The summer of 1987 came especially early. On June 28th in the Gregorian calendar, it was already the third day of the sixth lunar month.
Beijing was already sweltering at this time of year. A person would break into sweat with just a little vigorous activity, especially a cook standing before the stove—it was even hotter there.
Han Chunmei was extremely hot right now. The family was holding a celebration today, and perhaps three or four tables of guests would come. They could not possibly leave Li Yue, Li Juan, Li Ye, and the other youngsters to handle all the work in the kitchen, could they?
Grandma Wu Juying usually cooked, but Li Yue's mother-in-law, Yang Huaihua, had arrived just now. She had immediately wanted to help in the kitchen, so Wu Juying had pulled her outside to talk.
Today was the Li family's banquet. They could not possibly make their guests cook their own food, could they?
Besides, Old Man Li's comrades-in-arms were said to be coming later. The female family members needed someone from the host family to receive them, didn't they? Han Chunmei felt terribly unsure of herself when it came to entertaining guests, so naturally she had taken charge in the kitchen.
But though Han Chunmei was sweating, her heart was sweet as honey.
A few days ago, her son's one-month celebration had only had one table of food. Today, Li Ye's son's one-month celebration had several tables, yet Han Chunmei did not feel awkward at all. Her heart was still sweet as honey.
Because every person who came today, whether familiar or unfamiliar, respectfully called her "the child's grandmother."
Han Chunmei had never taken it for granted that Li Ye was her son, but each time she heard that form of address, it was an