EAY Chapter 9

A Little Pocket Money

A Little Pocket Money

9

After tidying up, Qi Ye walked Shi Ran home.

Actually, Shi Ran didn’t ask, and Qi Ye didn’t mention it beforehand. They just reached their first tacit understanding in this way.

However, Shi Ran thought, it was only natural for the “little brother” to walk the “big boss” home, right?

It seemed Qi Ye was destined to be his “little brother.”

On the way, Qi Ye asked Shi Ran, “You haven’t been to the breakfast shop lately, is it because of the stall?”

Shi Ran said helplessly, “Yeah, I really can’t get up if I work so late at night.”

Qi Ye thought about it and figured that what happened today was a good business day with an early closing, but it was already close to ten o’clock. He guessed it was usually closer to eleven or twelve.

He wouldn’t get enough sleep, so where would he get the energy to eat?

Qi Ye said with concern, “So you haven’t been eating breakfast lately?”

Shi Ran: “No, I buy milk and bread at the tuckshop.”

Compared to Shi Ran’s usual breakfast standards, this was definitely a downgrade. Qi Ye thought the bread at the tuckshop was sickly sweet and not nutritious at all.

Shi Ran was at the age where he was growing, so if he didn’t get enough sleep and didn’t eat well…

Qi Ye boldly asked, “Now that this is done, Grandpa Shi shouldn’t be thinking of selling anything else, right?”

The old man really wasn’t suited to staying up late either.

Shi Ran scratched the back of his head, nonchalantly: “Who knows what crazy ideas the old man will come up with? Before he retired, he liked to dabble in side businesses to make a little pocket money. Now that he’s retired, he’s even more restless and always has to come up with something.”

Actually, the goods they had wouldn’t spoil if left alone, and Grandpa Shi also said that once his leg was better, he would take care of it himself. But Shi Ran didn’t want the old man staying up late, and also, the type of goods this time really didn’t suit the old man. What if some ill-intentioned people stared at him and thought he was a pervert?

Shi Ran said, “Anyway, if he wants to sell something in the future, I won’t let him stay up so late, and it can’t be him being soft-hearted and helping to sell things for others.”

Qi Ye said, “You’ll still help him, though, right?”

“Of course, I have to keep an eye on things.” Shi Ran said nonchalantly. Qi Ye was holding all the tools left over from the stall, and he was pushing Qi Ye’s bicycle and walking easily. He tried to take the things from Qi Ye’s hands several times, but Qi Ye refused.

Qi Ye bit his lower lip. But if that was the case… Shi Ran would be wasting his study time again, and there was no telling when the business would end. Even if he said he wouldn’t stay up late, he might end up staying up all night again.

“Actually, if Grandpa Shi wants to find something to do, there are many things he could do.” Qi Ye boldly suggested to Shi Ran, “He could go to the park to practice Tai Chi, take walks, learn calligraphy, or make tea, or even grow vegetables.”

“But my grandfather’s greatest pleasure is making a little pocket money.” Shi Ran snapped his fingers. “If he grew vegetables, he’d probably think of selling them at the morning market right away.”

Qi Ye couldn’t help but say, “A little pocket money isn’t as important as your health, and isn’t it an even bigger loss if it delays your studies?”

Shi Ran was stunned for a moment, then looked at Qi Ye and suddenly smiled: “What you said is similar to what the teacher says. You’re both afraid that I’ll focus on small gains and lose sight of the big picture.”

Qi Ye suddenly felt a little flustered. He wouldn’t feel this flustered if Shi Ran got angry at him or even beat him up. The smile on Shi Ran’s face was unfamiliar and distant, like a polite smile that wasn’t meant to continue the conversation, naturally creating distance between people.

Sure enough, Shi Ran was about to return his bicycle to him and said softly, “You should go back first. It’s late. Thank you for walking me home today.”

Qi Ye immediately hid the things behind his back and took a step back, looking nervous: “Shi Ran, I’m, I’m sorry!”

