FQ chapter 58

“The publicity officer said the city and province will be sharing it in a few days,” Fan Qing leaned back on the sofa, speaking to Luan Ye, who was lying with his head on his lap.

Luan Ye had just woken from a nap, his voice still hoarse: “He could put it on the national evening news for all I care. Anyway, Xu Song and Teacher Yi Mu were the ones filming it.”

“They might still want to interview the director of the promo.”

“They’ll call Xu Song for that. Later just give them his number.” Luan Ye smiled with his eyes closed. “We’ll be gone by then anyway.”

Fan Qing chuckled and closed the page: “Mm.”

“In the next couple of days, pack up everything that needs packing. Nothing left at the studio, right?” Luan Ye asked.

“Still need to return the car, and rent another one,” Fan Qing said.

He had rented the car from a teahouse owner in town. Same village, so the rent was charged at market price. Before leaving, he needed to wash it, return it, and settle the payment.

The rental owner counted the money deftly, even chatting with him: “Made a decent amount this summer, didn’t you?”

“It was fine,” Fan Qing said, “Enough for living expenses.”

“Got into college?” the man asked.

“Mm.” Fan Qing smiled. “Nanjing.”

The man said nothing, finishing his count. “Alright, full rent paid without a penny short. Looks like you did alright.”

Then he restarted the stack, pulled out five bills, and handed them over.

Fan Qing blinked, a little stunned, and looked up at him.

“Take it, college kid. Let my daughter have some of your good fortune. She’s taking the entrance exam next year,” the man clicked his tongue. “If you need a car next summer, come back. I’ll give you a discount.”

“Alright.” Fan Qing smiled, accepting the money.

Self-drive rentals were easier anyway. Plenty of companies offered cars along the route—they could drive all the way to Kunming, drop it off at a designated spot, and that would be that.

Fan Qing considered making a detailed plan for their trip, but then thought better of it—Luan Ye wasn’t the type to travel by the book.

“Just play it by ear,” sure enough, that was exactly what Luan Ye said.

“Let’s head to Dali first. Pick the places you think are fun or worth seeing, wander around a bit. As long as we make it to the airport in time for the flight.”

“Got it.”

“Before we go, let’s treat everyone to a meal—Granny Mu, Li Hongkuo, Qiao Feibai, Qu Jie, Da Yao, and Li Ge with Yang Jie…” Luan Ye rattled off the names like listing dishes, then opened his eyes and tilted his head toward Fan Qing.

“What do you think?”

“Sounds good,” Fan Qing agreed without hesitation. “Where at?”

“Not outside, at Granny Mu’s place. We’ll cook ourselves,” Luan Ye said.

Fan Qing paused. “You can cook?”

Didn’t seem like it.

Luan Ye just looked at him without a word.

“…okay so I’ll cook.” Fan Qing realized and couldn’t help laughing.

Luan Ye nodded. “Hotpot, easier that way.”

“Alright,” Fan Qing said with a smile.

Though they said “cook themselves,” Fan Qing didn’t end up slaving away alone that day. Granny Mu didn’t even need to step in—Da Yao naturally took the role of head chef, with everyone else chopping vegetables, washing dishes, slicing meat, all following his orders.

It was too hot for hotpot indoors, so they dragged an extension cord out into the courtyard, set the pot and the table outside, and ate while enjoying the breeze. Qu Jie brought two cases of beer, and they ate and drank all the way until dusk.

The liveliest was Qiao Feibai, who insisted on performing for everyone. His room was right nearby, so he kept running in and out, bringing a guitar, then a harmonica.

“A music show reached out to him, wants him to join,” Qu Jie said, resting her chin on her hand, looking pleased. “That show’s pretty popular—launched several singers already.”

“Then you’ll need a new house singer at the bar,” Luan Ye said.

Da Yao, his face already flushed from drinking, waved a big hand: “No problem! We’ve decided—if Xiao Qiao makes it big, we’ll put a standee at the bar’s entrance: Famous singer Qiao Feibai once sang here before rising to fame!”

Qiao Feibai beamed: “I’ll even sign it myself!”

