Chapter 071

After finishing the film shoot, Lu Jianxing had another vacation. Aside from a few scattered public appearances in between, he had plenty of time to spend with the child at home and welcome the new year.

Just doing a deep cleaning of their home took an entire day. Every door, window, and piece of furniture needed to be wiped down, leaving no corner untouched. Fortunately, the apartment wasn’t large, and the two of them could manage—though, in reality, it was mostly Lu Jianxing doing the work. He performed a deep clean every year and was quite skilled at it, but this year, there were many more uncontrollable factors.

When he pulled a half-finished bag of potato chips from under the sofa—which he had cleaned just a few days prior—his face darkened. He had no idea when it had fallen in there, but luckily it hadn’t attracted any mice or cockroaches.

Master Xiao Man’s Insect Repellent Talismans came in handy once again, posted in every corner of the house.

Qiao Man clutched his ears, shouting “Wah-wah!” as he fled all the way to the balcony, the glass door slamming shut behind him with a thud.

He shrunk his head back, peeking through the glass. Seeing that Lu Jianxing had already brought out the mop to clean the floor again, he moved his own little stool over and began scrubbing his toys. This was his assigned portion of the cleaning duties.

Clutching a small rag, he seriously wiped down every single one of his toys. Once finished, he lined them up neatly one by one to let them soak up the sun.

Several plush dolls, fresh from the washing machine, hung above his head. He gripped the balcony railing, pressing his head against the center to look down. Perhaps because the New Year was approaching, the number of residents in the neighborhood had increased. Most were students on winter break, and many unfamiliar faces had appeared in the small garden where he usually spent his time.

The old men and women he knew now had many “little tails” following them—grandchildren they were busy doting on and enjoying family time with. They didn’t even have the leisure to seek out Master Xiao Man for fortune-telling anymore.

As the end of the year drew near, the atmosphere of the Spring Festival¹ was everywhere. Some families had already impatiently put up New Year decorations on their windows and doors. The property management had hung red lanterns throughout the complex. Even the television commercials during breaks were filled with New Year greetings. The air was thick with the spirit of the holiday.

Qiao Man found everything fascinating. There had been nothing like this back on the mountain. His Master hadn’t been keen on the New Year; at most, he would stick a “Fu²” character on the door. There were no calendars on the mountain, so Xiao Man lived in a bit of a muddle, sometimes only realizing the New Year had passed when he saw the mountain snow melting.

He was watching with rapt attention when Lu Jianxing, having finished mopping, called out to him from inside.

“Xiao Man—”

Qiao Man replied, “Wha—t?”

“Do you want to go to the supermarket with me?”

“To the supermarket?”

Qiao Man’s eyes lit up, and he immediately ran back into the house with a pitter-patter of footsteps. “I want to go! I want to go!”

Lu Jianxing was already standing at the door holding the boy’s coat, waiting for him.

The boy raised his small hands, and the coat was slipped onto him. He put on his hat, shouldered his backpack, and then pushed out his bicycle, setting off with a majestic and spirited air.

Lu Jianxing put on a mask. His down jacket was loose and comfortable. He locked the door and tucked the key into his pocket. Qiao Man pedaled his bicycle, huffing and puffing as he kept pace.

“Xiao Jing said he’s going to an island for the New Year,” Qiao Man said longingly. “I’ve never been to an island, and I’ve never seen the ocean. Xingxing, I want to go too.”

Lu Jianxing said casually, “I’ll take you next year.”

“Really?” Qiao Man said happily. “I’ll work hard to earn money!”

Lu Jianxing’s pace faltered for a moment before he continued, “I have money.”

“Really? But you haven’t had any work lately.” Qiao Man looked at him with a face full of concern. “Even Maomao went back to his hometown early for the holidays.”

Lu Jianxing: “…”

Although he wasn’t incredibly famous, he’d had a hit TV series this year and his popularity wasn’t low. Plenty of work had come knocking for the New Year season. It was just that he had turned down the less important offers.

He couldn’t exactly leave the child at home to spend the New Year alone, could he?

Lu Jianxing opened his mouth but said nothing, turning right at the intersection.

Qiao Man pedaled his bike with a “heave-ho” to keep up.

