Shell-shocked Weiwei slowly walked home. There was too much to think about.
What happened today? Why were the coins "found" all of a sudden? What possessed Uncle Gu to return them to me? Why via a lawyer? How come I haven't heard from Uncle Gu himself? How come my grandma never told me how rare those coins were? And if Uncle Gu knew their worth, how come he still returned them to me? That sounds too good to be true.
Weiwei was unable to find plausible answers to some of the questions swirling in her mind.
Someone as greedy and stingy as Uncle Gu would never willingly part with such a treasure as her grandma's coins. And his future wife would view them as a godsend and appropriate them instantly to put to "good use". Of course, up until now, Weiwei had thought they were just a bunch of old shiny objects that reminded her of the good times she had with Grandma.
Weiwei paused in front of her apartment building.
Grandma, Grandma! Now I think I don't understand you. If you were rich, why did you lead the life that you did? And why didn't you spoil me more?
Weiwei looked at a small park across the road. She remembered walking in a lush park back home with Grandma on a sunny autumn afternoon. The leaves were changing color and the trees were glistening red, yellow, and green all around them. Weiwei was picking up some of the prettiest leaves to show grandma, and grandma smiled, and admired the sweeping views of the hills, and made Weiwei twirl out of happiness.
Did you even know that you were rich, Grandma?
"Why are you standing here?" heard Weiwei.
She didn't realize that Qi had appeared next to her.
"Just thinking."
They went upstairs together.
"What's wrong?" asked Qi when they got to the apartment. "You look upset."
Weiwei shook her head. "I'm not upset. I'm just extremely confused."
"About what?"
Weiwei sighed. "Too many things in life now to even count."
"You're speaking in riddles," said Qi, smiling.
How can I explain it?
"I was summoned by a lawyer today," said Weiwei. "He returned those coins I was telling you about to me."
Qi nodded. "Oh that. That's good, isn't it?"
Why doesn't he seem very surprised?
"Yes, it is good."
"So, where are they?" he asked.
"What?"
"The coins."
"They are at the lawyer's."
Finally, Qi looked somewhat perplexed. "Why? Why didn't you bring them with you?"
Should I tell him straight away?
"He told me not to."
"I don't get it. He told you not to take your coins with you?"
Weiwei sat him down on the sofa. "He told me it wasn't safe – they are too valuable."
"I'm sure we could find a secret place in the apartment."
"They are very valuable."
Qi's face contorted with disbelief. "Very... You mean…"
Weiwei smiled. "Yes, we're not poor anymore, as you claimed."
Changing emotions flashed on Qi's face.
What is he thinking about? Isn't he glad?
Qi kept quiet, processing.
"You don't think it's good news?" Weiwei asked finally.
"It certainly is good news," he replied, getting a little more animated. "I'm very happy you got them back."
"Are you? You don't look like it. You look concerned."
Qi smiled. "I'm happy you got your grandmother's coins. I just hoped you'd get to enjoy them."
Weiwei pulled one coin out of her bag. "I took this one with me. It's the least valuable, Lawyer Li told me."
Qi chuckled. "I didn't realize Lawyer Li was an expert in numismatics."
The way he mentioned the lawyer's name attracted Weiwei's attention.
"You know him?"
Qi looked flustered. "What I meant was I didn't realize a lawyer could be a numismatics expert."
"He's not," said Weiwei. "He got it appraised. He said he didn't expect them to be this valuable himself."
Qi rubbed his chin. "And by this valuable you mean?"
Weiwei laughed. "I told you, you're not poor anymore."
"Like several thousand?" Qi kept probing.
Why do you care? It's enough for both of us.
"Hundred thousand?"
Weiwei couldn't contain her giggle.
"Much more?" his eyes widened.
Weiwei gave him a kiss. "I told you, it's more than enough for both of us. So even if you won't see any of your grandfather's money we should be just fine."
Qi shook his head and immersed himself deep in thought.
What is this reaction?
Weiwei cuddled up to him. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Qi chuckled. "I just never expected my Weiwei to be this fortunate."
Weiwei frowned. "What do you mean? I feel like I've been very fortunate since I came here!"
Qi bowed his head. "Sorry, I didn't mean to sound mean."
"I feel I've been extremely fortunate. Or did you forget how lucky I am to have met you?"
Qi's face lit up. "I take it all back." He kissed her face and cheeks. "I'm sorry for being selfish. I thought I was the fortunate one because I have you."
Ah, how can I be angry with him!