BOSF 012: New Year
by cloudiesJust a week into the winter break, the village was already steeped in a festive New Year atmosphere. Every year, Ji Yan’s family would do a major house cleaning. Ji Qiuyuan would pick a day off, and the whole family would work together to clear out old, broken, or unwanted items and replace them with new ones. Ji Yan’s task was simple: tidy up his own room and wash his cloth shoes.
He soaked his shoes in detergent for a while, finished organizing his room, and then went to the back balcony to scrub his shoes. The winter wind was strong, and the water was cold. Ji Yan rolled up his sleeves and pant legs, stepping into the water. At first, the cold was unbearable, and he couldn’t stop shivering. But after some effort, he got used to the chill. The icy water started to feel refreshing, and he even began splashing around playfully. Perhaps because of his introverted nature, Ji Yan had always been good at entertaining himself, unlike other kids his age who loved running out to play.
After washing his shoes, he hung them up with clothespins to dry, watching the once-dirty shoes turn white and bright. A strange sense of accomplishment warmed his heart. For students, shoes held a special meaning—they were truly their own, companions through the long school term.
Looking out from the balcony, Ji Yan noticed other households cleaning too, some already putting up Spring Festival couplets outside their doors. He didn’t particularly like this village or its people—adults here seemed too selfish and stubborn. But he couldn’t deny that he enjoyed this festive atmosphere, this simple joy. It was as if, during the holidays, everyone’s demeanor softened, maintaining a fleeting illusion of peace.
On the eve of the Lunar New Year, the streets were bustling. Ji Yan went with his mother, Lin Yueqin, to the vegetable market. The market was a chaotic swirl of people, everyone rushing to buy enough food for the holiday before the stalls closed. Ji Yan was squeezed from one end to the other, sweating profusely, while Lin Yueqin nagged, “Now you see how hard it is for me, don’t you? Buying groceries and cooking every day, no rest even during the holidays… You need to work harder, make something of yourself, so your parents’ hard work isn’t wasted…”
Ji Yan nodded absently, her words going in one ear and out the other. He’d heard these complaints countless times growing up, the same lines repeated over and over. He didn’t mind her venting and could even sympathize with his parents’ struggles. But he disliked her condescending tone, the endless loop of preaching about “gratitude” and “contentment.” When parents themselves couldn’t lead by example, such complaints only made it harder to empathize.
Ji Yan sighed, treating her nagging as background noise he couldn’t escape.
On their way home, they unexpectedly ran into Xiang Yang’s father, Xiang Hongxiu, in the stairwell. Xiang Hongxiu was a businessman, always out early and back late, his schedule misaligned with everyone else’s, often absent even on holidays. Ji Yan rarely saw him. Usually, it was Li Lilian with Xiang Yang, as Xiang Yang’s parents would argue about how his father was always away, neglecting family matters.
On the rare occasions Ji Yan saw Xiang Hongxiu, the man always seemed stern, almost cold. But today was different—perhaps because the New Year was near, or because Li Lilian was pregnant with their second child, Xiang Hongxiu had a rare smile and even greeted them first.
“Mrs. Ji, out shopping for groceries?”
“Yes.”
As the adults exchanged pleasantries, Ji Yan’s gaze drifted to the man said to be the village’s most handsome. Nearing forty-five, Xiang Hongxiu didn’t look old—only the crow’s feet at his eyes and the gray at his temples hinted at his age. He still exuded a youthful charm. Xiang Yang looked strikingly like his father, their facial features and jawlines as if carved from the same mold. It wasn’t hard to imagine what Xiang Yang would look like grown up.
“…Ji Yan, right?” Xiang Hongxiu’s gaze suddenly shifted to him, a warm smile in his eyes. “Thank you for looking after our Xiang Yang.”
“Oh.” Ji Yan’s face flushed, feeling caught staring. He lowered his head. “It’s nothing, Uncle, no need to be polite.”
The adults chatted a bit longer—small talk about visiting each other’s homes—before parting ways.
Once inside, Lin Yueqin’s smile faded quickly. She shook her head. “Xiang Yang’s father is a businessman, alright—always saying the right things.”
Ji Yan didn’t get it. “What do you mean?”
Lin Yueqin shot him a look. “It means you’ll keep looking after Xiang Yang.”
