It was He Mei who opened the door that day, looking at them with a beaming smile under the light.
Having not seen her for a long time, Yu Mo was struck by the change. He Mei seemed like a different person; motherhood had added a bit of fullness to her frame, making her appear soft and vibrant. Her dimples seemed to overflow with sweetness, a sight that brought an instinctive joy to anyone who saw her.
When He Mei saw Yu Mo, her initial delight was quickly replaced by a start of surprise.
Yu Mo was swaddled in a massive black down jacket that covered half her body, with a scarf wrapped snugly around her neck. Even though spring had already arrived, no one—no matter how sensitive to the cold—should have been bundled up like that, especially considering how slender she used to be. *Is she pregnant?* He Mei wondered.
After they exchanged warm greetings, He Mei moved to lead her into the house.
Qi Lian entered behind Yu Mo. He placed his right hand on her shoulder, signaling for her to take off her coat, then helped her slip it off and hung it on the rack by the door.
It was then that He Mei realized she had overthought things. Beneath the jacket, Yu Mo wore a cream-colored cable-knit cashmere sweater paired with white pencil pants. Her chest was full, but her waist curved inward, slender enough to be held in one hand.
The house was brightly lit. In the dining room, a small, light-wood square table was already covered with washed vegetables.
"Where is everyone else?" Yu Mo asked.
"My parents were afraid there wouldn't be enough room for everyone to sit, so they finished early and went down to the mahjong parlor. Jiang Yuan went to the gate to grab some beer; he’ll be back in a bit."
"Uncle Gen is actually willing to play mahjong?" Qi Lian asked.
He Mei felt a flush of embarrassment for her in-laws. "Watching, just watching. He only watches, never plays. If my father-in-law were to lose even twenty yuan, my mother-in-law wouldn't let him hear the end of it for a month."
"Where's Qi Qi?" Yu Mo asked.
"In lockdown. He’s not allowed out today. His teacher called me yesterday; he didn't finish his homework for the last two days but lied to Jiang Yuan and said he had. We can't have that. He’s being punished with extra writing practice today."
The door to the small room was closed, but a tiny crack remained. Behind it, Qi Qi was making faces at Qi Lian.
Qi Lian waved him off, signaling for him to go back to work, though the corners of his mouth couldn't help but twitch upward. The children of Lotus Terrace all grew up this way.
He Mei led Yu Mo and Qi Lian into the bedroom, saying, "Yu Mo, you haven't met Guo Guo yet, though she received her godmother's gift a long time ago."
The large bed in the room was neatly made. A baby, dressed in a thick pink cotton coat, lay in the middle of the bed under a tiny quilt.
The two-month-old's face was still flushed a healthy red. She was fast asleep, her eyes closed tight. Her eyebrows were so sparse they were barely visible, but her hair was surprisingly thick, making her look as adorable as a doll.
Yu Mo and He Mei leaned over the bed from opposite sides, whispering to each other around the baby.
Qi Lian stayed for a moment before placing the gift bag he was carrying onto a nearby stool. He quietly slipped out of the bedroom, leaving the two women to talk.
He Mei said softly, "I knew you’d come back. I just didn't know when. My husband isn't half as smart as his brother, so don't mind him—he truly cares about Qi Lian."
Yu Mo smiled. "I won't. I understand. I know how they are."
As she spoke, He Mei stood up to open a large wardrobe. From behind a pile of colorful clothes, she pulled out two red boxes—one large and one small—and walked back to Yu Mo.
She smiled and said, "Do you know why I was so sure you'd come back? Let me show you something."
She first opened the smaller box. Inside was a tiny gold bracelet adorned with two common lotus-pod charms. "Here, Qi Lian said this was from him."
Then, she mysteriously opened the larger box.
Yu Mo saw a very small gold chain holding a gold lock that was nearly as large as the baby's face. She burst out laughing. No normal person would give such a thing unless they were trying to flaunt their wealth. She said, "This godfather certainly showed enough sincerity."
He Mei’s eyes crinkled with laughter. "He said this was from the godmother. I mean, isn't the meaning obvious? He was terrified people wouldn't know he still loved you, that he still cared. I was so happy when I received this—happy for you two, and happy that my daughter could share in your good fortune. I hope she meets someone like that one day, too."
As they were talking, they heard the front door open and walked out of the bedroom one after the other.
