DBTHDCAR Chapter 25

『 September 16, 1997 — Sunny 』

It’s the Mid-Autumn Festival today.

As soon as school let out, I saw Ning Jianguo waiting at the school gate. We were going together to Jiande Lane to visit Grandma and have a family reunion dinner with her.

Fan Xia was going home today too. A few days ago, his dad, Fan Jian, called and asked Uncle Zhao to take Fan Xia back for dinner.

Fan Jian’s new wife is heavily pregnant and can’t move around much, so his dad booked a restaurant on Huanghe Road. Fan Xia said he’d rather eat at my house than go out.

Of course, my dad’s cooking skills are professional.

……………… 

“Dad!”

Ning Xiaobei and Fan Xia were pushing their bikes side by side, and as soon as they stepped out of the school gate, they spotted Ning Jianguo.

He leaned his black bicycle against the flowerbed at the gate, tilting his body casually on it. A trendy pair of glasses sat on the bridge of his nose, clad in a silver-white tracksuit, legs long, waist slim. He stood out like a star among the cluster of parents waiting for their kids.

In 2021’s internet slang, he was basically the embodiment of ultimate parent goals.

“Ning Xiaobei, is that your dad?”

Zhuang Li was pushing her pink girl’s bike behind them. When she heard Ning Xiaobei, her eyes lit up, and she practically ran up to them in three quick steps.

“Yeah, that’s my dad. What about it?”

Ning Xiaobei startled, and stopped in his tracks.

“Wow… didn’t expect that…”

Zhuang Li stood on her tiptoes to peek toward the school gate, then turned back and scanned Ning Xiaobei from head to toe, clicking her tongue in approval.

“Zhuang Li, speak properly! What are you doing?”

Fan Xia’s face darkened as he snapped at her without a shred of politeness.

“Ning Xiaobei, your dad is way too handsome… even more than a Hong Kong star. Well, compared to Alan Tam he’s a bit behind, but still, amazing.”

Zhuang Li wasn’t the least intimidated by Fan Xia’s scowl and continued, excitedly, “Is he really your dad? He doesn’t look like you at all!”

Innocent words, but the listener had a mind of their own. Ning Xiaobei’s face stiffened.

“I get it, you must take after your mom, all delicate and refined, like a little girl.”

Zhuang Li never held back on praising handsome guys. She had already critiqued all the boys in their class during breaks, one by one.

As for good looks, Ning Xiaobei was definitely among the top in the class, currently holding first place on the handsome boys list.

Ning Xiaobei looked like he had stepped straight out of a Taiwanese romance novel; fair skin, a gentle tone of voice, and slightly wavy hair, utterly captivating.

Compared with his peers, he was mature and calm. He was the kind of older-neighbor-brother written by Xi Juan, Yu Qing, or Zuo Qingwen. The white moonlight¹White Moonlight (白月光) represents someone pure, idealized, and often unattainable. It represents a kind of nostalgic or innocent love that you can’t have. Eileen Chang² White Moonlight and Cinnabar Mole comes from Eileen Chang’s 1944 novella 《Red Rose, White Rose》 described, the cinnabar mole³Cinnabar Mole (朱砂痣) represents a striking, unforgettable, and sensuous mark on someone’s life. Literally a small red beauty mark, metaphorically it conveys someone who leaves a vivid, lasting impression, slightly passionate or intense, a delicate presence in every girl’s heart…

— Description excerpted from Class 1 Handsome Boys Ranking List by Zhuang Li

“What nonsense! Who’s like a little girl? How could my boss ever look like a girl? You’re the one who looks like a little girl!”

Fan Xia was furious at Zhuang Li’s words.

At this age, boys don’t exactly take compliments on looking pretty as a badge of honor. Especially Fan Xia, full of raw masculine energy, who shot Zhuang Li a glare with raised eyebrows.

“Alright, Li Kui⁴hot-headed and strong character from 《Water Margin》, you’re not bad yourself, at least you’re ranked third on the handsome boys list.”

Zhuang Li nodded encouragingly at Fan Xia.

That only made Fan Xia angrier.

“What? How come I’m third? Who’s ahead of me?”

Losing to Ning Xiaobei was one thing, but he thought he should be second, not third.

Ning Xiaobei stared at Fan Xia’s indignant face in disbelief…seriously? You’re actually taking this seriously?

“Tell me! Who’s second? Give me a name!”

Middle school boys take their pride very seriously. This ranking made no sense, but Fan Xia wasn’t about to give in.

“Ding Zheyang.”

“What? ‘Four-Eyes’? How does he even compare to me?”

