3. Becoming Family

When she pushed open the door to the living room, Xu Ming-tang and his wife were busy moving dishes around on the table. Seeing Tang Yiyi arrive, they quickly called her over to sit. Xu Mingjie emerged from the kitchen, carrying a steaming bowl of soup, and smiled warmly, “Just in time, come, sit down.”

Tang Yiyi took the seat facing away from the stairs—the customary seat of honor for a guest. Once everyone was settled, Xu Mingjie smiled, “Let’s see if you’re used to these, they’re all homemade, just my own cooking.”

Tang Yiyi glanced at the dishes on the table and immediately understood that her master and his wife regarded her as a valued, intimate member of their family. Braised eel with bitter bamboo shoots, duck with young ginger, sliced pork, cold mixed fish mint, stir-fried pumpkin leaves, and a sour cabbage vermicelli soup. The braised eel with bitter bamboo shoots was a seasonal delicacy, only available now and not again until next year. The young ginger and sliced pork were also among Yicheng’s most famous specialties, especially the pork, renowned for being sliced as thin as cicada wings, served with a unique sauce that was hard to imitate. Of course, at home, the knife work didn’t need to be quite so meticulous.

She smacked her lips. “Can we start? I’m about to drool.” The three couldn’t help but laugh. Xu Mingjie said, “This child really doesn’t stand on ceremony.”

Xu Ming-tang chuckled, “That’s good—no need for formality. From today, Yiyi, you’re family. Let’s eat.”

Xu’s wife said nothing, though her smile seemed a little forced.

Tang Yiyi ate as she praised the dishes effusively. Xu Ming-tang poured drinks for everyone and raised his glass to welcome Tang Yiyi into their home.

After a few rounds, Xu Mingjie asked, “Yiyi, your family is from Wen County, right?”

“Yes.”

“I could tell immediately—your accent is Wen County. Are you from the county town?”

“Right on the main street.”

“What does your family do?”

“My father’s a middle school teacher, my mother teaches kindergarten.”

“Oh, a teacher’s family, that’s wonderful. Anyone else at home?”

“I have a younger brother, he’s thirteen.”

“At your age, not many families have two kids.”

“There are lots in the countryside. All my uncles and aunts have two. My mother’s an only child, so she applied to have my brother. Otherwise, with both parents working in public service, they wouldn’t have been allowed two.”

“Two children is good. Now the policy’s relaxed, you can have two yourself someday.”

The sound of Xu Ming-tang’s chopsticks tapping his bowl interrupted. He scolded his sister, “You’re too much…”

Xu Mingjie quickly laughed to smooth things over. “My mistake, I spoke too soon. Yiyi’s still young, she’ll find a boyfriend first.”

Tang Yiyi blushed and smiled shyly. “It’s all right, Auntie would get along well with my mother.”

Xu Mingjie grinned, “Both love a bit of gossip, I bet?”

Xu’s wife interjected, “Eat, don’t put your chopsticks down. Yiyi, do you have a boyfriend? There are plenty of romances in college.”

“I do, but he stayed in the provincial capital.” A hint of bitterness crossed Tang Yiyi’s face as she spoke.

Xu Ming-tang’s hand paused imperceptibly in the midst of picking up a dish.

“Oh, the provincial capital is excellent, more opportunities there.” Xu’s wife’s smile broadened. “Here, try the eel—I picked it specially, just the right size and flavor.”

“Is your boyfriend studying Chinese medicine too?” Xu Ming-tang asked.

“He’s in finance, but he’s now working sales for a real estate company.”

“Take your time, you’re young; anything’s possible.”

Xu’s wife glanced sidelong at her husband, her tone pointed. “That’s right, when you’re young, anything really can happen.”

Xu Ming-tang shook his head in annoyance. “Let’s eat.”

After that, Xu Mingjie did most of the talking, chattering on, detailing the location of Magnolia Lane in Yicheng and the various shops nearby. She herself ran a modest supermarket at the entrance to the lane.

After dinner, Tang Yiyi insisted on washing the dishes and tidying the kitchen. She came out and chatted with the three for a while longer until Xu Ming-tang urged her to rest, reminding her not to wake early, but to sleep as long as she needed.

Just as she was about to leave, Xu Mingjie called after her, “If you can’t sleep tonight and get hungry, just come downstairs. The pig’s trotter noodles next door to Shengshi Hall are delicious.” Tang Yiyi agreed and returned to her room.

After washing up, Tang Yiyi lay in bed and called her mother to let her know she was safe. Then she sent a message to Wang Yufeng on WeChat—a sticker, but there was no reply.

Back when Professor Huang recommended she intern at Shengshi Hall, he’d said: first, it was close to her home; second, Xu Ming-tang was a masterful physician, and learning from him for two years would be better than muddling through ten on her own; third, Xu Ming-tang himself had mentioned wanting a diligent and insightful undergraduate as a disciple. It was a rare opportunity she didn’t want to miss.

But Wang Yufeng was noticeably unhappy when he found out. Though not a native of the provincial capital, from his first day there he’d been determined to stay.

The month before she left, the two had quarreled constantly. Tang Yiyi had tried to find an internship at more than a dozen traditional medicine clinics in the capital but had no luck. She’d never considered switching to secretarial work or sales—being a traditional doctor was her lifelong dream, something she’d never give up.

Wang Yufeng grew more irritable by the day. When she left the capital, he didn’t see her off, only sent a message: “Take care, be safe.”

Tang Yiyi picked up her phone and sent another WeChat to Wang Yufeng: “Dr. Xu’s family at Shengshi Hall has warmly welcomed me. I’m happy to be home. I like it here, especially the magnolia tree in front of the clinic.”

She sent the message and waited, knowing deep down he wouldn’t reply, yet she couldn’t help but hope, caught in a cycle of anxious anticipation.

At last, she sighed deeply, switched off her phone to spare herself further heartache, and finally drifted into a deep sleep, enveloped by the faint, sweet fragrance of magnolia.