Chapter 86

Chapter 86: Xia Yuan’s Birthday Gift

After a series of events, Lin You Xi finally agreed to have a proper talk with her father about remarrying. Although she couldn’t yet bring herself to call Liang Auntie “Mom,” she supported her father and Liang Auntie being together.

With her daughter’s consent, Lin Dad and Liang Auntie registered their marriage in the spring of 2009. They hosted a sumptuous banquet at home, specially inviting the Meis and the Xias for dinner. Even the Xia couple—Xia Xun and Teacher Yu—who rarely interacted with Lin Dad, came along this time.

This was the first complete meeting of the three families. Six adults and four children gathered around one table for dinner. As the host, Lin You Xi was very busy that day, serving tea, pouring water, and arranging chopsticks. Since she could remember, her family had always been quiet and cold, and she often ate at the Meis’ house. This lively gathering was a first for her.

Mei Fang seldom saw Xia Xun, Xia Yuan’s father, interacting with others. He appeared very approachable and praised Liang Auntie’s cooking skills highly.

“Liang Sister, your cooking is truly excellent; it’s on par with the head chef at the hotel I used to run.”

“It’s an overstatement, really. It wasn’t just me; You Xi helped me with a few dishes… Like this braised eggplant; it was actually made by her.”

“You Xi is so capable? Not only is she academically outstanding, but she also has such culinary skills?”

Lin You Xi felt very embarrassed by Xia Xun’s praise. “Actually, I learned from Auntie Mei, and later Auntie Liang guided me…”

Lin You Xi’s gaze finally rested on Xia Yuan, who was looking at her with her cheek resting on her hand. “In fact, Yuan Yuan is also quite good at cooking!”

“Don’t belittle me, You Xi!”

Xia Yuan shook her head helplessly. “At most, I’m better than Ah Fang or my mom at cooking… That’s all.”

Teacher Yu enjoyed making elaborate dishes, but they didn’t taste very good. Now, compared to the two mothers, she felt even more embarrassed when criticized by her daughter.

“What kind of child are you… How can you say such things about your mother?”

“Exactly! Yuan Yuan, you weren’t like this before. Didn’t you always say that you loved your mother’s cooking the most?”

“That was only for a few dishes like Kung Pao Chicken Wings! And Dad, you used to own a hotel. Wouldn’t you know best whether Mom’s cooking is good or not? Only Dad would say such things because he spoils Mom.”

“Hahaha…”

The adults laughed heartily at Xia Yuan’s remarks. Mei Lijun laughed the hardest and most clumsily, then got a hard pinch from his wife, Xiang Xiaoxia.

Mei Fang listened to the adults chat while eating, ignoring his sister Mei Ya as she took chicken legs from his bowl and spooned unwanted vegetables and tofu into it.

Through snippets of conversations and what You Xi shared, Mei Fang learned that Auntie Liang Mei Juan had previously experienced an unfortunate marriage. Due to infertility caused by a miscarriage, she suffered mistreatment in her ex-husband’s home. Eventually, she left after her husband had an affair and she could no longer bear it.

Despite the hardships of life, she still faced it with a smile. Auntie Liang gave off a gentle and caring impression.

She wasn’t very talkative, but she cared deeply for Lin You Xi, showing concern and affection.

However, according to You Xi, she maintained a subtle distance from her.

For example, she never entered Lin You Xi’s room or touched her belongings without permission. Photos of Lin You Xi with her parents from early years still hung in the living room, and she never moved or cleaned items related to You Xi’s mother carelessly.

It was in this respectful yet distant process that Lin You Xi and Liang Mei Juan gradually began to chat more, becoming closer.

After becoming part of the family, she started riding the electric scooter Lin You Xi had given her father. Since she worked at the school canteen of Bai Mei No.1 High School, which was close to Shiyan Middle School, she would ride You Xi to school in the morning before heading to work.

These warm and simple days continued.

As winter thawed and spring arrived, the southern city of Bai Mei hadn’t experienced much warmth before the cicadas began their symphony with rising temperatures.

This was a time when the song “I Got a Cold in a Corner” was popular. For female students, owning a Bubugao I6 Blue and White Porcelain music phone was the happiest thing, showcasing their status at the forefront of fashion trends and their exceptional taste.

Around this time, Mei Fang’s classmates who knew him started getting their own phones. Even if they were mostly second-hand phones passed down from siblings or parents, they were still thrilled.

Boys downloaded Java games on Symbian button phones, as this was the transitional period between 2G and 3G. At this time, mobile games relied on data charges and SMS fees for profit. The mainstream market consisted mainly of simple standalone games.

Girls, on the other hand, were enthusiastic about taking photos, recording videos, listening to music, watching dramas, and reading comics. Mobile QQ allowed them to avoid SMS costs and summon their girlfriends anytime, anywhere for outings.

However, our story’s three main characters seemed out of touch with the rapidly changing world. They still preferred visiting each other in person.

Lately, Mei Fang was troubled by the issue of Xia Yuan’s birthday gift.

He had promised to give her a special birthday gift this year.

Xia Yuan’s family was strict with her, and she had agreed with her mom to only use a phone after high school. Therefore, Mei Fang had to abandon the idea of giving her a blue and white porcelain phone.

As for MP3 players, MP4 players, and digital cameras, Xia Yuan, who had everything, might not appreciate them.

If it were trinkets, dolls, or mugs—things girls liked—Mei Fang and Lin You Xi had already given her many of those in previous years.

“So, Ah Fang, haven’t you decided what gift to give Yuan Yuan yet?”

“If it were that easy, would I look like this?” Mei Fang, with a helpless expression, looked at Lin You Xi stretching. “So, what gift did you give her, You Xi?”

Lin You Xi smiled slightly, rolled up her sleeve, and showed Mei Fang her bracelet.

“Look, it’s this.”

Lin You Xi showed Mei Fang a sparkling bracelet.

“Another bracelet? You two must have exchanged many bracelets. But why are you wearing it yourself?”

“Hmm.”

Lin You Xi smiled faintly. “I gave her a pair of bracelets.”

“A pair?”

Lin You Xi showed Mei Fang the silver heart-shaped pendant on the bracelet engraved with the character “Yuan.” Mei Fang suddenly understood:

“Then does Yuan Yuan have a bracelet with your name on it?”

“Right.” Lin You Xi nodded.

“Girls are so lucky, being able to be together… The birthday gift you gave her is indeed meaningful.”

Mei Fang nodded. “Did you get these bracelets custom-made from a boutique? Which store, so impressive.”

Lin You Xi immediately gave Mei Fang a disapproving look. “Do you want to just give her a bracelet like that?”

“Is that not allowed?” Mei Fang smiled with half-closed eyes.

“Of course not!”

Lin You Xi angrily pinched Mei Fang. “Then Yuan Yuan will blame me for teaching you… Figure it out yourself!”

(End of Chapter)