1970s Gangster Couple

79

Wang Xiaoyue looked on with envy. They lived in a large compound, and although it was a standalone building, it wasn't as beautiful as the Dong family's quadrangle courtyard. The materials used for the courtyard were also very exquisite.

"Let's go, Xiao Xiao. My grandfather just happens to be home today," Dong Wei said, holding Xiao Xiao and Wang Xiaoyue's hands as they walked inside.

Dong Wei's parents were also home today. Dong Wei's father worked at the First People's Hospital of Beijing and was now the deputy director. Her mother was the director of the Women's Federation. The Dong family had a tradition of practicing medicine, a typical family of medical professionals.

Dong Wei's father was reading the newspaper in the living room, and her mother was cutting fruit. When Wang Xiaoyue and Xiao Xiao came in, Dong Wei's father's attitude showed no difference; he greeted them both warmly.

Dong Wei's mother behaved differently. She had already heard about the backgrounds of Dong Wei's roommates from Dong Wei herself and was extremely affectionate towards Wang Xiaoyue. She eagerly engaged in conversation with her and kept offering Wang Xiaoyue fruit, making her somewhat uncomfortable.

As for Xiao Xiao, Dong Wei's mother acted as if she didn't see her. Aside from a brief and indifferent greeting at the beginning, she ignored her for the rest of the time.

Xiao Xiao, however, was happy to be left to her own devices, as she was there to see Grandfather Dong.

Dong Wei was embarrassed by her mother's obvious differential treatment and softly called out, "Mom..."

"What is it?" her mother responded.

"It's also Xiao Xiao's first time visiting our home." Her mother's behavior made it awkward for her to face Xiao Xiao in the future.

Upon hearing this, Dong Wei's mother glanced at Xiao Xiao and offered a smile that didn't reach her eyes: "You're Xiao, right? Xiao, have some mango. Don't be shy. I guess you haven't seen such things in the countryside. Should I have Dong Wei show you how to eat it?"

"Mom!" Dong Wei's face fell. She knew her mother had a tendency to elevate some while looking down on others, but she hadn't expected her to make such a comment, especially after she had repeatedly told her not to make Xiao Xiao feel uncomfortable.

"What's wrong?" Dong Wei's mother looked at Dong Wei puzzled. Wasn't her attitude towards a girl from the countryside already quite good?

Xiao Xiao just smiled and said to Dong Wei, "Is your grandfather available now? Could you take me to visit him?"

Dong Wei calmed herself down, "Someone just came to our house seeking treatment from my grandfather. Please wait a moment." Fearing her mother might continue to treat them differently, she added, "Let me take you around our backyard. We have a small medicinal herb garden that my grandfather meticulously tends to."

Wang Xiaoyue was also fed up with Dong Wei's mother's overly enthusiastic attitude and breathed a sigh of relief at the suggestion, eagerly responding, "Yes, yes, that sounds great."

After Dong Wei took them to the backyard, Dong Wei's father looked disapprovingly at Dong Wei's mother and said, "You went a bit too far today."

"What did I do wrong? I was just trying to be kind and considerate. She's from the countryside; she surely hasn't eaten mangoes before. If I didn't ask, and then she didn't know how to eat them and made a fool of herself, wouldn't you and Weiwei blame me for not being hospitable?"

Dong Wei's father set down his newspaper. "Who can't see through your little schemes? You've worked at the Women's Federation for so long and met so many people. How can you be so superficial in your dealings with others? I suggest you stop judging people through a narrow lens. Go look at the gift that Weiwei's classmate brought; then let's see if you can still say she's never seen a mango before."