Chapter 143: Everything is fine
Chapter 143: Everything is fine
After this incident, Fang Yuenian's sexual orientation and romantic relationships became an open secret in the dormitory. His roommates would occasionally make a few roundabout jokes about him, but in general, everyone tacitly protected his secret and prevented it from becoming common knowledge.
Fang Yuenian felt an unprecedented sense of relief, which gave her the courage to finally get through to Cheng Xiaoxiao on a weekend evening.
After calling out "Sister," Cheng Xiaoxiao on the other end of the phone said, "Oh, you finally called me. I thought you weren't planning to talk to me anymore."
Hearing that familiar, gentle voice, Fang Yuenian's heart softened. She wanted to say so much, but could only choke out, "I'm sorry."
"Hurry up and put it away. Okay, okay, there's nothing to apologize for. Things are turning out for the best, aren't they?"
Fang Yue said in a young voice, "Mm."
"So, it's up to you guys now. I don't have much to say. Give your sister Jun a call, she participated in a debate about sexual minorities back in her freshman year."
Fang Yuenian was taken aback. "Huh?"
Cheng Xiaoxiao chuckled several times and said, "Just kidding. I meant don't feel pressured. She's a worldly person. Oh, by the way, how's your mother?"
Fang Yuenian hadn't reacted yet, and said blankly, "Oh, it's pretty good. Now I can walk around a little while wearing protective gear."
"That's good. Take your time to recover. She's at your in-laws' house now, which is great. She can rest and recuperate without any worries."
"That's true." Fang Yue Nian smiled bitterly. She didn't have to worry about her family anymore, nor did she have to deal with her ex-husband who would get angry at the mere sight of him. It was perfect.
The siblings chatted for a few more minutes before Cheng Xiaoxiao said she had to prepare dinner and then hung up the phone.
Fang Yuenian breathed a sigh of relief, feeling much more relaxed. She then took the plunge and called Cheng Junjun as well.
Unlike her gentle older sister, Cheng Junjun immediately launched into a tirade, then asked him, "Will you still hide things next time?"
Fang Yuenian immediately said, "I will never dare to do it again."
Cheng Junjun was finally satisfied. As a worldly person who had participated in a debate on sexual minorities in her freshman year, she briefly mentioned a few key points. For example, there was no need to be obsessed with coming out of the closet. Other people's opinions were not important, and it was unnecessary to make things difficult for herself. Furthermore, she addressed other embarrassing issues, reminding the two young people to be moderate, not to act recklessly, and to prioritize their health... She went on and on until Fang Yuenian's ears were completely burning before she finally left, satisfied.
OK, everything is fine now.
A few months later, summer vacation arrived.
Fang Yuenian and Cheng Bing embarked on their return journey.
Cheng Qiuyan was worried about the two of them going through such a long journey by plane and train, so she sent her husband to pick them up at the airport. When Lin Guohui arrived at the airport, he felt uneasy while waiting for them.
This was the first time he had seen Fang Yuenian since his son came out. He had watched the child grow up over the years, and now that his identity had changed, he was really not used to it. He didn't know how to start a conversation when they met.
Meanwhile, Fang Yuenian became uneasy after learning that Lin Guohui was coming to pick her up. On the plane, she cautiously asked Cheng Bing, "What should I say when I see Uncle Lin?"
Cheng Bing asked, puzzled, "Is there something I can't say?"
Fang Yuenian leaned back weakly in her chair, "No, I'm too nervous..."
“It’s okay,” Cheng Bing interrupted his rambling thoughts, reaching out her hand to intertwine their fingers. “Just like before.”
Lin Guohui told himself the same thing.
When he picked up the child, he saw that Fang Yuenian still didn't seem to have grown back. She was just as thin as she was during the New Year, with a pale face, and he immediately felt sorry for her.
It was hard to say anything to Fang Yuenian, but he pointed at Cheng Bing, who was carrying luggage, and said, "What's wrong with you guys out here? Have you been eating properly?"
Fang Yuenian put the second suitcase into the trunk and laid it flat. Hearing this, she looked up and explained in a low voice, "Uncle Lin, we ate very well."
