On the way back, Grandma Feng specifically called to thank them.
The elderly woman’s accent was heavy, and when she got anxious, she even slipped into a Russian-style trill. It made Jiang Wang completely lost and confused.
He handed the phone to Ji Linqiu, waiting for him to translate with a bewildered expression.
Ji Linqiu listened with amusement and then responded in the local dialect. After finishing the call, he put the phone away.
“What did she say?”
“Do you remember those two geese?”
Jiang Wang suddenly recalled, “The ones Old Song gave us?”
“Yes,” Ji Linqiu said, laughing, “They caught a thief last night.”
When the weather gets cold, more people start to have bad ideas.
The lock on the courtyard gate of their community was simple and much easier to break than the door lock.
Sure enough, there was an old man in the neighborhood who couldn’t resist trying to steal a lamb, likely planning to take it home and secretly cook some lamb stew.
But he was caught off guard when the two geese, being looked after there, started aggressively pecking at him.1btw, geese are very territorial. I’m pretty sure there’s a prison in Canada(?) that used guard geese in prison rather than dogs – because they cannot be bribed. They’re just a seething ball full of hatred lol
One goose acted like a vicious dog, biting wherever it hurt, while the other flapped its wings furiously and let out a piercing cry that echoed through the entire neighborhood. Naturally, this quickly attracted the security patrol.
Grandma Feng, who was sleeping soundly, was awakened by the exaggerated alarm sound. She quickly ran to the kitchen, grabbed a rolling pin for self-defense, and then saw the security guards trying to rescue the old man, who had a bloody arm.
“Hey? Isn’t that Old Xie from the east side?”
The old man was cursing in pain, trembling in fear even after being rescued from the geese. He threatened to sue her in court.
But Grandma Feng, being a widow, knew he wouldn’t get anywhere with his complaint.
The incident quickly spread among the residents who came to watch, and the security guards, with a very apologetic attitude, visited her home to apologize and even brought her eggs and grain.
Grandma Feng was very pleased. “Your geese, they’re great, just great!”
“And then she invited us to bring Xingxing over for dinner when we return,” Ji Linqiu dutifully translated, “and she also hopes to buy the two geese from us to keep her company.”
“What’s there to buy? Just give them to her.” Jiang Wang said without hesitation. “If we want to eat goose, we can go to that place on Liangcang Street. The owner likes to stew them with beer, it tastes really good.”
He seemed to think of something, turning his gaze back to the road ahead, his voice slowing down a bit.
“Teacher Ji, after I return to the city and settle the business matters, I’ll be staying in Yuhan for two months. I probably won’t be back in between.”
Both the company and the bookstore needed careful attention. They couldn’t be neglected.
Ji Linqiu responded and habitually said, “I’ll take good care of Xingxing while you’re away. Don’t worry.”
Jiang Wang didn’t seem to be waiting for this response. He just focused on driving, and after half a minute, he said, “When I get back, there’s something I want to talk to you about.”
Ji Linqiu was momentarily stunned but quickly replied, “What if I don’t want to hear it?”
Jiang Wang: “…?”
“Just listen.” He sounded a bit aggrieved. “Why wouldn’t you listen?”
“What if it’s something nonsensical?” Ji Linqiu chuckled. “Can’t I cover my ears and refuse to listen?”
Jiang Wang noticed the evasive undertone, so he simply pulled over to the side of the road.
The highway only covered part of the journey; the rest had to be driven on the national road back to the city.
At this moment, the autumn sunlight was bright, casting mottled shadows from the yellow poplar trees on both sides, with the wind gently rustling through them.
Ji Linqiu hadn’t expected him to stop the car and felt a slight panic, quietly shrinking back.
“Don’t shrink back!” Jiang Wang reached out to pinch his face. “What do you think I’m going to say?”
Ji Linqiu frowned as he was pinched, but even when annoyed, he looked clear and handsome. “Y-You better watch out, or I’ll complain to Peng Xingwang.”
“You can give him three times the amount of homework if you want.” Jiang Wang had no guilt over dragging young Peng Xingwang into this. “I haven’t even started talking yet. Why are you already scared?”
Ji Linqiu, feeling somewhat guilty, opened his mouth and bit down, leaving a shallow mark on the man’s prominent, sinewy hand.
He didn’t bite too hard, seeming both to want to avoid the issue and to act a little submissive.
Jiang Wang was in a great mood. “How does it taste?”
Ji Linqiu spat.
Jiang Wang hadn’t realized how much he treasured this person until now. He rested his forehead on Ji Linqiu’s shoulder, sighing deeply.
“Teacher Ji…”
At this moment, Jiang Wang’s eyes and voice were those of a mature man, but the way he rubbed against Ji Linqiu’s shoulder was as affectionate as a child.
“Just listen, okay?”
Ji Linqiu roughly rubbed Jiang Wang’s head.
“Bastard,” he muttered softly.
“How am I a bastard?” Jiang Wang glanced up at him.
“Drive!”
They arrived back in the city at exactly 5 PM. After putting away their luggage, they took Peng Xingwang to Grandma Feng’s house for dinner.
Peng Xingwang, with his sharp instincts, asked, “Did you two go out to have fun without me?”
Ji Linqiu reflexively touched his earlobe, confirming that the ear clip had been removed before asking in return, “Why do you ask?”
“You both look way too happy!” The child protested, “Take me with you next time!”
Jiang Wang tweaked his ear, “You got a 68 in math and still want to play!”
“I know! I’ll study hard!”
