Stop desecrating his corpse... He's pitiful enough, let's give him a squeeze... And why should I go, and you go buy it?"
"I'm fine."
"Desensitization training".
Wait a minute, could you be the first to open my chat window at midnight?
While Ning Yi'en was watching the two play games, she received a message from Lu Yunian.
【Yes. Okay】
When Lu Yu Nian posted the message, he didn't expect to receive a reply, since not everyone can make it to the new year.
Besides, even if Ning Yi'en isn't asleep yet, she might not reply to his message. And even if she does reply, why would she necessarily agree?
He wrote a chemistry note for a second, feeling frustrated... then buried himself in his pillow, and finally received the answer after a long few minutes.
"You didn't even ask me what I wanted to do." She sat up in bed with a thud, and in a moment of impulse, sent a voice message.
"Why don't you delete it and resend it..." As he hesitated, his hand hovering above the cancel button, Ning Yi'en replied with a voice message.
"You can't do anything to me through a screen, right?" The voice was lazy and casual. "So anything is fine with me." The soft laughter mixed with the soothing background music, but it clearly reached Lu Yunian's ears.
My chest feels hot.
I added it to my favorites almost by accident.
【Wait for you】
00:00
Not eating fish: [Happy New Year! Brother Yanyan]
Not eating fish: [I'm probably the first one.]
N1E: [Sort of]
"What do you mean by 'considered'?" Lu Yunian muttered to himself, staring at the chat box, but he didn't intend to ask.
What if it turns out not to be true after I ask the question? Well, let's just say it is, even if it is.
"If you want to cheat secretly next time, you can just call."
By the time Lu Yunian realized what was happening, he had already pressed the video call button.
"Oh... okay."
Ning Yi'en's face was clearly visible on the screen. He was also very close to the phone, and his hair occasionally brushed against the screen.
"Happy New Year, Lu Yu Nian."
The performance outside had already begun, and the surrounding environment was noisy.
Yet it was incredibly quiet, as if the world consisted of only the two of them.
"Why aren't you saying anything? Hmm? Star." Seeing Lu Yunian staring blankly at the screen, Ning Yi'en continued, "Watching the drone show?"
By the time Lu Yunian wanted to examine Ning Yi'en's face more closely, the camera had already flipped over.
—What's so interesting about this...?
Lu Yunian thought to himself.
"She's quite pretty." Ning Yi'en raised her head slightly.
It is very beautiful
—Through the reflection in the glass, I can see you again.
"Why isn't anyone setting off fireworks?" Lu Yunian's house is near the river, and the sounds of fireworks and firecrackers are going off outside the window.
"Fireworks are banned in Jingzhou."
“Let’s look at the ones at home,” Lu Yunian said, pointing the camera out the window. “We can put them on together when you come back.”
"OK."
"Oh my," on the way home, the phone was still on, and Song Moxiao finally couldn't help but lean over and tease, "Whose little wife is this?"
"What young couple, what sweet nothings?" Qi Yun squeezed over to take a look. Although Ning Yi'en quickly turned the phone away, he was certain that the person on the phone wasn't a girl.
"Hey!" he shouted, "So you two... even isolate me for this, is that it?"
“You can join, brother.” Song Moxiao put his arm around his shoulder.
"It's terrifying." Qi Yun ran away, and Song Moxiao chased after him.
"I'll hang up now." Lu Yunian covered the camera with his hand.
He was certain his face was burning red, like he'd been caught doing something wrong...
Goodnight, Yanyan, go to sleep early.
"good evening."
"Want to come to my house to play games?"
Ning Yi'en put his phone in his pocket and looked up. Qi Yun and Song Moxiao were standing under the streetlight in front of him, looking at him. The dim light made everything seem incredibly gentle.
"Don't you need to sleep?" Ning Yi'en took a few quick steps and stood between the two of them as they moved forward together.
“Time difference,” Qi Yun shrugged. “He’s going too, are you going or not?”
"You two have made up again?"
