I Can Talk to Cats C40

Chapter 40: Going Home for the Holidays (Part Two)

Translated by Lime

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Hi! Long time no see! It’s almost been a year and I apologize for being gone for so long. I’m on summer break now and have more free time, but I’ll see how much I decide to translate (no promises). Here’s 2 chapters, enjoy! ❤

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During the New Year, it was common for family to nag at the younger generation to get married. 

In the past, those who reached a marriageable age would find someone to introduce to their elders and get married. But now, single people who were already 30 years old could be found everywhere.

As the anxious parents watched their children without partners grow older and older, they started to panic and ignored any protest from their children. Even all the distant relatives went into battle. Like in the tale of Sun Wukong, the relatives cast a headache inducing effect on the younger generation. Furthermore, they weren’t even able to escape this incessant torment.

“It’s quite miserable.” Lin Lan glanced at Xu Xiangfei with a gaze full of sympathy. “But it’s just for the holidays, you can make it through.”

Evidently distressed, Xu Xiangfei looked at her. “Little host, you don’t look like you face this pressure from your family.”

Actually, her age wasn’t much different from him. When he first moved into his apartment, she was already working in Mo City and as a result they barely met. Now that she moved back, they bumped into each other a few more times and could be considered acquaintances.

Lin Lan looked unfazed, so did she already find a partner in Mo City?

“I did have a boyfriend, but we broke up before I came back.” Lin Lan honestly told him, “There aren’t many people to begin with in my family, and my relatives are all understanding and don’t interfere in those matters.”

“You have to be lying! No such middle-aged relatives exist that don’t care about these things!” Xu Xiangfei’s eyes widened in amazement, and he had the same silly expression as his husky.

“Well, that’s true,” Lin Lan naturally said, “But with my circumstances, it wouldn’t be hard to find someone who would be willing to marry me so I’m not in a rush.”

As the pretty young lady stood there, Xu Xiangfei looked behind her at the six story apartment building and felt a pain in his stomach.

That’s right, she was basically a rich young miss that didn’t need to worry about getting married. If she was willing, there would be a line of young men at her door just from the neighborhood across the street.

“Little host, has anyone ever told you that you’re a little narcissistic?” Xu Xiangfei blurted out after sustaining a mental blow.

“Hmph, couldn’t be me.” Lin Lan jokingly retorted. “Besides, I didn’t lie.”

Xu Xiangfei was dealt another blow. This single dog really regretted talking to her about these matters the day before he had to face his noisy relatives.

“I admit defeat, bye!” Xu Xiangfei let his head hang and spiritlessly turned around to leave. “I’ll see you around!”

“Woof! Woof!” The husky barked as he was being led away by his owner.

“Nice talking to you, see you two next year!” Lin Lan waved at the two as they left. Due to his big dog, Xu Xiangfei had to travel by car to visit his hometown, unlike the other tenants who took the train home. 

New Year’s Eve arrived and the apartment building was mostly empty.

The Cheng family was still far from Xi City and were visiting their hometown for two to three days.

There were no shopping malls, Internet cafes, or amusement parks. The only things available were the wifi that had been set up a few years ago, the nicely furnished house, and the old cable TV that wouldn’t let you record and play programs.

In the spacious house, Cheng Fengyang laid like a dried salted fish on the couch and stared at the TV which was playing a program that the elders were watching with interest. His mind had already wandered far away from this reality.

Outside, there were a few kids playing in the yard piled full of snow. Among them, a border collie and a big yellow dog were running around.

The border collie was obviously Cheng Fengyang’s dog, Star. Since his family owned a car, they brought along the dog instead of leaving it at home by herself. The big yellow dog was the dog owned by Cheng Fengyang’s great-grandfather. It was extremely helpful as a guard dog, and sometimes he would even take over the cat’s job and catch mice as well.

Unlike the Lin family whose relatives all resided in Xicheng, the Cheng family members were more spread out. When he was young, great-grandfather Cheng had three sons including Cheng Fengyang’s grandfather, and they left home to establish their own families. Cheng Fengyang’s grandfather moved to Xicheng, which was a newly developing city back then. With hard work, he was able to build a traditional-style house with a courtyard in the center.

Grandfather Cheng didn’t have the business ability like Grandfather Lin who bought a building after getting rich from his business. Grandfather Cheng and his wife relied on their own hard work to build their home. Maybe it was because they worked too hard when they were young that they both passed away from illness before they were even seventy years old. The house was then left behind to be inherited by Father Cheng and his family, allowing them to live lives where they weren’t extremely wealthy nor poor. When the government transformed the surrounding area, fortune was bestowed on the family. Although the other two brothers were still alive, they were both suffering from illnesses at an old age.

