Childhood Affection - Chapter 9 - The Return of the Missing Person

Nie Weishan carried Yin Qianyang into the courtyard gate and then set him down, supporting him as they slowly made their way inside. Yin Qianyang shuffled his feet in small steps until they reached the doorway of the house. Afraid that Yin Xiangdong and Bai Meixian would notice something was wrong, he gritted his teeth and forced himself to walk in with a normal stride.

“Ah!”

Bai Meixian nearly dropped the bowl in her hands. “What are you yelling about? You didn’t do your homework and spent the whole day messing around outside, and now you come back making a scene.” Yin Xiangdong set down the chopsticks and suggested, “Let’s sign him up for a tutoring class. Even if he learns a little, it’s better than nothing, and it’ll keep him from running around aimlessly.”

Yin Qianyang was trembling all over. “Yingyu spent twenty thousand on one subject. If you look at my grades, I’d have to sign up for all six subjects. You’ll need to come up with a hundred and twenty thousand first.”

Bai Meixian finished serving the stew and said, “You’re not even worth twenty thousand. I’d rather spend a hundred and twenty thousand on spare ribs. Go wash your hands and eat.”

Yin Qianyang endured the pain and retreated to his bedroom. Nie Weishan put down the steamed bun and followed him in, locking the door behind them. Yin Qianyang took off his shoes and lay down on the bed, flat on his back. “I wasn’t even worth twenty thousand before, and now that I’m half-crippled, I’m even less valuable.”

Nie Weishan sat down by the bed and reached for the other’s calf. “It’s probably going to hurt even more tomorrow. You’ve overused your muscles. Relax, I’ll massage them for you.”

Having stayed in the swimming pool for too long, Yin Qianyang’s skin looked even paler. The treasure bracelet tied around his ankle also stood out more prominently. Nie Weishan set down the left leg and said, “Bring the other one over.”

There was no response. When he looked up, he saw that Yin Qianyang had already fallen asleep, his head tilted to one side and his hands resting on his stomach. Bai Meixian called from outside, “Why aren’t you coming out to eat? The food’s getting cold.”

Nie Weishan went out and replied, “Yang fell asleep on the bed. Let’s save him a couple of bowls for later.”

“Tired enough to fall asleep just like that? He didn’t secretly go to the construction site to move steel bars, did he?” Yin Xiangdong found it unusual, as Yin Qianyang was usually full of energy and never stopped moving.

Bai Meixian scooped out a bowl of spare ribs for Nie Weishan and said, “Weishan, eat more. It’s tiring enough going to school all day, and on top of that, you have to carry Qianyang back and forth. I think his foot is better now, so starting Monday, he can ride his bicycle.”

After dinner, Nie Weishan cleared the table, Yin Xiangdong washed the dishes, and Bai Meixian prepared the filling for wontons to make breakfast for the next day. Just as she took out the dough, she paused and asked, “Did he go to bed without changing his clothes?”

Nie Weishan immediately understood what she meant. Bai Meixian was very particular about cleanliness, and wearing clothes that had been worn all day wasn’t allowed in bed. He said, “You go ahead and make the wontons. I’ll go change his clothes for him.”

The bedroom was dark, the curtains still open, allowing a faint glimmer of light to seep through. Yin Qianyang lay flat on his back, motionless, as if lifeless. Nie Weishan turned on the bedside lamp, rummaged through the closet for a pair of underwear, and then walked over to the bed. He propped Yin Qianyang up with one hand supporting his back while using the other to pull off his tank top.

Yin Qianyang stirred, feeling the disturbance, and after lying back down, he rolled over, turning his back to Nie Weishan. Unfazed, Nie Weishan grabbed the hem of Yin Qianyang’s shorts and yanked them down. The loose shorts slid effortlessly to his knees.

Nie Weishan maneuvered Yin Qianyang’s sore legs, which trembled visibly from his calves to his buttocks. Nie Weishan stared, almost mesmerized, by the unnerving rhythm of the shivering. If he hadn’t known the cause, he might’ve thought Yin Qianyang was having a stroke.

