The next day, late in the afternoon, Li Qiao left school, transferred buses at the mall, and got off to buy two sets of baby clothes. Seeing a street vendor selling dried figs, she tried one; the skin was chewy, but the inside was soft. She bought a basketful and took a bus to the Shangguan family's place.
She was stopped at the gate of their residential compound by a young security guard.
She said she was there to see a friend.
The guard asked her to wait while he notified someone. About ten minutes later, Shangguan Qingyuan appeared and told the guard, "From now on, let this lady in directly whenever she comes."
"Yes, sir."
"What's in the basket?" he then asked Li Qiao.
"Just some snacks. You may not have tried them before. If none of you wants them, I'll just take them with me," Li Qiao said.