Once they reached the supermarket entrance, Qiao Man squeezed the brakes and seriously parked his children’s bicycle in a parking spot. Then, he happily hopped into the child seat of a supermarket shopping cart.

People were streaming in and out of the supermarket, most of them shopping for New Year goods. The most prominent displays were filled with products in red packaging. The sheer variety was a dazzling sight for Qiao Man.

Wherever his little finger pointed, Lu Jianxing would grab the item. It was the first time either of them had prepared for the New Year, so they just took whatever looked right. After one lap, New Year decorations took up more than half the cart. When they passed the snack aisle, Lu Jianxing didn’t forget to grab a large snack gift pack for the boy.

When they finally emerged from the supermarket, both of them had their hands full. Lu Jianxing carried several large bags, and even Qiao Man held one in his arms. The stuffed bag blocked his vision, so he had to tilt his head back, his short legs scurrying to keep up with the person in front. Fortunately, he had his “vehicle,” and the front basket of the bike was quickly filled.

After carrying their spoils home, Qiao Man fished a pair of red lanterns out of a shopping bag and ran outside with them joyfully.

By the time Lu Jianxing finished stocking the fridge with ingredients and snacks, the boy hadn’t returned. Instead, the sound of voices drifted in from outside. He went out to look and saw the child sitting on an adult’s shoulders, holding a lantern above his head and stretching his arms as far as they would go.

He couldn’t reach the very top and started to get anxious. “Higher! A little higher!”

President Zhang was leaning against the wall, drenched in sweat, his legs trembling. “Master Xiao Man, I really can’t go any higher.”

Lu Jianxing blinked in surprise. “…President Zhang?”

Seeing him, President Zhang looked as if he had been granted a divine reprieve. “Xiao Lu, quick, quick, I’m about to collapse.”

Lu Jianxing walked over quickly and lifted Qiao Man down from his shoulders. Being tall and long-limbed, he gripped the child’s waist and easily hoisted him high, allowing Qiao Man to hang the lantern at the very top.

President Zhang watched him with envy. Ever since the company elevator had been fixed, he no longer had to climb twenty-some floors every day. He had neglected his exercise, and now, covered in useless fat, his physical strength couldn’t compare to a young man’s.

President Zhang had come this time for serious business.

He had been dispatched here under the direct orders of his father, Grandpa Zhang.

Once Qiao Man landed back on the ground, President Zhang quickly picked up the gift bags from the floor and said enthusiastically, “Master Xiao Man, Happy New Year! I’ve come to pay my New Year’s respects³!”

Qiao Man’s eyes lit up instantly. “New Year’s respects?!”

Back on the mountain, he had no neighbors and no relatives. No one had ever come to pay respects, and no relatives had ever dropped by for a visit.

President Zhang carried the gift bags inside, talking as he went. “I’ve benefited greatly from Master Xiao Man’s care over this past year, as has my father. We didn’t want to disturb you during the actual holiday, so I came early to pay our respects. Master Xiao Man, please continue to look after us in the coming year.”

Qiao Man thought for a moment. “Wait a second.”

He turned and dashed back into the house. A moment later, he rushed back out and handed President Zhang a Talisman with cinnabar ink that hadn’t even dried yet. “This is a Good Luck Talisman. It will bring you great luck in the new year!”

To think there was such a wonderful thing? President Zhang was overjoyed and hurriedly accepted it.

As a businessman, he was skilled at social graces. He immediately launched into a long string of blessings and well-wishes. Qiao Man listened with glowing excitement, then pinched his small fingers together to perform a Fortune-telling for him.

“Your financial luck will be very good next year too!”

President Zhang grinned from ear to ear. “Really? Such good fortune is coming my way?”

President Zhang eventually left, his face beaming with joy.

Following President Zhang, they welcomed many more visitors coming to pay their respects that day.

Some were sent by their parents, while others were elderly folks who came in person. Their purpose was much the same as President Zhang’s; they were all people who had been looked after by Master Xiao Man this year. The child had set up a stall in the small garden for Fortune-telling, charging ten yuan per session, but he had indirectly provided immense help to many. Qiao Man was delighted, waving his little hand and handing out many Good Luck Talismans.

