The drive from Flower City to Hau Hoi Bay took more than two hours.
A Yuan said little along the way.
Song Ning casually drew A Qing and A Zhi into conversation and learned that they were cousins.
Both were locals from Guang Province with few relatives left, and they worked for Master Luo simply to make a living.
That gave Song Ning a clearer picture.
It was past eleven when they reached the dock.
Upon hearing that they were Master Luo's "honored guests," the dock workers arranged for them to board first.
The boat was small, a converted vessel with two decks.
Song Ning's group was assigned to the upper deck. She even had a room to herself, probably a crew cabin or something similar.
The lower deck had been converted into one large open compartment to cram in more passengers.
Only then did A Yuan get a chance to speak with Song Ning alone.
"Who are you, really?"
A Yuan carefully shut the door and checked the cabin before asking her solemnly.
"My name is Song Ning. Since I know Lei Ming and even know your name, I'm hardly a stranger!"
Song Ning pointed to his neck. "You wear a copper coin around your neck, don't you? It's a protective charm your mother obtained for you. The cord holding it broke once, and you almost lost the coin. Lei Ming's wife, Meng Yu, crocheted your current cord out of silk thread for you. Am I right?"
Meng Yu was Song Ning's maternal grandmother, a gentle woman with clever hands.
Only in her grandmother's presence would Old Man Lei rein in his booming voice and impatient temper, becoming as docile as a sheep.
Her grandparents' relationship was a living example of gentleness overcoming strength.
A Yuan touched the red