Archive of Our Own

Some rooms had a chill others didn’t, and some rooms had windows that hadn’t been open in years, but it didn’t matter. The kitchen sink had a faucet that was a little loose, and most of the drawers creaked when pulled, but it was fixable. No small detail could outweigh what they finally had. They had a home all their own.

It was a house that was once well loved years ago. One that got morning sun in the kitchen, and afternoon sun in the front room. There was just enough of a back garden to grow vegetables, and the attic was still strong for storage. It was a home they needed, coming into their lives at just the right time.

“A-Ning!” Wen Qing’s voice echoed off the empty walls as her nails dug further into the cardboard box she held tight to. Her hip collided with the wooden front door as she struggled to close it without the use of her hands.

The quick feet of Wen Ning rushed down the hall, sidestepping a small hill of boxes that had collected in the hall. He skidded to a halt, dipping his chin as he greeted his sister. “Jie, is that the last one?”

With a fast succession of short nods, Wen Qing lifted the box away from her stomach to pass the weight over. “I’m sure Wei-Xiao will call and complain if we left anything.” She sighed, tucking stray hairs behind her ear. “How is everything so far? Good?”

Wen Ning smiled with a genial expression. “Granny has been looking after A-Yuan and I’ve been unpacking dishes.”

A flat hum jumped in Wen Qing’s throat with her mild surprise. The news was better than the last time she asked. She didn’t need more stories of Wen Yuan trying to let pill bugs into the house. “Have you been unpacking the boxes marked with red circles first?”

Wen Ning’s eyes looked up to the ceiling as if he needed to find the answer above his head. “Red circles..?” He stuttered. “I saw some of those…”

Rubbing her forehead with his fingers, Wen Qing gave a heavier sigh. “A-Ning, those are the ones we need unpacked first, remember?” The exhaustion felt in her legs and arms from a full day of moving became more noticeable. “Come on,” She encouraged with a half smile and a pat to Wen Ning’s shoulder. “We’ll get done what we can today. We still have tomorrow.”

Wen Ning’s posture lifted and his feet nearly danced as he turned. “I can cook tonight, Jie!” He offered while the contents of the box bounced inside. His steps leading to the kitchen contained more energy than rhythm, but he avoided any accidents along the way.

Wen Qing tried not to look at the amount left to unpack as she surveyed the open styled room. A pile of pots and pans sat on top of the stove, accompanied by an assortment of cups, but at least the dining table area was organized. It needed to be, for the little hands that turned a sheet of newspaper around and around, and the older fingers that worked on the sideline.

As Wen Ning maneuvered around to step further into the room, Wen Qing crossed her arms and stood her ground. “Granny, what have I told you before?” She asked with an exasperated tone. “Please use a cutting board or a plate at the very least.”

The wide-eyed look from Wen Yuan turned from his newspaper with crumpled edges. The new entertainment was obviously pulled from the pile that was previously used for the dishware next to him. His curious stare lasted only momentarily, dissolving quickly through the offer of a slice of pear from Granny Wen’s outstretched hand.

“Open wide, A-Yuan.” Granny Wen smiled as an example, showing more gum than teeth.

With an excited turn in his chair, Wen Yuan opened his mouth, complete with a long drawn out sound. His lips squirmed as he nearly inhaled the pear slice in order to smile right back.

Knowing when her advice wasn’t being listened to, Wen Qing dropped her arms. “Please tell me that we at least know where the first aid kit is.” She muttered under her breath as she slipped behind the counter to join Wen Ning.

The paring knife was waved slowly in the air as Granny Wen dismissed the idea. “Don’t trouble yourself. I’ve never had an incident before.” She assured while resuming her careful fruit slicing directly into her palm. “There’s no need to dig for things when I’m perfectly fine.”

“Alright then,” Wen Qing started as she heaved a large box up onto the counter. “What are we going to use to eat a meal off of?”

Granny Wen waved her hand again, dispelling any debate. “We’ll be fine with whatever is found first. Isn’t that right, A-Yuan?”

Turning the conversation to the small child of the family always worked to perk up at least one cheek in Wen Qing’s face. Even though she could already make out the sticky trails down Wen Yuan’s face, the baby toothed grin was an effective mediator.

Wen Qing laid her arm over the top of the box, pointing down at Wen Yuan who continued to kick his feet that dangled off his seat. “You better not be picking up any bad habits.” Her warning was just stern enough to hide her laugh.

Lifting his chin, Wen Yuan’s mischievous grin grew wider. “Yes, Qing-jiejie!”

As Wen Qing’s nose lifted in her compacted smirk, Wen Ning found a place at her side. His hands busied themselves with wiping down a large serving plate. His bangs were just loose enough for Wen Qing’s palm to slide across his forehead. The familiar gesture paused Wen Ning’s task long enough for a childlike smile that could rival Wen Yuan’s to take shape.

“Do you feel tired?” Wen Qing asked, her brow dropping with concern. “You haven’t overexerted yourself today, have you?”

A shift of Wen Ning’s feet readjusted his posture. “I’m fine, Jie!” He promised with a half nod. Wen Ning’s eyes flickered down to the dish in his hand and he pulled it closer to his chest. “I had a break at lunch so I’m really not tired at all.”

The curve of Wen Qing’s brow changed, and it was all she needed to show her skepticism.

Wen Ning attempted to hide the stutter in his laugh, and turned to his next strategy; diverting attention. “Hey, A-Yuan?” He called with an unsteady voice. “Can you read what’s on the paper?” Wen Ning’s hands regained their speed to clean at the already spotless dish as he hurried over to the table.

On cue with the question, Wen Yuan’s chest puffed out. He held the sheet of newspaper as high up as his arms would let him. His cheeks tightened in his concentration before he inhaled a gulp of air. “The puppy had to go to school, but he forgot his backpack! Then the puppy had lunch with lots of potatoes!” Wen Yuan spoke with loud enthusiasm, taking care to pronounce all of his words with pride.

