ABOES 97: Gold Coin Dumpling

Chi Xiwen furrowed his brows and was about to step forward to get a closer look, but just as he took one step, Chi Yunxing blurted out in a panic, “It’s nothing! Nothing at all! Don’t come over, ge—”

Couldn’t be more suspicious if he tried.

Chi Xiwen froze in place but didn’t move closer.

Duan Zhiyan reacted fast. He had already doubled back to retrieve the scarf and quickly wrapped it around Chi Yunxing’s neck again.

With the scarf back in place, Chi Yunxing finally breathed a sigh of relief but when he looked up and saw Chi Xiwen’s expression not far away, the tips of his ears turned red again.

Chi Xiwen definitely knew. Now that he had the scarf back on, wasn’t it just like covering his ears while stealing a bell?

Chi Yunxing was still awkwardly trying to figure out what to say when he saw Chi Xiwen walking toward them.

Chi Yunxing opened his mouth. “Ge, I…”

“Come on,” Chi Xiwen said nothing else, asking no questions, just slung his arm around Chi Yunxing’s shoulder and steered him toward the house. “Mom and Aunt Yu are probably making dumplings now. Let’s wash our hands and help out.”

Chi Yunxing looked at Chi Xiwen in surprise. For a moment, he was a little confused.

Did Chi Xiwen really not know, or…?

Of course he knew.

He might not have been in a relationship himself, but even if he’d never seen pigs run, hadn’t he eaten pork?

The only reason he wasn’t saying anything was because he knew Chi Yunxing was shy.

If he had to be mad, it would be at Duan Zhiyan.

Thinking that, Chi Xiwen turned and glared at Duan Zhiyan following behind them, muttering under his breath, “Scumbag.”

Sensing something, Duan Zhiyan looked up and caught his gaze, then smiled faintly at him.

Chi Xiwen let out a loud snort and sped up, dragging Chi Yunxing along.

Inside, Tan Yao and Yu Qiu were already prepping the dumpling fillings. Tan Yao had just been about to go call for help when she saw them return.

“Great, great, wash your hands and help wrap some dumplings,” Tan Yao said, waving them over. “Xiwen, go grab those gold coins your dad prepared.”

Chi Xiwen nodded and let go of Chi Yunxing to head upstairs.

Duan Zhiyan followed Chi Yunxing to wash up.

Yu Qiu set the dumpling wrappers on the table, then asked Chi Yunxing, “Yunxing, do you know how to make dumplings?”

Chi Yunxing had just finished washing his hands. Duan Zhiyan was helping him dry them with a napkin. Sensing Yu Qiu’s gaze, Chi Yunxing tried to pull his hand away, but Duan Zhiyan was holding on too tight so he couldn’t get free.

Yu Qiu smiled even more.

Chi Yunxing’s face burned, but he had no choice but to keep calm and answer, “I’ve never done it, but if you show me once, Aunt Yu, I think I can get it.”

Yu Qiu chuckled, “Let Zhiyan teach you. He knows how.”

Chi Yunxing blinked in surprise. “Zhiyan Ge can make dumplings?”

Duan Zhiyan tossed the napkin and led Chi Yunxing to the table, holding his hand. “Surprised?”

Chi Yunxing nodded. “Very. I mean, you only know how to make instant noodles.”

Duan Zhiyan didn’t argue. He just picked up a wrapper, added filling, folded it in a blink, and handed the neatly wrapped dumpling to Chi Yunxing.

Chi Yunxing’s eyes widened.

Tan Yao laughed from across the table. “Zhiyan learned that when he was a kid. Don’t worry, Yunxing, dumplings are the only thing he can wrap.”

Yu Qiu nodded. “Exactly. He’s useless at everything else.”

“I can cook instant noodles,” Duan Zhiyan added.

Everyone at the table burst out laughing.

Chi Yunxing picked up quickly. Duan Zhiyan only had to show him twice, and he got the idea.

Of course, knowing how in your head didn’t mean your hands could do it. So the first few dumplings he made came out all crooked—too ugly to look at.

Chi Xiwen didn’t come into the kitchen immediately. First, he disinfected the gold coins, then came in.

