Chapter 203: Xiu Xiu

Here’s the translation of the provided Chinese text into English:

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There’s a popular saying these days: “Business cards, business cards—just open scams.”

Not many people had business cards in this era. Lin Fang held Lin Guicheng’s card in her hand as she sat on the back of a motorcycle, trying to shrink her body behind Fatty’s broad frame to shield herself from the biting wind. Fatty was about the same height as Lin Fang, making him a somewhat inadequate shield, but his width made up for it. Besides, he wasn’t riding fast.

Fatty kept chatting while driving: “Skinny, do you think that old man is an idiot? Spending his own money to let people read books, even covering the rent. Maybe he really is a scammer, targeting naive girls like you. You better be careful.”

Lin Fang rested her head against Fatty’s back, examining the business card. It listed Lin Guicheng’s title: Chairman of Lin’s Aquatic Products Company. She shook her head. “Who knows? Judging by this card, he must be rich. Opening this bookstore is probably just pocket change for him. He doesn’t even care.”

With Lin Fang’s head pressing against his back and her shaking it, Fatty felt an itch and instinctively leaned forward. Caught off guard, Lin Fang lurched forward, instinctively wrapping her arms around Fatty’s waist. In the process, she loosened her grip, and the business card slipped from her hand, fluttering to the ground before being swept by the wind into the roadside field.

“Stop, stop! The card fell—I need to get it!” Lin Fang cried out.

But Fatty kept driving, slightly turning his head. “Forget it. If it’s gone, it’s gone. You can always ask him for another one later. The wind’s picking up—hold on tight, put your hands in my pockets, and huddle down. I’m speeding up so we can get back quickly.”

By then, the motorcycle had already traveled far, and the wind had indeed grown stronger. Even if she went back now, the card would likely be long gone. Lin Fang gave up and followed Fatty’s instructions, huddling behind him with her hands in his pockets, gripping his waist. They raced home, arriving to find the sky darker than usual and the temperature noticeably colder.

As soon as they reached the alley entrance, Heipi (Blackie) rushed toward Lin Fang. The dog suddenly stood on its hind legs, wrapping its front paws around her waist, its round eyes gazing at her while whimpering like a spoiled child.

Lin Fang rubbed Heipi’s head, bent down, and let it lick her face. She then retrieved her schoolbag from the motorcycle’s front basket and hung it around the dog’s neck. Only then did Heipi obediently follow her home, step by step.

Heipi had been brought home by Lin Yong from a comrade’s family when it was less than a month old—partly as a playmate for Lin Fang, but also because a grown dog could guard the house. After all, Heipi was a purebred German Shepherd, its father a retired military dog. Like its father, Heipi was fierce and swift, striking without warning, leaving no time for reaction. Though Lin Yong mostly fed it, Heipi was closest to Lin Fang.

In the first few days after returning from the hospital, Lin Fang had avoided Heipi, unsure of her own feelings—seeing the dog reminded her of Qi Biao, whom she’d nicknamed “Heipi,” and her lost family from another world. But after a week, she accepted reality. What good would hiding do?

The courtyard gate was only slightly ajar, just enough for Heipi to slip through—it must have opened the door itself.

“I’m home!” Lin Fang shouted excitedly before even entering, reaching to push the gate open so Fatty could ride his motorcycle in. Fatty’s parents wouldn’t return until the New Year, and since childhood, he’d made it a habit to go straight to Lin Fang’s house whenever his own was empty.

“And me!” Fatty added right after Lin Fang.

Before Lin Fang could touch the gate, it swung open from inside. Dong Huixin stood there smiling. “See, Dad? I told you it was Fang and Fatty. Wasn’t I right?”

Lin Yuanmin, holding little Yuanyuan at the doorstep, chuckled. “No need for you to say it. It’s Friday—they were supposed to come back around this time. Otherwise, why would Heipi have pushed the door open and run out?”

Listening to her parents’ playful bickering, Lin Fang laughed. Fatty parked the motorcycle in the yard and joked, “Hahaha, Uncle Lin, Auntie Lin, you’re both amazing—like living fortune-tellers, always right!”

Lin Fang took her nephew from her father’s arms, kissing his chubby cheeks. “Yuanyuan, did you miss Auntie? Say ‘Auntie’!”

“Doo,” the little one chirped, his voice crisp and endlessly endearing.

“Say it again!”

“Doo.”

“Again!”

“Doo.”

Fatty leaned in, coaxing, “Come on, Yuanyuan, say ‘Uncle’!”

Having not seen Fatty for nearly a month, Yuanyuan was shy. At Fatty’s teasing, the little boy buried his face in Lin Fang’s shoulder, giving Fatty the back of his head.

Lin Yuanmin took Lin Fang’s schoolbag from Heipi’s neck and grabbed Fatty’s from the motorcycle basket, carrying both as he headed inside. “Let’s talk inside—it’s freezing out here.”

Lin Fang hurried in with Yuanyuan as Lin Yuanmin lifted the door curtain, Fatty close behind. Dong Huixin, slightly farther back, had to lift the curtain herself when she reached the door.

