Chapter 44: Reclaiming the House

Tang Xiaorou smiled, “He’s a recently acquired uncle.”  She then recounted the events on the train.

Shen Huaixu was surprised.  His main concern, however, was the older gentleman. “You said Yue Yuan called that older gentleman ‘Professor Wei’?”

“Yes, Professor Wei. They seemed to know each other.”

“Could it be Professor Wei Yunxiang?”

Tang Xiaorou remembered the address Wei Yunxiang had given her. “Right, Professor Wei told me to look him up in Elm Tree Alley when we get to Beijing.”

Shen Huaixu was excited, “It really is Professor Wei.”

“What? You know him too? It seems you all know each other.”

“I wouldn’t say I know him, but I’ve heard of him.”

Shen Huaixu’s eyes lit up.

“Professor Wei is a military technology expert.  Any weapons he develops are top-of-the-line, but…” He sighed, “Years ago, his son actually reported him, leading to Professor Wei’s demotion. No one knew where he went. But recently, with the change in the political climate, some people have been reinstated, and it seems Professor Wei is back as well.”

He was genuinely happy for Professor Wei’s return.

Tang Xiaorou understood.  Their encounter with Wei Yunxiang coincided with his exoneration. “That’s wonderful! I’ll visit him when we go to Beijing.”

“Okay, I’ll go with you.”

Tang Xiaorou steered the conversation back to the main topic. “You said you’d arrange a meeting between our families. I thought you’d already told your family, but it seems you only informed them recently.”

“My bad for not telling them sooner. I’ll arrange the meeting as soon as possible.”

“Okay, let me know the date.”

Considering it was their first official meeting, she asked, “Should I go to Beijing with you?”

Shen Huaixu pondered, “Let me first confirm everyone’s availability. If my parents can’t get leave, we can go another time.”

“Okay, you decide.”

After that, Tang Xiaorou mentioned preparing the family quarters tomorrow.

“By the way, Auntie Qian and Xiaolei’s mother came this morning to thank you, but you weren’t here, so they left a gift.”

Tang Xiaorou was surprised by their thoughtfulness. “Auntie Qian is too polite.  Let’s invite her for a meal when we have our housewarming party.”

“Okay, set a date. We’ll have a small gathering and I’ll invite some comrades from my unit.”

“Alright, decide on the number of guests first, then I’ll buy the groceries.”

Shen Huaixu nodded, suddenly realizing he truly had a home here.

After Shen Huaixu left, Qin Xueqiong pulled her daughter aside, “What were you two talking about for so long? Did you argue?”

“Mom, what are you thinking? Why would we argue?” Tang Xiaorou chuckled, “We were discussing the housewarming party, that’s why we talked for a while.”

“Right, Huaixu is sensible, he wouldn’t argue with you.”

Tang Xiaorou wasn’t pleased, “Mom, I’m sensible too!  Does that mean I’m the only one who would argue with him?”

“Alright, alright, you’re both good children.”  Qin Xueqiong smiled at her daughter’s playful tone, then quickly asked about the housewarming, “After deciding on the guest list, let’s go buy groceries together, and I’ll do the cooking.”

Tang Xiaorou wasn’t a good cook, so her mother’s help was perfect; she could assist.

“Oh, Mom, if Shen Huaixu’s parents can’t get leave, he and I might go to Beijing. You can come too, and we can sightsee while we’re there.”

She’d already planned this out: she would meet the Shen family first. If they accepted her, great! They could all have dinner together, with her mother representing her family. But if they had objections, her mother wouldn’t need to meet them.

“Okay, if they’re busy, we’ll go.”

Seeing her mother’s pure and simple expression, Tang Xiaorou could see her sincerity, and hoped the Shen family wouldn’t disappoint her.

“So that’s settled then.”

That evening, while everyone else was resting, Tang Xiaorou was still busy making various pills; it was inconvenient to not have them on hand when needed.

Early the next morning, Tang Xiaorou and the others, including Grandma Yao, took their purchases to the family quarters.

Grandma Yao looked at Qin Xueqiong, a little exasperated, “When someone gives you trouble, don’t just take it!  Fight back! Otherwise, you’ll just feel resentful. If you don’t know how to argue, I’ll teach you. Just watch me.”

