After they finished shopping for New Year goods and returned home, Ms. Tang personally inspected their haul that evening and showered both boys with praise.
Of course, the praise was strictly verbal. Perhaps it was because the holidays had started or because the New Year was finally here, but Ms. Tang was exceptionally high-spirited that night. After dinner, she touched up her makeup and hurriedly dragged Mr. Tang out the door to go singing KTV with her girlfriends.
This left Tang Zihe and Jiang Wei staring at each other in the quiet house. Ultimately, they huddled together and spent the entire evening rushing through their homework.
For the first time in a long while, Jiang Wei felt like he could finally enjoy a peaceful and fulfilling New Year.
That was until the following afternoon, when Ms. Tang began to fret in front of the refrigerator.
"Tell me, what should I cook for the kids tonight?" Ms. Tang frowned as she surveyed the raw ingredients inside. "We eat fish and meat all the time. Now that it’s actually New Year’s Eve, nothing feels special anymore..."
Mr. Tang, who happened to be passing by, listened patiently to her complaints. Suddenly, a spark of inspiration struck him.
"...After some discussion, we have unanimously decided that since you two are grown up now, it would be highly meaningful and valuable for each of you to prepare a dish for the reunion dinner. Not only will this help lighten our load, but it’s also a win-win situation for everyone," Mr. Tang said, standing before the two boys who were currently watching cartoons on the sofa. He chose to ignore the potato chip that had fallen from Jiang Wei’s hand in shock, maintaining a solemn expression of pure authoritarianism. "I’ll give you one second to consider. If you don't object, it means you've agreed... Excellent. We look forward to your masterpieces tonight."
Jiang Wei was still reeling from the fact that he had suddenly seen the shadow of their school’s Dean in Mr. Tang. One second wasn't nearly enough time for him to pull his soul back into his body, let alone voice a protest. As for Tang Zihe, he didn't care about the one-second limit at all; he was already searching online for simple, easy-to-make recipes.
"So..." Jiang Wei stuffed a chip into his mouth to calm his nerves. "Do you actually know how to cook?"
Tang Zihe gave him a flat look that said it all: *Are you joking?* How could a young master who had been pampered for so many years possibly know his way around a kitchen? At most, he could use a fruit knife to peel an apple.
"Right, I get it..." Jiang Wei slumped against the sofa, his voice faint, as if he could already see the disastrous state the kitchen would be in by the end of the day. "Would something like cold tossed tomatoes count as a dish?"
"Of course not~" Ms. Tang, wearing a face mask, walked downstairs with a beaming smile. "At the very least, you have to actually turn on the stove."
Thus, Tang Zihe reluctantly crossed "smashed cucumbers" off his list.
After several hours of picking and choosing, the two finally decided on what to make. They simultaneously reached a cooperation agreement—otherwise, forget an afternoon; they might not produce a single edible dish even if given all night.
"Do you know how to use a knife?"
Jiang Wei held the cleaver, pondering it for a long time. When he finally tried to chop, he either couldn't cut through at all or nearly took off a finger. Watching from the side, Tang Zihe’s heart skipped several beats until he finally couldn't take it anymore. He snatched the knife from Jiang Wei’s hand and shooed him toward the stove. Their roles were finally clearly defined.
Only when he saw Jiang Wei successfully light the burner did Tang Zihe let out a sigh of relief.
After all, if the guy couldn't even manage the fire, it would be safer for him to just stand outside the kitchen.
"Egg whites, cooking wine, light soy sauce... Okay, let the meat marinate first. It doesn't say for how long, though," Jiang Wei studied his phone while standing by the stove after washing his hands. "Hey, did you de-seed the green peppers before slicing them?"
"...No."
Jiang Wei choked for a moment. "It’s fine. We don't need to be as meticulous as a big restaurant. If the seeds are in, they're in. As long as it's edible."
Once the oil was in the pan, Jiang Wei faced another dilemma. "Say, since I don't eat scallions, can I just... not add them?"
"Then don't," Tang Zihe said. He paused, then added, "Like you said—as long as it's edible."
