Chapter 15

“Fanxin, Grandma Li knows everything. There are four spirit tablets on the altar at her home.”

“Mm.” Parked outside the compound, Nie Fanxin gripped the steering wheel, tears pooling in her eyes, her voice tinged with a sob. “Grandma Li has no one left.”

“We’ll visit her at the nursing home whenever we have time.” Wan Yi buckled her seatbelt, pulled out a tissue and handed it to her before turning aside to wipe the hot tears from her own eyes.

They sat in the car for half an hour in silence. Nie Fanxin sniffed and started the engine. “Home to write the report, then watch Old Gu dance this afternoon.”

“Aunt Gu twisted her ankle this morning during practice. Not sure if she can compete.”

“She twisted her ankle? How bad?” Nie Fanxin had been so busy she hadn’t kept up with family updates.

Wan Yi checked the messages from Nie Zhiyan: “Doesn’t seem serious. Mom treated it.”

“Then she shouldn’t perform. A sprain takes a hundred days to heal.” Nie Fanxin grumbled and pressed the accelerator, hurrying home.

As for Grandma Li, Wan Yi arranged for her to move into a suitable nursing home. Of the millions from the insurance payout, the grandmother chose to donate half to a women’s mental health foundation that supported psychological counseling for victims of molestation and assault. Wan Yi, following the grandmother’s wishes, hired a trusted asset manager to oversee the rest and keep unscrupulous eyes away.

The overnight snow in Binnan had stopped by dawn, as if the sun’s first light had cut it short. After the snow came clear skies. As Wan Yi and Nie Fanxin entered, they found Gu Bei reclined on the balcony lounger, eyes closed, soaking up the sun.

“Mom.” Nie Fanxin called warmly, hurrying over to sit on the low stool in front of her. “How’s your ankle? Why didn’t anyone tell me?”

“Would you have come rushing home if I’d told you? Better not to say anything.” Gu Bei lifted aside the silk cloth shielding her face from the sun. “I’m used to it. When I was young, I worried about your mother. Now I’m old and worry about you.”

“Good, as long as you’re used to it.” Nie Fanxin peeled off Gu Bei’s sock. “Let me see. How bad is it?”

Gu Bei lightly patted her hand and continued her familiar lecture: “Go on, I’m not done. I told you to study law and take over Old Xia and my firm, but would you listen…”

Nie Fanxin, who got this speech every other day, surrendered: “My brain can’t handle it. Can’t memorize legal clauses.”

“Seems plenty capable to me.” Gu Bei laughed and scolded her. From the living room came Nie Zhilan’s voice: “Come and eat. Even with your foot hurting, you won’t let her off the hook.”

“It’s her own fault for charging into the water in the middle of the night. Where is everyone else?” Gu Bei slipped on her slippers and moved with a slight limp, though it didn’t seem too serious. She waved off Nie Fanxin’s help and made her way to the table. Nie Fanxin followed behind, muttering under her breath.

Zhao Guoying came to the rescue: “Fanxin’s a strong swimmer. Though she should be careful. At the first sign of trouble, shout for help.”

Gu Bei sat down: “At least she’s healthy and didn’t catch a cold.”

Nie Fanxin’s face beamed with pride: “Wan Xiaoyu made ginger soup for me in the middle of the night.”

Nie Zhiyan brought out the last dish and untied her apron, smiling as she joined in. “She spoils you. As she should.”

Nie Fanxin’s face lit up. “I’ll go wash my hands.”

The room was warm with laughter, so much so that no one noticed the two newcomers until they were already inside. Beside Wan Tong, Chu Wanning was bent over changing her shoes, with three large bags of gifts sitting on the ground next to them.

“You’re all so chatty, a burglar could walk right in.”

“Who’s the burglar? You?” Zhao Guoying replied to Wan Tong’s joke as everyone turned toward the door.

“Is that Hanhan?” someone said, and Nie Zhiyan and Nie Zhilan were already on their feet to greet her.

Chu Wanning handed over the gifts and wished them well: “Aunt Lan, Aunt Yan, Happy New Year.”

Nie Zhilan said politely, “You didn’t have to bring anything.” Beside her, Nie Zhiyan pulled Wan Tong aside and whispered, “Why didn’t you tell me Hanhan was coming? I could’ve made two more dishes.”

Wan Tong explained, “Hanhan is family. No need for extra dishes.”

Chu Wanning and Wan Tong washed their hands. More greetings were exchanged with Zhao Guoying and Gu Bei before all eight settled at the table.

