Batter My Heart,Mr Xi (Book 2)

Chapter XLIII

Yang Zhilan had faced a lot of things in her life.

A boat fire. Eight years of being someone else.

She was not particularly ready for Xi matriarch training and she had known this since Mr. Qin's name was mentioned that he would be the one to do it with her.

The estate looked exactly as it always had. Long private road, trees doing something considered with the morning light, the house at the end of it solid and certain.

Jinwei parked inside and they got out immediately.

Weizhe came around the corner.

He saw Jinwei and his entire body became an expression of joy. He saw Yang Zhilan and stopped. Looked at her. Delivered one sharp bark that communicated his position clearly and comprehensively.

"Still," she said.

"Give him time."

"Weiwei, it has been years."

Jinwei had already crouched down and Weizhe had already forgotten she existed, pressing his entire head into Jinwei's hands with the devotion of an animal who had chosen his person and was at peace with that choice. Jinwei said something to him quietly. The dog's tail moved like a question being answered.

She watched them and felt warm and as much as the dog hated her, she still thought it was very cute.

They moved to the main sitting room and saw the Xi Matriarch sitting in the room discussing something with with the butler and one of the house maids.

When she noticed the couple come in, her expression changed from lady of the house to warm grandma seeing her grandson and granddaughter, looking very pleased.

"Come come both of you. Sit," she said, like they were still twelve.

They sat.

Tea arrived without anyone asking for it. The sitting room smelled the way it always had - sandalwood and something floral and the particular aged-wood smell of a house that had been lived in properly for generations.

"The cruise," Grandma said, settling back. "Tell me everything."

So Zhilan told her. The river towns, the market and souvenirs they got. Grandma listened with her teacup and her fond eyes and the occasional small sound of someone of acknowledgement.

"You look well," she said when Zhilan finished. A pause. A look between them that was brief and loaded. "Both of you." Another pause. "The river air is very good for - certain things."

Zhilan smiled.Just not quite complete. She knew what the old lady was implying but....

Grandma looked at her for a moment. The sharp eyes reading the difference between a full smile and an almost smile. Jinwei noticed it too and decided to change topic.

"Where's grandfather?"

"His club." She waved a hand. "Him and those old men talking about nothing for hours. Very important nothing apparently." She looked at Jinwei with the specific attention. "You look tired."

"I'm fine."

"Are you sleeping."

"Yes."

"Eating."

"...Yes."

"Working too much."

Jinwei opened his mouth.

"Don't," she said pleasantly.

He closed it.

She reached beside her chair and produced a small wooden box which she set on the table between them.