“Of course you will!” Qu Jie said. “I’ll frame it for you!”

“And I’ll sign the door too,” Qiao Feibai added, turning to Granny Mu. “The room where singer Qiao Feibai once stayed…”

“Don’t you dare,” Granny Mu scolded. “Do that and I’ll dock your deposit.”

The whole table burst into laughter, raising their glasses together. Li Ge, who didn’t drink, lifted a glass of coconut juice instead.

“Leaving tomorrow morning?” he asked. “Got the car rented?”

“Mm,” Fan Qing nodded. “We’ll leave at six.”

Li Ge nodded, then added: “I collected half the rent, refunded the rest to your card.”

Fan Qing opened his mouth, but Li Ge continued: “Don’t call it a refund. If you do, I won’t rent to you next year.”

“…Alright.” Fan Qing lowered his head with a smile, clinking his glass lightly against Li Ge’s. He hadn’t even used any strength when—clatter!

“Oh my god,” Qu Jie shouted. Everyone turned to see Li Hongkuo slumped forward on the table, out cold.

Luan Ye glanced at Fan Qing. “How much did he drink?”

“…One bottle?” Fan Qing said, equally stunned.

“Half a bottle,” Yang Jie said, laughing. “I drank the other half for him.”

Luan Ye sighed.

“It’s fine. Just let him crash in the first-floor room,” Granny Mu pointed. “I cleaned it last time Xiao Qiao’s parents came.”

Luan Ye nodded. “Drunk like this, he’ll owe you for the room tomorrow morning.”

Granny Mu nodded firmly. “Definitely.”

Their laughter carried loud enough to reach the village center, until someone finally calmed the chaos.

“Come on, everyone, raise your glasses!” Qu Jie stood with a grin. “To send off our handsome Luan Ye and Fan Qing! Wishing them safe travels! Wishing Xiao Qiao success in chasing his dreams! Wishing Granny long life and health! And wishing all our businesses great fortune!”

Everyone stood, except the drunk one. Luan Ye laughed. “Impressive, such a long list.”

Qiao Feibai cheered: “Now the ones leaving tomorrow, your turn!”

Luan Ye glanced at Fan Qing, who was smiling back, urging him to speak.

Their glasses clinked with a crisp sound. Luan Ye smiled.

“May we meet again, wherever the mountains and rivers lead.”

……

Later, Fan Qing tucked in the snoring Li Hongkuo and closed the door. Before dispersing, everyone had already tidied up the courtyard. By night, everything looked as before—except for a faint trace of wine lingering in the wind.

“Where’s Yang Jie?” Luan Ye asked.

“Li Ge didn’t drink, he walked her home,” Fan Qing said.

Luan Ye nodded.

“The car arrives at seven tomorrow. I’ll wake you up five minutes early. It’ll be chilly in the morning, so remember your jacket.”

“Mm.” Luan Ye smiled. “Go back and check once more—ID, admission notice, bank card… don’t forget anything.”

“Got it,” Fan Qing said with a laugh. “You too. You’ve got a lot of stuff.”

Did he? Maybe a little.

Luan Ye started from the bathroom and packed outward. When he first came, his backpack wasn’t even full. Now, as he left, the original bag couldn’t quite hold everything.

Most of the gear had already been stored with Xu Song.

Some daily items weren’t worth bringing.

The sheets and quilt could be left behind—they had been bought with Fan Qing.

Clothes, hiking gear—all bought here with Fan Qing.

The computer could go to Fan Qing; he would need it for college anyway.

Luan Ye smiled as he packed everything neatly, when a knock came at the door.

Opening it, he found Granny Mu with her usual navy cloth bag slung over her shoulder, reading glasses perched on her nose.

“Time to return your rent,” she said, pulling out her phone and contract, along with a little notebook. “And to settle your meal costs.”

“No need for that.” Luan Ye smiled, stepping aside to let her in. “Who knows, maybe I’ll be back to stay again someday.”

“That won’t do. We’ll talk about next time when it comes.” Granny Mu opened her little notebook and carefully counted how many times Luan Ye had come over for meals.

