Chapter 4 - The new scenery

Weiwei was looking out the bus window.

Even though she grew up in a big city, Xīnchéngshì was different. It was much bigger and more glittering than her hometown. The towering skyscrapers crowded downtown, tourist boats filled the harbor, and even driving away from downtown, all Weiwei could see were tall buildings, crowds of people, and busy sun-filled streets.

Weiwei had been feeling sad since she had to leave the place where she grew up, but arriving in Xīnchéngshì made her feel a little bit better. For a short while, she felt as if she was a tourist on a trip, embarking on an adventure and exploring new places. She didn't want to think about how long the trip was going to take.

Weiwei tried to smile. As Grandma used to say, everything was going to be alright.

Cousin Mei's family lived in a large apartment about half an hour by bus from downtown. Cousin Mei turned out to be a reserved thin woman with long dark hair. She wasn't beautiful, but pretty enough and very self-confident.

"Welcome Weiwei," said Cousin Mei, slightly narrowing her eyes in a semi-smile, and Weiwei could right away sense the woman's strong-willed and commanding nature.

Weiwei shivered inside a little.

"Thank you for inviting me, cousin," replied Weiwei as warmly as she possibly could.

Cousin Mei gave her another tired half-smile, which seemed to say "As if I had a choice", and led the way to one of the rooms.

"This is my daughter's room," she explained. "She's in the country this month. So you can stay here until we figure something out."

In the evening, after a light dinner, still a little hungry Weiwei sat by the large window looking at the unfamiliar city. She was experiencing a lot of different emotions at the same time. She felt lonely, relieved, and curious about the future. She didn't feel comfortable at Cousin Mei's place, but was hoping things were going to get better as time passed.

It's all temporary, anyway. One day I'm going to sort everything out and get home.

But where was home? Weiwei wasn't sure. Did she even have one?

Weiwei sighed and patted her cheeks.

Don't feel sad. Tomorrow is going to be a better day.

 

"What are your plans?" asked Cousin Mei the next day. "Uncle Gu told me that you wanted to continue studying here."

Weiwei nodded. "Yes, I really wanted to. I've only completed a basic degree so far."

"Were you accepted? The deadline for this year's transfers had already passed."

Weiwei hung her head.

"I didn't know I was going to come here until recently," she explained. "I was going to get my master's back home, but now… I'm going to apply."

Cousin Mei looked puzzled and displeased.

"You won't be able to do that until the New Year, you know that, right?"

Weiwei only nodded slightly. She didn't know that. When she was ejected from Uncle Gu's house, she didn't think things through that far ahead.

Weiwei was ashamed of herself. Cousin Mei must've thought that she was a very muddle-headed girl.

"And if you don't get the scholarship, is your uncle going to pay for it?"

Weiwei colored. She knew very well that Uncle Gu wouldn't spend any money on her, especially now that he was getting married again. She didn't even want to think about Yu Xinmei's ability to spend money. On top of which there was the "genius" Yu Xinmei's son who needed a new car and a bigger apartment.

"I'll get the scholarship, don't worry," blurted Weiwei.

Cousin Mei sighed.

"So, what are we supposed to do in the meantime?"

Her question really sounded like "So what are you going to do?" to Weiwei. She understood it perfectly. Cousin Mei wasn't a family member who wasted money on a relative. And why would she? What kind of relation was Weiwei to her?

"I'm going to look for a job in the meantime," stammered Weiwei. "I have a degree, after all. And I'm very thorough."

Cousin Mei nodded. "That's a good idea."

She seemed a little relieved.

"Let me ask around. Times are tough with work nowadays."

When Cousin Mei left, Weiwei pondered. Was she overthinking? She should've been grateful to Cousin Mei for offering to help her find a job, but something in the cousin's voice and gaze made her motives appear purely selfish. Weiwei couldn't help but think that her cousin was doing it simply to make sure Weiwei didn't become a burden.

It's not that she's stingy. It's more that I'm a nobody to her.