Sweet Oxygen - Chapter 65

Chapter 65 – Dragon Boat Festival

Lean halfway into the car, press her lips to his

——

The day before the Dragon Boat Festival, Qin Han and Zhang Yuqing agreed to go straight to her grandmother’s house after work.

Over the years since her parents’ divorce, every member of her grandmother’s family had been actively concerned for Qin Han. Moreover, none of them ever spoke ill of her mother.

Qin Han remembered that the day before her parents officially signed the divorce papers, her grandmother had come to their home for the last time, supported by her cane, accompanied by her aunt and aunt-in-law.

At the time, the grandmother’s wrinkled hand had patted her mother’s hand. “Jingru-ah, if you truly feel unhappy with An Zhi, then separate. Mom will support you. Whenever you want to come back, you can. Mom will always treat you as her own daughter.”

That day, her aunt and aunt-in-law had also wiped away tears.

Her aunt said, “Sister-in-law, we’re all outsiders in your marriage with my brother. We don’t know what exactly happened between you two, but if my brother did something to hurt you, just tell me you’ll never speak to him again.”

Before leaving, her aunt had given Qin Han a tight hug. “Xiaohan, leave your parents’ matters to them. You must take care of yourself and don’t make Grandpa and Grandma worry, okay?”

During that time, Qin Han had also been very painful. But now thinking back, it seemed like nothing much.

Finally, it’s over. Her parents are also preparing to remarry.

Those heart-wrenching times were like a dream, already scattered to the wind.

Though Qin Han had mentioned she was going to her grandmother’s house today, Zhang Yuqing still came to school to pick her up, insisting on driving her there.

“But my grandmother’s house is very far away.”

Outside the window, a drizzle fell. Zhang Yuqing smiled, “Precisely because it’s far, I can’t let you walk there alone.”

Throughout the journey, Qin Han received several calls—from her aunt and uncle, and from her younger uncle and aunt.

Qin Han answered each call with a delighted smile.

When they arrived at her grandmother’s house, Qin Han stood by the driver’s side window, waving goodbye. “I’ll head up now. See you tomorrow.”

“Wait.”

Zhang Yuqing rolled down the window and kissed her forehead. “If you’re happy here, stay a few extra days. I’ll come get you when it’s time to return to school and work.”

Qin Han, being an honest girl, clutched the window frame. She gazed at him with her sparkling eyes and asked, “But I’d be happier at your shop! And didn’t we agree I’d stay over at your place tomorrow night?”

“Little girl, if you put it that way, a simple forehead kiss won’t be enough to let you go.”

Zhang Yuqing leaned back in the seat, smiling as he teased her.

He didn’t expect Qin Han to actually lean halfway into the car, press her lips to his in a quick kiss, then hastily retreat, her face flushed crimson as she fled.

The young girl had a slender figure, her movements as graceful as a fish darting through coral reefs.

Zhang Yuqing’s index finger brushed against the corner of his lips. With a soft chuckle, he watched Qin Han disappear into the hallway before starting his car to drive back.

Grandmother’s house was as lively as ever. Before Qin Han even stepped out of the elevator, she heard her uncle humming a tune and her aunt’s crisp laughter ringing through the house.

Knowing she was almost home, the door stood open.

Qin Han rushed inside just as her grandparents were peering out from the entrance.

She threw herself into their arms. “Grandpa, Grandma, happy Dragon Boat Festival!”

“Ah, happy, happy! Having you here makes it a celebration.”

When Qin Han looked up again, she saw tears glistening in her grandmother’s eyes.

She knew then that Grandpa and Grandma must have learned about her parents’ plans to remarry.

Before Qin Han could gather her thoughts, her aunt emerged from the house. “Aiyo, it’s the festival! Don’t crowd the doorway. Come inside! Qin Han, you must try your aunt’s fried chicken wings. I stole one earlier—they’re absolutely delicious!”

Her uncle fanned his grandmother’s large palm-leaf fan. “That’s our aunt for you—stealing food and corrupting children.”

The bittersweet emotions that had been lingering, born from the joyous yet complicated news, were instantly drowned out by her uncle and aunt’s banter. Even Grandpa and Grandma chuckled at their antics.

Aunt retorted, “Who’s calling you a kid? Qin Han’s all grown up now!”

Qin Han nodded sensitively. “I’m 22, an adult.”

She had become particularly sensitive to words like “kid” ever since Zhang Yuqing used to tease her about being too young.

But Uncle was even more perceptive. The moment he heard “adult,” his eyes lit up with gossip’s gleam. He sidled up to Qin Han and nudged her arm with a conspiratorial grin. “So, who brought you home earlier, Han?”

Qin Han’s heart skipped a beat. Had Uncle been watching from the balcony and seen Zhang Yuqing’s car?

Did he… Did he see me… Did he see me leaning in to kiss Zhang Yuqing?

Her cheeks burned as she considered whether to fabricate a story. I could say I left my phone in the car?

But relief came when Uncle pulled out his phone and waved it at her. The screen showed a photo—one Qin Han had snapped through the car window earlier when Uncle asked for her location. The shot inadvertently captured the rearview mirror.

The black lacquered frame made it clear this wasn’t a taxi.

Uncle tapped the screen and asked, “This isn’t a ride-hailing car, is it?”

Qin Han’s ears flushed pink, but her voice carried an air of confidence. “It’s my boyfriend’s car.”

Aunt emerged from the kitchen with fried chicken wings. “Well, well! Our little Qin Han has a boyfriend now. Care to share with these gossipy old folks? What’s he like?”

Uncle brought out the zongzi, and after finishing his cigarette, he joined them on the sofa. The group gathered around, their faces brimming with anticipation as they stared at Qin Han.