“We’ve always been fine.” Song Moxiao put his arm around Ning Yi’en’s shoulder. “Are you coming or not?”
"Hmm..." Ning Yi'en shook her head, "I don't have as much energy as you young people. Go home and get some sleep. Bye-bye."
"Hey, why is your living room light still on? Did you forget to turn it off when you left?"
"I haven't been home yet."
"Then..." Qiao Song hesitated, then exchanged glances with Song Moxiao.
"It's okay, I can't fight with him anyway."
Ning Yi'en waved to the two of them, "You guys go play, I'm going home to sleep."
"Bye."
"You're feeling better."
"Dad," Ning Yi'en said as he entered the room, his father staring at him blankly. The television was off, and it seemed he hadn't been playing on his phone. "Why aren't you asleep yet?"
"I was just thinking you were coming back today, it's been so long since I've seen you."
"Hmm," Ning Yi'en actually always felt a kind of warm distance from her parents, and often didn't quite know how to get along with them. "Happy New Year, Dad. I'm going to sleep now, you too..."
"Hey!" His father called out to him just before he went up the stairs. "I brought you some food..."
"No need, I've already had dinner."
"Have some, otherwise there's so much..."
"Dad!" Ning Yi'en said, raising her voice as she stepped onto the stairs, "I've already told you I won't..."
"Huh?" Ning's father paused for a moment. "That's not what I meant. If you can buy someone off with just one meal, that's not like my son Ning Feng at all."
Ning Yi'en eventually went back to the living room and sat down next to her father.
"There's some soda in the fridge. I didn't know which kind you like, so I bought some of everything."
“No need,” Ning Yi’en said, opening the takeout box. “I haven’t liked drinking these for a long time.”
“Sigh, that’s true…preferences are bound to change over the years.” Ning Feng didn’t touch his chopsticks, just stared straight at Ning Yi’en. “You’re all grown up now, and you still remember secretly asking me to buy you soda when you were little, and having to keep Grandpa and Mom away…”
"I stopped liking it when I was seven or eight years old," Ning Yi'en stated calmly.
“Well,” the father said awkwardly, abruptly changing the subject, “I see that Xiao Song and Xiao Yun are back. How about we go to Universal Studios together tomorrow? It’s on me.”
"No need. I'll just stay home tomorrow." Ning Yi'en looked up at her father. Time seemed to have left few marks on him, but Ning Yi'en often couldn't reconcile him with the image in her memory. She couldn't say whether this was a good or bad thing. "You don't need to work overtime tomorrow, right?"
"No need, no need." Ning Feng looked relieved. "Even if I were to go, I... no, no, I'll stay home with you tomorrow no matter what."
Ning Yi'en ate almost everything his father brought back, even though he wasn't hungry.
The consequence was that I stayed awake until dawn.
"You're so big and you still want to play on the swings..." Grandpa held little Ning Yi'en's hand as he supervised Ning's father assembling the swings under the shade of a tree.
"Do you want me to push you, Yiyi?"
"Our little Yi would definitely prefer to be pushed by Grandpa, right?"
"You, you always run to the yard to swing on the swings whenever you're a little unhappy. You can't hide your little thoughts at all..."
Ning Yi'en thought his grandfather was going to scold him too, so he turned his face away and refused to look him in the eye. But his grandfather just tapped Ning on the head and then went around to help him push the swing.
At six o'clock, the sky was just beginning to lighten. Ning Yi'en stood alone beside the swing.
How come the swing that used to require tiptoeing to reach has been exposed to wind, sun, and rain and has secretly shrunk while he was away?
"Why did Dad buy such a big one? I can't even fit in it."
"You'll be able to sit on it soon and play all the time."
Ning Yi'en had assumed that her father had long ago ordered it to be demolished, but she was surprised to find that it was still standing there.
It's a bit too small to sit on now, and the slightly rusty frame makes a sharp sound.
The creaking sound of the gentle swaying echoed in my ears.
The wind blew again, taking many things away and bringing everything back.
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