Chapter 2: The Melancholy Fish

The old public security residential building where Jiang Beibei lived had three floors with six units. On the first floor were the Song family and Tang family, on the second floor were Jiang Beibei’s family and Chu Yao’s family, and on the third floor were Yan Qingming’s family and Qin Yuan’s family.

When Jiang Beibei was eight years old, her parents died in the line of duty during an international manhunt. In the years that followed, her life with her grandmother was taken care of by these neighbors.

Among the six households, Yan Qingming from the eastern unit on the third floor was the eldest of the younger generation at 33 years old. He graduated from a military medical school and currently worked as a surgeon at the Military General Hospital. Qin Yuan from the western unit on the third floor was 30 years old and a well-known economic lawyer with a law degree.

In the eastern unit on the first floor lived Song Lang, who was 29 years old, a former national sanda champion who had undergone special forces training but retired due to injury. Afterward, he opened a milk tea shop on the pedestrian street. In the western unit on the first floor was Tang Xizhou, 32 years old, originally a SWAT officer and now a detective in the serious crimes division.

The youngest newcomer to the workforce, Jiang Beibei, lived in the eastern unit on the second floor. Across from her lived the youngest of her five “brothers,” 27-year-old Chu Yao, who held a particularly special place in Jiang Beibei’s heart.

Chu Yao was originally a top student in forensic science but, after working as a forensic pathologist for a year, suddenly decided to switch to working at a funeral home as a mortician.

After the meal ended, everyone returned to the old residential building.

The barking of Song Lang’s husky, Song Dawang, lit up the hallway lights. As soon as Jiang Beibei entered the door, she slumped herself over the back of the sofa like a fish hung out to dry, head and hands drooping. She sighed deeply and remained silent, hanging there motionlessly.

Hearing the commotion, Jiang Beibei’s grandmother emerged from her bedroom, muttering about heating up some milk for her.

From downstairs, Song Lang and Tang Xizhou called out greetings to the grandmother, signaling their arrival. Meanwhile, Yan Qingming and Qin Yuan, who lived on the third floor, habitually stopped by Jiang Beibei’s apartment as they passed. Yan Qingming, being a doctor, checked on the elderly woman’s health condition for the day. While they spoke, Qin Yuan, like a sly cat, sneaked into the living room, preparing to surprise Jiang Beibei, who was still hanging over the sofa, exuding melancholy.

Before his hand could reach her, a chill ran down his spine. Turning around, he saw Chu Yao standing at the doorway, his deep eyes fixed on him with a slight frown of displeasure.

“Again? Are you guarding your food?” Qin Yuan teased.

Chu Yao said nothing but gestured silently for Qin Yuan to leave.

Qin Yuan smirked. “I’m not leaving.” Giving in so easily would be too embarrassing.

However, just then, the door to the western unit on the third floor opened, and Qin Yuan’s mother shouted, “Qin Yuan! Did you come back? Don’t take any detours!”

Qin Yuan clicked his tongue, and his mother shouted again: “Get back here right now!”

Chu Yao stepped aside to let him pass. With no other choice, Qin Yuan hurried upstairs in quick steps, replying, “I’m coming! Mom, stop shouting.”

After Qin Yuan left, Chu Yao glanced toward the kitchen. Jiang Beibei’s grandmother was chatting with Yan Qingming, mentioning how she’d been forgetful lately and her blood pressure was slightly high.

Silently, Chu Yao went to the kitchen to check the gas, water, and electricity. He also inspected the vegetables and fruits in the refrigerator.

Once Yan Qingming left, Jiang Beibei’s grandmother smiled warmly at Chu Yao, her voice naturally softening. “Yao Yao, are you still busy with work? Your mom mentioned the other day that you were on a business trip and went somewhere to study.”

Chu Yao replied, “The 302 Research Institute.”

It was the only institute in the country dedicated to studying funeral practices. Last week, Chu Yao, as an outstanding employee, had been sent there for training and exchange.

He didn’t elaborate further. Most people harbored some aversion to professions related to death. When Chu Yao first started working at the funeral home, he consciously maintained a distance from others.

“Ai, society has truly progressed—funeral practices now have scientific research. Education is important. You’re such a kind-hearted child…” The grandmother muttered while taking her blood pressure medication. Glancing back, she noticed Chu Yao smiling faintly.