Looking over the small shoulders, Wen Ning hummed with a laugh. “He did read the word puppy right.” He commended while scanning over the large article. “It’s about a litter of puppies up for adoption. I don’t know where the rest came from.”

With a sagely nod, Granny Wen offered a slice of pear to Wen Ning. “He’s going to be a great storyteller. It’ll be something to watch for.” Her wisdom came with a stretch of her arm that Wen Ning met halfway. The slice was pushed in between his lips, earning him a pat on the cheek.

Wen Qing puffed a laugh through her nose as the confused expression of Wen Ning turned to her, still holding the pear piece halfway out of his mouth. “I wonder if anyone will actually be hungry once dinner is ready.” She mumbled to herself as she opened the top of the tapped cardboard box without the need for any tools. “I hope we haven’t fallen behind on teaching A-Yuan reading and writing.”

“He’s eager to learn. That’s what counts the most.” Granny Wen advised, giving Wen Yuan the next cheek pat.

“She’s right,” Wen Ning agreed as he shuffled back into the kitchen. Mashed pear at the corner of his mouth went unaddressed as he finally set the plate in his hands to the counter. “And we still have a few months until his first day of school. I’m sure he’ll out read anyone his age in no time!”

~

Wen Yuan’s eyes refused to move from their downward stare. They had been glued to the floor when Wen Ning picked him up after school, and they still hadn’t budged after stepping in the front door. His bottom lip protruded out and his fingers dug into the straps of his backpack as if it was going to fall off.

“A-Yuan? Do you want some help with that?” Wen Ning offered as he removed his shoes. He had spent the better part of the bus ride home trying to think of subjects or jokes that would get Wen Yuan to speak. He didn’t even say a single word when they passed by his favourite patch of bright yellow sunflowers that grew between two houses.

Wen Ning switched his weight from one foot to the other, waiting and hoping to hear something. When nothing came, he grabbed the back handle of Wen Yuan’s bag. “Arms up.” He directed with a gentle instruction. He lifted the weight of the backpack easily, carefully raising it up. “Do you want to have something to eat?”

A head shake was new, it was an improvement, but it wasn’t the exact answer Wen Ning wanted.

“What if we go see where Granny is?”

Wen Yuan took a moment to think on the suggestion, and pulled his bottom lip tighter to his face. His fingers curled into the bottom of his shirt and he nodded without any noise.

“Okay then,” Wen Ning exhaled. “I think she should be this way.” His hand cupped the back of Wen Yuan’s head, acting as a careful guide to start their momentum. He didn’t have to wait long for Wen Yuan to react, his short legs quickly found a march while his mouth stayed in its flat line.

Sweeping relief hit Wen Ning when they did in fact find Granny Wen sitting at the dining table. Her hands held the corners of a fluffed up towel, folding it over and over until it joined the pile on the chair next to her. It was only by the creak of the floorboards did she look up from her work, instantly melting into a smile. She set aside what she had planned to fold next and her arms opened wide.

“Did you have a good day at school?” Granny Wen asked brightly, holding her welcome up as she leaned forward. Her arms waited without any time limit just like her smile. She held still with a warm focus on Wen Yuan and eventually the attention was enough for the boy to shuffle forward.

Wen Yuan’s lips pouted again but he was scooped up too briskly for it to last. He was practically swung up, legs hanging limply in the air until they were given a lap to dangle off of. Wen Yuan’s hands changed from grabbing his shirt to his pants as he looked over at Granny Wen’s old eyes. “Granny,” He whined. “I’m bigger now. I can’t sit like this.”

Granny Wen bounced a laugh with her knee, giving Wen Yuan a gentle shake. “You can still fit just fine. Besides, you’ll never be too old to sit on Granny’s knee.” She hummed, taking time to rub a hand on Wen Yuan’s back. “Now, tell me all about your day. Did you learn anything new?”

Silence found Wen Yuan again. His jaw glued tightly together, and his hands formed fists. His eyes decidedly looked only at his lap, the downward point of his chin ensured it.

With a nod, Granny Wen reached a hand to the side of the table. “Alright, you can help me fold until your mouth works again.” Her direction came with a hand off of a small washcloth. She stuck it between Wen Yuan fingers and let him be as she found a larger hand towel.

Wen Ning had long since left out the back garden door to check on the young sprouts they had buried a week prior. There was nothing else in the room Wen Yuan could focus on or wait to speak for him. Granny Wen easily picked back up where she left off with sorting and folding laundry, except for the worn cloth on Wen Yuan’s hands.

A long huff of air shot out through Wen Yuan’s nose, and his statue-like position broke just enough for him to pick up the cloth. He had been trusted enough to help with certain household chores previously, helping with laundry included, but his fingers could never get the perfect fold. He overlapped the fabric once, and tried for a second time, but the edges didn’t line up. Wen Yuan flipped it over once more before an older set of hands joined him.

“Here, there’s no need to rush.” Granny Wen commented with a soft crackle in her voice. Her hands directed the task with subtle coaching, allowing Wen Yuan to get the last tuck of the fabric. “There, and now it just needs to join the pile.”

Wen Yuan’s body turned in place, taking care to place the cloth on a growing stack. With one done, he was already handed a second. He attempted the next on his own, slowing his movements, and eventually his breathing until his hands dropped back to his lap.

“Granny?” He murmured, keeping his voice low as if it had reluctant feet. “Did we do something wrong?”

Light danced across Granny Wen’s eyes and her head tilted to the side. She left the rest of the laundry on the table and her hands resumed their place at Wen Yuan’s back. “Do you think we did something wrong?” She countered with a mild tone. “Do you think A-Ning or A-Qing did something wrong?”

Wen Yuan held the idea for a moment, thinking about the two. His stomach had already twisted into knots just from asking his own question, considering it even longer with faces in mind pushed the upset feeling right to his throat. “Did they..?” Wen Yuan whispered as he looked up from his lap.