Jiang Yuan had just entered and was talking to Qi Lian. He was carrying a case of Tsingtao beer on his right shoulder. His thin grey padded jacket couldn't hide his now-stout figure; as he raised his arms, a glimpse of his pale blue thermal undershirt and rounded belly showed.
When he saw the person walking out of the bedroom, his eyes widened like a bull's, looking as if he’d seen a ghost. He froze in place, his gaze darting between Yu Mo and Qi Lian.
Qi Shuai squeezed in behind him, nudging him aside. As he passed, he muttered, "Dumbass."
Xiao Xiao followed behind Qi Shuai. She was wearing a short skirt, already eager to show off her shapely legs despite the weather.
Seeing Yu Mo, she called out "Sister" with a smile and came forward to affectionately hook her arm through Yu Mo's, whispering as they caught up.
Qi Lian stepped forward, took the case of beer from Jiang Yuan's shoulder, and gave his brother a pat on the arm before turning away.
He Mei quickly ushered everyone to their seats.
Not long after the hotpot was lit, white steam began to rise. Whoever found it convenient dropped two plates of sliced mutton into the pot.
Jiang Yuan picked up a bottle of beer and brought it to his mouth. With a clench of his jaw, he pried the cap off with his teeth.
He poured a glass for Qi Shuai first. When he went to pour for Qi Lian, Qi Lian raised his hand to cover the top of his glass and said, "I'm not drinking for now."
Jiang Yuan’s hand froze. The words "Don't be such a sissy, your injury healed ages ago" were on the tip of his tongue, but he caught a glimpse of the person sitting next to Qi Lian and forced the words back down, pouring a large glass for himself instead.
Suddenly, Xiao Xiao pointed at Qi Lian’s hand, which he hadn't yet lowered from the rim of his glass. "Brother Lian, is that a wedding ring on your ring finger?"
At those words, everyone’s eyes at the table converged on Qi Lian’s hand. A rare flash of bashfulness crossed his face.
It was a plain platinum band. Under the light, it gave off a subtle, gentle glow. On Qi Lian’s long, rough, and bony hand, it possessed a contrasting tenderness.
Yu Mo squeezed Qi Lian’s other hand under the table and smiled to bail him out. "Does it look good, Xiao Xiao? I gave it to him."
The corner of Jiang Yuan’s eye twitched. He tilted his head back and downed a full glass of beer.
The aroma of mutton rose with the steam.
Before Xiao Xiao could respond, she suddenly craned her neck and let out a dry heave, followed by another, until tears and saliva were running down her face.
Qi Shuai scrambled to his feet in a panic, patting her back.
He Mei, on Xiao Xiao's other side, quickly pulled out several tissues and handed them to her, then stood up to pour a glass of plain water and set it by her hand.
Once the bout of retching passed, Xiao Xiao wiped her tears with one hand and lightly thumped her chest with her fist.
Qi Shuai continued to rhythmically stroke her back to soothe her.
Qi Lian asked him, "Your apartment is finished being renovated, right? Get the wedding done quickly. You can't delay it any longer."
Qi Shuai’s expression seemed off; he looked like his soul wasn't quite there, appearing both hyper-excited and a bit dazed. He didn't even seem to know how to answer Qi Lian’s question, nodding and shaking his head at the same time.
Xiao Xiao held a tissue under her nose. Even though she was dizzy from retching, she didn't forget to chime in: "The Five Golds and the bride price—not a single thing can be missing. Otherwise, I’m heading straight to the hospital."
Qi Shuai nodded like a chick pecking at grain. "Fine, fine, my queen. Just don't say things like that right now."
Xiao Xiao’s brows snapped together. "Qi Shuai, I don't want to have a child this early. You know that. If I have it, it’s entirely for you. You’d better remember that. From now on, all my underwear is yours to wash."
Qi Shuai agreed without hesitation. "Fine, fine."
Jiang Yuan had just put a mouthful of mutton into his mouth. The meat was so hot he was huffing air, but he managed to chime in: "Qi Shuai, aren't you afraid of bad luck, washing a woman's knickers?"
Qi Shuai remained silent, long accustomed to their teasing.
Xiao Xiao, however, was not so easily provoked. She pulled the tissue away from her nose and said crisply, "Washing knickers brings bad luck? Then why wasn't he worried about bad luck when he was eating me out?"
