“Uncle Song understands me.” Jing Qichi asked, “Where’s Aunt Hao? Should I go over later?”
“She’s at Song Cong’s aunt’s place, don’t worry about it.” Father Song praised him with satisfaction, “See? Our Qichi knows how to care for others now, he’s a grown man.”
“Uncle Song, this is what I call being a real man.”
Both parents laughed.
Jing Qichi raised his chin at them while holding the shopping bags in both hands, “Mom, hurry up.”
Only after watching them leave the staff quarters did he slowly walk home.
After a few steps, he remembered his phone was still in his mother’s bag and hurried back to catch up, but when he reached the main road, Father Song’s car had already driven away, so he stopped and turned back.
Just then, a voice came from behind, “Qichi!”
Jing Qichi turned around and was slightly surprised to see Huan Er’s mother, “Aren’t you going to dinner with them?”
In his memory, whenever there was a gathering, these school colleagues were always bound together.
“No, I’m not going.” Mother Chen looked toward the main road, “Did your mom leave?”
“Uncle Song just left with her.”
Mother Chen looked at the two large shopping bags in his hands and simply ordered, “First put your things back home, then come straight over.”
“Auntie, really no need.”
“Whether I cook for one or two, it’s the same effort, won’t begrudge you a meal.” Mother Chen smiled, “Besides, we can talk about Huan Er’s matters.”
Only then did Jing Qichi answer “Okay.”
When Mother Chen opened the door, the aroma of stir-fry was already wafting from inside. While urging him “Quick, wash your hands and help me peel some garlic,” she returned to the kitchen to stir-fry the shredded potatoes. The sour and spicy flavors hit his senses, making the feeling of being home even stronger.
Jing Qichi went to the kitchen to help her, and during a break in the busy work asked, “Why aren’t you going with them today?”
The range hood was very loud, and he thought Mother Chen might have spoken but he hadn’t heard, so he asked again, “Why aren’t you going to dinner with my mom and the others?”
“Well…” Mother Chen hesitated, turning her back to tell him, “Those are all friends from your Uncle Song’s side, and besides, I want to rest on weekends.”
Jing Qichi only heard the part about wanting to rest and, without thinking deeply, said “That makes sense.”
One meat dish, one vegetable dish, and a plate of cucumber salad were quickly served. Mother Chen added rice and passed chopsticks to him, “Come to think of it, it’s been a long time since you came over for dinner.”
After starting work, holidays were packed full, and even when returning to Tianhe, he mostly accompanied his mother, usually spending the day like today—going to the supermarket, doing some cleaning, watching some TV, and the day would be over. Everyone says you become less free as you grow older; actually, it’s just that the responsibilities to bear and obligations to fulfill keep increasing, and these take up more and more time.
“Indeed, it’s been a while.” Jing Qichi took a bite of food and praised, “Still your signature taste, Auntie.”
“Are you saying my cooking hasn’t improved?”
He quickly took another bite, “I’ll prove it with actions—guarantee there won’t be any leftovers.”
“Alright, eat slowly.” Mother Chen got up and took two cans of beer from the refrigerator, placing them on the table. Seeing this, Jing Qichi smiled, opened them and clinked cans with her, “Thank you for the treat, Aunt Li Na.”
Mother Chen put down her can with a smile, “Huan Er just called me earlier, said she’s been messaging you but got no response. She also told me about only telling you yesterday about the PhD, and guessed you might be a bit upset.”
“No.” Jing Qichi hurriedly explained, “This afternoon I went to the supermarket with my mom and my phone’s still in her bag, haven’t gotten it back yet. I’m not upset, please tell Huan Er that.”
“You can tell her yourself later.” Mother Chen held back a laugh, “Since when do young people in love need parents as intermediaries?”
“Alright, I’ll tell her as soon as my mom gets back.”
“Huan Er indeed didn’t handle this properly, she should have told you first thing.” Mother Chen asked, “You know about Huan Er’s childhood situation, right?”
“Yes.” Jing Qichi nodded, “I know.”
“Her current advisor, Professor Ding I think, Huan Er wants to join his research group studying new tumor therapeutics.”
Jing Qichi suddenly looked up—he knew none of this.
Or rather, he had overlooked her reason for absolutely needing this degree.
Mother Chen looked at him and spoke steadily, “Her father and I only learned about her intended research topic later. Huan Er suffered a lot as a child, and now that she has both the ability and opportunity to tackle a challenge she personally encountered, she’s quite determined about this. Even if none of us supported her, she would still do it. Of course, she might have unintentionally overlooked your feelings. Qichi, can you understand when auntie puts it this way?”
“Auntie, I…” Jing Qichi mumbled, “I should have understood earlier.”
“Oh, what’s this talk of earlier or later?” Mother Chen raised her beer, “Come, let’s drink.”
After a few sips of beer, the malt flavor was especially clear.
“I heard from your mom that you’re also very busy working in Beijing. With Huan Er doing her PhD, you’ll inevitably have less time together.” Mother Chen pointed to herself, “You have an example right in front of you. When I married Huan Er’s father, it coincided with his military unit’s relocation. Your Uncle Chen left before his marriage leave was even over, and look at us, we’re doing just fine.”
Long-lasting couples never lack tolerance and support. Mother Chen’s words dispelled many of his extra worries and fears.
Jing Qichi smiled, “Uncle Chen has always been my role model.”
“Hey, I’m sitting right here and you’re talking about him.”
Jing Qichi grinned while eating big mouthfuls of rice, finishing a bowl in no time. While adding more rice, he tried to butter up Mother Chen, “If you don’t eat, I’ll finish it all.”
“You rascal, just like when you were in school.” Mother Chen burst out laughing.