Granny Wen’s smile pulled up higher, deepening the creases around her mouth. “A-Yuan,” She hummed, moving an arm to pull Wen Yuan closer to her chest. “Good people can do bad things, but bad people can also do good things. So if either can do both, what would that make them?”

Wen Yuan’s brow furrowed. His tongue moved around to poke at his teeth as he struggled to think of a clear answer. “If they can do both, then are they… both?”

“There’s an even easier way to think of it.” Granny Wen started, leaning back in her chair. “We can just call them people.” Her voice turned as gentle as her touch. Fingers slid up under Wen Yuan’s bangs, pulling the hair out from his eyes to place a kiss on his forehead. “Sometimes people are in places and situations they know aren’t good, and sometimes when they find themselves there, they may do things that aren’t entirely right. We can say the decisions they made were bad, but we may not know what choices they had.”

A long sigh billowed out through Granny Wen’s teeth, letting her shoulders fall a little bit shorter. “Some choices are made with only others in mind, putting people like family first.” She described, fanning Wen Yuan’s bangs further back. “There were many things that happened before you were born, and those are things for adults to worry about. Okay?”

Wen Yuan squirmed in place as he took time to wrap his head around the concept. “But…” He murmured. “But the kids in my class said our family did bad things.”

“Ah,” Granny Wen remarked with a click of her tongue. “Now I understand better.” She nodded, letting her hand fall away from Wen Yuan’s forehead. “So your classmates have been saying that. Is this why I haven’t heard about any new friends?”

A shrug lifted Wen Yuan’s frame, dropping his weight back down in casual ignorance.

“Let Granny give you some advice then.” The offer was given with a louder voice, adding confidence to her knowledge. “It’s what you can do when someone says that to you again, because you’re not living in the past. You are your own life, A-Yuan.” She poked a finger to Wen Yuan’s stomach, naturally smiling when he reacted with a giggle.

“All they need to know is you because that’s who they’re talking to. So be kind, and strong above all else. You don’t have to talk to anyone you don’t want to, and you don’t have to listen to anyone who says those things to you. Being kind is being kind to yourself as well.”

By the scrunch of Wen Yuan’s features, the words were taking time to sink in. His fingers curled and uncurled, but he took the time to nod.

“You’ll understand in time.” Granny Wen soothed as she gave Wen Yuan’s shoulders a small shake. “But I hope you understand the most important part of all.”

Wen Yuan’s eyes opened wider, looking as lost as his pupils.

The warm smile returned to Granny Wen, settling in like it never left. She leaned forward and brought another arm around Wen Yuan. “Always remember that we love you, and that nothing will ever change that.”

Instantly, Wen Yuan brightened. His head lifted up and his energy jumped with him. “I love you too, Granny!”

The infectious life helped Granny Wen bounce her knee. Wen Yuan wobbled with the movement, laughing even louder.

“Then you’re already set.” She chuckled with him, making sure to hold a hand at Wen Yuan’s back to keep him from falling. With a few more bounces in, Granny Wen slowed, making sure to get Wen Yuan’s attention again. “Now, I have a curtain soaking in the tub and I need a strong pair of legs to stomp out the dirt. Think you can help?”

Wen Yuan’s smile cracked open wide, and his arms flew into the air. “Yes!”

~

“Have you finished your booklet yet?” Wen Qing called, projecting her voice across the small garden. She refused to wipe the sweat off her neck, knowing it would only leave a steak of dirt like it did before.

Wen Yuan’s head shot up from his place in the grass. He held the small calligraphy booklet tight in his grip, bending the pages just enough to use his knee as a makeshift desk. “I’m almost done!” He yelled back, hiding the fact that five pages still remained.

Tipping the brim of her sunhat with a nod, Wen Qing blew out a stream of hot air into the summer sun. “Just make sure you show me before you go.” She instructed with another worn huff. Wen Qing turned to her side, watching in horror at Wen Ning’s poor posture as he fought with unearthing a turnip. “A-Ning…” She sighed.

“I almost have it!” Wen Ning assured while continuing to hunch over the root vegetable.

“What you almost have is leaves. Where did your trowel go?”

“Um, somewhere?” Wen Ning laughed and gave the large turnip one more yank before he finally felt a bit of give. Gradually and with tough persistence, roots snapped from the ground and a stout turnip was pulled up.

With an amused look, Wen Qing stretched over a row of cabbage. “Pass it over.” She directed with a curl of his fingers.

Looking down at his hands and the dirt under his fingernails, Wen Ning calibrated the arc of a throw, and decided to launch a gentle toss. Wen Qing caught the root vegetable with both hands and gave a quick smile in return.

“Another one for you, Granny.” Wen Qing announced before continuing the chain of throws to land the turnip in a nearby basket. It rolled around with the others, eventually settling into its new place.

Granny Wen soon disrupted the peace of the vegetable basket. Her hands dove in to grab what she felt first, and dunked it into a bowl of water next to her. “Every year more seems to grow. I’ll need to buy more preserve jars.” She hummed as she scrubbed away dirt. Her head lifted up, taking a moment to watch over Wen Yuan’s face of concentration. “It might be nice to bring a few to your friend's house.”

Knowing when the focus was on him, Wen Yuan’s mouth opened to speak but took the length of the breeze to find an answer. “I don’t know. A-Yi doesn’t like vegetables that much.” Wen Yuan answered back, choosing to mutter under his breath how he didn’t exactly disagree with his friend’s palette. Not all vegetables were bad, but some were better in Wen Yuan’s napkin than on his plate.

“His family likely doesn’t need extra food.” Wen Qing sighed as she stretched out her back. A scan over the lumps of overturned dirt found the lost trowel, and her mind made a note to retrieve it once she found a pop in her spine.

“You never know.” Granny Wen sang with a raised finger. “Outside appearances don’t always match the inside.”