Wan Tong said, “Hanhan, treat this like your own home. Eat whatever you like and don’t be shy.”

Chu Wanning replied graciously, “I will. Thank you, Aunt Tong.”

They raised their glasses of water in a toast: “Happy New Year.” Meals with few people were usually quiet, but with a full table, conversation was inevitable. Nie Zhilan, aware of Chu Wanning’s family situation, asked gently, “Hanhan, are you going back to your hometown for the three-day New Year holiday?”

“Aunt Lan, not planning to. I need the time to study.” Chu Wanning had been out of regular work for three years, and the administrative supervision department had assigned her 120 hours of coursework. Sensing their concern, she added, “Mom will visit from our hometown for the Laba Festival, so I don’t need to make the trip.”

Nie Zhiyan asked, “When is Zhengxia (Chu Wanning’s mother) moving back to Binnan?”

Chu Wanning set down her chopsticks, her expression dimming slightly. “Mom’s comfortable in our hometown. I’ll follow her wishes.”

Zhao Guoying sensed the awkward shift and steered the conversation elsewhere. “Eat, eat. Once Hanhan gets married or finds someone, Zhengxia will definitely come back.”

Wan Tong agreed. “Yes, Mom’s right.”

“Do you have someone you like? Or should Xiaotong introduce you to a few people?” Indeed, the older they grew, the more childlike they became. Zhao Guoying had started a subject and wouldn’t let it go. “If you don’t fancy any men, women are fine too. Thoughtful and easy to get along with. What about our Xiaoyu? She’s six years younger than you, just like Xiaotong is to Xiaoyan.”

“Grandma.” Nie Fanxin and Wan Yi said it in unison.

Nie Zhiyan, ever perceptive, stepped in: “Grandma’s joking. Your choices are your own.”

Chu Wanning, who always addressed the family as Nie Fanxin and Wan Yi did, responded politely, “Grandma, I do have someone I like. But I haven’t had the chance to tell her yet.”

“Good, good.” Zhao Guoying smiled broadly and accepted the soup Nie Zhiyan served her, sipping it slowly.

However, Nie Fanxin, seated to Wan Yi’s right, had been in inner turmoil since hearing Chu Wanning’s confession. Sister Wanning has someone she likes? Who? Could it be me? Do I still have a chance? Countless questions swirled in her mind.

“Fanxin, eat.” Only when Wan Yi placed a piece of her favorite dish in her bowl did Nie Fanxin snap back, murmuring a soft “oh.”

“After dinner, we’ll go with Aunt Gu to get her makeup done.” Wan Yi turned to Chu Wanning on her left. “Sister Wanning, you free this afternoon? Join us for the square dance competition in Nanyun District. Aunt Gu’s team is a top seed.”

Chu Wanning agreed.

Nie Fanxin suppressed her tangled thoughts and ate absently, deciding to take things one step at a time.

After the meal, they helped clean up. Zhao Guoying, Wan Tong, and Nie Zhiyan retired for afternoon naps, while Gu Bei and Nie Zhilan headed out with the three younger women.

About twenty kilometers from home, Huiyi Plaza was decked out for the holiday. Nie Zhilan and Gu Bei got out first, while the other three searched for parking.

“Fanxin, there’s one over there.” No sooner had Wan Yi spoken than another car took the spot.

Chu Wanning suggested, “I’ll get out and look on another street.”

“No, I see one.” Out of the corner of her eye, Nie Fanxin glanced at the dashed center line, turned left, reversed, and then maneuvered into the spot with practiced ease.

No sooner had she parked than a man pounded on her window, hostile. “Hey, I had my eye on that spot.”

Nie Fanxin stuck her head out. “Did you buy it? Is your name on it?”

The man pointed to his car ten meters away, his voice nasty. “My car’s right there. I was on a call and about to back in, and you just swooped in.”

Nie Fanxin shut and locked the door. “Your fault for taking the call—and for your lousy skills. Too slow.”

The man raised his voice: “You women are unreasonable. I’m calling the police.”

Chu Wanning said sternly, “The police are right here. What can I help you with?”

The man glanced around. “Where?” The next second, he spotted the badge in her hand and lowered his voice slightly. “Police can’t bully people either.”

“What did she do to you? Maybe I can help.” Pei Rong had materialized at Chu Wanning’s side. She pursed her red lips and put on a professional fake smile. “Attorney from Yunbei Law Firm. At your service.”