“The meal money will be deducted from your rent—almost three months have passed, and you’ve only eaten here a handful of times. At first, you were always holed up in your room sleeping.”

After finishing her count, Granny Mu sighed. “Even when I called, you wouldn’t come down.”

“Really? I remember I used to enjoy going out quite a bit.” Luan Ye said.

“That was later on, after Xiao Qing kept coming to play with you.” Granny Mu glanced at him, then smiled. “That’s when you finally started going out.”

Luan Ye smiled too.

“You mustn’t live like this when you’re away.” Granny Mu said. “Eat properly.”

Luan Ye nodded and replied softly, “Understood.”

“I’ll transfer your deposit back through WeChat. Remember to check.”

After she said this, Granny Mu lowered her head, opened her small bag, put some things away, then pulled something else out and stuffed it into Luan Ye’s hands.

“And this—take it with you.”

When Luan Ye instinctively caught it and looked down, he saw it was two pairs of insoles.

They were the kind Granny Mu always embroidered in the courtyard—stitches fine and firm, colored threads interwoven into auspicious patterns.

“No matter where you go after leaving Xuehu Village, step by step, slowly and steadily, walk firmly.”

Her eyes, clouded with age, under the soft glow of the lamp, seemed as calm and timeless as the quiet, rustic village itself.

“You’ll be leaving early tomorrow, before dawn.”

Luan Ye’s Adam’s apple bobbed; when he spoke, there was a faint nasal undertone.

“Mm.”

Granny Mu patted his hand, with the tenderness of an elder and the strength of the earth.

“Don’t be afraid. No matter how dark the night, the dawn always comes.”

…..

“Two hours to the hotel.” Luan Ye turned the navigation volume up a bit.

“There are a few service stations along the way—rest if you get tired.”

“I’m fine.” Fan Qing smiled. “Two hours isn’t long.”

It really wasn’t. They had set out early, stopping here and there along the way. The scenery was beautiful—passing through vast sunflower fields in Eryuan and Jianchuan, then by Shaxi.

At each stop, they would park and walk around a little, using it as a rest.

By around ten in the morning, they reached the road circling Erhai Lake.

There were clouds in the sky, but the weather was fine. Light pierced through the clouds, making the water shimmer, the lake rolling in endless blue.

Following the shoreline, they reached Xizhou.

By then, the rice fields had already borne ears, the tips of the leaves tinged yellow. But the fields still spread wide, waves of green rippling in the wind.

Around the paddies, many cafés had sprung up, and elderly Bai women in traditional dress were selling flower garlands—several kinds of flowers woven together, quite beautiful.

Luan Ye bought one and wore it on his head. The two strolled slowly along the street.

Ancient towns across China were much the same; one couldn’t tell how much of the original had been preserved, yet modern goods were sold everywhere. The only distinctive feature here was the tie-dye handicrafts, some even embroidered, very beautiful.

Luan Ye browsed for a while and finally picked out a delicate-looking shawl.

While the shop assistant was packing it, he turned to look at Fan Qing.

Fan Qing was tilting his head back, seriously studying the various items on the wall.

“What are you thinking?”

“Just… maybe when I make paper lamps or notebook covers, I could try using tie-dye.” Fan Qing said, then laughed at himself.

“So dedicated.” Luan Ye chuckled. “Take a few photos and send them to Li Hongkuo—have him organize people to learn.”

Fan Qing agreed. When the shawl was packed, he took it from the shop assistant.

“It’s for your aunt,” Luan Ye said. “We’ll bring it when we visit.”

Fan Qing was startled, looking at him. Luan Ye smiled: “First time visiting someone’s home, you’ve got to bring something.”

“She’ll definitely tell me to return it.” The shawl was intricate, and the price not cheap. Fan Qing laughed: “Didn’t I tell you not to waste money?”

“I’ve already got such a fine boyfriend who’s her nephew—spending a little is worth it.”

Luan Ye narrowed his eyes: “I’d say I came out ahead.”

Fan Qing looked at him for a while, then couldn’t help turning away with a laugh.

The tips of his ears were still a little hot, but much better than before—at least he wasn’t so shy anymore.

You’re really done for, Fan Qing.