Grandpa Meng knew his eyes were not fixed on the teacup.
The man slowly drank the hot tea, then let out a long sigh and said, "The weather in Liaodong is not as cold as I imagined."
"Yes, the seasons are distinct here, and it's quite good once you get used to it."
"Indeed, the snow scenery here is very beautiful," the man said, then seemed to ponder his next words, his thin lips pressing tightly together.
Grandpa Meng let him ponder, not disturbing him.
After an unknown amount of time, Grandpa Meng had refilled the visitor's third cup of tea before the man finally introduced himself.
"Grandpa Meng Er, I will call you Uncle Meng from now on."
"Mm," Grandpa Meng agreed with a nod, not urging him to continue.
"Uncle Meng, my surname is Li, and I am from Anxi. I have come to Liaodong to redeem the bondservant status of Madam Yin and her daughter."
Li Wenxiu did not mention that the Li family and the Yao family were related by marriage, and Madam Yao was his cousin.
After Li Wenxiu finished speaking, Grandpa Meng paused for a moment before saying, "Madam Yin and her daughter belong to my granddaughter. I will have to ask my granddaughter before I can give you a reply."
"I understand," Li Wenxiu replied. He then glanced at the servants standing by the door. The two servants, with keen awareness, brought over a stack of boxes of various sizes and placed them on the edge of the heated brick bed.
"These are gifts for Miss Fu. Please accept them."
"This, it doesn't seem right."
Grandpa Meng did not want his granddaughter to accept gifts from a stranger, not even through him.
Seeing that Uncle Meng was rather stubborn, Li Wenxiu decided to reveal his trump card.
"Uncle Meng, just tell Miss Fu that the Li family is related to the Yao family by marriage. I believe Miss Fu will then see fit to meet me."
Grandpa Meng was astonished. After a moment, he quickly put on his shoes, got off the bed, and went alone to the small building in the back.
In the main hall, Fu Xinzi stood by the window, watching the falling snow.
When she saw her grandfather arrive, she was rather surprised. After listening to what her grandfather said, she understood what was going on.
"Grandfather, you go back first. I will have Mama Yang ask Madam Yin. If she is willing to leave with that person, we will not stop her."
"As long as Ci'er makes the arrangements, that will be fine."
"Yes, grandfather, please don't worry. Ci'er will have Mama Yang go and ask right away."
After her grandfather returned to the front yard, Fu Xinzi spoke to Mama Yang about Li Wenxiu.
Mama Yang recognized Li Wenxiu. Hearing what her young lady said, she murmured, "It's the young master coming to fetch them..."
Fu Xinzi did not respond, merely instructing Mama Yang to ask Madam Yin for her wishes.
"This is something she must decide for herself. Mama Yang, tell Madam Yin that whatever she decides, I will support her."
"Thank you, young lady, for your kindness. I will go and ask now."
After Mama Yang finished speaking, she went to the kitchen in front, holding an oiled paper umbrella.
Madam Yin was still lost in thought until the curtain at the door swayed and Mama Yang's face appeared, bringing her back to reality.
"Sister Yang."
"Sister Yin, come here. I have something to tell you."
"Yes," Madam Yin responded and followed Mama Yang out of the kitchen.
Under the oiled paper umbrella, Mama Yang looked around. The snow did have its advantages; most people would not be looking in this direction. She leaned close to Madam Yin's ear and relayed the young lady's words.
Madam Yin: ...
Mama Yang waited for the time it took to drink half a cup of tea. Seeing Madam Yin still foolishly silent, she began to comfort her, "Sister Yin, what are your thoughts? You must give the young lady a clear answer."
Madam Yin hesitated for another long while. Mama Yang's hand, holding the umbrella handle, felt almost frozen before she heard her say, "Sister Yang, do you think it's good for me to go with my cousin?"
"Sister Yin, this is a decision you must make yourself. The young lady also said that no matter what you decide, she will support you."
Hearing Mama Yang's words, Madam Yin nodded, then looked at Mama Yang and asked, "Sister Yang, will you be coming with us?"
Mama Yang replied, "I haven't thought about that yet. Sister Yin, you should ask the young master first and hear what he has to say."
"Mm," Madam Yin agreed and then went to the main house.
Li Wenxiu chatted with Uncle Meng about everyday matters, but his eyes intermittently glanced at the white snow outside the window.
"These glass windows are truly wonderful. One can watch the snow from the heated brick bed."
"Indeed." This was Grandpa Meng's proudest feature.
Every winter during the snowfall, the old man enjoyed sitting on the large heated brick bed, with a pot of tea on the low table, chatting with his children and grandchildren all day long.
This was Li Wenxiu's first time seeing such clear and transparent glass windows. They were truly marvelous. He had even reached out and touched them repeatedly, disregarding his status.
The glass windows were covered in condensation, and he had even drawn several lines with his finger.
As Li Wenxiu was pondering, he saw a figure approaching.
They had not seen each other for a long time, and he could not recall how many years had passed. Yet, he recognized this woman, dressed in a simple cotton coat and skirt, at a glance. She was the one he had been looking for.
"A..."
He stopped himself just as he was about to call out her name.
However, his body had already lunged forward, and he couldn't stop himself.
Grandpa Meng saw a blur before his eyes. The person sitting opposite him had run out without even putting on his shoes.
What was this...?
Grandpa Meng shook his head with a smile. He had been young once, but not as reckless as this young man.
The two servants standing at the door, the taller one timely caught his master just as he dashed out of the front door.
The shorter one immediately helped his master retrieve his shoes and even took the opportunity to help him put them on.
Li Wenxiu was unaware that his cry of "Cousin" was so full of emotion.
Madam Yin stopped and looked up.
In Li Wenxiu's eyes, besides his cousin, there were also the snowflakes swirling down around her.
Fu Xinzi watched clearly from a corner on the second floor, remarking, "What a cinematic scene."
From her vantage point, she could see the man gazing affectionately at Madam Yin.
Madam Yin was too shy to look up.
Fu Xinzi's mind immediately conjured a thought: these two must have a story.
Alas, although unintentional, peeking at others was not proper behavior. Fu Xinzi reluctantly turned away from the window.
After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Madam Yin came to inform Fu Xinzi of her decision.
"Thank you, young lady, for sheltering me these past days," Madam Yin said, then curtsied. She then added somewhat shyly, "Young lady, this humble one wishes to take my daughter and return with my cousin..."
"You don't need to tell me where you are going," Fu Xinzi replied. She then took out two deeds of sale from a box beneath her dressing case and handed them to Madam Yin. "Take these."
"Thank you, young lady, for saving me and my daughter."
"I did nothing."
Fu Xinzi then looked at Mama Yang, her eyes signaling her to ask Madam Yin if they had made any arrangements.
Madam Yin did not hide anything and immediately stated Li Wenxiu's decision.
"My cousin said: from now on, we will live in another county town, a hundred li away from our old home."