Chapter 13.2

Grandma Xu

The day’s weather was unexpectedly good. With the sun shining down bright in the sky, her down jacket began to feel nice and warm. Bo Ziren felt like she was wearing a layer of quilted fabric, making her feel very comfortable.

Cheng Jingbo drove the car for twenty minutes until they arrived at the entrance to a small alley. He parked to the side and they both got out of the car and walked in together.

The alleyway stretched forward deeply, marked by a few spots of water on the road’s surface. They passed under a small window from which protruded a long bamboo pole with clothes draped over it, drying in the sun. The smell of bubbles and detergent permeated the air.

With her long legs, Bo Ziren crossed over the puddles smoothly, matching Cheng Jingbo’s speed. Halfway through, she suddenly smelled an overwhelming fragrance of food.

“The people here eat very early,” Cheng Jingbo explained. “Sometimes they move their dinner table outside, causing the smell of their food to spread far.”

“Braised pork feet?” Bo Ziren asked.

“Your nose is very good. Yes, it’s braised pork feet.”

“Because the school cafeteria has this dish, but it doesn’t taste that great.”

He smiled faintly but did not comment.

Once they reached the end of the alley, they came upon a round stone arch. The first door they entered was Teacher Xu’s house. The door was open.

Mrs. Xu was cooking in the kitchen, with her little granddaughter sitting nearby on a chair. Her head was lowered as she drew in a sketchbook. The T.V was on, playing a series that had been popular a couple of years back. It was blaring quite loudly, but it did not seem to affect the little girl’s concentration.

Cheng Jingbo stepped forward and bent down to her height.

“What are you drawing?”

Fang Rong startled and raised her face. As soon as she saw who it was, she broke out into a huge smile. She obediently welcomed Teacher Cheng, then turned her head towards her grandma still in the kitchen.

“Grandma, look who’s here!”

Granny Xu was a little deaf and did not hear her granddaughter. Fang Rong called out a second and then a third time, before the old lady finally yelled back, “Fang Rong, are you calling me?”

“Yes, Grandma. Come out, Teacher Cheng brought your medicine!”

Mrs. Zu quickly reacted as she turned off the faucet and walked out to welcome her guests. When she saw Cheng Jingbo standing next to a girl who matched him in age and looks, she bypassed asking and instead said pretentiously, “Ah, Jingbo, after all this time you finally brought a girlfriend. Why didn’t you tell me in advance so that I could have prepared food?”

“You misunderstand. She is just a friend of mine,” Cheng Jingbo said.

Mrs. Xu smiled amicably.

“I understand. It always starts with friendship first. Don’t feel pressured.”

Bo Ziren greeted Mrs. Xu, who nodded appreciatively as she looked her up and down.

“A really nice girl.”

Embarrassed by Bo Ziren’s presence, Cheng Jingbo placed the medicine on the table then asked his old teacher about her recent physical condition. She told him her body was fine and her legs and feet were not too painful. He felt relieved and exchanged a few more words with her before announcing it was time to go.

“How can I just let you leave like this?” 

Mrs. Xu ignored his protests and took his arm. “It’s still early. If you’re not hungry, your girl…your friend might be hungry. I haven’t cooked anything, so Fang Rong, go to the deli and buy some food.”

Mrs. Xu started to make her way to the back to get her wallet but was stopped by Cheng Jingbo.

However, when Fang Rong heard the word deli, she jumped off the small bench and patted the purse on her waist.

“I’m gonna buy it with my own money.”

Fang Rong slipped out quickly, then suddenly stopped and turned back. She asked Bo Ziren in the manner of a small adult, “Sister, do you want to eat roasted chicken legs or cured pork ribs?”

“Roasted chicken legs are good,” Bo Ziren found herself saying, then immediately regretted it. She turned to look at Cheng Jingbo, her eyes admitting her mistake.

Unexpectedly though, Cheng Jingbo who had been determined to leave looked back at her with a little laugh. He didn’t say anything, and his expression looked torn.

“Buy both,” Mrs. Xu said, looking proudly at her little granddaughter.

“In theory that is great, but reality is cruel,” Fang Rong said, patting her purse. “I do not have enough money.”

“Here, this is for you.” Bo Ziren took out her wallet and handed the girl some change.

Fang Rong took the money, then cleverly quipped, “Sister, I will take this money as a loan from you, and then it will be charged to grandma’s account.”

She then turned and ran off.

Mrs. Xu reached into her purse to return the money to Bo Ziren. Bo Ziren, of course, refused.

“It’s all on me,” Cheng Jingbo interjected tersely.

At this, Mrs. Xu gave up, and looking at Bo Ziren directly, found herself unable to contain her curiosity on this girl any longer.

She brought up the topic of academic qualifications.

“Work harder and get a Ph.D., just like Jingbo did,” she praised.

She seemed to completely regard them as a match made in heaven.

Bo Ziren felt embarrassed and was left speechless. Cheng Jingbo decided not to bother further clarifying their relationship, since the old lady deemed his initial explanation invalid. He instead moved to change the subject by asking about her eye disease.

“I just take the medicine,” she said. “If I have an operation now, I will die. I still want to live a few more years.”

Bo Ziren sat down, and as she listened to them talk, she began to understand things a little better. In fact, as soon as she had walked into the house, she had realized almost immediately that Mrs. Xu’s family was poor and that their life was difficult. As she replayed the moment of her arrogantly accepting the dinner invitation, she felt embarrassed. However, Cheng Jingbo’s eyes on her hadn’t carried any condemning emotions, allowing her guilt not to settle in too deeply.