Chapter 26: Life’s Peak
Wang Ming: “…”
“Do you have any manners?” Wang Ming asked.
Ao Chen: “…”
Ao Chen lowered his head, lost in thought.
“It’s two hundred and fifty!” Wang Ming corrected Ao Chen sternly.
Ao Chen: “…”
“I apologize,” Ao Chen readily apologized to his fiancé.
Wang Ming: “…”
This guy isn’t so bad after all, Wang Ming thought, relieved. As the saying goes, it’s never too late to mend one’s ways.
He apologized, so I shouldn’t push it. Besides…I might need his help during the New Year, Wang Ming thought, deciding to be forgiving.
However, halfway through his thoughts, Wang Ming realized it was safer not to overthink in Ao Chen’s presence.
They silently finished their grocery shopping and walked back to Wang Ming’s old apartment building.
Before reaching the entrance, Wang Ming saw the depressed uncle, abandoning his beloved street chess, stretching his neck and looking around like a frantic chicken. His neck bobbed up and down, making him look like a magically animated bellows from a distance.
Seeing them, the depressed uncle enthusiastically waved, not looking depressed at all. He seemed full of anticipation for a good meal.
Wang Ming: “…”
Ao Chen: “…”
Probably just extremely hungry, Wang Ming thought sarcastically.
The depressed uncle, with incredible speed Wang Ming couldn’t quite grasp, darted in front of them and snatched the shopping bags.
Wang Ming: “…”
The fastest wins, huh? Wang Ming was shocked.
“Why are you back so late?” the depressed uncle sighed, heading towards the apartment building with the food.
Wang Ming: “…”
Wang Ming had to jog to keep up with the depressed uncle. Looking back to see if his fiancé was following, he saw Ao Chen, tall and long-legged, had effortlessly caught up.
Wang Ming: “…”
There’s always someone better. The old sayings are true, Wang Ming was once again shocked as he was swept upstairs by his fiancé and the latter’s “guard.”
They arrived at Wang Ming’s apartment. Wang Ming, playing the gracious host, went to the kitchen to prepare the food.
Ao Chen followed.
“Is there anything I can do?” Ao Chen asked.
Before Wang Ming could answer, the depressed uncle, Ao Chen’s guard, squeezed into the tiny kitchen.
Wang Ming: “…”
Right now, I feel like a sardine in a rush-hour subway car, Wang Ming thought, feeling a strange kinship with a canned fish.
“No, I can handle it,” Wang Ming said flatly. He knew Ao Chen’s offer was well-intentioned, but he felt they were too crowded even to lift their arms.
Ao Chen: “…”
Depressed Uncle: “…”
“Both of you, get out,” Wang Ming gave a clearer instruction when they hesitated.
Ao Chen and the depressed uncle retreated, finally freeing Wang Ming from his sardine-like fate.
Wang Ming: “…”
Did I just sound a bit harsh? Wang Ming wondered.
Quickly, he dismissed that thought because a new problem emerged: He didn’t have enough plates and bowls.
Wang Ming: “…”
It’s not surprising I only have one set of tableware—I live alone, Wang Ming looked at the meager collection in the cupboard with despair.
Luckily, I bought some disposable tableware when I was shopping, just in case coworkers came over. It’s useful now, Wang Ming thought.
Wang Ming started searching for the disposable tableware, but couldn’t find it.
Wang Ming: “…”
My organizational skills have deteriorated, Wang Ming thought wistfully. He used to be known as the “Organization King” in the workers’ dorms, but living in a “big” apartment had apparently stripped him of this skill.
“I’m sure I put it in this cupboard. Why can’t I find it?” Wang Ming muttered to himself as he continued his search. He’d developed the habit of talking to himself.
“Are you almost done?”
As Wang Ming frantically searched, the even-hungrier depressed uncle squeezed his depressed face into the cramped kitchen and weakly asked Wang Ming, looking like he was about to starve.
Wang Ming: “…”
“I’m looking for disposable plates, but I can’t find them,” Wang Ming shrugged apologetically.
“Should you eat directly from the bag for now?” Wang Ming suggested.
Depressed Uncle: “…”
“No way, I’m a refined person,” the depressed uncle said.
Wang Ming: “…”
A refined person who’s this depressed? Wang Ming thought, but he still tried his best to find plates quickly.
A moment later, the depressed uncle brought reinforcements.
Ao Chen: “…”
Ao Chen looked at Wang Ming practically buried in the cupboard and remembered a recent internet meme: “Move your butt.”
Ao Chen: “…”
“If you don’t mind, you can use my tableware,” Ao Chen said after a moment’s consideration.
Wang Ming: “…”
“Is this really okay?” Wang Ming asked.
Ao Chen, having agreed, waved his hand…
Wang Ming’s eyes were practically blinded by a dazzling light.
Wang Ming: “…”
Wang Ming saw the kitchen table laden with exquisite golden bowls and jade cups, each worth more than he could ever earn.
Wang Ming immediately moved further away, afraid of accidentally breaking one.
“Little bro, what’s wrong? Why are you hiding?” The depressed uncle asked, unimpressed.
“I’m not hiding, I’m keeping a distance to show respect, just like I do in a museum,” Wang Ming lied.
Depressed Uncle: “…”
Ao Chen: “…”
“Alright, stop messing around. Let’s set the table, I’m starving,” the depressed uncle said, taking the food out of the bags and placing it into the luxurious tableware.
Wang Ming: “…”
Wang Ming looked at the cheap snacks in the exquisite, priceless tableware and sighed.
“These snacks are experiencing their peak moment in life,” Wang Ming commented.
The depressed uncle nodded, then glanced at Wang Ming and Ao Chen.
“Young man, this is your peak moment too,” the depressed uncle exclaimed with the same sentiment.