Chapter 94
◎Surfacing◎
Sheng Ruiru’s elective course was only two sessions a week. Since the ancient book compilation project group ended, Tangtang’s contact with Sheng Ruiru had also become much less.
Or rather, besides class time, Tangtang had no more contact with Sheng Ruiru in private.
Although Tangtang didn’t seem to care on the surface, the words Lu Youxin had said to her that day were like an uncomfortable thorn in her heart.
Her hometown was a remote and backward rural area in the north. Her parents, Su Huimin and Yu Juanfang, were an ordinary couple from the countryside. If it weren’t for her parents’ foresight, who insisted on sending their several children to school, and her own talent and hard work, she would now be an ordinary working woman in the countryside. She would also not have been able to get to know a family like the Lu family.
Of course, it wasn’t that she looked down on her own origins. She had deep feelings for her parents. Being able to be her parents’ daughter was the happiest thing in Tangtang’s life. She had grown up drinking the water of Yuhuai Village and eating the grain of Yuhuai Village. No matter where she went in her life, she would never forget her hometown. She was like a wandering kite, and the other end of the string was always Yuhuai Village. The water of Yuhuai Village had long since flowed into her blood like milk.
It wasn’t that Tangtang herself had any concept of matching social status. It was that she was afraid that others had this concept, especially after Lu Youxin had said those insulting words to her. She had then taken the initiative to cut off contact with the Lu family.
Tangtang got a meal and returned to the dormitory, only to see Dong Shuqing waiting at the door.
“Tangtang, why are you back so late? Teacher Sheng has been waiting for you in the dormitory for a while.” As Dong Shuqing spoke, she also pushed her into the dormitory.
“I just came back from the library… huh?”
The green dormitory door opened, and Tangtang saw Sheng Ruiru sitting on the edge of her bed, a faint smile on her lips, her gaze towards her kind and gentle.
When the other classmates saw that Tangtang had returned, they found an excuse to go out so as not to disturb their conversation.
“Teacher Sheng, why are you here?”
“Why haven’t you been to our house recently? Your Grandpa Lu talks about you every day. Your Uncle Lu and I also miss you very much.”
Tangtang placed the rice bowl on the table next to her. She was stunned for a few seconds before she explained, “My schoolwork has been quite heavy recently, so I haven’t had much chance to visit you.”
“The second year of university is indeed heavier than the first. But this weekend is your Grandpa Lu’s birthday. You must come and sit at our house.” Sheng Ruiru held Tangtang’s hand, her fingertips warm. “Your Grandpa Lu really likes the oranges you brought him. He said they’re very juicy and sweet. He also wants to hear you read to him again.”
“I…” Tangtang hesitated. “Will it be too much of a bother? After all, it’s Grandpa’s birthday. There should be a lot of relatives at home.”
“Nonsense. In the old man’s heart, you are much more important than those relatives who only know how to say nice things. It’s settled then. This weekend, I’ll have the driver pick you up at the school gate.”
Since she had said so, Tangtang had to nod.
…
“Brother Shunian, do you think it’s a bit shabby for us to just bring a few catties of oranges?” Tangtang looked at the bright yellow oranges in the net bag. She had wanted to buy a more valuable gift for Old Mr. Lu, but the school’s scholarship for this semester had not yet been issued. She only had a dozen or so yuan left. Even if she spent all this money on a gift, it would definitely not be enough compared to the other relatives and guests of the Lu family. She certainly couldn’t use Zhou Shunian’s money. After thinking about it, she still decided to follow her heart and buy a few catties of oranges.
Zhou Shunian held her other hand. “How could it be? This is your heartfelt gesture to the old man. And oranges are so good, they supplement vitamin C and are good for the body.”
…
In the Lu family’s living room, Lu Youxin was wearing a fashionable and stylish red dress. Her slightly curled hair was coiled into a princess style, with a pearl hairpin. Surrounded by everyone’s gaze, she held a cake and walked to Old Mr. Lu, saying sweetly, “Grandpa, happy birthday. Youxin wishes you a long and happy life!”