Ding Zheyang’s “Forever Second Place” title finally came off after entering middle school… because he could no longer place second, while Ning Xiaobei still held first.

No. 1 High School lived up to its reputation, and Class 1 was especially packed with hidden talent.

Though it had only been half a month since school started, they had already gone through a ranking exam and several subject placement tests. Ning Xiaobei still dominated with near-perfect scores, leaving even the usually picky Yan Bingru speechless.

Ding Zheyang’s grades were only mid-tier in Class 1. Now he sat next to Zhuang Li as her deskmate, positioned near the center of the classroom, and every day he could only stare at the back of Ning Xiaobei’s outstanding head.

As for Fan Xia… things were even worse. In the last ranking test, he placed fifth from the bottom, just two spots above the trash bin candidate.

Now Fan Xia sat in the last row’s special seat, practically a galaxy away from Ning Xiaobei, who sat in the first row by the window.

But he had a surprisingly good attitude, already making a pact with Ning Xiaobei that next month’s exam he would aim to rank tenth from the bottom… at least moving up one row.

“Don’t you think Ding Zheyang’s gaze is very melancholy? He’s exactly what foreigners call a pale, greenish young man, you can’t see it?”

“What? Which foreign language are you speaking?”

Everything’s green now, was that a compliment or an insult?

“There’s nothing to discuss with you. There’s a whole Mars between us.”

Zhuang Li shook her head at Fan Xia with mock pity, rang the desk bell, and skipped off cheerfully.

“What are you saying? I think you girls have no taste, always liking pretty boys! Ding Zheyang, with those glasses, his lenses must be thicker than a beer bottle bottom. And he ranks ahead of me? Outrageous!”

Fan Xia stomped his feet in frustration.

“Alright, it’s not like a ranking of 《Water Margin》 heroes, why are you so obsessed?”

Ning Xiaobei patted Fan Xia on the shoulder, his face full of exasperated amusement.

“Speaking of 《Water Margin》 heroes, boss, which cards are you still missing? These past few days I’ve been eating instant noodles to get them, and I still haven’t got 【Fiery Eyed Lion Deng Fei】 or 【River Churning Clam Tong Meng.】 I already have five copies of 【White Jumping in the Waves Zhang Shun】…”

The unscrupulous Little Raccoon⁵ Little Raccoon (Xiao Huoxian) crispy noodles released the iconic Water Margin (108 Heroes) cards in the late 1990s. These collectible cards were randomly included in packets of the snack, sparking a massive collection craze among school children across China becoming a significant cultural memory drove boys across China crazy with one set of 《Water Margin》hero cards.

In the real world, Ning Xiaobei’s metal box still held several limited-edition cards. But now, with his mind grown older, he no longer cared about this stuff. Any cards he got from instant noodles he casually handed to Fan Xia.

Fan Xia was so obsessed with this card set that he barely ate or slept. Collecting all 108 hero cards was, for him, the biggest event in his life after school.

The two of them reached the school gate, and Ning Jianguo stepped forward a couple of steps. Seeing Fan Xia’s sulking face, he looked at Ning Xiaobei in puzzlement.

“What’s up with him?”

“He got triggered. The girls in our class said he’s not as handsome as me.”

Ning Xiaobei replied with a smile.

“Eh, isn’t that obvious? I just stood outside your school for a bit. Among students, some are tall, some are short, some are fat, and some are thin. None of them has the look my son has. That just shows the girls in your class have good taste.”

Whenever Ning Jianguo praised Ning Xiaobei, pride beamed from every corner of his face.

“Dad, stop it, it’s too embarrassing.”

Seeing the glances from other parents nearby, Ning Xiaobei’s face turned red as he hurried his dad to get on the bike and leave.

“Goodbye, Fan Xia. I’ll bring you mooncakes when I come back.”

Ning Xiaobei waved at Fan Xia, jumped on his bike, and rode off.

Fan Xia stayed behind, watching the father and son ride off happily, lowering his head and biting his lip.

“Dad… Mom…”

……………… 

“I’m back~”

Ning Xiaobei charged ahead, pedaling into the lanes of Jiande Lane.

It was dinner time, and the smell of food drifted from kitchens and living rooms everywhere. Since it was still warm, many families had set up their dining tables outside, fanning themselves and enjoying the cool breeze while waiting for the moon to rise.

“Xiaobei’s back! Our future university student comes to see the old neighbors!”

“Jianguo, come out later for a couple of drinks. I cooked some good dishes today and even got a duck from the deli. Xiaobei, come eat a leg. Don’t be so polite with uncle.”

“Xiaobei, open your mouth, try our scallion-oil taro.”

