The three of them sat down to eat.
"Gu’er, help yourself to whatever you want. Don’t be shy."
Grandma Sun was very fond of Gu’er and kept encouraging her to take more food.
"I am, Grandma. You should eat too."
Gu’er didn’t hold back. She ate with gusto, partly because she had cooked it well, and partly because it had been a long ti since she’d had anything so delicious.
"You go on and eat. Grandma’s teeth aren’t what they used to be, so I eat slowly."
Grandma Sun smiled, then said to Sun Jiaming, "Jia Ming, get Grandma a bit of rice to soak in the fish soup. This fish Gu’er stewed slls amazing. I’ll just soak so rice in the broth to eat."
Sun Jiaming agreed and was about to get off the kang. They hadn’t stead any rice that evening, but he had made extra at noon and there was still so left. Coincidentally, there was hot water in the pot and the fire in the stove hadn’t completely died out, so he could heat it up.
"Brother Jia Ming, don’t go."
Gu’er called out to Sun Jiaming. Seeing both him and Grandma Sun looking at her, she realized she had spoken out of turn. But the words were already out, so she could only continue, "Grandma, your stomach is weak, and rice soaked in soup is actually very hard to digest. I brought so jujube cakes for you, and they’re already ward up. You can dip them in the soup. It’s really delicious. And there’s this stead egg custard, please have so more."
Gu’er explained further. Many elderly people liked to soak their rice in soup because their teeth were bad. They thought that soaking the rice would soften it and make it easier to digest. In reality, this was a common misconception. Rice soaked in soup was hard to digest and wasn’t good for the elderly or children. If a healthy person ate like that for a long ti, it would harm their digestive system, let alone soone like Grandma Sun.
"Oh, is that right? I always thought it was easier to digest. I’m always asking Jia Ming to make it for . Well, never mind then. I’ll eat this instead. This slls delicious too."
Grandma Sun didn’t know if what Gu’er said was true, but she knew the girl ant well, so she accepted her kindness.
Seeing this, Sun Jiaming stopped in his tracks. He smiled at Gu’er and sat back down on the kang.
Gu’er ladled so fish soup over the stead egg custard and placed the bowl in front of Grandma Sun for her to eat.
Grandma Sun nodded repeatedly as she ate, a look of approval flashing in her eyes. ’This Gu’er is pretty, has a good personality, and is a great cook. She’s patient and can hold a conversation with an old woman like , unlike other girls who are so loud and boisterous. She’s a good girl. If only I could have a granddaughter-in-law like her soday.’
Sun Jiaming ate his al. The fish soup was fragrant, and the fish was stewed until it was fall-apart tender, yet the flavor was rich. The tofu had absorbed the fish’s aroma, making it delicious as well. Dipping the flatbread in the soup made you want a second bite right after the first.
He had already tried a bite of the stead egg custard earlier. It was just as Gu’er had said—silky and tender, nothing like the kind he stead himself.
’Gu’er is a really good cook. Whoever marries her in the future will be a lucky man.’
At this thought, Sun Jiaming grew a little quiet. Even the fish didn’t seem as fragrant as before.
After the al, Gu’er helped clean up the bowls and chopsticks.
She chatted with Grandma Sun for a little while longer before taking her leave.
"Gu’er, dear, co visit whenever you have ti. Grandma is always at ho and can’t get out much. Co and chat with when you’re free."
Grandma Sun held Gu’er’s hand as she spoke, reluctant to let her go. It was rare to et soone who didn’t mind her and whom she took an imdiate liking to.
"Don’t worry, Grandma. As long as you don’t find annoying, I’ll co often."
Gu’er nodded, promising she would. Although Grandma Sun’s health was poor, Gu’er could tell she was a gentle, kind, and easygoing old woman, so she was happy to talk with her.
"I’d be overjoyed if you ca! How could I possibly find you annoying? You should head back now, or your family will worry. Jia Ming, walk your Sister Gu’er ho. See her to her door before you co back."
Grandma Sun instructed her grandson.
Sun Jiaming nodded in agreent.
Gu’er wanted to refuse but didn’t say anything. It was dark outside now. Although she wasn’t scared, it was still nice that Sun Jiaming was willing to walk her ho. This was especially true since she had to pass Zhang Da’s house on the way, and running into him wouldn’t be good.
Sun Jiaming and Gu’er left the main room and entered the courtyard. Gu’er took out the handkerchief, removed the money, and handed it to Sun Jiaming.
After counting it, Sun Jiaming told her the total, and Gu’er nodded.
"Don’t worry. I’ll keep it safe and won’t tell anyone. Just let know when you need it."
Sun Jiaming put the money in his pocket, reassuring her.
Gu’er trusted Sun Jiaming; otherwise, she would never have told him about it.
On the way back, the two walked one after the other, keeping a distance of two or three steps between them.
There were no streetlights in the village at night. Although there was moonlight, it wasn’t very bright.
The roads in the village were dirt paths, but they weren’t especially uneven, so the walk wasn’t difficult.
Since no one else was out, the village seed very quiet. Under the moonlight, there were only their soft footsteps and their long, slow-moving shadows on the ground.
"I’m ho. Thank you, Brother Jia Ming. You should head back now."
When they reached her gate, Gu’er thanked Sun Jiaming softly.
Before Sun Jiaming could reply, a figure suddenly erged from the gateway, startling Gu’er.
Sun Jiaming saw it too. Without a second thought, he stepped forward, grabbed Gu’er, and pulled her behind him.
"Who’s there!"
Sun Jiaming demanded, not even realizing that his protective gesture toward Gu’er was not how one would act toward a re acquaintance from the village.
"Is that you, Gu’er? It’s Mom. And you are?"
Li Hua spoke up anxiously. She had been worried about Gu’er. Seeing that it was so late and Gu’er still hadn’t returned, she couldn’t sit still and had been waiting by the gate. She thought she’d heard Gu’er’s voice just now and ca right out, not expecting to frighten them.
"It’s you, Mom."
Gu’er let out a breath of relief. ’Thinking about it, who else would be waiting at my own gate besides family?’
Sun Jiaming also relaxed, feeling he had overreacted. He quickly let go of Gu’er’s hand. He felt a little awkward about his action, but since it was dark, no one had noticed.
"Auntie, it’s Jia Ming. Since you’re here, I’ll be heading back now."
Sun Jiaming greeted Li Hua.
"Alright, you’d better get back, Jia Ming. Thank you for walking your Sister Gu’er ho."
Although Li Hua didn’t know why her daughter had co ho with Sun Jiaming, she still thanked him.
After watching Sun Jiaming leave, Li Hua grabbed Gu’er’s arm and asked, "Gu’er, why are you only getting back now? You had worried sick! Mom was afraid sothing had happened to you, so I’ve been waiting. How co you were with Jia Ming? Did he go into town again today? Nothing happened to you, right?"
Li Hua’s voice was tinged with anxiety.
A pang of guilt struck Gu’er. She disliked the Zhou family, so she had gone straight to the Sun family’s house after returning to the village without telling anyone at ho. She had assud no one would be worried if she ca back late, but she had forgotten about her adoptive mother. Her adoptive mother cared for her; how could she not have been worried?
"No, I’m fine. Brother Jia Ming didn’t go to the city. Mom, let’s go inside and talk."
Gu’er linked her arm with Li Hua’s, drawing close to her and softening her voice.
"Alright, let’s get inside. You must be starving, right? Mom saved so food for you. You can eat in a bit."
Li Hua didn’t ask any more questions. As long as her daughter was safe, that’s all that mattered.
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