Less than twenty minutes later, the car arrived at Xiao Yi's home. Each brother carried a large suitcase, swiftly climbing the six floors. The neighbourhood was newly built, quite clean in the vicinity, and had a low occupancy rate. When Lu Zhou got out of the car, he glanced around and commented, "Your home is nice."

"Bought it a few years ago," Xiao Yi said. "Originally, I planned to use it as my marital home after graduation. Now, my younger brother and parents live here, and it's under my brother's name."

Lu Zhou nodded. Xiao Yi continued, "Tonight, Zhou ge, stay at my place. Everything is ready. We can switch to a hotel tomorrow..."

"No need," Lu Zhou said. "I'm heading back on the third day of the Lunar New Year."

Xiao Yi breathed a sigh of relief. Even though Lu Zhou had a difficult temper, at least at Xiao Yi's home, things might calm down for a few days. They entered the house, and Xiao Qiang and Lu Zhou each carrying an LV suitcase were the first to enter. Xiao Yi's parents warmly welcomed them. The first thing to enter Xiao Yi's home was Lu Zhou's LV suitcase. Although Xiao Yi's father didn't deal with luxury goods, he still knew they were somewhat expensive.

"Ah, we finally waited for you," Xiao Yi's parents thought they would see their daughter-in-law, but when Lu Zhou appeared, they were dumbfounded to discover it was a man.

Xiao Yi's father: "…"

Xiao Yi's mother: "…"

"This is Zhou ge," Xiao Yi said, "Zhou ge, my dad, and my mom."

"Hello, Uncle. Hello, Auntie," Lu Zhou shook hands with Xiao Yi's parents, feeling a bit awkward. Xiao Yi's father was the first to recover, smiling and saying, "Come, please have a seat. You must be tired from the journey."

Finally, safely at home, Xiao Yi thought that even if Lu Zhou had a bad temper, he could probably enjoy a few peaceful days at home without being scolded in front of his mother.

Indeed, Lu Zhou refrained from scolding anyone and was quite polite when visiting Xiao Yi's home.

Xiao Yi's father was the headmaster of an elementary school, about to retire soon. Xiao Yi's mother used to work in a knitting factory in Jing Shan but had retired early. She often talked about her two sons getting married. Although the elders were a bit disappointed that they didn't see a daughter-in-law, they quickly adjusted, and Lu Zhou was still warmly welcomed.

As Xiao Yi moved Lu Zhou's things into the room, he introduced Lu Zhou as his new boss who had been taking care of him. Xiao Yi's father kept thanking Lu Zhou, expressing gratitude for looking after his son. Xiao Yi's father soon switched to discussing how Xiao Yi was thoughtless, "Oh, you've been worrying about him."

"Just call me Xiao Lu,(NT: ‘Little Lu’, a normal way for elderly Chinese people to address younger ones)" Lu Zhou said with a smile.

"Have something to eat," Xiao Yi's mother said. "We thought you would be back in the afternoon… the Spring Festival travel rush is causing delays. Come on, Xiao Lu, have a little something to eat first. I'll go heat up the soup."

Xiao Yi's mother went to heat up the soup in the pressure cooker. Lu Zhou told Xiao Yi, "You go about your business. Don't worry about me. Oh, thank you, Auntie."

Xiao Yi finally settled Lu Zhou. After a brief lively moment, the family returned to normal. Xiao Yi's father asked, "How has Du Ma been? He called the house last time, asking for your contact information."

Xiao Yi remembered; it should have been before the New Year when they were going to have a class reunion. Du Ma had called their home. Xiao Yi explained, "He's managing his father's company now, dealing with private lending. They even have Lexus cars now."

Xiao Yi's father glanced at Xiao Yi with a slightly reproachful look, and Xiao Yi chuckled. Sitting at the dining table, Lu Zhou was sipping soup, and Xiao Yi said, "Mom! Is there more soup?"

Xiao Yi's mother dug another bowl of soup for him. Xiao Yi then scooped some lotus root for Lu Zhou, saying, "Try this winter lotus root. It's something you can't find anywhere else in the country."

"I know," Lu Zhou said. "I used to eat it often when I lived in Wuhan. In Beijing, not so much."

