(A sneaky bonus chapter.)
Wen Ning returned to the shop and carefully put the bag of steamed buns Granny Li had given him into the fridge.
The six buns were perfectly round, with a few red dots on top that the old woman considered auspicious.
He had barely sat down when someone knocked.
Wen Ning looked up. It was Uncle Liu, who sold steamed buns outside.
"Uncle Liu? Come in and have a seat."
Wen Ning stood to greet him.
Uncle Liu came in but didn't sit. He stood there and glanced at Wen Ning.
"Wen Ning, Old Zhao's wife, Xiulian... she's gone."
Wen Ning had been reaching for a teacup. His hand froze.
"What? How did she pass away so suddenly? She was doing all right when I visited her a few days ago."
He was telling the truth.
He had visited Old Zhao's wife, Xiulian, in the hospital a few days earlier. Although she had been lying in bed and looked rather pale, she had still been in decent spirits.
Uncle Liu sighed, sat in a nearby chair, and lowered his head.
"It was terminal to begin with. She did well to hold on this long. Besides, she had no money left for treatment."
Uncle Liu raised his head, his eyes slightly red.
"Wasn't she only holding on so Old Zhao could leave without worrying?"
Uncle Liu wiped the corner of his eye, his voice growing heavier.
"Now she doesn't have to hold on anymore."
Wen Ning stood beside Uncle Liu, saying nothing for a long while.
"When did it happen?"
Wen Ning asked.
"A little after six this morning."
Uncle Liu stood and brushed the flour off his apron.
"The hospital notified us. She's still there. A few of us old neighbors talked it over. We'll set