chsdbacks Chapter 48: Snow Falls on Changbai Mountain
Chapter 48: Snow Falls on Changbai Mountain
With the year-end approaching, Shuangyuan Photovoltaic has finally posted its holiday notice.
The production department will stop work on the 26th day of the twelfth lunar month, while the R&D department will stop work two days earlier, on the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month, and will remain closed until the 7th day of the first lunar month.
When the news spread, everyone in the lab breathed a sigh of relief; they could finally take a break.
On the 24th, Nie Xiguang packed his things simply and, instead of returning to his home in Shanghai, went directly to his uncle's house in Wuxi with his suitcase.
When her aunt Shen Shu saw her return, she smiled from ear to ear and went to stew her favorite pork rib soup.
These past few days, Nie Xiguang has completely relaxed.
No need to stare at experimental data or organize reports, I spend my days learning to cook with my aunt and chatting with my uncle about current events. Life is comfortable and peaceful.
On the evening of the 26th, light snow began to fall outside the window.
Nie Xiguang nestled on the sofa in the living room, holding a cup of hot milk in his hand, his fingers repeatedly stroking the screen of his phone.
She hesitated for a while before opening Yu Chen's chat window and making a call.
The moment the call connected, a slight hum of equipment could be heard on the other end. Yu Chen's voice was a little tired, but still gentle: "Xi Guang? Have you eaten?"
"I've already eaten!" Nie Xiguang said softly. "I just wanted to ask when you'll be done with your work."
"I have to stay two days longer," Yu Chen said. "You're in the R&D team, and you've already handed over all the finishing touches. It's different for me. The pilot production line has just stabilized, and I need to streamline the parameter monitoring process and oversee two more rounds of testing before I can hand it over to Brother Hua."
Nie Xiguang responded with an "oh," and didn't dare mention Changbai Mountain again.
During this time, she and Yu Chen spent all their time in the lab, witnessing firsthand how many all-nighters he had worked, and she couldn't bear to distract him any further.
Jiang Ping happened to come out of the study and saw that she had hung up the phone with a slightly disappointed look on her face, so he smiled and asked, "Were you chatting with a colleague? Was it the person in charge of your project team?"
Nie Xiguang nodded, a little embarrassed.
Aunt Shen Shu came over with a plate of fruit and stuffed a strawberry into her hand: "Since he's a colleague, invite him to come over for the New Year. Your uncle and I are just discussing going skiing at Changbai Mountain in a couple of days; it'll be more fun with more people."
Nie Xiguang's cheeks flushed slightly, and he quickly waved his hand, "He's busy. The project has just made progress and he can't be left alone."
She didn't tell her uncle and aunt about Yu Chen's identity or their relationship, partly because she hadn't found the right time, and partly because she felt it wasn't time to formally meet her elders.
After they entered the kitchen, Nie Xiguang picked up his phone again and whispered to Yu Chen, "My aunt and uncle have decided that the whole family will go skiing in Changbai Mountain this Chinese New Year."
"You...you won't be spending the New Year alone at the factory, will you?"
Yu Chen paused for two seconds, as if calculating the time, then sighed: "The final work on the pilot line cannot be done without someone. I have to keep an eye on it. If anything goes wrong, all the previous efforts will be wasted."
"I know!" Nie Xiguang immediately replied, afraid that he would think she was complaining. "You should focus on your work, take care of your health, and don't stay up too late."
After hanging up the phone, Nie Xiguang put his phone on the coffee table and looked out the window at the snow falling heavier and heavier, feeling a little empty inside.
Jiang Rui ran out of the room, holding a model ski, and sidled up to Nie Xiguang: "Sis, let's leave first thing tomorrow morning! The powder snow in Changbai Mountain is so soft, you won't even feel pain if you fall!"
Seeing that his older sister was still a bit distracted, Jiang Rui said again, "It's okay, even if Brother Chen isn't coming, I'll keep you company!"
Nie Xiguang forced a smile, picked up a strawberry and put it in his mouth. He didn't taste much sweetness, but his disappointment didn't lessen much.
The next morning, the family packed up and headed to the airport with their suitcases.
Sitting in the car, Nie Xiguang watched the scenery rushing past the window and couldn't help but take out his phone to send a message to Yu Chen, but he was afraid of disturbing his work.
After editing for a long time, I only managed to send a "I'm so sad" emoji.
The plane landed at Changbaishan Airport, and the driver for the luxury family tour that my aunt had booked arrived.
Soon, the car arrived at the resort at the foot of Changbai Mountain.
As soon as he got off the car, a biting wind carrying snowflakes rushed towards him. Nie Xiguang wrapped his coat tighter around himself and looked up. In the distance, the snow-capped mountains stretched endlessly, and the ski slopes were full of skiers, creating a lively scene.
Shen Shu pulled her towards the wooden villa: "Come in and warm up. Your mother booked a villa with a fireplace. You won't be cold if you warm yourself by the fire."
The moment you push open the door, a warm feeling mixed with the fresh scent of wood wafts out.
The villa is decorated with natural pine wood, and the underfloor heating throughout the house makes your feet feel warm. In the fireplace in the center of the living room, firewood is crackling and burning, and the flames are dancing and illuminating the walls.
Jiang Yun, the mother, was standing in front of the French windows flipping through a travel guide when she saw them come in. She quickly put down the booklet and came to greet them, reaching out to pull Nie Xiguang's scarf tighter: "Are you freezing? I just checked with the front desk and the ski instructor for tomorrow has been booked. If you're worried about falling, we can practice on the beginner slope first."
