Xie Ning returned to the compound for the year.
When Uncle Zhong saw him, a smile blossomed on his face: "The old man is looking forward to your coming."
As he said, he took his luggage: "Last time, the snowflake cake you asked Wu Shu to bring, the old man liked it very much. I have to taste such a piece every day, but I'm afraid that it will disappear after eating too much."
Xie Ning smiled: "Grandpa loves to eat, I will buy more in the future."
"The old man likes to eat whatever you bring." Uncle Zhong sent his luggage to the room. "This room is cleaned every day. No matter what day you come, you can stay at any time."
Xie Ning said, "This time I will live until the end of the year... Where's Grandpa? Have you gone out?"
Uncle Zhong sighed: "I just fell asleep. It's been cold these past two days, and the old man's health is not very good. I woke up in the middle of the night and didn't fall asleep, and I felt sleepy after lunch today."
Xie Ning: "Then don't bother him, let him sleep more."
Uncle Zhong nodded again and again, smiling until the wrinkles on his face were crowded into a ball: "The old man must be happy to see you when he wakes up!"
Xie Ning glanced at the room, the furnishings in the room remained unchanged, exactly the same as when he moved out.
The few pots of unknown flowers he kept on the balcony also stretched their branches and leaves against the winter sun, and they were well taken care of on weekdays.
Uncle Zhong watched Xie Ning hang his clothes in the closet, and then watched him put a rabbit doll on the bedside, and smiled: "I don't know that the young master likes this?"
Xie Ning was stunned, he didn't know why he brought it here.
When packing my luggage, I always feel that only with this rabbit doll can I sleep peacefully and comfortably at night.
"It's cute, but it's a little small." Uncle Zhong said, "It's a plush doll, it needs to be bigger to be comfortable to hold."
Xie Ning thought about it and said, "I just like this."
The sons of the Xie family are weak, and Mr. Xie has only two sons, Xie Zun and Xie Jing. Grandma Xie Ning never remarried after her death.
After the two sons got married, they moved out one after another and had other houses, but they all went back to the compound for the New Year to spend with Mr. Xie.
At the age of 30, Xie Ning's parents and uncle's family rushed back to the compound one after another.
The New Year's Eve dinner was prepared in its own kitchen. Xia Wan and Xie Zun's wife, Su Jinyan, sat on the large sofa in the living room, chatting and making dumplings.
Making dumplings is a special activity of the Xie family during the Chinese New Year. The skins and fillings are prepared in the kitchen early in the morning. They just need to make them by hand.
Even the old man Xie came to pack a few, and put a copper coin into one of the dumplings himself.
At the New Year's Eve, whoever eats copper coins is blessed.
"Where did Ning Ning go, why haven't I seen him all day?" Su Jinyan raised her chin at Xia Wan and smiled.
Xia Wan wrapped up slowly, frowned at this moment, and said, "Stay in the room, this child has a dull temper and likes to be alone."
Su Jinyan said: "It's good to be quiet. Our family An'an loves to be noisy. We often play outside until midnight before going home. If he asks him to come back sooner, he says it's a work entertainment and can't be dismissed."
Xia Wan knew that she was secretly showing off her son, so she twitched the corners of her mouth and smiled insincerely, not answering the question.
Su Jinyan said again: "Is your relationship with Ningning still cold? I said that there is no deep hatred between your mother and son. He is stubborn, so you should be soft. What can't you do?"
The smile on Xia Wan's face stopped.
She frowned: "What sister-in-law said, I haven't been soft enough all these years? He likes men, do I still want to laugh and watch him go down this wrong path?"
Su Jinyan persuaded her: "Same-sex marriage has been legal for so many years, why is it going astray?"
Xia Wan said coldly: "Look at the people around you, how can anyone marry the same sex? I stopped him for his own good!"
"Children and grandchildren have their own children and grandchildren." Su Jinyan saw her expression, and her tone became worse, "What are you worrying about?"
Xia Wan raised her eyebrows and looked at her, and said, "It's not your son, so you naturally don't worry about it. If Xie An also likes men, wouldn't you stop it and accept it easily?"
Su Jinyan was choked by this sentence, and then said with a sigh of relief: "He is an adult. As long as he doesn't commit murder or break the law, he will be the master of other matters. Of course, I respect his wishes."
Xie An had several girlfriends with straight sexuality, and Su Jinyan never worried about this problem.
Xia Wan sneered in her heart.
Easier said than done.
Who doesn't know that Su Jinyan urges Xie An to get married every day, and hopes that he will have a child soon so that he can inherit the huge Xie family's property.
Now respect his wishes one by one. If Xie Anzhen is with a man, she is afraid that she will be the first to turn his face.
On New Year's Eve, Xia Wan didn't want to make trouble with her, but she lost the interest in gossip, so she stood up sullenly: "Sister-in-law, wrap it up first, I'll go see if the chicken soup in the kitchen is simmered."
