Chapter 67: Cold War

After dinner, Ming You took the initiative once again to invite Yang Guishu out for a walk. She told her about the trivial matters from last weekend’s trip to the mountains with Yan Ningxi, as well as the matter of going to the countryside for New Year’s.

When she recounted events, she really just recounted them.

She narrated along the timeline, without any ups and downs in tone, without flowery wording or rhetorical flourishes, but Yang Guishu listened with great interest.

In the neighborhood, they ran into some people who were familiar with Yang Guishu. Seeing the mother and daughter walking together, they acted as if they’d spotted something rare. They pulled Yang Guishu aside to chat and tease. The topics circled around repeatedly—nothing more than praising how pretty her daughter was, asking how old her daughter was this year, whether she had a boyfriend, and what kind she liked.

Ming You didn’t grow impatient. She occasionally replied politely, saying, “Mom promised to support me for life.”

They’d eaten dinner, taken their walk, and chatted until the sky grew dark.

Ming You washed up early, slipped into the fluffy cat pajamas Yang Guishu had bought her, grabbed a bottle of rose-scented sparkling wine, and sat alone on the balcony sipping it.

At ten-thirty that night, she opened that long-neglected blank chat window.

【Ming You: Teacher He, sorry. I take back those rude words I said to you before.】

【Ming You: Teacher He, be happy.】

【Ming You: The weather’s turning cold—add some layers and take care of yourself.】

【He Huan: Okay.】

In the bathroom, her phone sat on the marble vanity, the screen dotted with water droplets. He Huan’s face was covered in water drops, tears mixed in among them, pattering onto the counter and sliding down her neck.

How long would it take for her to root out the jealousy toward Yan Ningxi in her heart?

How long would it take for her to stop caring about that girl named Ming You?

How long would it take for her to submit to the present and bid farewell to the past?

She even asked herself countless times why Ming You hadn’t pursued her with the same fervent fearlessness as she had Yan Ningxi. If Ming You had once given her that resolute and bold love, would they have a different ending today?

When it came to Ming You, she had too many regrets.

…

On Sunday at eleven, Yang Guishu and her three siblings’ families gathered at a Chinese restaurant.

As the older sister’s official boyfriend, Gao Changmin arrived first. “As per Guishu’s instructions, I ordered some main dishes—they’ll be out soon. Here’s the menu; see if there’s anything we missed that you want.”

After placing the birthday cake in the center of the table, Ming You spun the lazy Susan and poured warm peanut juice from two pots into glass cups one by one.

Finally, she looked at Gao Changmin and asked, “Uncle Gao, how come Xinxin didn’t come?”

“Xinxin? She’s… with finals coming up right away, the pressure of senior year is intense. She doesn’t even give herself weekends off.” Gao Changmin was over forty but had no beer belly, his cheeks clean-shaven, and his nearsighted glasses adding a touch of scholarly air.

“Oh. Then you should remind her to balance work and rest—don’t let her bury her head in books until she burns out. Proper relaxation helps improve study efficiency.”

“Good, I’ll remind her more often. Thank you.” This was the most Ming You had ever said to him.

“Last time I came back, my attitude was poor—it was my fault. I apologize to you.”

“We were in the wrong too—we didn’t even ask if you wanted to come back.”

Yang Guishu caught Gao Changmin’s surprised look and soothed him. “What are you looking at me for? You’re the elder; she apologized, so just accept it.”

“Yu Yu, you’re studying that broadcasting major in college—what will you do after graduation, go to a TV station as a reporter or a host? Is that school hard to get into?”

The question came from Ming You’s second aunt. Her eldest daughter was in sophomore year of high school, and her youngest was in junior high.

“Second Aunt, I applied to an arts program. If your daughters have any special artistic interests, you could look into art exams.”

Among the three siblings’ families, the second aunt’s was the one with the toughest financial situation.

Her second uncle was ambitious yet vain, accomplished nothing, and a few years back had borrowed money for a business that ended with him losing everything. He still owed Yang Guishu two hundred thousand.

From last year to this, he’d made a living driving a taxi—hadn’t earned much money but had grown quite a temper.

“Is a TV station that easy to get into? Forget money—plenty have connections harder than steel.” Second Uncle bent down to grab a beer from the cooler and bit off the cap with his teeth.

“Those without connections mostly climb by sleeping their way up to power. Haven’t you seen all those internet-famous streamers’ sex scandals blowing up online?”

“Your thoughts are filthy, and so is the way you think.”