Great-grandfather Cheng and his wife stayed behind in the small village and although they were more than ninety years old, their bodies were full of vitality and they were able to carry small loads and do chores around the courtyard with no problem.

Since the oldest elders of the Cheng family lived in the small village, the rest of the Cheng family naturally came to spend the New Years with them.

Every year at this time, the courtyard of the Cheng family would be noisy and full of activity. Both adults and children mingled inside and outside of the house.

“Uncle Fengyang! Uncle Fengyang!”

Cheng Fengyang was still laying on the couch when the children who were playing in the snow earlier came over. A seven year old boy led the charge and suddenly jumped onto him, making it hard for him to breathe.

“What are you doing, Cheng Xiaozhuang!” The boy’s mother was present and immediately reprimanded him, “Your Uncle Fengyang just sprained his ankle a few days ago and you still jumped onto his body? Hurry up and apologize!”

As soon as his mother admonished him, the overly excited boy calmed down and bowed his head, saying, “I’m sorry, Uncle Fengyang. Did I hurt you?”

“It’s fine, no need to worry.” The boy had actually leaped onto the affected area and Cheng Fengyang grimaced but tried to resolve the conflict, “It’s normal for kids to have bad judgment sometimes. Sister-in-law, don’t yell at Zhuang Zhuang anymore.”

“Stop spoiling them so much, Fengyang.” Xiaozhuang’s mother didn’t try to defend her son since she was frequently pissed off by her troublemaking son at home. “Is your injury not a result of these smelly kids? They’re still causing trouble during the New Year so you shouldn’t be lenient!”

The kids who were just playing happily in the snow earlier shrunk their neck and pitifully stared up at Cheng Fengyang and Xiaozhuang’s mother.

Speaking of his twisted ankle, Cheng Fengyang thought of his bad luck the past few days. Before he returned to his hometown, his eye was injured after the incident at the hotpot restaurant, and after taking great care of it for a few days, it finally got better. Then, the second day he was back in his hometown, he twisted his ankle due to his relatives’ children playing around.

Does this mean he would have an unlucky year?

In his heart, he was crying, but on the outside he maintained a courteous smile: “It’s okay, don’t get mad. They know their faults already. They haven’t caused trouble by running around in the fields, and this is something to be commended. Alright, Xiaozhuang, and Ming Ming, and Tong Tong, why did you come looking for me?” Weren’t they playing happily with the dogs earlier?

Xiaozhuang’s friend, Ming Ming, immediately said, “Uncle Fengyang, Xiaozhuang said that you brought a tablet back! We want to watch anime! Can you please let us use your tablet?”

Sigh, as soon as they became tired of playing with the snow, they wanted to watch anime.

“Sure, I’ll let you use the tablet.” Cheng Fengyang’s bag was on top of a table in the living room which was not too far yet too far away. If he wasn’t injured, he would have been able to easily grab the bag, but he had some difficulty doing so now.

“Sit down Fengyang, I’ll get it!” Xiao Zhuang’s mother tried to prevent him from getting up.

“Don’t worry about me, I don’t like laying around doing nothing. Sister-in-law, just let me move around a little bit.” Cheng Fengyang had already gotten up from the couch. He bent his injured leg and hopped over in the direction of his bag.

Finally, he reached the table and as soon as he opened his bag, he heard peals of laughter from the children behind him. Xiao Zhuang even said, “Grandfather and Mommy, look at Star and Da Huang! They’re learning from Uncle Fengyang!” Still confused, Cheng Fengyang turned around.

_{^{(T/N: They literally call the big yellow dog “Big Yellow” but I thought it sounded awkward so kept it in pinyin)}}

The border collie and big yellow dog had followed the children into the house earlier, and they were standing there now. The two dogs both lifted their front paw and following Cheng Fengyang’s example earlier, hopped.

“Hey! You both are being bad dogs!” Cheng Fengyang was angry and raised a fist at them. The two dogs immediately turned to leave, but like before, they hopped away with one paw raised.

Instantly, the entire house was roaring with laughter.

It really angered him to death! After getting injured, even the dogs learned to make fun of him!

“This proves that both Star and Da Huang like you very much, Fengyang.” Great-grandfather Cheng tried to comfort his great-grandson who was fuming, “Those who aren’t close to you won’t learn to mock you even if you allow them to.”

“I don’t want these kinds of relationships.” Cheng Fengyang was tired and laid back on the couch, looking pitiful and forlorn. “I’m being bullied by dogs right now.”