A satisfied exhale buzzed Wen Qing’s lips as her back finally cooperated. “Well I know that family hasn’t been in need for generations. They might only accept our vegetables just out of manners.” She grumbled, taking time to lean forward and grab the overturned trowel. “And A-Yuan,” Wen Qing started with a louder tone. “Lan Jingyi better not be still copying your homework.”

Wen Yuan’s back straightened instantly. His face couldn’t decide on what expression to form, moving in ways to quell suspicions but only raised it. “Of course not!” Wen Yuan laughed. He still hadn’t grasped the ability to tell white lies, but he had mastered a wide smile for them.

“Let me see those teeth.” Granny Wen encouraged, steering the topic to new grounds.

Grateful for the distraction, Wen Yuan turned to Granny Wen with an over-exaggerated grin, showing off as many teeth as he could. His lips stretched out and he pointed his chin into the air for extra emphasis.

Shaking a cleaned carrot in Wen Yuan’s direction, Granny Wen gave her own smile in return. “That’s what you show your friend when he doesn’t eat his vegetables. What a good smile, and only three milk teeth left!” She remarked with a height of pride.

“Only two!” Wen Yuan corrected with a laugh.

“Two?” Granny Wen parroted back. Her wet hands slapped onto her lap as she leaned forward, her grey hair slipping out from her bun. “You’re growing so fast! Now I understand why you already have your first love-”

“Granny!” Wen Yuan’s voice cracked from the velocity it left his body. His knees instantly tucked up to his chest, crushing the pages of his work booklet. His head whipped over to the pair of siblings who had halted their gardening work to stare.

The crumpled pages of Wen Yuan’s booklet proved to be of another use as he shoved them to his face, hiding his flushed skin behind the paper. “It’s just someone from summer program!” He groaned, not risking a glance up to find more pressing looks. “He’s from another school and we’re just friends!” Wen Yuan emphasized, slamming his booklet and hands to his legs.

“Oh, just a friend, hm?” Granny Wen repeated, her face hardly showing an ounce of being convinced. “You were quite excited to tell me all about this new friend, a lot more than you were others.”

Wen Yuan’s eyes bored a hole into the grass. “I was just excited because he likes a lot of things I do, and he has a really cool dog!” His defense rose with his voice while his head remained pointed down.

Wen Qing raised an eyebrow. “You met his dog?”

“His uncle brought it with him to pick him up!” Wen Yuan explained, suddenly being extremely interested in finishing the last page of his homework.

Taking time to rest on the handle of the large garden rake, Wen Qing sighed as she took in the clarification. “Sounds fine enough.” A long strand of hair fell in front of her face, only to be blown back by a shot of air from her lips. “As long as this new friend doesn’t start copying your homework too.”

Wen Yuan’s pencil whizzed across the page, and his legs jittered. “He won’t, I promise!” He guaranteed with his sudden surge of energy. He dotted his last few lines and snapped the booklet shut in a rush. “Okay I’m done now so I’m going to go to A-Yi’s!”

“Hold on a second!” Wen Qing ordered, pressing a palm flat into the air. “Let me check your work first.”

Wen Yuan whined as he scrambled up from his spot on the grass. “But the bus comes in ten minutes and I still need to get my stuff!” Wen Yuan argued, his feet already moving him to the backdoor of the house. “I can just leave it on the table and you can check it once you’re done gardening!”

“Don’t you leave until I make sure your work is done!” Wen Qing’s voice grew in volume. The rake fell away from her side as she took steps out of the garden. Her boots sunk into a recently over-watered patch of dirt, slowing her march.

“It’s done, it’s done!” The plea to be believed came with a quick flip through the pages, Wen Yuan opening random ones out wide as his evidence. His feet took him backwards, taking care not to trip over baskets, or Granny Wen who stood up with a handful of vegetables.

Wen Yuan quickly tucked his book into the crook of his arm to accept the still wet vegetables, nodding in a bemused thanks.

“Take these to your friend. I’m sure he’ll appreciate the gesture at the very least.” Granny Wen smiled, already pushing Wen Yuan’s back to encourage his departure. “Now hurry before you’re late.”

“Thanks Granny!” Wen Yuan beamed. “I’ll be home before dinner!”

Wen Qing swatted the air with her fingers, giving up on the chase she didn’t have energy for. “Fine, fine. Just call if you’ll be late.”

Wen Yuan had already raced into the house by the time Wen Qing picked up her dropped tools. A rough exhale released the pent up parental tone she had prepared. “I don’t think I’m ready for him to be a teenager yet.” She grumbled, looking over to Wen Ning who had taken the opportunity to reapply his sunscreen.

“He really is growing fast.” Wen Ning smiled as he rubbed the sunscreen down the bridge of his nose. “We’ll need to be ready for new things and work as a family, just like we always do.”

~

Steam continued to rise from the tea cup that turned more into a hand warmer than a beverage. Wen Ning had accepted it without a hint of hesitation, but his lips hadn’t touched it once. He couldn’t bring himself to lift it. Not when the tremble in his hands hadn’t subsided.

“This is ridiculous.” Wen Qing gritted her teeth as she spoke. Less and less actual words fell from her mouth the longer they sat in a misshapen triangle formation. Her once crossed legged position devolved into a hunch. Her shoulders pressed tightly forward as her leg vibrated, the tea in her hands only half drained.

“It’s okay, Jie.” Wen Ning murmured with lips that refused to move. His reassurance came naturally, even as he couldn’t convince himself to feel the same consolation.

“It’s just-!” Words were lost on Wen Qing again as the bucket she had flipped over to use as a seat wobbled. “I thought we moved to get away from this!” She hissed, trying to keep her voice low. Her eyes darted up to the only illuminated window. The normal reaction of telling Wen Yuan he was staying up past his bedtime was flattened. She couldn’t say anything to him, not after seeing the redness around his eyes.

