As soon as Shen Qinglan arrived home, she heard a chirpy female voice coming from the living room and her mother, Chu Yunrong, laughing happily. She briefly paused in her steps, her cold face bearing little expression.
"What are you doing standing at the door?" A gentle male voice rang behind her.
Shen Qinglan turned around to find her brother, Shen Junyu, grinning at her. He stepped forward and fiddled with Shen Qinglan's hair. "Have you been waiting for me, because you know your brother is coming home?"
Shen Qinglan's mouth slightly curled upward, a hint of warmth lingering in her eyes.
Shen Junyu entered the house with his arm draped across his sister's shoulders.
"Mom, we're back."
In the living room, the mother–daughter pair stopped their chatter.
"Oh, Junyu and Qinglan are back. Tongtong just told me the funniest joke. I can't stop laughing and now my stomach hurts," Chu Yunrong said with a smile on her face.
Shen Qinglan looked at the woman smiling at them. She had long, curly, chestnut hair, an oval-shaped face, delicate make-up, and was wearing a long, green dress, all of which made her look exquisitely elegant and beautiful. It was the Shen family's adopted daughter, Shen Xitong.
Shen Junyu's lips curled up, "What kind of joke? Let's hear it."
Shen Xitong sighed faintly, "It's not that funny. Mom's just being supportive. Brother, Qinglan, I've brought you gifts from overseas. I'll show them to you later after dinner."
Shen Junyu nodded—he could do without. Shen Qinglan thanked her lightly.
Her siblings' indifference made Shen Xitong feel slightly embarrassed .There was a trace of grievance in her eyes, but she said nothing. Beside her, Chu Yunrong could not stand it anymore.
"Junyu, Qinglan, what's the matter with you two? Tongtong brings gifts for you from her trip and this is what you have to show for it?"
"Mom." Shen Xitong pulled Chu Yunrong by the sleeve and shook her head lightly.
Shen Junyu glanced at Shen Qinglan beside him, noticed her lack of expression and then consoled her by patting her on the shoulder.
Shen Qinglan felt somewhat frustrated. Did she really look that weak?
"I'm going to look for Grandpa upstairs." Shen Qinglan completely ignored Chu Yunrong and headed for the stairs.
Chu Yunrong watched her go. She opened her mouth to speak but in the end no words came out.
Shen Qinglan headed straight to the study, and found Grandpa Shen practicing calligraphy at his desk.
"Grandpa, are you writing again?"
At the sight of his visitor, Grandpa Shen was overjoyed. He put down his brush and waved at her, "Come on in, look at what I've written."
Shen Qinglan walked up to him. On the table was Grandpa Shen's finished work, which basically meant "tranquillity and quietness." The strokes seemed strong and powerful.
"Your technique is getting a lot better," Shen Qinglan praised.
The Shen family's name had been around for centuries. Since the Qing dynasty, the men of the family had proved themselves on the battlefield. Although not every generation would go there, the lineage had not been broken as the years passed.
Mr. Shen had taken up the mantle of his ancestry from a young age and had spent a lifetime on the battlefield, only to retire due to his age. He usually spent his time at home, and his favourite pastimes included practicing calligraphy and botany. In his words, both activities helped build character.
"You're sweet," Grandpa Shen grinned. He would always be in an exceptionally good mood each time he met that beautiful but distant granddaughter of his.
"Have you visited your grandmother in the hospital today?"
"Yes, I've talked to Grandma for a while."
"Grandpa, Mom says dinner's ready." Just when the two were having a conversation, Shen Xitong's voice sounded from the other side of the door.
"Alright," Grandpa Shen responded. The sound of footsteps outside the door gradually went away.
Shen Qinglan stepped forward to hold Grandpa Shen's hand as he stood. The old man smiled and said, "I'm not so old that I can't walk on my own. You don't have to hold me."
That was what he said, but deep down he was pleased. Even if his granddaughter's goodwill was unnecessary, he could not refuse.
Downstairs, Shen Xitong was helping Chu Yunrong bring food to the table. She chatted with Chu Yunrong from time to time, making the elder one laugh every so often. The two resembled a mother–daughter pair with a very close relationship.
"Grandpa, please sit," Shen Xitong quickly pulled up a chair for Grandpa Shen when she saw him come down.
The family sat around the table. Chu Yunrong filled Shen Xitong's bowl with soup. "Tongtong, have some soup first. I've let this simmer for several hours just for you."
Shen Xitong accepted the soup. "Thanks, mom. You love me the most." One sentence was all it took to fill Chu Yunrong with joy. She picked up the chopsticks and grabbed a bunch of Shen Xitong's favorite dishes for her.
"You don't seem to be eating well overseas. Look at you, all skin and bones. Eat a little more today. They are all your favorites!"
"That's enough. Xitong can get her food herself," Grandpa Shen spoke, his brows slightly furrowed.
The hand holding the chopsticks stiffened. With a scorn on her face, Chu Yunrong said, "Your grandfather's right. You can get the food yourself."
Shen Xitong looked at the mountains of dishes in front of her, and then compared that to Shen Qinglan's empty bowl. She felt quite awkward.
Chu Yunrong apparently noticed this too. She grabbed an eggplant for Shen Qinglan and said, "Here you go, Qinglan. The eggplants taste good, try some."
"Thanks, mom," Shen Qinglan thanked her but refrained from touching the vegetable. She was not a picky eater, but the eggplant was one of the foods she disliked. Everyone in the family knew that—everyone except Chu Yunrong.
Shen Junyu reached out with his chopsticks, took the eggplant from Shen Qinglan's plate, and swallowed it. "Mom, you're picking favorites. You're only serving my sisters and leaving me out."
Chu Yunrong glared at her son with a smile, "If you want some, just say so. There's no need to snatch the food from your sister's bowl. That's not how a brother behaves."
That was what she said but, nevertheless, she proceeded to get him some of his favorite dishes.
"Grandpa, Aunt Song's pork ribs are well done today. Here, taste this." Noticing Grandpa Shen's eyes on her, Shen Qinglan grabbed a piece of pork rib for him and said gently. Grandpa Shen smiled at her, filled with appreciation deep down.
"Tongtong, did you ask for leave from school to come home this time?" Shen Xitong studied piano at a well-renowned music conservatory in Vienna.
Shen Xitong grinned when the topic came up. When she spoke, her voice was soft, but it did nothing to hide her unshakable pride, "Our orchestra is doing a world tour this time. The next stop is Beijing, and I'm the pianist."
Shen Xitong was highly talented at playing the piano, Chu Yunrong had taught her personally. In order to let Shen Xitong learn better, Chu Yunrong had also employed many famed tutors to teach her.
"Is that so? That's great! My daughter's brilliant!" Sure enough, Chu Yunrong was ecstatic. She had spent a lot of effort in raising that daughter; naturally, Shen Xitong's achievement was her proudest moment.
"I have a wonderful mother," Shen Xitong commented sweetly.
Chu Yunrong had been a famous pianist herself—she was very fond of Shen Xitong, who was following in her footsteps.