New Year's Day, visiting, pairs on ice.

Two and a half years have passed since Dong Ge and He Zhangsheng moved in together.

Last year, Dong Ge couldn't spend New Year's Eve at home because he was competing in a tournament, so to make up for it, this year's New Year's Eve was extra festive.

The house is newly remodeled, with a floor-to-ceiling window in the dining room, and the snow falls on the steps outside, while it's warm and springy in the walled-off area.

The dumplings are stuffed with pork and scallions, rolling up and down in a boiling aluminum pot; the buckwheat is glistening with caramelized sugar, and the dried plums are black and crisp, the aroma of the gravy brings out the mellow taste of the dried plums and complements each other; the oysters are freshly salvaged and plump, and the fishy smell of the minerals is masked by the ginger juice.

Such a wonderful and rich table was prepared by Dong Feihong.

There were not many participants in this family dinner, only four, Dong Dad, Dong Mom, Dong Ge, and Dong Feihong.

Dong Ge is given food by his red-faced mother, while Dong Ge sips and drinks with his father.

Dong Ge can drink a little wine, so when Dong Ge's father is already red in the face, Dong Ge's cheeks only have a little bit of tantalizing wine color, and his eyes are still bright and quiet.

Since it was a family banquet, it was natural that the table could not help but talk about personal matters.

Winter's mom smiled and asked, "Xiao Ge, what kind of person have you fallen in love with lately?"

Dong Ge said, "I'm training every day, so I don't have time to think about this."

Winter's mom squeezed her eyes, "Don't get sloppy with mom, if you like anyone, tell mom."

Dong Ge : "Where there is."

Winter's mom simply picked her words more clearly, "Do you like boys or girls?"

This world line is different from the previous one, and the social acceptance of homosexuality is quite common, so Dong Ge is a bit surprised that Dong Ma could ask such a question.

And soon winter mom will give the reason: "What kind of eyes you have? Our family is at least an ice rink, many boys bring boys to skate. These old years, mom accompanied you to go abroad a few times? What Western scenery have not seen?"

Dong Ge was surprised, "...... What made you think that all of a sudden?"

It's true that Dong Ge has always been gay, but why would Dong Ma bring that up?

Winter's mother had a look of "Little boy, your mom guessed it, right?" "Is that person's last name He?"

Chi Xiaochi : "......" huh?

Winter's mom said, "When I went up to see you, I bumped into one of your female teammates and chatted for a few minutes. She said there is a person always come to the side of the field to watch you train, every time he went, you jumped especially vigorously, what jump fancy jump which. She said energetically, I went to inquire about it, originally thought it was a girl, did not expect ......"

Chi Xiaochi : "...... Mr. Six, Mr. Six. Is there such a thing."

When practicing, Chi Xiaochi always leaves his body in Dong Ge's hands and lets him do whatever he wants, but I didn't expect him to take this opportunity to show off his little mind.

061: "...... Really."

Chi Xiaochi held his wine glass, "...... Hoping that I taught half a day and brought out a little peacock that can cross its tail."

061 Laughs.

Since the last time he received a subtle signal, 061 has been paying extra attention to what's going on inside Dong Ge's body.

Sure enough, there was a reaction this time.

If 061 had sensed correctly, the signal received this time was "blush".

Seeing that Dong Ge did not speak, she couldn't help but continue to preach, "If you like boys, then you like them, it's not a bad thing. If you are like your little uncle, engaged in what celibacy, that is bad food, when old age bad body, who will take care of it?"

Dong Feihong, who was named for no reason, immediately made a formal gesture, lowered his head and ate obediently, while crossing the edge of the rice bowl and winking at Dong Ge.

After the meal, Dong Ma washes the dishes, Dong Pa wipes the table, and Dong Ge is shooed off to watch TV.

After tuning the station to center, he threw on his clothes and walked out of the house.

He found Dong Feihong smoking a cigarette at the side of the rink.

On the ice rink was a bright red banner: congratulations to Dong Ge for joining the national team, the ice rink is open for free for seven days.

It was a notice sent down years ago.

Dong Ge, Liang Xiao, another women's singles player, and the pairs skating duo of He Zhangsheng and Fang Xiaoyan have been recognized by the National Skating Association for their qualifications and will be members of the national team from the end of the year.

The training place is still mainly the provincial team, if there is an important event, and then gathered together to focus on training.

After New Year's, they'll be flying to Finland to train for the World Skating Championships in March.

Seeing him, Dong Feihong waved the smoke away from him, intending to extinguish the cigarette.

Chi Xiaochi said, "No."

He came forward and spread his palms at Dong Feihong.

Dong Feihong realized this and took out a cigarette case from his pocket, "You can smoke?"

Chi Xiaochi took one from the center and held it in her mouth, "A little."

Dong Feihong laughed and said, "Let's both smoke secretly. Don't let your mom find out, or she'll say I've brought you down."

