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Psst! We're moving!
Tang Xizhou had just finished work and was standing at the entrance of the stairwell when he noticed the lights on the second and third floors were on. He tilted his head back and called out, “Beibei, come down for some pork knuckles!”
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a loud clang echoed from the second floor as Jiang Beibei ran down in her slippers.
“Coming, coming! Second Brother!”
Tang Xizhou had once teased Jiang Beibei that if you wanted her to appear quickly, all you needed to do was say two words: pork knuckles .
“You bought so much!”
“Wait a sec.” Tang Xizhou winked and called out again, “Yan Qingming, come down for dinner!”
Jiang Beibei blinked in confusion. “Huh? Elder Brother’s already back? He’s off work so early?”
Tang Xizhou replied, “He told me earlier—today, your Elder Brother got promoted to associate chief physician.”
“Really?!” Jiang Beibei exclaimed. “My Elder Brother is truly young and accomplished!”
The window on the third floor opened, and Yan Qingming leaned out to glance down with a smile. “I just finished cutting the vegetables. Why don’t you come up?”
“Bring everything down here—we’re celebrating,” Tang Xizhou said. “Come down. There’ll be meat tonight.”
After a pause, Yan Qingming chuckled. “If there’s meat, then I’ll come down.”
Jiang Beibei’s reaction time was slow, but after a moment, she suddenly looked up, as if receiving some kind of signal. Turning toward Tang Xizhou, she blinked twice and whispered softly, “You guys sure know how to set the mood.”
“Thinking dirty thoughts, huh?” Tang Xizhou laughed before putting on a stern face. “Go inside! Don’t you know how to keep warm without socks?!”
“Yeah, got it.” Jiang Beibei took a few steps but then timidly asked, “Second Brother, where are the others?”
“They’re all on their way,” Tang Xizhou replied. “We’re not going to Fourth Brother’s shop today—I told him to close early and come home. Such a special occasion deserves a celebration at home.”
That was it. Tang Xizhou’s words ended there. Chu Yao wasn’t specifically mentioned—he was just included in the “all.”
Jiang Beibei stood frozen for a long while, turning her head away with a pout and muttering softly, “Couldn’t even name everyone specifically…”
“Little girl, what are you muttering about?” Tang Xizhou grinned mischievously. “If you want someone to hear you, speak up. If you don’t want me to hear, don’t say anything. Are you bullying your old Second Brother who’s getting hard of hearing?”
“So did you hear me clearly or not, Second Brother?”
Tang Xizhou smirked playfully and, in one swift step, pulled Jiang Beibei into the house. “I heard. Want me to guess which one you’re concerned about?”
Jiang Beibei laughed nervously. “I care about Second Brother the most!”
“Think about it, little girl—what does your Second Brother do for a living?” Tang Xizhou said. “Your little schemes—I can see through them with one eye.”
“Please, Second Brother, give me some face!”
“Second Brother won’t say anything,” Tang Xizhou replied. “Matters of the heart are private affairs. Second Brother doesn’t meddle.”
The door remained open, letting in the cold wind, but neither of them moved to close it.
Though Tang Xizhou appeared carefree, he was actually meticulous, especially when interacting with Jiang Beibei. He paid attention to every detail.
Yan Qingming entered carrying a bowl of dishes. Tang Xizhou’s eyes lit up as he teased, “Old Yan, not bad—you even styled your hair!”
Yan Qingming just smiled. After greeting Jiang Beibei, he headed toward the kitchen to continue chopping vegetables.
But Tang Xizhou stopped him, saying, “Don’t go yet—your collar’s rolled up inside.”
He casually smoothed out Yan Qingming’s shirt collar.
Yan Qingming said, “Be careful—the kid’s watching.”
The “kid,” Jiang Beibei, immediately waved her hands. “I didn’t see anything! Carry on!”
Yan Qingming, being more conservative, added, “Still, we should maintain some propriety. We might scare the child...”
But Tang Xizhou’s next words were shocking: “It’d be a miracle if she got scared. She’s got a whole collection of danmei manga at home. She thinks I don’t recognize them, but she brings them home openly. The things she’s seen are far more scandalous than me fixing your collar...”
Jiang Beibei spat out her tea in shock.
