Chapter 21 - What to Do, My Junior Invited Me to Kiss Him on the Bridge of Sighs (2/2)
“So you think you’ve grown up and now you can argue with me?!”
“No no no! No domestic violence on Lunar New Year’s Eve! It’s unlucky, unlucky!”
Although firecrackers had been banned in cities for a number of years already, but as the countdown ended on the television, firecrackers could be heard outdoors, reminding people that the Lunar New Year had arrived. In a distance fireworks were being released, it was naturally not as majestic as the display in Yang An, the lights were red and green, it looked a little vulgar, for no reason, Wei Ru Song suddenly thought of Xiao Nian.
Luckily the performance on television ended early that night, the father and son also had nothing to say to each other, Wei Yang Hai returned to his room, Wei Ru Song as well, he looked at his phone that was vibrating non-stop, affably sent out a group text wishing his friends a happy Lunar New Year, then sending private messages conveying his best wishes to Lin Wei and gang, only then did he open Xiao Nian and his private chat, staring at it as though in a trance. It was as though Xiao Nian had telepathy, he sent a sort and simple greeting.
– Senior, happy Lunar New Year
Though simple, it was clear that it was a private message rather than a group text. Wei Ru Song sent an emoji of an old man wishing a “Happy New Year”, followed by a “Give me a red packet”, who knew Xiao Nian really sent a red packet over.
– Junior, you’re a little too forthright aren’t you?
Wei Ru Song opened the packet, 200 dollars, the red packet transfer limit of WeChat was exactly 200 dollars, when he was considering what would be a suitable amount to send to him, Xiao Nian then started sending transactions of 520 dollars. (T/N: 520 = I love you in Chinese textspeak.)
– What the fuck! Motherfucker! I’ll give you a ride! No one could ignore the lure of money. Wei Ru Song’s screen displayed a list of 520s, but Wei Ru Song was only affected for a moment, his logic told him that he could not accept this money.
– Ok ok stop sending, I know you’re rich
– I have no money, I only have this amount left in my account
– Where are you now?
– Venice
– ????? Venice???
– Yeah
Xiao Nian sent a photo, because of the time difference, it was still evening in Venice, the blood red sunset reflecting upon the crystalline water, the entire river dyed red.
Xiao Nian then sent a video chat invite, Wei Ru Song accepted, Xiao Nian appeared, bright and fresh, while the little box in the right corner showed him being unkempt. Gondolas could be seen behind Xiao Nian, the weather over there was very cold too, Xiao Nian’s fingers were red in the wind, despite using the front camera that exposed everyone’s flaws, Xiao Nian was still handsome beyond words.
“Senior, happy New Year, I’ll bring some souvenirs back for you.”
“Why did you go to such a far country?”
“I’m doing a shoot here, so I decided to extend the trip for a holiday.”
“Damn, what shoot?”
“Fashion magazine.”
“So cool?!” Wei Ru Song was shocked, Xiao Nian actually was a model for a magazine! “Are you planning to enter the entertainment industry?”
“No, this is just for fun.” Xiao Nian said as though it was nothing. “Senior, it’s the Bridge of Sighs in front.”
“Oh, what’s with the Bridge of Sighs?”
“Legend has it that if couples kiss on the Bridge of Sighs, they would be together forever.”
“What?” Wei Ru Song asked abstractedly. “But I’m not next to you?”
“…” Xiao Nian startled for a moment, he exposed a gentle smile. “Ok, next time we’ll come here together-“
“Hello!” A fairy-like face appeared on the screen, a woman in a fur coat and sunglasses greeted Wei Ru Song. “Ru Song, do you still remember me!”
“Aunty?!”
– Oh my god! Did Xu Li Xia hear Xiao Nian’s entire conversation?! Xiao Nian aren’t you embarrassed! Ahhhhh- Wei Ru Song buried his head in his blanket, his backside raised high in the air, Xu Li Xia covered her mouth, laughing.
”Is Ru Song embarrassed? Uncle wants to meet you too, let me introduce, this is Xiao Nian’s father, my husband, Xiao Wen Fu.”
“Hello! How are you!” Xiao Wen Fu looked cultured and elegant, his features dignified, with a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, his first impression not unlike that of a language teacher, you would never imagine that he could be a president of a Fortune Global 500 company. “Ah I’m a little nervous, heheh… My, this is the first time I’m seeing my daughter-in-law…” Xiao Wen Fu laughed while blushing, “When I first heard Li Xia mentioning you I felt it was strange, why would a girl be named Ru Song, turns out it’s a boy hahaha-“
“…” Your heart is truly big.
“But a boy is good too, I think a girl wouldn’t be able to withstand Little Nian’s bad temper! If you can accept it it’ll be great!”
“No no no, Uncle what are you talking about,” Wei Ru Song was overwhelmed, he never thought that he would ever have a chance to speak with a textbook example of a company president. “Xiao Nian’s really nice, really really!”
“Alright aren’t you annoying, let’s talk about something interesting instead!” Next to him, Xu Li Xia was complaining, the couple’s faces filled the screen. “Would Ru Song like to move and stay with us? Your parents can come along too, we’ll build another house next to ours for you, we can take care of each other!”
– Wait what, you rich people can decide something so casually? You guys think that building a house is like buying vegetables at a market?! Luckily Xiao Nian stepped in quickly, he took his phone back.
“Senior, don’t bother about my parents, we’ll meet at the start of the semester, also, we’ve passed the Bridge of Sighs.”
“What a waste.”
“Why don’t you still give me a kiss, treat it as though its a New Year’s present.”
“…” Wei Ru Song was a little shy. “Then, then I, I’ll send you a selfie, bye!”
Ten minutes later Wei Ru Song finally sent a heterosexual version of a kissy lips selfie, Xiao Nian smiled faintly, he could imagine Wei Ru Song frustratedly trying to take an acceptable photo. He saved the photo as his wallpaper- Senior’s photo is pretty ugly.
— But it’s still unbearably cute.