## Chapter 5 She’s Your Cousin, You Can’t Let Things Stay Awkward

A warm light flickered in Zhou Jihuai’s eyes. “It’s been twenty-three years.”

Shu Cheng’an recalled the past, and a flicker of disgust crossed his face.

He quickly adjusted his expression and chuckled. “My grandma was just mentioning the other day how she wanted to meet the good comrade you always talk about. Can you see her now?”

“Yes.” Zhou Jihuai held the steering wheel, his long eyelashes concealing a hint of regret.

Shu Cheng’an patted him on the shoulder. Their squad had a special situation, they weren’t allowed to take leave easily, and they couldn’t reveal their comrade relationship to outsiders.  Sure enough…

The jeep drove steadily along the road, reaching the entrance of the alleyway in a short while.

Mudan Hutong was relatively spacious, and Zhou Jihuai drove the car straight in.

At the end of the alleyway, there was an old courtyard. An elderly woman with kind eyes sat under the shade of a tree outside the gate. When she saw the person in the passenger seat, she smiled and waved.

Shu Cheng’an got out of the car and ran towards her. “Grandma, I brought you some shrimp. Look who I brought with me?”

Qu Jinghong looked at Zhou Jihuai, who was walking towards her after parking the car. She observed him for a moment before replying, “Is he the comrade who saved your life that you always talk about?”

“Come in quickly. Grandma will make braised shrimp for you both for lunch.”

She spoke slowly and deliberately. She was wearing a qipao in a light autumn-colored silk, with excellent tailoring and embroidery. Her white hair was neatly tied up with a wooden hairpin.

Even though she was full of wrinkles, one could still see her youthful grace and elegance.

Zhou Jihuai helped her into the house. “Grandma Qu, don’t bother. Let Xiaoshu cook. He’s a good cook.”

Shu Cheng’an stepped one foot over the threshold. “Yes, Grandma, I’m a good cook. Unlike Huai Ge, he’s terrible at cooking! By the way, Huai Ge’s full name is Zhou Jihuai.”

He knew his grandson well. Shu Cheng’an’s cooking skills were not just “good.” Qu Jinghong listened to them bicker, smiling. When she heard his full name, she took a closer look at Zhou Jihuai. “Xiao Zhou, have you retired too?”

Zhou Jihuai nodded. “I transferred to a regular unit. I don’t need to keep things secret anymore.”

Qu Jinghong looked back ahead, her eyes filled with a long, deep gaze. “It’s good that you transferred. Nothing is more important than life.”

“Your grandma will be so happy to know. Has she come back?”

Zhou Jihuai was startled.

Shu Cheng’an was carrying the shrimp and basin, ready to go to the well to wash them. When he came out, he happened to hear this and was also startled. “Grandma, you know Grandma Zhou?”

Qu Jinghong recalled the past. “You should call her Grandma Ye. Xiao Zhou’s grandma’s surname is Ye, right, Xiao Zhou?”

Zhou Jihuai replied, “Yes.”

The three of them sat down in the shade of the courtyard. Shu Cheng’an cleaned the shrimp while listening to his grandmother.

“Lao Shu, Lao Zhou, Xiaoqin, and I were sent to the same place. After I came back in 1976, I kept in touch with your grandma through letters. In her last letter, she said she would be coming back for her birthday soon.”

“You were only one year old when we were sent down. Your grandparents often mentioned you. Cheng’an just said your name, and when I saw your face, I was sure.”

“You look like your grandfather.”

Zhou Jihuai twitched his lips. “My parents say the same thing.”

“My grandma’s birthday is the day after tomorrow. I’ll come pick you up to go to my house.”

“Okay.” Qu Jinghong continued to smile.

She had already agreed to Ye Qin in her letter.

“Xiao Zhou is twenty-four this year, right? Have you found a girlfriend?”

The slightly heavy atmosphere was dispelled by this question. Shu Cheng’an burst out laughing. “Grandma, Huai Ge and I are both single.”

The old woman laughed, her eyes crinkling. “It’s a pity your cousin is still young. Otherwise, I would have introduced her to Xiao Zhou.”

Shu Cheng’an instantly stopped laughing. “She wishes.”

Qu Jinghong sighed inwardly. “Cheng’an, she’s your aunt’s daughter. She’s your cousin. This is between us two. You can’t let things stay awkward between you.”

Shu Cheng’an didn’t say anything. He wiped his water-soaked hands on his open police uniform and carried the basin into the kitchen.

Qu Jinghong felt uncomfortable. She stood up. “Xiao Zhou, I’m going to watch TV in the house. You and Cheng’an can play.”