Lin Keying's mouth fell open wide enough to fit an egg. She handed the phone back to Wang Xiaoliang, then turned in disbelief to look at Wei Zijin, who was chatting happily with Zhao Xiuqin.
Wang Xiaoliang took his phone back, held up a finger to shush her, and gave her a mysterious smile.
"Now it's our little secret!"
The family dinner began.
Wang Xiaoliang didn't drink, because his dad did.
That meant he had to drive the family home.
Whether the adults were holding forth or discussing family matters,
he used to find it all beneath him and boring.
For some reason, he was now full of interest.
Today's conversation kept circling back to the same subject: marriage.
"Let me tell you, the apartment we bought for Xiaozhe's marriage is in the newest, most expensive development in the city!" His eldest aunt picked up some food, pride filling her voice. "A hundred and eighty square meters, too, all on one floor! The renovation alone cost several hundred thousand!"
A chorus of approving praise immediately rose around the table.
His eldest aunt shifted the conversation, turning to Qiu Mohan, who had been sitting beside Wang Xiaozhe without saying much.
"And Mohan's family is very particular about these things, too. They've promised a five-hundred-thousand-yuan car as her dowry, for Xiaozhe to drive!"
That made the atmosphere at the table even livelier.
"Oh, that's wonderful. Xiaozhe is a lucky boy." Zhao Xiuqin smiled gently, but her words carried another meaning. "Our Zijin is a poor child. She grew up without a mother or father and has suffered a great deal."
As she spoke, she reached over and patted the back of Wei Zijin's hand.
"But our Zijin is determined to make something of herself! She bought a little apartment downtown all on