After struggling to get the underwear on, Nie Weishan was so exhausted and irritated that he slapped Yin Qianyang’s butt. Yin Qianyang, whose legs were numb and unresponsive, only shivered slightly from the cold and hugged his arms closer.

Nie Weishan didn’t leave, worried that Yin Qianyang might not be able to make it to the bathroom on his own in the middle of the night.

By 2 a.m., the only sound left was the chirping of cicadas. The towel blanket was draped haphazardly over both of their stomachs. Yin Qianyang curled up, seeking warmth, and in his half-asleep state, he kept trying to pull Nie Weishan’s head into his chest.

“Let go of me, damn it…” Nie Weishan woke up, feeling suffocated, and shoved Yin Qianyang to the edge of the bed. Yin Qianyang, half of his body hanging off the bed, startled awake.

He rolled back into place, still groggy. “You’re still here? Why’d you push me?”

Nie Weishan grumbled, “Just sleep on your own, okay? Stop forcing me into your chest.”

“I’m cold,” Yin Qianyang said, pulling the towel blanket over himself and curling up again. “I think I’m still a little hungry. Did you guys have any leftovers?”

Nie Weishan went to the kitchen to heat up the food. He added the bowl of spare ribs he’d set aside earlier, waited for the broth to boil, then turned off the heat. He brought the food back to the room along with water and tissues. Yin Qianyang had already set up a small table on the bed. Sitting face-to-face with Nie Weishan, he said, “There’s so much meat here. I can’t finish it.”

“Stop pretending. You could eat another bowl if you wanted,” Nie Weishan muttered, half-asleep. Yin Qianyang tore the tender meat off the bones and stuffed a piece into Nie Weishan’s mouth. “Let’s eat together. It’s no fun eating alone.”

After eating, they brushed their teeth and washed their faces. By the time they got back into bed, it was already 3 a.m. Yin Qianyang, warmed up from the meal, piled the towel blanket onto Nie Weishan. Nie Weishan spread it out to cover both of them and said, “I’m dead tired. Let’s get some sleep.”

Yin Qianyang reached out, trying to pull Nie Weishan’s head toward him again. Nie Weishan swatted his hand away and snapped, “I told you it’s uncomfortable! Do you want me to get mad at you? Try it yourself and see!”

Nie Weishan, still fuming, yanked Yin Qianyang into his own chest and continued, “See? Now you know how it feels! Suffocating, isn’t it?”

Yin Qianyang, caught off guard by Nie Weishan’s outburst, was momentarily stunned. He wrapped an arm around Nie Weishan’s waist and said, “I think it’s pretty comfortable. Just a little too clingy.”

“Clingy, my ass,” Nie Weishan thought but kept his mouth shut. When he looked down again, the idiot was already fast asleep.

On Sunday, Yin Qianyang barely got out of bed. By Monday, he was still begging to take the day off. Bai Meixian threw his crutches onto the bed and said, “Get up and go to school right now! If anything happens to your legs this semester, I’ll break them myself and make sure you stay put permanently!”

Yin Qianyang slung his backpack over his shoulder, grabbed his crutches, and grumbled, “You and Dad don’t care about me at all. I bet I’m adopted. When my rich birth mother comes looking for me, don’t you dare try to stop her.”

“If your birth mother really shows up, I’ll tie a bow on you and hand you over right away,” Bai Meixian shot back, smoothing out his clothes from behind and tucking a bottle of milk into the side pocket of his backpack. “Too bad you’re our own flesh and blood. Your dad and I thought we could replicate the success we had with your smart and beautiful sister, but instead, we ended up with a little tyrant.”

Yin Qianyang wasn’t just bad at studying; his verbal skills were lacking too. His mother shut him down in just a few sentences. By the time he made it out the gate and saw Nie Weishan, he didn’t even feel like saying hello. Nie Yingyu caught up to them on his newly repaired mountain bike and asked, “Yang-Ge, how’s it going with that Qin Zhan?”