The soup made with lotus root and pork ribs in Hubei has a unique colour and aroma. The lotus root can be pulled into thin threads. Xiao Yi eagerly drank the soup with his home's flavour, feeling incredibly comfortable.

After having a late-night snack, Xiao Yi went to turn on the water heater and brought clothes for Lu Zhou. He was busy with various tasks, Lu Zhou said, "I can handle this myself."

"It's okay," Xiao Yi said. "Tonight, we'll sleep in this room."

Xiao Yi's home had two bedrooms and two living rooms, but it was spacious at over ninety square meters. Knowing Lu Zhou's habits, Xiao Yi had his parents clean the room in advance, removing all unnecessary items quickly, moving the computer to the corner of the living room for his younger brother to use. They replaced all the bedding with new ones. In the humid and cold winter of Central China, without heating, it felt damp and cold. Xiao Yi turned on a heater to warm up the room.

Because it was a newly moved-in house, the windows were very clean. Outside was the night view of the development zone. The bed was large, and the furniture was new. Compared to a hotel, the conditions were not much worse. Xiao Yi poured a glass of water and placed it on the bedside table. He connected all electronic devices to the home's WiFi before going to take a shower.

Lu Zhou stood by the French window, looking at the balcony outside, brightly lit, with the sound of chickens. The sight startled Lu Zhou, who discovered there were two chickens kept there.

"Gifts from students’ parents," Xiao Yi said as he came out after the shower. "It's a bit cold, so we need to move them into the kitchen. We'll eat them during the Spring Festival."

Xiao Yi moved the cage with the two chickens into the kitchen.

"How much is this house per square meter?" Lu Zhou asked.

"Bought it several years ago," Xiao Yi said while drying his hair. "It was just over 3,000 per square meter at the time, and now it's risen to over 5,000."

"Not bad, and the air is good too," Lu Zhou commented.

Xiao Yi spread out a mat on the floor, saying, "The average salary is low here. My brother works in a supermarket doing logistics, earning just over two thousand a month, and that's with connections."

Lu Zhou asked, "If you can make a living at home, why not come back?"

"Ah," Xiao Yi sighed. "Going back home can't be in the county, right? What kind of job can I find in the music department here? I still have to go to Wuhan, where a house costs over 10,000 per square meter, which I can't afford."

"Do you still play the erhu?" Lu Zhou seemed to have discovered a new world, picking up the erhu that Xiao Yi had placed under the bookshelf.

"I learned it when I was a kid," Xiao Yi said. "I even took exams. I played from the third grade of elementary school until the second year of junior high, for several years. This was my motivation for studying music. Want to hear me play a piece for you?"

Xiao Yi opened the erhu case, which hadn't been played in a long time. Lu Zhou watched him skeptically, seemingly not believing that he could really play. Xiao Yi tuned it, wiped the strings for a while, and Lu Zhou said, "Forget it, forget it, put it away. There's dust everywhere."

Pressing the strings, Xiao Yi hesitated for a moment, then played "Erquan Yingyue." (1) (NT: ‘The Moon's Reflection on the Second Spring ‘) Lu Zhou said, "Stop, please stop. It's the Lunar New Year; don't play such a song."

Awkwardly smiling, Xiao Yi put the erhu away and said, "The erhu was passed down from my grandfather. It's a family treasure. My dad didn't learn it, so he asked me to learn, and in the end, I studied a major that didn't have much development."

Lu Zhou asked, "What about that one? Bring it out for a look?"

Lu Zhou pointed to a photo frame on the bookshelf, and Xiao Yi immediately became flustered, trying to put it away. However, Lu Zhou's expression changed, and Xiao Yi had no choice but to take it out and show it to him.

In the photo, Xiao Yi and a very popular singer were standing together, smiling and gesturing.

Lu Zhou exclaimed, "Do you know him?"

"We were in the same batch," Xiao Yi said.

Lu Zhou looked Xiao Yi up and down, feeling like he couldn't recognize him. Xiao Yi honestly explained, saying, "At that time, we participated in the audition for the Best Male Singer. We took this photo."

"Not selected nationally?" Lu Zhou asked.

"It required a sponsorship fee of 500,000," Xiao Yi said. "Couldn't afford it, so we were eliminated in the regional round."

