Grandpa Shen began, "Yunsheng, Jiayu, this morning Duoyi took me for a medical checkup. Nothing serious, just the same old problems. I'm still taking my blood pressure medicine, and getting around fine with my walking stick. I even learned how to order takeout recently - quite novel."
"It rained yesterday, and today's quite chilly. How's the weather on your side?"
"The plot next to you is reserved for me. It's troublesome talking like this - when my time comes, I'll join you two, and our family can reunite and talk face to face."
"Grandpa, you're getting carried away," Shen Duoyi clutched the dirty tissues he'd used to clean the tombstones, still crouching between the two graves. He spoke softly, "Dad, Mom, Grandpa's doing well, and so am I. I've got a new job, with nice colleagues and bosses. I get along well with everyone."
"You're both so lazy, never visiting me in my dreams. Don't you miss me?" Shen Duoyi split the bouquet in two, placing half on each grave. "But you need to bless me, help me get promoted to manager soon and get a raise."
He kept his head down, paused briefly, then said, "I've been quite happy lately, happier than I've been in years."
Grandpa Shen asked curiously, "Did something good happen?"
"Nothing you need to know about, you'll just argue," Shen Duoyi said, "Mom, Dad, if you visit me in my dreams, I'll tell you secretly."
The sky was gloomy, clouds gathering as rain began falling again. This kind of weather made one drowsy, wanting to curl up in bed and sleep.
Qi Shi'an was feeling somewhat tired, even the cake before him seemed tasteless. His mother Kong Yinhong sat across from him in an elegant suit, talking on the phone using technical terms that made him even more sleepy.
"Bored?"
After hanging up, Kong Yinhong's question came directly. Qi Shi'an adjusted his posture, secretly glancing at his watch, and said helplessly, "Mom, from picking you up to lunch, then to cutting the cake, you've barely smiled."
Kong Yinhong sat formally, saying flatly, "Smiling too much causes wrinkles, and we're just discussing trivial matters - nothing worth smiling about."
Qi Shi'an asked, "Aren't you happy to see me?"
"I am happy, but I notice you've changed," Kong Yinhong examined Qi Shi'an, "You used to be more like me, not asking so many questions. You seem more talkative now."
Qi Shi'an responded perfunctorily, "I just want to make you happy."
"No need to try making me happy. Seeing you succeed in your career and achieve something in your field makes me happy enough," Kong Yinhong picked up the knife, blowing out the half-burned candle, "I'll just have a small piece, you can have the rest."
Qi Shi'an reached out to stop her: "You haven't made a wish yet."
"Nothing worth wishing for, I don't believe in those things," Kong Yinhong cut the cake, "You Si sent me a gift. Since you're in frequent contact, thank her for me when you see her."
Qi Shi'an responded with a "mm" and said nothing more, silently eating his cake.
Outside, the rain continued. The grandfather and grandson had been busy all day, climbing up and down so many stone steps - far exceeding their usual physical activity. After returning home, Shen Duoyi immediately helped his grandfather to bed, only catching his breath after the elder fell asleep.
He took advantage of the free time to occupy the recliner, but after lying back found it less comfortable than the cushion, so he moved to the floor instead. He continued reading the "Local Chronicles Collection", and an hour passed without notice.
He was so absorbed that he didn't hear the message notification.
Outside, the rain had turned to drizzle. A gust of wind made Shen Duoyi shiver - he needed to change his clothes. As he placed a bookmark in his book, his phone rang.
The caller ID showed "Qi Shi'an." Remembering it was his mother's birthday, Shen Duoyi thought he shouldn't be free to call, so he answered directly, "Hello? Something up?"
Qi Shi'an replied, "Nothing major, just thought with the humid air today, wondered if you'd like to go for a drive."
Having been out most of the day, Shen Duoyi was somewhat tired. Hearing the other's slightly downcast voice, he asked, "Weren't you celebrating your mother's birthday today? Is it over?"
"Yeah, my mom wasn't in high spirits."