"Good point." Jiang Wei nodded and skipped the step without a hint of guilt. He tossed the shredded ginger, pork, and green peppers directly into the pan. Instantly, the kitchen was engulfed in a thick cloud of smoke. Even Tang Zihe, standing further away, couldn't help but choke on the pungent, rising fumes, let alone Jiang Wei, who was at the center of the accident. Judging by the sound of his coughing, it seemed like he was about to hack up a lung.
"Holy... *cough cough*... so spicy... help..."
Despite his words, Jiang Wei stubbornly refused to leave the stove. He endured the ordeal until the dish was finished.
...
Using the same "trial and error" method for the second dish, Jiang Wei finally emerged from the kitchen feeling like his entire body was saturated with the smell of grease and smoke—it was quite overwhelming.
By the time they were done, it was already past five o'clock.
"Oh, these actually look the part!" Ms. Tang came downstairs at the sound of the commotion, snapping several photos from different angles. "Not bad, not bad at all. Much better than I expected."
Tang Zihe didn't say a word. He grabbed Jiang Wei and bolted upstairs. The moment he smelled the kitchen air, his nose began to itch; he absolutely could not tolerate the scent lingering on his clothes.
They left Ms. Tang downstairs, prattling away.
"Now you know how hard it is for your parents every day..."
Ms. Tang and Mr. Tang worked quickly to add three more dishes and a soup to the table.
The two boys had finished showering and changed into clean clothes, and were once again huddled on the sofa. Ms. Tang couldn't understand what was so interesting about that cartoon, but she didn't want to spoil their fun. She waited until the episode ended before calling them to the table.
Mr. Tang produced a bottle of red wine from somewhere.
Jiang Wei didn't recognize the brand and had no idea of its price, but he figured that if Mr. Tang had saved it until New Year’s Eve to share with Ms. Tang, it must be something precious and expensive.
"Zihe, do you want a bit? You're an adult now; you can have a little taste," Mr. Tang asked, swirling the wine in his glass, clearly in high spirits.
Tang Zihe shook his head. "I'll stick to what I usually have."
Understanding, Mr. Tang brought out two bottles of orange soda he had prepared earlier and placed them in front of the boys.
The moment Jiang Wei twisted the cap open, his nose felt a bit prickly.
However, the current atmosphere wasn't suited for sappy words, and Jiang Wei wasn't one to actually say them anyway. He simply took a large gulp of his soda.
"The taste is actually quite good!" Ms. Tang tasted the dishes the boys had made and gave them a thumbs-up. "I couldn't tell, but you two might have a talent for cooking. Maybe you should just cook for yourselves during the holidays from now on..."
Tang Zihe and Jiang Wei shook their heads in unison, thinking to themselves: *Forget it.* They’d probably either starve to death or blow up the kitchen first.
"You think you can hide things from your mother? You're still too green..."
Before the meal was even over, Ms. Tang, who rarely drank, got herself tipsy from pure excitement.
Being tipsy wasn't the problem; the problem was what she said once she was drunk.
Even though her words were rambling and disjointed, everyone at the table understood exactly what she meant.
"I’ve loved Jiang Wei since he was a little kid... *hic*... It’s been so many years, I’ve even got the marriage fine for a Double Alpha couple ready... I was just waiting for the day Tang Zihe would show some backbone and trick him into the family..."
Tang Zihe’s hand froze on his chopsticks. Jiang Wei’s hand jerked, nearly spilling soda all over his chest.
Jiang Wei knew that Tang Zihe hadn't officially told his parents about them yet. They had planned to find a good time to come clean, but he hadn't expected Ms. Tang to lay it all out in the open while drunk.
But thinking back, they had left plenty of clues around the house. It was mostly because Tang Zihe was always pulling little stunts when Jiang Wei was off-guard; they must have been seen at some point, even if nothing was said.
In that case, having it brought to light now was actually quite perfect.
Ms. Tang’s face was flushed, and who knew what she was thinking, but after a moment of silence, she gave the two boys a doting smile.
"It’s better this way... It’s good that you’re back..."
Jiang Wei had been blushing with embarrassment at her first few sentences, but hearing that last one, his eyes suddenly stung.
However, since it was New Year’s Eve, it felt unlucky to cry, so he forced the tears to stay put, even as they threatened to spill.
Ms. Tang was completely wasted now. She turned and threw her arms around Mr. Tang’s neck, clinging to him. "Hubby, hug me~"
Mr. Tang had no choice but to carry her back to their room.
