The conversation drifted aimlessly, and soon it was time for lunch.
Qi Shengwen didn't stay for the meal, citing a last-minute issue with the military that required his attention.
Only five people remained for lunch, and it turned out to be a group who didn't particularly get along.
Lin Sao had been a nanny for many years and was an excellent cook. Her specialty was light Cantonese dishes, as Qi's mother had a delicate palate. Cheng You found the food quite to her liking, almost jotting down recipes.
The dishes she prepared were mostly learned from Jiang Qing, making her skills varied but not particularly refined in any one area.
After lunch and a cup of tea, they didn't linger.
Qi Chengyan stood up, pulling Cheng You with him, and said, "We'll be heading back now."
Qi's mother was surprised by the sudden departure but found herself unable to insist they stay. She could only dryly say, "Alright, go on back."
Qi Yang also left, leaving only Zhou Qi to accompany her.
Qi's mother felt a pang of loss, sometimes believing herself to be a failure. Of her three children, two biological ones were not close to her.
Qi Yang walked beside Cheng You and said, "Sister is busy today, I'll visit you tomorrow."
Cheng You nodded. "My place isn't fully settled yet. I'll have to hire someone to help me tidy up later."
The courtyard was quite large, and she truly didn't feel like doing it herself. Especially the small annex, which she intended to convert into a herb garden.
Qi Yang was picked up by a friend and left in their car.
Cheng You and Qi Chengyan headed towards the cemetery to pay their respects to Grandma Qi.
Cheng You felt it wasn't quite formal enough, so she bought some of Grandma Qi's favorite pastries on the way to take with them.
Grandma's grave was immaculate, clearly well-maintained and adorned with fresh flowers. A color photograph of her in her later years sat atop the tombstone. Her hair, white with age, was neatly pinned back, exuding an indescribable elegance. Her eyes held a gentle smile, sparkling with a warmth that seemed to look directly at you, radiating kindness.
Cheng You also had grandparents, but they were like strangers. They never interacted during holidays, not even exchanging greetings when they met. She couldn't fathom the feeling of being cherished by a grandmother. However, she knew Grandma Qi must have been very good to Qi Chengyan.
"No wonder your family's genes are so good; Grandma was so beautiful," Cheng You said, taking out a handkerchief to wipe the photograph on the tombstone. Such a beautiful picture shouldn't be marred.
Qi Chengyan stood beside her, his gaze lowered to the tombstone, his eyes filled with tenderness. "Grandma was even more beautiful when she was young." There were a few black-and-white photos of her at home, but only a handful.
After a while at the cemetery, Qi Chengyan suggested they head back.
Cheng You stood up. "Grandma, I'll visit you again next time." The old woman in the photograph continued to smile, as if watching them depart.
Leaving the cemetery, they boarded a bus, preparing to return. Gazing at the receding scenery outside the bus window, Cheng You began to look forward to settling down in this place.
Upon returning to the courtyard, she suddenly remembered that Professor Zhao was expecting her. However, she didn't have time now and would have to wait a couple more days. It was only their second day in Yancheng, and she felt like she'd been spinning around like a top.
Back home, Duan Liping was already cleaning, even tidying up the small annex. "Someone delivered something earlier. It's all there, I didn't touch it."
Cheng You went over and exclaimed in surprise, "My medicinal herbs have arrived!" The herbs she had planted in her backyard had already been harvested, leaving only the ginseng and Polygonum multiflorum in pots. These two she had nurtured with dew, and bringing them was no easy task; she worried they might be damaged if mailed. Therefore, she packed them herself and entrusted Qin Jianzhong's transport team to deliver them.
Opening the boxes, the potted herbs were intact, their leaves not appearing wilted. She moved the herbs into the small annex, which would now be her herb garden.
"Lipíng, you don't need to keep cleaning. I'll call an auntie to help with the tidying."
Duan Liping nodded. If she continued cleaning, Cheng You would undoubtedly help, and they would both end up tired. Cheng You hired an auntie from the alley, paid her ten yuan, and had her clean the entire place inside and out, discarding anything unnecessary. Once cleaned, the spacious courtyard looked even more appealing.
"Let's go out for a stroll and see if we can find some comfortable chairs for the rooftop. It would be nice to sit there occasionally, have some tea, and chat."
Duan Liping smiled. She didn't have Cheng You's sense of leisure. After all, leisure often required financial support. Nevertheless, she accompanied Cheng You out, offering to act as a guide.
Stopping and browsing, Cheng You found everything novel and indeed bought quite a few things. "It's no wonder this is the capital; they have so much more here than where we're from." The items in Yongcheng were nowhere near as plentiful as here.
Duan Liping chuckled. "It is indeed more developed than Yongcheng. You can buy anything you need here."
As they left the department store, Cheng You unexpectedly ran into Qin Jianzhong. He was standing by the entrance, seemingly waiting for someone.
"Captain Qin!" Qin Jianzhong had arrived in Yancheng before her. Cheng You had given him the address of the courtyard but didn't know where he was staying.
Whether it was her imagination or not, Cheng You felt Qin Jianzhong seemed a bit flustered. "Cheng You, when did you get to Yancheng?"
Cheng You walked over with a smile. "I just arrived yesterday. I'm out sightseeing today. What a coincidence, would you like to have dinner together tonight?"
"No need!" Qin Jianzhong immediately refused.
Cheng You paused, finding it strange. She wasn't a monster; they were even collaborating. "Are you meeting friends? It's alright, we can do it another time. Bring your wife along too?"
Qin Jianzhong's smile was a bit stiff. "My wife isn't feeling well with the change in climate and can't come out. I've also made plans with friends. I'll find you another day." With that, he hurried into the department store.
Cheng You was even more perplexed. Why did he seem to be avoiding her? "Perhaps he has urgent business. Let's go," she said, trying to comfort herself as she could find no other explanation.
However, on the way back, she couldn't help but bring it up. "Don't you think Captain Qin was acting strangely?" she asked Qi Chengyan.
He nodded. "Since I've known him, I've never seen his wife. Even when he came to thank you, he didn't let his wife show herself. Before coming to Yancheng, he refused when you suggested traveling together. Every time you've suggested him bringing his wife out for a meal, he's refused. The common thread is that Qin Jianzhong dislikes bringing his wife out."
Cheng You touched her nose. "It couldn't be that his wife is someone he can't reveal, right?"
Qi Chengyan frowned. "Or perhaps his wife just can't be seen by us." Could his wife know them? Given how much he seemed to be avoiding them, it suggested they might have had a feud.
Cheng You shook her head, deciding not to dwell on it. If she didn't want to see them, so be it. After all, she wasn't cooperating with his wife.