He glanced at the oddly shaped dumplings and said without thinking, “Whose dumplings are these? They’re hideous.”

Chi Yunxing: “…”

Duan Zhiyan fired back instantly, “Better than yours.”

Chi Xiwen was about to say something else, but then he spotted the dumpling still in Chi Yunxing’s hand and fell silent.

Tan Yao shot him a glare. “Why is it always you that have the most to say?”

Yu Qiu laughed out loud.

Tan Yao added, “All talk, no action—when are you going to bring home a girlfriend? Look at Yunxing! He’s seven years younger and already in a relationship!”

Chi Xiwen: “…”

Should’ve kept his mouth shut.

“Want the gold coins or not?” he asked, quickly changing the subject.

Tan Yao huffed and reached out for them.

Everyone except Chi Yunxing had made uniform dumplings, so Tan Yao and Yu Qiu easily tucked the two coins into dumplings that would be impossible to pick out.

“Let’s see which two lucky ones get them this year!” Yu Qiu said with a grin.

Duan Zhiyan turned to Chi Yunxing. “You’ll get one.”

Chi Xiwen actually agreed. “Yunxing will definitely get one.”

Chi Yunxing laughed. “How are you all so sure? It’s random.”

Chi Xiwen said, “Just don’t eat the ones you made.”

Duan Zhiyan added, “I’ll eat all your crooked dumplings. That’ll boost your odds.”

Chi Yunxing sighed. “Why am I not happy about that at all?”

Tan Yao and Yu Qiu both laughed and nodded in agreement. “Yes, Yunxing, don’t eat your own dumplings.”

Chi Yunxing gave up.

Dinner was lavish. Dumplings were just one of many dishes. They only made 66 in total—a lucky number.

Yu Qiu collected the dumplings and boiled them once the water was ready.

Tan Yao sent everyone to wash up while she finished preparing.

Once the dumplings were cooked and floating, she called out, “Dinner’s ready!”

The table was filled with dishes, and everyone had a plate of dumplings.

Outside, the sky was dark. The Spring Festival Gala would be starting after the news. Glasses clinked, and the New Year’s Eve dinner officially began.

Duan Yu was talkative, keeping the table lively with his chatter and jokes.

Chi Yunxing listened while eating, a smile glued to his face.

Midway through, Tan Yao asked, “Has anyone gotten a gold coin yet?”

“Not yet!” Duan Yu replied.

“Eat up, then!” Yu Qiu urged.

Grandma Chi took the lead. “Alright, I’ll give it a try!”

She picked up a dumpling and bit into it—then paused. She set the half-bitten dumpling on a clean plate, and with a crisp clink, a gleam of gold peeked through the filling.

“Grandma’s luck is off the charts!” Chi Xiwen exclaimed.

Chi Ling grinned. “Mom’s got amazing luck!”

Tan Yao clapped. “If Mom got the gold coin, her health this year will be fantastic!”

“Definitely!” Chi Yunxing beamed.

“Guess I should look forward to playing badminton with Grandma next year,” Duan Yu joked.

Grandma laughed. “You’re all so smooth with words! But no red envelopes tonight—those come tomorrow!”

The table roared with laughter.

Duan Zhiyan leaned over. “Yunxing, try one.”

Chi Yunxing sighed. “You really think I’ll get lucky like Grandma?”

“Try,” Zhiyan said firmly.

Chi Yunxing chuckled and picked one up.

Nothing.

Zhiyan frowned.

Chi Yunxing laughed. “It’s not like not getting a coin means bad luck.”

Zhiyan smiled. “True. I just want you to have the best luck possible.”

Chi Yunxing blushed and darted a glance around to make sure no one had overheard.

Their chairs were close. He leaned in and whispered, “But I already feel really lucky—just being here, with everyone, is enough.”

This cozy family moment was something he hadn’t dared to dream of in the past. He was already grateful.

Zhiyan’s chest tightened. His gaze dropped to Yunxing’s lips, and suddenly, he couldn’t help it.

So he kissed him.

It was soft, simple—no heat, just tenderness.

