"Xiaorou, are you coming home for dinner tonight? I bought a fish and was thinking of steaming it for you. By the way, is President Ying coming home tonight? He seems to have been coming back late these days. Should I make more?"
Tao Xinrou's heart skipped a beat.
After three months, Tao's mother had long gotten used to having an extra person at home. Occasionally, she would cook extra and ask if Ying Jingsheng was coming back for dinner.
"Mom, um... tonight, President Ying and I won't be eating at home," Tao Xinrou said carefully.
There was a two-second silence on the other end.
"You two? ... Both of you?"
"Yeah, I'm treating him to dinner to thank him for letting me join the project team."
"Oh... okay, go ahead. I'll put the fish in the fridge. You two can eat it together tomorrow."
With that, she hung up, but Tao Xinrou could hear the disappointment in her mother's voice.
She looked up and saw Ying Jingsheng standing across the street, watching her through the traffic.
He was wearing a dark grey casual jacket, softer than his usual business attire.
The setting sun fell on him, coating him in a warm glow.
When the light turned green, he crossed with the crowd.
"Did you wait long?"
"No, no, I just got here. Um, President Ying, can I ask... could we bring my mom?"
"Huh?"
Ying Jingsheng paused and turned to look at her.
Tao Xinrou quickly explained, "I don't mean to bring family to freeload. It's just that my mom called earlier asking if I'd be home for dinner. I said no, and I feel a bit bad. If it's inconvenient, forget it. I'll tell her to eat on her own."
"Go home and bring Auntie along."
Tao Xinrou was stunned. "Huh?"
"I'll call Anran now. Have Auntie wait for us at home."
Forty minutes later, Tao Xinrou led her mother into the hotel corridor. Tao's mother looked around, the dazzling hallway giving her a sense of novelty.
She kept muttering, "Why didn't you tell me President Ying was inviting us to eat here? I came out in these clothes—it's not appropriate. And didn't you say you were treating him? Why is he treating us?"
"He insisted, and he said to bring you along," Tao Xinrou whispered in defense.
"Really?"
"Mm."
"Wow, I didn't expect him to be so thoughtful."
Tao's mother's eyes almost curved into crescents.
The server led them to the private room. Tao's mother straightened her clothes before entering. Ying Jingsheng had already ordered and was waiting. When he saw them, he stood up, pulled out a chair, and warmly greeted, "Auntie, you're here. Please, have a seat."
Tao's mother was very embarrassed. Though she had barely interacted with Ying Jingsheng over the past three months, seeing him in this grand setting made her feel extremely awkward.
"Okay, thank you, Xiao Fang. Sorry for the expense."
"I've been living at your place for three months. I should have treated you to a meal long ago."
Ying Jingsheng poured tea for Tao's mother as he spoke.
The lamplight fell on his face, softening his features.
The meal was lively.
Tao's mother chatted about everyday things, and Ying Jingsheng listened attentively, responding warmly and even sharing stories about his own family.
Tao Xinrou silently ate her rice, thinking, "How is he so good at conversation? Isn't he usually aloof?"
Or...
The answer was almost on the tip of her tongue, but she didn't want to think about it.
*
After dinner, Ying Jingsheng took the mother and daughter home.
When they entered the neighborhood, Tao's mother walked ahead, humming a tune, clearly in a good mood.
Tao Xinrou and Ying Jingsheng walked side by side behind her, the streetlights stretching their shadows long.
Tao Xinrou watched their shadows separate and merge. Sometimes she deliberately moved closer to the merged shadow, but when too close, she would step away.
Two little figures in her mind kept fighting.
It looked like she had been drinking cheap liquor.
At home, they parted in the living room.
As soon as Tao Xinrou entered her room, Tao's mother followed.
"Xiaorou, this President Ying... I think he's a good one."
Tao Xinrou's face turned bright red.