Old Mr. Lu nodded with gratification. “Youxin is so thoughtful.”
Everyone saw the interaction between the grandfather and granddaughter and praised Lu Youxin for her filial piety.
“Grandpa, I wish you a long and healthy life!” Lu Mingbai wished the old man a happy birthday and presented him with the gift he had prepared.
Sheng Ruiru said, “Dad, happy birthday.”
Lu Junshan said, “Dad, happy birthday.”
Under the urging of the crowd, Old Mr. Lu made a birthday wish and blew out the candles. Lu Youxin pouted and urged, “Grandpa, hurry up and cut the cake!”
Old Mr. Lu shook his head. “Let’s not rush to cut the cake. There are still guests who haven’t arrived.”
“There are still guests who haven’t arrived? Who?” Lu Youxin asked with suspicion, a bad premonition rising in her heart.
Lu Youxin threw herself into Sheng Ruiru’s arms and acted spoiled. “Mom, tell me. Who is it?”
Sheng Ruiru smiled and ruffled her head. “You’ll know in a moment.”
As soon as her voice fell, she heard the auntie lead a young couple in. The boy was about twenty-four, wearing a navy blue shirt. He had a steady and elegant temperament, and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses added a scholarly air to him.
The girl was about twenty, wearing a goose-yellow dress. Her two braids hung down her chest, and she was wearing a pair of white wedge-heeled shoes and carrying a cream-colored backpack. She looked completely like a young and beautiful university student.
Lu Youxin’s face suddenly darkened, and her eyes were as cold as ice.
“Grandpa Lu, happy birthday! I’ve brought you some oranges. Are we late?” Tangtang’s voice was clear and crisp, and she looked generous and at ease.
“It’s Comrade Little Su. You’re here!” Old Mr. Lu’s eyes lit up. He immediately got up from the sofa and took two steps towards the door. “Come in, come in. You’re not late. You’ve come at just the right time!”
“And this is?” Old Mr. Lu’s gaze fell on Zhou Shunian next to him.
“Let me introduce you. This is my boyfriend, Zhou Shunian. He’s also from Capital University. We’re from the same hometown,” Tangtang introduced. She and Zhou Shunian hadn’t officially told their families about their relationship, but the Lu family and the old Su family had no contact, so even if she said it, her family wouldn’t know.
“Hello, Grandpa Lu. I’m Zhou Shunian.” Zhou Shunian bowed slightly, polite and steady.
“Good, good, Little Zhou!” Old Mr. Lu laughed heartily and patted his shoulder. “You look like a down-to-earth and reliable young man at a glance!”
Sheng Ruiru had run into the two of them walking together at school several times, so she was not surprised by this.
Lu Junshan was a little surprised. “Tangtang, you’re already in a relationship?”
“Uncle Lu, I’m already twenty this year. Is it strange to be in a relationship?” Tangtang said, at a loss for whether to laugh or cry.
Lu Junshan felt a little uncomfortable, but he didn’t know where this uncomfortable feeling came from. His sharp eyes stared at Zhou Shunian, and he felt that he didn’t like this young man no matter how he looked at him.
The six words “my boyfriend, Zhou Shunian” that Tangtang had said so naturally were like a sharp needle that pierced Lu Youxin’s heart. Lu Youxin pursed her lips and said nothing, her fingers twisting the lace of her dress. She cursed Sheng Ruiru a thousand times in her heart, not understanding why she had invited Su Xintang to Old Mr. Lu’s birthday.
The sofas in the Lu family’s living room were arranged in a circle. Tangtang wanted to find a seat at the lower end with Zhou Shunian, but Sheng Ruiru had already taken her hand and arranged for her to sit next to Old Mr. Lu. “Tangtang, you can sit next to your Grandpa Lu.”
Lu Youxin was on Old Mr. Lu’s left, and Tangtang was on his right. At first glance, Tangtang looked more like the old man’s biological granddaughter.