In addition to President Zhang, the Lin Family and the Jiang Family sent drivers with New Year’s gifts. Pei Xiwang even bought him a life-sized Transformer model, causing his toy territory to expand even further until the corner of the living room was completely occupied.

They decorated the house inside and out with New Year’s ornaments. When New Year’s Eve finally arrived, Lu Jianxing got up early to braise beef, fry meatballs, and prep ingredients. The house was filled with a delicious aroma all day long, making Qiao Man’s mouth water. He sat on a small stool by the kitchen door and watched for the entire day.

Even though there were only two of them, Lu Jianxing still prepared a lavish New Year’s Eve dinner, filling the table with exquisite dishes.

As night fell, Qiao Man held a glass with both hands, watching excitedly as it was filled with fruit juice.

“Eat as much as you want today,” Lu Jianxing said with a smile. “Happy New Year, Xiao Man.”

Qiao Man looked at him with sparkling eyes. “Xingxing, are you happy?”

Lu Jianxing paused.

Qiao Man continued on his own, “I’m so happy! Master and I never celebrated the New Year. We didn’t put up couplets⁴, we didn’t hang lanterns, and oh, we didn’t set off fireworks either! I never even knew when the New Year was; the years just passed by quietly.” He said blissfully, “This is the first time I’ve ever truly celebrated the New Year.”

Lu Jianxing said softly, “Me too.”

Every year in the past, he had been alone. Sometimes he would take on a lot of work, filling his time with business. Once the work was done, the other staff members would go home to reunite with their families, leaving him to spend the days in solitude in a rented apartment.

But this year was different. In this temporary residence, there was now a family member who gave him a place to anchor.

Qiao Man said happily, “Xingxing, we have to spend every New Year together from now on! We’re family, after all!”

Lu Jianxing smiled and raised his glass to clink with the boy’s. “Alright.”

Qiao Man kicked his little feet happily and began to enjoy the feast.

Halfway through the meal, the Long-braided Ghost floated in from outside, rubbing his hands together. “What’s that smell? It’s so fragrant, Master Xiao Man!”

Qiao Man generously set aside a portion of the New Year’s Eve dinner and lit incense, allowing the ghost to taste the food and feel the festive spirit of the New Year.

“I just came back from the amusement park,” the Long-braided Ghost said while eating. “Ever since the news report, the haunted house business has been even better than before. They aren’t taking a break for the holiday, and there are actually more tourists now than usual. When I was leaving, the ghosts over there were also getting ready for the New Year. Because business is so good this year, they’ve received a lot more incense. They’re eating really well.”

He patted his stomach contentedly. “Of course, I’m not eating poorly either. Master Xiao Man, the food at your house is truly delicious.”

Qiao Man nodded in agreement, burying his face in his bowl and eating heartily.

Naturally, he didn’t forget to set aside one separate portion.

The Long-braided Ghost salivated nearby, tentatively trying to reach for it, but Qiao Man slapped his hand away fiercely.

“This is for my Master,” Qiao Man said. “Even though I don’t know if he can eat it… if he’s already been reincarnated⁵, maybe he’ll taste it in a dream. That way, I’m spending the New Year with Master too.”

The Long-braided Ghost obediently withdrew his hand. The New Year’s Gala⁶ officially began on the television, and many familiar faces appeared on the screen, instantly drawing everyone’s attention. The human and the ghost ran to the front of the TV, leaving only the incense burning quietly before the plates of food.

No one noticed that a faint white mist rose from the warm food, snaking through the gaps in the doors and windows, floating toward an unknown corner. Somewhere, someone tasted a magnificent dinner in their dreams.

During the gala, Qiao Man’s phone watch began to beep incessantly. He received many messages, all New Year’s greetings from acquaintances.

Lu Jianxing watched as the boy picked up a brush, spread out some Talisman Paper, and seriously drew a Talisman. It seemed different from any he had drawn before.

“What kind of Talisman is this?” he asked.

Qiao Man replied as if it were obvious, “This is a New Year’s Talisman.”

[@XiaoManXiaoMan: Repost this Talisman, and good things will happen in the New Year! (Talisman.jpg)]

Translator’s Notes