Shi Ran found it funny: “Why are you suddenly saying that?”

“I was being nosy and made you angry. I didn’t mean to express my opinions on your life!”

“I know.”

“You don’t know, I really didn’t mean any harm. I’m, I’m…” Qi Ye suddenly stammered. What was he? The real reason couldn’t be said. It was too despicable.

“You’re thinking of me, and the homeroom teacher is also thinking of me. And what you said is all right. Of course I know you didn’t mean any harm.” Shi Ran was about to take the things from Qi Ye’s hands again, but when he saw that Qi Ye insisted on not giving them to him, he gave up and continued to walk forward, pushing the bike.

Qi Ye chased after him. The atmosphere between them was as quiet as the surroundings. Qi Ye was considering whether to ask when the phone in his pocket rang. He had to stop temporarily, put the things in his right hand on the ground, picked up his phone, and saw, “It’s my mom.”

“Answer it.” Shi Ran propped up the bicycle and stopped to the side, thinking that Qi Ye would definitely get scolded for not going back so late.

“Yeah, I’m outside. I, I’m hungry, I went to the night market to buy food, and I’m on my way back now. Yeah, you guys go to sleep first… Ah, no, I’m sorry, I’ll remember next time.”

Usually, a child who sneaks out to play in the middle of the night would definitely be flustered when questioned by their parents, but Qi Ye was calm, almost like an adult, except for that last sentence that was slightly fluctuating.

After he hung up the phone, Shi Ran asked, “Did you still get scolded?”

Qi Ye: “No.”

“I heard you apologize.” Shi Ran said.

Qi Ye smiled and said, “Oh, my mom was blaming me for not remembering to buy them something to eat, even if they don’t eat it at night, they can heat it up in the morning.”

Shi Ran couldn’t help but laugh. Why were Qi Ye’s family members so adorable?

“I’m sorry about just now.” Seeing that Shi Ran’s mood had improved, Qi Ye apologized again. “Teachers have the right to discipline you, what am I? I’m just creating trouble by butting in.”

Shi Ran sighed: “You didn’t create any trouble. You’ve helped me a lot. And, I’m really not angry. I said, I know the teacher and you are doing it for my own good, and you’re right, but still, how should I put it, everyone has different life experiences.”

Shi Ran pushed the bike slowly forward: “I also worry that Grandpa will ruin his health trying to make a little pocket money, so I’ll try my best to take care of him. But in fact, I also understand him. A little pocket money is nothing in other people’s eyes. Money isn’t as important as health. What can that little money buy? It’s better to get a good night’s sleep. It all sounds very reasonable. But for people like my grandfather who are afraid of being poor, no amount of reasoning is as good as having a little more cash in their hands.”

“Our family isn’t rich now, and things were even worse for Grandpa back then. As the eldest brother in the family, he had to save food for his younger siblings. Anyway, things were as bad as they could get.” Shi Ran turned his head and smiled at him, “Anyway, it’s something that kids of our generation can’t imagine. I’ll tell you more about it next time.”

Qi Ye quickly nodded.

“Grandpa was very hardworking when he was young. My parents often argued with him. Every time they met, they would argue, saying that he was a born workaholic, and that he was exhausting himself for so little money. Anyway, they said a lot of bad things.” Shi Ran said, “So when it comes to me, I don’t argue with him about these things anymore, though we can’t avoid bickering. But if the old man wants to make a little pocket money, I’ll let him do it. I’ll keep an eye on his health.”

“You’re so good.” Qi Ye couldn’t help but say.

Shi Ran: “What’s so good about me?”

Qi Ye smiled foolishly: “I don’t know how to say it.”

Later, he understood that Shi Ran’s goodness lay in the fact that he wouldn’t force the people he loved to change for him. He would accommodate them.

I love you, not the you I imagine, or the you I want, but the you as you are.

This seems very simple, but it is actually the most precious thing in a relationship.