Chapter 27 – Four – To Meet Yan Ankuo

Bian Ji watched him walk into the elevator, silently wishing him “Happy New Year” in his heart. After confirming that he had gone upstairs, Bian Ji was finally at ease to do other things, such as checking out the “checklist” left behind by the other party.

As Bian Ji expected, Yan Ankuo’s handwriting matched his personality — a distinct and meticulous style, vigorous and powerful. Even the paper torn from a notebook was neatly cut with clear edges.

The “checklist” contained only three lines: 1. Take cough and phlegm medicine after meals 2. Three times a day, one pill each time, continue for one to two weeks 3. Eat light food, try to sleep early

Bian Ji’s smile deepened as he read it. He picked up the ballpoint pen from the drawer and added another item to the checklist: 4. Meet Yan Ankuo during the first week after the New Year.

Before completing the fourth item on the list, Bian Ji met Tang Pingxia first.

Bian Ji had a flight duty on New Year’s Eve, so he couldn’t spend the holiday in the country. He could only arrange to meet Tang Pingxia the day before.

They met at a popular restaurant on the Yellow River Road. Fortunately, one of Bian Ji’s colleagues had reserved a seat half a year ago but had to fly out last minute and couldn’t make it, so the private room was passed on to Bian Ji. The decoration inside had a luxurious tone reminiscent of the decadent times of the previous century. Bian Ji guessed that Tang Pingxia would like it.

Bian Ji rarely missed when guessing someone’s preferences, and this time was no exception. After Tang Pingxia walked in wearing her expensive high heels, she spent nine minutes out of ten talking about how similar the style of the place was to what she saw when she was young. The remaining minute was spent asking Bian Ji how he had been recently.

“It’s been good,” Bian Ji replied, picking out the phrase related to himself, a casual greeting, and politely asked back, “And you?”

Tang Pingxia had a new, exquisite hairstyle, and her nail art was trendy, fitting for the New Year. Without even asking, it was clear she was doing well. She ordered a cup of hot red wine and looked out the window indifferently. “Same as usual, anyway, definitely better than before.”

Bian Ji knew that “before” referred to before the divorce. He had nothing to say, only smiling, “That’s good then.”

“Hey, where’s your dad?” Tang Pingxia tilted her chin and asked.

Bian Ji answered honestly, “I don’t know.”

When Tang Pingxia divorced Bian Cheng, she took nothing with her. Later, when the real estate market boomed, she used the money from selling her house in her hometown to become one of the early people to tap into internet traffic. Although Tang Pingxia’s eye for men wasn’t great, her insight into the market was sharp. She caught almost every wave of the times, earning a fortune in the high-speed economic development, completely different from the Tang Pingxia who had just graduated from high school, fled south, and was hurt by marriage.

Perhaps due to some form of avoidance, she rarely mentioned Bian Cheng — the man who had witnessed her disheveled state and dealt her a heavy blow.

Bian Ji also seldom mentioned him. Honestly speaking, after the age of twelve, Bian Ji rarely saw him. Bian Cheng remarried soon after the divorce, while Bian Ji was sent to live with distant relatives for schooling until he returned to Guangdong for high school.

Tang Pingxia’s glass of red wine was empty, and Bian Ji asked the waiter for another. He wanted her to drink more slowly. The waiter also served several western desserts, inviting them to enjoy them leisurely.

Mother and son didn’t seem close, chatting sporadically.

“Mom, is it cold over there?”

“Colder than Shanghai, I have to turn on the floor heating and humidifier every day.”

“How about Grandpa and Grandma?”

“Don’t know, haven’t contacted them. They’re probably celebrating the New Year with their precious son.”

Hearing this, Bian Ji put down his chopsticks, looking at Tang Pingxia with a sense of shared sorrow.

“Aobao,” Tang Pingxia seemed completely unaware that the person sitting across from her was already an adult, still using his childhood nickname, “Do you hate your mom?”

Bian Ji was stunned for a moment before realizing she was talking to him, asking her to change the way she addressed him, then asking, “Why would I hate you?”

