Chapter 58: A Talk on the Balcony

“Really quit?”

“Heh, I never really picked it up anyway.”

“If you didn’t start, then don’t even try. It’s bad for you. Me, I’m shackled to work, want to quit but can’t.”

“Mm.”

“If you ever get anxious or bogged down, find a different way to blow off steam.”

“I actually find studying pretty stress-relieving now.”

“Just remember to pace yourself.”

“I know. I’ve been working out too, keeping in shape.”

“How about sparring with your old man sometime?”

“Not sometime—maybe next year.”

“You waiting till I’m too old to fight back?”

“It’s not just about waiting till you’re old.”

“Don’t tell me you’re waiting till I’m dead?”

Dad, you’d have to be dead before I’d fight back.

But Tan Wenbin couldn’t say that to his own father.

“No way. Your son would never raise a hand to his own dad.”

“Xiaoyuan won another award, right?”

“Yeah, first place in the provincial math olympiad. Dad, you even heard about that?”

“How could I not? Your school rented out a few vans, rigged up loudspeakers, and paraded around town blasting the news.”

“Dad, Xiaoyuan’s going to Mountain City soon.”

“He doesn’t need to go to school anymore, huh?”

“School or no school, it’s all the same to him. He picks up a pen, not for homework, but to write test questions for me.”

“Heh, sounds like you found yourself a wallet on the street.”

Tan Yunlong couldn’t help but recall that day in town, the call from the video hall, stepping out of the car, his gaze catching the figure of a boy in the distance.

And later, the boy walking into the police station on his own, pushing open his office door.

Back then, he’d just found it amusing. Now he thought, if he’d been any more rigid, that boy might not be his son today.

“I kind of want to go to Mountain City with Xiaoyuan.”

“Mountain City’s a fun place. The hotpot there’s amazing—nothing like the ‘Mountain City Hotpot’ packets your mom uses at home. You’ll love the real deal.”

In Nantong, people also ate hotpot in winter. Shops were full of “Mountain City Hotpot” base mixes. Locals thought that was the real thing. But real folks from Mountain City would just stare in confusion.

“Wait, Dad… you’re okay with me going?”

“Weren’t you the one who said you wanted to go?”

“You’re not worried it’ll mess up my studies?”

“Son, as long as you’re not breaking the law, life’s got a pretty generous margin for error.

Some things that seem huge now? One day you’ll look back and wonder why you ever made a fuss.”

“Dad, you’re acting different today. Normally you’d be yelling at me for being immature.”

“You were immature. And sure, kids who are mature usually study well. But being mature isn’t just about grades.

Your mom and I have stable jobs. We don’t need you to take care of us later. You’ve got no burdens. Do what you want.”

“I won’t slack off. I’ll take my books and homework. Honestly, I get more out of studying with Xiaoyuan than sitting in a classroom.”

“Just keep your balance.”

“I’ll get into Haihe University, and find Xiaoyuan. You know, their reps are coming to our school tomorrow—he’s getting an early admission offer.”

The balcony fell quiet for a moment.

“Dad? Why so quiet?”

“Just imagining what I’d feel like, seeing my son get an early admission offer.”

“How would that feel?”

“So happy I forgot how to talk.”

“Hahahahahaha.” Tan Wenbin elbowed his dad. “That’s lame. Way better to wait for the college entrance exam results—that way there’s more suspense.”

“Should your mom and I thank you?”

“Dad, guess what? I think our class president likes me.”

“Her mom should take her to the city for an eye exam.”

“C’mon, Dad, you’re saying your son’s not good enough?”

“Zhou Yunyun, right?”

“Whoa, you know her name?”

“Thanks to you. I’m always at your homeroom teacher’s office, and she’s always there dropping off homework.”

“So what do you think of her?”

“You really want to talk about this with your old man? Go tell your mom.”

“No way. She’ll just scold me for not focusing on school.”

Tan Yunlong’s eyes fell on the door behind the balcony. Ever since he and his son stepped out there, the sounds from the kitchen had gone silent, followed by the soft shuffle of someone quietly moving and crouching.

Old cop that he was, he knew his wife was right behind that door, eavesdropping.

Son, your mom doesn’t hate hearing this stuff. She loves it.

“So, what do you think of her?”

“She’s nice. Pretty, too. Used to think she was too loud, but when a bold girl suddenly turns gentle—it’s hard to resist, heh.”

Tan Wenbin couldn’t help grinning as he spoke.

“Are you two together?”

Tan Wenbin shook his head. The smile slowly faded from his face:

“No. I don’t have that kind of mindset. Still feel like a kid, still in school, no job, no clue where I’m going. And it’s senior year—if I started dating, I’d be holding her back.

Dad, do you think I’m being a coward?”

“It’s normal. Means my son’s grown up. Knows what responsibility is.” Tan Yunlong patted his arm. “You need a clear path ahead before you can offer someone else a future.”

“Dad, I’m going to study now.”

“Go on.”

Tan Wenbin left the balcony and headed back to his room.

Tan Yunlong silently lit another cigarette.

Kids want to grow up fast. Parents want their kids to grow up even faster.

But when that day finally comes, both sides are left at a loss.

His wife got up from behind the sofa and walked over, glaring at him.

“What?” Tan Yunlong felt awkward under her gaze.

“You need a clear path before you can offer someone else a future. Huh. Refresh my memory—who was it that used to climb over our courtyard wall back in school and nearly got his legs broken by my dad?”

Tan Yunlong took a deep drag. The cigarette tip glowed bright. He blew out a smoke ring and grinned:

“And who was it that told me you were sneaking home from your dorm that night?”

…

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