Granny Wen sighed, leaning forward from her place on the back door steps. “You can’t run from the past.” She advised with a drifting stare that had no focus. Her hips already hurt from sitting so long on the flat surface, but it was the last of her worries.

Wen Qing’s head snapped back down, glaring daggers into her tea cup. “We were never running. How can they think that there was never any place for us?”

“They don’t think that.” Wen Ning mumbled. “They’re… right to feel the way they do.”

An airy sigh echoed out of Wen Qing’s lips. “If only I was there…” Several scenarios ran through Wen Qing’s head as she finally took a new sip of her tea. She internally chastised the trail of fate that led her to stay late at work, leaving Wen Ning to pick up Wen Yuan on his own.

“Now I understand why he was hiding details about this ‘A-Ling’ friend for so long.” The name was nearly spat out as Wen Qing reminded herself to not hold her arms so tightly to her body.

Granny Wen’s eyes lined her lower lid, humming in a noncommittal agreement to move on from the implication.

“And A-Yuan never told him?” Wen Qing asked with a rushing breath. Her shoulders naturally slumped in again, but she made no adjustment to fix them.

Wen Ning shook his head, letting his hair grace up to his cheeks. “I don’t think so. Just by the reaction when Jiang-xiansheng recounted things…” His whisper trailed off, memories of only a few hours prior still stinging. Wen Ning’s head dropped further, his expression holding an empty and lost stare. “A-Yuan might have been ashamed, or scared to say. It’s all my fault.”

A quick snap of Wen Qing’s fingers put a stop to the verbal self beating. “Don’t say that. It wasn’t just your fault. We all carry some blame in it.” Her voice dropped as she spoke, feeling the weight of truth.

Silence grew around the group. The chilly night wasn’t meant to have long converging moments in it. Wen Qing neglected to bring her shoes in the hurried slip outside and paid the price as her feet pressed hard into the damp grass.

“Poor A-Yuan.” Granny Wen exhaled. “To hear those kinds of things from someone he’s been so close with.” She shook her head as her mouth formed a thin line. The tea cup was turned around in her hands, taking the physical part of her worry.

“Maybe it’s good it happened now, and not years later.” Wen Qing attempted to spin a positive even though it left a lump in her throat. “They’ve only known each other for a year. It should be easier to move on.”

Shaking her head once more, Granny Wen turned to catch the light in the house switch off. “Knowing our A-Yuan, a year is already long enough to get attached, but they’re good kids.” She smiled, feeling the muscles in her cheeks pull for the first time that night. “Hopefully… maybe, they can do what we couldn’t...”

~

“That’s very thoughtful.” Wen Qing replied, her smile tightening even more on her face. The plastic packaging scratched against the counter as Wen Qing carefully pulled the box of candied fruit towards her. “Thank you.” She swore her face would crack if the circumstances were different.

It was a near out of body experience seeing the young teenager, knowing exactly who his family was. He was part of the generation who didn’t grow up through the constant finger pointing, and vitriol from both sides. He only knew about it through stories; something she almost envied about him. There was no way for him to remember it, just like it was for Wen Yuan.

The practical dance Wen Yuan did behind the stiff postured Jin Ling helped Wen Qing remember why she was stretching the energy of her manners. It was a long week of Wen Yuan proposing the idea of having Jin Ling over for dinner, but the hours leading up to it felt even longer. Wen Yuan nearly bartered the offer of doing every chore in the house for a year just to have the night stay civil.

Lucky for Wen Yuan, Wen Qing never planned to make the dinner more stressful than it needed to be. She had other things to worry about.

“A-Ning?” Wen Qing hummed. “Did you want to greet Wen Yuan’s guest?” The muscles in her legs fused together as she kept up the facade of a gracious host.

From his spot at the sink, Wen Ning jumped to attention. His shoulders rose, but his hands didn’t leave the soapy water. “I-it’s alright. I don’t think he wants to meet me. It might be good for me to have dinner later so-”

Wen Qing slammed a palm to the counter as she turned her body. “You’re part of this house. You’re not being kicked out of your seat at the table.”

“Jie, it’s fine, really.” Wen Ning spoke with a heavy swallow descending his throat. Hair fell in front of his eyes as he managed a gentle smile. “I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable.”

“We are not arguing this-” Wen Wing bit back the remains of her rebuttal in an instant. Her words disappeared when she watched the rigid march that rounded the counter. Heavy feet stamped on the old wooden floor, and stopped right before the kitchen sink.

Jin Ling’s eyes were stuck staring at the floor while his hands balled into fists at his side. Wen Qing could feel her body lurch ever so slightly forward, ready to jump in the middle of the two if needed. Her eyes were locked on the moment, watching the startled movements of Wen Ning as he tried to fix his hair using only the back of his dry wrists.

“It’s…” Jin Ling mumbled through the tight clench of his jaw. “It’s… A-Yuan has told me a lot about you, recently.” Each word sounded separate from one another, as if Jin Ling was hastily pasting them together in his mind. “So I’m introducing myself, to his family.”

Wen Ning nodded, wringing his dishwater hands in front of his stomach. Water dripped down from the side of his palms, but his eyes never left the top of Jin Ling’s head.

Using his entire chest, Jin Ling inhaled deeply. His fists steadied themselves, and in an unexpected turn, he looked up. His focus was sharp, as if he was searching for something before he opened his mouth. “I don’t forgive you.”

Wen Ning’s hands turned in, pressing closer to his body. “I understand.” He whispered. “I wouldn’t ask you to-”

“I’m not finished yet.” Jin Ling cut in with more ferocity than a teenager should contain. The back of his hand lifted to push at his nose as his strong eye contact wavered for a moment. “I don’t forgive, but I don’t hate you. Alright?”

“A-Ling!” Wen Yuan’s voice shot over top of the tension in the room. The edge of the counter pushed against his stomach as he leaned nearly on top of it. His arms laid out along the cold material, fingers stretched as if he could claw his way on top of it.

