"Mom, what's wrong?"
"Bring Wan Yu back right away. I have something important to ask you both."
Tong Yao held a pen in one hand and her phone in the other. Even after the call ended, she still couldn't quite process it. Beside her, little Le Le kept blowing bubbles, waving her arms and kicking off her blanket, pulling it back, then kicking it off again. She repeated this over and over, having the time of her life all by herself.
Qian Wanyu sat diagonally opposite them with a laptop in front of her. Its screen displayed a mass of data, and she propped her head on one hand, her expression intent.
Around them, couples drank coffee and chatted about everyday life, while students chuckled quietly as they discussed their school's beauties and heartthrobs. Everyone spoke in hushed tones, and relaxing instrumental music played on the café's first floor.
"Seventh Sister." Tong Yao nudged her chair with her foot, much as she rocked Le Le's stroller. "Mom wants us to come back. Sounds like something's up."
Mother Tong's tone on the phone had sounded as though someone owed her three million. Tong Yao hadn't heard her mother speak like that in ages, and she was still dazed after the call. She thought it over carefully. Nothing earth-shattering should have happened lately.
Qian Wanyu nodded in understanding, closed her laptop, and slipped it into her bag. Then she began packing Le Le's bottle, formula, and other things.
When the two returned home, Mother Tong was already waiting outside. Tong Yao had previously given her mother a key to their home so she could come over to look after Le Le whenever she wanted. But then... one day, the mood had been just right, and she and Seventh Sister were in the