Liu Xinyu's mother cooked dinner herself on Little New Year's Eve.
Wearing an apron, Fu Zhaojun bustled around the house, carrying dishes one moment and setting out bowls and chopsticks the next. He wouldn't let Wei Zijin help, either. "Zijin, sit down. Stay seated. Don't worry about the kitchen. You're our honored guest today."
"Uncle Fu, what do you mean, honored guest? I'm family." Even as Wei Zijin answered, she had already crouched down to rummage through the pile of bags she had brought back.
She took things out one by one.
First came a silk scarf, which she carried into the kitchen and handed to Liu Xinyu's mother. The color was carefully chosen, neither too bright nor too plain. Draped around her neck, it immediately brightened her complexion. Liu Xinyu's mother told her to take it outside for now so it wouldn't get grease on it, smiling the whole time.
Next was a tea set for Fu Zhaojun. Its shape was elegant, its glaze smooth and lustrous. Fu Zhaojun held it and stroked it for a long while, saying, "Wonderful," three times in a row.
For Luo Bisheng, there was a dark gray cashmere sweater. She handed it to him. "This color looks good on you. Makes you look sharp."
Luo Bisheng unwrapped it and pulled it on, then walked to the entryway to look in the mirror, chuckling. "You've got great taste, sis-in-law. It looks really good."
The last paper bag was held out to Fan Qishan.
Qishan took it and opened it.
An exquisite bookmark featuring an opera mask. A dark blue seat cushion, incredibly soft to the touch.
He turned the bookmark over in his hands.
The corner of his mouth moved.
He smiled.
Not much, but he really did smile.
Wei Zijin tapped Wang Xiaoliang's