My wife and I are both time travelers.

Chapter 64 New Year’s greetings
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"Gao Shuning?" Fang Manxia was taken aback, thought for a moment, and asked, "Is this Gao Shuning your classmate from the same year? The tall and thin one from the Gao Xiangli family?"

“Yes! That’s him!” Xie Xiangrong nodded.

"Why are you suddenly bringing him up? Didn't he leave a long time ago? It's been thirty years, I almost forgot about him if you hadn't mentioned him today."

"He's back..."

"You're back?" Fang Manxia looked up abruptly, her face showing disbelief. "Really?"

“Really!” Xie Xiangrong said seriously, “I ran into him a couple of days ago. You know, his old house used to be not far from where I live. I happened to pass by on the afternoon before the Lunar New Year’s Eve and unexpectedly bumped into him there.”

“He returned this time as an overseas Chinese. Thirty years have passed, and Gao Shuning hasn’t changed much except for looking a bit older. I recognized him at a glance, and he recognized me too. We chatted for a bit and then I learned that he came back this time to visit relatives, to see the old house, and also to take his nephew’s family away.”

"Take him away? Take him where?" Fang Manxia frowned and asked, "I remember he went to the other side back then, didn't he?"

"He did go to the other side, but his whole family immigrated to the United States in the 1950s and has been living there ever since. It seems he's doing quite well there. When he saw me, he didn't say anything, but his words revealed an air of superiority. He even said he wanted to invite me to the International Hotel for coffee."

At this point, Xie Xiangrong curled his lip and said with great disdain, "It's like everyone's been to the International Hotel. Don't even mention back then, I've been there quite a few times in the last few years. Besides, the coffee there is terrible. It's okay if it fools people who don't know anything about coffee, but this kid has probably been in America for too long. He doesn't know the meaning of 'refined' at all. He's full of money. How many years has America been established? The people there are just a bunch of bumpkins. Do they know anything about coffee? They know nothing! They just drink dishwater and treat it like a treasure."

"Back when we were in school, Gao Shuning loved to show off. He hasn't changed at all over the years, but he's not as impulsive as before. He didn't get angry when I teased him a bit, and he just kept chuckling. It must be because he's getting older."

Hearing this, Fang Manxia couldn't help but chuckle. She immediately recalled her time teaching at St. John's. Xie Xiangrong and Gao Shuning were both her students, and the students who could study at St. John's all came from well-off families. Xie Xiangrong's family background was well-known, and Gao Shuning's father was the assistant manager of American Express, a man of considerable standing.

Xie Xiangrong and Gao Shuning were at odds when they were in school, always going head-to-head and refusing to give an inch whenever they met. More than 30 years have passed, and when they meet again after so many years, Xie Xiangrong still can't help but tease his old nemesis.

After talking about Gao Shuning for a while, Xie Xiangrong thought for a moment and then lowered his voice to speak to Fang Manxia.

“Sister, Gao Shuning is leaving on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year. I think since he has been in the United States for so many years and seems to be doing quite well, why don’t I ask him privately? Maybe…”

"It's getting late, it's already past nine o'clock..."

Before Xie Xiangrong could finish speaking, Fang Manxia suddenly interrupted him.

"Xiangrong, it's dark and the road is hard to walk on. You should go back early. I'm also a little tired and need to rest."

Xie Xiangrong gave a wry smile, but said nothing more. He sighed, stood up, and said, "It's getting late, I'll head back now. Happy New Year in advance, sister!"

"You too." Fang Manxia nodded with a meaningful smile. Xie Xiangrong said goodbye, then nodded slightly to Lin Ying beside him, and turned to head towards the door. At this moment, Zhou Jiye had just finished his work and returned. He bumped into Xie Xiangrong at the door and was surprised to see him leaving so early, asking why he was leaving so soon and not to stay a little longer.

"I won't sit any longer. It's getting late, let's go home early."

"Let me see you off." Zhou Jiye opened the door, and Xie Xiangrong nodded without saying anything. He put on his coat and stepped out the door. Once outside, he took out his key, unlocked the bicycle that was locked to the side, and then pushed the bike out of the alley. Zhou Jiye accompanied him, and the two walked side by side.

The distance from my residence to the alleyway is not far; it's only a few dozen meters and takes just a few minutes to walk there.

When they reached the alley entrance, Xie Xiangrong stopped and looked back at Zhou Jiye.

“Xiao Zhou!” Xie Xiangrong’s expression was complicated, his eyes filled with indescribable emotion: “Remember to take good care of my sister. She has suffered too much over the years. She shouldn’t have to go through this, but…sigh…”

He patted Zhou Jiye on the shoulder, and without waiting for Zhou Jiye to reply, Xie Xiangrong got on his bicycle, pushed off with his left foot, and the bicycle sped forward.

Xie Xiangrong rode at a leisurely pace, and after riding a certain distance, he did not look back, but simply raised his hand and waved in the direction of Zhou Jiye behind him.

Watching him walk away, Zhou Jiye was completely bewildered and didn't understand why he had suddenly said those things. After watching him until his figure disappeared from sight, Zhou Jiye turned around and went home. When he got home, Fang Manxia had already gone upstairs, and Lin Ying was tidying up in the small living room.

"Let me do it," Zhou Jiye said, stepping forward to help.

