"We’ll Hess there first thing in the morning, though there’s still time for us to have a look around. I can introduce you to my ahjumma and ahujussi friends downhill, they’ve been looking forwards to meet you!"
Tang Xue Mei nodded she was definitely willing to have a look around and stretch her legs.
"Alright we’ll let Barb arrange some snacks for us.."
As they walked out of the condo, Tang Xue Mei and Su Huiying took in the breathtaking views of the Faroe Islands. The rugged landscape stretched out before them, with the sea sparkling in the distance.
Their destination was the neighbors’ house, a cozy little cottage located down the hill from the condo.
Su Huiying had mentioned that they were a lovely couple, and she was looking forward to introducing Tang Xue Mei to them.
As they walked down the hill, the condo grew smaller behind them, and the sound of the sea grew louder. The air was filled with the fresh scent of the ocean and the sound of seagulls crying overhead.
After a short but pleasant walk, they arrived at the neighbors’ house, a charming little cottage with a beautiful garden. Su Huiying knocked on the door, and they were greeted by the warm smile of their neighbor, Mrs. Joensen.
"Ah, Su Huiying, it’s so lovely to see you!" Mrs. Joensen exclaimed, ushering them into the cozy living room. "And you must be Tang Xue Mei. I’ve heard so much about you."
"Come in come in, the rest ahjummas and and ahjussis are all here to see you..."
Tang Xue Mei lips twitched as Su Huiying dragged her inside.
Her eyes widened, this was about the coziest cottage she had ever seen.
"Wow.."
Tang Xue Mei had to admit the people here were living far more comfortable lives than people living in cities.
It was honestly the best kind of life to live, though some people love the hustle and bustle of the city.
"We brought snacks.."
Su Huiying handed the basket to Mrs. Joensen, who received it with a happy smile.
"Thank you! Let’s head to back, we’re having tea and playing mahjong.."
Mahjong? Tang Xue Mei did not expect that they would be playing that kind of game here.
"Perhaps you don’t know but mahjong and chess is very popular amongst us ahjummas and ahjussis. Thought we also spend our time knitting and crocheting, I can show you some of the cute toys we’ve made."
Mrs. Joensen led this to the wooden box at the corner and opened it, showing Tang Xue Mei the wonderful toys they had made.
"They’re pretty and so soft, it’s a guaranteed way to knock any child out..."
Mrs. Joensen laughed as she nodded handed one toy to Tang Xue Mei.
"You can have this one.."
"Ahem.." Su Huiying coughed and whispered into Mrs. Joensen’s ears.
"It’s a belly for two.."
Mrs. Joensen laughed again, her belly was big, how could she not have noticed.
"My sources tell me they’re two in there, so I give you another one.."
Tang Xue Mei stared at the bunny and the cat plushies in her hands, they were so soft and cute. It made her heart melt.
"Thank you!"
"Don’t mention, my little gifts so Huiying’a grand babies. My grand babies have lots of them at their place.."
Mrs. Joensen led them to the back, they could hear the roars of laughter and chatting as they got close.
"You guys are having all the fun without Huiying and I aren’t you?"
"Hey! Look at the beauty...Huiying has a daughter this beautiful, my my.."
Mr. Joenson smiled as he pulled out a chair for his wife.
"She’s definitely a pretty one and she’s married too, they even have a kid coming in!"
Anna smiled, she was the oldest among them, being 46 and the others 40 and 45.
"Two kids.." Su Huiying corrected, her belly was so big, why couldn’t they see it was twins.
"My bad, her belly is huge definitely can’t be just one kid."
Mrs. Joensen poured them each a steaming cup of tea, saying, "Let’s get started with our tea and then we can begin a NEW game of Mahjong."
"Hey, you took so much time...we had to start, lucky for Jameson, he was already losing.."
Jameson humphed, mahjong was not his strong forte, but he was a wiz when it came to chess.
"Mei Mei, do you want to play as well?"
"I’m afraid, the ahjummas and ahjussis would lose if I play...don’t want to spoil your fun.."