“Second Brother, you!”
“What about me, little girl?”
The food was laid out on the table. Song Lang arrived with Song Dawang and brought back several cups of milk tea. Without hesitation, he headed straight to the opposite door, exclaiming as he entered, “Elder Brother and Second Brother have it good. No elders at home—just stepping in here relaxes every pore of my body.”
Not only him, but Song Dawang also let loose, jumping onto the sofa and licking Jiang Beibei’s face.
After retiring, Yan Qingming and Tang Xizhou’s parents had moved away. Since the old house was closer to their workplaces, Yan Qingming and Tang Xizhou stayed behind in the old residential building.
Once seated, Song Lang asked, “Beibei! What was that message you sent in the group chat last time? What’s going on?”
Jiang Beibei furiously rubbed Song Dawang’s fur, grimacing. “Fourth Brother, I finally managed to forget about it, and you bring it up again!”
Song Lang dropped another bombshell: “I heard from Second Brother that it’s because of Qin Yuan’s mom?”
Jiang Beibei nearly choked on her tea again. “Huh?!”
She hadn’t told anyone about it.
Song Lang continued, “I have no idea what’s going on. Suddenly, they’re saying Qin Yuan’s mom upset you—I’m completely baffled.”
Jiang Beibei: “...I’m baffled too.”
She thought, What do you mean Qin Yuan’s mom upset me? I was scared witless by her!
“Though it’s not good to speak ill of elders, I can’t help myself,” Song Lang grumbled indignantly. “Qin Yuan’s mom is always ordering you around. You’re not even her daughter-in-law—and even if you were, she has no right to boss you around. It’s not like we’re in the old days. How dare she? Even my mom couldn’t stand it.”
“…Uh, helping out is what I should do, right?” Song Lang was straightforward to the point of making Jiang Beibei a little worried. She quickly tried to smooth things over. “People have different living habits. I’m a bit clumsy, so it’s hard for me to get along with Auntie. Fourth Brother, whatever you do, don’t tell Third Brother—otherwise I’ll be done for!”
Tang Xizhou, who was busy sorting through vegetable leaves, chimed in. “You should tell Qin Yuan. Otherwise, his mom will keep ordering you around.”
Jiang Beibei was curious now. “Wait, is Qin Yuan’s mom really bossing me around that obviously?”
Yan Qingming suddenly spoke up. “Let’s not talk about it anymore. Qin Yuan has a short temper. If you tell him, he’ll feel humiliated and likely end up arguing with his mom when he gets home. It’s been years—what kind of grudge could there be between neighbors? Just small frictions. Let it go, and it’ll pass.”
“I agree with Elder Brother!” Jiang Beibei quickly exhaled in relief and raised her hand in agreement.
At that moment, Song Dawang barked and rushed toward the door, leaping onto the person standing there to beg for pats.
Everyone turned their heads to see Chu Yao at the door. He patted Song Dawang, then gave them a faint smile. “I heard we were having an impromptu gathering at Second Brother’s place, so I figured there must be something to celebrate. I brought some wine.”
Tang Xizhou gave him a thumbs-up. “Xiao Yao, good job!”
Jiang Beibei nervously stared at him as Chu Yao took out bottles of alcohol from the bag. Suddenly, he covered the bag and asked Jiang Beibei, “What do you want to drink?”
Jiang Beibei smiled shyly, biting her lip, and whispered softly, “If I say what I want, will Yao Ge make it happen?”
“Mm, go ahead.”
Her voice became even quieter, as if afraid someone might overhear. “...Yakult.”
She watched as Chu Yao reached into the white paper bag and pulled out a row of Yakult bottles.
Jiang Beibei instinctively licked the corner of her lips, feeling like today’s Yakult looked especially appetizing. She could almost taste its sweetness before even opening it.
“Looks like I guessed right.” A hint of laughter flickered in Chu Yao’s eyes. He took off his coat, sat down, and rolled up his shirt sleeves.
Song Lang asked, “Should we wait for Qin Yuan?”
“We’ll start first,” Tang Xizhou said. “He just said not to wait for him—he’ll probably be a while.”
Jiang Beibei nibbled on the tip of her chopsticks, staring blankly at Chu Yao’s wrist.
