Abruptly, Qin Ya heard the door to the house opening. Next, she heard the maid and Grandma Su’s voices, as the two entered the house while discussing something. From the joyful tone, she could tell that the old woman was in high spirits.
Since this was a private matter between her and Su Zhan, she did not want to let the older woman know of her problems. With her advanced age, she would probably be unable to accept this.
She was not doing this for Su Zhan, but rather, for the old woman, who had always been very kind to her.
Pulling her room door open, she saw the maid providing Grandma Su some assistance, in removing her jacket.
“Oh, you’re home?” The old woman was visibly surprised to see Qin Ya. Soon after, a wide smile crossed her face. “Come, come, take a seat! I have good news!”
Obediently, Qin Ya took a seat on the couch. The old woman immediately clasped her hand in both of hers.
“What has gotten you so happy, Grandma?” The younger woman tried her best, to hide her despondent emotions, not wanting to reveal anything before the elder.
While they had not been around each other for long, the older woman’s kindness and friendliness had touched her deeply.
No matter what had happened between her and Su Zhan, she did not wish to hurt the old woman.
“I met this fortuneteller today. He said that my fortune is smiling down upon me and that something very good will happen!” Many old people were deeply superstitious and believed in the art of fortunetelling.
Qin Ya twitched her lips into a small smile and questioned, “You believe him?”
In response, the old woman’s eyes widened earnestly. “I didn’t even tell him that I had a grandson, yet, he instantly knew just from looking at my face! He told me that I had a grandson who’d recently got married and that I should expect to have a great-grandchild next year! How could I not believe him?”
Beside them, the maid added, “Old Madam Su was so ecstatic she immediately gave him a huge red packet!”
The smile on Qin Ya’s face faltered.
The old woman tightened her hold on Qin Ya’s hand and leaned over. “Ya, whether I get a great-grandchild is up to you now.”
Her gaze slowly drifted to Qin Ya’s abdomen. “Who knows? Maybe it’s already living inside there.”
Qin Ya could not find it in herself to laugh, or say anything, that would make the old woman happy. Once Su Zhan returned home, they would part their ways amicably. What Grandma Su hoped would happen would never become a reality.
To repay the old woman for her kindness, Qin Ya got up and suggested, “Let me make some dinner for you.”
This would be the first and last time that I’ll personally cook for her.
“No, no! You don’t have to do this. You should rest.” The elderly woman tugged on her hand, insisting that she need not do such a thing. “Where’s Su Zhan? Is he still busy with work? New Year is coming so he should be spending more time with you!”
“I think that he’s still busy,” Qin Ya managed to reply indifferently.
“That little brat must be itching for a good spanking! How could he place work before spending time with his family? Just you wait; I’ll give him a beating when he comes back!” If he doesn’t come home, how am I supposed to have a great-grandchild? It takes two to create a child, after all.
The skies slowly darkened, as the night approached. Still, there was no sign of Su Zhan.
Qin Ya ignored Grandma Su’s protests, as she was intent on personally cooking for her.
She might not have possessed amazing cooking skills, but it was the thought that mattered.
Under the guidance of the maid, she was able to whip up several meals, of the old woman’s favorite dishes.
In the end, she made radish stew with pork ribs, crispy-skinned tofu, garlic stir-fried shrimps and boiled yam.
After setting the table, she washed her hands and called Grandma Su for dinner.
Understandably, the old woman was still delighted, over what she had heard earlier.
Hence, she did not sense anything strange with Qin Ya at all. Instead, she was soon distracted by the fact that this was the first time the younger woman had cooked for her.
Inwardly, she was praising her grandson’s choice for a spouse.
Since Su Zhan was not home yet and the maid did not eat with them, that only left Qin Ya and Grandma Su at the table. Despite her lack of appetite, Qin Ya forced herself to eat. She did not want the other woman to realize that something was amiss. “I had heard that these were your favorites. I’m sorry if it’s not as good as what you’re used to…”
“No, no! They’re all very delicious!” The old woman happily took a piece of crispy-skinned tofu. She may have been old, but her teeth were still working just fine. As long as the food was not too hard, she could still eat properly.
