“The orchids you grow are gorgeous. My old man loves flowers, he got one from Old Man Wei and treats it like a treasure. Makes me feel like I’m worth less than a plant.” Chang Jin sighed dramatically.
“You are just a roadside weed. How could you compare to an orchid?” Tang Yu couldn’t resist teasing him.
“If I’m a weed, then you’re the morning glory growing next to me. We’re a match made in heaven.” Chang Jin grinned shamelessly.
“What’s all this about?” Qin Ruiwen looked lost.
“No surprise you wouldn’t know. Jiajia’s the ‘perfect child’ template our families’ old men used to lecture us. Having Wei Jing was bad enough, but then they had to add Yang Jiabo to the mix.” Chang Jin’s tone was half-joking, half-serious.
“The little boss actually knows Old Man Wei and them?” Qin Rong was shocked. Had I known, I wouldn’t have looked down on him. Anyone praised by those old men must have real skill.
“Not exactly. It’s our grandfathers who know the little boss.” Xu Chen glanced at Yang Jiabo. “The dried fish, cured meats, and preserved poultry at Old Man Wei’s place, those were from you, right?”
“I’ve sent some before.” Yang Jiabo had given them gifts over time, but he wasn’t sure if Xu Chen meant those specifically.
Wei Jing: “They were from Jiajia. Didn’t your family get some too?”
Xu Chen: “Next time, send more.”
Yang Jiabo: “…”
“Jiajia, I heard you were a top student. Don’t tell me you skipped grades like Wei Jing and finished college early?” Meng Fan asked curiously. Most universities weren’t on break yet.
Yang Jiabo: “I stopped going to school a long time ago.”
Meng Fan: “Why?”
“Meng-Three-Year-Old, shut up and eat.” Wei Jing tried to cut him off, but it was too late.
“It’s fine. I don’t mind talking about it.” Yang Jiabo smiled faintly. “I dropped out in my third year of middle school.”
“What a shame.” Zhang Yunwei’s sympathy held no malice or condescension.
“But you were a good student, right? Why drop out so early?” Qin Rong pressed, sensing drama.
“Got expelled for fighting.” Yang Jiabo shrugged.
“That is a shame.” Qin Rong’s tone carried a hint of schadenfreude.
“Jiajia, never took you for the hot-blooded type. But your life now seems great. It’d be even better if you gave me a flower.” Chang Jin grinned shamelessly.
“Sure.” Yang Jiabo nodded.
“Chang-Five-Year-Old, you’re shameless.” Meng Fan smirked at Yang Jiabo. “I want one too.”
Yang Jiabo: “Fine, pick one out yourself later.”
Xu Chen: “I don’t need flowers. Just pack me some of whatever tasty stuff you’ve got.”
Meng Fan: “Xu Chen, you gluttonous trash panda.”
“I’ll take cordyceps and fruit.” Ren Boying joined in.
Wei Jing scowled. “You’re all freeloading and packing souvenirs? That’s too much.”
Chang Jin: “Jiajia already agreed. Butt out. You’ve probably taken plenty yourself.”
Laughter filled the air, smoothly steering the conversation away from Yang Jiabo’s expulsion.
Despite occasional tension, the group stayed up until 1 a.m. Chang Jin stuck to Tang Yu like glue, and though she scolded him, she didn’t seem to mind. Meng Fan, drunk, dozed against Ren Boying’s shoulder.
Qin Rong, also tipsy, gazed dreamily at Wei Jing, ignoring Yang Jiabo entirely. Qin Ruiwen and Zhang Yunwei were deep in conversation, having forgotten about her.
“Wake Meng-Three-Year-Old up. It’s getting chilly.” Xu Chen reached out to shake Meng Fan.
“Don’t bother. I’ll carry him back.” Ren Boying scooped Meng Fan up and headed toward their bamboo house.
“It’s late. Everyone should rest.” Wei Jing helped Yang Jiabo clean up while urging the others to leave.
“Jiajia, let me help before I go.” Tang Yu rolled up her sleeves.
“No need! I’ll just tidy up roughly and have someone handle the rest tomorrow.” Yang Jiabo hurriedly stopped her.
“I’ll stay and help. The rest of you, go ahead.” Wei Jing shooed them off and worked with Yang Jiabo to clean.
An hour later, exhausted, they washed up and slept. The next morning, Yang Jiabo got up early to prepare breakfast, with Wei Jing assisting. Yang Jianjun, an early riser, pitched in when he saw them working.
Yang Jiabo made bone broth and congee, steamed buns, flaky layered buns, and soup dumplings, then set out pickled garlic stems, cowpeas, chive flowers, and radish strips in small dishes.
Yang Jianjun set up a large table on the bamboo terrace outside while Wei Jing helped serve. Once ready, they went next door to wake the others. After last night’s greasy feast, the light, refreshing breakfast was a welcome change.
Xu Chen, the foodie, praised Yang Jiabo’s cooking, especially the tangy pickles. After breakfast, the group visited the courtyard behind Yang Jiabo’s house, marveling at the exquisite orchids.
The three days flew by in a haze of eating. The group sampled everything the farm had to offer - livestock from the mountain, crops from the fields, seafood from the water. Qin Rong kept finding excuses to approach Wei Jing, while Meng-Three-Year-Old and Chang-Five-Year-Old deliberately antagonized her.
Initially, none of them had high expectations for the small farmstead. But after a few days of clean air, beautiful scenery, delicious food, and deep sleep, they were reluctant to leave.
At their departure, Yang Jiabo gifted each of them an orchid, leaving them touched. Yang Jianjun loaded their cars with peaches.
Ren Boying bought some cordyceps at a symbolic price. Qin Ruiwen also wanted to purchase some, but Yang Jiabo had too little left to sell. Though displeased, Qin Ruiwen hid it well.
The biggest winner was Chang Jin, whose shameless persistence won him a girlfriend. Second was Xu Chen, who emptied Yang Jiabo’s pantry of pickles.
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