But Jiang Yanlan’s academic performance was far superior to Jiang Huotian’s. The school approached their family multiple times to offer her grants and scholarships, but her parents took every cent to fund Jiang Huotian’s profligate lifestyle. Later, after the college entrance exams ended, Jiang Yanlan went out to work, earning her own tuition and living expenses. It was during that time she met Li Guo’an, who was preparing to enlist in the army.
While Li Guo’an was away serving, Jiang Yanlan took care of Jiang Siyang’s paternal grandparents. They grew very fond of her, and with the Li family's support, Jiang Yanlan successfully completed her university studies and became an accountant at a bank.
They married later on. The Li family felt that Yanlan had suffered too much in her youth, so they insisted that Jiang Siyang take her surname, and she was the one who chose his name.
Originally, he was to be named "Jiang Feiyang," but Jiang Yanlan felt "Feiyang" was too common. Since Jiang Siyang’s birthday was in April, she used the homophone "Si" for the word "four." Sometimes, the family still called him "Feiyang" as a nickname.
When Jiang Siyang was in elementary school, Jiang Huotian had come to cause trouble once. He wanted to get married but had no job and no money for a bride price, so he and Jiang Yanlan’s parents came to demand five hundred thousand yuan from her.
It was during that encounter that she completely severed ties with her family.
Afterward, she raised Jiang Siyang as his paternal grandparents passed away one after another. Later, Jiang Yanlan was diagnosed with a respiratory tumor.
On her wedding day, Jiang Siyang’s maternal grandparents had not come. On the day of her funeral, they still did not come. However, they rushed over the moment it was time to divide the estate. Fortunately, Jiang Yanlan had written a will, so they weren't able to claim much.
According to Jiang Siyang, his father had thrown the money at Jiang Huotian that day and relayed his mother’s final words to his maternal grandparents: "Yanlan told me to tell you this. These fifty thousand yuan are in recognition of the fact that you gave her *a* life, but not the life of Jiang Yanlan. Jiang Yanlan’s life was given to her by us, the Li family."
Zhang Jin’an had once asked Jiang Siyang if he hated his maternal grandparents. That was the first time he had seen Jiang Siyang’s expression turn to one of teeth-gritting rage—a mixture of anger and pain.
He had said, "Since they gave birth to her, why did they treat her like that?"
Zhang Jin’an looked at Jiang Siyang beside him. His face was flushed from the cold, and the tip of his nose was a frozen red, yet he remained in a state of devout prayer, hoping that if there was a spirit in heaven, Jiang Yanlan would visit him in a dream.
Zhang Jin’an admitted he adored Jiang Siyang’s face—or rather, he adored every part of him.
Jiang Siyang was the pilgrimage road, and he was Jiang Siyang’s devotee.
"Mom, I brought someone I love today, my partner. You know him too; he’s Zhang Jin’an. We’ve already seen Dad, and now we’ve come to tell you." Jiang Siyang looked at Zhang Jin’an. "He has something to say to you."
Zhang Jin’an understood immediately and began addressing the tombstone. "Mom, I’m Zhang Jin’an. I’m honored that you watched my dramas. I often hear Siyang mention you. It’s a regret that we couldn't meet, but through Siyang’s words, I have a general understanding of what kind of woman you were."
Zhang Jin’an spoke with such solemnity and sincerity that Jiang Siyang couldn't help but watch him. He had imagined Zhang Jin’an in this moment many times, but none of those imaginings felt as real as this. He only had to reach out to touch Zhang Jin’an’s handsome profile, but he didn't.
He watched the white mist of Zhang Jin’an’s breath and the snowflakes landing on his hair like white dots falling into black ink. This was likely the artistic conception found in traditional landscape paintings.
He thought: *Zhang Jin’an is the pilgrimage road, and I am Zhang Jin’an’s devotee.*
"He said you were kind and gentle, but I feel no label can truly describe you. I respect you—I respect your unyielding spirit and your attitude toward life."
"I am also very grateful to you for raising such a wonderful child like Siyang. My love for Siyang is sincere, not just in the past, but for the future as well. I, Zhang Jin’an, am a man of my word. A man of honor never goes back on his promise. No matter what the future holds, I will not let go."
After Zhang Jin’an finished, he bowed deeply.
"Mom, you must be well," Jiang Siyang said, also bowing.
"Let’s go," Jiang Siyang said.
"Wait," Zhang Jin’an pulled Jiang Siyang back, gently brushing the snowflakes off his head and straightening his scarf. "There, all set. Let’s go."
A wave of warmth filled Jiang Siyang’s heart as he took Zhang Jin’an’s hand and walked toward the taxi.
They arrived home exactly at four in the afternoon, just as Li Guo’an returned. This time it was Zhang Jin’an and Jiang Siyang’s turn to cook. Zhang Jin’an finally got to eat his long-awaited Cola Chicken Wings, and he was so happy he accidentally choked himself.
