AAWOMAHI Chapter31

Hearing Lu Shiran’s voice, Lu Xingmian turned his head: “Oh, I’ll be right there.”

 

He turned back and explained to Xie Jiaze, “It’s really not that; it’s because I just peeled onions and accidentally got some in my eyes.”

 

So that was it. Xie Jiaze felt relieved. He did smell onions. He had another purpose in coming up to deliver dumplings: if Lu Xingmian was home alone, he would pull Lu Xingmian down to eat together.

 

But now, seeing that Lu Xingmian’s brother had indeed arrived, this plan wouldn’t work.

 

He followed Lu Xingmian inside. While Lu Xingmian was looking for a plate to put the dumplings on, he called out to Lu Shiran in the kitchen: “Ge.”

 

Lu Shiran grunted in response.

 

Xie Jiaze thought, this is Lu Xingmian’s brother, I need to leave a good impression on him, so he introduced himself to Lu Shiran: “Ge, my name is Xie Jiaze. I live downstairs, and I’m a student at Qizhong. Like Lu Xingmian, I’m also taking the college entrance exam this year.”

 

Lu Xingmian couldn’t help but glance at Xie Jiaze. Why was he suddenly saying all this to Lu Shiran? It felt a bit strange. Lu Shiran politely grunted again.

 

Xie Jiaze continued to try and get closer to Lu Shiran, watching as Lu Shiran quickly sliced ginger into shreds: “Ge, your knife skills are really good.”

 

Lu Xingmian scooped the dumplings onto another plate. After washing and drying the plate, he handed it back to Xie Jiaze: “Help me thank Grandma and Auntie again.”

 

Xie Jiaze said, “Mm, I’ll tell them. Lu Xingmian, you and your brother really look alike.”

 

Lu Shiran said from the kitchen, “We don’t.”

 

When Xie Jiaze left, he felt that Lu Xingmian’s brother seemed a bit fierce. His brother didn’t seem to like him very much.

 

As he saw Xie Jiaze to the door, Lu Xingmian suddenly remembered something and quietly asked him a question. Xie Jiaze nodded. Lu Xingmian then shouted towards the kitchen, “Ge, I’m going out for a bit, I’ll be right back.”

 

By the time Lu Shiran poked his head out of the kitchen again, Lu Xingmian had already left with Xie Jiaze. Was there something important? What about helping him wash the scallions as promised?

 

A few minutes later, Lu Xingmian returned, heading straight for his room, and only came out after a while.

 

When Lu Xingmian was washing scallions, Lu Shiran asked him, “Does the boy downstairs often bring you things? You two seem to have a good relationship.”

 

Lu Xingmian finished washing the scallions and placed them on a plate, ready to be used.

 

“He doesn’t bring things often. It’s probably because today is New Year’s Eve, and the grandma downstairs asked him to deliver them.”

 

Lu Shiran glanced at him. Though Lu Xingmian appeared unaware, his actions revealed an unmistakable affection, an evident liking toward him.

 

After Xie Jiaze returned, his grandma asked him, “Did Xiao Lu eat with his brother?”

 

Xie Jiaze: “Not yet, they’re cooking now.”

 

The grandma was relieved. She had been worried about Xiao Lu spending New Year’s alone. Perhaps his family was very busy, as she never saw anyone from his family other than his brother.

 

His grandma then asked, “You just came back, why did you go out again?”

 

Xie Jiaze: “I brought some things to Lu Xingmian.”

 

The grandma urged him, “Hurry and wash your hands so we can eat.”

 

The New Year’s Eve dinner at the grandma’s house downstairs had started, and the one at Lu Xingmian’s place upstairs would be ready soon.

 

The crabs were steamed. When Lu Xingmian opened the lid, he stared at the crabs for a moment and asked with some uncertainty, “Ge, did I mess up the crabs?”

 

The color of the steamed crabs in the pot looked a bit different from what he usually saw. What was wrong?

 

Lu Shiran leaned in, looked, and laughed. “You didn’t mess them up; that’s just how they are. These are yellow oil crabs, and they turn this color when steamed.”