Lu Zhou scoffed and said, "Director Du wanted to sign him. This kid messed around for a few years, offended the talent agency, and now he's gradually returning to where he started."

Xiao Yi nodded, placed the photo frame back, facing the wall, and held onto it. Seeing Xiao Yi's appearance, Lu Zhou felt annoyed and reprimanded, "Why are you holding onto the photo frame? Jealous of him?"

Xiao Yi: "…"

Xiao Yi had no choice but to flip the photo over again. Lu Zhou commented, "Unwilling to accept failure, you're really persistent."

"I am really persistent," Xiao Yi said helplessly.

Curiously, Lu Zhou looked at the photos on Xiao Yi's bookshelf. Xiao Yi, carrying a guitar, stood in the centre of the stage, bathed in colourful lights. His vibrant appearance resembled that of a star on the stage.

There were various photos below, including pictures of Xiao Yi with different celebrities on Sina and other platforms.

"I lived in Wuhan with my mom for twelve years when I was a child," Lu Zhou said. "I attended elementary school in Hankou."

"Yeah," Xiao Yi responded.

Lu Zhou suggested, "Come up and sleep."

Xiao Yi hastily said, "No, I'll sleep on the floor."

Lu Zhou insisted, "It's okay. The bed is big. Let's sleep together. It's too cold on the floor. If your parents see you lying on the floor later, it won't be good. No matter how persistent you are, you're still your parents' treasure, right?"

Xiao Yi: "…"

Xiao Yi then lay down on the bed, folding the quilt twice. Lu Zhou casually flipped through one of Xiao Qiang's gaming magazines, saying, "My mom wanted me to go to a sports school for the subsidy, but I didn't want to. I wanted to act."

"Acting majors are expensive, you know." Lu Zhou turned to Xiao Yi and said, "Back then, it cost over 40,000 a year, totaling 160,000 for four years. It's not a small sum. My dad is a slacker. My mom didn't let me go, but I insisted on acting, taking engagements, working part-time as a model, doing odd jobs on set, editing videos, and even lying on the ground to push cameras. You know?"

"Understood," Xiao Yi said. "I understand."

Lu Zhou: "…"

"Let's continue talking!" Xiao Yi immediately howled and turned around to hug Lu Zhou. Lu Zhou's face turned red instantly, and he hurriedly tried to push Xiao Yi away, kicking him to the side. He then said, "If it weren't for my persistence back then, how could I be where I am now?"

"I watched your interviews," Xiao Yi said. "There are many interviews with you in various movie magazines. Zhou ge, you're very inspiring."

"Struggling singers in Beijing make at least eight thousand even if they aren't famous," Lu Zhou said. "Do you know how people like Director Du sign artists? It's not just about whether you can become famous but also whether you can have future development. Among ten thousand people, only about ten or so stand out. More often than not, the rest don't make a splash and sink to the bottom. Can you say these people didn't work hard? One is more hardworking than the other."

"Do you think these people have no talent?" Lu Zhou casually asked, "You're wrong. Many of them have more talent than those who stand out, like you, who have great talent. But if you don't become famous, who can you blame?"

Xiao Yi: "…"

Xiao Yi thought, are you encouraging me or mocking me? Even if I want to go back to being a singer, I can't escape now that I've signed a three-year contract with you.

"So, it's all fate," Xiao Yi sighed.

Lu Zhou: "…"

"This is a matter of opportunity!" Lu Zhou angrily exclaimed. "You need patience! Wait for the chance! Seize the opportunity! Is your IQ in a perpetual state of decay? Why can't you understand anything I say?! You're driving me crazy—"

Xiao Yi, bewildered, thought for a moment and said, "Alright."

Lu Zhou continued, "Take the assistant job seriously. When there's a chance, TV drama theme song, movie theme song, follow me, give it a try. You can compose and write lyrics, seize the opportunity, and then you'll become famous, right?!"

"Really?" Xiao Yi's whole body trembled immediately.

With a muffled snort, Lu Zhou made a sound. Xiao Yi immediately exclaimed, rushing forward to hug Lu Zhou, saying, "Really? Zhou ge, you promised me! My lifelong dream is to sing a theme song for you—"

This time, Lu Zhou was prepared. As soon as the other made the sound, he raised one leg and decisively kicked Xiao Yi off the bed.

