Monkey's Visit

On the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, the festive atmosphere of the New Year was already so strong in the small county town that it was hard to tear it away. Early in the morning, the sound of firecrackers could be heard sporadically outside the window, and the air was filled with a faint smell of gunpowder and the complex aromas of each household preparing for the New Year.

Lin Feng was awakened by the rhythmic "tap tap" of his mother, Zhang Fen, chopping dumpling filling in the kitchen. Lying in bed, listening to that familiar sound and looking at the fine water stains left on the ceiling over the years, he felt a moment of disorientation. The coldness of the detention center, the scheming of revenge, and the Undercurrent of the city seemed distant and unreal in the background of this ordinary yet noisy morning.

He got up to wash up and went to the living room. His father, Lin Jianguo, was already sitting on the old sofa watching the morning news, the volume not very loud. When he saw Lin Feng, he nodded without saying anything, but his eyes were gentler than usual. Lü Yi was also up and squatting on the balcony, curiously studying the cured meat and sausages that his mother was drying, sniffing them and muttering to himself.

Breakfast was a simple bowl of millet porridge and pickled vegetables made by my mother. We had just finished eating, and before we could even clear the dishes, there was a quick knock on the door.

"Coming!" Zhang Fen wiped her hands on her apron and hurried to open the door.

As soon as the door opened, a cheerful voice burst in. "Auntie! Happy New Year! We've come to freeload a meal!"

It was Monkey. He was wearing a brand-new red down jacket today, which made his thin face look much more energetic. He was carrying several bags full of things, and beside him was a girl in a light yellow cotton coat and a white scarf, with rosy cheeks—his younger sister, Hou Xiaoya. Xiaoya looked much better than before, her eyes sparkling. She shyly hid behind Monkey and whispered, "Hello, Auntie, hello, Uncle, hello, Brother Feng."

"Oh my! Monkey's here! Xiaoya's here too! Come in, come in! It's cold outside!" As soon as Zhang Fen saw the siblings, her smile immediately brightened like the winter sun outside. Especially when she saw Xiaoya, her eyes were filled with undisguised affection and tenderness. "Xiaoya looks so good! Let Auntie take a look! Have you grown taller?" She completely ignored the bags that were obviously gifts in Monkey's hands, reached out to take Xiaoya's hand, looked her up and down, and spoke with utmost affection.

"Auntie, this is for you and Uncle, just a little something." Monkey grinned and placed the things he was carrying on the entryway cabinet: a fruit gift box, pastries, and two nicely packaged bottles of wine.

"You silly child! You came all this way, why did you buy so much stuff! Wasting money!" Zhang Fen complained, but her face lit up with a smile. She quickly ushered them inside. "Xiao Feng, quickly pour your classmate some tea! Old Lin, stop watching TV, the Monkey are coming!"

The living room suddenly became lively. Lin Jianguo turned off the TV, got up and greeted Monkey. He didn't say much, but you could tell he was happy. Lin Feng went to make tea. Lü Yi also rushed back from the balcony, curiously looking at the brother and sister who had suddenly arrived.

Monkey was very familiar with Lin Feng's parents, especially Zhang Fen, who kept asking him all sorts of questions: How was his work? Was he adapting to city life? Did he have a girlfriend? Monkey answered their questions while winking at Lin Feng.

Xiaoya was pulled to sit down next to Zhang Fen, who fussed over her and even picked out the biggest and reddest Apple from the fruit plate and gave it to her. Xiaoya obediently responded, occasionally stealing a glance at Lin Feng who was quietly making tea, her eyes filled with gratitude.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Zhang Fen pulled Xiaoya and Lü Yi (Lü Yi regarded as a "poor child" who needed care) to the kitchen, saying she would teach them how to make dumplings, leaving the living room to Lin Feng and Monkey.

The living room quieted down, with only the faint sound of the television being turned back on. Monkey leaned back comfortably on the old sofa, took a sip of the tea Lin Feng had brewed, and smacked his lips. "It's still more comfortable at your place, no more fuss."