Jin Ling’s body twitched and his head whipped around to glare at the other. “I wanted to say it!” He shot back. “I don’t need you worrying about me. I can handle this on my own.”

Wen Yuan’s lips twisted and a huff shot from his nose. “A-Ling if you need more…” He mumbled, unable to find any more words for his case.

By Jin Ling’s dance of focus in his eyes, no more seemed to be needed. “It’s fine.” He grumbled, already turning away from Wen Ning. “I’ll be fine. That’s it. Now can we talk about something else?”

Wen Qing’s shoulders loosened. She had expected a lot of things to fly, but appreciated the relief of near neutral ground. Wen Ning seemed to be standing slightly taller. It was all she needed to see to know venom wouldn’t be shot across the dining table.

No matter how strange the sense of new calm was, Wen Qing would take it. Wen Yuan had already led Jin Ling back into the dining room, which seemed sorely needed before a vein might pop in Jin Ling’s fists. The stress in his face calmed quickly when Wen Yuan found a low conversation with him. A hand on Jin Ling’s upper back, a gentle smile, it was all it took for the teen to form into another person.

Wen Qing filed the scene away as another thing not to ask about. However Wen Yuan got on his good side was a topic she wouldn’t question; just like the cell phone she found in Wen Yuan’s bookshelf. It at least explained why she caught Wen Yuan staying up late on school nights.

A loud clack rang out from the other side of the house, disrupting any other thoughts Wen Qing had. She exchanged a look with Wen Ning and counted the bodies in the room. Soon, it became clear.

“Granny!” Wen Qing yelled as she wiped her hands on the closet tea towel in a hurry. “Granny are you alright?”

Wen Yuan joined her in the race across the floor. She slid into a door frame, frantically turning her head to take a moment to remember the direction of the sound. “Granny?” She tried again, tilting her head in a slim hope it would help.

“Oh I’m fine!”

The sound of Granny Wen’s voice immediately released the tension both Wen Qing and Wen Yuan were holding collectively. Even Jin Ling who had apparently joined the search looked around wildly as if he was on a hunt.

“Granny, where are you? What happened?” Wen Yuan yelled as he took one step up the staircase.

Suddenly from the top of the very same staircase, Granny Wen popped into view. She stood at a near ninety degree angle, supported through her grip on the back of a chair. “I’m coming!” She panted as she spared one hand to brush the hair from her face. “It’s just a bit heavier than I thought.”

Wen Qing’s heart jumped up to her throat. “Granny!” She gasped, digging her hands into the wood of the baluster.

“I can hear you!” She called back as her knees bent towards the chair. “My ears still work fine.”

“What were you trying to do?” Wen Qing exhaled as Wen Yuan shot up the stairs past her. Each step creaked, even the ones he skipped as he took them by two. Jin Ling was quick to follow, only taking one second glance around him before barreling up.

Wen Yuan’s hands latched onto Granny Wen’s shoulders, helping to steady her balance. “Granny,” He sighed. “What are you moving this for?”

Taking the offer of assistance with gratitude, Granny Wen took a moment to straighten her back. “Well we only have enough chairs for the four of us.” She explained, pausing briefly for the few pops of her bones to sound off. “We hardly ever have company to have spares around, but I couldn’t have this young man sit on the floor of all things.” Granny Wen nodded in Jin Ling’s direction, giving a smile with the last teeth she had available.

“You shouldn’t be carrying things!” Wen Qing chimed in with her palm firmly glued to her forehead.

“I thought what better time when everyone was talking!” Granny Wen replied as she took her hand off the back of the chair. “I couldn’t just stand around doing nothing.”

Wen Yuan took the opportunity the moment the chair was free, lifting up off the floor as if it was light as a feather to him. “You already do a lot, Granny.” His gentle smile had no sense of strain as he moved the chair with one hand.

Jin Ling rocked at his place on the second to last step, head tilted slightly back to watch the two interact. His hands flitted about, unsure what to do as he assessed what part he could play in the conversation. As Wen Yuan swung the chair to the side to create a comfortable way of carrying it down the stairs, Jin Ling found his chance.

Squeezing past Wen Yuan who’s smile seemed to grow even brighter, Jin Ling made the last step to stick out his arm for Granny Wen. “Here, let me help you.” He breathed, effectively hiding his nervous articulation.

Granny Wen’s eyebrows jumped up her forehead, visibly surprised at the offer. “Oh you look at you!” She commend with a cheerful tone. A shaky hand took the offer of support without any question, and gave Jin Ling’s forearm a pat. “That’s very kind. I can see why our A-Yuan talks so much of you.”

A flush bloomed across Jin Ling’s cheeks. His arm pulled closer to his body, growing rigid as if it suddenly petrified. “It’s nice-” Jin Ling stopped to clear his throat. “It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you as well.” The stiff introduction sounded rehearsed; a detail Jin Ling would never admit to. Only his bathroom mirror or likely Wen Yuan knew the real answer.

Granny Wen laughed, letting the sound bounce up from the very bottom of her stomach. “And you’re so polite!” She added to her praise while taking the lead down the steps. Jin Ling’s feet stumbled to follow, finding just enough space for the two of them on the narrow staircase. “I think you should visit regularly. My knees don’t seem to cooperate as much as they used to so I could use someone to help me up and down.”

“Uh…” Jin Ling stuttered as his mind combed through every politely prepped answer he had in his vocabulary. “I don’t know if-”

“Granny,” Wen Yuan chided. A turn of his head helped him to look over his shoulder and scold just by the roll of his eyes. “You’re going to scare him away.”

“No she isn’t!” Jin Ling fired back. His expression gradually melted as he realized the exact place he put himself in the conversation.

Granny Wen patted the assisting arm once more. “I can’t imagine there would be much that would frighten him.” By the tone in her voice, she knew exactly what she was doing, and Wen Yuan’s eyes were sharp enough to pick it apart. “He’s already overcome so much. An old woman like me isn’t going to scare him at all.”