"Why aren't you gaining weight? You're still so skinny!" Lin Guohui scolded angrily. He took a break halfway and sent a WeChat message to Cheng Qiuyan, asking her to prepare more food, saying that Xiao Yuenian was so thin that she was practically skin and bones.
Teacher Fang and Grandma Fang had been waiting for their grandson for a long time.
Fang Yuenian agreed to have dinner at her grandparents' house before going to her in-laws' house. So when Fang Yuenian, who had traveled a long way, stepped into the house, there was a table of dishes waiting for her. It wasn't particularly lavish, but it was steaming hot. Teacher Fang was still wearing her apron, and Grandma Fang was picking scallions from a small pot that the old couple had planted in the backyard.
In that instant, Fang Yuenian felt a sudden warmth in his heart—when his mother was in this family, every time he came home there were always all kinds of things he loved to eat, and she would always ask him how he was doing. He thought he would never have any of that again.
After dinner, Fang Yuenian still found something to do. In the small orchard in front of the house, several of the branches that formed the railings were crooked, with the nails used to fix them exposed. He found a hammer and prepared to do some simple repairs. He had just started working and hadn't done anything yet when he heard footsteps nearby, followed by someone calling him: "Little Yuenian."
Fang Yuenian looked up and exclaimed, "Oh, it's Xiaohui's grandma."
Grandma Hongmei's gray hair was styled into a flat, round bun, with a gardenia bud pinned to it.
"You've come to your house?" She smiled, revealing a face full of wrinkles. "Didn't you go see your mother?"
Fang Yuenian remained expressionless. "I'll go."
Grandma Hongmei stepped forward and said with pity, "Oh dear, you've been running around like this, it must have been tough for you. You little rascal, everyone says you've done something terrible..."
"Are you here to see my grandma?" Fang Yuenian smashed a slightly protruding nail with a hammer. "She's at home."
Grandma Hongmei touched her hair, completely ignoring Fang Yue Nian's cold gaze, and asked in a low voice, "Little Nian Nian, let me ask you, have you seen the woman your father recently found?"
With a "clang," Fang Yuenian's hand stopped.
"Oh, don't be angry. We had to find someone eventually. Your father isn't even fifty yet. Finding someone can also help take care of your grandparents, so you can feel more at ease out there, right?" Grandma Hongmei said earnestly. "If you ask me, it's all about fate. Your mother has worked so hard her whole life, it's been such a hard life..."
Fang Yuenian's eyes narrowed, she straightened up, and her gaze fell coldly on her face.
Grandma Hongmei felt a little awkward under his gaze, and shifted her limbs nervously. "Well..."
"Hey! I knew I shouldn't have asked you to come and call for help!" A voice cut through the air, accompanied by the sound of overlapping footsteps, and Hongmei hurried over.
Upon seeing Fang Yuenian's face, Hongmei didn't hesitate and immediately pointed at her mother-in-law, saying, "Don't you have anything better to do? You're here chewing maggots again!"
Then he turned to Fang Yuenian, softened his expression and said, "Yuenian, don't worry about her. She's getting old and her mind isn't working well. Hey, I made two dishes. If you're free tomorrow, come over to my place for lunch."
Looking at the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law in front of her, Fang Yuenian inexplicably thought of the old Mrs. Fang and Wang Jing from the past.
However, even though Hongmei had gained an absolute advantage in the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, it was difficult for her to restrain an old woman who loved to gossip about other people's affairs, enjoyed watching the drama unfold, and was always afraid that others were having an easy time.
"No need, Aunt Hongmei, I'm staying at my mom's tonight and won't be back until tomorrow," he replied.
Hongmei said, "Oh right, right, I went to see your mom a couple of days ago. She's almost fully recovered, but she can't walk for long periods. She's really taking good care of herself. I'll invite her over for dinner when she's feeling a bit better. You haven't been back for the past two days, so it would be nice if Auntie just made you some simple dishes." She was worried about Fang Yuenian's current awkward situation. At his grandparents' house, no one was as caring as her, and at his in-laws' house, Wang Jing couldn't do any housework and couldn't help her son with chores.
