Ye Yaodong had actually wanted to tell A Qing the moment he entered the house, but she was so happy and enthusiastic, fussing over him nonstop, that she never gave him a chance to speak.
By the time he tried again, the Old Lady had come back and started another round of fussing.
It clearly wasn't anything bad, so why was he feeling a little nervous?
Lin Xiuqing deftly cooked him a bowl of noodles, topped with two poached eggs and a sprinkling of chopped scallions. It looked incredibly appetizing and smelled wonderful.
Whatever. I'll eat first!
I'll need a full stomach to have the strength to fight!
How hard could sweet-talking my wife be?
Ye Yaodong took a bite of poached egg, then picked up some noodles with his chopsticks. Slurp, slurp.
"What were you going to tell me just now?"
"Cough, cough, cough!"
He had been eating with relish when her question made him choke.
"Nothing. I'll tell you in our room after I finish eating."
"Oh, eat up, then. I'll get started on dinner."
The Old Lady watched him affectionately as he drained even the broth, then took his bowl and chopsticks to wash them.
"You don't need to wash those. Just leave them until after dinner. It's only one bowl. Go help watch the children, and don't let them come in and bother us. I have something to discuss with A Qing."
"All right, all right..."
Lin Xiuqing was tending the fire and looked bewildered. "What is it? Can't you say it here?"
"Oh, don't watch the children yet. Watch the fire first." Ye Yaodong beckoned to A Qing. "Let's talk in our room. Let the Old Lady watch the fire. It's important."
She had no idea what was going on. What could be so serious