The autumn sunshine was just right.
Steam filled the kitchen in the Liu Family's Rear Building.
Mother Liu wore an apron, her hands moving deftly as she prepared a large grouper. She murmured, "This fish is best steamed. Liu Xinyu loves it."
Yang Qingyu stood beside her, picking through vegetables in red loungewear, her long hair loosely pinned up, her neck fair. Her profile was soft and quiet.
"Qingyu, take a break. Leave these to me. You've only just become part of the family, and you're already working. I feel bad."
"Mom, don't say that. I grew up in this house. Did becoming your daughter-in-law make me an outsider instead?" Yang Qingyu smiled, her hands never stopping.
"Of course not! You're just getting more and more thoughtful, and it makes me want to pamper you even more!"
"Our Qingyu is so considerate. No one can compare."
The whole spread had originally been intended for lunch. But after Liu Xinyu contacted Wang Xiaoliang and learned they could not make it back in time, it became dinner instead.
"Ding-dong-"
The doorbell rang.
In the living room, Liu Xinyu had been talking to his father. He rose to answer the door.
When the door opened, he froze.
Wang Xiaoliang and Zhou Qiang stood outside.
One on either side, they struggled to carry large objects tightly wrapped in velvet cloth.
They looked heavy.
Li Lanxiang and Wei Zijin followed behind, carrying gift boxes of fruit.
"What are you..." Liu Xinyu hurried forward to help. "What are you up to?"
Sweat beaded Wang Xiaoliang's forehead as he grinned. "Gifts for Uncle Liu. A little something from all of us."
Zhou Qiang boomed, "Give us a hand, Liu Xinyu. These things weigh a ton. The frames are solid wood."
Hearing the commotion, Liu Chengde and Fu