Realizing she still had a daughter trailing behind, Tang Huiyi turned and waited.
The instant their eyes met, Tang Yan jerked her hand from Aunt Ji’s and stuffed it into her pocket, as if caught doing something shameful—though surely she was the only one who thought so. Ji Yuqing blinked, puzzled by the sudden withdrawal.
“Yan-yan, Yuqing—hurry up! The child’s getting restless,” Tang Huiyi called, half-apologetic.
They quickened their pace. Tang Yan’s fist clenched tight in her coat pocket, heart pounding. When they reached her, Huiyi reached out to pat Tang Yan’s head. Tang Yan instinctively flinched away—a reflex she couldn’t control—and embarrassment flickered across Huiyi’s face.
“You look taller every time I see you,” Huiyi ventured.
“I’m eighteen. I’m not getting any taller,” Tang Yan replied flatly.
Huiyi withdrew her hand, forcing a smile. “Must be my imagination—you mustn’t blame Mom for taking so long to visit, will you?”
Tang Yan met her gaze, resentment thinly veiled. “Hasn’t it always been like this? One year apart if I’m lucky—two or three if I’m not.”
The words landed like a slap. Ji Yuqing hastily smoothed things over. “It’s chilly out here—let’s get in the car and find a restaurant in town for lunch.” She patted Tang Yan’s shoulder, and the girl obediently opened the door and climbed into the front seat. Huiyi ushered the little boy into the back.
Once everyone was in, Yuqing pulled away from the airport. An awkward hush settled. She glanced at Tang Yan: the girl stared unblinking out the window—clearly angry at her mother. Yuqing alone knew all that had happened, knew that she herself bore some blame. If fault must be laid anywhere, let Yan-yan lay it on Aunt Ji.
“Yuqing, do you still live in the old place?” Huiyi tried to make conversation.
Yuqing checked the mirror, smiling. “No, I moved years ago. Saved up enough to buy a place of my own.”
“That’s wonderful,” Huiyi said. “No more drifting.”
The silence returned.
A moment later Yuqing spoke again, pride in her voice. “Yan-yan’s doing well at school—she may win a scholarship this term.”
“Really?” Huiyi’s face lit up. “That’s amazing, Yan-yan!”
Tang Yan said nothing. The excitement she’d felt as a child at these reunions was gone; now she only wondered how long her mother planned to stay—and when she would leave.
“Talented, just like you, Huiyi,” Yuqing added. “Back in college you won scholarships every year.”
“Those days are better left unmentioned.” Huiyi waved it off, then brightened. “I brought you both some specialties from home—Yan-yan, you haven’t tasted them in years.”
“Oh! The ones you used to bring to the dorm?” Yuqing sounded genuinely delighted, momentarily forgetting the name of the snack.
“Yes, those,” Huiyi laughed. “I’m surprised you still remember after all this time.”
“Of course—I could never forget. The cafeteria food back then was so plain; half the dorm survived on what you brought.”
Tang Yan listened, sneaking glances at Aunt Ji and the rear-view mirror. They seemed to be chatting easily. Her own behavior must be putting Yuqing in a difficult spot. However resentful she felt, she couldn’t embarrass Aunt Ji. She swallowed her frustration and spoke up. “How long will you be in Huadu?”
Huiyi blinked—her daughter was finally talking to her. “A week at most. Your brother gets cranky if we stay longer.”
“I see…”
Just then little Wang Yixuan piped up beside Huiyi, calling, “Sister, sister!” His enthusiasm felt odd to Tang Yan. Still, she reminded herself not to push her anger onto an innocent child. This was her first time meeting her half-brother, and though she had once envied him his parents’ love, in person he was only an adorable toddler. She found she couldn’t dislike him.
“Which one is your sister?” Huiyi asked him softly.
Without hesitation, the boy pointed at Tang Yan. From the mirror she saw everything, and her heart melted. She turned, ruffled his hair, and said gently, “Good boy.”
The gesture visibly relieved Huiyi.
Then she recalled an incident two months earlier. “Yuqing, that time Tang Yawen showed up—he must have caused you a lot of trouble. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s fine—I’m recovered now,” Yuqing said, eyes on the road.
“Not fine at all,” Tang Yan cut in. “That scum put Aunt Ji in the hospital. I’ll never forgive him.”
Huiyi’s guilt deepened. “Afterward I tried calling home, but they wouldn’t answer….”
Yuqing gave a small laugh. “It’s over, and I’m perfectly all right. We have to look forward.”
Tang Yan admired her optimism but could not forget what had happened.
“Honestly, if you’d had him thrown in jail I’d have supported you,” Huiyi said. “My sister-in-law spoiled that boy rotten since childhood. So how was it resolved? Did he just get off scot-free?”
Yuqing lowered her voice. “I asked for Yan-yan’s household registration file back from their family. That was my condition for dropping the charges.”
Huiyi sat bolt upright. “You transferred Yan-yan’s hukou to your own address?”
Tang Yan turned, sensing a sudden tension fill the car.