Chapter 95 – Family
Grandma Kou was weak and sickly, with little appetite.
At home, things weren’t much different from when Xie Jing had left a few days ago. A few essential items were barely packed, and several wooden boxes were still unopened. The house hadn’t even been tidied, let alone opened for business.
Li Yuan, his eyes showing dark circles from lack of sleep, tended the small stove to cook soup, looking worried.
Xie Jing glanced over. In the small clay pot, snow pear, Fritillaria, and white fungus were simmering, with some dried hawthorn added to aid digestion.
He asked Li Yuan, “How’s Grandma today? What did the doctor say?”
“Not too good. She only ate a few spoonfuls of porridge this morning. The doctor said it’s from the long journey and that she should rest quietly for a couple of days.” Li Yuan glanced at the inner room and spoke softly, “Before, we made two doses of medicinal soup, but she couldn’t eat her meals. Today we switched to medicinal cuisine, to clear liver heat and strengthen the stomach.”
Xie Jing frowned, took a bowl of the Fritillaria soup, and went to her room.
Since arriving in Shanghai, the old lady had been low-spirited, sitting by the bedside in a daze, weighed down with worry.
Xie Jing brought a small bowl of soup and fed her himself, chatting about interesting things outside: “Grandma, you haven’t gone out since arriving, right? This place is completely different from the North. It’s warmer, there are more flowers, and the streets… I’ve never seen so many pedestrians! People dress in all kinds of styles. I heard the concession areas even have Western restaurants—maybe we’ll try one. I wonder how it compares to the stews Russians make?”
Grandma Kou said, “Foreigners differ from each other too. In those restaurants, they serve half-raw beef. Don’t go there.”
While talking, Xie Jing fed her a spoonful of soup. “Oh, then no restaurants. Let’s go buy fabric instead. Grandma, you always liked that, right? I’ve got my allowance, we can rent out the whole shop, and you can pick whatever you like.”
Grandma Kou laughed, “You think this is Qinghe? Fabric here costs more, and I need to see what’s in fashion recently. Otherwise, people will laugh at me.”
By then, Xie Jing had finished feeding her a small bowl of soup.
Once Grandma Kou had eaten, Xie Jing brought over her coat, coaxed her into putting it on, and took her and Li Yuan out shopping.
Xie Jing led them on the tram to the busiest street. Li Yuan was amazed—it was his first time here. Though he had seen many Russians in Nanfang, he wasn’t particularly surprised by the blue-eyed men in suits and top hats; his attention went to the shops. Grandma Kou’s expression gradually relaxed. Having rested for a few days at home, she initially needed support from Xie Jing and Li Yuan. Walking down the street, seeing the fabric and clothing stores, she regained her strength and peered inside.
Women of any age love shopping. “Clothes heal all ailments,” as the saying goes.
Grandma Kou chose an old, reputable ready-made clothing store.
She bought two outfits for Xie Jing and Li Yuan and asked the shop owner to show some trendy fabrics to compare on the two boys. Li Yuan was delicate and reserved, speaking little, while Xie Jing, though also quiet, looked completely different. His features were sharp and handsome, his cold gaze striking—he looked stunning in anything.
Xie Jing changed into a new outfit and adjusted himself in front of the mirror.
The shop owner couldn’t help but praise him: “This outfit is even better than the last one. It brightens your complexion and looks spirited.”
Grandma Kou waved him over, pushed Xie Jing to turn around a few times, and nodded approvingly: “Yes, this is just right—the thickness is perfect. Keep it on; no need to change back.”
The owner folded the clothes from the fitting room, bagged them, and gave a discount, constantly praising: “Madam, your grandson is blessed! I’ve seen so many young ones out shopping with their elders, but your grandson is the most patient!”
Grandma Kou was pleased and happily spent the money.
Xie Jing and Li Yuan carried their packages outside. As they left, a customer entered, saw Xie Jing, and couldn’t help but glance twice. After they left, he turned to the clerk: “Bring me the same outfit as that young man, the long robe.”
The clerk hurried to comply, while the shop owner grinned, wishing he had kept the young master a bit longer.
Grandma Kou, only previously tense, wasn’t seriously ill; shopping distracted her.
After half a day, the three returned home.
Li Yuan immediately started preparing soup again. Xie Jing brought in the clothes and fabrics, bending down to put them away.
Grandma Kou, seeing how considerate they were, sighed.
She reached out to touch Xie Jing’s head, carefully examining his face, while holding his hand in hers, feeling his thin calluses. Her heart ached: “Jing’er, you’ve suffered outside.”