Seeing her like this, Su Jinyan turned her head and complained to Xie Zun.
Xie Zun didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Why are you poking at her heart like that? That's their family's business, and you're the one who cares."
Su Jinyan snorted: "The old man's heart is too partial to Xie Ning, 10% of the shares are not discussed with us, and they are transferred directly to Xie Ning. We have worked hard in the company for so many years. Feelings are working for Shaining."
Xie Zun knew more than Su Jinyan, and shook his head: "This is Dad compensating Xie Ning. You also know that at the beginning, the old man was afraid that I would fight with Xie Jing, and assigned Xie Jing to start a business in the south. Xie Ning followed, the old man and this little grandson only see each other a few times a year, I thought to myself, and Xie Ning is in the south..."
He paused, didn't say anything, and said instead: "Xie Ning doesn't know anything about shopping malls. The old man didn't want to train him at all. No matter how he prefers, it's just his love for his grandson. Xie An is the heir in his mind."
Su Jinyan responded: "Our family An An is already excellent."
Xie Zun added: "When the old man is here, pay attention to what you say and don't irritate Xia Wan. She can't get rid of her heart disease. Let's not mix it up. Let's have a good New Year."
Su Jinyan was told half a lesson by him, and nodded reluctantly: "Got it."
With Mr. Xie in town, this New Year's Eve dinner was quite harmonious.
Xie Zun took the lead, everyone stood up and said two words of blessing, and wished the old man a happy new year.
After Xie Ning finished speaking, Auntie Rong came over with dumplings and distributed a few to each person's bowl: "Everyone made this with their own hands, and they are full of luck."
Xie Jing poked a dumpling in his bowl that was about to be filled, and said, "This must be made by Xia Wan."
Xia Wan turned his head and glanced, stretched out his hand to grab the meat on his arm, and twisted: "If you dislike it, give it to me."
Xie Jing hurriedly said: "Don't dislike it, I eat, I eat."
Mr. Xie smiled and watched them make trouble, but he felt a bit of joy as a family.
Xie Ning took a bite of the dumplings in his bowl, and suddenly his teeth were knocked by something hard.
It looks like a stone, and when I look down, I find it is a copper coin.
The old man Xie said with a smile: "This copper coin I wrapped was eaten by you this year."
Everyone followed suit: "Good omen!"
Father Xie said, "Ning Ning is a blessing, and there will be happy events in the coming year."
Xie Ning also laughed along with everyone.
For some reason, he suddenly thought that meeting Zhuang Yan would be a happy event for him.
…
It snowed again on the night of New Year's Eve.
There was also a thin layer of snow on the edge of the window sill. Xie Ning lay by the window and watched the scene of heavy snow for a while.
The temperature difference between indoors and outdoors was too great, and a layer of fog filled the glass windows, which seemed to blur the scenery outside the window.
The phone rang, and Xie Ning saw that it was Zhuang Yan who sent a photo.
He repeated the old trick and built a snow rabbit, but this time the rabbit was smaller, maybe the size of a cup.
Zhuang Yan: The snow is not heavy enough today, so I can only build a small one for you. Do you like it
As a director, Zhuang Yan has basic skills in photography. Even the photos taken without any filters and only with the camera of the mobile phone, both the composition and the picture are eye-catching.
In the photo, the Snow Rabbit is held in his palm, with an upside-down blessing on the wall behind him.
Shainin: The rabbits are not well piled up. The photos are very good.
Zhuang Yan's message came back quickly: I want to hold Mr. Rabbit in my hand.
Xie Ning looked at this sentence, and his face turned red unconsciously.
He exhaled lightly and returned an ellipsis to Zhuang Yan.
Shainin: …
Zhuang Yan: You haven't answered me yet, do you like it
Shainin: … I like it.
He looked at the photo, put down his phone suddenly, and used his fingers to sketch on the foggy glass window.
Xie Ning has solid basic skills, and with just a few strokes, he drew a blue whale.
Afraid that the fog on the windowsill would disperse quickly, he quickly took a photo and sent it to Zhuang Yan.
Zhuang Yan didn't expect to receive such a gift in return, so he let out a low laugh, his whole heart softened.
Zhuang Yan: Do you want Mr. Blue Whale to jump in from your windowsill
Shainin: …
Zhuang Yan: That might be a little difficult.
Shaining: You think too much.
Zhuang Yan: Although you didn't ask, I still want to say that I also like your gift very much.
"Ningning!" Before Xie Ning could reply, a shout suddenly sounded behind him.
He turned his head subconsciously, and the smile on his face didn't have time to restrain: "Grandpa, why are you here?"
Father Xie looked at him and smiled: "You are in a daze again, what are you thinking, so happy?"
Xie Ning shook his head: "Just chatting with a friend."
