On the first day of the New Year, Chen Jian woke up on the sofa in the coffee shop.
Sprawled next to him were all the male employees of Dayin, except for the boss, including his dad.
Hu Pan and Sun Nana were sleeping in the small room behind the front desk.
To say he woke up was an overstatement; he hadn’t slept for long. He went to sleep at five and was woken up by the sound of firecrackers at six.
Not many people had slept on New Year’s Eve. After the New Year’s Eve dinner, they all went out to play. In the past, Chen Erhu and the others would go to the old town. Although the entertainment options were much more limited than in the city, it was still better than staying here. Those who didn’t go to the town or the city would start playing cards, playing all night to the sound of non-stop firecrackers.
Now, this group of people all returned to the guesthouse after the New Year’s Eve dinner and made a racket all night. First, they wandered around the small town. Because there were many more tourists for the New Year, a lot of small shops were actually open this year. You could even knock on the door of Da Wangba’s barbecue shop and get the boss to grill some skewers.
Then they set off fireworks. The fireworks Shan Yu bought this time definitely cost over ten thousand. There were also a few families who came with their own cars full of fireworks to set off. Everyone managed to put on a fireworks show. Tourists and many villagers came over to watch. Some even piggybacked on their fireworks; as soon as they set up a firework, someone would run over and light it…
Only after the fireworks were finished did the group return to the guesthouse. His dad made them a barbecue late-night snack at the shop.
Chen Jian had never really experienced a New Year like this in his entire life. Whether he was here or in the city with his dad, he always went to sleep on time. This was his first time staying up until five on New Year’s Eve.
At four o’clock, Chen Erhu suggested playing cards. Chen Jian responded with a sound of agreement, but he fell asleep when the cards were being dealt. He didn’t know who took over his turn later.
He didn’t even have time to see where Shan Yu was when he fell asleep.
Anyway, Shan Yu was not asleep at that time. As expected of someone who suffered from chronic insomnia…
Although he had eaten a lot yesterday and even had dumplings before falling asleep, Chen Jian felt hungry again as he stood in the elevator.
The shop was quiet. From the staff to the guests, everyone was still asleep. The only upright creatures at the moment were Chen Jian and Mushroom, who had just finished pooping in the vegetable patch outside in the garden.
The door to the fourth-floor office was closed but not locked. Chen Jian turned the knob and it opened.
He peeked his head in and saw that Shan Yu was not on the sofa. He walked a few steps further in and found that the bedroom door was also open, and there was no one inside.
“Shan Yu?” Chen Jian called out and took out his phone.
No one answered. Shan Yu was surprisingly not in the office.
The call was answered quickly, though. Judging by the sound of the wind in the background, he was outside.
“Awake?” Shan Yu asked.
“Where did you go?” Chen Jian asked.
“At the viewing platform, waiting for the sunrise,” Shan Yu said.
“You didn’t sleep at all?” Chen Jian asked, turning to walk out.
“I can’t fall asleep after a certain time,” Shan Yu said. “Are you coming? After watching the sunrise, we’ll go back to the shop to hand out red envelopes.”
“I’ll be right there,” Chen Jian said. “Are you hungry? Should I bring you a carton of milk and some biscuits?”
“Okay,” Shan Yu agreed.
Chen Jian went back to the first floor and looked around. The group of people was still asleep.
He took the milk and biscuits, found some cold dumplings in the kitchen and ate a few, then ran out.
The sky was not yet fully bright outside. The entire town and the surrounding mountains were shrouded in a morning mist mixed with gunpowder smoke. A deep breath filled his nose with the smell of firecrackers, a strong New Year atmosphere.
Mushroom, who was eating dog food in the courtyard, immediately abandoned its food upon seeing him and followed behind him. They ran up the mountain road together, very cheerful. Occasionally, it would bark and dash ahead of Chen Jian.
Just as they were about to reach the viewing platform, Mushroom, in its excitement, didn’t stop and charged straight ahead.
A short whistle came from the direction of the viewing platform. Mushroom came to a screeching halt, turned around, and ran over, wagging its tail.
Chen Jian followed and saw Shan Yu sitting on a rock.
Behind him were seven or eight tourists, all holding up their phones, waiting to film the sunrise.
