The Creatures That We Are-Chapter 1136: Chuuni

At one in the afternoon, Gao Xinxin finished setting the table as her uncle emerged from the kitchen, carefully balancing a large bowl, steam obscuring his face. “The last dish, squid and meatballs soup!”

“Whoa, it smells good!” Gao Xinxin cheered enthusiastically.

Gao Xin served the soup, looking at the table of dishes with a hint of pride, “Whew, it’s been a while since I last made such a full meal. I’m dead tired.”

“Sit, Uncle. I’ll massage your shoulders.”

“Haha, okay.” He took the host seat. Gao Xinxin came up to him and massaged his shoulders.

“Hm?” Gao Xin tilted his head. “Is Yang Yang not here yet?”

“Yeah, Brother hasn’t come.”

Gao Xin glanced at his watch. “It’s been one and a half hours. He should be here already.”

“Traffic jam, maybe?” Gao Xinxin said, eyeing the front yard darkly.

“It’s not a holiday. There won’t be a traffic jam.” Gao Xin frowned. “This isn’t right. Yang Yang had always been the reliable sort. Xinxin, call your brother and ask him.”

Gao Xinxin's hands paused. “Why don’t you do it, Uncle? My phone’s dead.”

“Alright.” He took out his phone and dialed Gao Yang, offering it to her. “Here, talk to him.”

Gao Xinxin resumed massaging his shoulders. “I’m busy. You talk to him, Uncle.”

Gao Xin gave her a weird look. “You’re acting strange today, Xinxin.”

“Am I?” Gao Xinxin blinked innocently.

“I thought you would arrive with your brother, but you came alone. And you’re acting all awkward...” His head jerked up. “Xinxin, you haven’t fought with your brother, have you?”

Unease flashed through Gao Xinxin’s face. She said nonchalantly. “Nah, I haven’t.”

“No, you must have fought,” her uncle insisted.

“Something happened, but I won’t call that a fight...” she said vaguely.

“What was it?” Gao Xin pressed, concerned. “Tell me.”

“It’s difficult to explain. Don’t worry, Uncle. It’s nothing.”

Gao Xin sighed. “Alright, alright. Youngsters at your age are most difficult to understand. I remember Yang Yang being quite rebellious during those two years. What’s the word again? Chuuni?”

“No!” Gao Xinxin hurriedly said. “I’m not chuuni. I hate chuuni people the most. They’re stupid!”

“Well—” Her uncle was going to say something when he saw a taxi outside the front yard. He rose to his feet with a smile. “Haha, must be your brother.”

Gao Xinxin's eyes flashed with anticipation. She strode across the front yard, outpacing her uncle.

“You’re finally here, Brother!”

Her blooming smile froze. From the taxi emerged a blond young man in brown sunglasses and fashionable spring clothes in darker colors, carrying a heavy gift bag.

He slammed the door and approached Gao Xinxin with confident steps. Standing a head taller than her, his hair gleamed and his smile stretched wide under the April sun.

He lowered his head slightly, taking off his sunglasses. “Oh, isn’t it Xinxin?”

Gao Xinxin's face darkened. With her back to her uncle, she hissed through clenched teeth, “Why are you here?”

“It’s Uncle’s birthday. I came to—”

“He’s my uncle, not yours!” Gao Xinxin snapped.

“Geez, don’t be a stranger. We’ve been through too much together.” Wang Zikai sidestepped her toward the front yard. “Besides, it’s Uncle’s birthday. Having more guests will be more fun, yeah?”

“Go away! You’re not welcome here!” Gao Xinxin grabbed him and stopped him from entering.

“Hey, heeeeeey!” Wang ZIkai quickly shouted toward the house, “Uncle, happy birthday!”

The man was pleasantly surprised. “Little Kai? Did you come with Yang Yang?”

Wang Zikai grinned. “No, I came alone. It’s your birthday today. I swing by to celebrate with you. And I brought gifts.”