Mr. Xie sighed, and instead of asking further, he handed over a document.
Xie Ning reached out and took it, seeing the title on the cover, surprised: "This is..."
It is a purchase contract.
Father Xie asked, "I heard that you recently moved to the lakeside villa?"
Shainin: "Yes."
Mr. Xie added: "It's not bad, but the villa is too big, and you don't like too many people in your family. Living alone, it's too empty, and it's too lonely."
Xie Ning just shook his head: "I live well."
Mr. Xie said mildly: "This house is single-family, not as small as a single apartment, nor as big as a lakeside villa. It is very suitable for couples or couples to live in. This is a New Year's gift from Grandpa."
Xie Ning said quickly, "Xu Qing and I have broken up."
"The old ones don't go, the new ones don't come." Father Xie smiled, "I didn't like that kid from the Xu family, he was too frivolous. Grandpa doesn't mind that you like men, but he doesn't agree with you being with him, he is with you. Ah, not a man of the world."
Xie Ning's expression moved slightly.
Over the years, he used Xu Qing, his boyfriend, to reject the blind date arranged by Xia Wan. Mr. Xie never expressed his position. It was the first time that he knew that Mr. Xie was not optimistic about Xu Qing in his heart.
Mr. Xie continued: "Whether you like men or women, I have no problem with the old man. I just hope that Ningning in our family can find someone who really likes you and who is worthy of your love, and spend this life happily."
Xie Ning's nose was sour when he said it, and he hummed softly.
"This house is what I prepared for you and your future lover." Mr. Xie smiled, "It won't be crowded for two people, and it won't be too crowded if you live alone. The location is very good and the traffic is convenient. There is a shopping mall in the distance, and you can't find a better place in the whole city, so just accept it."
Xie Ning looked at the old man Xie, and only felt a warm heart: "Thank you grandpa..."
"Family, what are you saying?" Old man Xie shook his head with a smile. "Your father was sent to the south by me two years after you were born. Your mother was worried and insisted on going with you. Although I wanted to kill you Keeping it by your side is not good for breaking up your family of three..."
Mr. Xie said with a sigh and his eyes narrowed slightly: "If only I had left you at that time, after all these years, our grandfather and grandson will be able to see each other during the Chinese New Year."
Xie Ning lowered his head and said, "It's all in the past, didn't I come back to you?"
Father Xie nodded: "The past, since it has passed, I won't mention it."
Xie Ning looked at the house purchase contract in his hand and hesitated: "This gift is too expensive, my cousin..."
"It's so precious." Mr. Xie knew what he was worried about, and said, "An An's New Year's gift is a car, a global limited edition, and he likes it very much. I wanted to buy one for you, but remembered that you haven't taken the test yet. After I passed my driver's license, I replaced it with this house. I don't favor one over another."
Xie Ning was relieved and accepted this New Year's gift.
During the conversation with Mr. Xie, the phone continued to vibrate several times.
Xie Ning opened it, and Zhuang Yan sent a few more photos over. He seemed to be going out and took several pictures of the late night snow scene.
Xie Ning inexplicably felt that some of the scenery was particularly familiar.
Zhuang Yan: Are you celebrating Chinese New Year in the compound
Shaining: Hmm.
Zhuang Yan: My grandfather also lives in the compound. He and Mr. Xie are fishing friends.
Xie Ning was stunned: fishing friend
Zhuang Yan: Well, friends who were fishing together, they had an appointment to go out fishing two days ago.
That's it.
Before Xie Ning could return, Zhuang Yan quickly sent another message: I am celebrating the New Year with grandpa today.
Xie Ning opened his eyes slightly, that is to say...
Zhuang Yan: I am also in the compound.
Zhuang Yan: It seems to be quite close to you.
Zhuang Yan: Do you want to come out to see me
Shainin: It's so late...
Zhuang Yan: Just in time for New Year's Eve together.
Xie Ning was holding the phone, actually a little moved.
Zhuang Yan added: "It's too late if you don't want to see it.
Zhuang Yan: Mr. Blue Whale can't jump in from your windowsill, but he has already walked to your door.
Xie Ning was surprised: ! ! !
He subconsciously looked out the window to the gate, but was blocked by the trees in the garden.
Zhuang Yan: I am waiting for you.
When Xie Ning came back to his senses and walked to the gate in a trance, he realized that he was clutching the phone tightly, and his heartbeat seemed to jump out of his chest.
Outside the gate, Zhuang Yan was covered with snowflakes, his hands in his pockets, and the corners of his lips were raised to look at him amid the falling snow and the cold wind.
He smiled, his eyes twinkling as bright as the stars.
"Happy New Year, Ningning."
The author has something to say: I feel like I'm writing a blue whale and a rabbit fairy tale.
Zhuangzhuang: Now that we have a house, when can we live together
Ningning: Don't ask Ningning, Ningning doesn't know anything.