Qin Xiaoyu realized that her thoughts had changed a lot without her even noticing.
"So you and Sister Xiaoyue are usually taken care of by a nanny?"
“Yes, there’s a nanny, I call her Grandma Zhang. I brought you to see her today. She got old and moved out of our house. Now she lives with her son. I come to see her whenever I have time. I only feel like I’ve found a home when I’m with her.” Zhou Xing drove the car into a small alley and stopped in front of the black gate at the very end.
"Why didn't you say so earlier? I didn't even prepare a gift!" Qin Xiaoyu panicked. This nanny seemed to be even more important than Zhou Xing's mother.
“I’ve prepared, but you don’t have time,” Zhou Xing said, gesturing towards the trunk.
The large black door wasn't locked. Zhou Xing reached his arm through a square opening, skillfully unlocked the drawer, and then pulled Qin Xiaoyu inside.
Qin Xiaoyu tried to shake off his hand, but he held on too tightly and she couldn't get away. She steeled herself; trouble was inevitable, so she decided to take it one step at a time. Hadn't she faced enough challenges already?
The courtyard was spacious, similar in layout to the Tang family's house, but it gave people a completely different feeling.
The Tang family's house was cramped, every inch of land was crammed full. But Grandma Zhang's yard, though filled with flowers and vegetables and a cage of speckled chickens, seemed perfectly at ease.
A stray dog suddenly appeared out of nowhere, wagging its head and tail, its body swaying like a twisted taffy, and was extremely affectionate towards Zhou Xing.
Qin Xiaoyu was always afraid of dogs, so when she saw it coming, she ducked behind Zhou Xing and moved aside. Unexpectedly, the dog didn't stand on ceremony and circled around her for a long time, then sniffed her legs affectionately.
"Don't worry, Big Yellow doesn't bite. It recognizes you," Zhou Xing said with a smile.
"Who is it?" There was movement on the upper floor. The screen door opened and a thin old woman came out.
Grandma Zhang looked to be in her sixties or seventies. She was very thin, neat, and her dark blue cloth jacket was perfectly pressed, without a single wrinkle. Her face was deeply lined, and her eyes, which were already small, appeared even smaller with drooping eyelids. Yet, a glint of shrewdness flashed in her eyes, and Qin Xiaoyu felt a chill run down her spine.
"Grandma, it's me."
"Zhou Xing, come inside," Grandma Zhang called out.
Qin Xiaoyu believed Zhou Yue's words even more at this point. Even though Zhou Yue was Zhou Xing's closest person, she didn't call him by his nickname. He was someone who didn't have a childhood name.
"Call her Grandma." Zhou Xing pulled Qin Xiaoyu out from behind him and pushed her forward.
"Grandma," Qin Xiaoyu called out timidly.
The light blue A-line cotton skirt she's wearing today was made by Master Xu. It's a simple design, elegant yet unconventional, but it makes her look a bit young, like a female college student. Now, with her head bowed and eyes downcast, she looks even more pitiful.
"What is this?" Grandma Zhang was taken aback.
"This is my boyfriend," Zhou Xing introduced him openly.
"What?" Grandma Zhang was stunned. She subconsciously glanced behind her.
A woman in white walked out of the screen door; it was Bai Weiwei.
"Brother Xing, you're here?"
Qin Xiaoyu was initially annoyed that Zhou Xing was too reckless, but then Bai Weiwei appeared and called him "Brother Xing," which almost made her laugh.
Now she truly understands how disgusting it is for Zhou Xing to use nicknames. He must be horrified that Bai Weiwei dares to call him that.
Bai Weiwei must have been prepared for their surprise while she was inside the house, but Qin Xiaoyu was not only not surprised, she even twitched the corners of her mouth and gave a half-smile.
Unlike Qin Xiaoyu, Zhou Xing was not smooth-talking; his face immediately showed disgust. He ignored Bai Weiwei and went straight into the house.
