"You only told me about something this big now?"
Tong Yao's mother had called on Christmas, only for the call to be abruptly disconnected. When another dozen calls went unanswered, she grew suspicious. Coupled with the baby's howling she had heard over the phone, her relentless questioning finally revealed that the household had gained a little angel to keep the couple's relationship in balance.
The moment Tong Yao's mother pushed open the door, she unleashed a furious scolding on Tong Yao. Behind her stood a sunny young foreign man dragging a suitcase. He shrugged helplessly at Tong Yao and pulled a face. "Hi, Tongtong."
"Hi, Charlie."
Tong Yao knew she was in the wrong. Her mother had even brought Uncle Charlie back with her, which showed how urgently she had rushed home. As the host, Tong Yao had to properly welcome this enthusiastic young foreign man, Charlie, who would very likely become her stepfather.
"Welcome to our home."
"Thank you."
Tong Yao discovered that Charlie's Chinese was quite good; he had already learned the basic greetings. She brought him to her room and opened the little door, only to find her mother wholly absorbed in the crib, barely paying any attention to Seventh Sister on the bed.
"Oh, sweetheart, I'm your granny." Seeing that the little one lying in the crib had opened her eyes after just a few days, Tong Yao's mother happily lifted her from the baby carriage and walked around the room, unable to bear putting her down.
"Giggle, giggle." Her tiny feet kicked away with surprising force.
Seeing that Seventh Sister's expression was almost as gloomy as the icy weather outside, Tong Yao sat on the edge of the bed and comforted her softly. "Seventh Sister, don't be angry. Little Bao doesn't know any better. She