For the first sunrise of the new year, these people probably hadn’t slept much last night either.
“Your whistle has quite a few uses,” Chen Jian said in a low voice.
“It’s a greeting,” Shan Yu smiled.
“Am I on the same level as Mushroom?” Chen Jian said, taking the milk out of his pocket and handing it to him. “I should have punched you when you whistled at me in the car back then.”
“Why didn’t you?” Shan Yu took the milk.
“We were at Brother Rui’s shop,” Chen Jian said. “I didn’t want to cause trouble for him. It’s a business, after all.”
Shan Yu smiled and flicked his finger. “Brother Chen Jian is very sensible.”
Chen Jian clicked his tongue. “Want some biscuits?”
“Yes,” Shan Yu nodded. “I’m starving. I just ate someone else’s bread.”
“…Couldn’t you have just grabbed something to eat when you came out? There are still dumplings and barbecue in the kitchen,” Chen Jian said.
“Too lazy to bother,” Shan Yu said, lowering his head to drink some milk.
“What time did you come over?” Chen Jian asked, sitting down next to him.
“Just got here about twenty minutes ago,” Shan Yu said. “I went upstairs to feed Erge and then came out. I was going to call you, but you were sleeping so soundly.”
As Shan Yu spoke, he opened his phone’s photo album and showed him the pictures.
Chen Jian saw a picture of himself sprawled on the sofa, dead to the world, and was a bit speechless. “You took a picture of this too?”
“Just documenting life,” Shan Yu said.
Chen Jian also took out his phone and took a picture of Shan Yu, who was eating biscuits.
Shan Yu, with his eyelids lowered, staring at the biscuit, looked handsome and cute.
The morning mist on the mountain was still quite thick. When the wind blew, it would be swirled into shapes. The village below appeared and disappeared in the white mist, exuding a fresh tranquility.
It was quiet all around, with only the sound of birdsong and the faint whispers of tourists, as if they were afraid to disturb the mountain forest.
Shan Yu didn’t say any more, focusing on eating his simple breakfast. Chen Jian stared at the mist in the mountains, lost in thought.
Mushroom also lay down on the fallen leaves at their feet and began to nap.
After Shan Yu finished his breakfast, he stuffed his hand into the pocket of Chen Jian’s jacket next to him and held his hand.
The tip of his nose was cold, but his hand was warm. The white mist from their breaths intertwined and rushed forward in the wind.
This tranquility in the mountain forest, with its mist and chill, was completely different from the brief quiet after a night of hustle and bustle in the city. It made one feel completely submerged.
He didn’t know how long they sat there before someone shouted, “The sun! It’s out!”
Chen Jian, who was beside him, shot up, pulling Shan Yu up with him.
Shan Yu squeezed to the railing with him. Chen Jian held up his phone and started filming the bright but not dazzling golden-red glow on the mountain peak.
Shan Yu took a few pictures with his phone, put it back in his pocket, and quietly watched as the small patch of golden-red quickly spread and expanded.
Chen Jian usually wasn’t very interested in taking pictures of landscapes, usually just taking a few photos. But today, it seemed he was serious about filming the entire sunrise process.
Besides wanting to record the first sunrise of the new year, he probably also wanted to send it to Zhou Lecheng.
Yesterday, Chen Jian would take out his phone from time to time to send messages. Shan Yu had glanced over a couple of times and could see that they were for Zhou Lecheng. But looking at Chen Jian’s state, it probably wasn’t all for Zhou Lecheng.
Shan Yu didn’t ask. He knew that Zhou Lecheng, to some extent, would remind Chen Jian of his mother. And Chen Jian’s mother had passed away too early. There was no WeChat, and her phone number had long been reassigned. If Chen Jian wanted to confide in someone, it would probably only be at his mother’s grave, and right next to it was the home he could no longer return to.
The golden-red on the mountaintop turned into a bright gold, and then began to become dazzling. The mist in the forest also began to slowly thin, and even the wind felt warmer.
After Chen Jian finished filming, he opened his phone and held it up for Shan Yu to watch with him.
“How’s my camera work?” Chen Jian asked.
“Professional,” Shan Yu said. “Even Yao Yi would have to come and learn from you.”
“Hold back a little,” Chen Jian laughed.
“How much to hold back is up to you,” Shan Yu said.