The neighbors greeted them warmly as they arrived.

Pushing his bike down the long lane, Ning Xiaobei hadn’t even reached the doorstep before he was already half-fed by the neighbors.

This was the charm of the old neighborhood. Life here lacked flush toilets or elevators, but it overflowed with everyday warmth and human connection.

In this long, gray lane, people weren’t locked away in their own little worlds. Neighbors who had lived together for over ten years or even longer had become like family.

Chewing his food, Ning Xiaobei couldn’t help but think back to the real world, when Grandma fell gravely ill after learning that Jiande Lane would be demolished, and ultimately passed away.

Perhaps, knowing that the place she had lived in for half her life was about to vanish, she felt both terrified and unwilling to let go, leaving her final moments in the old home.

Just like Azi, who leapt from the truck straight into the ruins of the old house…

“Xiaobei, what’s wrong? Grandma is calling you.”

In the main room on the first floor, Grandma sat upright, waiting for Xiaobei to greet her.

But the boy entered with a dazed, absent-minded expression, as if his soul had been pulled away, saying nothing and not responding.

Grandma’s face immediately darkened, displeased.

“Ah… Grandma! Grandma, I missed you so much.”

Ning Xiaobei finally snapped out of it. Seeing his grandmother’s unhappy face, he took two steps forward and hugged her tightly, swaying her from side to side.

This old lady had a temper, and if she got upset, everyone would have a ruined Mid-Autumn Festival.

“Oh dear, why are boys acting all coquettish? Alright, alright, wash your hands and come eat. Xiao Mei made a whole table of food, just waiting for you all to get back.”

The cheered-up grandma patted her eldest grandson’s back and smiled as she let him go.

Ning Xiaobei turned into the kitchen and had just twisted the tap open when he suddenly heard faint, almost imperceptible mews. Looking down, he jumped in surprise.

“What’s going on?”

At his feet, Azi, the long-missed cat, lifted its round head high. Its bright green eyes locked onto its long-absent little master.

The most startling thing, Azi had a tiny kitten dangling from its mouth. Black-and-white, only the size of Ning Xiaobei’s palm, the little kitten let out soft mews.

“Meow~”

Azi gently set the kitten on the cement floor, gave a soft meow to Ning Xiaobei, and flicked his ankle with her tail.

“Azi, are you showing Xiaobei your kids?”

The housekeeper, Xiao Mei, happened to walk over from the living room, carrying the chopped white-cut chicken. Seeing this, she looked down and smiled.

“Azi’s kids? Azi had kittens?”

“They were born just last week. There are four in total, and the neighbors have already reserved them; they’ll go to their new homes after the full month. Azi is like a new mother now, eating very well every day; fish and meat for every meal. Grandma really spoils her.”

Xiao Mei turned her head to continue speaking.

“Great!”

Ning Xiaobei was instantly overjoyed.

In the real world, before Azi parted from the father and son, she had always been a single female cat. He never expected that here, she would actually have kittens.

He crouched down, wanting to reach out and pet the little kitten, but remembering his condition, he had no choice but to pull his hand back.

Sigh! Dad’s right. I need to exercise more.

The doctor at the Children Hospital had also said that if he trained well during puberty, his childhood asthma might still be cured.

Thinking this, Ning Xiaobei reluctantly nudged Azi’s soft belly with the tip of his foot.

When he returned to the main room, Ning Jianguo had already warmed the Shaoxing wine and poured a cup each for himself and Grandma Ning.

“When Xiaobei gets a bit older, he can drink with Grandma too. For now, he can have orange juice instead.”

Xiao Mei smiled as she filled Ning Xiaobei’s cup with orange juice.

Looking at the table full of dishes, Ning Xiaobei couldn’t help but admire her.

“Sister Xiao Mei, your cooking is almost as good as my dad’s.”

According to Shanghai customs for the Mid-Autumn Festival, duck, edamame, and taro must be eaten today.

Today, Xiao Mei made dried bamboo shoot and old duck soup. Its color was as white as snow, and the aroma was rich and inviting, with a few red goji berries sprinkled on top for decoration. She also prepared marinated edamame and osmanthus-syrup taro, along with several other meat dishes; all done quite presentable.

Most importantly, she was thoughtful. Everything she made was soft and easy to chew, perfect for elderly people with weak teeth.

“Oh my, being able to have Xiao Mei take care of Grandma is truly a blessing for our Ning family. Xiao Mei, let me toast you.”

Ning Jianguo was deeply moved. He couldn’t come home every day now, and everything inside and outside the old house depended on Xiao Mei. Though she was young, she worked efficiently and paid attention to details it was truly rare.