Entering, she teased, “See? The moment my daughter’s back, this old hag gets sidelined. Your dad only has eyes for you.”

“Damn right,” Lin Yuanmin said proudly. “Staring at your old face every day—what’s so great about that? My daughter’s much prettier.”

Fatty circled Lin Fang, desperate to get Yuanyuan to call him “Uncle.” No matter where the boy hid, Fatty followed, but Yuanyuan refused, burying his face in Lin Fang’s arms, his diaper-clad bottom pointed at Fatty.

Lin Fang didn’t help, laughing instead. Yuanyuan, thinking his aunt was laughing at him, burrowed deeper into her embrace, frustrating Fatty further. Lin Yuanmin and Dong Huixin left them to their games and went to prepare dinner.

Out of ideas, Fatty scratched his head, scanning the room for toys to bribe Yuanyuan. His eyes landed on the schoolbags Lin Yuanmin had casually placed on the table. Suddenly remembering, Fatty grinned—inside were things Yuanyuan loved.

Excited, he pulled out two sugar cakes and waved them. “Mmm, so yummy! Yuanyuan, want some?” He dangled them in front of the boy.

Tempted by the aroma, Yuanyuan finally looked up, reaching for the treats. But just as his tiny fingers were about to grab them, Fatty hid the cakes behind his back, grinning. “Say ‘Uncle’ first! Call me ‘Uncle,’ and you’ll get one.”

Yuanyuan turned his head away again, but the lure of sugar proved too strong. “Shu-shu,” he mumbled.

Thrilled, Fatty still didn’t hand over the cake, teasing, “Good boy! That’s the way! Now say it again, and you’ll get it.”

“Shu-shu—” The baby’s sweet voice made Fatty kiss his cheek before giving him one cake. He dangled the other. “One more time, and this one’s yours too.”

Clutching his prize, Yuanyuan took a bite, eyeing the second cake still in Fatty’s hand. With his mouth full, he mumbled, “Shoo-shoo—.”

Fatty handed it over but, unsatisfied, waved another cake. This time, Yuanyuan didn’t need prompting. “Shoo-shoo—, shoo-shoo—, shoo-shoo—,” he babbled endlessly.

“You little rascal, why’d you change how you say it?” Grumbling, Fatty gave him the last cake and bolted outside as Lin Yuanmin and Dong Huixin burst into laughter. Lin Fang giggled too—she remembered Fatty’s mom still coaxing him to pee when he was almost in elementary school, her pronunciation eerily similar to Yuanyuan’s “shoo-shoo.”

When Fatty returned from the bathroom, dinner was ready—simple fare of rice porridge and stuffed buns, eliminating the need for side dishes. Fatty efficiently prepared garlic dipping sauce for himself and the adults (Lin Fang couldn’t handle spice, so he skipped hers).

At the sight of buns, Yuanyuan abandoned his sugar cakes, tossing them aside as he stretched toward the food, nearly toppling from Lin Fang’s arms.

The buns were still too hot for tiny hands, so Lin Fang distracted him with an airplane game, making him giggle. As she played, she asked, “Where are Big Brother and Sis-in-law? It’s getting dark—why aren’t they back yet?”

Dong Huixin ladled porridge while Lin Yuanmin answered, “Your brother only went to water the mushroom beds late this afternoon. Your sister-in-law got back from her parents’ place just before you. When she noticed the temperature dropping, she took a coat to him. They should be back soon.”

The buns were stuffed with lotus root and a little meat—crispy and delicious. Fatty devoured eight before finally stopping, rubbing his distended belly. Yuanyuan managed one whole bun himself and reached for more until Dong Huixin intervened, worried he’d overeat.

After playing, Yuanyuan drank a bottle of milk and dozed off. Lin Fang asked about the family’s new diner. Lin Yuanmin explained, “We only started selling diesel at the shop today. The diner hasn’t officially opened yet. Starting tomorrow, your mom and I will take turns manning it—ready to cook whether customers come or not.”

Fatty cheered. “Perfect! Now I can eat whenever I want!”

With his parents away, Fatty usually stayed with Lin Fang’s family at night, often sleeping at the shop with Lin Tuo. The diner might as well have been built for his bottomless stomach.

Lin Fang scoffed. “Hey, we’re running a business, not feeding a glutton like you 24/7.” She kept the rest to herself—no need to jinx the unopened diner, even if it was likely true.

Their banter continued until the pitch-black night prompted Lin Yuanmin to fetch a flashlight, intending to check the alley for Lin Yong and his wife. Dong Huixin urged him to head to the shop if necessary, and Fatty quickly threw on his coat to join.

Snowflakes began falling as Fatty excitedly caught them. Then, a heart-wrenching scream pierced the night, startling him so badly the swirling snow seemed to shudder in response.

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(Note: The translation maintains the original tone, cultural nuances, and character dynamics while adapting idioms and expressions for natural English readability. Names are kept in pinyin with contextual clarity, and dialogue retains its colloquial flavor.)