His appearance only earned more laughter from his relatives.

“Yangyang, you’re twenty-six this year right? So next year you’ll be twenty-seven.” Great-grandmother Cheng had a loving gaze as she looked at her great-grandson. Out of all her great-grandsons, he was the best looking, but until now he didn’t have a girlfriend. “You can’t keep delaying having children. You should be looking to get married by next year.”

“She’s right.” After hearing the topic change, Xiaozhuang’s mother spoke as she helped find a show for the children to watch on the tablet, “Look at your cousins: other than Xiao Hui and Pingping who are still in school, they all have gotten married and it should be your turn next.”

“Yangyang, is there anyone you like?” Great-grandfather Cheng also asked.

Of course there’s someone I like, but she doesn’t like me back yet, Cheng Fengyang thought to himself.

“Great-grandfather and great-grandmother, don’t worry! It’s easy for me to find someone.” He sat up straight and the bright and lively clothes he wore for the New Year accentuated his confident appearance. “Don’t you see how handsome I am and my good living situation right now? If I want a partner it would be easy. Just wait, I’ll bring back a pretty bride for you all!”

“Bah! Uncle Fengyang, you’re being so narcissistic!” Cheng Xiaozhuang, who was focused on watching his anime, suddenly turned his head around and made a weird face at him. “Aren’t you embarrassed?”

“Stinky kid, if you keep talking I’ll confiscate the tablet!”

In the noisy living room, another roar of laughter sounded.

“It’s not early in the day anymore. Grandfather’s brother’s family should have arrived by now.” Xiaozhuang’s mother looked out the window at the almost setting sun. “Great-grandmother Cheng, I’ll go start making dinner now.”

“Go call your mother, Fengyang’s mother, and Ming Ming’s mother to go help you. The more people helping out, the faster the food will be ready.” Great-grandmother Cheng instructed, “Make sure to check inside the stone oven before heating it up. There’s almost always a cat sleeping inside.”

“Okay!”

As the sun set, Grandfather Cheng’s brother’s family finally arrived at the old Cheng’s residence just in time for dinner.

The old and young generations of the Cheng family all ate together, requiring three round tables. In the background, the New Year’s Gala program began on TV.

Even though many people didn’t particularly love watching the Gala, they still played the lively program.

When compared to everyone in the family, Cheng Fengyang wasn’t as important, especially since he was a single dog, and wasn’t able to sit at the table with his great-grandparents. Instead, he sat at the table with his cousins and all the little kids.

Was he miserable?

No, not really.

He was able to escape the questions from his relatives about getting married.

Cheng Fengyang would enjoy the New Year’s Eve dinner since the stinky kids wouldn’t bring up the dreaded topics, right?

In reality, he had started celebrating too early.

“Uncle Fengyang, when are you getting married?” His fifteen year old nephew hugged his rice bowl as he innocently asked. “My mom said that you’ll be twenty-seven soon which is very old. You still haven’t found someone to marry yet?”

Cheng Fengyang felt like the chicken wing he was holding was losing its flavor and sternly said, “Little kids shouldn’t meddle in the affairs of adults.”

“Uncle Fengyang, you are too relaxed!” The nephew who was only in his third year of junior high started laughing, “You’re already twenty-seven years old and you still haven’t found a wife. When my dad was twenty-seven, I was already three years old!”

Across from his nephew, Cheng Fengyang had set down his chopsticks and stood up. The nephew, who had just been making fun of his uncle for being a single dog, stopped laughing and was ready to flee if his uncle was coming to teach him a lesson. He quickly found out that his uncle wasn’t when Cheng Fengyang said, “I’m going to the restroom.”

Cheng Fengyang relied on his crutches to make his way to the restroom.

As he hobbled away, he pulled out his phone from his pocket and dialed the number of one of his college classmates that was now working in a middle school.

A few seconds later.

“Hello, is this Junzi? Happy New Year! …Yeah, this year has been pretty good… How can I compare to you? You’re already an esteemed teacher that many others are envious of… Nice talking to you, if you have time let’s get together sometime with the guys… Oh right, I have a small favor to ask of you…” 

Two days quickly passed.

The nephew who had made fun of his uncle for not having a wife on New Year’s Eve had long forgotten about the incident until his uncle received an express delivery. Cheng Fengyang had received a big bundle of test papers and exercises from a certain middle school and gave these papers to his nephew’s parents. Only then did the poor student realize the consequences of his actions.

Why did he decide to make fun of his single dog uncle? It really wasn’t worth it!

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