With that commotion, Tang Zihe and Jiang Wei lost their appetite for more food and returned to the living room to watch the Spring Festival Gala.
"Rest for a bit. I'll take you to the yard to set off fireworks later."
"Really? But... aren't fireworks banned in the city?" Jiang Wei grabbed a throw pillow and hugged it, leaning back into the sofa in total relaxation. "When did you buy them?"
"I asked my dad to help me buy them a while ago. Big fireworks are banned, but playing with some sparklers in our own yard is fine." Tang Zihe pointed to a small cardboard box in the corner of the living room.
"Tang Zihe, Tang Zihe! The host just said there’s going to be a meteor shower at midnight tonight," Jiang Wei said, shaking Tang Zihe’s arm excitedly. "Do you think we’ll see it when we go out to light the sparklers?"
"We should. It’s supposed to pass over our area around 12:12 AM." Tang Zihe clearly found it novel as well and began searching for more information on his phone.
"It’s almost midnight! Should we go wait in the yard now?" Jiang Wei said, about to bolt upstairs to grab his down jacket.
Tang Zihe followed his lead with a helpless smile. "Run slower, there's no rush."
Tang Zihe’s jacket was hanging behind his door for easy access, but Jiang Wei spent a good while rummaging through his closet.
Only one minute left.
Tang Zihe stood at Jiang Wei’s door, checking his watch. With only a door between them, knowing the person he loved was right there made his heart feel warm and full.
For once, he felt a rare sense of impatience.
He wanted to hug him... wanted to say Happy New Year...
The second hand ticked forward, approaching the start of a new year.
"Tang Zihe!" Jiang Wei suddenly pulled the door open and lunged into the other’s arms, burying himself firmly against Tang Zihe’s jacket. "Happy New Year!"
Looking at Jiang Wei, who had tucked himself into his chest like a little bird, Tang Zihe grinned broadly. "Happy New Year!"
"Did you bring a lighter?" Jiang Wei blew a breath into his cupped hands, creating a puff of white mist. "Quick, quick, light them."
Tang Zihe handed Jiang Wei a lit sparkler and then lit one for himself.
Jiang Wei waved it through the air. The white smoke left fleeting shapes in the darkness before vanishing instantly.
He continued to light them one after another with tireless joy, tracing random patterns in the air and watching the smoke drift upward like fading dreams.
Until Tang Zihe tapped him excitedly and pointed to the sky. "The meteors are here."
"So beautiful..." Jiang Wei looked up at the sky and accidentally choked on the cold air. "*Cough cough*... I heard that wishes made on shooting stars really come true. Let's try."
Tang Zihe had intended to decline, but seeing Jiang Wei’s eyes, which seemed to sparkle with the starlight itself, the words died in his throat.
A wish was just a wish; there was no harm in it.
"Then I..." He flashed a mischievous smile. "I wish that every morning from now on, I can have a morning kiss from Jiang Wei."
"You..." Jiang Wei pouted. That wasn't a wish for a meteor; he was clearly just telling Jiang Wei what he wanted. He’d just said wishes come true, effectively digging a hole for himself and then jumping right in.
"Hurry and make your wish too, or the meteors won't hear you."
Having been played, Jiang Wei suddenly remembered a trivial little matter that seemed perfect for a wish.
"I hope the beef noodle shop downstairs is open as usual tomorrow."
"That’s your wish?" Tang Zihe asked, incredulous.
"Is there a problem?" Jiang Wei countered. He thought to himself: *You're getting a morning kiss from me every day from now on, and I'm just asking you to go buy breakfast. No matter how you look at it, you're getting the better end of the deal.*
The next morning.
Jiang Wei rolled over in bed and felt his arm hit something. He reached out and realized it was the hem of a shirt.
"Morning." He rubbed his eyes, not yet fully awake. "Why are you up so early? Where are you going?"
Tang Zihe didn't answer. Instead, he leaned in close and pointed to the corner of his mouth.
Subconsciously, Jiang Wei tilted his head up and kissed Tang Zihe. He was rewarded with a satisfied smile.
"Good morning. I'm going to buy your beef noodles."
**[Main Story End]**