“What?” Chen Jian was taken aback.
“The apprenticeship fee,” Shan Yu said, stretching and putting an arm around his shoulder. He then nudged Mushroom’s belly with the tip of his foot. “They’re rich. Remember to ask for a high price.”
Chen Jian came back to his senses, laughing as he lowered his head and sneezed.
“Let’s go, back,” Shan Yu said, putting his arm around him and rubbing his arm.
“Should we hand out the red envelopes to the staff first?” Chen Jian asked.
“Mhm,” Shan Yu nodded. As they walked, he glanced at him. “Wish me a happy new year.”
“Boss Shan, happy new year, may you be prosperous and have good fortune, and a fresh start in the new year,” Chen Jian immediately rattled off a string of greetings.
Shan Yu took a red envelope out of his inner pocket. “Here, New Year’s money.”
“Wait,” Chen Jian was stunned. “Are we from different generations?”
“I’m half a cycle older than you,” Shan Yu said.
“Aren’t you six?” Chen Jian squeezed the red envelope. It was thick. He had originally wanted to open it slowly when he was alone, but he couldn’t resist and took a peek.
“Xiao Dou’er is already six this year. I must be seven,” Shan Yu said.
“There’s ten thousand in here, right?” Chen Jian didn’t pay attention to his age increase and turned to look at him. “Who gives ten thousand yuan as New Year’s money?”
“Making dumplings must be hard on the hands. You can’t estimate properly anymore,” Shan Yu said. “Eight thousand.”
Chen Jian stopped. To be honest, when it came to money, he never felt it was too much. He had even thought of making up lies to get more salary from Shan Yu before. But between the two of them, New Year’s money was just something to joke about. Now that Shan Yu had given him eight thousand at once, it really weighed on him a bit.
“Your dad’s salary is also in there,” Shan Yu said. “Remember to calculate it and give it to him.”
Chen Jian glanced at him. “Such a quick reaction?”
Shan Yu clicked his tongue. “Your reaction isn’t slow either.”
Chen Jian silently squeezed the money, a little unsure of what to say. Even after deducting his dad’s triple salary, this red envelope was not small.
“Are you taking it or not?” Shan Yu asked.
“I’m taking it,” Chen Jian nodded.
Money, it was all money.
Shan Yu flicked him lightly on the forehead. “You can give me some next year.”
“Mhm,” Chen Jian responded.
As Shan Yu started walking down the mountain, he stood there for a moment before chasing after him. He wrapped his arms around Shan Yu from behind, holding him tight, then lowered his head and bit down hard on the nape of his neck.
“Fuck you, Chen Jian!” Shan Yu gasped and cursed.
Chen Jian released his mouth but not his arms, still holding him tightly.
“You’re a dog, a curly-haired dog,” Shan Yu said, turning his head. “Mushroom’s cousin.”
Chen Jian didn’t speak.
“Let go,” Shan Yu said. “If you don’t let go by the count of three, I’ll give you a lesson in back throws.”
“I’m afraid you’ll throw me even if I let go,” Chen Jian said, his face buried in his neck, not moving.
“I won’t,” Shan Yu said.
“Your words aren’t reliable,” Chen Jian said.
“Someone’s coming,” Shan Yu said.
“I don’t care,” Chen Jian said.
“Oh,” Shan Yu laughed.
No one was coming. The group of sunrise-watchers had just said they were going further up. Chen Jian held onto Shan Yu and didn’t move.
“Damn you,” Shan Yu said, holding still for a moment. His hand moved towards his butt. “Fine, I’ll carry you down.”
“No, no, no, we’re going down the mountain,” Chen Jian quickly let go. “We’ll fall.”
“Are you crazy?” Shan Yu said, stretching his arms and rubbing his neck, looking at him.
“No,” Chen Jian took a step back and looked at the dirt path on the side. He could probably circle around from the woods and then run…
Before he could finish plotting in his mind, Shan Yu lunged forward. He almost simultaneously jumped towards the dirt path on the side, but Shan Yu, as expected of someone who had trained, had already predicted his route. He didn’t even reach for him, but directly intercepted his path and grabbed his wrist.
“Ah!” Chen Jian shouted, struggling to retreat.
“So you know how to shout now?” Shan Yu said, twisting his wrist behind his back.