Yang Guishu had long since lost all hope in this good-for-nothing brother-in-law. “My daughter’s hardware and software are all top-notch—scholarships every year at school, and her professional skills go without saying. If she wants to enter a TV station in the future, she’ll do so smoothly and upright. You, a big rough lout who knows nothing, don’t open your mouth here with your shallow opinions and embarrass yourself.”

“I’m embarrassing myself?”

Stung by Yang Guishu’s words right to his spine, Second Uncle gnashed his teeth. “Yang Guishu, I know you look down on me. Do you think having a bit of stinking money now makes you all high and mighty? Back when you were poor, didn’t the Ming Family look down on you just the same…”

“What are you doing!” Second Aunt hurriedly intervened, cutting him off. “Say less!”

“I was looked down on, but I had the ability to turn things around and make them respect me. Since you know your place, you should step up like a man, work steadily, and pay back your debts. Those few hundred thousand were loaned to my sister and niece for food, clothes, and schooling—not for you to squander for free!” When Yang Guishu’s voice rose, it was still pretty intimidating.

“Sis, don’t get mad. He’s just straightforward.” Second Aunt played weak on one side while holding down her husband’s arm, afraid he’d spout more and sour the mood between the families.

Second Uncle shook off his wife’s hand. “Don’t hold me back—I’ve had enough of this shit long ago!”

Ming You slammed her cup down hard on the table, producing a piercing sound. The cup foot cracked, and she coldly eyed Second Aunt’s family across from her. “Today is Maternal Grandma’s birthday. If you don’t want to show filial piety or just want to pick a fight, go argue outside.”

“You, a junior, trying to climb over my head too?”

“Second Uncle, there are too many people on your head already—I can’t be bothered to squeeze in.” Pointed at with a finger, Ming You stood up, displeased as well.

“Face isn’t shouted into existence. If you’ve got the guts, be like my mom—speak with ability, make us respect you with ability. My mom’s a woman, but with her own hard-earned clean money, she supports the elderly, raises the young, and helps her siblings. She’s a hundred times stronger than you.”

“Ming You, you…”

“Shut it. Why argue with a kid?” Second Aunt pulled back her husband, who had shot up from slapping the table, her face turning from pale to green. “They’ve got money and talent—what do you have to compare? If you don’t want to eat, go drive your cab. We’ll eat ourselves.”

Second Aunt’s two daughters exchanged glances, both pursing their lips with tears ready to fall at any moment.

“Alright, alright—the star of the show today is the birthday girl.” Seated to Maternal Grandma’s left, Third Uncle Yang played peacemaker. “All of you, don’t bully Mom just ’cause her hearing’s not great…”

“Eat, eat—today the birthday girl is the biggest.” Yang Guishu put her arm around her daughter’s shoulder, removed the broken cup, and carefully checked her daughter’s hand for cuts. “Yu Yu, ignore him. Mom’s fine.”

Usually, she indulged her daughter in everything. This was the first time she’d seen her daughter stand up for her, and hot tears welled up in her eyes.

Gao Changmin stood. “You all sit. I’ll call the server for a new cup and check on the food.”

“I can’t stomach this meal—eat it yourselves, you Yangs.” Second Uncle kicked back his chair and left the private room.

A perfectly good birthday banquet had turned into this mess—no one was innocent. The adults and kids at the table wore varied expressions: adults forced smiles and continued eating and drinking, kids silently stuffed their faces. Meanwhile, Ming You’s heart had already flown to the apartment.

Only by Yan Ningxi’s side did she find the peace and tranquility she craved.

Her original plan had been to go to the apartment that afternoon regardless of whether Yan Ningxi was there, stay a while before heading back to school—or just crash until morning.

But after pulling into the garage, she sat in the car for over half an hour without stepping out.

Yan Ningxi hadn’t sent her a single message, hadn’t reminded her not to drink and drive, hadn’t asked where she was eating tonight, and hadn’t asked if she’d return to school that night or in the morning. Yan Ningxi didn’t care about her whereabouts at all.

She sat idly until after four. Ming You went upstairs, opened the door. No one was home, sparing her the need to make up excuses. She left the car keys on the cabinet and left.

…

Both Huai’an and Hengyuan were major southern cities. The two coldest months of the year averaged 9-10°C, and snow was a once-in-a-decade event. But the surrounding smaller cities and mountains were different—by early December, snow had begun falling one after another.

The township Ming You and the others were heading to had already seen snow.