Lin Feng sat down in the chair opposite him and asked, "Are you done with work at the shop?" He knew that Monkey's family ran a small convenience store.

"That's about it. We closed down yesterday, exhausted." The Monkey waved his hand, then leaned closer, lowered his voice, and his expression became a little subtle, "Madman, I need to tell you something."

"Um?"

"You remember our high school class monitor, Liu Hao? He was organizing a reunion in the group chat a few days ago, saying that since almost everyone's back for Chinese New Year, they wanted to have one at the newly opened ' Gathering Worthies Pavilion ' restaurant in the county town on the third day of the Lunar New Year. He was asking everyone if they wanted to go." Monkey said, observing Lin Feng's expression. "He... asked me about you too. I told him you were back, but I didn't make the decision for you. Are you going?"

High school reunion?

Lin Feng's expression remained unchanged upon hearing this. In the original owner's memories, his impressions of his high school classmates were already very faint. He had buried himself in his studies for three years in order to leave this small county. Apart from a few close friends like Monkey, most of the others were just names and blurry faces, and he didn't have much of a relationship with them. Later, when he went to university, he almost lost contact with them. To him, those people were complete strangers.

Attending such gatherings, exchanging pleasantries with a bunch of "classmates" you barely remember, talking about jobs, marriages, and children that are unfamiliar to each other, and perhaps even being secretly compared to some classmates who are doing well... it's all meaningless and a pure waste of time.

Without much thought, he shook his head. "I'm not going. It's pointless."

The Monkey seemed to have anticipated his reaction, and didn't try to dissuade him, simply shrugging. "Fine, I figured if you went you'd just be listening to those guys bragging. It's better if you don't go, at least it'll be quiet."

Just then, the kitchen door was pushed open a crack, and Zhang Fen peeked out, holding a rolling pin in her hand, a smile on her face, her ears clearly perked up. "Xiao Feng, Monkey, what are you saying? What kind of party?"

The Monkey, quick to speak, replied with a grin, "Auntie, we're having a high school reunion, from the third year of junior high. We asked Madman if he's going."

Zhang Fen's eyes lit up immediately when she heard "class reunion." In her mind, what a great opportunity it was! She could see her old classmates, reconnect with them, and maybe... even meet a suitable girl! Her son was always so quiet and withdrawn, and she never saw him interacting with any girls; she was so worried about him.

"Go! Why not!" Zhang Fen raised her voice as she walked out of the kitchen, looking at Lin Feng earnestly, "Xiao Feng, don't stay at home all day. Go out and meet up with your classmates and friends! See if there are any... um, any old classmates you can chat with, and keep in touch! You're getting old, it's time to think about your personal life! Do you hear me?"

She spoke frankly, her eyes full of expectation and urging.

Lin Feng looked at his mother's unquestionable expression, then glanced at Monkey's suppressed laughter beside him, and sighed inwardly. He knew that his mother was once again planning his life as an ordinary unemployed youth; urging him to get married was an eternal theme, especially during the Spring Festival, a time for family reunions and the undercurrents Undercurrent aunts and uncles.

If I refuse outright, my mother will definitely nag endlessly, and I won't be able to have a peaceful New Year.

He remained silent for a few seconds, meeting his mother's eager gaze, and finally nodded almost imperceptibly, saying in a flat tone, "Okay, I understand. Go."

"Ah! That's right!" Zhang Fen immediately beamed, as if her son had already succeeded halfway. "Dress smartly! Don't always wear that black!" Satisfied, she turned and went back to the kitchen to continue directing the dumpling-making project.

The Monkey cast a sympathetic look at Lin Feng, as if to say, "Take care, brother," its shoulders shaking as it tried to suppress its laughter.

Lin Feng ignored him, picked up the slightly cooled tea and took a sip, then looked out at the gray sky.

The third day of the Lunar New Year... Gathering Worthies Pavilion. It seems this year is destined to be anything but peaceful.