Grandma Wu was staring into the cup in front of her. She was also looking at her granddaughter"s hopeful eyes that were staring warily at her.
Grandma Wu softly sighed, and then she picked up her teacup and slowly sipped the fragrant tea. indicating that she had accepted this man in her granddaughter"s life. Albeit reluctantly.
Risa was looking at Grandma who was suddenly acting ignorant, she softly coughed.
"Xiqing, why don"t you tell us about your family," Risa initiated a conversation as she saw Grandma Wu had decided to keep quiet as a listener.
"My parents are living in the USA right now; they are retired doctors. And I only have one sibling. My elder sister, Mandy, got married last year, and is living in Frankfurt with her husband and his family. All of them are coming here next month, so I will introduce Yan Yan as well."
All the time Li Xiqing was talking, his hand was also holding one of Shao Yan"s hands on his lap.
This gesture, and all other attentiveness that he had been showing Yan Yan did not escape Grandma Wu"s keen observation. Grandma Wu started to get a headache.
This man was so enamored with her granddaughter. "I guess there will be a happy occasion for our family soon," Grandma Wu softly sighed.
At the same time she also felt relieved; her granddaughter was really deserving this second chance of happiness
After a while, their food finally came out. The server steadily spooned bowl after bowl of soup for everyone; while Risa and Shao Yan tried to engage Grandma Wu with small talks every now and then.
"Grandma, let me take you around to show you fun places around Shanghai, alright?" Shao Yan said as she picked up some braised secuc.u.mber and put it on Grandma"s plate.
Grandma Wu beamed at her newly found granddaughter, "You eat a lot too, don"t worry about this old one. Anytime you"re free, you are always welcome to visit Grandma. I am planning to stay here for a while anyway," and as she finished, Grandma Wu patted Shao Yan"s arm before she picked up her own chopsticks and started to eat.
Grandma Wu was someone who was really traditional. She did not speak while eating. However, she knew that this habit could not apply to the youngsters nowadays. She only listened in to Risa and Shao Yan. Li Xiqing did not join in their girls talk.
As the only man on the table, and also a junior to Grandma Wu, Li Xiqing made sure that she was fed properly.
He paid attention to what Grandma Wu"s taste preference; what she likes and dislikes.
Li Xiqing also watched the tea properly to make sure the server would always refresh the tea leaves and water.
Being a matriarch for so long, of Grandma Wu noticed that this man was really attentive. He could just act ignorant to this old lady. But he was really respectful and Grandma Wu felt relieved.
A man who respected elders would understand the hards.h.i.+p in life
After the meal was done, Shao Yan called the server over, "Sorry to trouble you, please help to clean the table."
And then she turned to Grandma Wu and said, "Grandma, Xiqing brought some gifts for you and also sis Ying." After she finished saying that, Shao Yan reflexively grabbed Li Xiqing"s arm and nudge him. She tilted her head and gave a little shrugged, "Let"s open now?"
Li Xiqing smiled and nodded at her words, and then he bend down to his left to take the paper bag that he had brought with him.
When the table was cleared, Li Xiqing started to bring the gifts out, "My apologies for the simple gifts today. I will make it up next time."
First, he took out a rectangular shape box made from cardboard and covered in cloth. Li Xiqing pa.s.sed the box with two hands offered to Grandma Wu, "Please receive this. And I hope you do not despise the content."
From the first look, Grandma Wu was already attracted to the beautiful box itself. As she ran her fingertips on it, Grandma Wu could feel that the cloth was of high quality embroidery.
"My mother made this box herself. She just learned how to embroider, so please pardon her amateur craftsmans.h.i.+p," Li Xiqing started to explain as he saw that Grandma Wu was paying attention on every st.i.tch of the gold and black thread.
The pattern of the embroidery was of a peac.o.c.k and an orchid flowers that bloomed together under the tranquil night; only decorated with a dark blue moon.
Grandma Wu saw that there was a flap to open the box, made from a wooden orchid flower in a shape of b.u.t.ton that was sewed onto the box.
As she opened it, Grandma Wu immediately saw a beautiful jade necklace laid on top of a yellow silk handkerchief.
The jade necklace was shaped in a crescent moon, about a length of one palm. The half moon was lying horizontal with three small moons on each side, also made from jade. The smaller moons were about as big as small pearls.
The green, s.h.i.+ny stones were gleaming so brightly, Grandma Wu could see right away that this jade is of high, if not premium quality.
The moon was laying so elegantly as if it was slowly showing its gentleness to capture eternal beauty. Grandma Wu slowly scooped the necklace with her fingers and held it. The coldness of the stone and each grain was so perfect. Each small moon had its own character softly engraved in gold on the back of it.
"Each of the characters are prayers for you. For health, peace, good fortune, happiness, wisdom and unity of family," Li Xiqing started to explain each of the word in case Grandma Wu was not able to notice right away.
Shao Yan had not seen the gift. In the morning, Li Xiqing had only told her not to worry as he had prepared something.
"When I found out that you still have a grandmother, I have prepared this gift," he was hugging her on the bed when Shao Yan was still nagging him to wake up, "Mother and Father helped me to choose it, so don"t worry, it will be appropriate and the elderly will love it." He said before he snuggled back to her neck and slept for a while more.