*

The next day, Xiao Yi was awakened by the sound of firecrackers outside. The Spring Festival in Jingshan was approaching, and the further away from the city, the stronger the New Year atmosphere. Many people who worked in Wuhan had returned, creating a lively scene. The faint smell of gunpowder wafted in through the window.

Sleepy-eyed, Xiao Yi got up and saw Lu Zhou chatting with his mom at the dining table. Xiao Yi's mom kept incessantly worrying about her son's marriage, and Lu Zhou earnestly listened, occasionally offering some suggestions. It seemed like Xiao Yi's mom treated Lu Zhou as an older brother, repeatedly asking Lu Zhou to take care of Xiao Yi and not spoil him too much.

While brushing his teeth, Xiao Yi muttered, "Mom!"

"Your mom is right." Lu Zhou pointed at Xiao Yi, saying, "He just doesn't grow up. Did you hear what Auntie said? Sometimes I wonder how he survived in Beijing."

"Ah, yes," Xiao Yi's mom said helplessly.

Xiao Yi, brushing his teeth, thought, did the subject and predicate get inverted? Why is it that now Lu Zhou and his mom are scolding him together... what a life...

"Xiao Lu!" Xiao Yi's dad, reading the newspaper in the living room, said, "What kind of business are you in now?"

Lu Zhou said, "In the entertainment industry."

With hurried introductions from Xiao Yi yesterday, Lu Zhou was referred to as "my boss." Xiao Yi's dad hadn't noticed that this guy was the wildly popular Lu Zhou, casually picked up the remote control, changed a few channels, and said, "I have a student who also opened a company in Beijing, making money. It's impressive. In your line of work, funds are usually substantial. On the news, it says..."

Xiao Yi interrupted, "Dad, you can't believe everything on the news."

"Why not?" Xiao Yi's dad changed the topic, saying, "I think, in Beijing, the housing prices aren't as high as you say. The country is regulating them, and even if we calculate, ten thousand per square meter is the limit! How could it be a hundred thousand or eighty thousand, so exaggerated!"

Xiao Yi: "…"

Xiao Yi's dad continued, "The news says, affordable housing is only four hundred yuan a month. You can totally apply for affordable housing from the government. Once you have money, you spend it recklessly..."

Xiao Yi: "………………"

Lu Zhou: "…"

"Beijing is the national political and cultural centre," Lu Zhou changed the subject. "Going north to find a job, if it develops well, it's quite good."

Xiao Yi's dad, from under his reading glasses, looked at Lu Zhou from a distance and smiled, saying, "I've been watching a war movie recently. You look a lot like one of the actors in it."

Lu Zhou chuckled, and when reminded like this, Xiao Yi's mom said, "Wang Guoyi! You look like Wang Guoyi!"

Lu Zhou: "…"

Xiao Yi: "…"

Wang Guoyi was the name of the character played by Lu Zhou. Xiao Yi almost sprayed the porridge on Lu Zhou's face, holding back his laughter. They ate plain porridge with side dishes. Du Mei had emphasized not to reveal to anyone that Xiao Yi was Lu Zhou's assistant, so Xiao Yi dared not say anything.

But if Lu Zhou mentioned it himself, it wouldn't be Xiao Yi's concern. Lu Zhou was extremely sharp and handled such situations many times. He said, "There are a lot more war films this year."

"Yes, yes," Xiao Yi's mom said, "We both love watching Republican-era TV dramas."

"Xiao Lu," Xiao Yi's dad said with a solemn tone.

Xiao Yi immediately had a bad premonition.

With a smile, Lu Zhou looked at Xiao Yi expectantly.

Xiao Yi's dad asked, "Xiao Lu, are you married?"

"Uh, no," Lu Zhou said, "I just broke up with my girlfriend recently."

Xiao Yi's dad said, "Xiao Yi's cousin, who works at the city post office, just came back for the New Year..."

"Dad! That's enough!" Xiao Yi was about to be struck by divine thunder, tearfully saying, "Stop talking!"

Lu Zhou laughed heartily, and Xiao Yi's dad said, "What's wrong, Xiao Yi? What's the matter with you? Your sister matches well with Xiao Lu, a perfect match of talents and beauty—"

Lu Zhou waved his hand and said, "It's okay, it's okay. I don't have plans to get married at the moment."