“Nothing’s going on. I’m an eighth-level cripple, and he’s a third-level. We’ve each gone our separate ways,” Yin Qianyang replied, his gaze vacant. Nie Yingyu laughed. “The disability scale goes from ten being the mildest to one being the most severe. Do you even know the basics?”

Yin Qianyang flushed with embarrassment and raised his crutch as if to hit him. Nie Weishan sped up, leaving Nie Yingyu behind, and said, “Try to behave better in class today. Don’t make Jiangang upset again.”

“Yeah, as long as they don’t call on me to answer questions,” Yin Qianyang muttered. He turned his head and spotted a McDonald’s. “Stop for a second. I’ll grab some breakfast for Bingbing. He can’t wear underwear anyway, so I’ll just get him some food.”

There’s always a silver lining. Because of the excruciating pain in his legs, Yin Qianyang was excused from morning exercises. With the crutches in hand, the teachers didn’t dare let him do anything reckless. He stayed quiet in his seat for most of the day, and the class was noticeably calmer.

The break before evening self-study was livelier. After a full day of studying, everyone was just two sessions away from freedom. Nie Weishan leaned against the windowsill chatting with Lei Zheng when he glanced up and noticed Yin Qianyang propping his chin on his hand, watching them.

Yin Qianyang waved. “Don’t mind me. Keep going.”

Lei Zheng asked, “Did you and Yin Qianyang know each other before?”

“Yeah, our families have known each other for a long time. We live close by and grew up together,” Nie Weishan answered. Just then, his phone buzzed. It was a call from his third uncle. Since his family rarely called during school hours, he answered immediately. “Third Uncle, what’s up?”

“Weishan, your dad’s back. I’ve already asked your class teacher for leave. Come home and see him.”

His father, Nie Feng, had been on the run with a mountain of debt, selling everything he could. Now that he’d suddenly returned, no one knew how long he’d stay. That’s why his third uncle wanted him to come back and see his dad.

The bell was about to ring in two minutes when Liu Jiangang walked in from outside. Nie Weishan packed up his things, said goodbye to the teacher, and then walked over to Yin Qianyang’s desk. He leaned down and said, “My dad’s back. I need to go home and see him.”

Yin Qianyang’s expression changed. He nodded and said, “Go ahead. I’ll take a taxi home.”

Nie Weishan warned, “Wait until the crowd thins out after school. Don’t get caught in the rush on the stairs. I’ll head out now.”

Yin Qianyang’s eyes followed Nie Weishan until he disappeared out the classroom door. As the quiet self-study session began, he secretly sent a text to Yin Xiangdong: Dad, are you off work yet? Uncle Nie is back. Weishan left early. Keep an eye out.

Nie Weishan had just turned into the alley entrance when he heard Nie Feng’s shouting. A couple of neighbors were standing outside the courtyard gate. He parked his bike and went in. As he stepped over the threshold, he saw Nie Feng pacing around the yard, his eyes bloodshot.

His dad’s face always turned red after just one drink, and when he was drunk, it looked like this-his entire eye sockets were red. Third Uncle and Third Aunt were trying to calm him down. Nie Yingyu hadn’t returned from school yet. Nie Weishan took a few steps closer and, standing half a meter away, said, “Dad, you’re back.”

Nie Feng approached, grabbed Nie Weishan’s shoulders, and said with a strong whiff of alcohol, “Son, I came back to the city for some business. I wasn’t planning to come home.” He let go of Nie Weishan’s shoulders, his face showing exhaustion. “I’m a coward. It’s the alcohol that gave me the courage to come back, to see how much you’ve grown.”

Nie Weishan asked, “Did you visit Grandpa?”

“No, no. I’ll leave as soon as I’m done here,” Nie Feng said, staggering a few steps before sitting down on a stool. “Your grandpa’s been cursed with a son as useless as me. I won’t go and add to his troubles.”

