DBTHDCAR Chapter 49

That year for National Day, as promised, Ning Xiaobei brought Fan Xia and Chang Leyun along to the Ding family’s place to watch the fireworks over the Lujiazui skyline.

Ding’s parents were extremely welcoming of their visit. The travel group they had planned to take for National Day had been left in the hands of a colleague.

Mrs. Ding had spent the whole morning preparing dinner at home, while Mr. Ding helped out in the kitchen.

A Sony sound system brought back from Japan filled the house with cheerful music. The kids had already settled in the living room early, waiting for eight o’clock, when the fireworks would light up both banks of the Huangpu River.

Ding Zheyang, holding a freshly poured glass of orange-flavored Guozhen drink, sat beside Ning Xiaobei. His cheeks were slightly flushed, as if he had drunk alcohol.

It was the first time in his life he’d had so many kids his age visiting his home.

Back when he stayed at his paternal grandmother’s or maternal grandmother’s house, this was something he wouldn’t even have dared to imagine.

Paternal Grandma was fairly lenient and doted on him as her only son’s grandson. But her health was poor, so he couldn’t always stay there. About once a month, he would have to go to his maternal grandmother’s place instead.

His maternal grandmother’s old-style alleyway house was cramped to an incredible degree, nicknamed the cage. The entire family lived in a two-story loft of barely 30 square meters.

Besides his maternal grandparents, there were his uncle and aunt, a cousin, and an aunt who had divorced and moved back in with her parents.

Including him, that made seven people in total.

During dinner, he and his uncle and aunt stood to eat, while his cousin and grandmother sat on the bed.

At night, they had to fold up the dining table and move it out of the way. He, his grandmother, and cousin slept in the loft, while his uncle and aunt slept on the bed. The divorced aunt slept alone on a small double sofa, right against the edge of the bed. Occasionally, in the middle of the night, she would kick her leg and hit her sister-in-law’s backside.

Life in the cage was painfully cramped. In the morning, the men lined up to use the public toilet, while the women squatted by the street fetching tap water and scrubbing the toilet. The aunt and divorced aunt often fought over whose comb had been used or whose stockings had been worn by mistake.

The neighborhood relationships were tense, too. All the gas and running water were installed in shared public spaces to prevent people from stealing from each other. Every day after cooking, his aunt would lock the stove and the faucet to keep others from using them. Even so, disputes with neighbors were constant. In earlier years, fights would break out over missing coal or firewood, and people would end up with bumps on their heads.

Looking back on it later in life, one might feel nostalgic for all the everyday dramas and small human interactions. But to young, sensitive Ding Zheyang, it had been utterly terrifying.

He also knew that his uncle and aunt resented him. They couldn’t understand how the child of a daughter who had married out of the family could have the audacity to come back and squeeze in with them.

If it weren’t for his mother sending a few thousand yuan every month for his grandmother’s household expenses, they wouldn’t have shown him an ounce of kindness. Even his cousin, just a year younger, often bullied him, snatching snacks and toys his mother had sent from Japan.

Under those circumstances, bringing friends home was out of the question. In fact… he barely had any friends at all.

There were plenty of bad kids like Geng Enhua around, common enough even at No. 1 High School, the city’s top school. At ordinary elementary schools, there were even more.

Though Ding Zheyang lived under relatives’ roof, he was not short of pocket money and often became a target for bad kids at school. He dared not tell teachers, because if he did, they would insist on calling his parents, and then everyone in class would know he was a poor kid living with relatives.

Luckily, he was clever and knew how to avoid trouble. As soon as class ended, he would dash to the teachers’ office just to escape their harassment.

Over time, a rumor spread that he was a teacher’s pet.

When he entered middle school, his parents returned to the country, and Ding Zheyang moved into a newly purchased large house. Yet he still rarely saw his parents, and he grew even lonelier.

Shortly after prep school began, because he wore a limited-edition Casio digital watch, Ding Zheyang became a target for extortion by Geng Enhua and his so-called brothers.

Thanks to the protection of teacher Yan Bingru, Geng Enhua hadn’t dared to lay a hand on him at school. But after Teacher Yan was suspended due to a complaint by Ding Zheyang’s father and later had his teaching license revoked, Geng Enhua became increasingly brazen.

His parents knew nothing about any of this, and he didn’t want them to know.

Grandma had told him that the reason his parents worked so hard in Japan and ran a travel agency was to give Yangyang a better life. So he had no choice but to keep silent.

Not long after his mother returned to China, she took his hand and asked him how things were at school, whether he got along with his classmates, and if he had any particularly close good friends.

Instantly, Ning Xiaobei’s face popped into his mind.

