EAY Chapter 30
by VolareYou are that friend.
30
The National Day holiday arrived. Qi Ye refused his parents’ offer to see him off when school started, but this time he couldn’t refuse because Qi Xue had driven his parents to the school early.
After a quick walk around the campus, Qi Xue urged them to leave quickly. Qi Ye was puzzled, “Aren’t we going to eat in our cafeteria?”
His mother smiled and said, “Next time. Your sister is taking us out for a big meal this time.”
Qi Xue said, “A colleague gave me several vouchers for a hot spring hotel. Let’s go soak in the hot springs and have something to eat. The environment there is very nice.”
Qi Ye laughed at her, “You just got paid and you’re already treating. You’ll be broke soon.”
Qi Xue patted him on the back, “Your sister only has three days off. Tomorrow I’m going to hang out with friends.”
The car was parked outside the school. The family chatted and laughed as they walked towards the school gate, occasionally encountering students returning home with suitcases. But it couldn’t compare to the grand scene at the start of the semester. Qi Ye’s parents were very satisfied with the environment of Qi Ye’s school. The only downside was that it was too far. It took several hours to drive, and half a day if they encountered traffic.
His father said helplessly, “According to your mother, you should still live at home. It would be best if you could come home for lunch every day.”
His mother said, “Why? It’s so nice to come back for every meal. It saves us two from being at home, and sometimes it’s just me alone.”
Qi Xue put her arm around her mother’s shoulders, “You’re really contradictory. When we were all at home, you always said you didn’t have time to meet with your girlfriends. Now that we’re not bothering you, you feel lonely.”
“It’s not so much loneliness, but I haven’t gotten used to it yet,” his mother analyzed.
Qi Xue said, “I think you just don’t know how to enjoy life. Isn’t going shopping more comfortable than cooking for your kids?”
“That’s true.” His mother paused. “But your dad usually does the cooking.”
His father shook his head helplessly. Qi Ye smiled beside him, adjusted the backpack on his shoulder, and saw Shi Ran, who should have been on the way home, just as he reached the school gate.
He got up the earliest, saying he had booked a ride. Why hasn’t he left yet?
Qi Ye immediately walked over. He learned that the driver had an emergency and asked to come in the afternoon, so Shi Ran had to cancel the order and re-book. But no one had accepted the order yet. He was prepared to wait a little longer and take the bus home if necessary, but that would mean transferring seven or eight times.
Qi Xue recognized Shi Ran as Qi Ye’s roommate and said enthusiastically, “Then come with us. Anyway, our families don’t live far apart. Shi Ran, do you like hot springs?”
His father and mother also repeatedly invited him to join them. Shi Ran quickly shook his head. If they were going home, Shi Ran could shamelessly hitch a ride. But they were going for fun, so how could he do that?
Qi Ye also really wanted Shi Ran to go with them, so he said, “It’s hard to get a ride at this hour. And you have to transfer so many times by bus. It’ll be dark by the time you get home.”
Qi Xue chimed in, “That’s right, that’s right. It’s a holiday, so just come have fun with us. Don’t worry, it won’t cost much. Your sister got a discount.”
His father even picked up Shi Ran’s bag directly. Shi Ran really couldn’t withstand the enthusiasm of this family and followed them sheepishly.
He and Qi Ye walked at the back. Qi Ye was in a very good mood and comforted him, “Don’t worry, we’re not staying at the hotel. We’ll be back in the afternoon.”
Shi Ran nodded to himself. After sending a message to his grandfather to explain the situation, he put away his phone, still feeling uneasy.
Qi Ye, however, was very happy. He felt that this holiday started off full of happiness.
His father and Qi Xue exchanged driver’s seats. His mother was in the passenger seat, and the three boys were in the back. To make Shi Ran feel more comfortable, Qi Ye let him sit next to the window, and he sat in the middle.
After chatting for a while, Qi Ye’s family quickly realized that Shi Ran was actually the friend who studied with Qi Ye in high school. Now they were even in the same dormitory. Everyone sighed at their fate.
Qi Xue was especially surprised. “When school started, I knew you were high school classmates, but I didn’t realize you were my brother’s friend. What’s with that? I felt like your relationship wasn’t very good back then, which worried me a bit.”
Shi Ran said embarrassedly, “It was too surprising. I really didn’t expect Qi Ye and I would be in the same dormitory.”
Qi Xue said, “Then why didn’t you guys hang out during the summer? Qi Ye actually holed up at his grandparents’ house for two months.”
Feeling awkward, Qi Ye touched his face, not knowing what to say. But Shi Ran came up with a good reason for him, “Oh, I was busy working during the summer. Qi Ye probably wanted to spend more time with his grandparents.”
Qi Ye nodded repeatedly, “Yeah, the countryside is quite fun.”
“Getting tanned like that is really fun, huh? Luckily, you’ve gotten a bit fairer at school, or else you’d be too ugly.” Qi Xue looked at her brother’s complexion and then asked Shi Ran with a smile, “I have pictures of him when he just came back from the countryside. Do you want to see them? He was as dark as the bottom of a pot.”
Qi Ye weakly argued, “It’s wheat-colored.”
“It’s black.” Qi Xue took out her phone to flip through the photos. When she was about to hand it to Shi Ran, Qi Ye blocked her. Qi Xue laughed at him, “Haha, do you also think it’s an embarrassing part of your past?”
Shi Ran actually wanted to see them, but Qi Ye firmly blocked her, refusing to hand over the phone.
His mother turned around from the front seat and scolded gently, “Hey, you two, stop fooling around. You’re both so old.”
His father laughed, “I remember now too. Qi Ye was indeed very dark when he came back then. I almost didn’t recognize him, haha.”
His mother also pursed her lips and smiled, “Darker, yes, but healthy and much stronger.”
Qi Xue could tell that Qi Ye really didn’t want his friend to see the “black photos,” so she stopped teasing him. She waved her phone and said, “Then I’ll keep this as a handle for now. If you ever make me unhappy, I’ll definitely spread them around.” After saying that, she added, “Actually, it’s not that different from when school just started. I don’t know what you’re so concerned about.”
Qi Ye breathed a sigh of relief and turned to Shi Ran, “Don’t mind her.”
Shi Ran shook his head with a smile. Qi Ye’s family atmosphere was indeed as warm and kind as he had imagined.
When they arrived at their destination, Shi Ran looked at the magnificent and luxurious hotel in front of him. It was his first time coming to such a high-end place. He couldn’t help but gasp. Then Qi Xue next to him also gasped, “The accommodation feels pretty good. We can try it next time.” She took her mother’s arm and said, “Let’s go eat and soak in the hot springs inside. Let’s go.”
Shi Ran regretted coming a bit. He whispered to Qi Ye, “This place looks super expensive. Otherwise, I’ll just call a car here—”
Qi Ye quickly said, “Don’t. We’re already here. Don’t worry. Qi Xue said she has discount coupons. It won’t be too expensive.”
Shi Ran thought for a moment, “Then next time, my grandpa and I will treat your family to a meal too. But it definitely won’t be at a fancy place like this.”
Qi Ye smiled and pointed at himself, “Just treat me. Just treat me is enough.”