Chapter 27: Tang Xiaowan's Boyfriend

The astronomy documentary ended, interrupted by a commercial for Fan Wei’s Wantong Bone and Muscle tablets.

"General people—I don’t tell them."

The familiar tagline from his memory made Xia An smirk.

Next on air was the African savanna, unchanged for decades. Xia An couldn’t tell if these lions were the same ones he’d seen in his later life, but the pride leader dozing under the tree looked very old; he likely wouldn’t live for another dozen years.

It was a subtle feeling. Having been reborn, everything felt young again.

Xia Kangning found it strange. In the past, his eldest son would avoid being at home for even a second during the holidays. Even if he wasn't going out, he’d lock himself in his room, keeping his distance from the couple.

Sitting here obediently watching TV with me?

Xia Kangning glanced at his son out of the corner of his eye and reached for the remote to flip to the opera channel, just to test him.

The result… Huh, he’s not leaving?

Xia An used to be unable to stand the shrill, wavering singing of the opera, but now he could listen to it carefully, even appreciating the emotion behind it.

Xia Kangning thought for a moment, pulled a hundred-yuan bill from his wallet, and leaned over to place it on the coffee table in front of Xia An.

Xia An assumed his dad wanted him to run an errand to "get soy sauce or beer." Eyes glued to the TV, he picked up the money and started walking toward the door naturally.

Xia Kangning asked why he wasn't changing his clothes to go out. Xia An asked back what his dad wanted him to buy.

Xia Kangning frowned. "It’s your pocket money."

"?"

Xia An paused for a few seconds before realizing what was happening. *Ah, I’ve been acting a bit too well-behaved.*

He returned the money to Xia Kangning, saying he had plenty of pocket money. When asked why he wasn't going out to play, Xia An said it was too hot. It was hot enough to go to an internet café, but Xia Kangning knew his son had never cared for computers.

Xia An switched the TV to the movie channel, pretending to watch, and took the opportunity to scan the newspaper while his father was in the bathroom. The headline on the business page was about Baidu’s recent acquisition of Qianqian Jingting. A flash of inspiration struck him, but before he could grasp it, his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of his mother opening and closing the door.

Wei Xiaofang, wearing her dark blue work uniform from the No. 3 Machinery Plant, kicked off her shoes and called for Xia Kangning, who had just finished in the bathroom, to come and take the items.

A plastic bag, two aluminum lunch boxes: beef ball soup, stir-fried chili potatoes, and tomato-braised mackerel.

During the meal, the couple mostly ate the potatoes and occasionally sipped the soup, muttering that domestic food was still the best. His mother kept putting meat in Xia An’s bowl, while his father chose not to touch the meat dishes at all. The differences between a father’s love and a mother’s love were evident at the dinner table.

After finishing his bowl, Xia An rubbed his stomach and let out a happy, satisfied burp.

Just then, Tang Wan called him. Xia An was startled at first, then delighted. He had a vague premonition that the luck of his rebirth would grant his wish once more. Last night, when Tang Wan mentioned Zhang Chunmin, memories flooded back; after some realization, he discovered that "this" Zhang was indeed "that" Zhang, and he had been secretly excited ever since.

If he could insert this person into his plans, it would be absolutely perfect. He had been hoping for a chance to make contact, but he knew the relationship between this man and Tang Wan was special—more like a close elder relative. He couldn't just rashly ask for an introduction. Why would anyone introduce a high school graduate to such a person? It didn't make sense.

So, he spent the whole morning hoping Tang Wan would need him to help explain the situation regarding her illness.

Sure enough, as soon as he stepped onto the balcony to answer the phone, Tang Wan asked if it was convenient for him to come over.

"I want Uncle Zhang to meet you."

"Yeah, sure, okay. I’m coming right now."

Tang Wan didn't say much on the phone, and Xia An didn't want to talk too much in front of his parents. After hanging up, he told them he was heading out.

The couple thought he was meeting classmates and didn't pay much attention at first. But when they saw Xia An going into the main room to dig out a white shirt, they felt something was up.

Wei Xiaofang asked who he was meeting.

"A tutor... from outside the Sixth High School. Going out for a meal," Xia An said while changing. Every word was true, but it sounded completely different to his parents' ears. It was common for teachers to take excellent graduates out for a meal.

In the provincial capital of Dongshan, the Sixth High School was just an ordinary high school, and its primary admissions into top universities came from the arts program. This year, among the 59 students in the arts class, two got into Tsinghua’s Academy of Arts and Design, three into the Communication University of China, and two into Renmin University. There were over a dozen more in the top eight art academies. Xia An and Le Ning had been admitted to Donghai University, a 211 school. His parents assumed he was naturally among the invited.

