BOSF 017: The Xiang Family’s Baby

Xiang Jie was born safely, bringing joy to Xiang Yang’s parents. But as a premature baby, his frail health tempered their happiness with worry, making them extra cautious.

Ji Yan and Xiang Yang learned of the birth only after returning home from school. Lin Yueqin, waiting for them, knew she couldn’t communicate with Xiang Yang and spoke to Ji Yan instead. “His parents asked if Xiang Yang wants to visit his brother in the hospital.”

Li Lilian, recovering from childbirth, and the newborn, needing an incubator, would stay in the hospital for days. Xiang Hongxiu, busy tending to them, had no time for Xiang Yang. If Xiang Yang wanted to go, fine; if not, there was little his father could do. Compared to Li Lilian’s distant attitude, Xiang Hongxiu seemed even colder toward his son.

Ji Yan relayed the message to Xiang Yang, acting as his spokesperson, as Xiang Yang only listened to him. Xiang Yang was shy, especially in unfamiliar places, becoming anxious and needing time to adjust. Even going to school, he stuck to one route. He’d only entered Ji Yan’s home last time because Ji Yan led him. A hospital, with its chaotic crowds and noise, was far worse.

Unsurprisingly, Xiang Yang refused to go.

Lin Yueqin passed this on to Xiang Hongxiu, who was helpless. At fifteen, most kids could manage alone, but Xiang Yang wasn’t “normal.” After discussion, Xiang Hongxiu decided to stop by home for clothes, entrusting Lin Yueqin with their house keys and money for Xiang Yang’s meals, asking her family to look after him.

As the saying goes, a close neighbor is better than a distant relative. Though Lin Yueqin found it bothersome, she didn’t want to seem unkind and reluctantly agreed.

This “neighborly” gesture, however, irked Ji Qiuyuan. He complained that work was hard enough; he wanted to relax at home, not deal with extra trouble. Xiang Yang’s last visit had made things awkward, and he didn’t want that daily.

Lin Yueqin snapped back, “What am I supposed to do? They’re having a baby—how can we not help? You’re so good at talking, go tell them yourself.”

“You agreed, not me. Why should I say it?”

“Helping a neighbor is normal. You don’t have to cook or serve—why complain?”

“I’m the one earning money. Why can’t I complain? You’re the one cozying up to them, now deal with it. Just mind our own business.”

Locked in their room, Ji Qiuyuan and Lin Yueqin bickered over trivialities, their differing views fueling endless arguments. Ji Yan was used to it—pointless quarrels with no resolution.

In the end, Xiang Yang stayed at his own home, with Ji Yan bringing him dinner each evening.

In the empty house, Xiang Yang seemed unbothered, unfazed even by his brother’s birth. He stayed in his familiar space, doing his usual repetitive tasks, indifferent to others’ opinions or treatment.

Watching him eat slowly, Ji Yan’s heart ached. “Xiang Yang…”

When called, Xiang Yang paused, chopsticks down, gazing at Ji Yan intently. His face showed little expression, but his eyes held warmth. Ji Yan could tell Xiang Yang was progressing, listening, responding in ways others couldn’t elicit—a sign he’d reached Xiang Yang’s inner world.

“We’ll both get better,” Ji Yan said, to Xiang Yang and himself.

A newborn brought joy to a family, but not to everyone. Life went on, time unstoppable.

Since Xiang Yang’s haircut, more girls noticed his appearance. People were superficial, and where he once sat ignored in the classroom’s back corner, now girls approached him during breaks, trying to talk, leaving candies on his desk.

Once, passing Class 4’s back door, Ji Yan saw Xiang Yang surrounded by girls, his desk adorned with sweets. Normally aloof, Xiang Yang, under Ji Yan’s guidance, had begun making eye contact and responding with simple words. Familiarity with classmates’ faces made him less resistant. Though not yet conversational, his progress was significant.

Watching from outside, Ji Yan was genuinely happy for Xiang Yang’s growth, more than anyone. Yet, inexplicably, he felt a pang of loss, a sourness rising. With Xiang Yang responding to others, Ji Yan felt less special. Their closeness seemed to stretch distant. Would they one day drift apart?

Unaware of his subtle jealousy, Ji Yan thought he was just envious of Xiang Yang’s popularity with girls.

After school, Ji Yan went to fetch Xiang Yang and saw the candies untouched on his desk. Casually, he asked, “Who gave you these?”

Xiang Yang didn’t answer complex questions, but upon seeing Ji Yan, his gaze fixed on him. “For…”

Ji Yan guessed his intent. “For me?”

“Mm.” Xiang Yang’s serious nod carried a hint of anticipation, even nervousness, in his dark eyes.

It was the first time Xiang Yang had given him something. Though just candies from others, Ji Yan imagined Xiang Yang saving them for him, lifting his mood. He realized he’d overlooked much—Xiang Yang, growing up, might have wants he couldn’t express, silenced by his parents’ indifference. No pocket money, accepting only what was given. This ordinary candy felt precious.

Ji Yan forgave Xiang Yang’s popularity with girls. He ate one candy, fed another to Xiang Yang, and smiled. “So sweet.”

A week later, Li Lilian was discharged, bringing the healthy baby home. It was late June, final exams done, and summer vacation had begun.

Postpartum customs kept Li Lilian homebound, and the newborn wasn’t to be visited. Xiang Hongxiu, supporting the family, couldn’t stay home, and with no relatives nearby, Lin Yueqin helped again.

Ji Qiuyuan grumbled endlessly, but Lin Yueqin ignored him. He dared not complain to the neighbors, earning her subtle jabs. Their childish arguments over who was right continued.

Ji Yan tuned them out, wishing they’d embarrass themselves.

During summer break, he clarified to Xiang Yang that school was out, so Xiang Yang didn’t wait foolishly at the door like during winter break. Ji Yan missed that naive Xiang Yang but wouldn’t trick him.

With the baby, Ji Yan had to be cautious visiting Xiang Yang—washing hands with soap, closing doors to keep out drafts, and avoiding the newborn.

Xiang Hongxiu bought a fancy crib for Xiang Jie, placed in their bedroom, his love and expectations clear. Xiang Yang was often barred from going out, to avoid bringing germs home.

Unable to take him out, Ji Yan stayed in Xiang Yang’s room to play.

On Xiang Jie’s one-month celebration, per custom, his parents distributed sticky rice with chicken legs, red eggs, and mooncakes from a pricey, renowned shop. The grander the gifts, the more it showed parental devotion.

Ji Yan ate the rice, listening to Lin Yueqin recall how lavishly Xiang Yang’s parents celebrated his birth. The conversation trailed off, leaving a bittersweet aftertaste. Everyone praised the food, but to Ji Yan, it tasted bland.

After the celebration, neighbors visited the baby. Ji Yan finally saw Xiang Jie—big-eyed, chubby-cheeked, curiously watching the adults. He studied the baby’s features, seeing little resemblance, though others said he looked like his mother, a beautiful child.

Ji Yan, biased toward Xiang Yang, thought Xiang Yang was surely cuter as a baby.

The two-month summer break passed quickly. Ji Yan often heard the baby’s cries from next door, learning his prematurity led to frequent hospital visits.

Li Lilian’s pregnancy with Xiang Jie was harder than with Xiang Yang, full of struggles. Perhaps because of this, knowing how hard-won he was, Xiang Jie was cherished even more.