Du Xiu Chapter 95

Returning to her alma mater brought back many amusing memories.

After taking Xie Shenci on a tour around the campus, Chu Duxiu led him down the snack street, treating him to all kinds of food until his sour mood turned sweet, making him forget the little episode with her middle school classmates.

The old-fashioned street was lined with shops on both sides, their snacks neatly displayed under transparent warming covers. Each time the covers were lifted, hot steam rose in curling wisps. Vendors called out from their stalls, and although it wasn’t yet the bustling Spring Festival holiday, the number of visitors passing by was already considerable.

The street gathered a wide array of local delicacies. As Chu Duxiu and Xie Shenci strolled along, nibbling here and there, pausing to admire the surroundings, the chill of winter outdoors was hardly felt.

In front of the stall, Xie Shenci speared a meatball with a long skewer and offered it to the person across from him first.

“There aren’t that many people right now,” Chu Duxiu said, glancing around as she leaned in to take a bite of the meatball from his hand. With her mouth still half-full, she added indistinctly, “During holidays, you can’t even squeeze in here.”

The snack street was right next to a scenic spot, surrounded by old buildings, so it naturally attracted plenty of tourists. Fortunately, they had returned two days earlier and avoided the crush of visitors during the Spring Festival.

At one end of the street stood a stone archway. Through it, several rows of wooden frames could be faintly seen, with strips of red cloth fluttering in the wind like ribbons.

Catching sight of the scene, Xie Shenci asked, “What’s over there?”

“It’s the gate to the old tower. Want to go take a look?” Chu Duxiu suggested. “I remember people hang wishing plaques there.”

The old tower was just a gate away from the snack street, yet the stone arch blocked out the bustling noise, leaving the area before the tower tranquil and sparsely visited.

A towering tree stretched up into the sky, its leaves sparse. Beneath it stood several rows of wooden racks hung with wooden plaques, each tied with a red cord. They swayed in the wind, producing crisp, light clinks.

Two or three tourists held plaques in their hands, writing on them with black marker pens before fastening them to the racks.

The wishing plaques were free, placed in bamboo baskets at the foot of the tree, with small tables beside them offering black markers for anyone to use.

“Since we’re already here, want to write one?” Chu Duxiu asked. “It’s a rare chance for a tourist experience.”

“Sure.”

Xie Shenci picked a wooden plaque from the basket, grabbed a black marker from the table, and handed one to Chu Duxiu as well.

The two of them stood by the wooden racks, heads lowered as they wrote down their wishes.

A passing breeze set the plaques clattering together with crisp sounds. The wishing plaques carried countless hopes and blessings, with more than a few couples writing their names side by side and hanging them on the racks as keepsakes.

Chu Duxiu, after finishing one plaque, went back to the bamboo basket and picked up another.

Xie Shenci casually jotted down a few strokes, but out of the corner of his eye, he noticed her plaque was covered in dense, tiny writing. Curiosity got the better of him, and he leaned closer to sneak a look.

Sensing his little move, Chu Duxiu immediately covered the plaque protectively. “What are you doing?”

Caught red-handed, Xie Shenci remained perfectly calm. “What did you write?”

Chu Duxiu replied, “That my family and friends stay healthy, safe, and happy.”

“And what else?”

“That next year I’ll have plenty of creative inspiration, and that my performances go smoothly.”

“Nothing more?”

“Mm… that Shanle keeps developing steadily, and that stand-up comedy continues to flourish…”

Xie Shenci asked about everything she had written, but none of it was what he wanted to hear. With a hint of grievance, he said, “You didn’t write about me.”

Chu Duxiu countered, “You’re included under ‘family and friends.’”

“That’s not the same. You didn’t write about us.”

“Our matters are things we can achieve ourselves, aren’t they?” she retorted firmly. “Or do you have some problem with me, and need to pray to the heavens to fix it?”

Struck by her counterattack, Xie Shenci was left speechless.

Chu Duxiu leaned closer to peek. “So what did you write?”

“Nothing.” Xie Shenci slipped his plaque into his pocket. “Almost put it in the wrong place. I suddenly realized – it doesn’t belong here.”