“For not taking you away back then.”

This question came up once a year, and Bian Ji didn’t know how to answer. He still used last year’s response: “You had your reasons back then, and you hoped I would have a better life.”

As in the past, this topic was considered closed at this point. Tang Pingxia pulled out a bank card from her small, fragrant leather wallet and pushed it towards Bian Ji. “Use this if you run out of money, the password is my birthday.”

“No need,” Bian Ji firmly pushed it back. “Mom, I’m over thirty now.”

“At forty, I’m still your mom and can still give you a New Year’s red envelope.” Tang Pingxia insisted.

Bian Ji shook his head, “I haven’t spent last year’s red envelope yet, I really don’t need it.”

Tang Pingxia pointed at him, not allowing him to refuse. “Until you get married, you can’t refuse it.”

“…” Bian Ji said helplessly, “You know I can’t get married.”

In the end, they still ended up discussing this topic. Tang Pingxia was silent for two seconds before saying, “Even if you don’t get married, don’t be so casual. Look at your previous partners, which one seemed serious about dating you?”

Bian Ji was a little angry, “Don’t talk about your own son like that.”

Tang Pingxia explained, “I just hope you can settle down. Flying around all the time, who can control you?”

Bian Ji looked unwilling to continue the conversation, “I’m not a child anymore, I know how to handle intimate relationships.”

From past experience, whether discussing partners or sexual orientation, mother and son inevitably ended up in a big argument. At this time of year and in this environment, Tang Pingxia didn’t want to argue, “Sexual orientation can also change, don’t speak so definitively.”

After saying this, Tang Pingxia stood up, gracefully picking up her coat and draping it over her shoulders, “Alright, Xiao Rui has been making a fuss, her father can’t control her, I have to go — I wish you a Happy New Year, may your flights be smooth.”

Bian Ji swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue, stood up, and escorted her downstairs, helping her call a car to the hotel. He responded, “Happy New Year.”

On the last day of the lunar calendar, the whole country was celebrating the arrival of the Year of the Dragon. The airport was filled with people eager to return home for the New Year’s Eve dinner.

Bian Ji and his colleagues were exceptions to the tide of Spring Festival travel, going against the flow of people returning home, boarding a plane bound for London, England.

The airline had imbued the Chinese sense of ceremony into the details, having the crew wear red scarves, hanging dragon totems as decorations, and even replacing the soap holders in the washrooms with red ones.

Bian Ji’s skin was naturally pale, accentuated by the festive colors, and coupled with his eye-catching uniform as a flight attendant, he seemed to glow in the crowd.

There weren’t many passengers on today’s flight; those choosing to go abroad on New Year’s Eve were few. The cabin service pressure was much less than usual. There were only two people in first class, a mother and daughter, the girl with blonde hair and blue eyes, seemingly of mixed Anglo-Chinese heritage.

The little girl frowned and asked her mother in English, “How long until we get to London?”

Her mother also responded in English, “Eight hours more, sweetie, take a nap.”

The little girl shook her head, pouting, “I don’t want to sleep…I want Daddy!”

“Daddy is waiting for us in London.” Her mother wiped her little eyes and pinched her cheeks, “Sleep for a bit and you’ll see him.”

“But, my birthday is almost over, he promised to celebrate my birthday with me.” The little girl was still upset, sounding like she was about to cry.

No matter how her mother tried to soothe her, it was of no use. She called over a flight attendant for help, asking if they had any drinks or food that could distract the child.

“We have hot milk, tea, juice, and mineral water available, which one would you like?” Bian Ji patiently inquired.

The mother asked the little girl which one she wanted, but she remained listless, not wanting anything to drink, muttering, “Daddy doesn’t keep his promises. I hate Daddy.”

Bian Ji squatted down, magically pulling out a model airplane with a post-it note attached, asking in English, “Little friend, do you see this toy?”

The girl was startled, her eyes instantly brightening as she saw the model inside the glass case. She tugged on her mother’s sleeve, her English becoming rapid, “Can I have it?”