After Qin Xueqiong returned last time, she mentioned people gossiping about her divorce, and how she’d silently blamed herself for burdening her daughter. Grandma Yao was furious.  People were bullying her, and she didn’t fight back!  It made her anxious.

Qin Xueqiong was too kind, treating Grandma Yao like her own mother, so Grandma Yao couldn’t bear to see anyone bullying her.

Hearing this, Qin Xueqiong nodded, “Okay, I won’t be silent next time.”

Because of the previous incident, when Tang Xiaorou and the others arrived, people didn’t gossip but greeted them warmly. Qian Manzhu even brought Xiaolei.

“Xiaorou, do you need help?”

Tang Xiaorou said, “No, Auntie. We’re done.”

Seeing the clean yard and cozy room, Qian Manzhu praised, “Xiaorou, your room is beautifully decorated.”

“Thank you, Auntie.” Tang Xiaorou smiled and looked at Xiaolei. “How are you doing, Xiaolei?”

“Auntie, I’m fine, thank you.”

Seeing how articulate and polite Xiaolei was, Tang Xiaorou touched his head, “That’s good.”

Qian Manzhu saw Grandma Yao. “Xiaorou, who is this?”

“This is Grandma Yao, an elder in our family.”

Qian Manzhu greeted her, “Hello, Auntie.”

Grandma Yao smiled, “Hello.”

Seeing they were busy, Qian Manzhu left with Xiaolei.

After finishing, Tang Xiaorou asked Xiaoliang and Xiaoyan, “Do you want to stay here tonight?”

“Yes”

“Okay, let’s stay here.”

Grandma Yao and Qin Xueqiong returned to the guesthouse.

“Bingcheng, let’s visit Uncle Yue in a couple of days.”

“Okay.”

Qin Xueqiong wanted to take something to Yue Yuan as a gift.

“Let’s make some pastries. It’s thoughtful and practical.”

Grandma Yao decided on pea yellow and steamed sugar curd. “Xiaorou said Yue Yuan might be from Beijing, so let’s make these.”

“But… I don’t know how.”

Qin Xueqiong was embarrassed. She could cook, but not pastries.

“I’ll teach you. You’re a good cook, you’ll learn quickly.”

Grandma Yao was confident. Qin Xueqiong had a talent for it. “It’s very good! Xiaorou can buy a food box. It’s as good as those famous shops.”

Qin Xueqiong was embarrassed. “It’s not that good.”

“Xueqiong, it’s excellent! It tastes like what I used to eat. Don’t be so humble.” Grandma Yao praised Qin Xueqiong. This simple woman had been mistreated, always belittling herself. She needed to build her confidence.

Tang Xiaorou added, “Yes, Mom, it’s delicious! Especially the steamed sugar curd. I want more.”

Qin Xueqiong said, “Okay, I’ll make it for you every day.”

Tang Xiaorou packed the pastries in a food box and went with Yao Bingcheng. Yue Yuan was about to leave but stayed when he saw them. “You’re here. I was about to contact you.”

Tang Xiaorou smiled, “Thank you, Uncle Yue, for helping us get the house back.”

“You’re welcome. The house was yours. But you’ll have to wait to move in.”

Yue Yuan showed disgust.  Someone had occupied the garden using their uncle’s influence. Tang Xiaorou’s arrival was timely, allowing him to make an example of them.

“Okay, we’ll listen to Uncle Yue.”

Tang Xiaorou placed the food box on the table. “My mother made pastries for you. I hope you like them.”

“Thank her for me.”

Relieved, Tang Xiaorou took Yue Yuan’s pulse. “You’ve been taking your medicine and resting. Keep it up.”

“I will.”

Yao Bingcheng admired Tang Xiaorou’s ease with Yue Yuan. He felt pressured around Yue Yuan, but Xiaorou was relaxed and chatted freely.

“Uncle Yue, we won’t keep you. We’ll go.”

“Okay.”

After they left, Yue Yuan opened the food box. Seeing the pea yellow and steamed sugar curd, he was surprised.

He tasted both, finding the steamed sugar curd delicious, and ate it all.

Yue Yuan left with a slight smile.