Nie Xiguang nodded, his nose brushing against the warmth of his mother's hand, and the emptiness in his heart lessened slightly.
Shen Shu rubbed her hands together and moved closer to the fireplace. "I told you, it's not cold once you come in." She pointed out the window, "Look at this view, you can see the snow-capped mountains even while lying down. Jiang Yun, you have excellent taste; you chose this villa well."
Jiang Yun smiled and took off her coat, draping it over the sofa. "We were lucky; someone cancelled their reservation. I was thinking it would be more lively with just the two of us, plus you and Lao Jiang, staying together."
The conversation didn't mention Nie Chengyuan, but everyone understood the unspoken meaning.
Jiang Yun and Nie Chengyuan have been divorced for many years and each has their own life. They only exchange a few polite greetings during holidays.
Jiang Rui had already thrown down his suitcase and run outside to play in the snow, excitedly shouting, "Mom! Sister! Come quick! The snow's up to your ankles!"
Nie Xiguang walked over, pushed open the door, and a blast of cold air rushed in.
She reached out and caught a snowflake; the icy touch sent a shiver down her spine, and she quickly closed the door and went back inside.
Uncle Jiang Ping walked in carrying luggage, smiling and saying, "Rest for a while, we'll go eat iron pot stew tonight. I asked around, and the iron pot stewed goose at this resort is especially famous. Jiang Yun, don't you like cornbread? The cornbread here is amazing."
My aunt was busy pouring ginseng flower tea for everyone: "The driver said it's made with spring water from Changbai Mountain. It's good for relieving fatigue. Xiguang, drink some to warm your body."
Nie Xiguang, holding a warm teacup, sat on the sofa by the fireplace and couldn't resist taking out his phone.
Yu Chen hasn't replied to the "I'm so sad" emoji yet; the chat window remains stuck on this morning's conversation.
She opened Yu Chen's WeChat Moments, and the latest post was still a photo of the lab equipment he posted last week; there was nothing new.
"Looking at your phone again?" Jiang Yun sat down beside her, reaching out to ruffle her hair. "Still thinking about that Xiao Yu?"
Nie Xiguang was stunned for a moment, her cheeks flushed, and she quickly put her phone away: "Mom, how did you know?"
"Your dad called me a few days ago." Jiang Yun's eyes were smiling, and her tone was very calm. "He said that you've been getting close to a young engineer in Shuangyuan. That kid is quite capable and has suppressed the Sheng family."
Auntie also chimed in, gossiping, "Xiguang, tell me, do you have feelings for him? You've seemed so absent-minded these past few days, you must be missing him."
Nie Xiguang's face turned even redder, and she lightly stamped her foot: "Auntie! Don't talk nonsense!"
"I'm not making this up." Aunt smiled, her eyes crinkling. "Young people, if you like someone, just say so. What's there to be afraid of?"
Jiang Yun patted her aunt's arm, signaling her to stop teasing the child. She then turned to Nie Xiguang and said gently, "If he's busy, don't bother him. Work is important, but don't bottle it up. If you miss him, just give him a call. There's nothing to be embarrassed about."
Nie Xiguang nodded, feeling warm inside, yet also a little bittersweet.
She picked up her teacup, took a sip of water, and said nothing.
The snow stopped in the evening.
The family walked towards the restaurant through the snow, their feet crunching underfoot.
The resort's streetlights came on, casting warm yellow light on the snow and casting long shadows.
The trees along the roadside were covered with frost, and when the wind blew, snowflakes fell down in a soft rustling sound.
The aroma of the stew wafted over from afar.
Lifting the curtain, the heat and aroma of meat instantly enveloped me. The restaurant was packed with tourists, bustling with activity.
When the dishes were served, the bubbling iron pot was steaming, and the goose inside was stewed until tender, while the corn cakes stuck to the side of the pot were soaked with broth.
Jiang Rui was enjoying his meal immensely, saying as he gnawed on a bone, "I'll definitely come back next year!"
Nie Xiguang picked up her chopsticks, took a piece of goose meat and put it in her mouth. The fresh and fragrant taste spread on her tongue, but she didn't have much of an appetite and put it down after a couple of bites.
Her uncle noticed that she was in low spirits and said with a smile, "We're going skiing tomorrow. You'll have fun once you start skiing. It's okay if you can't ski. Your aunt and I will go with you, and your mom can practice with you too."
She picked up her teacup and took a sip of water.
She looked up at the window and saw the snow-capped mountains standing silently in the night. Suddenly, a thought popped into her mind: What is Yu Chen doing right now?
Are they still in the lab monitoring the data, or have they already gone back to their dorm to rest?
The phone screen went dark, revealing her slightly disappointed face.
Jiang Rui was still excitedly talking about her skiing plans for tomorrow, while her aunt and mother chatted about everyday things, and her uncle chimed in with a smile. The room was lively, but it seemed as if everyone was a layer away from her.
She recalled Yu Chen's tired voice on the phone, his bloodshot eyes, and the lab notebook that was always in his hand.
Nie Xiguang sighed softly, put his phone back in his pocket, forced a smile, and looked at Jiang Rui: "Then you'd better skate slowly tomorrow, don't leave me too far behind."
The snow outside the window started falling again sometime ago, and the fine snowflakes landed on the window frame, silently accumulating into a thin layer.
The night in Changbai Mountain is very quiet, so quiet that you can hear the wind blowing through the pine forest.
She...missed him.
The kind of longing that I really, really want.