As his hand was twisted behind him, Shan Yu was already pressed against him, grabbing his other hand. Then he felt his back pressed against a tree.
Actually, he still had a chance to break free at this moment. His elbow that wasn’t twisted behind his back, his knee… but all the openings Shan Yu had left him were ones he would only use when facing Chen Dahu…
Now he could only stay still and watch as Shan Yu bit down on his shoulder.
“Ah, fuck!” Chen Jian shouted. “It hurts, it hurts, it hurts…”
Mushroom rushed over, jumping and barking at their feet, wagging its tail frantically.
Shan Yu let go of him and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
“Ah…” Chen Jian rubbed his shoulder. “Did it break the skin!”
“The bite you gave me was the one that broke the skin,” Shan Yu said.
“Impossible,” Chen Jian said, taking out his phone, taking a picture of his shoulder, then pulling open Shan Yu’s collar and comparing them.
…They were actually about the same.
The bite mark on his shoulder was redder because it was fresh, while the bite mark on the nape of Shan Yu’s neck even had a hint of dark red.
“I think,” Chen Jian was very shocked, “did I give you a hickey?”
“You should go set up a stall at Chen Massage,” Shan Yu said, laughing. He bent down and stroked Mushroom’s head. “It’s okay, Mushroom, be good. We’re just flirting. We just have heavy mouths.”
Chen Jian started laughing. “Damn.”
He took another picture of the nape of Shan Yu’s neck.
“Don’t send this one to Zhou Lecheng,” Shan Yu said.
“…I won’t,” Chen Jian put his phone away. “How did you know I was sending him pictures?”
“I’ve been watching closely, not letting go of any opportunity to get jealous,” Shan Yu said, stretching his neck and walking down the mountain.
“I bit you just now because…” Chen Jian followed behind him, trying to figure out what to say.
“I know,” Shan Yu reached back and hooked his chin.
By the time they got back to Dayin, everyone was already up.
As he entered the house, Chen Jian found Lao Si leaning against the front desk, talking to Hu Pan.
“Didn’t you go back to your hometown with your dad for the New Year?” he asked.
“Today I’m celebrating with my mom’s side,” Lao Si turned his head. “I just came over to take a look. Brother Erhu posted over eight hundred times on his Moments yesterday. I wanted to come back last night.”
“That’s perfect,” Chen Jian said. “Come and get your red envelope.”
“Is it from Boss Shan?” Lao Si asked. “Happy New Year, Boss Shan!”
Boss Shan had already entered the elevator, and the doors were almost closed. His voice came through the crack, “Happy New Year!”
Although the group had only gone to sleep at dawn, they were all full of energy now. They came over one by one to get their red envelopes.
“Panpan, you and Nana can hand out the guests’ red envelopes later,” Chen Jian said. “Just wait in the dining room before ten. Give them out as they leave. After ten, go knock on their doors to give them out.”
“Okay,” Hu Pan nodded.
Chen Jian went to the kitchen. His dad was already checking the vegetables in the kitchen, preparing for today’s meal.
“Dad,” Chen Jian handed him a red envelope. “Here, a red envelope, and your salary for the past few days.”
“How much is it?” his dad asked as he took it.
“Three thousand,” Chen Jian said.
“So much?” His dad said, but his smile couldn’t be suppressed. “Triple salary shouldn’t be this much, right? I estimated that for five days, it would be over a thousand. The red envelope is over a thousand?”
“Mhm,” Chen Jian said. “Boss Shan definitely wouldn’t be so precise. You came to work during the New Year, and you’re my father. You even paid for the barbecue yesterday.”
“I didn’t pay much. I was thinking of treating you kids,” his dad said with a smile.
“It’s fine, keep it,” Chen Jian said.
“Hey, okay,” his dad nodded and put the red envelope in his inner pocket. “You’re back just in time. Help me take a look. I’m planning tomorrow’s dishes. Aren’t Boss Shan’s parents and relatives coming over? The dishes have to be impressive. Take a look at this menu I’ve drafted…”
Ah! Tomorrow is the second day of the New Year!
Chen Jian suddenly felt a wave of panic and reached out to steady himself on the counter.
It’s tomorrow! Shan Yu’s parents are coming tomorrow.
