It wasn't yet dawn and still pitch-black outside, but Mrs. Tang was already up, fumbling in the dark to cook for Tang Yuanxiao.
Hearing the stirring, Tang Yuanxiao got up. He watched his mother bustling about in the kitchen under the light of the kerosene lamp, a complicated look on his face.
"Mom, let me help you."
"What are you doing up? Did I wake you? Go on, go back to sleep. I don't need your help," Mrs. Tang said urgently, trying to shoo him back to bed.
"I can't sleep anyway." Tang Yuanxiao shook his head.
All of Xinghua Village lay in silence. Afraid of waking Su Li and Little Tang Mo, mother and son worked quietly in the kitchen, occasionally exchanging a few whispered words. The atmosphere was both warm and wistful.
As the sky to the east slowly began to brighten, Mrs. Tang looked up, then suddenly wiped away a tear.