“Here, you should have some too!” The elderly woman ladled a bowl of stew for Qin Ya, stating, “White radishes in winter and ginger in summer. There’s a reason people say that you know.”
Smiling, Qin Ya nodded in appreciation as she finished the bowl of stew.
When they were done, she helped the maid clean up the kitchen before heading to the living room to watch television with Grandma Su.
By ten o’clock, the older woman was already growing tired and sleepy.
Qin Ya guided her back to her room. “Why don’t you have a seat while I get you a basin of hot water? You’ll sleep better if you soak your feet for a bit before you sleep.
There was a high probability that she would be leaving this house after today, so this was the last act of filial piety she would do for the woman whom she had used to call ‘Grandma’.
In the bathroom, she tested the water temperature with her hand. Only after she was satisfied that it was not too hot did she emerge with a small towel. Setting the basin down, she carefully moved the elder’s feet into the water, querying, “Is it too hot?”
“No, it’s just right. It would be uncomfortable if it were too cold anyway.” Grandma Su looked down at Qin Ya, reaching out a hand to stroke her head. “You’re really a sweet child. Su Zhan is lucky to have you as his wife.”
Qin Ya ducked her head to hide the tears that were spilling down her face, the salty liquid dripping into the basin with soft plops.
“I was fortunate to have met you, Grandma. No matter what happens in the future, you’ll always be Grandma to me.”
A little deaf with old age, the old woman misheard her words. Chuckling, she replied, “What nonsense are you speaking of? You’ve married Su Zhan, so of course, I’m your Grandma!”
Once the water became cool, Qin Ya gently removed the elder’s feet and dried them. Then, she helped the other to woman lay down, murmuring, “It’s getting late so you should rest now.”
Drowsy and relaxed from her soak, the old woman hummed. “You should have an early night as well. Call Su Zhan and tell him to come back soon.”
The hands that had previously been moving to cover the elderly woman with the blankets froze. A beat later, Qin Ya nodded. “I will. You don’t have to worry about anything. Just sleep.”
Satisfied, the old woman soon shut her eyes. Qin Ya brought the basin into the bathroom and poured away the water. Wringing the cloth, she hung it up to dry before exiting the bathroom. By then, Grandma Su was already asleep so she tiptoed out of the room, shutting it behind her gently.
As the maid had already gone off to rest, the living room was empty and silent.
Qin Ya could practically hear her own breathing.
Returning to their room, she did not take a shower or sleep. Instead, she walked towards the window and drew the curtains open. Despite the late hour, she was not the slightest bit sleepy at all.
She gazed out of the window at the dark skies. Much like how she was currently feeling, it was bleak and desolate, with not a single star to illuminate the darkness.
She was finally paying the price for her foolishness.
She had thought that both she and Su Zhan could make things work.
She had thought that he would possibly fall in love with her.
She had thought that she had loved him.
As it turned out, she had only been right for her very last assumption.
She gave her heart out to him, only for him to deal her such a harsh blow in return.
Now, she was utterly defeated. All she could do was hide here alone in the dark, nursing her sadness and grief.
Yet, he was somewhere out there with the whom woman he loved, chatting long into the night. Even worse, he might be trying to rekindle their relationship, as they poured their hearts out to each other.
For the rest of the night, she stood by the window like a sentry. It was not till the faint light of dawn that Su Zhan had returned back home.
He pushed open the door to their room, revealing his haggard face. He had not slept a wink at all, last night. Spotting the figure of Qin Ya by the window, he was just about to ask her why she was up so early when he bumped into the suitcase that she left, by the bed. His heart skipped a beat in his chest.
“Qin Ya.” His voice was low with a slight hint of fear. “Why did you bring out your suitcase?”
