Mian had been living in America for nine years now. Last time, they saw her in person was four years ago, when Mian returned after her MBBS, for a week.
Li Jingren's soul-stirring voice was like a knife wounding Mian's heart. At that moment, sentimental tenderness showed on Mian's face, which bore somewhat resemblance to her mother's. "Don't get all syrupy on me now."
Meanwhile, Nina tiptoed towards the kitchen, she hugged Tang Jiu from behind and dipped her head in the crook of Tang Jiu's neck, calling her in a soft voice.
"Mommy,"
Tang Jiu, who had been washing utensils in the dishwasher, couldn't hear the conversation of the living room, due to the disconcerting noise the machine was producing.
She was pleasantly surprised by Nina's sudden visit. She had expected one of their neighbours as they often came. Washing her hands quickly, she wiped her hands, then turned towards Nina.
When their eyes met, Tang jiu smiled gently, her eyes were full of motherly love. She enfolded Nina in a warm embrace. "Finally, remembered the way home, huh?"
"I miss you guys too! I just happen to be busy, that's why I can't come often. But, that doesn't mean, I don't love you guys. Every time I'm alone in my apartment, I miss your food and those adventurous stories from Daddy. Anyway, now is not the time to say these mushy things, because I have a bigger surprise for you..." Nina slowly broke free from the hug, and gave Tang Jiu, 'Guess what,' look.
"Ah-ha?" Tang Jiu crossed her hands across her chest, squinted her eyes, and looked at her daughter, as if she was trying to inimatimade the latter to reveal already.
Probably it worked, as in the next second, Nina put her hands in the air in a hands-up gesture, surrendering, "Okay, come with me." She dragged Tang Jiu out of the kitchen to the living room.
Seeing Mian in Lu Jingren's embrace, Tang Jiu experienced a flood of emotions, and burst into tears. "Mian, my Princes..."
Mian gently released herself from her father's tearful embrace, ran towards Tang Jiu and drew her into a tender hug.
"Oh my baby!" Tang Jiu tilted her head, cupped Mian's face with both hands, and asked, "When did you come dear? Why didn't you inform Mumma and Daddy?"
"Because, I wanted to surprise you guys. How are you?" Mian asked, melting into her mother's affectionate and blissful embrace.
"I'm fine dear. You should have told us beforehand, so we could make some arrangements for you." Although Tang Jiu bleated, love and affection was pouring out of her eyes, seeing her daughter after years.
===
The moment Mian opened the door, her lips turned upwards, seeing her room neat and clean like forever. Everything was in its place, the way she left it four years ago. Well, except for the bedsheet, of course.
She quickly went to the bathroom to take a cold soothing bath. Thirty minutes later, Mian came out of it in a pink robe. She blew dry her hair; opening her bag, Mian took a white T-shirt and a pair of Navy blue sweatpants. She put her hair in a messy bun, then joined her father at the dining table.
Both father and daughter started talking about general things to which Tang Jiu also chipped in now and then from the kitchen. After an hour, Tang Jiu put the last dish on the table and joined them.
"Come quickly Nin, otherwise, don't blame me for not keeping anything for you. After all, Mumma cooked everything."
Not even twenty seconds passed after Mian finished her sentence, and Nina was there; glaring daggers at Mian, for threatening her of confiscating her favourite dishes.
The foods made by Tang Jiu tasted heavenly, and you couldn't find this taste anywhere else on earth. Thus, Nina was fiercely protective about her shares, and she did not like capitulating it to others.
She plopped down on one of the wooden chairs. "Mommy treats me best!" Nina snuggled next to Tang Jiu and obtained a small kiss on her temple, then started digging in the pudding as quickly as possible, as if her life depended on it.
Just like that, the late comer commenced eating, without appreciating others's wait. Well, not like anyone took umbrage at it, they were accustomed to their silly Nina's antics.
Mian sat beside her father and she was eating Caesar Salad Roast Chicken, with Ginger Scallion Sauce. The food combination was very weird, however, Mian liked it this way.
"Mian, sleep with me tonight." Nina said incoherently, as her mouth was full of food.
"No way on earth."
Nina straightened, her eyebrows knitted together, a tiny, single fold of skin separating them. She stared at Mian with guarded appetency for answers. "Why?"
"Because, you snore like some kind of old, overused engine! Are you truely incognizant of the sounds you make right after the lights go out? I seriously wonder how you can possibly sleep with the loud and frequent, rattling noises bellowing from your own throat."
Nina quirked a brow and dramatically flipped her hair back; then, tossing her head back, she smiled up at ceiling magnanimously. As if, she was the great savant, the woman with wide knowledge, and a holder of a university chair, shaking her head at the schoolchildren's immaturity and stupid remark.
"Every little word of books, including the fonts are always noticed by our little princess, whose photographic memory never misses any of the tiny details, but can often be unheeding to a speeding bus wreck in front of her!"
It was one little incident from years back, when Mian was just eight, and her sister was still hang on it.
Going against Nina's expectations, Mian just bobbed her head with a smile, welcoming the jibe. Nina felt a sudden strong and unreflective impulse to shake sense into the heedless woman.
Premeditatedly gritting her teeth, providing it as much volume as possible, to make Mian cringe, Nina asked, "What is up your ass? Why are you so bitchy today?"
Mian rewarded Nina with one of her alluring smiles. "I'm born bitch, honey. Mommy, you want to know what my sister did yesterday on the road?"