Love's Ambition

Chapter 4

The next day, they left before 10 AM. Usually, on weekends, Xu Yan would laze in bed with Shen Haoming until 11, then go for brunch. But that day, Xu Yan woke up at dawn. Insomnia seemed contagious; she hadn't seen Qiao Lin close her eyes. Yet Qiao Lin insisted she had slept a bit and even dreamed of giving birth to a "jar person." "A jar person?" Xu Yan frowned. "Yes," Qiao Lin explained, "like those circus children raised in jars, with atrophied limbs and oversized heads." She shuddered, jumped out of bed, and said, "I'll make breakfast."

The kitchen was filled with the aroma of scallion oil. Qiao Lin pan-fried two scallion pancakes. This was the most familiar food from childhood, which Xu Yan hadn't eaten since moving to Beijing. Had she not smelled it again, she might have forgotten such food existed.

Xu Yan wanted to take Qiao Lin to Jingshan first; she loved a stretch of red wall nearby. The streets were quiet, with few cars. They silently listened to the radio. Qiao Lin pursed her lips, seeming sad. Xu Yan said, "Don't think about it. It was just a dream." Qiao Lin nodded, "I know, I know. It's fine. I'm waiting for Lawyer Wang's call. He said he'd call today." Xu Yan felt Qiao Lin was transferring some pressure onto her, which irritated her.

The car suddenly jolted, snapping Xu Yan back to reality. She slammed on the brakes, but they had already hit the car in front. Qiao Lin hunched over, protecting her belly. The woman from the front car berated Xu Yan and then called the traffic police. When they arrived, Xu Yan searched the car but couldn't find the vehicle registration. She had to call Shen Haoming. A few minutes later, he called back, saying he found it at home; the driver had taken it out for repairs and forgot to return it. Shen Haoming said, "I'll bring it to you. Where are you?" Xu Yan hesitated for a few seconds before giving her location.

She returned to the car. Qiao Lin leaned against the seat, hands still on her belly. Xu Yan said, "My boyfriend is on his way. I told him you're my cousin. Don't mention our parents." Qiao Lin nodded, "I know, I know." Xu Yan wanted to say more but seeing Qiao Lin close her eyes, she remained silent.

Shen Haoming arrived and handled the accident. Taking the driver's seat, he turned to Qiao Lin with a smile, "Cousin, I'm a very steady driver. Feel free to nap."

It was past 11, so Shen Haoming suggested lunch first. He drove to a nearby shopping center. There was a Cantonese restaurant on the third floor where Yu Lan often had dim sum with friends. Shen Haoming handed the menu to Qiao Lin, asking what she'd like. Qiao Lin glanced at it and then passed it to Xu Yan. As Xu Yan perused the menu, she felt Qiao Lin watching her. A basket of shrimp dumplings costs over a hundred yuan, clearly beyond a white-collar worker's budget. Qiao Lin had probably seen through her facade-the borrowed car, the rented apartment, everything full of inconsistencies. When Xu Yan looked up, Qiao Lin smiled and said, "I'm fine with anything, just a bit spicy."

"I knew Xu Yan would crash," Shen Haoming said. "You're not a real driver until you've had two or three accidents. But with you in the car, we can't take any risks. I told her I should be your driver today..." Qiao Lin smiled, "You've already gone to so much trouble." Shen Haoming replied, "Didn't she often trouble you before? She said you took care of her in high school, buying her raincoats, accompanying her for IV drips..." Qiao Lin said softly, "That was nothing."

Shen Haoming continued, "Sometimes cousins are closer than siblings. My relationship with my cousin is better than with my brother..." Qiao Lin asked, "You have a brother?" Shen Haoming affirmed, "Yes, a crybaby. He's such a bother." Qiao Lin wondered, "How could they have a second child?" Shen Haoming laughed, "You ask the same question as Xu Yan.

My parents got Canadian passports." Qiao Lin murmured, "Oh, foreigners..." Shen Haoming added, "In the future, Xu Yan and I will have at least three kids. Your child won't lack playmates." Qiao Lin nodded, "That's nice." Xu Yan focused on eating the newly arrived grouper. Three children? She seemed to hear Qiao Lin laughing inwardly.