Tang Xizhou tapped her bowl with his chopsticks, startling her back to reality. “Huh?”
“Eat your food. What are you spacing out for?”
“Oh…”
Jiang Beibei actually wanted to ask Chu Yao: It’s colder today—do you feel cold at work?
But she couldn’t bring herself to ask. With the other brothers, she could naturally express concern, but with him… maybe because her feelings were mixed with personal desires, even such a simple question made her afraid of revealing her thoughts.
“Come on, Elder Brother, let’s clink glasses,” Tang Xizhou said. “Let’s celebrate—our Elder Brother got promoted to associate chief physician today!”
Song Lang, clueless about doctors’ promotion systems, raised his glass and said, “Associate chief is good enough! Elder Brother, put in a bit more effort next year and become the director!”
Jiang Beibei giggled until she started hiccupping. “Let’s hear a speech from Elder Brother! Say anything, and we’ll toast.”
“Just health and safety—that’s all,” Yan Qingming replied awkwardly. He wasn’t good at handling these kinds of situations; whenever he had to speak publicly, he got nervous.
“Hold on, let me send a video to Qin Yuan,” Tang Xizhou stopped everyone. “Keep your glasses raised. You lazy bum, hurry up and come back already…”
The group began eating noisily. Song Dawang ran back and forth between Jiang Beibei and Chu Yao, begging for food. His leash dragged on the floor, tangling around people’s legs.
As they ate, they chatted casually. Jiang Beibei, her mouth full of meat, happily said, “I love eating with my brothers the most.”
Tang Xizhou snorted and wrapped a pancake for her, then another for Yan Qingming. “This isn’t hard to arrange. Xiao Yao’s birthday is coming up soon, right? Reserve the date—we’ll have dinner again at Second Brother’s place!”
Song Lang asked, “Xiao Yao’s birthday is coming up? How old will you be this year?”
Chu Yao replied, “Twenty-eight.”
Song Lang: “Doesn’t your workplace set you up with anyone? Beibei was worried about it the other day. She asked why none of us are getting married.”
Jiang Beibei choked on her meat and fell silent, but her ears perked up, eager to hear Chu Yao’s response.
Chu Yao said simply, “Let nature take its course.”
Tang Xizhou suddenly chuckled and changed the subject. “Xiao Yao, what gift do you want?”
Chu Yao gave a faint smile. “Are you going to give me one?”
Tang Xizhou teased, “Tsk, let’s see—you want someone’s heart? Liver? Or the other half of your life? Even if I sold everything I own, I couldn’t afford that.”
“Not necessary,” Chu Yao replied.
“But wishes are still important,” Tang Xizhou hinted. “Who knows? Maybe on your birthday this year, what you’ve been wishing for will fall right into your lap.”
Song Lang didn’t understand what was going on, but that didn’t stop him from chiming in. “Yeah! On your birthday, you wake up and suddenly find your other half lying on your bed.”
Tang Xizhou crowed with laughter. “Fourth Brother, remember to toss Song Dawang onto Xiao Yao’s bed for his birthday.”
Amidst the jokes, Jiang Beibei remained silent. She stood up to fetch porridge from the kitchen. Just as Tang Xizhou shouted, “Be careful!” and Song Lang gawked in horror, she crashed heavily into Chu Yao’s arms.
Jiang Beibei had no idea what happened. She was holding a plate and now found herself lying in Chu Yao’s arms, staring blankly into his deep black eyes.
Tang Xizhou laughed. “Xiao Yao’s reflexes are lightning-fast—he caught her!”
Song Lang turned to beat up Song Dawang. “You and your running around! Begging for food! Wrapping yourself around everyone!”
It turned out that Song Dawang had been circling around Jiang Beibei and Chu Yao, tangling his leash around their legs.
Jiang Beibei hadn’t noticed. When she stood up to leave, Song Dawang tugged at the leash while begging Chu Yao for food, pulling her straight into his arms.
At that exact moment, Qin Yuan’s voice came from outside. “Oh, whose tail is sticking out here? Leaving the door open because you’re afraid of cutting it off? I’m freezing! Hurry up—I haven’t eaten since lunch.”
He closed the door behind him and turned around, only to freeze at the sight in the living room.
“What. Is. Going. On. Here?!”
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