Li Guo’an asked about Zhang Jin’an’s family, and Zhang Jin’an answered truthfully.
The plates on the table were licked clean, leaving only a few bones behind.
"Zhang Shuyu has a very blunt personality and is quite thick-skinned. Ordinary words can't hurt her. If someone scolds her, she scolds them right back. But even if they argue, it only lasts a day. She was weak when she was little, but now she doesn't bottle things up. If she has a grudge, she settles it on the spot," Zhang Jin’an said.
"Not bad. That’s a good personality. If someone hits you, shouldn't you hit back?" Li Guo’an recalled his time in the army. "We had a few female soldiers who were incredibly capable. They could knock all of us flat."
"My sister can't compare to them. She’s all talk—just a bit of a firecracker. If it actually came to a fight, she couldn't even land a punch," Zhang Jin’an said with a laugh.
Li Guo’an slapped the table. "Fine. Then bring her over sometime. I’ll teach her a few moves to ensure that anyone who tries to bully her will never be able to do it again."
"Dad, that’s a bit much. Killing is illegal. Shuyu might end up in jail," Jiang Siyang said calmly.
Li Guo’an pursed his lips, his voice growing quieter. "Then she can just learn some simple grappling. Surely that’s fine?"
"Regardless, I thank Dad on Shuyu’s behalf," Zhang Jin’an said, raising his beer glass.
Li Guo’an smiled. "You’re welcome, you’re welcome. We’re family now, after all."
Amidst the lively atmosphere, time passed until it was eight o'clock. It wasn't until Li Qiang arrived downstairs that they said their goodbyes.
Jiang Siyang walked Zhang Jin’an to the community entrance.
At eight in the evening, the night market was bustling. Even the snow couldn't stop people from setting up their stalls. Vendors began their work, and hungry passersby stood by the roadside waiting for their fried vermicelli.
It was noisy and crowded, full of life.
Zhang Jin’an rested one hand on the passenger door and pulled a piece of paper from his pocket. "I still have a script I haven't finished reading."
"What else is there? Didn't you say everything?" Jiang Siyang asked.
"There’s still the part for you," Zhang Jin’an said.
Only then did Jiang Siyang remember that Zhang Jin’an had mentioned writing a part for him, but at the time, his attention had been entirely on the fact that Zhang Jin’an had written something for his mother.
"But I see now that it’s not necessary." Zhang Jin’an opened Jiang Siyang’s hand and placed the paper in his palm. "For you, after thinking about it carefully, it’s better to just say 'I love you.' I love you, Siyang."
Jiang Siyang held the paper carefully and replied, "I love you too."
Jiang Siyang thought that if there weren't so many people around, that "I love you too" would have certainly been replaced by a kiss.
Zhang Jin’an got into the car. They waved once more and parted again.
Jiang Siyang stood where he was until he could no longer see the car’s taillights. Only then did he unfold the paper. By the dim glow of a streetlamp, he clearly saw the words written stroke by stroke in ink.
The Slender Gold calligraphy style had bled through to the back of the paper, every "fold" and "slant" distinct and powerful.
There were also some notes written in blue pen.
Jiang Siyang looked at the words in the letter and gave a silent, helpless smile.
【To Uncle Li:
Forgive my presumptuous visit. I know this matter is currently not accepted by most people. People always use "just playing around" to explain this kind of relationship, as if we’ll break up the next second. But my feelings are real; this isn't a momentary whim. I’m willing to bet anything on this because I have the determination.
(If he still doesn't accept) Please give me a chance, Uncle. Even if the time is short, I don't want to have regrets.
(If he accepts) Thank you, Uncle. Thank you, Uncle. (Just keep thanking him and it’s done.)
To Auntie Jiang:
Hello, Auntie Jiang. (Call her Mom if possible!) I often hear Siyang mention you. It’s a regret that we couldn't meet, but through Siyang’s words, I have a general understanding of what kind of woman you were. I respect you deeply, and I am very grateful to you for raising such a wonderful child like Siyang. My love for Siyang is sincere, not just in the past, but for the future as well. I, Zhang Jin’an, am a man of my word. A man of honor never goes back on his promise. No matter what the future holds, I will not let go.
To my dear Siyang:
Someone once asked me how I define roses and the galaxy, because it seems these two things are often used for confessions and vows.
I, however, believe they are not romantic by nature.
The romance of a rose lies in whether the gardener is willing to pluck one to give to a lover; the romance of the galaxy lies in whether the observer is willing to stop their pace to take the hand of the person beside them.
I want to pluck a rose for you, and I want to look at the same galaxy with you.
(Depends on the situation. I might go blank when I see him; better to just tell him I love him. Don't bother with this flowery stuff.)
—Zhang Jin’an】
How could there be such an interesting person?
"His writing really is like the man himself—his style is everywhere." Jiang Siyang folded the paper neatly and tucked it into his pocket.
Jiang Siyang looked up at the sky, and a snowflake landed between his brows.
***
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