Huang Guilan thought that once Xie Zhongming got divorced, he and Xingyue, one a widow and the other divorced, both people who had endured hardships, could form a family together. An’an and Ningning were already closely connected to the Xie family. Together, they could live a good life.
From now on, Huang Guilan had a little plan of her own. She said, “Lao Si, Xingyue works hard every day in our home. She is delicate, and I worry her skin might get rough. I want to buy her a box of snow cream to give her. Can you bring it back for me tomorrow while you are out?”
Xie Zhongming hung up his coat and responded simply, “Okay.”
He had no idea that Huang Guilan was secretly matchmaking him with Qiao Xingyue.
Huang Guilan imagined that if one day she could make Qiao Xingyue her fourth daughter-in-law, she would be so happy she could wake up laughing from her dreams. She walked out, smiling, and said, “I’ll go to the kitchen and help Xingyue with the fire.”
In the kitchen, Qiao Xingyue was cooking potato stew with meat at the stove. Around the pot, she had prepared flatbreads made from cornmeal. On another coal stove, a steaming basket held rice. The entire kitchen was filled with the fragrant aroma of home-cooked food.
Huang Guilan was about to enter the kitchen when Jiang Chunyan suddenly pulled her from behind.
Turning around, she saw Jiang Chunyan had changed into a beige cotton shirt tucked into a navy long skirt, with a light-colored blazer over it. She twirled, lifted the skirt slightly, revealing her black low-heeled shoes. She looked very stylish.
“Gui Lan, do I look good?”
Huang Guilan replied, “If I wore your outfit to a match-making event, my chances would probably be higher.”
Indeed, the outfit and shoes Jiang Chunyan wore belonged to Huang Guilan. Xie Jiang had made new clothes and bought new shoes for Huang Guilan. She would soon return to her university as a professor to give a speech. Xie Jiang, always caring for Huang Guilan, wanted her to look proper on stage. The clothes had just been washed that morning and had never been worn, yet Jiang Chunyan now had them on.
Jiang Chunyan’s skin was slightly dark, so the outfit did not look particularly flattering, but she strutted around proudly as if she looked fashionable. Huang Guilan felt frustrated. Jiang Chunyan always took her clothes and items without asking. She felt a pit of anger in her chest.
“Chunyan, you just divorced old Zhao, and now you are going to a match-making event?”
Jiang Chunyan replied, “Why can’t a divorced person remarry?”
Huang Guilan was speechless.
Chunyan continued, “Gui Lan, aren’t we sisters who grew up together? Our shoe sizes and clothing sizes are the same. This outfit fits me well. You wear it anyway, you have plenty of clothes.”
Huang Guilan was annoyed but spoke softly, “Chunyan, I can’t give you this outfit. I’ll wear it next week to give my university speech.”
Jiang Chunyan continued examining herself, “You have plenty of Zhongshan suits. Why wear a skirt?”
Huang Guilan protested, “No, Chunyan…”
“Come on, Gui Lan, we are sisters who grew up together. Decades of friendship, one outfit and one pair of shoes, and you won’t give them?”
“I…”
“Besides, if Yingying’s father hadn’t sacrificed himself to save old Xie, I wouldn’t have lived such a hard life. You have a husband with a generous stipend. You can make whatever new clothes you want. Why can’t you spare one outfit? How could I wear your clothes if my father were still alive?”
Huang Guilan felt wronged. She remembered Xingyue talking about what kidnapping meant. She momentarily forgot the term, feeling both frustrated and unable to find words to argue with Jiang Chunyan.
Deng Yingying walked over, thinking this was a perfect opportunity to speak on behalf of Aunt Lan and gain favor, hoping it would help her in marrying Xie Zhongming after he divorced his wife.
At that moment, a voice came from the kitchen: “Aunt Jiang, your bracelet is beautiful.”
It was Qiao Xingyue. She lifted Jiang Chunyan’s right hand. The white bracelet accentuated Jiang Chunyan’s darker skin. Xingyue praised sincerely, “Aunt Jiang, this bracelet suits your temperament. It looks wonderful on you.”