Chi Yunxing’s eyes flew wide open.

There were so many people here!

What was Zhiyan thinking?!

Yu Qiu chuckled, “What a sweet couple.”

Chi Yunxing blushed furiously and wanted to crawl under the table.

Tan Yao smiled. “Reminds me of you and Duan Yu back when you first got together.”

Grandma Chi chimed in, “Yes! They were always sneaking kisses in front of me and the old man. So clingy!”

Yu Qiu flushed a little. “Why are we talking about me now?”

Duan Zhiyan said dryly, “Because you talk too much.”

“You call that talking to your mom?!”

“Okay, then I won’t talk to you.”

Everyone laughed.

Chi Yunxing was too embarrassed to join in and just kept eating quietly.

Soon, only one dumpling remained on his plate. He popped it in without thinking.

Crunch.

His eyes watered instantly.

Zhiyan noticed and leaned in. “Yunxing? What’s wrong?”

Yunxing’s pale face made his red eyes stand out. Everyone looked over.

“What happened?”

“Are you okay?”

“You didn’t…”

Before anyone could finish the sentence, Yunxing spit out a shiny gold coin.

The second one.

The whole table relaxed.

“I knew it!” Chi Xiwen shouted. “Yunxing would get one!”

Duan Zhiyan smiled as he wiped Yunxing’s tears. “Does it hurt?”

Yunxing shook his head. “Just a little sore.”

Chi Ling frowned. “Should’ve used purer gold. I brought hard gold thinking it’d hold up better in the dumplings…”

“It’s okay,” Yunxing said. “I wasn’t paying attention.”

Tan Yao laughed. “Well, that’s the last one. The rest of us don’t have to worry about chipping a tooth.”

Everyone laughed again.

Chi Yunxing and Duan Zhiyan finished eating and stepped away from the table.

Duan Zhiyan washed the coin and handed it to Chi Yunxing. “Keep it safe—it’s your good luck for the whole year.”

Chi Yunxing smiled and tucked it into his pocket.

The house was a bit stuffy, so they bundled up and stepped onto the balcony.

Chi Yunxing felt a warmth bloom in his chest. He turned to look at Duan Zhiyan.

Duan Zhiyan noticed his gaze and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “What is it?”

Chi Yunxing shook his head, then smiled. “Nothing. I’m just… really happy.”

Today was so full of joy. His smile grew and grew. This was the happiest New Year he’d had in over a decade. Truly.

The balcony was dark, starlight flickering in Duan Zhiyan’s eyes. He stared at Chi Yunxing and smiled softly.

“Yunxing,” he said quietly.

“Hmm?”

“We’ll spend many more New Years together. I’ll always keep you this happy.”

Their eyes met. Neither knew who moved first, but their breaths mingled again.

Chi Yunxing wrapped his arms around Duan Zhiyan’s neck and boldly kissed him.

Duan Zhiyan’s grip tightened at his waist. The kiss deepened.

After a long while, Chi Xiwen’s voice echoed from below, “Yunxing! Fireworks?”

Chi Yunxing finally pulled away, panting, his lips wet and swollen. He clung to Duan Zhiyan’s collar to steady himself.

Duan Zhiyan pressed a kiss to his forehead. “Fireworks?”

Chi Yunxing smiled. “Let’s go.”

Downstairs, Chi Xiwen called again, impatient, “Are you guys going or not? I’ll go myself!”

Chi Yunxing leaned over the balcony and shouted, “Coming—!”

Chi Xiwen jumped. “You scared me!”

“You’re so picky!” Chi Yunxing shouted back.

As they went down, Chi Yunxing muttered, “Ge really needs to find someone.”

Duan Zhiyan looked at him, then at Chi Xiwen downstairs holding a mountain of firecrackers. He sighed. “That’s easier said than done.”

Chi Yunxing laughed out loud.

Duan Zhiyan joined him.

Hearing their laughter, Chi Xiwen looked at them in confusion. “What’s so funny?”

Together, they said, “Nothing.” And laughed again.

Chi Xiwen: “…”

He was starting to understand why Grandma called him a third wheel.

He really was kinda bright.