The words carried both helplessness and disappointment. Shen Duoyi, always soft-hearted, immediately asked, "Where do you want to go? I went out this morning, need to check if I need to add gas."
Only then did Qi Shi'an say, "No need, I'm already at the entrance of Wenhu Apartments. Just come down."
Without changing his clothes as planned, Shen Duoyi simply grabbed his phone and keys and left.
The roads were slippery in the rain, but there were few cars and people. Qi Shi'an's car sped out of the city quickly. Shen Duoyi sat in the passenger seat wearing his seatbelt. It was his first time in a sports car, and he found it quite nice - even thought about buying one himself.
But considering the price, he quickly abandoned that idea.
"Where did you go this morning?" Qi Shi'an broke the silence, "If you're tired, adjust the seat and take a nap."
Shen Duoyi said, "I'm not tired. This morning I took my grandfather for a medical checkup, then went to visit my parents at the cemetery."
Qi Shi'an paused, considering whether to continue this topic, as he didn't want to bring up anything that might dampen the other's mood.
"How's your grandfather's health?"
"Mm, just the same old problems, nothing else."
The conversation died again. Shen Duoyi knew Qi Shi'an was afraid of touching his sore spots, so he actively changed the subject: "What about you? What happened during your mother's birthday celebration that left her in low spirits?"
Qi Shi'an complained, "She's always like that. If it were my current mom now, she'd be overjoyed."
Shen Duoyi didn't know what Qi Shi'an's birth mother was like, but found his tone somewhat amusing. After laughing, he looked out the window as they drove up the mountain through the rain.
"Mr. Qi."
Suddenly addressed this way, Qi Shi'an frowned slightly: "What is it?"
Shen Duoyi asked tentatively, "Can I try driving your car later?"
Men all like this sort of thing. Qi Shi'an felt relieved - that formal "Mr. Qi" had made him nervous, but it was just about trying the car. Still, he pretended to refuse: "How many years have you been driving? Ever driven a sports car before?"
"Never driven a sports car," Shen Duoyi seemed not to expect Qi Shi'an's refusal, "But I passed my driving test smoothly, my skills are quite good. Plus, I could ride a bicycle since kindergarten - I'm quite talented in this area."
Qi Shi'an couldn't keep up the act and laughed in compromise: "Alright, I've got accident insurance anyway."
At the mention of insurance, Shen Duoyi seemed to remember something: "Haven't you still not bought 'Smart Life' insurance?"
"No time with how busy I am," Qi Shi'an pretended to complain, "You're a Ming'an employee now, why are you still thinking about helping insurance companies make money?"
Shen Duoyi retorted: "I'd love to sell for Ming'an, but I lost over a hundred thousand myself - that brand is ruined."
Still hung up on that hundred thousand, Qi Shi'an smiled while holding the steering wheel: "Once things settle down, I must help you invest. Stop mentioning that hundred thousand - I've realized it's become a stumbling block in our relationship."
Shen Duoyi smiled sheepishly: "Hiring you will cost money too, can I get a discount?"
Qi Shi'an said: "Sure, if you compliment me."
Outside was a mountain road, open on one side and dense with green trees on the other. Shen Duoyi looked around, then lowered his head and said: "Stones pile like jade, pines line up like emeralds."
He stopped after the first half, and Qi Shi'an was itching to hear more. The second half should be "You're incomparably beautiful, unique in this world." Would Shen Duoyi say something so direct and romantic to him?
Qi Shi'an urged through gritted teeth: "Go on."
Shen Duoyi suddenly said softly: "Today at the cemetery, I told my parents I've been very happy lately, happier than I've been in years." He finished and turned to watch the raindrops on the window, starting to smile, "That's my compliment."
Qi Shi'an gripped the steering wheel tighter. Was he the unique person who made Shen Duoyi happy?
If so, he was even happier.
If not, he would keep trying.
Heya! I'm Leafy. My passion for stories is matched only by my love for the outdoors. As I translate, I draw inspiration from the tranquility of nature. Whether I'm translating or tending to my garden, I'm always finding new stories to share with you.
Give me feedback at moc.ebircssutol@yfael.