His mother rolled her eyes at him. "Gathering yesterday, gathering today—drink less." She added with a smile, "You like wearing shirts; I’ll buy you some on the weekend. Don’t wear your dad’s; it looks old-fashioned." Finally, she praised him three times: "My son is truly handsome, truly amazing, and truly outstanding."

Xia An: "???"

As he was putting on his shoes, his father brought a gift box of fruit out of the fridge and shoved it into Xia An’s hands. It was mangoes. They had brought two boxes back from abroad and saved one for the neighbors. His mother then brought over a bottle of Thai mosquito repellent and a silk scarf in a square box.

Xia Kangning adjusted his glasses. "I watched you for a few minutes, hoping you’d know to take these yourself. I’m a bit disappointed, Dad. You’re an adult now; don’t you know the proper etiquette?"

Xia An: "???"

...

After Xia An left, Wei Xiaofang scolded Xia Kangning while washing dishes in the kitchen. "Is your butt welded to the sofa? I’m in a rush to get to work—can’t you come help with the dishes?"

Xia Kangning shuddered, pursed his lips, and reluctantly stood up to walk over. He thought to himself, *I told you before we ate not to pour everything into the bowls, that using the lunch boxes and plastic bags would be easier.* But he said, "Coming, I'm coming. Good time to stretch my back."

Wei Xiaofang scoffed. "Have you noticed? Since we were gone for half a month, our son seems different."

She washed her hands and combed her hair in the mirror.

Xia Kangning asked, "How is he different?"

Wei Xiaofang smacked her lips. "Hard to say, can’t put my finger on it."

Xia Kangning looked thoughtful. "He’s grown up. He’s sensible."

Wei Xiaofang checked the wall clock and said she had to get to work. At the door, she added, "Sufen called me this morning. She said Xiao You’s dance entry was selected, and the preliminary competition is on the 7th of next month."

The Taoli Cup, originally initiated by the Beijing Dance Academy, was held every three years and was the holy grail for young dancers nationwide. The 2006 competition was being held in Yanjing. Preliminary rounds on August 7th, finals on September 4th. How many dance students were there in the country? Forget about winning; just making the preliminaries meant one was a top-tier industry talent.

Xia Kangning didn't look back. "That girl Zuo You is truly exceptional. She doesn't look like a daughter raised in a family of commoners like ours. Who knows, she might even become a big star."

After putting on her shoes, Wei Xiaofang clutched her chest. "Dad, my heart is pounding like something is about to happen. Do you think our son can really marry Xiao You? I honestly adore that girl."

Xia Kangning finished washing the dishes and shook his hands. "Fate is also controlled by the gods."

"The Matchmaker?"

"The God of Wealth."

Seeing his wife about to explode, Xia Kangning hurriedly explained that being beautiful but poor wasn't a good thing. "If our son has no ability in the future, he won't be able to keep a girl like Zuo You."

Wei Xiaofang scolded him for talking nonsense, saying that you can tell a person's character at three, and Zuo You would never do anything disgusting.

Xia Kangning said, "Trouble seeks people. Even if no one wants it, others will snatch it away."

"Just keep spouting your little rhymes all day! I can't be bothered with you." Wei Xiaofang slammed the door and left.

...

Xia An pushed open the door to the café. The blast of air conditioning and the scent of aromatherapy hit him. The speakers were playing "With an Orchid" by the Greek musician Yanni. There was a flute in the interlude; Le Ning loved this piece and practiced it often. Xia An thought it wasn't bad, either. It was the background music for the weather forecast on many local TV stations.

From a distance, he saw Tang Wan waving from a corner table. Sitting across from her was a stern-looking middle-aged man.

On his way there, Xia An had thought about playing the role of Tang Wan’s friend, so he took small, quick steps, slightly hunched over—perfectly acting the part of a high school graduate.

But, when he was three meters away, he saw Tang Wan stand up and say to Zhang Chunmin, who was sitting opposite her, with a shy expression:

"Uncle Zhang, here, this is him. Xia An. My boyfriend."

*Eh? No... you could have sent a text to give me a heads-up, dear.*

He saw Zhang Chunmin sigh in resignation, reluctantly stand up, and reach out his hand...

Xia An lengthened his stride, slowed his pace, and straightened his back. He pulled back the wide grin he had been wearing and replaced it with a smile. He squinted slightly, imbuing his eyes with two parts of wisdom.

Xia An first handed the gift box containing the silk scarf to Tang Wan, saying calmly, "My mom got this for you."

Only then did he take Zhang Chunmin’s hand, using the momentum to hand over the fruit gift box. He said, neither humble nor pushy, "Hello, Uncle Zhang, my name is Xia An, Tang..." He paused, then continued without changing his expression, "Xiao Wan’s boyfriend. I’ve heard her mention you often."