Chapter 2: All Is Well

 Editor: A Friend

When Xiao Qi arrived, he realized he had left something at the hotel.

Due to the sudden change in plans, Fang Qun couldn’t come back with him, so Xiao Qi called to ask him to check with the hotel front desk about a small, worn-out blue handheld game console that might have been found during room cleaning.

Fang Qun’s message came just as Xiao Qi arrived at the courtyard, already eight in the evening.

The notification popped up at the top of his screen, stating that unfortunately, the item couldn’t be found and asking if Xiao Qi wanted him to go back and search more thoroughly.

Xiao Qi thought for a moment in silence before finally declining Fang Qun’s offer.

With everything settled, Xiao Qi noticed the ginkgo leaves scattered along the path outside the courtyard, realizing that autumn had arrived.

Perhaps it was Jiang QingChi mentioning Grandpa Jiang that made Xiao Qi suddenly want to visit the courtyard after landing.

The wake-up calls he used to find annoying now felt nostalgic, as did the afternoon sprints around the walls, the post-dinner chases, the summer evenings cooling off in the courtyard, and even the autumn leaf-sweeping duties that had once been a chore but now were fond memories.

Life in the courtyard had filled Xiao Qi’s entire childhood until he was taken away by Xiao WangHua after graduating from middle school, marking the beginning of his separation from the courtyard.

At first, he didn’t want to leave and wanted to stay with Grandpa Jiang, and being in his rebellious teens, he often clashed with Xiao WangHua, even attempting to sneak back several times.

Eventually, Xiao JianGang, influenced by his son and daughter-in-law’s complaints, gave Xiao Qi a stern lesson, telling him not to keep running back.

Xiao Qi wouldn’t listen, though. Fueled by anger, he kept going back to the courtyard every day, even if it meant an hour-long bus ride.

As a result, Xiao JianGang made him do push-ups and squats in the courtyard after school for several days, making his arms shake even when holding a bowl.

Back then, Grandpa Jiang and Grandma Jiang still lived in the courtyard. Whenever Xiao Qi was punished, Jiang QingChi would bring a bench from upstairs, sit in the corner of the courtyard, munching on an apple, and watch him gleefully. This humiliation drove Xiao Qi to fight Jiang QingChi, though he lost, leading him to vent his frustrations at home, resulting in Xiao JianGang’s angry outburst.

The next day, Jiang QingChi found him after school to go home together. When Xiao Qi refused, Jiang QingChi, thinking Xiao Qi was still mad from the night before, tried to console him, “It’s not your fault for not being as tall as me or for losing in a fight. It’s normal. Next time, I won’t resist. You can hit me all you want, okay? Come on, let’s go home. We’ll miss the bus.”

Xiao Qi, still simmering with unvented anger, didn’t argue with Jiang QingChi’s smug tone. Instead, he said, “I’m not going back to the courtyard anymore. You don’t have to wait for me.”

Jiang QingChi’s smug expression vanished. He stared at Xiao Qi for a long time without saying a word, as if Xiao Qi’s moving away affected him deeply, making him unusually serious.

Jiang QingChi was always like that, Xiao Qi thought. He loved to provoke him, but when Xiao Qi genuinely ignored him, he would show concern in every way possible.

Initially, Xiao Qi misunderstood and developed illusions, but after many instances, he realized that Jiang QingChi’s care was simple neighborly concern and friendship, nothing more.

In the same year, many young people left to explore the world, creating a chain reaction. Soon, many others followed, leaving the courtyard almost empty by the end of the year, save for a few retired elders and a sparse number of remaining residents.

By the time Xiao Qi reached the door, he indeed heard the sound of mahjong tiles being shuffled.

Just before stepping in, he raised his phone, announcing loudly, “Oh, what’s this QR code on the table? I need to take a photo and show everyone!”

“Grandpa Song, don’t hide. I’ve got evidence!” Xiao Qi teased.

“You brat! Didn’t you promise last time not to tattle?” Grandpa Song retreated, muttering.

“Learned from you, of course,” Xiao Qi didn’t spare him, “Half of my childhood beatings were thanks to you.”

“And Grandpa Ma, don’t let them fool you. You know they take advantage of your poor eyesight, right?” Xiao Qi exposed.

Grandpa Ma adjusted his glasses, squinting at the tiles, “Hey, let me take a look.”

“And Grandma Lin, how did you join in on this?” Xiao Qi playfully scolded.

