Orange Storm chapter 53
Like Him
Upon hearing the knock on the door, the conversation between Jiang Zhijin and Zhou Ling immediately came to a halt. Fang Xing knocked twice, pushed the door open, and entered the private room. Zhou Ling stood up immediately upon seeing him.
“Xiao Xing.”
Fang Xing called out, “Mom,” and Zhou Ling’s previous weariness seemed to disappear instantly. She smiled and waved at him.
“You must be tired. Come, sit down. We’ll be eating soon.”
The private room had a small round table. Fang Xing placed his backpack to the side, walked over, and sat down next to Zhou Ling, directly facing Jiang Zhijin. He glanced at Jiang Zhijin, and Jiang Zhijin gave him a slight smile.
“Are you used to life in Shaojiang? How’s the school? Getting along well with teachers and classmates…” Zhou Ling turned to talk to Fang Xing, asking several questions in a row. Jiang Zhijin watched Fang Xing, who remained calm in expression, no longer displaying the overly cool demeanor. Fang Xing answered every question Zhou Ling asked.
In the end, he was just a teenager studying away from home. Although he usually appeared mature, returning to his family would reveal a slightly different side.
Zhou Ling’s questions covered almost every detail, and as Fang Xing answered, he looked up at Jiang Zhijin. Quickly, he averted his gaze.
Usually, when Zhou Ling was busy with work, she and Fang Xing would often go weeks without meeting. However, Fang Xing felt a bit… embarrassed to be treated like a child by her in front of Jiang Zhijin.
Not noticing Fang Xing’s reaction, Jiang Zhijin tried not to look at them, keeping his head down, replying to a few WeChat messages, and silently playing games. It wasn’t until the waitress opened the door to bring in the dishes that Jiang Zhijin put down his phone and spoke again.
“Let’s eat first.”
During the meal, Zhou Ling’s conversation returned to Jiang Zhijin. Smiling, she looked at Fang Xing and asked, “I haven’t asked you yet, how are you getting along with Zhijin? You haven’t caused trouble for him, have you?”
Fang Xing didn’t respond immediately.
Had he caused trouble for Jiang Zhijin?
Seemingly quite a bit. From the time he arrived in Shaojiang, the troubles hadn’t stopped…
“He really hasn’t,” Jiang Zhijin picked up a piece of pan-fried tofu and put it in his bowl, smiling at Zhou Ling. “The kid is quite obedient.”
“He has been obedient since he was little. He took the bus to school on his own just after starting elementary school. At that time, coin-operated machines were just introduced, and he had to reach up to swipe the card.”
While Zhou Ling was speaking, she gazed at Fang Xing with a face full of tender smiles. After finishing, she turned to Jiang Zhijin and said, “But Xiao Xing must have been taller than you when he was seven. I remember you were thin and short in your childhood, like a little monkey, running around the village.”
“Hey, why are you still revealing people’s old stories?” Jiang Zhijin laughed. “At least I’m the older one now.”
Zhou Ling was teased into laughter. “That’s true, you call me sister, and Xiao Xing should call you uncle.”
Fang Xing was in the middle of eating eggplant when he heard Zhou Ling’s words and nearly bit his tongue. He looked up abruptly, meeting Jiang Zhijin’s eyes, which held a teasing smile.
“Ah, he should, I guess,” Jiang Zhijin said.
“What do you mean ‘should’? Doesn’t Xiao Xing ever call you that? Is my son so impolite?” Zhou Ling teased Jiang Zhijin, and, not forgetting Fang Xing, she picked up a piece of spare rib for him.
“No, he calls me ‘big brother,'” Jiang Zhijin said with a smile.
“This generation is messed up,” Zhou Ling laughed, looking at Fang Xing. “But well, you and him aren’t that far apart in age.”
After finishing the meal, Jiang Zhijin paid the bill first. When he returned, Zhou Ling complained for a few more sentences, saying she should have treated him. Jiang Zhijin smiled and accepted the complaints, escorting her back to the hotel.
Zhou Ling had an early flight to another city the next morning. Originally, it was a direct flight, and her colleagues had already arrived. She took an afternoon off to come to Shaojiang. Jiang Zhijin offered to pick her up at the airport the next morning, and she declined a few times, but Jiang Zhijin insisted.