"No need, it'll be done soon." Lin Ying swept the fallen sunflower seed shells into the dustpan with a broom, and asked without looking up, "Has Uncle gone home?"

"He went back. I walked him to the entrance of the alley." "He didn't say anything to you?"

"How did you know?" Zhou Jiye asked in surprise.

Lin Ying didn't answer and continued what she was doing. At this moment, Zhou Jiye told her what Xie Xiangrong had said when he left. After listening, Lin Ying sighed, put the broom and dustpan behind the door, and then quietly told Zhou Jiye about the few incoherent words Xie Xiangrong and Fang Manxia had exchanged earlier.

After listening, Zhou Jiye seemed to understand something and looked at Lin Ying with a questioning gaze. Lin Ying nodded slightly, indicating to Zhou Jiye that she also guessed the same thing. However, as for the truth, Fang Manxia clearly did not want to mention it again, and Xie Xiangrong respected Fang Manxia's opinion very much. It was probably only possible to find out in the future.

At midnight, the sound of firecrackers filled the air. Zhou Jiye and Lin Ying also took some firecrackers outside to set them off. Ten minutes later, everything fell silent again. Lunar New Year's Eve had passed, and Lunar New Year's Day was just around the corner.

The next morning, Zhou Jiye and Lin Ying got up early as usual and cooked glutinous rice balls for breakfast according to the customs of Shanghai.

When the dish was served, Fang Manxia also got up. She looked no different from usual. After seeing them, she smiled and said "Happy New Year" and took out two red envelopes that she had prepared in advance and handed them over.

"Happy New Year, Grandma."

Zhou Jiye and Lin Ying said in unison, looking at the red envelope with some hesitation, unsure whether to accept it or not.

"Take it. It's an elder's gift that I can't refuse. I'll take it as a good omen."

Fang Manxia smiled and stuffed the red envelopes into their hands, then asked them what their plans were for the next few days.

Lin Ying said they don't have any relatives in Shanghai, so they don't need to visit any relatives for the next few days. They'll just visit two friends on the third day of the Lunar New Year, and they'll stay home with Fang Manxia for the next two days.

"Let's go out for a walk. It's not good to stay cooped up at home all the time during the Spring Festival. I'm going to see an elder today, so come with me. After we're done, we can go to Jing'an Temple."

Zhou Jiye and Lin Ying had nothing else to do, and frankly, they hadn't really explored Shanghai properly despite being there for so long. It was Chinese New Year, and the festive atmosphere was very strong. Plus, Fang Manxia's arrangements were exactly what they wanted, so naturally they wouldn't refuse.

After having breakfast, the three of them went out.

Zhou Jiye pushed the bicycle and let Fang Manxia sit on the backpack rack. Lin Ying walked beside her to protect her. Some New Year's goods were hanging on the handlebars. Fang Manxia had asked Zhou Jiye to buy them before the festival. Originally, it was thought that Fang Manxia planned to use them for the New Year, but who knew they were prepared for today.

They headed in the direction that led past the vegetable market where Zhou Jiye used to have a stall and the movie theater where Lin Ying sold tea eggs.

Continuing along the familiar road, after passing the cinema, I turned left and continued north. After walking for a while, I arrived at Xiafei Road, the most bustling street in Shanghai. Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year. Although there weren't many shops open, there were quite a few people. Everyone was wearing new clothes and visiting relatives in high spirits.

Continuing past Avenue Joffre, the number of shops on both sides of the road gradually decreased, and next to the tall plane trees along the sidewalk were rows of exquisite little villas hidden in the greenery. After walking for about two hundred meters, Fang Manxia pointed to a house ahead and said that they had arrived. Zhou Jiye pushed the cart to the door, stopped, and Lin Ying helped Fang Manxia out of the cart before ringing the doorbell.

After waiting a while, the heavy iron gate opened, and an elderly man appeared before them. When the old man saw Fang Manxia, ​​he was first taken aback, and then his face lit up with undisguised joy.

"Ms. Fang!"

"Uncle Qian, it's been a while," Fang Manxia greeted with a smile. "Happy New Year! I've come to see Aunt Gui."

"Happy New Year! Happy New Year! Come in quickly!" Uncle Qian hurriedly opened the door and invited Fang Manxia in, while also glancing at Zhou Jiye and Lin Ying, who had come with Fang Manxia.

"These are my two younger relatives who came with me," Fang Manxia explained briefly. Uncle Qian nodded, and after Zhou Jiye and Lin Ying entered, he closed the iron gate again and led them inside.

This villa was much larger than Fang Manxia's, and the yard was more than twice the size. The yard was spotless, and a camphor tree in the yard looked quite old. Although the villa was old, it still maintained its original appearance and was very well preserved.

They parked their bicycles in the yard, carried their things towards the small building, climbed the steps, and entered a large living room.

"You can sit downstairs and rest for a bit." Fang Manxia took the things from Zhou Jiye's hands, gave them a brief explanation, and then went upstairs with Uncle Qian.

Zhou Jiye and Lin Ying found a place to sit downstairs. Not long after they sat down, Uncle Qian came down, served them tea, and then smiled and nodded at them without saying anything. He went straight to a chair near the stairs and sat down. After sitting down, he closed his eyes slightly and did not talk to them. Seeing Uncle Qian's appearance, Zhou Jiye and Lin Ying subconsciously exchanged glances, feeling a little strange.

(End of this chapter)