“It was my fault—I made that decision without consulting you first,” Ji Yuqing said softly. “I only wanted life in Huadu to be easier for Yan-yan when she studies or works here. Moving her household registration would also spare her a lot of trouble with… certain relatives.”
Everyone understood “certain relatives” meant her uncle’s family.
Tang Yan couldn’t fathom why Aunt Ji sounded so apologetic in front of her mother. The change of registration had been entirely in Yan-yan’s best interest—why act as though it were something shameful?
Deep down, Tang Huiyi still minded it, though she hid her feelings. Ji Yuqing had indeed done a great deal for her daughter, but relocating a girl’s legal residence was no small matter; a mother should at least have been asked.
“You mustn’t blame yourself,” Huiyi said. “But if you’d told me in advance, I could have added Yan-yan to my current household—the same one as Xuan-xuan’s.”
In the passenger seat, Tang Yan pursed her lips. Like I’d ever share a registry with your new husband, she thought. Should I start calling him Dad, too?
“I really should have handled it better,” Ji Yuqing murmured, still apologizing.
Tang Yan hated seeing Aunt Ji lower herself like this. The air inside the car grew awkward and heavy, so she forced a change of subject.
“I’m starving. What are we eating?”
Ji Yuqing’s smile bloomed at once. “Whatever you like—just pick.”
Huiyi had been about to suggest the same, but Ji Yuqing was quicker.
Tang Yan flashed a bright grin. “Hotpot!”
Winter always made her crave something steaming, and she’d recently discovered the glory of hotpot.
“Hotpot it is.” Ji Yuqing opened the navigation app. “Search for a place you like and set the route.”
From the back seat Huiyi cautioned, “Too much spicy food is bad for your skin, sweetheart. You’ll break out.”
Tang Yan’s fingers paused over the screen. Ji Yuqing chuckled. “Once in a while won’t hurt if she enjoys it.”
Huiyi let the matter drop.
Rain began to fall—fine, needling drizzle. By the time they reached the restaurant, the streets were half-empty. A parking spot waited right out front, and they dashed through the cold needles of rain into a world of warmth and chatter. The house was packed, so a waiter took them straight to the second floor. For the child’s sake they ordered a divided pot—spicy on one side, mild on the other—and a spread of ready-to-eat dishes.
Huiyi sat with the little boy; Tang Yan and Aunt Ji shared the opposite bench.
Because Yuqing had to drive, they skipped alcohol. Huiyi filled her glass with sour-plum juice. “Yuqing, let me toast you with tea instead of wine—thank you for everything you’ve done for Yan-yan.”
“You flatter me, Senior,” Yuqing said, taking a sip.
Throughout the meal Huiyi scarcely touched her own food, busy feeding or restraining the lively toddler; with boiling broth all around, a burn could be disastrous.
“Aunt Ji, this crispy pork is amazing,” Tang Yan said, polishing off half the plate by herself.
“Then eat your fill.” Yuqing’s eyes sparkled with indulgence.
“You try some, too—it’s really good.” Tang Yan dropped a piece into Yuqing’s bowl, and she accepted it with a smile.
Huiyi watched, hoping her daughter might serve her a morsel as well, but the moment never came. She couldn’t pretend she wasn’t jealous.
After lunch Yuqing drove them home. Tang Yan’s thoughts churned: Are they staying with us? Please say no. I’ll go mad if we share the apartment for days.
Entering the residential compound, Huiyi peered out the window. “Apartments inside the Third Ring of Huadu? They must be expensive.”
“I bought before prices surged,” Yuqing said. “They’ve doubled since.”
“Remarkable,” Huiyi murmured. “Housing in Huadu is beyond most people now.”
“Not just Huadu—all the first-tier cities.” Yuqing swung the car into a turn. “Here we are.”
Her flat was a 200-square-meter ground-floor unit—worth thirty million yuan in today’s market. A keypad beeped, the door opened, and a spacious living room came into view.
“Yan-yan is lucky, living in such comfort with Aunt Ji,” Huiyi said, cradling her sleeping son.
Tang Yan bit her lip and stayed silent.
“Show me your room?” Huiyi asked.
“Go on, Yan-yan,” Yuqing encouraged.
“Okay…” Tang Yan led the way, stiff as a wind-up doll, opened the door and gestured inside. “This is my room.”
Huiyi looked around appreciatively. “Very nice. Aunt Ji treats you well. Remember her kindness and study hard, all right?”
“I know exactly how good she’s been to me,” Tang Yan said.
“My arms are numb—may I lay your brother on the bed?” Huiyi asked.
Tang Yan glanced at the boy’s peaceful face, lashes long like his mother’s. “Sure.”
She helped lift the quilt while Huiyi placed him down and tucked him in. Just then Yuqing appeared in the doorway. “I cut up some fruit and brewed coffee.”
“You’re too kind, Yuqing,” Huiyi said. “Let’s sit in the living room.”
On the coffee table waited a platter of strawberries, watermelon, star-fruit, mangosteen. The coffee steamed, with milk and sugar set aside. Tang Yan softened the bitterness with a dash of milk, turning the liquid a caramel brown.
When everyone was seated, Yuqing took a hotel keycard from her handbag and slid it toward Huiyi. “It’s for a nearby hotel—excellent rooms and service.”
“That’s far too generous,” Huiyi protested, unsure whether to accept.
Tang Yan chimed in, half-teasing, half-earnest: “Take it. It’s hard to shuttle a child back and forth.”
And, she admitted silently, it meant Aunt Ji would have her to herself.
“Well… thank you.” Huiyi put the card away.
“How have you been lately?” Yuqing asked.
“Same old,” Huiyi sighed lightly. “Xuan-xuan’s father works; I’m at home playing housewife. I’ve learned to find joy in it as the boy grows.”
She paused, then shifted the topic. “And you—have you met anyone? You’ve been single for years.”
The question made Tang Yan freeze with her mug halfway to her lips.
Yuqing smiled and shook her head. “I’ve managed fine on my own all this time. I enjoy my life.”
“I understand,” Huiyi said. “A single life has its merits.”
Since they’d broached romance, Huiyi suddenly turned to Tang Yan. “What about you—seeing anyone at school?”
Tang Yan blinked and quickly shook her head. “No. My studies keep me too busy.”
“If you ever like a boy, let Aunt Ji check him out first. Don’t let yourself be tricked—girls have to protect themselves.”
Tang Yan bristled at the tone. After all these years you come lecturing me?
She snapped before she could stop herself: “Are you warning me not to turn out like you—fall for a scumbag, get pregnant, and walk away?”
It was a cruel, hasty jab, and she knew it.
“Watch your mouth!” Huiyi exploded, slapping her—Tang Yan’s first slap from this woman in eighteen years.