His smile was light, his eyes half-lowered, seemingly amused by something. His gaze was gentle.

The grandmother said, “The other day, your father caught some fish, and there’s still some in the fridge. You don’t need to worry about anything—go home and rest early. Oh, and take this pot with you. Yesterday, your mom made sweet rice wine soup, and Beibei almost drank the whole pot.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Beibei, lying limply in the living room like a dead fish, suddenly shot upright and yelled, “Grandma, put it down! I haven’t washed that pot yet!”

Jiang Beibei’s grandmother lifted the lid and examined it, muttering, “You lazy girl! If you didn’t wash it, why did you cover it and leave it aside?”

Chu Yao chuckled softly and turned his head toward the living room.

The grandmother said to Chu Yao, “Make her wash it and bring it over. Spoiling her too much—she’s so lazy. She drinks and doesn’t even wash the pot.”

“It’s fine—it’s just a small thing.” Chu Yao took the pot home with him. After closing the door, he heard the grandmother say to Jiang Beibei, “You didn’t even return the pot yesterday after drinking. But you had time to run upstairs and help Qin Yuan’s mom pick vegetables. What kind of girl are you…”

The hallway lights dimmed, and Chu Yao stood silently in the dark, holding the pot.

Suddenly, the front door swung open. Chu Yao’s mother, catching her son in an awkward moment, covered her mouth and giggled quietly. She hummed mockingly, “What are you doing? I heard you come out, but you didn’t come in for ages. Forgot where home is? Standing at the door lost in thought. Hurry up and come in—I’ll tell you something.”

Chu Yao nodded and entered, softly saying, “Let me wash the pot first.”

Chu Yao’s mother teased him, “Wash it if you must, but why are you smiling? So happy washing pots? Truly, a son grows up and doesn’t stay home. Old Chu, look at your son…”

Meanwhile, in Jiang Beibei’s home, she stared at the glass of milk on the coffee table, puffing up her cheeks and wide-eyed, lost in thought.

“Drink it and go to bed. You’re back so late again. Did you eat out with them?”

“Grandma…” Jiang Beibei remained sprawled on the sofa like a deflated sea cucumber, her voice heavy with melancholy. “I’m feeling restless and upset.”

“So many troubles for someone so young…”

“I went on a blind date today,” Jiang Beibei slid down onto the sofa, resting her chin on a cushion. “Qin Yuan’s mom introduced me. I didn’t have the heart to refuse, so I went. Sigh…”

“She introduced you?” Grandma raised an eyebrow. “And what about yesterday? Why did you go upstairs to eat?”

“Yesterday, I happened to run into her when she was coming back from grocery shopping after work. She invited me over to sit and said she had something good to tell me…” Jiang Beibei sighed bitterly. “Turns out, she wanted me to help cook dinner while casually introducing her nephew to me, arranging the blind date.”

She had already guessed Qin Yuan’s mother’s intentions long ago.

Over the years, watching Qin Yuan pass the age of thirty without finding a girlfriend—and knowing that Jiang Beibei herself, now graduated from university, was of marriageable age—Qin Yuan’s mother grew anxious. She feared that her son, whom she had painstakingly raised and taken immense pride in, might end up marrying Jiang Beibei, a girl who had no parents to support her or help their son. Thus, she resolved to quickly eliminate this “threat” by pushing Jiang Beibei into marriage as soon as possible.

Grandma, clearly aware of some of this, shook her head. “That family on the third floor is cunning, always plotting behind the scenes. What kind of guy did she introduce you to?”

Jiang Beibei sank back into despair, lying flat on the sofa. “…It’s hard to explain.”

“Well, listen here—you should start looking for someone,” Grandma shot her a glance. “Keep your eyes open. If any young man shows interest in you, give him a chance and see if he’s suitable.”

Jiang Beibei rolled over, grabbed a straw, and sipped the milk from afar. After finishing, she mumbled gloomily, “None of them spark anything.”

“You’re too picky.”

“Grandma, Qin Yuan’s mom is rushing to arrange a match for me because she’s afraid I’ll seduce her son… It makes me feel awful, like I’m being accused of trying to ruin his bright future just because I exist.”