Xie Jing laughed: “Grandma, nonsense. I’m living well now, with you here. Lord Bai Jiu treats me kindly, and the Eastern Courtyard folks are all good to me too.” His life now was something he had never dared imagine before. Every morning felt full of energy. “On the way back, I kept thinking about your cooking. If only we had rice cakes tonight—I could eat three big bowls.”
Grandma Kou was coaxed into laughing, regaining some strength. She got up to steam rice cakes.
Li Yuan assisted her. Over the years, he had learned many skills and moved quickly, washing and cutting vegetables efficiently. Grandma Kou cooked four dishes and a soup, steaming several rice cakes with dried osmanthus and honey. Opening the lid, the hot, fragrant steam wafted out. A steaming plate was served—best eaten hot, soft, and sticky.
While she cooked, Xie Jing tidied the room and organized things.
At dinner, Xie Jing ate heartily. Grandma Kou, seeing this, couldn’t resist taking an extra bowl of porridge herself, slowly regaining her appetite.
These two days, Xie Jing stayed home to care for Grandma Kou, worried about her age and frailty. Grandma Kou asked a few times, “Jing’er, you’ve been home these days. How’s the Bai family? Don’t neglect important matters.”
Xie Jing reassured her, “Lord Bai Jiu is attending a banquet. I can rest for a few days.”
Grandma Kou finally felt at ease.
Xie Jing took care of Grandma Kou at home, while Li Yuan helped, and they tidied the household.
Grandma Kou sewed clothes at home. Li Yuan wanted to help, having learned sewing from her and made a few decent pieces. Grandma Kou asked him to thread needles and recognize stitches, laughing: “Go learn to read and do accounts. You already know sewing and cooking, nothing more to teach. I’ll handle the rest.”
Li Yuan scratched his head, “Grandma, don’t tire yourself. You don’t need to do so much.” He took care with his clothing.
Grandma Kou said, “This place is different from the North. Clothing is important! People judge by appearance, so you must dress neatly or others will look down on you.”
Li Yuan glanced at Xie Jing, but Xie Jing said, “Grandma, I want a new outer jacket.”
Grandma Kou agreed, measuring him. Xie Jing straightened his arms and whispered, “Make it a little bigger. I’ll grow taller in a couple of years.”
“Ah.”
Xie Jing rarely acted spoiled, but this time he asked. Grandma Kou assumed it was just for clothing and sewed it by lamplight that night.
Late at night, Li Yuan was asleep next door. Upstairs, faint sounds of moving tables and chairs could be heard.
On a small table, a lamp burned, and the grandmother and grandson spoke softly.
Xie Jing sat nearby, eventually resting his head on Grandma Kou’s shoulder, reaching to tug at a sleeve. She said, “Don’t touch it; I just sewed a few stitches—it’s not secure yet.”
Xie Jing murmured in agreement and touched the other sleeve. Grandma Kou laughed: “Why are you acting like a child? I have the needle, be careful not to poke yourself.”
Xie Jing lowered his eyes: “I had a dream.”
“Hm?”
“I dreamed you… made me a piece of clothing. I’ve kept it for many years.”
“Silly child, just wear it. If it wears out, Grandma will make you another.”
Xie Jing smiled, lightly holding her arm.
In his previous life, Grandma Kou had passed away early. On her last day, she repeatedly called his name, unable to speak clearly, tears streaming. She loved him so much that her worry wasn’t for her own pain, but that her Jing’er would be left without care.
Xie Jing was closest to her. When he went to the theater for food, he had only one old garment, sewn by Grandma Kou herself.
He had kept that garment for years, carefully preserving the patches. Even after gaining fame, he always kept it with him—it was his most treasured possession.
It was his only memory of family.
Xie Jing whispered: “I don’t need to find family. Grandma, you are my family.”
Grandma Kou looked down, sewing, and smiled: “Silly child, Grandma is old. I can’t be with you for long.”
Xie Jing shook his head stubbornly.
Grandma Kou sewed a few more stitches, then put down the garment and brought over a wooden box. Inside were several silver notes and a few silver coins, totaling over three thousand silver dollars. She pushed it toward him: “This is the money you’ve earned over the years, plus the one thousand silver Li Yuan brought from Nanfang, and all the small earnings from the family restaurant.”
Xie Jing glanced at it. “Li Yuan didn’t take any?”
“That child refused. He’s stubborn; he gave it all to the family.” Grandma Kou said, “I thought of saving it for when he marries, but he shook his head. I kept it temporarily. I originally planned to wait a few years until you left the Bai household, so you two could use it as seed money for a small business. Now, in Shanghai, you’ll need it—use it first.”