Fang Yuenian smiled at her, "Auntie, I'll be back the day after tomorrow. Aunt Qiuyan invited me to lunch."
After saying that, he looked at Granny Hongmei again and saw that she had wide eyes. She seemed to be extremely shocked that he was going to eat at Cheng Bing's house. Perhaps she would spread the news to every lively corner of the village right away.
After her initial surprise, Hongmei immediately smiled and said, "Oh! That's good, that's good too. Your Aunt Qiuyan is sure to cook well, so go and eat. Oh dear, I was thinking of inviting you to dinner, but Qiuyan was trying to take it from me. It's alright, it's alright. I'll invite you again next time, so don't say you can't come, or Auntie will get angry."
Grandma Hongmei chimed in, "Yanzi from her family does cook quite well..."
"What's it to you?" Hongmei retorted in a low voice, clearly annoyed. "Let's go home."
Fang Yuenian said, "Aunt Hongmei, take care."
Hongmei quickly said, "Oh, okay, you've only been home for one day, don't do all this stuff, you'll tire yourself out. Wouldn't it be better if your dad did it?"
"It's nothing, just looking around," Fang Yuenian said, then lowered her head and continued with her work.
Hongmei then went home with her mother-in-law, the two bickering as they walked.
Teacher Fang waited until the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law left before coming out of the kitchen and saying, "That's enough, that's enough. Come in, wash your hands, and have some fruit."
Fang Yuenian: "It'll be ready soon."
Teacher Fang then stopped, looked at her grandson, and suddenly asked, "Did they call you for dinner?"
The word "her home" was somewhat ambiguous. Fang Yuenian raised her face and replied, "Yes."
Teacher Fang didn't react much, saying, "Well, let's go then."
"Where is Grandma?" Fang Yuenian asked.
"She said she felt dizzy and lay in the room watching TV."
Fang Yuenian nodded, quickly straightened and reinforced the railings in her hands, and clapped her hands in satisfaction after finishing.
The fruit-eating process was relatively quiet. After silently eating two slices of watermelon, Fang Yuenian abruptly asked, "Dad's getting married?"
Grandma Fang was taken aback, and her face immediately changed.
Teacher Fang's face darkened as well. Before Old Mrs. Fang could speak, she said angrily, "Mind your own business! This brat has no manners. It's only been a few days! Let him be. Grandpa's home. I'll see if he dares to bring anyone in!"
Seeing that the old man had already finished cursing, Old Lady Fang changed the subject and asked Fang Yuenian, "Yuenian, who's got the nerve to come and talk to you like this? Don't pay attention to them, they all seem afraid of missing out on a good show..."
“It’s Xiaohui’s grandma,” Fang Yuenian said expressionlessly.
Grandma Fang was visibly startled, and then her whole face turned red.
With a loud bang, she slammed her hand on the table. "I knew it was that disgusting woman! She's always up to no good, her eyes are always on our family. She can't stand that you got into a better school than her grandson. I don't know how she's laughing behind your back now that your mother is gone! And now she's starting to stir up trouble again, she'll only be happy if our family is turned upside down and we can't make a living!"
Fang Yuenian leaned back slightly, and after she finished scolding, she slowly said, "Don't get angry like that."
Teacher Fang also said, "That's right! Why do you care about her? She's always been that kind of person, don't you know that? From now on, when you see her, don't even give her a second glance. If she comes to talk, just turn around and walk away. Let her talk all she wants!"
Instead of adding fuel to the fire, her husband and grandson tried to persuade her. Old Mrs. Fang had learned her lesson recently and went along with it. While eating, she muttered, "From now on, I'll just pretend I don't see her when I see her, so as not to waste my breath on the two of them!"
Teacher Fang coughed and said, "Don't say anything else in front of her, or she might embellish it and spread it around."
Fang Yuenian understood the implication but didn't care. She stood up and said, "Grandpa and Grandma, please continue eating. I'm going to pick up the boxes."
This meant he was going to his mother's place immediately, so Teacher Fang could only say, "Go ahead." Author's note: Thank you to my mentor 9492239 (9492239) for your support! For more exciting content, please leave a message for this book on Liancheng Reading.
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