“It’s too early for taxis, and it’s not safe,” Jiang Zhijin said.
“You really…” Zhou Ling laughed. “Haven’t changed a bit.”
When they arrived at the hotel’s parking lot, Fang Xing got out of the car and took out Zhou Ling’s luggage. Jiang Zhijin didn’t get out; he said to Fang Xing, “I’ll wait for you in the car.”
It wasn’t very appropriate for him to be around while Zhou Ling and Fang Xing needed a few minutes for a private conversation.
Fang Xing nodded and dragged his suitcase to Zhou Ling’s side, saying, “I’ll walk you in.”
The distance from the parking lot to the hotel entrance wasn’t long. Zhou Ling and Fang Xing walked together, and Zhou Ling had to tilt her head to see Fang Xing, who had grown taller.
“I still remember when you were little, so small, just up to my waist, walking unsteadily. How did you grow so tall now?”
Fang Xing smiled a bit and replied, “I’m eighteen, Mom.”
Zhou Ling also smiled, “Yes, eighteen, already a young man.”
Having said these words, the two fell silent again. It wasn’t until they reached the hotel entrance that Fang Xing spoke, “About you and him—”
Fang Xing didn’t say Fang Chenglin, and it seemed difficult for him to call him dad. He could only use the third person pronoun. He wanted to ask if Zhou Ling had divorced him or not. If not, would they eventually divorce?
He hoped they would.
“Not yet.” Zhou Ling fell silent for a moment. “Your mom is quite stubborn, isn’t she?”
“Get a divorce,” Fang Xing looked at his mother. She seemed competent, a recognized strong woman. On this cold winter night, Fang Xing felt like he touched a bit of vulnerability beneath her thick exterior.
“All those things about enduring for me, for the family, for the company, it’s all nonsense. Don’t listen.” Fang Xing stared at her.
“I’m already an adult, anyway… you should do what makes you happy.”
Zhou Ling looked up at her son, who was now over a head taller than her. Her eyes turned slightly red. She immediately turned her head, only to look back after a few seconds.
A gust of wind blew, flipping the corners of their clothes. Zhou Ling reached out, adjusting Fang Xing’s zipper, and patted his clothes. When she withdrew her hand, a smile appeared on her face again.
“Alright, I understand. Study well and don’t worry about me, okay?”
Fang Xing looked at Zhou Ling, answering softly after a while, “Okay.”
“You… take care of yourself too,” Fang Xing said. “I’m doing well in Shaojiang; there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Good son.” Zhou Ling smiled, “Go back, don’t cause trouble for your brother Zhijin.”
Zhou Ling took the suitcase from Fang Xing and walked into the hotel with big steps. Fang Xing watched her back, her back straight and the windbreaker without a single wrinkle, her steps steady, and she didn’t look back.
From childhood to adulthood, Zhou Ling had always had this demeanor, but at this moment, Fang Xing could clearly perceive that she was no longer young.
On the way back, he remained silent.
Jiang Zhijin didn’t initiate a conversation with him either. He turned on the stereo and casually played a song. It wasn’t until they returned home that Fang Xing, unusually, didn’t immediately go back to his room to study. Seeing the two return, Tang Yuan immediately rushed over, clinging to Fang Xing’s trouser leg. Fang Xing picked him up, sitting on the sofa.
Jiang Zhijin didn’t pay attention to him, changed his clothes, took a shower, went to the kitchen to get a can of beer and a can of cola.
He returned to the living room, placed the cola in front of Fang Xing, and opened the beer, taking a sip.
“Wanna chat for a while?” Jiang Zhijin said.
Fang Xing glanced at Jiang Zhijin, released the cat in his hand, and Tang Yuan suddenly rushed out. He went to wash his hands and came back, opening his cola.
“Saw you’re quite happy seeing your mom,” Jiang Zhijin said.
“Felt happy,” Fang Xing smiled. “Also felt a bit guilty.”
“My family matters are known by many people. I guess there must be gossip behind my back. Sometimes I feel like I’m quite weak, running to Shaojiang by myself, leaving her alone in Chaocheng—although I guess I wouldn’t be able to help with anything even if I stayed, but at least I can give her a bit… strength. Let her feel like she still has a son.”