Jin Ling’s eyes flickered to a new direction as he didn’t reply. He didn’t nod or shake his head, he only hummed, and let Granny Wen continue.

“So kind and strong, it’s why you two get along so well.” Her smile lifted up to her eyes, showing off the years of experience she spoke by through her wrinkles. “But it’s one step at a time for your good future. For now, let’s worry about making sure you two sit together.”

The squirming smile from Wen Yuan couldn’t be seen as he rounded the corner to the dining room. He didn’t need Granny Wen to catch it to know she would be proven right so soon. He had enough to worry about with Jin Ling sending him a helpless look as Granny Wen started on a tangent of stories. Wen Yuan made a mental note to thank Jin Ling later for handling everything so well.

But until he could, he made sure to hold his hand as tightly as possible under the table.

~

“Qing-jiejie?” Wen Yuan yelled the moment he stepped in the front door. His feet worked to toe off his shoes without the assistance of his hands as the worn wooden door shut behind him. “Ning-gege?” He tried again, choosing the next name to call.

Only the quiet atmosphere of the house answered him back. Afternoon sun came through the front windows, lighting up the pile of papers Wen Yuan had left scattered on a coffee table. He still needed to finish signing a few straggling pages, but he knew to consult someone before doing so.

Wen Yuan pulled his phone out from his back pocket, checking for any messages, but came up empty. He would need to wait to share his new information; a nearly impossible feat. He had life changing choices encroaching close and closer, which he almost didn’t feel was fair. Wen Yuan still had one more year until he was considered an adult yet he was already told that his future hung in the balance. It was more than stressful.

“A-Yuan?” A yawn cracked out from the other side of the front room. It came from the single armchair in the space, under a layer of blankets.

Wen Yuan tripped against the bump in the room’s threshold as it clicked in his mind who would still be home. “Granny?” He spoke on an inhale, trying to play off the pain his toes felt. “Were you sleeping?”

From under the blanket, a shuffle of arms could be seen fighting against the fabric. A hand finally found its way out as Wen Yuan already crossed the length of the room. “Oh I must’ve…” Granny Wen yawned again. “I sat down one minute before we were to leave and I guess that’s all it took.” She chuckled, using her newly freed hands to fix her hair. “It seems like they left without me.”

“They probably didn’t want to wake you.” Wen Yuan smiled. “If you’re tired then you should sleep.”

Granny Wen swatted the air, letting her hand land with a muted thump on her blanketed lap. “I’m tired all the time. It just comes with getting old. It doesn’t mean that I should sleep while everyone else works.”

Shaking his head, Wen Yuan put his hands on his sides to match the assertiveness in his voice. “You’ve done enough work. You’re allowed to relax now.” The corners of his smile jumped, fueled by the memories of Granny Wen always refusing to have people fuss about her. Even when she couldn’t budge from a chair, she still refused to let people do things for her.

“I should say that about you.” Granny Wen hummed, her eyes motioning to the pile of papers. “That on top of your school work? Surely they know you’re smart enough for it but you’re also not two people.”

Wen Yuan rolled his lips into his mouth to hold back a loud agreement. Most days he wished he was two people just to get everything done and still have time left to do something that wasn’t school related.

“Speaking of,” Granny Wen started as she moved to sit taller. “How were classes today?”

“They were alright.” Wen Yuan answered with a shrug. “Most have turned into studying sessions with exams so close so it’s pretty simple. Although, today was a bit different.”

Granny Wen raised an eyebrow, waiting for the explanation to the verbal cliffhanger.

“I met with the school counselor.” Wen Yuan explained, choosing to look up at the ceiling as he said it. A long inhale held a tightness in his chest. He had spent the entire bus ride home putting together what he would say, but it felt unfeasible to make it leave his mouth. “I just wanted to ask a few questions before making the final decision on which university to pick.”

“A-Yuan…” Granny Wen sighed. Her head turned down as she gathered her thoughts, giving her another moment to exhale. “I thought you had decided on CRU? Wasn’t that the university that had the specialty classes you wanted?”

In an instant Wen Yuan could feel the nerves in his legs grow restless. Standing in one spot seemed impossible, just like the decision on where to place his hands. “I mean, it was.” He chuckled, hiding the building anxiety in his chest. “But I was thinking how it’s hours away, and residence costs and all that stuff. So I talked with the counselor today to go over the details.”

Wen Yuan’s hands shot out in front of him in a gesture to hold his place in the conversation. “And they told me that there’s a local college in this city! It’s smaller, but I think smaller might be good. I can just imagine being in a new city and in such a big school like CRU that it could get overwhelming.” His reasoning devolved into a ramble the faster his tongue danced.

“And if I choose the college here, then I could still live here so I would save on living costs and there wouldn’t be a need to travel to visit. I already mapped the route I would have to take to get to the lectures!” Wen Yuan stated proudly, even as his skin vibrated. “Plus,” He gasped, catching up to his own words. “I would qualify for an entrance scholarship because of my grades, which I could keep getting each semester if I continue to have good grades!”

Wen Yuan waited, living off of the excitement he placed in his voice. He needed a form of confirmation to help how tingly his fingers felt. He was nearly lightheaded; from the speed of his words and the uncertain expectations he imagined.

Slowly, and without a sound, Granny Wen placed both her hands neatly on her lap. The wrinkles in her face seemed more prominent than before, even as she held an emotionless expression. “A-Yuan…” Her tone was flat, almost as if she didn’t speak it, but rather the house around her did. “Didn’t you also get a scholarship for CRU?”

Wen Yuan’s heart flipped. “I did.” He breathed, choosing to look away. “But with all the other expenses the other school will be better!” His enthusiasm inflated back up and his arms swung out to help. “I already checked and the local college has some really cool clubs and a lot of the classes you can take online so-”

“Come here.”