“Haha, you really don’t have to...” Gao Xin came up and glanced down at the bag of gifts. “Oh, this won’t do! It’s too expensive!”

“Please take it, Uncle.” Wang Zikai pushed the bag into his hands. “I’ve been missing your cooking since the last time. I’m happy to have another chance to taste it.”

Gao Xin laughed. “You know just the right words to say.”

“I’m serious!” Wang Zikai’s voice grew more and more impassioned. “Your cooking should land you a job at a five-star hotel, at least!”

“Enough, enough. You’re exaggerating too much.” Gao Xin beamed as he took the gifts from Wang Zikai. “Come on in. You came at the right time. I just finished the cooking—”

“No!” Gao Xinxin shouted, stopping Wang Zikai. “This is a birthday celebration for the Gao Family only, Wang Zikai. An outsider like you should stay outside!”

“Xinxin,” Gao Xin said awkwardly. “Little Kai isn’t an outsider. It’s fine. The more the merrier.”

“No, absolutely not!” Gao Xinxin insisted.

“But...why?” Gao Xin didn’t understand.

“Because, because...” Gao Xinxin's face flushed as she struggled for words.

Gao Xin paused, studying first Gao Xinxin, then Wang Zikai. He let out a long sigh. “Ah, so that is what this is.”

With a wry laugh, he turned into the living room. “Follow me, the two of you.”

Wang Zikai and Gao Xinxin exchanged glances. Their argument forgotten, they followed him inside.

The hot pot and dry pot[1] were kept hot on low heat, steaming and sizzling. Her uncle took the host seat, while Wang Zikai and Gao Xinxin sat on his left. The three of them remained silent for a moment.

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Gao Xin poured himself a small glass of liquor and took a sip. Then he picked up his chopsticks and had some dressed beancurd sticks[ref]He’s eating 豆笋 (dao-suen) here, literally translated as soy bamboo, but it’s not actually bamboo shoots. It’s basically tofu skin rolled and dried into sticks.[ref]. Noticing their stillness, he arched an eyebrow in resignation.

“What are you waiting for? Eat.”

Gao Xinxin hesitated before saying quietly, “Brother’s not here yet.”

“Let’s get started now,” Gao Xin said. “Or the dishes will get cold.”

“But—”

Wang Zikai cut in. “Yeah, let’s not wait for him. Serves him right for being late. He’ll have our leftovers.”

He started eating, and Gao Xinxin followed suit, though she ended up pushing food around her bowl, not having an appetite.

Gao Xin finished half his glass of liquor before setting down his chopsticks. His voice turned serious. “Uncle may not be the wisest when it comes to the small things in life, but I know what I’m talking about when it comes to important matters. I know what you two are up to. Before you meet Yang Yang, however, you have to go through me.”

Gao Xinxin’s head jerked up. Wang Zikai’s hands slowed as he picked up food.

“Uncle,” Gao Xinxin said, looking a little sad. “It’s between me and Brother—”

“No,” Gao Xin cut her off. “Whatever concerns you and your brother concerns me, too. I have to do something.”

Gao Xinxin and Wang Zikai fell silent.

Gao Xin gave them a meaningful look. “Tell me, when did it happen?”

Gao Xinxin lowered her head and said nothing. Wang Zikai, dropping his pretense, lowered his chopsticks and smiled.

“April first.”

“I knew it. I knew it must be recent.” Gao Xin frowned. “Isn’t that Yang Yang’s birthday, though? How could you pick that day?”

Gao Xinxin looked up at him. “It wasn’t our decision.”

Her uncle sighed and shook his head. “Your brother must be heartbroken. He must have trouble accepting it.”

“Yeah.” Wnag Zikai’s lips curled. “He looks devastated.”

Gao Xin sighed heavily again. “What are you two planning?”

The sorrow vanished from Gao Xinxin's eyes, replaced by ice.

“Today, I’m going to end things with Brother.”

1. A stir-fry dish with multiple ingredients like a hot pot without broth. It’s usually spicy and served in a pot on the table. ☜