The two brothers of the Jiang Family were from Wula Province. They grew up and went to Shengtian for education, and later settled down—one in government service, the other in business—supporting each other with a good relationship.
Each had a daughter, and neither family was particularly populous. Xiaojin was three years younger than Xiaozhai. When she was just old enough to understand a thing or two, she learned that she had a cousin who, due to poor health, was sent back to their hometown for recuperation.
Then, during the Spring Festival trips back home to pay respects to their ancestors and to wish their grandfather a happy new year, she would catch a glimpse of her cousin. In her hazy memory, this cousin always seemed weak and frail, pale and thin, as if a gust of wind could knock her over.
Naturally, there wasn't much affection to speak of.
