Agreed to Just Once - Chapter 20: Still Lying to Him
Chapter 20: Still Lying to Him
Before heading to his grandmother’s house, He Wenshuo made a special detour back home.
It was a weekend rest day.
Mother He was trimming a thriving potted plant in the living room when she heard the sound of the door opening amidst the snip-snip of her scissors. She turned to look.
Mom.
His voice arrived before he did. He Wenshuo breezed in energetically and got straight to the point: I plan to spend the entire summer vacation at Grandma’s place. I’ve bought tickets for this afternoon. Is there anything you need me to bring to them?
Mother He thought for a moment after hearing this: Well, it has been a while since we last visited them. Since you’re going… the new clothes we had custom-made for your grandparents recently have arrived. You can take those along.
Where are the clothes?
They’re all in the black bags on the first cabinet in the walk-in closet.
Okay, got it.
He Wenshuo went to the walk-in closet and carried out several shopping bags, casually asking: Where are Dad and Chenchen?
Chenchen is at summer camp. Mother He gestured with her chin toward one side of the living room. Your dad is in the study – he had to work overtime today unexpectedly.
Oh.
He Wenshuo quickly scanned the living room – nothing had changed – then prepared to make a quick exit. Anything else? If not, I’m leaving.
Nothing else. Mother He added an extra reminder: Remember to send our regards to your grandparents when you get there. And don’t cause them any trouble. Don’t just focus on having fun yourself – remember to help them with whatever tasks you can manage.
He Wenshuo patted his chest in assurance: Don’t worry, Mom. I know.
He picked up the various bags and left without looking back.
After a short while, the study door on one side of the living room opened from inside, and Father He came out asking: Who was speaking just now?
Mother He continued snipping away at the plant: Your eldest son was just here. He said he’s going to spend summer vacation at his grandparents’ house.
Father He snorted: So I still have an eldest son? How strange that I hardly ever see him normally?
Mother He: …Alright now, he’s not a child anymore. Stop nagging about it.
Jiang Yinian soon found out what delicious food He Wenshuo was eating at his grandparents’ house, because He Wenshuo directly sent photos of an entire table full of delicacies.
Braised Pig Trotters in Soy Sauce, Sweet and Sour Fish, Stewed Goose – all kinds of delicious dishes covered the entire table. Even the plain-looking pickled radish strips at the edge appeared refreshing and appetizing.
The aroma seemed to waft through the image, yet he could only gaze at it longingly.
Jiang Yinian clicked on He Wenshuo’s latest voice message: Niannian, when you come back, I’ll take you to my grandma’s place to eat all these delicious foods.
It would still be quite some days before he returned.
Jiang Yinian couldn’t help but sneak another glance at that photo full of delicious food.
Sometimes he found it quite puzzling – it wasn’t like his family ever lacked good food now, but the delicacies in He Wenshuo’s photos always seemed particularly enticing.
Despite the nearly seven-hour time difference that created some variation in their sleep schedules, their daily communication remained completely unaffected.
Starting with good mornings and ending with good nights.
Jiang Yinian felt as if he was watching He Wenshuo’s live broadcast of his colorful summer life every day.
Chickens fighting.
Geese that bite.
Ducks that refuse to return home.
There were also fish leaping lively in the pond from time to time.
He Wenshuo’s days were far more interesting than his, yet he never tired of sending messages every day to ask about his schedule.
He Wenshuo: Niannian, what are your plans for today?
Jiang Yinian didn’t have much planned for the summer break. If something came up, his parents or grandma would let him know in advance. Most of the time, nothing happened, so he just lounged in the swing, chatting and listening to music.
He Wenshuo sent so many messages every day that just replying to them took a long time.
Jiang Yinian still replied with the same line: Nothing much. I’ll take the dog for a walk with Grandma in the evening, then listen to some music.
He Wenshuo: Sounds good.
Jiang Yinian: What’s good about it?
Jiang Yinian thought it was just average. To be honest, aside from spending more time with his parents, it wasn’t as interesting as being back home in China.
He Wenshuo: I think it’s good.
He Wenshuo genuinely thought it was good. Every time he saw Jiang Yinian’s replies, he felt reassured.
Jiang Yinian spent another uneventful day at home today—he hadn’t made any new friends, nor had he forgotten to reply to his messages.
Separated by several kilometers, He Wenshuo couldn’t help but worry. Each day felt like an eternity.
He Wenshuo: This summer break is passing way too slowly.
Jiang Yinian: Not really, it’s going pretty fast. The days just fly by.
Yes, time always flies when you’re idle.
He Wenshuo crouched in the vegetable patch and let out a deep sigh. Counting on his fingers, it had been a full sixteen days since he last saw Jiang Yinian.
Sixteen days.
To make matters worse, it might be another two sets of sixteen days before Jiang Yinian returned. These days were truly unbearable.
He was almost at his limit.
Before, he only felt that the days without Jiang Yinian were a bit hard to endure. But now that he understood his own feelings, not being able to see Jiang Yinian made the hardship multiply again and again.
He didn’t know how long he had been crouching there when an elderly voice called out from the direction of the house.
Little one, haven’t you dug up the vegetables yet?
Coming, Grandma.
He Wenshuo quickly picked a few fresh-looking vegetables and stuffed them into the basket.
The voice called out again from a distance: Little one, I’ll cook today and make you a couple of good dishes.
No need, Grandma. Just teach me how.
He Wenshuo picked up the vegetable basket and hurried back home.
After Jiang Yinian left, he had decided to do something useful during this long summer break—something that would help their relationship progress.