“Since everyone is here, Grandpa, let’s cut the cake,” Lu Mingbai said with a smile.
Old Mr. Lu cheerfully cut a slice of the cake, and Tangtang helped to distribute the cut cake to everyone.
“This old man is indeed an old leader of many years. His judgment of people is so good. This little comrade has bright eyes and a clever look. She looks like the old man’s real granddaughter!” Everyone could see how much Old Mr. Lu valued Tangtang, so a guest said flatteringly.
“Hey? Why does the little girl look a little familiar?”
One of the guests recalled for a moment. “I have a little impression. Isn’t the little girl the one who played Wang Xiaoyan in the May Day labor performance at Capital University last time?”
“That’s right, that’s right! The play was so well-acted, and it even got first place. She’s smart and clever, with a lot of spirit!”
“That Little Zhou is not bad either. I took a look when he came in just now. The young man stood there steadily, not trying to steal the show. He looks very steady. The two of them standing together, so pure and beautiful, they’re simply a perfect match.”
Lu Youxin’s thunder was stolen, and her face was a little ugly. An aunt with the surname Li quickly tried to smooth things over. “Youxin is also outstanding. The ballet solo she performed at the last labor cultural performance also got second place!”
Hearing this, Lu Youxin’s face became even uglier.
The net bag of oranges that Tangtang had brought was put in a fruit basket and placed on the living room table. Old Mr. Lu was old and couldn’t eat more than two bites of the cake. He took an orange and wanted to peel it.
Seeing this, Tangtang said, “Grandpa, let me peel it for you.”
Old Mr. Lu nodded cheerfully and handed her the orange in his hand.
Tangtang had specially chosen these oranges. Each one was fresh and plump, with a fine layer of white frost on the skin. The green and yellow peel still had a fresh stem. Tangtang used her thumbnail to gently pinch a small opening at the stem, and then broke it open along the lines. The clear fragrance of the peel instantly filled the air.
The green and yellow peel was broken open, revealing the plump orange segments inside. Tangtang peeled off the white pith and handed the peeled orange to Old Mr. Lu. “You can have a taste.”
Old Mr. Lu put a segment of the orange in his mouth and said with a smile, “Mhm, it’s just the right amount of sour and sweet!”
He spat out the orange seed. Remembering something, he said to the maid at home, “Auntie Wu, there’s a walnut wood box in the drawer of the cabinet next to my bedroom. Please help me get it.”
“Old man, is this it?” Auntie Wu quickly got the box.
It was a palm-sized walnut wood box. The corners were worn smooth, and it was clear that it was quite old. Old Mr. Lu’s action was strange. Everyone stopped talking and wanted to see what the old man was going to do.
“Yes, that’s it.”
“Since everyone is here today, you can also be a witness. Comrade Little Su, I want Junshan and Ruiru to adopt you as their goddaughter. In the future, you will be my, Lu Chuanhuai’s, half-granddaughter. I wonder if you are willing?” As he spoke, Old Mr. Lu opened the walnut wood box in his hand, revealing a white jade pendant inside. The jade was translucent, with the unique creamy white of Hetian jade. The pendant was carved into a small lotus flower shape. A small hole was drilled at the top of the jade pendant, and a green cotton string was threaded through it. It was clear that this thing was very valuable.
For a moment, the living room was so quiet that the ticking of the wall clock could be heard. Then, like a stone thrown into a lake, a huge sensation erupted.
The young man from the Zheng family’s eyes widened. “Old Mr. Lu is… going to adopt a god-granddaughter?”
“This jade pendant looks extraordinary. A Hetian jade lotus pendant, it must be an old object that has been passed down for several generations. Old Mr. Lu seems to really dote on this Comrade Little Su.”