“Then where does it belong?”

“At the Civil Affairs Bureau,” he said solemnly, fixing his gaze on her. “You’re right -some wishes don’t need heaven’s help. We can make them happen ourselves.”

“???”

Chu Duxiu’s face flushed hot. She reached out and smacked him twice before finally hanging up her own wishing plaque on the rack.

She first tied up the plaque filled with her writing, then, sneaking a glance back at Xie Shenci and making sure he hadn’t noticed, she clapped her hands lightly as if nothing had happened.

Chu Duxiu said, “All done. Are you going to hang yours?”

“No.”

“If not, then shall we head home?”

At her words, something stirred in Xie Shenci. He strolled over to the wooden racks and suddenly reached out to grab one.

She hadn’t expected him to be so sharp. In a fluster, she rushed over – only to find that even though she had hidden it behind the others, he still managed to uncover it.

“This is about the two of us.” The corner of Xie Shenci’s lips curved upward as he brushed his thumb across the plaque. “It’d be a shame to just hang it here.”

Chu Duxiu had secretly written two wishing plaques – one with blessings for family and friends, and another sketched in black pen with a simple doodle. On it were a cat’s head and a rabbit’s head, decorated with hearts and stars. There were no extra words, but it stood out in its own way.

She didn’t know how to write lofty vows of eternal love, nor did she want to bluntly put down their names, so she quietly chose to speak through drawings instead – only to have him uncover it in one swift move.

With her little secret exposed, Chu Duxiu felt a bit embarrassed. She tried to keep a straight face. “That’s not about the two of us.”

He nodded. “Mm, I get it. It’s about the two animals.”

“…”

No words asking for everlasting love were written, and yet everything was already there, hidden in the cute cartoon doodles.

Xie Shenci turned the plaque over and over in his hands, clearly unable to put it down. At one point he even wanted to take it off and bring it home as a keepsake.

In the end, Chu Duxiu stopped his reckless idea, allowing only a photo for remembrance – lest removing it carry the wrong meaning.

*

Chu Duxiu and Xie Shenci spent several days sightseeing around Wencheng, visiting nearly all the attractions, until at last the Spring Festival arrived.

On New Year’s Eve, Wencheng was filled with people returning home for the holiday. Chu Shuangyou also came back from the southern part of the city to join the family for a reunion dinner.

“Happy New Year!”

“Happy New Year!”

Everyone gathered around the table, clinking glasses with bright smiles, and cheerfully enjoying the feast. It was a rare and precious time – the family of four reunited, with Xie Shenci visiting from afar, making the joy all the greater.

When Xie Shenci had first arrived in Wencheng, Chu Lan and Shi Qin had treated him with polite reserve. But after spending time together, they had long since grown familiar, and now their tone was casual and warm.

Sitting at the table, Shi Qin glanced around with a smile. “This year really is lively with so many people.”

Chu Lan raised his glass. “Xiao Xie, you must come again next year! We’ve already agreed – we’ll keep playing cards!”

Xie Shenci clinked glasses eagerly and promised, “Definitely. I’ll come every year for cards – and to learn cooking from Uncle, too.”

The group chatted and laughed, enjoying the feast. Afterwards, they all sat together to watch the Spring Festival Gala.

Shi Qin and Chu Lan sat on the long sofa cracking nuts, while the three younger ones sat on the other side, listening to the lively music from the TV.

Chu Lan said, “If you kids get bored, you can go out and have fun later. Your dad and I won’t be wandering around.”

Chu Shuangyou had never been interested in the gala. She stood up and suggested, “I’ll go pack my luggage, then let’s go set off some fireworks.”

Chu Duxiu replied, “Alright, we’ll wait for you.”

She and Xie Shenci dug out the family’s stash of fireworks and packed them into a plastic bag. Then they waited for Chu Shuangyou in the entryway. While they had the time, the two made some video calls to send New Year’s greetings to Chen Jingshu and the others who were traveling.

Xie Shenci held his phone. “Hello, Mom.”

From behind him, Chu Duxiu poked her head out and cheerfully called, “Happy New Year!”