Qi Shuai reached out to cover her mouth. "My queen, can you please put a filter on that mouth of yours?"
Jiang Yuan was so shocked he forgot to chew. He put his chopsticks down sheepishly. "Are you even a woman?"
Xiao Xiao remained indifferent. "Why don't you ask Qi Shuai? He knows better than you."
He Mei turned and pinched Jiang Yuan’s arm. "You always speak and act without thinking. Just shut up and eat."
Yu Mo almost couldn't stop herself from laughing out loud. She tried her best to press down the corners of her mouth, thinking for the first time that Xiao Xiao’s personality was actually quite endearing. She only ever pursued her own happiness and never engaged in internal friction—innocent yet ruthless.
She called out to Xiao Xiao, "If you need any help with anything, just say the word."
Xiao Xiao nodded listlessly. "Sister, help me pick things out when I’m shopping. I’ll contact you then."
Because Xiao Xiao wasn't feeling well, everyone intentionally brought the meal to a quick close.
Jiang Yuan had originally wanted to ask Qi Lian, *Now that it’s just you left, what are your plans?* But because He Mei had scolded him for having no brains, he didn't have the nerve to ask in the end.
Jiang Yuan lived on the fifth floor. On the way down, only three of the motion-sensor lights were working properly, leaving the stairwell filled with flickering shadows. Yu Mo accidentally stepped on a leather shoe left in the middle of the path; her body tilted, and she nearly fell, but Qi Lian was quick enough to catch her, pulling her tightly against his waist.
His hand didn't let go after that.
When they reached the first floor, he zipped up Yu Mo’s down jacket and tucked her scarf in properly.
Yu Mo was a bit reluctant. "I'm not cold. Qi Lian, you're crazy. It’s not that cold anymore. Look at Xiao Xiao, she’s wearing a skirt with bare legs! I’m never wearing your down jacket out again. I saw the way He Mei was looking at me; it was so weird. People must think I’m seriously ill. You lied to me and said it was cold today just because I hadn't been out."
"What's wrong with wearing more? It’s still cold out at night. Who says it doesn't look good? I, your man, think it looks great. Is it better to be so cold your face turns blue? As long as you're warm and don't catch a cold, that's all that matters."
Yu Mo didn't plan to argue with him. By the dim light, she glanced at what Qi Lian was wearing: a pair of sweatpants, a fleece-lined zip-up hoodie, and just a T-shirt underneath. She curled her lip in the darkness; she wasn't going to listen to him anymore.
As they were talking, they realized they were stuck. The rear end of a faded electric tricycle was completely blocking the exit of the stairwell.
Qi Lian shouted a couple of times, "Whose bike is this? Blocking the way in the middle of the night—do you not want your bike anymore?"
After waiting a moment with no response, Qi Lian took a step back and kicked the back of the tricycle. The vehicle didn't budge.
He hesitated for a second, then gripped the rear sideboard and nimbly vaulted into the cargo bed.
"Shit."
Looking closely, there were two old window frames in the bed. He had stepped on a piece of wood, and it hurt the sole of his foot.
He turned back to Yu Mo. "I'll lift you over. Hold onto me and don't let your feet touch the ground, you hear me?"
Yu Mo nodded obediently and reached out her hands. Qi Lian leaned down from the cargo bed, gripped her slender waist, and with a sharp intake of breath and gritted teeth, he hoisted her up.
As he lifted her, Yu Mo’s head nearly hit the eaves of the stairwell entrance. She playfully reached out her right hand and patted the roof.
Qi Lian was carefully maneuvering through the cargo bed while holding her, trying to find the right angle to set her down on the road outside. He warned her, "Don't move around."
Even after Yu Mo’s feet touched the ground outside, he didn't let go, checking repeatedly, "Are you standing okay? Are you steady?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine."
Once Yu Mo was steady, she obediently stepped aside a few paces. She watched as Qi Lian gripped the railing and vaulted out with a clean, agile landing. His body always possessed an indescribable nimbleness and grace, reminiscent of some kind of forest predator.
Qi Lian walked up, wrapped his arm around her, and they slowly strolled toward home.
Two stray dogs were tearing at a black trash bag, scattering its contents all over the ground. They looked up alertly as the couple passed, then lowered their heads to continue foraging.
***