 

Lu Xingmian finally relaxed. Lu Shiran arranged the crabs on a plate. “All right, let’s take them out. We’re about to eat.”

 

It was just the two of them, with five dishes: fish, crabs, spareribs, and two vegetable dishes.

 

Lu Xingmian filled both glasses with cola.

 

He had turned on the TV beforehand, and the commercials were full of festive New Year cheer.

 

[Happy New Year, Happy New Year! Wishing everyone a happy and joyful New Year with their families.]

 

To the cheerful blessings from the TV, Lu Shiran raised his glass. “Lu Xingmian, happy New Year’s Eve.”

 

Lu Xingmian: “Ge, happy New Year’s Eve.”

 

The two glasses clinked together with a happy sound.

 

Lu Shiran’s cooking was as good as ever.

 

As Lu Xingmian ate the crab, he discovered that once the shell was lifted, the entire meat inside was golden yellow, even the flesh in the legs.

 

Lu Shiran looked at him. “That’s how they are. It’s a type of mud crab called a yellow oil crab. Isn’t the name quite fitting?”

 

Lu Xingmian nodded. Not only was the name fitting, but the flavor was also unique and delicious, it was exceptionally tasty, unlike any crab he had eaten before.

 

Lu Xingmian couldn’t help but praise, “Ge, your company’s benefits are pretty good. They gave out a lot of New Year’s goods. Your boss doesn’t seem to be as ruthless as I imagined.”

 

Lu Shiran cleared his throat guiltily. “It’s alright. Lu Xingmian, you should eat another crab.”

 

“But eating crabs is so much trouble.”

 

“I’ll peel it for you.”

 

Accompanied by the scattered sounds of firecrackers and fireworks outside the window, the two finished their New Year’s Eve dinner.

 

After dinner, they sat in the living room together watching the Spring Festival Gala. Lu Shiran had also brought a lot of fruit, which were New Year’s goods from his company: large, deep-red cherries, big, dark-purple blueberries, and bright red strawberries.

 

While watching TV, Lu Xingmian received messages from his friends and classmates.

 

He replied to Song Yihan, Liu Yichen, Chen Che, Zhu Jinyan, Zhou Cheng, Gao Yan, and Xia Zhicheng one by one.

 

While replying, Lu Xingmian glanced at Lu Shiran beside him. He seemed to be getting a lot of messages too, as his phone kept vibrating.

 

After their own New Year’s Eve dinners, Lu Shiran’s friends had gone out to gather at a clubhouse. As adults, they weren’t going to sit in front of a TV to watch the Spring Festival Gala to ring in the New Year. They had invited Lu Shiran earlier that afternoon, but he said he had something to do and couldn’t go.

 

Lately, Lu Shiran seemed to be really busy. Several times they’d asked him to hang out, but he didn’t have time.

 

Or sometimes he would go out with them but leave before the party was over, saying he had something to do at home.

 

Even if he didn’t go home, he would go find a quiet place in the middle of a hangout to make a phone call.

 

His friends couldn’t make sense of his actions. If he was in a relationship, he was always by himself; if he wasn’t, everything he did looked exactly like someone trying to please a lover.

 

His friends started tagging Lu Shiran in their group chat, telling him they were at the clubhouse with girls and even some handsome boys, and asked him again if he was coming.

 

His friends even sent photos of the handsome boys. Lu Shiran immediately left the group chat and then blocked them one by one. His phone was finally quiet.

 

On the other side, his friends stared at the exclamation marks in the chat box, completely baffled.

 

Lu Xingmian thought about it for a moment, deciding he would offer his room to Lu Shiran to sleep in and he would take the couch. Lu Shiran was tall and would fit on his bed perfectly, while the couch was a little small, which was just right for him.

 

He would go change the bedsheets and duvet covers in a moment.

 

Finally, midnight arrived.

 

“Ge, happy New Year.”

 

“Lu Xingmian, happy New Year.”

 

Their voices rang out at the same time.

 

On this New Year’s Day, they wished each other well simultaneously.

 

Lu Xingmian mustered up his courage and said, “Ge, don’t go back tonight. You can sleep in my room.”

 

Lu Shiran looked at him.