Bai Weiwei stood at the door, and Zhou Xing pulled Qin Xiaoyu and forced her way in. She didn't want to move aside, but Zhou Xing did, and Qin Xiaoyu bumped into her.
Out of the corner of her eye, Qin Xiaoyu saw Bai Weiwei's face turn bright red instantly. This was a tremendous insult to her.
Qin Xiaoyu knew in her heart that Zhou Xing's recklessness would eventually cost her dearly.
Houses from the 1980s were mostly furnished similarly. Grandma Zhang's house also had a large kang (heated brick bed) under the north window, with a long, thin wooden kangqin (a type of traditional Chinese stringed instrument) at the end. A sofa and coffee table were placed on the floor, and hanging plants like golden pendants, jasmine, and begonias adorned the windowsill.
The only things that catch the eye are the floor fan and the color television.
The coffee table was covered with things, which Bai Weiwei had brought. Zhou Xing placed the bag he was carrying on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) and gestured for Qin Xiaoyu to sit down.
"What a coincidence, we've all run into each other. Let's make dumplings tonight." Grandma Zhang had returned to her usual self, though her tone was indifferent and not particularly warm.
"That's just how Grandma is, don't take it to heart," Zhou Xing whispered in Qin Xiaoyu's ear.
Bai Weiwei and Grandma Zhang exchanged a glance, then one after the other lifted the curtain and went out into the kitchen.
There were chives growing in the field, and the eggs were taken directly from the henhouse. In no time, the fragrant egg and chive filling was ready.
Zhou Xing had already lazily collapsed on the kang (a heated brick bed), unwilling to exert any effort.
Qin Xiaoyu washed her hands and went over to help, but she couldn't stand the sight of him. She glared at him from left to right, and Zhou Xing couldn't lie down anymore.
"Let him stay put, what can he do?" Grandma Zhang said protectively.
"I'd better help out, otherwise it might not be smooth when we eat it." Zhou Xing washed his hands and came over, taking the rolling pin.
"Huh? Brother Xing, you can do this too?" Bai Weiwei exclaimed in surprise, her eyes full of admiration.
"If he can't even do this, he'll just be a freeloader." Qin Xiaoyu couldn't help but retort to Bai Weiwei.
Grandma Zhang glared angrily at Qin Xiaoyu.
Qin Xiaoyu finally understood: Bai Weiwei was just playing the innocent little rabbit in front of Grandma Zhang, fooling people.
Therefore, gaining Grandma Zhang's approval was extremely difficult, so she simply didn't try to please her. She just acted according to her own nature, never pretending to be working very hard.
The dumplings smelled so good. Bai Weiwei, like a well-bred young lady, picked them up gently, took small bites, and said she was full after eating just a few.
Qin Xiaoyu didn't care about anything else. She was really hungry. She ate a whole plate by herself and still felt it wasn't enough, but she was too embarrassed to look at the plate in front of Zhou Xing while biting her lip.
"Here you go." Zhou Xing picked up the plate and scooped some food into Qin Xiaoyu's small bowl.
Grandma Zhang was both amused and exasperated, but she couldn't refuse to let Qin Xiaoyu eat her fill, so she let her eat until she was stuffed.
"Grandma's cooking is really good," Qin Xiaoyu said with a grin. What cook doesn't like to be praised for their food? Grandma Zhang smiled without noticing.
Qin Xiaoyu naturally volunteered to do the dishes. Firstly, she needed to move around after eating too much, and secondly, as a pampered young lady like Bai Weiwei, she could only manage to make delicate little dumplings, not wash dishes.
Qin Xiaoyu is always a quick worker, and she finished cleaning the kitchen in no time. Zhou Xing was also busy, handing her a rag and pouring her water. It was the first time the two of them had worked together, yet they had an unexpected chemistry.
Grandma Zhang watched silently, then turned and went into the inner room.
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