Xie Jing accepted a few silver and left the rest untouched. “Good. I’ll take Li Yuan out in a few days to see what opportunities Shanghai has. We’ll see what we can do.” One can never predict the future—preparation is key.
Grandma Kou’s heart gradually relaxed. She smiled and said to Xie Jing, “Don’t rush, Jing’er. Once your little shop is running, a few years of management will make you confident. If things don’t go well outside, you’ll always have a fallback.”
Xie Jing smiled, nodding.
The shop was never his fallback; Grandma Kou was.
He had family. She was always by his side.
Elsewhere, Lord Bai Jiu received a banquet invitation and prepared to attend.
Steward Sun Fu had clothes and the invitation delivered, helped him dress, and said, “Master, today it’s the He family’s invitation.”
Lord Bai Jiu acknowledged it, showing little reaction.
Sun Fu continued: “The He family is very famous in Shanghai. Mr. He Dongting, the patriarch, started from nothing. Over twenty years ago, he began with a few small fishing boats and slowly expanded, founding Shaoning Shipping Company. A few years ago, luck favored him. Now, Tonghui Bank, Tongbao Company, and the Shanghai Securities and Commodity Exchange are under his control. I heard he is currently planning to establish a bank.”
In short, He Dongting was the Shanghai equivalent of a God of Wealth, arriving to pay his respects.
Sun Fu carefully observed Lord Bai Jiu’s expression. With little Xie away these days, Lord Bai Jiu spoke less. Unsure of his thoughts, seeing no reaction, Sun Fu continued: “He Dongting has a single son. That is the only taboo. I heard he was abducted as a child and only recently recovered. The father dotes on him, letting no harm come to him.”
Lord Bai Jiu nodded, his gaze settling on a blue-and-white vase on the table, frowning slightly: “Why is this vase displayed here?”
Sun Fu glanced: “Oh, this was chosen by young Xie before he arrived. He said it would look nice with flowers. In the rush, we forgot. I’ll…”
Lord Bai Jiu said, “Send someone to bring some flowers.”
Sun Fu immediately complied. Peach blossoms, in full bloom, were trimmed and placed in the vase.
Lord Bai Jiu observed them for a moment and said calmly, “Not bad, indeed.”
Sun Fu asked, “Master, who should accompany you this time?”
Jiu said, “The same as last time.”
Sun Fu agreed, smiling: “I’ll send someone. The second young master seemed upset at the banquet yesterday and went running by the river afterward.”
Lord Bai Jiu said calmly, “This isn’t the North. His straightforward temper won’t work here. A little setback is good—he needs a lesson.”
“Indeed. Jade must be polished to become a gem,” Sun Fu replied. “However, Zhang Huwei is short one person today, sent to the factory. Should I call young Xie back?”
Lord Bai Jiu thought briefly: “No need for Jing’er yet. He’s too honest. If something goes wrong, he can’t explain it.”
“Yes.”
Sun Fu prepared the carriage. Lord Bai Jiu stayed in the room, toying with the peach blossoms on the branch, finding the vase with black spots pleasing, though soon it bored him.
Having been away a few days, anything reminded Bai Rongjiu of Xie Jing, so he went downstairs early.
Outside, workers tended the garden, and today’s newspapers were delivered.
Lord Bai Jiu skimmed them—nothing important. A few spoiled young masters fighting over actresses made the front page. One article mentioned He Dongting’s son, but it was merely a rich second generation squabble, trivial and boring.
Soon, Bai Mingyu arrived, and Lord Bai Jiu took him to the banquet.
They rode in the same carriage. Bai Mingyu sat quietly, fidgeting.
Lord Bai Jiu asked, “Why are you twisting around like that?”
Bai Mingyu looked at him earnestly: “Master, am I going alone today?”
Lord Bai Jiu: “What?”
Bai Mingyu whispered, “I haven’t seen young Xie for a long time.”
Lord Bai Jiu turned to him, frowning: “Why do you need to see him?”
Bai Mingyu stammered, “I mean… usually, young Xie and I do things together. It’s like… inseparable…” Lord Bai Jiu snorted coldly.
Bai Mingyu froze, unsure what he’d said wrong. He said instinctively: “I just feel I can’t do it alone. With young Xie, I can manage a bit, and you can rest assured. He listens to you; he helps me a lot.”
Lord Bai Jiu’s expression softened slightly but he said: “He doesn’t need to go. If he’s learning, he’ll stay with me, and I’ll teach him personally.”
Bai Mingyu nodded obediently, saying nothing further.