People often say that to win someone’s heart, you must first win their stomach.
The first time He Wenshuo saw this saying, he felt it perfectly applied to Jiang Yinian.
Since childhood, Jiang Yinian had never neglected his appetite.
To tackle the problem effectively, he was determined to learn all of his grandparents’ signature dishes this time. Then, he would cook for Jiang Yinian every day, making sure he could find no substitute and would never want to leave him.
Jiang Yinian truly felt time was passing quickly. Even though he did nothing much each day—just chatting with He Wenshuo and such—before he knew it, a whole month had slipped by unnoticed.
That day, he had just settled into the swing.
Grandma didn’t go for her usual walk with the dog. Instead, she came over holding her phone, looking worried.
Jiang Yinian sensed something was wrong and immediately stood up to ask, Grandma, what’s the matter?
Niannian, I just got news that your Grandma Zhu is sick. She’s been admitted to the hospital and will soon undergo surgery. I need to go back and see her.
As people age, their bodily functions decline, and major surgeries are generally not recommended unless the situation is critical.
Regardless, Grandma Jiang wanted to return to visit her hospitalized old friend.
Niannian, could you check if there are any flights back home soon?
Of course, Grandma, I’ll check right away.
Jiang Yinian turned off the music and searched for flight tickets on her phone.
Grandma and this Grandma Zhu were long-time mahjong partners. When living in the same neighborhood, the two elderly ladies were practically inseparable in their daily lives.
There’s a flight back home today. I’ll book it for you… No, I’ll go back with you.
No, no need.
Grandma Jiang waved her hand in refusal. You rarely visit—spend more time with your parents. I can go back by myself; it’s nothing serious.
Upon hearing the news, Jiang’s father and mother hurried back early from work.
Jiang’s father saw the packed luggage: Mom, do you have to leave in such a hurry? We haven’t finished buying the things we said we’d get for you last time.
Those are trivial matters. Grandma Jiang didn’t mind. You focus on your work. I was planning to return anyway—this is just a few days earlier.
Jiang Yinian: I offered to go back with Grandma, but she wouldn’t let me.
Jiang’s father nodded without objection: It’s fine if you accompany Grandma back.
Grandma Jiang: No, no, let Niannian spend more time with you.
Mom, it’s alright. Jiang’s mother understood the elderly lady was wholeheartedly considering their feelings. Let Niannian go back with you. Don’t worry about us. In the second half of the year, his father and I will have some work adjustments, and we’ll be able to take short breaks every couple of months to visit you.
Jiang Yinian was somewhat surprised to hear this: Really?
Jiang’s mother ruffled Jiang Yinian’s hair again and affirmed: Mm.
As parents, they hadn’t been diligent. In those years, pursuing their own ideals and aspirations, they had missed much of their son’s growth and failed to provide enough companionship.
Fortunately, their elders were understanding, and their son was sensible and obedient, having grown into a very fine young man.
In the end, they booked the earliest available flight back home.
The situation was sudden, and time was tight.
Jiang Yinian didn’t even have time to pack the many things she had originally prepared to bring back. In the rush, she only managed to grab the postcards she intended to give to He Wenshuo.
It wasn’t until she was seated in the departure lounge, with some time to spare before boarding, that Jiang Yinian felt relieved.
She took out her phone, opened the messaging app, and clicked on He Wenshuo’s profile picture, planning to send him a message to let him know she was returning.
But after typing out the words in the input box, she had second thoughts.
Jiang Yinian deleted the message. Forget it, she wouldn’t tell him for now.
She’d explain after returning.
The plane landed precisely on schedule.
They didn’t head home first.
Jiang Yinian immediately took Grandma to the hospital where Grandma Zhu was staying, allowing the two elderly ladies to see each other.
Fortunately, Grandma Zhu in the hospital room was conscious by then and could speak a few simple words.
The two grandmothers held each other’s hands tightly, sharing heartfelt words.
Jiang Yinian stepped out of the room to give the elderly ladies space to chat, standing in the hospital corridor watching their luggage.
After a moment, when she took out her phone to check the time, she realized she hadn’t turned off airplane mode.
Once she switched the setting and the network restored, a series of messages from He Wenshuo immediately popped up in the chat app.
He Wenshuo: This chicken is the plumpest, I’ll save it to make chicken soup for you next time.
He Wenshuo: Why aren’t you replying? It’s not your bedtime yet, is it?
He Wenshuo: If you don’t like stewed chicken, we can change it to stir-fried.
He Wenshuo: Twelve hours now, what are you doing? Are you ignoring me?
The most recent message was from ten minutes ago:
He Wenshuo: Why aren’t you answering calls either? Don’t tell me you’ve gotten lost! If you don’t reply soon, I’m going to call your parents!
Jiang Yinian didn’t have time to read all the messages in between and quickly replied: No, I had my phone on silent and didn’t notice.
The phone dinged with a notification.
He Wenshuo nearly jumped up from his wooden stool.
Finally, a response!
He Wenshuo: You scared me to death! I thought you were lost, I was about to go look for you.
Jiang Yinian: How could that be.
He Wenshuo’s anxious heart only half-settled as he stared at Jiang Yinian’s account, looking left and right until he finally noticed something wrong.
The account IP showed… domestic?
Domestic!
Nearly 12 hours without contact – that matched the flight duration from abroad.
He Wenshuo: Where are you right now?
Jiang Yinian: Walking the dog.
There were no dogs at the domestic home, only the overseas home had dogs that needed walking.
He Wenshuo stared tightly at his phone screen without saying a word:
She had clearly returned to the country without telling him, and now she was lying to him too!