t
Evening, 7.15 pm.
The sun is setting, and the sky is turning dark.
The City Party Committee Family Quarters, no. 1 mansion. The fragrant food from the kitchen filled the whole house. In the living room, Xie Huilan used a blood pressure meter to measure Han Jing’s blood pressure, while Xie Jing, Xie Hao, and other younger generations watch. After a while, the meter beeped and showed the result. “Pulse 76, Blood Pressure 70 – 110. Normal.”
Xie Jing was relieved when she heard it.
Han Jing smiled gently. “I had said I am fine, and you all don’t need to worry.”
Xie Huilan narrowed her eyes and slowly removed the arm strap. “It’s time for dinner, and you should take your medication first. Xiao Hao, go and get a glass of water.”
“Ok!” Xie Hao immediately go and get water for his Aunt.
Han Jing slapped the back of Xie Huilan’s hand. “Stop ordering your younger brother around. Why can’t you go and get water yourself? Oh, where’s Xiao Bing? Is he coming over today?”
Xie Huilan smiled. “I had told him, and he said he will be coming. But I called him a few times earlier, and his phone is off, or his battery had died. I will call him again.” She took out her phone and dialed Dong Xuebing’s number. A few seconds later, she puts her phone aside, and her eyes narrowed into a slit. “His phone is still off. How dare he come late for my mother’s birthday celebration and still let everyone wait for him?!”
Han Jing patted Xie Huilan’s hand. “Maybe he is busy.”
Xie Huilan helped her mother up. “Let’s not wait for him anymore. Let’s eat now.”
Xie Ran looked at his watch and frowned. Last night, Xie Huilan had accompanied Madam Han at the hospital, but Dong Xuebing, the future son-in-law, is nowhere to be seen. He even left the hospital without telling anyone and did not appear today. It’s his Aunt’s birthday today, and how can he switch off his phone? He is too unreliable.
The Xie Family’s brothers, Xie Guobang, Xie Guolian, and Xie Guojian, came downstairs.
Xie Guobang looks around. “Xiao Dong is not here yet?”
“He is attending to something urgent.” Xie Huilan lied. “… and is reaching soon.”
Xie Guojian is a Lieutenant General and is straightforward. “What time is it now? What is more important than your mother’s birthday celebration?”
Xie Ran also felt the same.
Xie Huilan smiled and looks at his Second Uncle. “Second Uncle, you are wrong to say this. The local government is different from the military. It’s peacetime, and your side might not be busy, but the local government is different. We need to place our people and country’s interest before us. If there is an earthquake in our County, do you think we can still come to celebrate my mother’s birthday? I think my mother will give me a slap if I appear here, right?” Her tone is a bit agitated.
Xie Ran had wanted to say Dong Xuebing is disrespectful but changed his mind after seeing his eldest sister’s expression. He doesn’t want to be scolded as everyone in the family knows her temper. He was scolded and beaten up by Xie Huilan when he was young and is afraid of her.
Han Jing stared at her daughter. “Huilan! How can you speak to your Second Uncle this way?!”
Xie Guojian is mad. “You brat wants to side with him?! Hmph! I cannot even criticize Xiao Dong for being late?! Ah?!”
Xie Guojian’s wife, Ci Lifen, pulled him back. “Stop arguing.”
Xie Hao lifted up his hands and made a time-out gesture. “Dad, Sis, stop arguing. Let’s have dinner.”
Xie Guoliang smiled. “Enough. Let’s start dinner now.”
Everyone is upset because of the Tianlong Mountain Sandstone Buddha statue.
Ring… ring… ring… the house’s phone rang.
Han Jing quickly stood up. “… I will answer.”
Everyone knows Han Jing is waiting for this call, and Xie Huilan quickly helped her over to the phone. “Hello.”
“Sister-in-law, I’m Xie Guoyue. I heard you are not feeling well. How is it?”
Han Jian’s eyes showed some disappointment and forced a smile. “Guoyue… Haha… I am fine… Alright… Thank you. You must take care of yourself too…”
Han Jing is waiting for Senior’s Xie call. Every year, Senior Xie will call her on her birthday without fail, but this year… she did not receive any calls from him. She held back her tears and returned to the dining table after hanging up. She forced herself to smile and thanked everyone for celebrating her birthday with her.
Everyone can tell Han Jian is feeling terrible.
This should be a happy occasion, but now…
Everyone at the dining table is quiet.