“That’s right. If you could marry a daughter-in-law as capable as Xiao Mei, then even if this old woman dies, I could rest in peace.”

Grandma Ning lifted her cup, took a sip, and said.

Ning Xiaobei’s heart stirred.

Sure enough, Grandma wanted his dad to find a companion.

“Grandma, what are you saying? I’m just a country girl. Someone as good as big brother will surely find a Shanghai girl a hundred times, a thousand times better than me.”

Xiao Mei grew embarrassed, her face flushing red. Using the excuse that there were still crabs steaming on the stove, she quickly slipped into the kitchen.

“Mom, what nonsense are you talking about?”

Ning Jianguo glanced at his silent son and spoke with slight displeasure.

“What’s wrong? Did I say anything wrong?”

Grandma Ning’s temper flared. She frowned and said in a low voice, “When Xiaobei grows up, he’ll eventually start his own family and go his own way. By then, this old woman will have kicked the bucket. Will you be left all alone?”

“Mom…”

Ning Jianguo frowned, about to argue back. Just then, Xiao Mei came in with the crabs, so he had no choice but to drop the topic.

After dinner, the moon had already reached the middle of the sky. Ning Xiaobei sat with Grandma Ning at the courtyard entrance, looking up at the full moon hanging in the clear, washed-blue night sky.

Somewhere in the lane, someone had turned on a radio. A well-known old song drifted out through the window, its lyrics fitting the moment perfectly:

≈≈≈ The moon moves, I move too; I walk my brother to the village gate. ≈≈≈

“Xiaobei, time to go.”

After washing the dishes, Ning Jianguo came out of the kitchen, wiping his hands.

“So early? Stay a bit longer. I’ll have Xiao Mei make you a cup of tea. Folks from our hometown sent over some crabs today, and also this year’s good tea leaves. You can take a jar back with you.”

Grandma Ning looked up at him, her eyes full of reluctance.

Now that her son had moved out, although he came back to visit three or four times a month, on a day meant for family reunion, she still wished they could stay together longer.

“Mom, Xiaobei still has school tomorrow. I’ll come see you again after work tomorrow.”

“Why come every day? Doesn’t Xiaobei have school tomorrow? Come again on the weekend.”

As she spoke, Grandma Ning patted the back of Ning Xiaobei’s hand.

“Xiaobei, did you remember what Grandma told you?”

Ning Xiaobei nodded.

The father and son pushed their bikes under the moonlight. When they finally left Jiande Lane and reached the main road, Ning Jianguo couldn’t help but lower his head and ask, “Xiaobei, what did Grandma say to you?”

“She just told me to study hard and get first place. When the New Year comes, she’ll give me a big red envelope.”

Ning Xiaobei’s eyes flickered, but luckily the streetlights were dim, so Ning Jianguo couldn’t see clearly.

“Oh, but you’re already first place, how can you improve further?”

Ning Jianguo smiled in relief.

“But don’t put too much pressure on yourself. It’s fine to relax sometimes. Learning needs a balance between pressure and relaxation.”

“Mm. I know.”

Ning Xiaobei nodded along the whole way.

Actually, what Grandma had just said to him was…

“Xiaobei, just take it as Grandma begging you. Help me keep an eye out. See if there are any good women around your dad. If your dad really ends up alone for the rest of his life, then even after I die, I won’t be at peace.”

Grandma, I promise you.

I’m going to find Dad a companion, so Ning Jianguo can live a happy life with a cozy and warm home!

………………

Author’s Note:

Poor Fan Xia, he’s not an orphan, but might as well be.

Did you guys ever collect Water Margin cards or Three Kingdoms cards? I even collected World Cup cards, haha.

It’s the weekend today, so there are two updates. Scroll down, there’s more~~

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• 1
  White Moonlight (白月光) represents someone pure, idealized, and often unattainable. It represents a kind of nostalgic or innocent love that you can’t have.
• 2
  White Moonlight and Cinnabar Mole comes from Eileen Chang’s 1944 novella 《Red Rose, White Rose》
• 3
  Cinnabar Mole (朱砂痣) represents a striking, unforgettable, and sensuous mark on someone’s life. Literally a small red beauty mark, metaphorically it conveys someone who leaves a vivid, lasting impression, slightly passionate or intense
• 4
  hot-headed and strong character from 《Water Margin》
• 5
  Little Raccoon (Xiao Huoxian) crispy noodles released the iconic Water Margin (108 Heroes) cards in the late 1990s. These collectible cards were randomly included in packets of the snack, sparking a massive collection craze among school children across China becoming a significant cultural memory