TYAM Chapter 62

Edit: I copied the wrong chapter yesterday. This one is correct, sorry about that.

On July 11th, before the alarm even went off, the sound of party streamers popping was like the crack of gunfire.

“Big Brother! Big Brother!” 

“Ha-ppy Birthday!”

Last year, Jiang Wang had jumped out of bed as if caught in a sudden shooting, but this time, he could only snuggle deeper into his blanket, trying to catch a few more minutes of sleep.

Peng Xingwang couldn’t find the paper crown he made last year, so he’d specially bought some red cardstock from the bookstore to make two new crowns. One was on his head, and he was now trying to place one on his older brother.

His older brother was lying still, pretending to be dead.

Peng Xingwang decided to just place the crown right on Jiang Wang’s face.

Jiang Wang groaned as the crown pressed against his face. Slowly, he crawled out of bed, yawning. “Brat, we’re celebrating a birthday, not the New Year.”

The little one, seeming to have adopted some sort of custom, handed over a perfume greeting card. As expected, when it opened, there were 29 five-pointed stars drawn inside.

“There… there’s another gift too,” Peng Xingwang said shyly, fumbling in his pocket and pulling out something small hanging from a string.

At first, Jiang Wang didn’t see what it was, but when he held it in his hands, he was surprised.

“A charm? When did you go to a temple?”

Could it be that Ji Linqiu secretly took him?

The little one squirmed.

“Actually… no.”

Jiang Wang was puzzled, but he opened the small silk pouch in front of him and pulled out the folded yellow paper inside.

Carefully unrolling it, it revealed a charm written in crooked handwriting.

“Every day is peaceful.”

It was clear that Peng Xingwang was trying to copy the charm his dad had gotten, but the drawing didn’t quite match, so he’d just written the words in a winding, almost Daoist spell-like manner.

Compared to last year, it was a huge improvement, and there wasn’t a single pinyin character in sight.

Jiang Wang was a bit moved as he read.

The child’s handwriting had improved—he’d gone from “Five Horses Dismembered” to “Three Dogs Dismembered.”

Last year, Jiang Wang hadn’t given the kid a present. He’d taken him out for a big chocolate cake as a token of affection and finally remembered to have Xingwang call him “brother,” a real family title.

This year, he’d discussed it with Ji Linqiu and found an even better gift.

“Come on, take off that bedsheet cape, change into your new clothes, and let’s head out.”

The boy hesitated. “Where are we going today?”

“There’s something important we need to do.”

“Important? Do I need to change into new clothes?” Peng Xingwang gasped. “Big Brother, are you bringing a girlfriend to have dinner with us?”

Jiang Wang furrowed his brow at him. “Am I really that kind of person?”

“Or has Teacher Ji finally gotten a girlfriend?!” Peng Xingwang asked, wide-eyed.

“What do you mean ‘finally’?” Ji Linqiu entered, pushing the door open. “Get dressed, hurry up.”

Peng Xingwang was still unsure whether they were or weren’t, nervously trying to walk to his room, but was stopped by Teacher Ji’s arm. “Wear this.”

It was a deep red, houndstooth checkered blazer.

Seeing the new clothes and the bowtie that came with it, Peng Xingwang finally realized that today, he was going to get treated like that little detective from “Case Closed”.[mfn]aka Detective Conan[/mfn] 

—A bowtie! 

The other two adults wore casual suits as well. Jiang Wang was still in his favorite dark blue, while Ji Linqiu wore a milky coffee-colored suit.

Though the suits were different styles, the three of them walking side by side gave off an air of aristocracy, all matching perfectly.

Peng Xingwang walked ahead of them, suddenly feeling like meeting Teacher Ji’s girlfriend wouldn’t be so bad after all.

He looked so handsome today. 

The car stopped in the busy commercial district, but the seatbelt remained fastened. 

“Before we get out of the car, both your Brother Wang and I have a letter we want to give you,” Ji Linqiu said gently. “Read them first, then we can go.”

The little one blushed and felt embarrassed. “It’s just a birthday… no need for letters.”

He was almost afraid to take them, as if the words inside might be too sentimental and make him cry.

Jiang Wang didn’t speak, just handed over the prepared letters with Ji Linqiu.

The first letter was tied with a red ribbon, signed by Ji Linqiu, not by Teacher Ji.

***

Dear Xingxing,

Happy 9th birthday.

I’ve resigned from Hongshan Primary School, so now you can call me “Brother Linqiu.”

I’ve never written a letter before, but you’re the first one. Thinking about it, I really do love you.

After meeting you, I’ve been so happy. I never expected to have a student who would secretly draw little bears for me in their homework, and who listens to lessons and does their homework so seriously. You’re so well-behaved.

When we started living together, I realized that you’re really obedient and understanding. You’re so small, yet you can already do chores.

In comparison, the teachers are a bit lazy, they used to avoid washing the dishes 🙁 

I’m so glad I met you. We can go on roller coasters together and go on outdoor adventures.

Xingwang, you’re growing up, and the scenery along the way is beautiful. Don’t be in a rush to run ahead and become an adult.

Love, your Brother Linqiu.

***

Peng Xingwang’s eyes turned red as he read the letter, trying hard to hold back his tears. 

There were several characters he didn’t recognize, but from the context, he could guess their meaning. The more he read, the more he felt like crying, and he could only wipe his eyes with the back of his hand.