Sending Plays to the Countryside was an annual tradition at Hengyuan Media University to spread warmth.

They sent culture and joy. The program types included opera, drama, skits, recitations, crosstalk, dubbing, and more.

Ming You and the other two had a dubbing program—adapted lines promoting socialist core values.

That year’s national statutory holidays had New Year’s spanning the 31st, 1st, and 2nd—three days. Ming You and the others went down on the 30th, 31st, and 1st—also three days.

On the way there, Lin Yiyang got her period for the first time that day and hadn’t brought painkillers. She hurt so bad she couldn’t straighten up.

Gu Xirui, sitting next to Ming You in the same row, spotted Lin Yiyang at the first service area clutching her stomach with a twisted expression, sneaking off to the bathroom with a pad. She filled an empty mineral water bottle with warm water and brought it back on the bus.

Before the bus started, Gu Xirui sat next to Lin Yiyang, who was hogging two seats in the back row by herself, and handed her the bottle. “Wrap this in your jacket—it’ll ease it a bit.”

Remembering she had heating patches, she asked, “Or use this to warm your hands—stick a heating patch on your belly? Pick one.”

Ming You, with sharp ears up front, reached back over the seatback with two heating patches. “Here, stick them on. No need to stand on ceremony.”

She’d grabbed the ones Gu Xirui had in her carry bag. Gu Xirui had offered them when they boarded, asking if she wanted any. Ming You herself had never bought or used them.

Lin Yiyang was vain and wouldn’t normally give these mood-killers the time of day. But now she had no choice but to bow her head.

“How do you use this? How do you stick it? On bare skin? No way!”

Ming You: …

Lin Yiyang was even more clueless than her.

Gu Xirui tore open a plastic seal. “Unzip your jacket. Got a thermal layer under your hoodie? Stick the heating patch on the innermost layer.”

“I only have two layers—a hoodie and a down jacket.” The hoodie was one of those super oversized styles.

“Turn around—I’ll stick it on your back.” Gu Xirui lifted her jacket, applied the patch, then stuffed the water bottle back at her. “Use this for your belly—tuck it in your coat and hug it.”

Seeing the seat next to Ming You empty, a performance major guy named Fang Jie stretched his arm over the chairback. “Classmate Ming You, I have a few professional questions—could I pick your brain?”

The person called crossed her arms over her chest, eyes closed, and made no response. She had earphones in.

Gu Xirui told the guy, “She’s a bit carsick, listening to music with earphones. Whatever questions you have, wait until we reach the village to ask her.”

“Oh, oh, okay.” The guy withdrew his hand.

He’d never been into clingy, coquettish cute girls since he was little—no matter how many fawned over him, he just saw them as little sisters. He had a soft spot for cooler girls like Ming You and had admired her reputation for a while.

Lin Yiyang side-eyed Fang Jie—she’d heard a bit about him. Sunny and handsome, he was the resident warm guy in their department, super popular with girls.

But popularity bred trouble. Fang Jie had a mixed rep—plenty said he was a central AC, flirting everywhere, juggling multiple girls.

He was after Ming You now, huh.

Lin Yiyang pressed her belly. Warmed by the hot water, she felt less pain both mentally and physically.

“Ming You gets carsick? Didn’t she take motion sickness meds before boarding? We’re not even off the highway yet—if she gets that bad on the mountain roads, won’t she puke her guts out?” Lin Yiyang had a sharp tongue too. “Get her a pill.”

In class, she only had classmates—no friends.

Self-important. Arrogant and cocky. Who could stand her except a simp?

“…” Gu Xirui explained that Ming You got carsick, and she was helping block unwanted advances. Ming You had been in a bad mood for almost half a month.

The person ahead heard Lin Yiyang “curse” her and blurted out, “Not half a life if it’s not even that—mind your own business.” Then she pulled the hood of her hoodie down, covering half her face, and turned up the volume on her phone’s music a bit.

The bright red hoodie made her skin look almost snow-white. Yan Ningxi had bought the clothes, but after washing them at school, the jasmine scent was gone.

…

She had endured more than a week without contacting Yan Ningxi, and Yan Ningxi hadn’t reached out to her either. She and her seemed to be back at the starting point.

What did their mutual silence mean? A cold war? Why was it always her making the first move, regardless of who was right or wrong? Why couldn’t Yan Ningxi coax her even once?

Ming You was truly fed up this time and really decided to give Yan Ningxi the cold shoulder. If she didn’t reclaim some dignity, she’d really turn into a simp.