The interruption was so gentle, filled with care, that Wen Yuan could almost convince himself that he didn’t actually hear it. He compiled to the soft direction the moment his mind understood it and took the single step to the side of the arm chair. He patiently stood by, watching Granny Wen’s hand smooth out the blanket on her lap before decisively patting her legs.

“Sit on my knee.” She hummed. Her eyes held a sparkle that could be described as mischievous, but Wen Yuan knew she was speaking in complete seriousness.

Wen Yuan flicked his hands to gesture up and down on his body as he laughed. “I don’t think I’d fit. Besides, I don’t want to hurt you.”

Granny Wen’s mouth scrunched to the side of her face. “I’ve told you again and again,” She sighed and reached forward to grab Wen Yuan’s hands. “You’ll never be too big for Granny’s knee. It doesn’t matter how tall you are, you come sit.”

The sudden shift of Wen Yuan’s weight knocked off his balance. Deep down he knew he could never tear his hands away but as his shins collided with the side of the chair, he knew he had to do something. “Granny, I really shouldn’t-” Wen Yuan’s verbal refusal ended as he was pulled closer. His forearms were snatched next for a better hold, and his legs scrambled to swing onto the large cushioned armrest of the chair.

“Move in closer.” Granny Wen laughed, all while Wen Yuan’s limbs clambered around the chair. “Come on, you won’t catch anything.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about.” Wen Yuan grunted as his tailbone hit what it could on the back of the chair. With one leg firmly on the arm rest, and the other half sunken down to Granny’s lap, Wen Yuan released a breath. “Okay, I think that’s the best we’ll get.” As he tried to make light of the awkward position, he attempted to move an arm to help steady himself, but it was futile when Granny Wen moved to hold his hands so tightly.

“Now that I have you here,” Granny Wen cleared her throat as she spoke. “Tell me again why you don’t want to accept the scholarship to the school you’ve been wanting to go to?”

Wen Yuan knew he was being trapped. His feet slowly kicked through the air as a way to help his balance. “I just thought it would be better to stay here. Everything is so expensive…” His exhale felt heavier than before, feeling if he spilled more, the harder it would become to speak.

“We’ve known it was going to be a high cost for a while. Why else do you think we’ve been building that savings account for you?” Granny Wen flickered a frown with her explanation.

“But you shouldn’t have to.” Wen Yuan groaned, wishing he could fiddle with his hands for a distraction. “I know how much Qing-jiejie has been putting away each month and it’s too much. Just like you and Ning-gege, all of you shouldn’t have to pay so much for me.” Something in Wen Yuan’s voice grew hoarse and thin. He knew a part of his words would soon break away and clog his throat.

The tight grip Granny Wen held loosened. Her fingers straightened out as best as her arthritis would allow her, and she moved to cup Wen Yuan’s hands in hers. “A-Yuan, we did that because we wanted to.” Her reasoning came warmer than the sun through the windows. “We didn’t have to, but we wanted to. We wanted you to be able to get a good education and have the life you want.”

An uncomfortable heat surrounded Wen Yuan’s eyes as his jaw defensively tightened. “But it’s so much money! It could be used for repairs on the house, or to get you dentures, or-”

“Or spend it on you, like we wanted.” Granny Wen smiled, making sure to show an extra gummy grin. “Of course we could use the money for all those things. Money is money, it could be used for anything we want. Which is why we saved it for you, because we want you, and all your dreams to come true.”

The tension under Wen Yuan’s skin began to crack. He felt shaky, uncoordinated, and his mouth glued shut.

Granny Wen took her time in the fragile silence. Her hands turned around their clasp, and she lifted her fingers to pat the back of Wen Yuan’s hands. “We’ve known since you were little, since you tried to read every flier that came in the mail, that you would one day out shine everyone. So we wanted to make sure you would have every opportunity to be the brightest sun of all.”

The tender pats turned into a rub of thumbs, following the hills of Wen Yuan’s knuckles. Granny Wen’s long fingers rubbed in a warmth her cold fingers always seemed to be living without. “And now look at you. Top of your classes, getting scholarships, an acceptance letter to the most prestigious university. You’ve done so well, and I know, we know, that you’re going to keep making us proud.”

There were no longer any options for Wen Yuan to hold back what stung his eyes. He blinked to flush it away, but it only started the tracks down his cheeks.

“Oh, come here.” Granny Wen laughed with a warm breath. Her head tilted up and Wen Yuan followed without need for any other direction. They met in the middle, just close enough for Granny Wen to kiss his wet cheek. “You’ve always made us proud, with everything you do. No matter what you may have chosen to do, we would be proud. So you better do what you want, no compromising for our sake, alright?”

Wen Yuan shakily nodded, feeling the tears only increase.

“Don’t forget about that young man who worked just as hard to get into the same school. I’m sure he would be disappointed if you didn’t go.” Granny Wen’s nose lifted as she teased. Her smile grew larger, along with the lines of her wrinkles as Wen Yuan opened his mouth for a silent laugh. “So don’t you worry about us, we’ve been handling ourselves well enough for years. It’s now your turn to make your life how you want it to be, and we’ll always be here to support you on it.”

Wen Yuan’s tears were free as waterfalls, sliding past his nose and hanging off his lips. He managed a hum and nod as he moved closer, nearly tucking himself in at Granny Wen’s side. “I-I’ll visit.” He hiccuped, and let his head be guided by a gentle palm to Granny Wen’s shoulder. “All the time, as often as I can!”

Granny Wen chuckled, and held Wen Yuan close. “You better. I want to hear all of your stories.” She cooed as Wen Yuan sniffled, making sure to smile wide for the both of them. “You’ve always been such a good boy. So smart, kind, and I know I’ve already said it, but I can’t stop saying how proud of you I am. You’ve grown so much.”

Sniffles turned to sobs, and Granny Wen pulled Wen Yuan impossibly closer, carrying his weight on her lap like she used to.

“Always remember that.” She whispered, cradling Wen Yuan’s head. “And always remember, that I love you.”