Smart Ning Xiaobei, excellent Ning Xiaobei, everyone’s favorite Ning Xiaobei…

In the past, he had always been in the second place seat, staring at his back.

He was first, and he was second. They should have been the closest pair, yet in Ning Xiaobei’s eyes, he had never really existed.

And that dark-skinned, hopelessly poor student, dared to cross so many barriers, sit beside the noble prince, sling an arm around him, and joke and laugh as if they were equals.

He wanted to say: “Ning Xiaobei, look at me! Look at me!”

But Ning Xiaobei never looked at him. Instead, he ascended to No. 1 High School together with Fan Xia.

He had once thought that, of all the students at Fourth Primary, only he and Ning Xiaobei deserved a place at No. 1 High School. He never imagined that Fan Xia, the streetwise troublemaker who had shown up on the first day dressed like a Hong Kong gangster, could make it too.

Why?

He could not understand it at all.

Later, he realized the truth:

It was because of Ning Xiaobei.

Fan Xia was Ning Xiaobei’s friend.

Ning Xiaobei treated his friends very, very well. At first it was Fan Xia, then their deskmate Lin Ziying joined, and even Chang Leyun from Class 2 eventually became part of this little circle.

They went to school and came home together, did homework together, and rumor had it that even their winter and summer vacations were spent together. That was why they all became good students, good kids.

Unlike himself, who felt like a gutter bug, destined to rot and stink alone.

“Yangyang, who is your good friend?”

His mother asked.

“Ning Xiaobei…”

He answered almost without hesitation.

If he could also become Ning Xiaobei’s good friend, maybe then he could join them.

They could all become better together; be cheerful like Fan Xia, loved by every teacher; talented and admired like Chang Leyun, envied and admired by the girls.

But Ning Xiaobei… why won’t you look at me just a little? I want to be your friend, Ning Xiaobei…

And then, the moment he was most ashamed of was seen by the idol in his heart.

The moment he ran out from the bike shed, he felt as if his heart had been hollowed out.

The cold wind whooshed into his empty chest, exposing all his narrow, spiteful thoughts under the autumn sunlight.

He couldn’t imagine how Ning Xiaobei would think of him if he knew what he had done to his classmates.

He felt disgusting, dirty, wishing he could vanish from the world immediately.

And yet… today he was actually sitting beside him, watching fireworks together.

When his elbow accidentally brushed against the person next to him, Ding Zheyang nearly jumped up to apologize, but the other simply raised his head and returned a smile.

“Thanks for today. You can’t see fireworks in the Workers’ New Village. Every year we have to take a car to Nanjing Road and then walk to the Bund. It’s always packed with people, you never know if you’re there to watch the people or the fireworks.”

It’s not the crowd that’s most frightening, the frightening part is the public toilets along the way, all packed with people.

Last year’s National Day, the three families went out together to see the lights. They’d already reached the Bund when Fan Xia suddenly needed the restroom. The streets were jammed with people, every public toilet was full, even the temporary ones had long lines, so they had no choice but to turn back.

Walking back through the dense crowd all the way to their starting point, it was like being on a punishment march; six people sweating profusely. Finally, Zhao Jingwen found a KFC with a restroom and rushed Fan Xia inside. By the time he was done, no one had the energy to walk back.

Ning Jianguo simply bought two family buckets of fried chicken, and after eating, everyone went home.

Not to mention seeing them, he hadn’t even heard a single sound of the fireworks; totally frustrating.

This year was completely different. The window at the Ding family’s place was basically a VIP viewing spot. Sitting here, eating Mother Ding’s foreign dishes, sipping Guozhen, listening to music, and waiting for the fireworks to rise; it was pure bliss. It wasn’t any less impressive than the time he’d later watch the sunrise from the top floor of the Portman Hotel while on a business trip.

And as far as he knew, this old apartment would eventually become a famous Instagram-worthy spot in Shanghai. People would swarm here just to shoot the carved staircases and uniquely geometric corridors, and several times, residents had complained to the TV stations.

Getting to enjoy the million-dollar view twenty years early? That really was a bargain.

“If you like it, you can come every year…”

Ding Zheyang said happily, looking at the window across from him.

“Wow, if you say that, I won’t be polite,” Ning Xiaobei teased.

“I’m serious, you can come every day if you want.”

Ding Zheyang nodded frantically, worried Ning Xiaobei wouldn’t believe him.

He used to dislike this window. As soon as he got home, he’d rush to pull the curtains shut.

The brighter the neon outside, the more dazzling the city lights, the lonelier he felt; so much so that even the shadows on the floor seemed desolate and sorrowful.

He’d pull the curtains, grab a little stool, and sit by the door, listening to the sounds from the neighbors.