Ji Linqiu’s expression was a bit complicated, “I always feel like Peng Xingwang is your son.”
Jiang Wang raised his hands in surrender, “No need to accuse me. I was pure and innocent when I was 20 and no one dared to provoke me — of course, I still am, for that matter.”
Grandma Feng had specially prepared a large spread of dishes, with a big bucket of free-range eggs from the security team sitting in the corner of the living room.
The elderly woman’s cooking was excellent, with flavors completely different from those in restaurants — more homely and comforting.
Peng Xingwang was still the same as before, eating quickly and then itching to go play in the yard.
Jiang Wang, seeing him fidgeting restlessly at the table, knew what the child was thinking and waved him off, “Go play with Tuantuan.”
“Okay!”
The three adults were chatting at the dining table when suddenly they heard a loud scream from the yard.
“Ahhh—”
Grandma Feng, worried that the geese might have attacked the child, quickly got up to check.
But Peng Xingwang, half-screaming and half-running, dashed back inside like a firecracker, burying himself in Jiang Wang’s arms, dry-sobbing without any tears.
Jiang Wang was baffled, “Don’t tell me you got bullied by the geese.”
“No, the geese, the geese,” the child clung to Jiang Wang’s clothes, twisting them, and wailed, “The geese are terrifying! I don’t want to play with them anymore!”
The three adults: “?”
Peng Xingwang had heard about the fierce geese guarding the neighborhood and had deliberately grabbed a handful of corn to try and make friends with them.
The geese, having no animosity toward the little boy, happily approached to eat.
And then they opened their mouths, full of sharp teeth.
Peng Xingwang was already traumatized, “They even have teeth on their tongues! Their tongues have teeth!”
Grandma Feng couldn’t help but laugh, “That’s just how geese are.”
Jiang Wang picked the child up and put him back in his seat, “Have a bowl of lotus root soup. You won’t be scared after drinking it.”
“Wahhh—”
After they had eaten their fill and said goodbye to Grandma Feng, they officially left the two geese with her to guard the house and began their slow walk back.
Then they saw a familiar figure.
Peng Jiahui was standing in front of their yard, holding two large bags of something, waiting for them.
Jiang Wang hadn’t received any message and had no idea what he had brought, so he was a bit surprised.
“Boss Jiang!” Peng Jiahui greeted them warmly, “Just in time, I have something for Xingwang!”
In front of them, he opened the bag and pulled out a brand-new, bright red down jacket, shaking it out with a smile, “Xingxing, try it on and see if it fits!”
The little boy cheered, quickly took off his jacket, and put on the new one.
It fit perfectly and looked great when worn.
“I was on a business trip to another province, where down jackets are cheap and warm. With winter coming, I thought I’d bring one back.” Peng Jiahui scratched his head, “I only made a little money, so I couldn’t buy anything fancy, but the jacket’s good.”
Peng Jiahui hadn’t been very considerate of his family before, so when he finally made such a gesture, he felt quite embarrassed and didn’t even know how to bring it up at first.
Jiang Wang nodded but suddenly felt a twinge of sourness in his heart.
He kept smiling on the surface, “It’s a good thing. Just remember to save some money, don’t spend it recklessly.”
“And also,” Peng Jiahui chuckled, looking a bit embarrassed, “I wanted to give you something too.”
Jiang Wang was taken aback.
“Brother, you’ve been taking care of my kid for so long, and you’re also related to my ex-wife. I’ve always felt guilty about it, but you know, I didn’t have the means before.”
Peng Jiahui felt ashamed talking about these things, so he quickly changed the subject and unfolded another large jacket from his arms.
The jacket seemed well-made, likely costing a thousand or so yuan.
Peng Jiahui carefully displayed the jacket, as if afraid that Jiang Wang might not like it, meticulously showing off the cut and craftsmanship.
“I was thinking, we’re practically family. You usually dress too simply, so I thought you should have a decent winter coat.”
“Take a look, see if it fits?”
Jiang Wang held his breath, feeling something cold and hard inside him begin to crack and slowly melt.
He did indeed dress simply.
Even in past winters, he just got by as long as he didn’t freeze.
A rough-and-tumble guy like him only cared about convenience – why would he care about choosing what’s stylish for himself to wear?
“…I’ll try it on,” he said, his voice a little hoarse, “You really didn’t need to buy this.”
“Come on, try it on,” Peng Jiahui said enthusiastically, “I remember how tall you are. Sizes up north are generally larger, so it should fit!”
Jiang Wang took off his coat and slowly put on the down jacket in front of him.
The jacket was dark blue, with a simple and elegant design, fitting snugly and feeling warm.
Peng Jiahui stepped back a few paces and gave a thumbs-up, “Very handsome! You can charm many girls at first sight for sure!”
Jiang Wang and Ji Linqiu both smiled.
“It really does fit well, thank you,” Jiang Wang said, taking off the jacket and carefully folding it back into the bag. “Why don’t you come in for a cup of tea?”
“No, no, it’s enough that it fits. I’ve got to get back to work overtime,” Peng Jiahui replied warmly, also greeting Ji Linqiu before excusing himself. “I’ll definitely come as a guest here next time!”
The little boy happily bounced around between Jiang Wang and his dad, not caring about the formalities.
“My dad bought me a coat! My dad bought me a coat!!”
Peng Jiahui had planned to leave right after delivering the coats, so he quickly said goodbye and hurried off, as if worried about taking up too much of their time.
Jiang Wang watched him leave, subconsciously hugging the jacket to his chest.
He, too, now had a new coat from his dad.
