Chapter 35: The Agony of Love 1

Chapter 35: The Agony of Love 1

On New Year's Eve, Yun He sat in the living room of his grandmother's house, watching her bustling about preparing a lavish New Year's Eve dinner. Cai Mingzhi, too, was busy lending a hand, leaving no moment for leisure. The couple had finally closed their shop the day before and brought Yun He along to celebrate the New Year with his grandmother.

Yun He's father, Yun Qingtian, and his grandfather sat in front of the television, enjoying the pre-Gala programs while puffing on cigarettes, their conversation filled with warmth and harmony.

Yun He, nestled in the far corner of the sofa, incessantly fiddled with his phone, oblivious to the program playing on the TV.

He was engaged in a text conversation with Gu Jiabei.

Yun He sent a photo of the New Year's Eve dinner.

Gu Jiabei also sent a photo.

Yun He tapped on the photo, revealing an image of Gu Jiabei with a young girl. The girl appeared to be around seven or eight years old and stood in front of Gu Jiabei, her face beaming with joy. Gu Jiabei's hand rested affectionately on the top of the girl's head, his own face wearing a gentle smile.

Yun He typed and sent across two words: "Relative?"

"Cousin," Gu Jiabei replied promptly.

Yun He enlarged the photo once more and studied it attentively. Gu Jiabei was still as captivating as ever, exuding an unparalleled charm that captivated anyone who laid eyes on him. Yun He grinned foolishly while holding the phone.

"I've never taken a picture with you before," Yun He tapped swiftly on his phone screen.

"When I'm back, we'll take one together," Gu Jiabei replied.

Yun He beamed again, lost in his happiness.

"Hey, He'er, what's got you so delighted?" Grandfather, smoking his pipe, glanced at Yun He sitting in the corner of the sofa.

"Just chatting with a classmate..." Yun He replied.

"Surely it's a girl, right?" Grandfather chuckled, then his attention shifted back to the television, leaving Yun He alone.

But grandfather's words sparked an idea in Yun He.

Promptly, he typed out a lengthy message: "Do you hang out with your old classmates? Will you meet Wen Ying? And is Lu Angyu always finding you to play together?"

"Jealousy," Gu Jiabei responded swiftly, as usual.

"Answer my question straightforwardly!" Yun He demanded.

But this time, Gu Jiabei didn't reply with a message. Instead, he initiated a video call. Yun He hadn't expected Gu Jiabei to call him directly. Looking at his father and grandfather sitting on the couch, Yun He felt guilty. He quickly grabbed his phone and pretended to go to the bathroom. The two elders were engrossed in their conversation and TV show, so they didn't notice Yun He's uneasiness.

Yun He dashed to the yard's toilet and answered the video call. Seeing that familiar face, Yun He realized Gu Jiabei must be at his grandmother's place since there was a commotion of voices in the background of the video, and his cousin from the photo earlier briefly appeared in Gu Jiabei's camera frame.

"Jealousy," Gu Jiabei smiled alluringly into the camera, bewitching Yun He with just two simple words.

Yun He's heart raced at the mere sound of Gu Jiabei's deep and gentle voice, which traveled through the screen and the distance between their cities, piercing straight into Yun He's heart.

"Gu Jiabei..." Yun He whispered, staring intently at the screen.

"Missing me?" Gu Jiabei spoke softly, barely audible amidst the noise on his end. Yet, Yun He could hear every word clearly.

"Mm, I miss you incredibly," Yun He admitted. "So, Gu Jiabei, don't get too comfortable and forget about coming back. Please return soon."

Gu Jibei raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Brother, who are you chatting with?" a little girl's voice echoed from the phone.

In the frame, Gu Jiabei turned his face sideways, revealing his handsome profile. "Come on, Lulu, let me show you a big brother."

The little girl's delicate face with her large eyes reflected on the screen. "Big brother, are you my brother's friend?"

Yun He smiled and nodded. "Yes." Secretly in his heart, he added, "I'm your brother's boyfriend."

"You're so handsome, just like Brother Angyu!" Lulu laughed happily.

Yun He was still smiling when he heard the first half of her sentence, but his mood dampened significantly upon hearing that he was being compared to Lu Angyu.

Gu Jiabei chuckled softly in the video.

"Brother, between Brother Angyu and this big brother, which one do you like more?" Little Lulu blinked her big eyes at Gu Jiabei.

Just like Lulu, Yun He blinked his eyes eagerly at the Gu Jiabei in the frame, waiting impatiently for his answer.

"Only this big brother," Gu Jiabei said, looking directly into the camera at Yun He.

Upon hearing this, Yun He's lips stretched wide into a brilliant smile, almost reaching his ears.

"But I prefer Brother Angyu more. He always buys me lots of delicious treats," Lulu said, not yet aware of the nuances between 'liking' and 'preferring' due to her young age.

"Lu Lu, if you get the chance, let your brother bring you to play with me. I'll buy you even more and even better treats, more than what Lu Angyu gets you," Yun He's spirits soared. Did Gu Jiabei just confess to him?!

"Alright, then I like you too, Little Brother," Lulu replied cheerfully, nodding her head.

"Bei Bei, Lulu, time for dinner!" someone called from off-screen.

Lulu ran off, leaving only Gu Jiabei and Yun He in the frame.

"Jealousy package, still feeling jealous?" Gu Jiabei's eyes, shaped like peach blossoms, were filled with tenderness.

"I'm not the slightest bit jealous now. Right now, I'm your little darling, sweet from the inside out," Yun He laughed foolishly. "You should go eat."

"Alright, my little darling." Gu Jiabei's face was close to the camera, allowing him to give Yun He a kiss that no one else could see. "Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year, Gu Jiabei," Yun He replied.

After the video call ended, Yun He's smile lingered, stretching all the way to his ears. In this moment, he felt content. Despite the physical distance between him and Gu Jiabei, their hearts were closely intertwined. He held within himself a side of Gu Jiabei that belonged solely to him, a unique aspect that no one else could claim. This made Yun He feel incredibly special.

New Year's Eve was spent amidst fireworks and the Spring Festival Gala, as well as various blessings from classmates, much like any other year. The only difference was that this time, there was someone new who wished him a happy new year, and the feelings this person evoked could not be replaced by anyone else.

As the countdown began on the TV, the old clock at Grandma's house chimed twelve times. Yun He posted a social media update: "In years past, all was ordinary; in the future, there is still hope to anticipate."

Accompanying the post was a picture of fireworks exploding in the sky above the courtyard, a dazzling display of colors and brilliance.

Reactions and likes poured in swiftly.

Lin Yong commented: "What's so special about the future?"

Wang Xiaomi: Deskmate, something's off with you... Something profoundly eloquent and unconventional, huh?

Zheng Han: Happy New Year, Yun He.

Zhang Qiang remarked, "This year's Spring Festival Gala wasn't quite up to par."

As an accomplished translator of both Chinese and English literature, specializing in the nuances of danmei fiction, I approach the task of translating a passage from such a novel with great care to preserve its elegance and authenticity. However, since you haven't provided any specific text for me to translate, I am unable to offer a direct translation. If you could provide the original Chinese text or a more detailed scenario, I would be delighted to assist you in rendering it into a graceful and appropriate English version that remains true to the spirit of danmei.

Within moments, there were over twenty replies, and quite a few likes as well. However, none of them stirred Yun He's heart as much as Gu Jiabei's response did.

"Happy New Year, my dear."