Jiang Wang, feeling a bit jealous, handed forward his own letter.

“Take a look at this one.”

Peng Xingwang quickly took it, carefully opening the envelope.

Ji Linqiu’s handwriting was delicate and powerful, like the spring willow in February.

Jiang Wang’s, on the other hand, was strong and elegant, like the pine trees in winter.

“Brother Wang’s writing is so nice,” the child said enviously, a little upset. “Why are my words so ugly?”

Jiang Wang tried to comfort him. “You know, handwriting reflects the person. When you grow up…”

“Are you saying I’m ugly now?”

“…forget what I said.” 

“Big Brother!!”

***

Peng Xingwang, 

Happy Birthday.

Linqiu made me write something, it’s kind of embarrassing.

Anyway, before I met you, life was just okay, like I was living day by day.

Maybe one day I’d just die at home, I’ve been eating like a mess.

Then, I randomly found you, and suddenly I became more like a person. I can eat properly, sleep on time, and take you to school.

When I see you bouncing around, it makes me feel better too.

That’s all. Keep bouncing for a few more years, okay? Keep going.

-Your big brother

***

As Peng Xingwang focused on reading the letter, Jiang Wang had already finished reading the letter from Ji Linqiu. He sighed, reflecting that reading books really made a difference. He felt a little jealous and almost wanted to snatch the letter from the child’s hand.

But to his surprise, the little one was also in tears as he read Ji Linqiu’s letter. He suddenly burst into tears, shouting, “Big Brother, Second Brother, I love you!” 

Then he hugged both of them tightly, crying and rubbing his face.

“Wipe your tears and snot! These are new clothes!”

“Big Brother, wahhhh—” 

They had no choice but to spend some time cleaning the child’s face in the car before dragging him out. 

Only then did Peng Xingwang realize where they were taking him.

“Today, are we…”

“We’re taking a family photo,” Ji Linqiu said, smiling. “The three of us will take one, and we’ll hang it in the living room. What do you think?”

Peng Xingwang covered his face with both hands, feeling flustered. “But I just cried, and I look ugly…”

“You’re not ugly.” Jiang Wang picked him up. “Big Brother was wrong, you’re very handsome.”

Fortunately, the makeup artist, a young lady, was very sweet and managed to cheer the child up, making him smile brightly. 

The photo studio had a great reputation. They knew how to handle lighting, styling, and the makeup was natural and flattering.

Dark circles from late-night study sessions, stubble, and messy eyebrows were all taken care of without issue.

The little one sat obediently as the makeup artist applied blush, while several other makeup artists gathered around Ji Linqiu.

“Wow, you’re so handsome, and your skin is perfect… I’m so jealous!”

“Wow, do you even have pores? Your skin is as smooth as porcelain. Do you use skincare products?”

Jiang Wang cleared his throat and urged, “Are we done yet?”

The three of them sat in front of the backdrop, striking a proper pose.

The photographer wasn’t satisfied. “You’re too stiff. No fake smiles, just relax.”

The strong lighting made Peng Xingwang’s face tense, and he instinctively rubbed his face.

“Think of something happy and look here. Three, two, one!”

As the camera clicked, it captured the three of them with stiff expressions, looking like mannequins.

The photographer thought for a moment, then said, “Let me try something. You guys stay there and relax.”

The three of them immediately relaxed, preparing to adjust their positions.

“Hey, there’s a cat on Xingwang’s head!”

“A cat?”

“Huh?”

“What?!”

“—Click!”

Jiang Wang and Ji Linqiu instinctively looked at the child. Peng Xingwang had slightly raised his head, and all three of them were still smiling.

The moment was perfectly captured.

“Perfect!” The photographer praised. “This one is great, no need for any retouching!”

The family photo was developed that same day, framed beautifully, and hung up in the center of the living room wall.

Peng Xingwang stared at it for a long time. When his brothers went to shower and change clothes, he quietly kissed the corner of the photo.

He really loved this picture, it felt like he was being held.

Peng Xingwang couldn’t bear to part with the two letters all day. When they got home, he carefully opened his newly bought small wooden box and placed the two letters along with the one his mother had written inside.

He carefully touched each letter as if his chest had turned into a book, and every page was filled with words of love.

After locking it up, he made sure everything was safe, afraid the letters might sprout wings and fly away.

It was a special day, and in the morning, Peng Jiahui had specifically called, and in the afternoon, Du Wenjuan called too. Through the phone, she sang him the birthday song.

Peng Xingwang remembered how he used to spend his birthdays.

During elementary school, parents spoiled their children, often letting them host birthday parties and invite a few good friends for a meal.

He had eaten two birthday meals at Yang Kai’s place—one at KFC and the other at Yang Kai’s house.

Zhang Xiaolu had invited him once too, but back then, he was so dirty, his clothes were all wrinkled.

At that time, Peng Xingwang never expected his parents to invite his friends to his birthday dinner. He only wished his mother would come to see him, or that his father would give him a small cake.

If Peng Jiahui wasn’t drunk, he might say “happy birthday,” but he always got the date wrong, as if he was always a little confused.

His mother never called, as if she didn’t exist, unwilling to appear in his world.

As Peng Xingwang lay in bed, thinking back on the unhappiness of the past, he began to wonder if he had been dreaming. 

In the dream, there were so many people saying they loved him, even thanking him for being in their world, for giving them the chance to love him.

If it was a dream, he wished he could stay in it forever.