The blonde haired ahjumma chuckled, this as definitely Huiying’s daughter.
"Big talk, you have to prove it though. We have been playing this game for a long, long time...it would be a pity if a youngster like you can’t beat us.."
Tang Xue Mei smiled, maybe it wasn’t so bad playing with them.
"Alright, but if I win I get to take another plushie.."
Mrs. Joensen smiled and nodded they had so many toys to go around.
"And if we win, you make a full course meal for us.."
Tang Xue Mei lips twitched, cooking wasn’t her strong forte yet.
"Then I can’t afford to lose.."
As they sipped their tea, the ahjummas and ahjussis chatted amiably, exchanging stories and gossip about the latest happenings in the community.
Su Huiying laughed and joined in the conversation, "Oh, I heard that the new fishing boat is finally arriving tomorrow. I’m so excited to see it!"
Mr. Peter, one of the ahjussis, chuckled, "Yes, it’s about time too. We’ve been waiting for months. I’m sure it will be a big improvement over the old one."
As the tea cups emptied, Mrs. Joensen declared it was time to begin the game of Mahjong. "Alright everyone, let’s get started! Su Huiying, you’re up first."
The tiles were shuffled and distributed, and the players set to work with a competitive gleam in their eyes.
Tang Xue Mei examined her tiles with a keen eye, her mind working at the speed of light to calculate the best moves.
Su Huiying was impressed by her Tang Xue Mei’s skills. She hadn’t seen her play mahjong in while. She didn’t know she become this good. "Wow, Mei Mei, you’ve got winning in the bag."
Tang Xue Mei blushed, but her eyes shone with excitement. It’s been a while since she had played mahjong, she had forgotten just how interesting the game could get.
She began to make her moves, her hands moving quickly and confidently as she laid down one tile after the other.
The ahjummas and ahjussis watched in amazement as Tang Xue Mei’s tiles fell into place, her strategy unfolding with perfect. "Amazing, she’s a genius!" Mrs. Joensen exclaimed.
As the game wore on, Tang Xue Mei continued to impress them. She had already proven to them, that was unbeatable.
In the end, she emerged victorious, her tiles forming a perfect pattern on the table.
The ahjummas and ahjussis cheered and clapped, their faces flushed with excitement.
Mrs. Joensen patted Tang Xue Mei on the back, beaming with pride. "You’re a natural, Xue Mei! You have a talent for Mahjong."
Tang Xue Mei grinned, feeling elated and proud of herself. "Thanks, Mrs. Joensen! I had a lot of fun playing with everyone plus I get one extra plushie."
Mrs. Joenson
smiled, "You’re a brilliant player, I’ll give you two!"
As they left the backyard and headed inside, Mrs. Joenson handed Tang Xue Mei the two extra plushies as promised.
"We have to take our leave now..."
Su Huiying smiled, she always had a wonderful time with them. They had her days here very memorable.
"Do come again during the week, let’s have lunch together..."
Su Huiying nodded and smiled, they had been hosting her so it was time for her to host them.
"We can have it at my place, it has a nice view of the horizon from there..."
Their eyes beamed and they wasted no time in agreeing.
"See you there then!"
Mrs. Joenson escorted them out of the houses, they others also taking their leave as they headed to their individual homes.
"Mum do you also want to trying knitting? Seems like a nice hobby.."
Su Huiying nodded, she was learning fast, she also wanted to gift her grandchildren toys made with her own hands when they came out.
"Isn’t it beautiful?" Su Huiying remarked, her eyes fixed on the horizon.
"Absolutely, Mom," Tang Xue Mei replied softly. "Moments like these, made me realized that we should have traveled more. There’s so much to see and explore."
Su Huiying nodded, a smile playing on her lips. "It’s a bit late for us to travel as a family, but I do hope you get to explore with your family. Seeing my grandkids in different beautiful places will make me much happier."
"You know," Su Huiying began thoughtfully, "I think appreciating these simple moments makes life richer."
Tang Xue Mei smiled, "I couldn’t agree more, Mom. It’s the ordinary moments with you that make life extraordinary."