 

Lu Xingmian quickly added, “You sleep in my room; I’ll sleep on the couch.”

 

Lu Shiran smiled. “Lu Xingmian, I’m going back.”

 

Lu Xingmian said, “Huh?” And then, “Ge, it’s so late. Are you really going back? Can’t you just stay and rest here?”

 

Lu Shiran stood up. “Lu Xingmian, there are some things you don’t understand. I have to go back.”

 

Lu Xingmian: “But it’s so late. By the time you get home, it’ll be almost two in the morning.”

 

Lu Shiran: “That’s exactly why I should leave as soon as possible.”

 

It turned out Lu Shiran was still going to leave. Lu Xingmian thought he should have let him go earlier if he had known.

 

Lu Xingmian insisted on walking Lu Shiran out.

 

Lu Shiran’s car, a common Buick, was parked downstairs.

 

They walked to the car, and Lu Shiran looked at him. “Go on up. It’s cold outside.”

 

Lu Xingmian stayed by his side, watching him silently. Lu Shiran turned his head.

 

Just after midnight, on the first day of the new year, fireworks began to bloom in the sky, casting red and green light on them.

 

Lu Xingmian knew that Lu Shiran had come specifically to spend the New Year with him and ring in the New Year together, but he didn’t understand why he had to leave now.

 

Lu Xingmian called out to Lu Shiran, “Ge.”

 

Lu Shiran looked at him. “Hmm?”

 

Lu Xingmian pursed his lips and made up his mind. “Ge, can I hug you?”

 

Lu Shiran’s upright posture softened slightly.

 

After saying it, Lu Xingmian looked at Lu Shiran with a mix of anticipation and nervousness, wondering if his request was too much and if Lu Shiran would be angry.

 

He just wanted a New Year’s hug.

 

Lu Xingmian’s head slowly drooped. It seemed Lu Shiran wasn’t willing.

 

Just as Lu Xingmian felt disappointed, he heard the best, most magnetic voice say, “Okay.”

 

Lu Xingmian’s eyes brightened. He took two steps forward and hugged Lu Shiran.

 

Just as he had imagined, Lu Shiran’s embrace was warm and broad, giving him a sense of security that made him not want to let go.

 

Lu Xingmian wanted to keep hugging him, but he knew he couldn’t.

 

A few minutes later, Lu Xingmian reluctantly let go and gave a sweet smile. “Ge, please drive back slowly. Text me when you get home.”

 

Lu Xingmian didn’t go upstairs until Lu Shiran’s car disappeared from view. After getting inside, he was still so excited; he had just hugged Lu Shiran.

 

He was so thrilled he paced around the living room several times. He was so happy he wanted to post it on his social media but held back. Instead, he called his friend Song Yihan. “Do you have time? Let’s just talk about anything.”

 

After chatting for nearly half an hour, they hung up, and Lu Xingmian’s excitement finally subsided.

 

As he was getting ready for bed, Lu Xingmian noticed a red, envelope-like object on the table.

 

He gasped.

 

It was a red envelope—a red envelope from Lu Shiran. Lu Shiran had placed it there when he wasn’t looking.

 

He opened it, and on top was a note with Lu Shiran’s elegant and good-looking handwriting.

 

[Wishing student Lu Xingmian a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year! Happy New Year!]

 

Lu Xingmian chuckled at the note.

 

Meanwhile, after Lu Shiran got home and was about to text Lu Xingmian to let him know he was safe, he noticed something in his pocket.

 

He pulled it out to find a red envelope. Lu Shiran couldn’t help but smile with a mix of helplessness and affection, this kid had actually given him one in return. He wondered when it had been slipped in.

 

He opened it, and there was also a note inside.

 

[Ge, happy New Year.]

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T/N: Hii! Just a quick heads-up: I will change the way I refer to the families to make things clearer. From now on, Lu Shiran’s family will be called “the Lu clan”, while Lu Xingmian’s family will stay as “the Lu family” (without italics, since I sometimes overlook them when proofreading😅and I figured it’s kinda awkward too). I wanted to mention this so you guys won’t get confused later, since I’ll be going back to adjust things from Chapter 1 onward as well.