Grandma scolded gently, “Don’t be silly. You’re a good girl, and these are just your wild thoughts.”

“…But I still feel bad.”

Silently, Jiang Beibei reflected: She didn’t want to become a burden or troublemaker. Throughout her upbringing, she had relied on her neighbors countless times. Perhaps in their eyes—especially Qin Yuan’s mother, the only one not originally from a police background—she was nothing more than a troublesome child. Worse still, she might now even be seen as a temptress who could ruin her precious son’s promising youth.

To outsiders, Jiang Beibei was incredibly fortunate. She had grown up under the care of five neighboring families who treated her like family, supported by five older “brothers.” She was doted on, helped, and lived a seemingly happy life.

However, behind all those blessings lay pressure. Having lost both parents at a young age, Jiang Beibei had been raised under the collective care of others. While her life had proceeded smoothly, she was still fundamentally unlucky. The “luck” others praised was built upon the great misfortune of losing her parents. The void they left behind could never be filled. As she grew older, the kindness she received turned into increasingly rigid expectations, piling layer upon layer of constraints that made her tread more carefully with each passing year.

A few days ago, Qin Yuan—her playful Third Brother who loved joking around and teasing her since childhood—happened to bump into her after work. Feeling mischievous, he scooped her up and carried her all the way to her doorstep before setting her down.

Coincidentally—or perhaps because her startled cries were loud enough—Qin Yuan’s mother witnessed the scene. The next day, taking advantage of Qin Yuan’s absence, she called Jiang Beibei upstairs and subtly probed whether she had a boyfriend, offering to introduce her to someone.

Jiang Beibei rolled over again. “I want to move…”

But deep down, she knew it was a pipe dream. She understood better than anyone that the debts of gratitude owed to her five neighboring families could never be repaid in this lifetime. Moving away would sever ties she couldn’t bear to lose.

She consoled herself: aside from Qin Yuan’s mother, everyone else was fine. Even Qin Yuan’s mother wasn’t a bad person—just sharper and more calculating. For instance, whenever she invited Jiang Beibei upstairs for dinner, it inevitably involved her helping in the kitchen. Her kindness operated on a give-and-take basis.

But why did Qin Yuan’s mother guard against her so much? Was it because Third Brother’s constant teasing gave rise to misunderstandings?

Her phone lit up with a new message notification—it was from today’s blind date partner: Are you asleep? I discussed it with my mom, and I think you look exactly like the wife I imagine for myself. My mom wants to meet you. Are you free tomorrow? Saturday—I’ll bring her along.

Jiang Beibei let out another sigh, threw her phone aside, buried her face in the sofa, and muttered miserably, “Sigh… This is unbearable…”

After a moment, she sat up, sucking on her straw, and quickly typed out a message seeking advice on how to politely reject a blind date prospect.

“Help! Fellow experienced brothers and sisters, how do I tactfully, politely, and subtly reject a blind date candidate without offending them? Saving my life equals building seven-story pagodas of merit!!”

She sent the message but immediately screamed when she realized where it landed.

From upstairs and downstairs came the laughter of her brothers.

Fourth Brother: “Beibei, did you send it to the wrong group?”

Second Brother: “Clearly, it’s the wrong group since none of us have experience with this.”

Third Brother: “If you’re rejecting a blind date, you shouldn’t have met him in the first place.”

Eldest Brother: “Let your Second Brother pretend to be your boyfriend to scare him off.”

Third Brother: “Nope, Second Brother won’t work. He looks unreliable. I volunteer—I’ll pose as Beibei’s boyfriend.”

Second Brother: “Old Three can’t pull it off; he looks too frivolous. I’m a better choice.”

Yao Brother: “….”

When Jiang Beibei saw Chu Yao’s reply, she sucked in a breath, turned toward the door, and silently counted to three.

On the count of three, a soft knock sounded at the door.

Opening it, she found Chu Yao standing there, his pristine white shirt glowing softly in the dim light. He looked down at her.

“He asked you out again?” His voice was gentle. “I’m free tomorrow. Let me accompany you.”

Jiang Beibei’s ears burned as she lowered her head, her left toe nervously rubbing against her right. After a pause, a small smile unconsciously tugged at her lips. “Oh… okay.”