Qin Jing was the first to move. She sprang forward and sat beside the old woman, then proceeded to stroke the latter’s back.
“Grandma Xu, it’s not what you think. Xu Xuanis only a waitress at that club, but she has already resigned. She will be starting a new job at a reputable restaurant tomorrow. Don’t be mad at her, okay? She didn’t do anything bad.”
But the old woman was still visibly miffed. She looked at her granddaughter and shook her head in disappointment. “You—”
“That man took her bracelet,” Yao Tanginterrupted in a soft and calm voice.
Grandma Xu froze, her angry expression slowly morphing into one of misery. “Xu Xuan, that bracelet…”
She tried getting out of the covers as she spoke, her arms already reaching for her granddaughter.
Xu Xuan immediately reassured her. “It’s all right, Grandma. I managed to retrieve the bracelet. Just settle down and don’t mind it anymore, okay? Your health is more important than anything.”
Guilt clouded Grandma Xu’s face. “No, you are the most important. That bracelet is just an old trinket…”
Even so, a wealth of emotions flashed in her eyes as she stared at Xu Xuan’s wrist.
She seemed at a loss as well.
For a moment, Yao TangandQin Jingthought that she might be acting reserved due to their presence.
“This child, really!” Grandma Xureached out and ruffledXu Xuan’s hair with a long sigh.
Now that she was no longer upset, she turned to the two other girls inquisitively. “And you are…”
She drifted off when her gaze fell on Yao Tang. Her eyes lit up considerably before narrowing to get a closer look.
“Grandma Xu,” Qin Jingsaid, “We areXu Xuan’s schoolmates. We happened to run into her earlier today.”
“Ah, yes. I see, I see!” The old woman smiled kindly at them. “Our Xuanxuan has been something of a loner since she was a kid. She didn’t talk much and never bothered to make friends. I’m so relieved to see that she has you, after all. How should I address you?”
“You’re too polite to us kids, Grandma. My name is Qin Jing, but you can call meJingjing.”
“Okay, Jingjing.” WhenGrandma Xuturned toYao Tangagain, her eyes were glittering with anticipation. “How about you, young lady?”
“My name is Yao Tang.”
“Yao Tang,” the old woman repeated in a wistful tone.
Seeing that her grandmother seemed to be in a daze, Xu Xuannudged her back to attention. “Grandma.”
Grandma Xu shook her head sheepishly. “I’m sorry, young lady, it’s just that… You remind me of somebody.”
“Who is it?” Yao Tang asked lightly.
Qin Jing glanced at her in surprise. She didn’t expectYao Tangto encourage this line of conversation. She rarely expressed interest in other people, after all.
A part of Qin Jinghad even thought thatYao Tangwouldn’t care to respond toGrandma Xu.
“Just somebody I knew in the past,” the old woman said. “You probably don’t know him, anyway.”
Grandma Xu was in better spirits now, and she gestured forXu Xuanto help her sit up on the bed.
Her eyes were still a little glazed, as though a distant memory was playing in front of her.
Yao Tang didn’t pry any further. She stepped closer to the bed and placed two fingers onGrandma Xu’s wrist. “Please allow me to take a look at your condition.”
The old woman’s eyes widened in shock as she watched the girl take her pulse.
“You know traditional Chinese medicine?” she couldn’t help but ask.
“Just a little.”
Beside Yao Tang,Qin Jingpursed her lips. She was keenly aware of her friend’s medical skills, and she was certain that no one else in their generation even came close toYao Tang’s level of expertise.
And that was probably an understatement, too.
‘Sister Tang is too modest for her own good,’Qin Jingmused. ‘It’s no wonder people think it’s easy to bully her and push her around!’
Grandma Xu had no knowledge of traditional medicine herself, but she felt an inexplicable sense of calm wash over her atYao Tang’s ministrations. “Little Tang, may I call you that?”
“Sure.”
“How is it? The last time I went to see the doctor, he only told me to take it easy and get some rest. He said that I would get better eventually.”
“You will get better,” Yao Tangsaid resolutely. “But with acupuncture treatment, you will recover even faster.”
Relief broke out in Grandma Xu’s face. As forXu Xuan, she turned and shotYao Tanga look of utter incredulity.
