EAY Chapter 71

Name and Content

Name and Content

71

This was Shi Ran’s first time spending the New Year at his boyfriend’s house. For some reason, his dad insisted that Shi Ran and Grandpa spend the New Year at his new home. This was the first time since his remarriage.

Shi Ran was unwilling. He wasn’t even very familiar with his own dad, let alone the other people in that family. He would definitely feel very awkward. Grandpa saw his difficulty and worked out a compromise with his dad. The old man would go, but Shi Ran wouldn’t.

Shi Ran asked Grandpa curiously, “Aren’t you afraid of feeling awkward?”

Grandpa snorted, “Why would I be awkward? He invited me himself. He’s the one who should feel awkward. I’ll just sit and wait to eat, saving myself from having to cook. Anyway, I haven’t eaten his cooking in years, so I can sit tight.”

“That’s true.” Shi Ran said with a smile, “Grandpa, when you go, just act like a boss and let them serve you well. Since Dad wants to show his filial piety, let him have his way.”

Grandpa happily agreed, “I still have to prepare red envelopes, but I would have had to prepare them even if I didn’t go there before, so it’s the same.”

Shi Ran suddenly thought of something, “But how can you be so comfortable leaving me alone at home?”

Grandpa glanced at him, “Why would you be alone at home for the New Year? Aren’t you going to Qi Ye’s house?”

“I, when did I say I was going to his house?” Shi Ran turned his head away.

“I’m not deaf. Qi Ye came to our house for dinner yesterday and invited us. Didn’t you say you’d consider it?” Grandpa said, “I think you should go. Anyway, you’re such good friends, it won’t be awkward.”

That was for sure. Shi Ran got along with Qi Ye’s family much better than with his own dad.

“It’s not impossible to go.” Shi Ran pretended to be in a difficult position, “Grandpa, what kind of gift do you think I should buy?”

“Buying some fruit would be fine.”

“I should add at least two more things, since I’m earning my own money now.” Shi Ran sighed helplessly, “It’s all Qi Ye’s fault for always buying so many things when he comes to our house. I can’t let him outdo me.”

Grandpa laughed, “Yeah, you should tell Qi Ye not to buy so much next time. And if he does buy something, don’t let him buy that high-calcium milk powder for old people. It would be better to just buy milk.”

Shi Ran also laughed, “I told him not to buy that, but he insisted on giving you calcium supplements.”

“It’s not easy for you young people to earn money, and you still have to pay rent. If you save some money, you should buy yourselves something good to eat or go out and have fun. You two are so busy with work usually.” After Grandpa finished his warm concern, he changed the subject, “You and Qi Ye, which one of you earns more?”

“How can we ask that between friends? It’s impolite.” Shi Ran paused, “It should be him, he also draws comics.”

“That’s amazing.”

“Yeah, but it’s also hard work. Don’t you think he’s lost some weight?”

“Since you’re roommates, you have to take care of each other. Your parents and family aren’t around, so you two are the closest.” Grandpa instructed.

Shi Ran nodded a little guiltily, “Okay.”

Qi Ye’s residential complex was always quiet. The detached houses in their area were quite far apart. The first thing that occurred to Shi Ran was that no matter how much noise they made at home, they wouldn’t have to worry about disturbing the neighbors.

“I guess I still can’t be honest with Grandpa.” After listening to what Shi Ran said, Qi Ye brought him a juice and sat down next to him, “Grandpa wouldn’t understand these things. Not requiring him to understand is also a kind of consideration.”

“Yeah, but every time Grandpa says things like we should take care of each other, I still feel guilty.” Shi Ran took a sip of juice.

Qi Ye thought for a moment and asked, “Has Grandpa ever urged you to find a girlfriend, or said that he hopes to see a grandson born?”

Shi Ran: “No, probably because of the shadow my dad cast on him. What’s so great about getting married and having children? Not only do you not live a good life, but if you get divorced, you even throw the child to him.”

Qi Ye said, “That’s it. I think Grandpa’s usual instructions to you are nothing more than to take good care of yourself and live your life well. In name, I may only be your friend, but the content is the most important. We are really living our lives seriously and taking care of each other, aren’t we?”

“I guess so.” Shi Ran’s heart relaxed a lot. “That’s right, I work hard and live a good life, and I’m no different from anyone else. Why should I feel guilty?”

Shi Ran finished his juice and stood up from the bed, “We should go out and help.”

When he came to Qi Ye’s house, Qi Ye and his parents were busy in the kitchen. When Qi Ye’s parents saw him, they didn’t want Qi Ye to help anymore and told them to go have fun. When the two were walking in the residential complex, they met a young lady walking a husky. Shi Ran stopped to greet the husky, and the husky immediately pounced on him enthusiastically, leaving clear paw prints on his white sweatshirt. The young lady quickly apologized, and Shi Ran said with a smile that it was okay. She quickly led the dog home.

Shi Ran went to Qi Ye’s room to change clothes. The two chatted for a while. When they heard the sound of stir-frying dishes from outside, Shi Ran urged Qi Ye to go out.

Qi Ye was a little reluctant, “If we go out, we’ll have to pretend to be friends again.”

The appearance of a wise mentor disappeared, and he was once again a childish lover, “Stay a little longer, my dad is a chef, he doesn’t need anyone to interfere.”

“No, it’s okay if you don’t help, but how can I hide here? It’s impolite.” Shi Ran insisted on going out.

Qi Ye reached out and grabbed him again, “Our family doesn’t let guests work. I’m only following you to avoid work.”

Shi Ran raised his eyebrows, “Am I still just a guest?”

Qi Ye immediately let go of him, “No, no.” He immediately went to open the door, “Go help, you have to help!”

Shi Ran suppressed a smile and followed him out.

Qi Ye’s mother didn’t let the two of them into the kitchen. In the end, they were responsible for setting the table and sobering the wine. Shi Ran watched Qi Ye skillfully open the red wine and asked, “When is your sister coming back?”

Qi Xue’s work was really busy. Today was New Year’s Eve and she was still not resting. She said she was on a business trip out of town and would try her best to come back for dinner.

As soon as he finished speaking, Qi Ye’s mother came out with her phone and said, “Son, your sister is at the high-speed rail station. She said the taxi she booked was suddenly canceled. Can you go pick her up?”

Qi Ye let go of the half-opened red wine, “Okay.”

Shi Ran said, “I’ll go with you.”

Qi Ye’s mother smiled, “Okay, you two go together, we’ll wait for you to eat. The car key is still in the drawer above the shoe cabinet.”

“Okay.”

Qi Ye and Shi Ran put on their coats and went out. Qi Ye handed the key to Shi Ran, “Do you want to try driving?”

Both of them got their driver’s licenses during the summer vacation of college, but they usually didn’t have many chances to drive. It was more convenient to take the subway to work and avoid traffic jams. Only occasionally when they went out to play would Qi Ye borrow his family’s car, which was much more convenient.

“No.” Shi Ran didn’t have much of a driving itch. He preferred to sit in the passenger seat.

“I haven’t seen my sister in a long time, I miss her.” Shi Ran said, also because his relationship with Qi Ye had his sister’s support, Shi Ran felt more relaxed and comfortable in front of her.

Qi Ye said, “She said the same thing when we talked on the phone last time, and she also wanted to ask you to go out and have fun.”

“Okay, okay, when? I’ll definitely make time!”

Qi Ye looked ahead and said faintly, “You’re not this excited when you go out with me.”