With that, he took the curling smoke back into his mouth and looked down to fumble for his lighter from his pocket.

But he didn't realize that Chi Xiaochi, standing slightly on his tiptoes, had naturally touched the cigarette in Dong Feihong's mouth with the cigarette in his mouth.

--Sizzle.

The dark red, burning tip of the cigarette ignited the paper of another cigarette, which in turn ignited the tobacco inside.

Dong Feihong's heart jumped.

After the ignition, Chi Xiaochi automatically withdrew, as if the slightly ambiguous action just now had not been done by him at all.

Leaning against the cold railing, he tilted his head back to look at the dark night sky and the occasional sporadic fireworks that blossomed across it.

The ban on fireworks has been in place for so many years, but there are still people who are willing to take the bull by the horns, as if the New Year would not be considered a good year if they did not make some noise.

Chi Xiaochi asked, "Uncle Junior, I heard you're going abroad."

Dong Feihong nods.

Chi Xiaochi's mission in this world is coming to an end, so he has to prepare for his "disappearance" in advance.

Chi Xiaochi said, "It's good to be abroad. I'll be able to visit you when I go abroad to compete in the future."

Dong Feihong smiles without answering.

"Dong Feihong exists to protect Chi Xiaochi. With Chi Xiaochi gone, it would be too difficult and impractical to maintain the existence of Dong Feihong across the long timeline.

After that, Chi Xiaochi didn't say another word.

Uncle and nephew finished a cigarette shoulder-to-shoulder and lit another one each.

The temperature difference between indoors and outdoors is huge, but for Chi Xiaochi, who trains in sub-zero conditions all year round, the cold is nothing.

They stood in silence for a long time before Chi Xiaochi suddenly spoke.

Facing the vast ice rink, he asked, "Uncle Junior, have you ever seen The Matrix."

The world has this movie, but since 061 hasn't seen it, neither has Dong Feihong.

He shook his head honestly and snapped, "What was the talk about?"

Chi Xiaochi took a drag on his cigarette and said, "Nothing. That was a good movie."

He said it in a languid tone, very close to the real Chi Xiaochi.

Dong Feihong's eyes can parse out all the data, so the Chi Xiaochi that falls into his eyes at this moment is exactly the way he was in the beginning.

--Snow-white smoke flowed from slightly reddened lips, parting slowly along his hanging gall-like nostrils and dissipating into the cold air.

His eyes were all teasing carelessness, mixed with a little melancholy, so fascinating that it called for a loss of concentration.

Dong Feihong couldn't help but say, "You ......"

However, before the words were finished, Dong Ma's voice came from far away, "Dong Ge. ...... Xiao Ge! Where is it?!"

Chi Xiaochi naturally shifted back to Dong Ge's expression mode, skillfully dipping his cigarette butt into a disposable water cup prepared by Dong Feihong: "Mom, I'm here."

Winter's mom called, "Someone's looking for you!"

Dong Ge thought it might be an acquaintance, but he was shocked when he saw He Zhangsheng pulling a suitcase.

He walked up quickly, "Elder He?"

"I had planned to come back to your house tomorrow to pay a New Year s visit." He Zhangsheng With white breath coming out of his mouth and frosty eyelashes, he looked pale and beautiful, "...... But there was an accident. Can I come to your house to borrow a day?"

Dong Ge, of course, agreed.

There are two guest rooms in their house, enough for He Zhangsheng to sleep in.

When Dong Ge brought He Zhangsheng in, he didn't ask a single question, and when he introduced He Zhangsheng to his mom and dad, he only said that He Zhangsheng was here on a trip.

Winter mom knows him, and just heard the news soon, look at He Zhangsheng's eyes will be a little different: "New Year's Day how to run out of tourism? Your parents."

He Zhangsheng, holding the hot tea, answered truthfully, "I am an orphan."

He Zhangsheng was bullied when he first entered the gymnasium because of this, in the minds of children, those with mothers are inherently superior to those without.

Now bring up this matter again, He Zhangsheng has no special feeling, but the winter mom's heart of compassion has been unable to hold, warm hand melons, chatting over the three knock, recognize the posture of the godchildren are going to be set out.

He Zhangsheng had never been treated so grandly in his life, so he was at a loss for words and could only lean towards the familiar Dong Ge.

Dong Ge rescued him and took him into the guest room.

As soon as the door closed, He Zhangsheng breathed a long sigh of relief, "Thank you."

Dong Ge: "You're not used to it."

He Zhangsheng said, "I am not quite used to it. Lou's family ...... doesn't."

Lou's father and mother were reminded of He Zhangsheng's life by Lou Sifan many times in private, and always treated He Zhangsheng with caution, for fear of touching his sore spot, therefore, although He Zhangsheng is often treated with courtesy in Lou's family, he always avoided embarrassment.

In comparison, Winter's mom's warmth made him a little uncomfortable, but extra heart warming.

Dong Ge didn't say another word.