Jiang Zhijin sighed. “Why do you think your mom sent you to Shaojiang? As long as you’re safe, no matter where you are, you can give her strength, you know?”
Fang Xing laughed for a while, then suddenly asked, “Am I quite troublesome?”
“Today my mom told me not to cause you trouble, but I’ve caused quite a bit since coming to Shaojiang. Transferring schools, getting into a fight, later running into Zhai Wan who came looking for me, on my birthday, making you drive for three hours, and liking—”
Jiang Zhijin immediately looked up, squinting his eyes at Fang Xing. Feeling that Fang Xing was about to say something inappropriate, he was ready to intervene.
“Liking guys,” Fang Xing paused and said.
“My mom doesn’t know about this yet. Fang Chenglin is enough trouble for her. I don’t want to add chaos.”
“Then don’t mention it for now.”
Jiang Zhijin felt a bit annoyed, thinking that his decision to have a heart-to-heart talk with Fang Xing when he saw his state wasn’t wise. However, he patiently continued speaking.
“Whether you like boys or girls is your own business, but have you calmly thought about this question? Are you sure about your feelings and orientation? Can you be certain?”
Fang Xing didn’t speak for a moment.
An awkward silence fell between them, and Tang Yuan, on the side, was playing with the express box in the living room, making faint sounds of rustling.
“Can I have a beer?” Fang Xing said after a while.
Jiang Zhijin’s hand, holding the beer, paused, looking at Fang Xing. “No, do you want to be smacked?”
“I’m already an adult, and I don’t have class tomorrow.”
“That’s not allowed either. Being an adult doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want.”
“Last time on the phone, you said differently.”
Jiang Zhijin didn’t react for a moment. “What phone call?”
“The phone call on my birthday night,” Fang Xing said.
“You said I’m eighteen now, can have a little alcohol, go to an internet cafe, learn to drive, or be with someone I like—”
“Just a sip,” Jiang Zhijin immediately interrupted him. “Just one sip.”
Fang Xing couldn’t suppress a slight smile, reaching for the beer in front of Jiang Zhijin. With quick reflexes, Jiang Zhijin pressed down on the beer can.
“What are you doing? Fetch yours yourself.”
“Just one sip,” Fang Xing insisted.
In other words, he would only take one sip, and getting a new can for himself would be wasteful. Jiang Zhijin frowned slightly, staring at Fang Xing for a moment. Fang Xing met his gaze with a calm expression.
Finally, Jiang Zhijin let go of his hand.
“You’re annoying me,” Jiang Zhijin said.
Fang Xing smiled without saying a word, took Jiang Zhijin’s beer, and took a sip.
A bit spicy, a bit choking, with bitterness and an indescribable taste.
“How is it?” Jiang Zhijin asked.
“Not very good, you should try a different brand next time,” Fang Xing said.
“I’m spoiling you.” Jiang Zhijin was about to burst into laughter because of his irritation. “Drink it if you like.”
Fang Xing laughed foolishly for a while, then suddenly shouted, “Jiang Zhijin.”
Jiang Zhijin squinted slightly, “What are you calling me? You know your mom asked you to call me Uncle.”
Fang Xing pretended not to hear and continued, “You’re right, I really can’t be sure, because it’s the first time I’ve liked a guy—”
“Also the first time I’ve liked someone,” Fang Xing said.
Jiang Zhijin looked at him without saying a word.
“I don’t know if I’m right, if this liking is genuine, or if I can determine my orientation like this. All I know is that I really like… him.”
Fang Xing felt a bit warm, from behind his ears to his face, probably because of the sip of alcohol just now. He picked up the beer and took another sip, this time without Jiang Zhijin stopping him, or even saying anything.
When he put down the beer can, his hand was a bit heavy. The can collided with the coffee table, making a clicking sound.
“Can I ask, how did you discover that you liked guys?” Fang Xing exhaled and stared at Jiang Zhijin.
“Tell me about it, and also… your ex-boyfriend.”
Brave move, Fang Xing, actually asking like that.
The living room was very quiet, and the faint yellow ceiling light fell on the heads of the two. Tang Yuan was still playing with the paper box, making crackling sounds.
“Does it have anything to do with you?” After a long time, Jiang Zhijin said.
“If you want it to,” Fang Xing replied. “Then it does.”