Third Uncle brought over a cup of tea and said, “Brother, drink this and get some rest. When you’re sober, you can have a proper talk with Weishan.” Third Aunt chimed in, “That’s right. It’s been over a year since you’ve been back. Let’s get Dad together tomorrow and have a family gathering.”

Suddenly, Nie Feng seemed agitated. “I’m perfectly clear-headed! I know exactly what’s going on! The alley next door used to be our home, and now it’s all gone! I’m fucking homeless!”

Nie Weishan walked over and crouched down. “Dad, stop running and hiding. Even if you set up a spot under an overpass, we’d still have a home.”

Third Aunt closed the courtyard gate, and the neighbors who had been watching from the alley gradually dispersed. Soon, muffled sobs could be heard from inside the yard. At the alley entrance, Yin Xiangdong paused, sighed, and turned back, feeling that his old friend needed peace more than anything right now.

At 8:20 p.m., a taxi pulled into the alley. Yin Qianyang had been urging the driver the whole way, practically begging him to run red lights. As soon as he got out of the car, he ignored the pain in his legs, clutched his crutches, and ran as fast as he could toward home.

“Dad!” he called out as he burst into the house. “Where’s Uncle Nie? Did you go see him?”

Yin Xiangdong replied, “He’s drunk and not in a good state.” Hearing this, Yin Qianyang grew even more anxious. He dropped his backpack and crutches and headed for the door, saying, “Then Weishan must be feeling even worse. I’m going to check on him.”

Bai Meixian grabbed him at the door. “Don’t go causing trouble. Stay home and behave.”

“Fine, I’ll just sit in the yard,” Yin Qianyang said, breaking free and heading outside. He carried a stool over to the tree and sat down. He hadn’t eaten or drunk anything, and he just sat there for two hours. By 10 p.m., the alley outside had quieted down, with only the occasional footsteps of people returning from night shifts.

His head drooped lower and lower as sleepiness set in. He rested his head on his knees and closed his eyes, but every time he was about to fall asleep, he forced himself to sit up. Finally, he got up and went to the basin to splash his face with cold water, the icy groundwater helping to shake off his drowsiness.

“Let me see… let me see our old yard…”

Yin Qianyang turned sharply at the sound, but Yin Xiangdong was already running toward the gate. In the alley, Nie Feng stumbled along, making his way to the entrance of the neighboring yard.

Nie Weishan followed behind, saying, “Dad, don’t disturb them.”

Nie Feng took two steps back and leaned against the wall. “It’s theirs now. It’s all theirs. We used to live here as a family of three, with Uncle Yin next door. Now there’s no place for us…”

Yin Qianyang had already run out and stood on the steps. He called out, “Uncle Nie.”

Nie Feng didn’t respond at first. He took a couple of steps closer and only after getting a clear look did he say, “Qianyang, you’ve grown so tall. Do you still recognize me?”

Yin Xiangdong stepped down from the stairs and embraced Nie Feng. Third Uncle arrived shortly after, and the two adults helped Nie Feng back home. The alley was now empty except for Nie Weishan and Yin Qianyang. Nie Weishan walked over to the spot where his father had been leaning against the wall, pulled out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and stared at the gate in silence.

Yin Qianyang walked over and asked, “When did you learn to smoke?”

“I don’t remember,” Nie Weishan said, exhaling a puff of smoke. “I only smoke when I want to look cool.”

Neither of them spoke again. When the cigarette burned out and was stubbed, Yin Qianyang grabbed Nie Weishan’s arm. He pointed to his own house and said, “Your family used to live next to mine. Now someone else lives there, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have a home. My home is your home. Did that sound like a tongue twister? Do you get what I’m saying?”

Nie Weishan smiled. “I get it.”

“Yang,” he said softly, “earlier, Uncle Yin hugged my dad. Can you hug me too?”

Yin Qianyang stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Nie Weishan. Nie Weishan tightened his embrace, burying his face in the crook of Yin Qianyang’s neck, and whispered, “Thank you.”