Women often sided with women, and perhaps Li Lilian had confided in her. Lin Yueqin had a stereotype about Xiang Hongxiu: “Says he’s earning money but leaves all the family matters to his wife. Their son’s like that, and… ugh, men. Always leaving the tough stuff to women, only good for talking…”
Ji Yan knew his mother wouldn’t dare say this when his father was around. Her jabs at Xiang Hongxiu were likely veiled complaints about Ji Qiuyuan, venting her own frustrations. Ji Yan didn’t think too deeply about it and wouldn’t have said much even if he did. Both parents were the same in his eyes—neither had the right to judge the other. Thinking of days spent with Xiang Yang, he smiled. “Playing with Xiang Yang isn’t bad.”
Lin Yueqin snorted. “You’re such a fool, never aiming high. Look at your classmates—who wants to hang out with Xiang Yang? They all stick with the kids who get good grades…”
Ji Yan muttered, “Good grades don’t mean everything.”
“But bad grades mean you’re not learning anything. I won’t stop you from doing what you want, but if your grades slip, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“Got it—” Knowing his mother’s lecturing streak was kicking in, Ji Yan quickly set down the groceries and slipped into his room.
Maybe his mother was right. Ever since visiting Xiang Yang’s house, Aunt Li seemed to subtly encourage him to come over, as if she noticed Xiang Yang relied on him. Ji Yan saw Xiang Yang every few days, but with the New Year approaching and Xiang Yang’s father around, he felt too shy to visit.
What did Xiang Yang do when he was home alone?
It had only been a few days, but Ji Yan was already feeling a bit bored.
On New Year’s Eve, Lin Yueqin prepared a feast. Despite her usual complaints, she avoided saying anything negative during the holiday. The family of three sat at the table, eating and drinking, with the TV blaring New Year greetings and firecrackers popping outside, creating a lively atmosphere.
Dinner stretched on as neighbors began visiting. In Ji Yan’s memory, New Year was like this: neighbors gathering, adults drinking and chatting, kids playing together, the house filled with laughter and conversation.
As a child, Ji Yan had playmates, but as he grew older, he felt awkward joining unfamiliar kids. He enjoyed watching the bustle but had no desire to join in.
He was about to retreat to his room to read comics when the doorbell rang. His mother was busy serving food, his father chatting with neighbors, so Ji Yan went to answer it. There stood Xiang Yang’s family.
“Ji Yan, Happy New Year.” Li Lilian held a red envelope. Though she hadn’t expected Ji Yan to answer, she quickly handed it to him.
“Auntie…” Ji Yan hesitated, unsure if he should accept, as he’d never received one before.
But Li Lilian swiftly tucked it into his hand, as if refusing wasn’t an option. “Take it, thank you for looking after Xiang Yang.”
“Thank you, Auntie.”
Lin Yueqin appeared, noticing the red envelope. She said nothing, only inviting them in.
Xiang Yang, who disliked crowds and rarely went out, stood behind his parents, staring at Ji Yan since the door opened, showing no intention of stepping inside.
His parents looked a bit awkward. Li Lilian explained, “I was going to leave him at home, but he wanted to come, probably to see Ji Yan.”
Lin Yueqin smiled warmly. “Xiang Yang, come in, it’s fine.”
Xiang Yang didn’t budge.
Ji Yan gave a soft laugh. “Xiang Yang might be shy. Can I take him for a walk nearby?”
“Sure.” His parents seemed relieved.
Before leaving, Lin Yueqin slipped Ji Yan a red envelope for Xiang Yang—a customary exchange to avoid seeming impolite.
Outside, the world felt quieter. With Xiang Yang, Ji Yan could say anything. “Don’t you think they’re so noisy?”
Maybe because they hadn’t seen each other in days, Xiang Yang’s gaze seemed more focused, as if he’d listen to anything Ji Yan said. His dark eyes were pure, never making Ji Yan feel uncomfortable.
Ji Yan didn’t mind and chatted with Xiang Yang easily. They wandered the streets, empty at this hour, with no cars in sight. Every so often, laughter and TV sounds drifted from nearby homes.
Kids played in open spaces, some setting off fireworks with adults. Ji Yan felt a sudden wave of sentimentality. Another year had passed. Time felt endless, adulthood far away, yet looking back, the days flew by. After this New Year, they’d be fifteen. Three more years, and they’d be adults.
Growing up was exciting but also daunting.
The feeling came and went quickly. Ji Yan reached into his pocket, pulling out the red envelope from his mother. He handed it to Xiang Yang. “This is for you, Xiang Yang. Happy New Year.”
Xiang Yang lowered his head, eyeing the envelope. He slowly reached out, grasping one corner, his lips moving silently.
Ji Yan didn’t catch what he said. His gaze shifted to Xiang Yang’s head. Despite seeing him almost daily at school, he only now noticed, “Huh? Xiang Yang, have you grown taller again?”
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