Ding dong… ding dong… the doorbell rang, and Xie Hao jumped up to check the CCTV before opening the door. “Brother-in-law, you are finally here.”
Dong Xuebing is panting. “Am I very late?”
Xie Hao lowered his voice. “Be careful. My Eldest Sis had just argued with my Dad because of you.” He quickly said.
Dong Xuebing felt touched when he heard this. He had not expected Xie Huilan to be so protective of him. “Huh? It’s my fault… Huilan should not answer back to her elders too.” He quickly took off his shoes and changed into slippers before entering. He is physically and mentally exhausted today. He had to run a short distance to come here and is perspiring.
The moment Dong Xuebing enters the living room, everyone turned and looks at him.
Dong Xuebing held on to a bag and apologized. “Sorry for being late. I had gone to prepare Auntie’s birthday present, and my phone’s battery had died. I will punish myself by drinking a glass.” He poured a glass of alcohol and gulped it down.
Han Jing smiled. “Hurry and have a seat.”
Dong Xuebing sat down and looks around. Huh? Why does it feel so gloomy?
This should be a happy occasion, but it felt depressing. Xie Jing felt it was her fault. If she had not lost the buddha statue, it will not… She felt a pain in her heart and took out the porcelain gift she bought. “Aunt, I wish you longevity. This porcelain ornament is for you.” She passed her gift to Han Jing.
Han Jing took it out and held it in her hands. “Thank you. Haha…”
Xie Hao, Xie Ran, and the rest took out their gifts one by one, and Han Jing thanked them. “These are so beautiful. Thank you.”
It should be Xie Huilan’s turn to give her mother her gift, but she had rushed over and had not prepared anything. She can only smile and signal to Dong Xuebing. It’s your turn.
Dong Xuebing got the hint and opened his cloth bag slowly. “Auntie, this is a token from Huilan and me…”
Everyone looks over as Dong Xuebing opens the cloth bag. All of them are looking forward to seeing what gift he had prepared.
One second…
Two seconds…
When the item is taken out of the bag, everyone is stunned.
Xie Huilan gasped. “Buddha Statue? Where did you get that from?”
Dong Xuebing said in his heart. ‘Where else can I get it from?’ He placed the Buddha Statue into Han Jing’s hands. “Auntie, I wish you will have good health.”
Han Jing touched the statue. “Thank you, Xiao Bing. This is a thoughtful gift.”
Huh? What reaction is this? Wait… shouldn’t you be excited?
Xie Huilan smiled. “You are quite capable. Only one Tianlong Mountain Sandstone Buddha Statue had been unearthed and is kept by my grandfather and Mum. Haha… This looks real… oh, even the material and cravings look like the real one. Not bad. Is this a top-grade replica? This piece is worth at least over a hundred thousand, right?”
Xie Hao nodded. “It does look like the real one.”
Dong Xuebing almost fell off his chair. Damn! I had painstakingly stolen it back from Japan, and you all are saying this is a replica?! This is the real piece! But Dong Xuebing knew what they are thinking. It’s just like you showing others the painting, which is supposed to be displayed in the Palace Museum. Everyone will think the painting you are holding is fake.
Han Jing knew Dong Xuebing had put much thought into his gift. But top-grade replica is still not the real thing. She had been thinking about the Buddha statue and is upset when she saw this ‘replica.’ She quickly put it aside and did not take a second look at it again. She knows she will never get the real Buddha statue back again and wants to stop thinking about it now.
Dong Xuebing quickly said. “Auntie, this Buddha Statue…”
Han Jing forced a smile. “I like it very much and will pray to it in the future.”
“No… I am saying this statue is…”
Ci Lifen interrupted Dong Xuebing. “Let’s eat before the food gets cold.”
Xie Ran frowned as he looks at Dong Xuebing. Can’t you see Aunt’s expression? Why are you bringing the Buddha statue again?
Xie Huilan nudged Dong Xuebing under the table, asking him to keep quiet.
The dining table becomes depressing again.
Dong Xuebing felt frustrated after getting interrupted several times. Damn! I can’t even explain myself.
Suddenly, the news on the TV reported a piece of news that attracted Xie Hao’s attention. He has good hearing and quickly turns up the volume.
They saw a row of words at the bottom of the screen. “Tokyo National Museum had been broken into!”
Translator’s notes:
Along the River During the Qingming Festival