“Happy New Year!”

On the video call, Chen Jingshu and Xie Wentao were just as delighted. They first exchanged New Year’s greetings, asked about the trip to Wencheng, then shared some of their own travel experiences, even inviting Chu Duxiu to visit again.

“When we get back, you two should come to Yancheng. Remember to drop by – we brought gifts for you two,” Chen Jingshu said. Then, glancing at Xie Shenci and back at Chu Duxiu, she suddenly corrected herself, “No, the gift is for you. It’s fine if just you come.”

Chu Duxiu sneaked a look at the certain someone who had just been snubbed, and stammered, “That wouldn’t be proper…”

How could she show up alone? That would be completely disregarding the “cat.”

Xie Shenci cut in, “Exactly. I need to go home too.”

Chen Jingshu was stunned. “Why would you come back?”

With absolute conviction, Xie Shenci replied, “To drive her there – and to taste the cooking at home, see if it lives up to guest standards.”

Faced with her shameless son, Chen Jingshu was speechless.

After greeting their elders, the two of them replied to more New Year messages before finally having a chance to check the company’s WeChat group.

In the Shanle group chat, everyone was already lively and laughing, sharing the joy of the Spring Festival. One after another, people posted photos of their New Year’s Eve dinners, and red envelopes of all sizes were sent out, with everyone enjoying the thrill of testing their luck.

Perhaps the holiday atmosphere was too infectious – even Shang Liang joined in, showering the group with red envelopes and sparking a wave of cheers.

Scallion: [Mr. Shang is so generous!! Thank you, boss!!]

[So much money, such a big envelope! I finally grabbed a three-digit one for the first time. Didn’t expect Mr. Shang’s red envelopes to be the luckiest (crying).]

[Friend, is there a chance… Mr. Shang sent regular red envelopes, not the luck-based ones.]

Chu Duxiu tapped the screen with her fingertip and exclaimed, “Mr. Shang’s red envelope cover actually has the Shanle logo – he really loves the company…”

True to his business persona, Shang Liang had even designed his New Year red envelopes with a sunflower-and-microphone motif, quietly promoting the company’s corporate culture. Of course, since he was winning hearts with money, no one minded – in fact, it only drew endless praise.

[Mr. Shang started it off; now the pressure’s on the other two bosses (dog-head emoji)]

[Mr. Xie, your turn (clap clap). Director Shang, your turn (clap clap).]

[So this is the second half of the company annual gala – no talent contest, just a money contest!]

It wasn’t long before, egged on by the crowd, Xie Shenci sent out his own group red envelopes. The amounts were even higher than Shang Liang’s, adding more joy to the chat.

Scallion: [Thank you, Mr. Xie!! So grateful!!]

Wang Nali: [Such a unique cover… for some reason it looks really familiar.]

[Is that a drawing of a cat and a rabbit?]

[Tsk tsk, I smell a whiff of unusual PDA here.]

[Mr. Shang has lost – not in the amount, but in the envelope art!]

[Thank you, boss. The cover image on your red envelope is so pretty~ I want to see it again~]

[Scheming, scheming! Do you really want to see the cover? Clearly, you just want to trick him into sending another red envelope!]

[Exactly. Condemn the trick-for-red-envelope behavior! But to be honest, the boss’s cover art really is nice~ I want to see it again (dog-head).]

For a while, the group chat buzzed with excitement, brimming with joy and playful gossip.

Sensing something was off, Chu Duxiu hurriedly opened the red envelope – and sure enough, she saw the familiar doodle from the wishing plaque. It was the very photo Xie Shenci had taken that day!

She exclaimed, “Why did you use that picture as the cover?”

No wonder the group chat was filled with teasing – he had actually set it as his red envelope cover.

Xie Shenci replied, “Isn’t it perfect?”

She frowned in confusion. “Perfect how?”

With utter seriousness, he said, “Shang Liang’s envelope cover was the Shanle logo, and you said he loved the company too much. Now that I’m sending this picture, that means I…”

Before he could finish, Chu Duxiu guessed where his words were heading. Her face flushed scarlet, and she quickly covered his mouth with her hand.