The woman looked embarrassed, Bian Ji smiled at her reassuringly, then turned to the little girl, “This is your birthday gift, you can have it without asking your mom’s permission.”

“Okay!” The little girl happily swung her legs back and forth, clapping her hands like a little seal, “Thank you, you’re so handsome!”

“Thank you, you’re also very pretty!” Bian Ji responded with a smile to the compliment from the child, continuing, “Also, I have a little secret, do you want to know?”

The little girl perked up at the word “secret,” instinctively leaning in closer to Bian Ji’s mouth to hear quietly, “Then whisper it to me softly.”

“When you arrive in London, it’s still February 9th,” Bian Ji didn’t explain too much about the incomprehensible concept of time zones to the child, instead using a more romantic approach, “So, you can celebrate your birthday again!”

The little girl’s eyes shone as she asked, “Really? Then my daddy can celebrate my birthday with me?”

The girl’s mother hurriedly interjected, “Yes, Daddy will meet us at the airport, you can see him when you wake up.”

“Okay!” The girl immediately lay down halfway, “I’ll sleep now.”

The beautiful woman covered her with a blanket, looking gratefully at the chief flight attendant, mouthing a “thanks.”

Bian Ji waved his hand, smiling and wishing her a happy Chinese New Year.

The plane arrived in London on schedule. Bian Ji stood at the cabin door, nodding goodbye to each passenger individually. The little girl’s mother was on the phone, apparently informing her husband of their meeting location.

As they passed Bian Ji, the little girl excitedly waved at him, “Goodbye, I really like the gift, your eyes are so beautiful!”

“Thank you, happy birthday,” Bian Ji also waved, patting her head, “See you later.”

After seeing off all the passengers, Bian Ji led a group of attendants in cleaning and inspecting the cabin. When he disembarked and passed through the transparent jet bridge, Bian Ji discovered that there were scattered snowflakes falling from the sky above the airport.

They weren’t dense, but under the strong light, they were very noticeable.

Taking advantage of the few people around, Bian Ji stood far away, photographing the light beam for a long time. Then, he selected the most aesthetically pleasing photo, adjusted the brightness and contrast, and planned to send it to Yan Ankuo.

Turning on his phone and disabling the flight mode, Bian Ji immediately received many new messages. Most of them were congratulating him on the New Year, including one from Yan Ankuo.

He replied to each one, and only then did he open the chat with Yan Ankuo, sending the message: [It’s snowing.] It was already midnight in Shanghai, so no one replied. Bian Ji dragged his suitcase to the hotel, swiped his card, and fell heavily onto the bed.

At this time, it was unlikely to receive any messages from home. Bian Ji was prepared to reply to the New Year’s greetings from overseas colleagues or international friends. Unexpectedly, the message actually came from Yan Ankuo.

[Such lucky? It didn’t snow in Shanghai.] Bian Ji was shocked: [Aren’t you sleeping yet?] Considering the time, it was already past three o’clock in the morning in Shanghai.

Yan Ankuo said: [No, I’m staying up for the New Year.] It was the first time Bian Ji heard that staying up for the New Year meant staying up all night. He inwardly criticized Yan Ankuo for lying, then sent another short video: [Then take a look at the snow?] Yan Ankuo watched the video twice before replying: [Very beautiful. Have you eaten the New Year’s Eve dinner?] Bian Ji said: [Not yet. Are you watching the New Year’s Gala?] Yan Ankuo: [The gala ended a long time ago, I’m spacing out, what about you?] Bian Ji: [I just got back to the hotel, I’ll go find something to eat soon. Which program tonight was interesting?] Just as Yan Ankuo was about to reply, he suddenly received a call from an unknown number.

To receive a call at this hour was unusual. He stared at the number for a long time, finding it odd. By the time the phone vibrated for the third time, he answered the call.

This time, he didn’t speak, but waited for the other party to speak first. The other party didn’t make a sound either, and they held the silence for two seconds before Yan Ankuo hung up the call.

The screen hadn’t even dimmed yet. Yan Ankuo looked at the string of virtual numbers, his brows unconsciously furrowed tightly.