He Zhangsheng sat down on a chair, "I'll stay one night and leave tomorrow."

Dong Ge said, "Listen to you. Stay two more days if you are happy."

He Zhangsheng said, "Can you lend me some money?"

Dong Ge: "How much?"

He Zhangsheng : "A train ticket back to the provincial team, about 120 or so."

Dong Ge said, "OK. But there should be no more tickets now. Check online first to see if there are any tickets left."

He Zhangsheng: "I lost my cell phone."

Dong Ge : "...... Buy a spare first."

He Zhangsheng: "The wallet and cell phone were stolen."

Dong Ge : "...... What else do you have on you?"

He Zhangsheng said, "The ID card is still there. I always keep my ID and wallet separate."

Chi Xiaochi: "......"

Holy shit this year has gotten you so far, you're down to an ID.

He asked, "Senior, you came here with the intention of spending the New Year with Senior Lou, right?"

He Zhangsheng was strangely silent for a moment before answering, "Uh-huh. I had a fight with him."

...... Well, the cause and effect of the story is finally strung together.

He Zhangsheng originally intended to spend the New Year's Eve with Lou Sifan, accidental altercation; He Zhangsheng left Lou's home, intending to go to the train station to buy a ticket back to the provincial team, did not expect the wallet and cell phone was stolen clean, no way, can only walk to find the same local Dong Ge to ask for help.

Dong Ge checked the remaining train tickets: "From the first day of the Lunar New Year to the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, all the tickets are sold out."

He Zhangsheng lowered his head, "I'll take the bus back."

Dong Ge said, "OK, I'll accompany you to the passenger terminal tomorrow."

He Zhangsheng said, "Thank you."

He Zhangsheng did not say why he quarreled with Lou Sifan, and Dong Ge did not ask.

He Zhangsheng is grateful for this seemingly unkind consideration.

Lou Sifan hadn't been in the best of form since the good news was sent to the provincial team a year ago, and didn't even make it to the preliminary rounds at the next national tournament.

This incident infuriated Lou Sifan's coach, who made him submit at least five personal reviews and analyses.

And in the afternoon chat, Lou's father also brought up this matter, let him quit arrogance and learn more from Dong Ge of the same team.

That's when Lou Sifan got a bad look on his face.

He Zhangsheng knew that this topic was not very pleasant, so he tried to steer the topic away, "Dong Ge also lives here, right? Tomorrow I'll go to him to pay my respects, Lou, are you going."

Lou Sifan, who has always been a mild-mannered man, exploded: "Don't talk about this guy, okay?"

He Zhangsheng froze: "......"

Lou Sifan shouted as if in a fit of rage: "It's him everywhere, it's him everywhere! Who took you in all these years when you had no home to go back to? You want to go to him, fine, go ahead, hurry up! Don't be here--"

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Lou Sifan realized that something was wrong, and his face turned red and purple, but it was too late to take them back.

He Zhangsheng has long been indifferent to the death of his parents, but his friend's words made it difficult for him to accept.

So to keep things from getting even more embarrassing, he chose to leave.

After a brief conversation, He Zhangsheng said, "You go and stay with your parents."

Dong Ge said, "I'll accompany you."

He Zhangsheng said, "It's boring to accompany me. I'm going to do the choreography program."

Dong Ge said, "That's interesting."

He Zhangsheng That's when it occurred to him that the people in front of him were the same people who regarded skating as their life, for whom it was never boring and every day had a brand new look.

So his heart warmed a little more, "Good."

The "program" that He Zhangsheng refers to is the design of the program that they intend to perform at the World Championships.

This time, He Zhangsheng's coach was very ambitious, wanting He Zhangsheng to break through the fourth place they left behind last time and try to get a medal.

So Dong Ge submitted the program years ago, and He Zhangsheng is still working with the choreographers, staying up late every day, and this New Year's Eve is no exception.

Dong Ge went outside and made a pot of black tea and came back, "Senior, is there a problem."

He Zhangsheng expression a bit distressed: "tomorrow to submit program twelve, but this action I'm still not sure how to design better."

Dong Ge probes at his design sketches.

As Dong Ge remembers it, He Zhangsheng performed quite well at the World Championships, but because of another change of partner, her dance performance was not strong enough and she lost the medal.

"Development" is a hurdle that almost every young athlete has to go through, especially in sports like skating and swimming, where the size requirements are so demanding that they are almost perverse.

Dong Ge Their weights are counted in twos, measured daily, and if there is any gain or loss outside the calculated range, they have to undergo fines and doubling of their training.

Girls have more uncertainty than boys because they face the development of localized organs such as breasts and hips, so it is common for male players to change female partners during the course of adulthood.

This time, He Zhangsheng's partner is Fang Xiaoyan, with whom he has worked for nearly a decade, so there should be no problem in terms of technology and cooperation.

Dong Ge saw He Zhangsheng's pondering and puzzled look, so he suggested: "I have an ice rink at home, or else go on the ice and try it?"