Though aware everyone wanted to know about her boyfriend, Qin Han felt slightly self-conscious. The motion of peeling the zongzi leaves served as a welcome distraction, allowing her to catch her breath.

“His name is Zhang Yuqing.”

Aunt, her mouth full of crispy chicken skin, held a hand beneath her chin to catch any stray crumbs. “Where’s he from? What does he do?”

Pride colored Qin Han’s response. “He’s a tattoo artist. Lives in Yaonan Alley.”

No one seemed to find fault with Yaonan Alley, nor did they view tattoo artistry as an unsuitable profession.

Aunt even squealed, “Tattoo artists are so cool! When I was young, I always dreamed of working in creative fields like that!”

Her exclamation earned a playful flick on the forehead from Uncle.

Grandfather grinned, revealing his false teeth. “I used to think about getting a tattoo. Could you ask your boyfriend if an old man like me can still get inked?”

Everyone’s concern focused on one point, repeatedly asking Qin Han about her boyfriend’s treatment of her and his personality.

Qin Han, cheeks flushed, shared some mundane daily details with her family.

Finally, her uncle chuckled, “Xiaohan, stop talking now. Look how envious your aunt is getting. What if she stops living with me after this?”

During dinner, Qin Han ate two sweet bean paste zongzi, along with Aunt’s chicken wings and Aunt’s spicy shrimp.

At home, she didn’t need to maintain her image. Like a child, she patted her full belly. “I’m stuffed!”

Aunt suggested, “Then stay a few more days at Grandmother’s. We’ll make extra treats for the Dragon Boat Festival tomorrow.”

Before Qin Han could respond, Uncle interjected, “You don’t understand young people. Xiao Han hasn’t had a day off in two weeks. She’ll definitely meet her boyfriend tomorrow, won’t she?”

Qin Han smiled in agreement. “Yes, I want to spend the day with him.”

“Aiyo, girls grow up and leave the nest.”

“Xiaohan’s really grown up, ha ha ha ha!”

“Mom, Dad, see that? We’ll have a son-in-law soon.”

“Can’t wait to meet him.”

“He must be handsome. I’m sure our Qin Han has good taste.”

Amidst the family’s teasing, Qin Han bravely asked, “Grandmother, after we finish eating, could you teach me how to make zongzi?”

The next day, almost as soon as the sky lightened, Qin Han got up to pack her things and wash up.

Aunt and Uncle hadn’t left the previous day and were sleeping in a tent in the living room. Aunt lifted a corner of the tent and called out to Qin Han in a serious tone, “Qin Han, I need to tell you something important.”

Qin Han froze mid-motion while brushing her hair. A sudden worry gripped her—had her family misunderstood Zhang Yuqing? Had she said something yesterday that gave them a wrong impression of him?

“Aunt, he’s really a good person, I swear!” Qin Han blurted out anxiously.

Aunt chuckled, “Don’t panic. I just want you to discuss this properly with your mother. She’ll understand.”

She hugged Qin Han warmly. “Congratulations on finding a man you like, dear. This is wonderful. Many people never find good love in their lifetime. Whomever you choose, as long as you’re happy, I’ll always support you.”

The sky was just beginning to lighten, the summer heat not yet oppressive.

Uncle emerged from the tent wrapped in a thin quilt. “Now wait a minute,” he said, “when you say ‘never find good love in their lifetime,’ you’re not talking about yourself, are you?”

Aunt turned around, feigning anger as she playfully swatted her husband.

Uncle dodged while laughing, “Hey, hey, hey! Don’t teach Xiaohan bad habits—this is domestic violence!”

“Does Xiaohan have anything she wants to bring for her boyfriend? How about a zongzi gift box?”

“Yes, please!”

“Chicken wings? Want some of those?”

“Mhm!”

Yesterday evening, they’d agreed Zhang Yuqing would pick her up at dawn. But Qin Han, eager to reach Yaonan Alley, finished packing in record time.

It felt as if those past periods of separation had never existed. She was back in that summer of her seventeenth year—the Dragon Boat Festival after the high school exams. She was already with Zhang Yuqing, and her family supported them.

Seeing her gathered piles of luggage ready before 6 AM, Uncle suggested, “Xiaohan, let me drive you.”

“Thank you, Uncle! You’re the best!” Qin Han cheered.

At Yaonan Alley’s entrance, he asked, “With all that luggage, shouldn’t your boyfriend come fetch you?”

“No need. I’ll go in myself.”

“Let me help you carry it?”

Qin Han saw through his scheme immediately. “Uncle,” she said with a smile, “you’re just here to deliver me. Stop trying to sneak a peek at my boyfriend’s face!”

Qin Han, burdened with bags of groceries, struggled to reach Zhang Yuqing’s shop when she encountered him at the door, keys in hand, ready to leave.

He took the bags from her. “You’re early. I was just about to come get you.”

Qin Han smiled. “I couldn’t wait for Yaonan Alley’s breakfast.”

“Oh, so it’s the food you missed, not me?”

“Both!”

She showed him the plastic bags like she had when she first visited Yaonan Alley years ago.

“This is soaked bamboo leaf and rice.”

“This is my grandmother’s handmade red bean paste.”

“These are honey-soaked jujubes.”

“We can make zongzi together!”

“This is my aunt’s tea eggs.”

“And these are my aunt’s fried chicken wings.”

She continued listing the items.

Zhang Yuqing leaned against the table, listening with amusement. “Little girl, are you trying to move your whole house here?”

“Wouldn’t mind,” Qin Han replied, completely unguarded. “You’re my boyfriend anyway.”

Zhang Yuqing raised his eyebrows.

It was time to accelerate the housing plans.