Even though old buildings had good soundproofing, sitting at the doorway, he could still hear all the little noises that signaled life.

The tapping of leather shoes on the small black-and-white tiles in the hallway made a steady tick-tock, tick-tock sound. Women’s shoes had a sharper tone than men’s; children running past added squeals to the mix.

After a while, the shoe sounds would fade, replaced by noises from the elevator. The steel cables sliding, the iron gate opening and closing; closing with a sharp bang.

At moments like this, he’d shrink his head into his knees, terrified that some ghost-like woman might suddenly appear outside and yank open their front door.

Night had fallen, and the whole building gradually grew quiet.

He walked into the kitchen, boiled water, and made instant noodles. After finishing, he carefully stepped outside to take out the trash.

The hallway lights were dim, the stairwell even gloomier. The boy ran down the stairs quickly, then hurried back.

He was afraid of this building; afraid of the elevators, the stairs, even the elevator attendant.

He felt like this gray building was a terrifying Rubik’s Cube Tower, and that the window facing the endless neon lights was the building’s true entrance.

He had never imagined that one day he would sit here so happily, with both his mom and dad at home and so many little friends around him.

Ding Zheyang cupped his hands around his drink, sniffled softly, and through his glasses, his eyes glistened with tears.

“Fan Xia, what are you doing? Don’t throw your bones at me,”

Chang Leyun said, tossing the chicken wing bones onto the bone plate in front of him.

After spending enough time together, Chang Leyun had gradually revealed her true personality, often baring teeth and grimacing at Fan Xia. Ning Xiaobei later learned that the first time Chang Leyun visited the Ning household, her delicate appearance was partly embarrassment, partly an act.

“Women are really troublesome.”

Fan Xia snorted and went back to gnawing his chicken wings.

“Pft…”

The thought that these two had actually dated over twenty years ago made Ning Xiaobei laugh quietly. They were truly a pair of lovable rivals.

But thinking that they ultimately didn’t end up together left him with a sense of regret; tempered by a small, inexplicable relief. Relief for what exactly, he didn’t know…

These emotions lingered in Ning Xiaobei’s chest. He frowned slightly, not noticing that Ding Zheyang was staring at him in quiet wonder.

“Bang!”

Suddenly, a loud explosion went off just behind Fan Xia, making Ding Zheyang shrink his neck in fear. Turning around, he saw a huge red firework with golden edges rise from the Oriental Pearl Tower on the opposite side of the river.

“It’s starting! The fireworks show is starting!”

Ning Xiaobei put down his chopsticks and shouted toward the kitchen, “Yangyang’s dad, Yangyang’s mom, stop what you’re doing and come watch the fireworks!”

“Coming!”

The last two main dishes were set on the table, and Ding Zheyang’s parents took their seats on either side. Yangyang’s dad was in high spirits and even opened a bottle of Japanese sake, filling cups for himself and his wife.

“Bang!”

“Boom!”

Firework after firework shot into the sky — red, yellow, gold, purple, blue, and silver. They spurted like dragons spitting pearls, bloomed like orchids, twisted like dancing serpents, or seemed like celestial goddesses holding colored ribbons. Against the backdrop of the Lujiazui night sky, they transformed into dazzling, multicolored blossoms.

But that was only the beginning. To the children’s amazement, the two spheres at the top of the Oriental Pearl Tower began shooting golden and silver sparks outward. Paired with the lights of the tower itself, the sky looked like willow catkins flying, scattering white across the ground, and the tower’s surface was like peach blossoms falling, covering all the steps in red.

“Wow, the rooftops of those buildings in the back are doing fireworks too!”

Fan Xia could barely eat now. He leaned on the windowsill with both hands, pointing toward the skyscrapers across the river.

Clusters of sparkling lights blazed like flowers unfolding in a colorful tapestry. The children couldn’t help clapping, and cheers echoed from windows in nearby buildings.

Looking down, the streets were alive with waving red flags. Children chased each other with small national flags, while older kids carried inflatable toys. Everyone laughed and played; a sea of joy everywhere.

After forty-five minutes, the last firework faded, and the grand spectacle finally came to an end.

Fan Xia turned and saw Ding Zheyang standing close to Ning Xiaobei. He quickly stepped back, making room, and hooked his arm through Xiaobei’s. “Boss, I wish there were fireworks every day.”

“Nonsense. Every day? That’s free?”

Ning Xiaobei laughed and patted him on the shoulder.

Watching the two of them interact, Ding Zheyang suddenly found courage he didn’t know he had. He walked over to Ning Xiaobei’s other side, grabbed his arm, and laughed, “Xiaobei, can we still play together during winter break?”

“Ah?”

Ning Xiaobei hadn’t expected him to say that and froze for a moment.

