At the Xu family home, Xu Changqing, having returned earlier than planned, saw the light of an oil lamp in the outer room. When she heard her grandma's hushed voice from inside, she silently took two steps back.
She quietly turned and retreated to the courtyard gate. After a moment's hesitation, she opened the gate she had just closed, then slammed it shut again. Only then did she rub her face with both hands and turn back.
"I'm back." Xu Changqing smiled naturally as she stepped into the outer room. "I ran into Grandpa on the way. He said he was going to sit with his old friend for a bit longer before coming home."
Xu Qiguang, who had been in the middle of a rebuttal, had to stop mid-sentence when he heard the courtyard gate. He first nodded at her, then pointed to the table, signaling for her to take the items inside.
"You guys aren't asleep yet?"