After the meal, Xiao Yi and his mom calculated the money together. Xiao Yi received a stack of pink bills, thick and totaling twenty thousand. His mom tried hard to push it back, saying that she and his dad had retirement pensions and couldn't spend so much of Xiao Yi's hard-earned money. Xiao Yi, however, pushed back almost to the point of arguing, saying, "I eat and live in Beijing with Zhou ge, and the company also reimburses. I can't spend much."

"Then, let me save it for you," Xiao Yi's mom said.

"Just take it to spend," Xiao Yi said. "Support your living expenses. Eat better in your daily life, and make more dishes for the family reunion dinner this year."

His mom said, "You earn hard-earned money. How can Mom dare to spend it?" Her expression, however, was happy, sitting at the coffee table to count the money.

Lu Zhou said, "Xiao Yi."

Xiao Yi knew what he was going to say and immediately said, "No need, Zhou ge."

Turning to his parents, he said, "Zhou ge pays my salary, and he also gave me a year-end bonus."

Lu Zhou said, "I want it."

Xiao Yi said, "No need. Zhou ge, don't bother. I'll go look for some clothes. We'll go out later..."

Lu Zhou said, "I'll do it myself. You can be busy first."

After Lu Zhou went into the room, Xiao Yi's mom said after a moment, "Xiao Yi, your younger brother got a girlfriend and wants to buy a new car..."

"Oh," Xiao Yi said. "How much does he want to spend?"

"He said two hundred thousand, but your dad and I think it's too expensive."

"A two hundred thousand car!" Xiao Yi's dad said. "Only people who own companies can afford that! I told him the mortgage hasn't been paid off yet. Don't buy it. Can't he get married without a car? How many people on the street don't even have a car?"

Xiao Yi knew his parents were a bit biased towards his younger brother. After all, his brother stayed in the county to take care of their parents, and if he could afford it, it was okay to support him a little. The problem was that Xiao Yi didn't have much money.

"Buy one for a hundred thousand." Xiao Yi thought about it and said, "It's too expensive for him to afford anything costlier."

His mom thought for a moment and said, "I'll ask him to try not to buy it. The mortgage hasn't been paid off yet."

Xiao Yi said, "It's okay. If he likes it, let him buy it. In Beijing, having a car is useless, and you have to draw lots and buy a license plate. Having a car at home is nice."

After counting the money, Xiao Yi's mom removed her glasses and sighed. Xiao Yi grabbed the car keys, saying, "I'm going out with Brother Zhou. We won't be back for lunch."

Xiao Qiang had just woken up. He spent the previous night playing games until the early morning before heading to his parents' room to sleep. Wearing long underpants and a sweater, he walked out of the room and spotted Lu Zhou. When he turned to go brush his teeth, he suddenly exclaimed with an "Oh," showing a flash of surprise and a doubtful look as he approached and stared at Lu Zhou.

"You... Aren't you Lu Zhou?" Xiao Qiang seemed to have discovered a new world.

Xiao Yi thought, 'My job is probably going to be ruined by my family.' Lu Zhou smiled and said, "Uh-huh, I'm Lu Zhou. Shh..."

Xiao Qiang shouted, "Wow!" and got up, excited to explain to his parents. However, Xiao Yi immediately roared, "Don't go and don't say it! You're dead if you say it!"

"Don't tell anyone," Xiao Yi reiterated.

Xiao Qiang was already in a state of extreme shock. Xiao Yi repeatedly stressed that he couldn't tell anyone, but Xiao Qiang was just unresponsive, his facial expression showed that he completely didn't listen. Xiao Yi had to use his car as a threat. He said, "If you dare to speak about this, your car will be gone."

Xiao Qiang immediately said, "I will absolutely not say anything! Even if I die, I absolutely won't say!"

Lu Zhou: "..."

Xiao Yi knew that the car was the most effective threat. He proceeded to dress Lu Zhou, putting a woollen cap on him and conveniently inserting an earplug. Then trousers, a sports jacket, and sneakers, and they went out.

 

--

Note from translator

(1) The Moon's Reflection on the Second Spring

A famous song from Abing, a chinese musician (1873 – 1950) specializing in erhu and pipa link

 

Translator : DarNan