“Yeah, Xiaobei, Xiaoxia,” Ding Zheyang’s dad, Ding Kai, said, his face flushed from having a couple more drinks, smiling at Ning Xiaobei and the others. “Go tell your parents at home. When it gets cold, your uncle and auntie will take you to Nanjing for the hot springs.”

“We haven’t had a proper break in years. During past New Years, it’s always been the busiest time for our travel business,” Ding Kai continued. “This year we decided to take a vacation for ourselves. We’ll drive around with Yangyang. A minibus can fit a lot of people; you all can come too, bring your parents, make it lively.”

Ding Zheyang’s mom smiled and placed a piece of popcorn chicken into Xiaobei’s bowl.

It was rare for their son to make friends, and today they were genuinely happy.

The couple had actually noticed that since moving into the new house, their son’s mood seemed a bit off. But their work had kept them too busy to really pay attention.

Their new homeroom teacher, Mr. Sui, was young but responsible; a sharp contrast to the previous teacher, Yan Bingru, who only cared about money.

At the end of last month, Teacher Sui had a meeting with them, saying he’d noticed Ding Zheyang growing increasingly silent. When asked why, he wouldn’t respond. That, the teacher believed, was likely the main reason for his declining grades.

Teacher Sui also said that children at this age were very sensitive. He advised them not to tell Ding Zheyang about their meeting and instead find ways to encourage him to interact more with his classmates. That way, he could gradually become more cheerful. If left alone, poor grades would be the least of their worries; something worse might happen.

Having worked in Japan, the couple had often seen news stories about children being bullied at school. They reflected deeply and resolved to give their son warmth and guidance, helping him make friends; especially with good kids like Ning Xiaobei.

Moreover… Chen Lili glanced at the little dark-skinned boy clinging to domineering Ning Xiaobei’s shoulder and lowered her gaze with a faint smile.

This classmate named Fan Xia, her uncle was a celebrity in the clothing market, very sharp in business and quick-witted. If she could collaborate with him, maybe her family business could reach a whole new level.

After eating their fill and enjoying the fireworks, the kids said goodbye to the Ding family and prepared to go home.

“Bye Xiaobei, bye everyone…”

Ding Zheyang walked them all the way to the bus station. Only when the red tail lights of the bus disappeared did he reluctantly turn back home.

He stepped into the main hall on the first floor, about to turn toward the stairs, when he suddenly heard a ding.

He looked down at his watch and saw it was almost 9:30 p.m. By rights, the female ghost who operated the elevator should have finished her shift, and the elevator should have been locked by now.

Tap tap tap…the sharp click of a woman’s high heels mixed with the sound of men’s shoes echoed from the elevator.

Ding Zheyang mustered courage and looked over. A man and a woman were walking toward him, arm in arm.

The man’s face was unfamiliar; he clearly wasn’t a resident of this building.

The woman wore a beige lace-trimmed dress, neither fat nor thin, her black hair tied with a blue ribbon. Her face had a touch of rouge, and her eyes, though not very large, were full of affection as she looked at the man a head taller than her. That… wasn’t this the same female ghost who usually hid silently in the elevator with her hair all over her face?

“Yangyang, still not going home at this hour?”

The female ghost waved at him, making Ding Zheyang jump.

“This is Yangyang from the third floor. He goes to No. 1 High School, impressive, right?”

The female ghost giggled.

“Hello, little friend. Your sister secretly brought me upstairs to watch the fireworks, don’t tell anyone, okay?”

The man, sporting a modern middle-part hairstyle popular among young people, modeled after Aaron Kwok, teased Ding Zheyang.

“Geez, you’re too old for this! Don’t be telling kids stuff like that. Annoying…”

The female ghost playfully pouted and lightly bumped him on the chest.

Watching the two of them leave, laughing and joking, Ding Zheyang only snapped out of his daze after a long moment.

So she wasn’t a female ghost after all. She could talk, and she even had a boyfriend who liked to joke around. Today, the two of them had sneaked up to the rooftop to watch the fireworks.

“Ha ha… hahaha…”

Ding Zheyang couldn’t help laughing where he stood.

As he stepped into the stairwell and passed the half-peeling wall panel again, he stopped to look at the gray, exposed plaster beneath. Shaking his head, unafraid, he continued at a calm pace toward the third-floor apartment.

………………

Author’s Note:

“Willow catkins scatter white across the ground; peach blossoms fall, covering all the steps in red.” — Zhao Mengfu, 《To Those Who Set Off Fireworks》

I’ve decided to put adult romance aside for now. Let’s settle Ding Zheyang’s story first, then circle back.

By the time they reach high school, Ning Jianguo can come back to life too.

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