Jiang Chunyan completely forgot her previous intent. Just as she was about to respond, she felt a sharp pain in her wrist. “Ouch, Comrade Qiao, what are you doing…”
Before she could finish, Qiao Xingyue took the bracelet off and placed it on Huang Guilan’s wrist.
“Aunt Jiang, such a beautiful bracelet should be for Aunt Lan.”
Jiang Chunyan protested, “But this bracelet…”
“Come on, Aunt Jiang, you and Aunt Lan have been sisters since childhood. Decades of friendship, one bracelet should not be kept for yourself? Isn’t this too petty?” Xingyue interrupted firmly.
Jiang Chunyan was speechless. She stammered, “Bu-but… but this is my bracelet.”
Xingyue calmly replied, “You know it is your bracelet. The clothes and shoes you are wearing were originally Aunt Lan’s. Sisters exchange gifts. You give the bracelet, she gives the clothes. It is fair.”
Jiang Chunyan could not find a word to argue. Huang Guilan felt elated watching her struggle for words. Finally, someone had made Jiang Chunyan feel the frustration she had endured for decades. She admired Qiao Xingyue greatly.
Seeing Jiang Chunyan wearing a necklace, Xingyue removed it swiftly. “Aunt Jiang, though the Cultural Revolution is over, flaunting jewelry is dangerous. Let Aunt Lan keep it for you.” She handed both the bracelet and necklace to Huang Guilan and pulled her into the kitchen, closing the door.
Outside, Jiang Chunyan felt frustrated, unable to retrieve the items. Every word Xingyue spoke left her powerless to argue. It felt like a heavy stone pressed on her chest.
Deng Yingying was also stunned. She had intended to help Aunt Lan speak, but Qiao Xingyue took all the credit and handled her mother with ease.
Deng Yingying muttered, “Mom, I told you to stop provoking Qiao Xingyue.”
“How did I provoke her? She bullied you.”
“How am I supposed to help? You were wrong first.”
“Why do your elbows always stick out?”
“I don’t want to talk to you.”
Huang Guilan could not stop laughing quietly, giving Qiao Xingyue a thumbs-up while she spat the flatbreads onto the enamel plate. “Xingyue, you are amazing. Look at Jiang Chunyan, she can’t even speak. It feels great.”
The potato stew was fragrant, the flatbreads soaked in the stew.
Qiao Xingyue said, “Aunt Lan, next time don’t hold back. Remember one trick. You can handle Aunt Jiang easily.”
“Which trick?” Huang Guilan asked.
Xingyue replied humbly, “I didn’t invent it. It is using magic against magic.”
Huang Guilan did not understand the term fully. Xingyue continued, “It means to use the same method against someone, turning their own tactics back on them.”
Huang Guilan understood immediately. Xingyue had used this method at dinner to silence Jiang Chunyan.
After placing the food, Xingyue said, “Aunt Lan, rest assured, Aunt Jiang will return the clothes and shoes obediently.”
Sure enough, before dinner was even ready, Jiang Chunyan neatly folded the clothes and carried the shoes to Huang Guilan.
Huang Guilan took them and wiped her hands, saying, “I don’t like taking advantage of people. Here is your bracelet and necklace.”
Jiang Chunyan felt relieved but frustrated, unable to find a word to refute Qiao Xingyue’s handling. She blamed Qiao Xingyue silently, thinking she had to get rid of her from the Xie household.
After dinner, Jiang Chunyan showered.
Qiao Xingyue carried a basin of dirty laundry from Grandma’s room. Jiang Chunyan handed her own laundry to Xingyue.
Xie Zhongming appeared, taking the basin back. “Do your own laundry. Qiao Xingyue is not obligated to do it.”
Jiang Chunyan protested, “Isn’t she the maid? Who else would wash?”
Xie Zhongming said firmly, “Qiao Xingyue is not here to wash or clean. Her main task is to take care of Grandma. She is helping with meals as a favor. Jiang Chunyan, you are not disabled. Do it yourself.”
Qiao Xingyue smiled secretly. She realized that Xie Zhongming, besides being shy, could also be sharp-tongued and protective. He treated her like a wife, confident, domineering, and protective.
She tightened her grip on the basin, trying to suppress the strange thought, then looked at the resolute Xie Zhongming again.