The courtyard gate opened, revealing a boy of about twelve. When he saw the young woman in purple, he cried out in delighted surprise, "Sister Xiao Man!" Then he turned and shouted into the courtyard, "Mom, Sister Xiao Man is here!"
The young woman he called Sister Xiao Man bent down, pinched his childish cheeks with both hands, and tugged them back and forth. "Ha, Xiao An, you're still so soft and tender! This skin of yours makes me jealous!" she giggled. Xiao An made muffled protests, but apparently knowing that resistance was useless, he helplessly submitted to her torment.
Before long, hurried footsteps sounded, and a woman of about forty wearing an apron rushed out of the house. The moment she saw the young woman in purple, her voice filled with delighted surprise. "Xiao Man!"
Xiao Man released Xiao An, straightened up, and took off her sunglasses, smiling at the woman. "Sister Mei!" Her eyes sparkled like jewels, and her face was delicately formed. She looked about twenty-five or twenty-six, but a mature, spirited air shone through her features.
Something seemed to cross Sister Mei's mind, and her eyes reddened slightly, but she quickly said cheerfully, "Come in, come in! You're just in time for dinner." Then she chided her, "If you were coming, why didn't you let us know beforehand?"
"Well, I just happened to have some business around here," Xiao Man said with a giggle.
"How long are you planning to stay this time?" Sister Mei asked with concern as she led the way inside.
"Probably a while." Xiao Man looked somewhat resigned.
Beside her, Xiao An cheered, almost jumping into the air. "Great! Sister Xiao Man can help me with my Card Adept lessons!"
"This boy thinks of nothing but becoming a Card Adept." Sister Mei