Some of the younger guests couldn’t help but whisper to each other, their voices very low. “This is too lucky, isn’t it? What kind of family is the Lu family? They just adopted a goddaughter like that…”
“You can’t stop fate. Last time, the old man fainted outside, and this little girl saved him. And look at her standing next to the old man, she looks like his real granddaughter. It’s normal for the old man to like her.”
Seeing the jade pendant that was pushed to her, Tangtang’s eyes widened. It took her a long while for her brain to accept this news. “Grandpa Lu, I…”
Tangtang did like the Lu family, but she also knew that their family’s social status was too far from the Lu family’s. And she was not her parents’ biological child. If she acted first and reported later and adopted a godfather and godmother outside, she was afraid that it would hurt her parents’ feelings.
Old Mr. Lu had not discussed this matter with Lu Junshan and his wife beforehand. The couple was also stunned when they first heard this. Lu Junshan exchanged a look with his wife and then said with a smile to ease the atmosphere, “Dad, adopting a goddaughter is a good thing, but we can’t rush it. At the very least, shouldn’t we discuss it with Tangtang’s parents? What if her parents don’t agree?”
“You suddenly said you wanted to adopt a goddaughter. You’ve scared the child.” Lu Junshan smiled and tried to smooth things over. His gaze fell on Tangtang’s face, and his tone was gentle. “Tangtang, don’t panic. The old man likes a good child like you from the bottom of his heart. But acknowledging a relationship is a big deal. We should indeed inform your parents. This respect is necessary.”
Sheng Ruiru also nodded. She patted Tangtang’s arm. “Yes, Tangtang. There’s no hurry. When you go home for the holidays, you can have a good talk with your parents. If they are willing, we can pick a good day and have a lively celebration. Your Grandpa Lu is just impatient. When he sees a child he likes, he wants to pull them to his side. Don’t take it to heart.”
Being told this by his son and daughter-in-law, Old Mr. Lu finally realized his impropriety. “I’m old and confused. I was so happy that I forgot about this. Comrade Little Su, if your parents are not at ease, I’ll write them a letter and make sure to explain it clearly to them.”
Seeing this, the guests next to them also agreed. “That’s the right thing to do.”
Tangtang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Old Mr. Lu closed the walnut wood box but did not take back the jade pendant. Instead, he pushed it towards Tangtang. “As for this jade pendant, you can keep it. Just think of it as a memento from Grandpa. Whether your parents agree or not, in my heart, you are already no different from a real granddaughter.”
Old Mr. Lu was old, and the birthday banquet did not last long. Lu Junshan used the excuse of wanting to have a couple of games with Zhou Shunian and called him to the courtyard.
Tangtang was holding this jade pendant in her hand, feeling as if she were holding a hot potato. She hesitated for a long while and still felt that this jade pendant was too valuable for her to accept. She decided to return it to Old Mr. Lu.
Just as she reached the corner of the stairs, she saw Lu Youxin. A sweet and charming smile appeared on her face. “Grandpa is asleep.”
Hearing this, since Old Mr. Lu was asleep, she was too embarrassed to disturb him and turned to go downstairs.
Lu Youxin’s face was gloomy. Her nails, painted with silver nail polish, had long since dug deep into her palm. She saw the walnut wood box in Tangtang’s hand, and her eyes were as cold as ice.
Such a precious thing, the old man had never thought of giving it to her, but instead gave it to an outsider!
Why? Why could Su Xintang, a clod of earth from a poor mountain gully with a smell of earth on her, get such a good jade pendant?
Only she was worthy of this jade pendant!
This old man, Lu, actually wanted to adopt a god-granddaughter. Wasn’t this just telling outsiders that she, his real granddaughter, was not doing well?!
She squeezed out a few words through her teeth. “Go to hell!”
She had originally wanted to push Tangtang down the stairs and fake a fall, but she didn’t expect that when she wanted to push her, her foot suddenly twisted, and her palm only pushed the air. And because of the sudden loss of balance, she missed a step. A look of panic appeared on her face, but it was already too late to stop.
Lu Youxin rolled down the stairs with a thud.