Grandma Lin patted Xiao Qi’s shoulder, laughing with crinkled eyes, “Oh, we’re just having fun. Why are you back, Xiao’er?”

“Grandpa said he missed me, so I’m here to keep him company,” Xiao Qi replied.

Xiao JianGang, for once, didn’t counter Xiao Qi’s antics, instead glaring at him and grunting, “Brat, you still remember to come back.”

“Now you want me back,” Xiao Qi teased, helping Grandma Lin with her tiles.

“Then don’t come back,” Xiao JianGang retorted.

“Old Xiao, you can’t say that. The kid’s heart is in the right place, taking the time to come back,” Grandpa Song defended Xiao Qi.

“It won’t work if you defend me,” Xiao Qi grinned at his tiles.

“You’ll regret it soon,” Xiao JianGang warned, getting up to leave.

“My dear grandpa, where are you going?” Xiao Qi held his arm, helping him sit back down, “If we’re playing, let’s play properly.”

With that, he stood beside Grandma Lin, assisting her with her game.

Before long, Xiao Qi had Grandma Lin open her payment app, scanning the QR code on the table and announcing, “We’ve won.”

“You little tyrant…” Grandpa Song laughed, scolding him.

“Nobody in the courtyard can handle him. Even Old Xiao struggles,” Grandpa Ma shook his head, obediently scanning the code.

“Grandma Lin, next time you have to treat me to your braised fish,” Xiao Qi massaged her shoulders.

Grandma Lin laughed, saying, “Then you have to come back more often.”

“Isn’t there someone who can keep him in check?” Grandpa Song revealed, “Didn’t Little Chi always manage to handle him well? The first time I saw this kid cry was thanks to Little Chi.”

Xiao Qi paused, then laughed, retorting, “Dare to say, none of you old men can compare to Little Chi.”

“Watch your manners,” Xiao JianGang reprimanded.

Xiao Qi sighed, bowing to Grandpa Ma and Grandpa Song, his expression comically pitiful, “I’m sorry, grandpas. Please forgive me.”

“Forget it, Old Xiao. You know your grandson better than anyone. He’s most irritating but also best at pretending to be obedient. Watching him apologize doesn’t feel as good as being angered by him…” Grandpa Song shook his head.

Xiao JianGang knew his grandson’s ways, always half-heartedly repentant, doing a full show of surface-level contrition while never changing his core behavior.

Xiao JianGang shook his head as well, then after a while, asked, “It’s been a long time since we’ve seen Little Chi. How is he?”

“Doing great,” Xiao Qi thought, “Just yesterday, he was busy messing with your grandson’s behind. What’s not so great is your grandson.”

Xiao JianGang had no clue about his precious grandson’s inner thoughts, assuming Xiao Qi was simply sulking over a spat with Jiang QingChi. He rarely spoke earnestly, saying, “Next week is Old Jiang’s birthday. Come with me.”

Seeing Xiao Qi’s expression sour, he added sternly, “What? You’re unwilling?”

“Busy with work, grandpa…” Xiao Qi sighed.

“Busy to the point you can’t take a weekend off?” Xiao JianGang didn’t believe it.

“Really, so you need to talk to your son and stop him from making me work overtime,” Xiao Qi helped him with his coat.

Xiao JianGang frowned, asking, “Has your dad left the company entirely to you?”

“He wouldn’t dare… I’m just helping with some model signings and business dealings. No major decision-making power,” Xiao Qi played the victim, “How about you help me get all the shares transferred to me?”

“I know your intentions. When you become the boss, I bet you’ll be a hands-off manager,” Xiao JianGang chuckled.

“Can’t you have a little faith in your grandson?” Xiao Qi knelt before the TV cabinet, pretending to check the drawers, relieved to find no hidden alcohol.

“Hard to have faith,” Xiao JianGang laughed, “But I can help with getting you some time off.”

Xiao Qi reluctantly agreed to go, planning to back out on the day. As for Grandpa Jiang, he could find time to visit alone.

But he underestimated the situation. Xiao Qi didn’t expect to run into Jiang QingChi three days in advance, especially since he had just seen a social media post from Jiang QingChi yesterday complaining about the cold in Lian City. He thought he could avoid him by bringing gifts and coming sooner.

“I had to compare to know how cold Lian City was. If I didn’t come back…”

 Jiang QingChi’s words trailed off as he noticed the gifts in Xiao Qi’s hands, asking, “Are you avoiding me?”

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