Stealing Your Heart

Abruptly, Qin Ya heard the door to the house opening. Next, she heard the maid and Grandma Su’s voices, as the two entered the house while discussing something. From the joyful tone, she could tell that the old woman was in high spirits.

Since this was a private matter between her and Su Zhan, she did not want to let the older woman know of her problems. With her advanced age, she would probably be unable to accept this.

She was not doing this for Su Zhan, but rather, for the old woman, who had always been very kind to her.

Pulling her room door open, she saw the maid providing Grandma Su some assistance, in removing her jacket.

“Oh, you’re home?” The old woman was visibly surprised to see Qin Ya. Soon after, a wide smile crossed her face. “Come, come, take a seat! I have good news!”

Obediently, Qin Ya took a seat on the couch. The old woman immediately clasped her hand in both of hers.

“What has gotten you so happy, Grandma?” The younger woman tried her best, to hide her despondent emotions, not wanting to reveal anything before the elder.

While they had not been around each other for long, the older woman’s kindness and friendliness had touched her deeply.

No matter what had happened between her and Su Zhan, she did not wish to hurt the old woman.

“I met this fortuneteller today. He said that my fortune is smiling down upon me and that something very good will happen!” Many old people were deeply superstitious and believed in the art of fortunetelling.

Qin Ya twitched her lips into a small smile and questioned, “You believe him?”

In response, the old woman’s eyes widened earnestly. “I didn’t even tell him that I had a grandson, yet, he instantly knew just from looking at my face! He told me that I had a grandson who’d recently got married and that I should expect to have a great-grandchild next year! How could I not believe him?”

Beside them, the maid added, “Old Madam Su was so ecstatic she immediately gave him a huge red packet!”

The smile on Qin Ya’s face faltered.

The old woman tightened her hold on Qin Ya’s hand and leaned over. “Ya, whether I get a great-grandchild is up to you now.”

Her gaze slowly drifted to Qin Ya’s abdomen. “Who knows? Maybe it’s already living inside there.”

would make the old woman happy. Once Su Zhan returned home, they would part their ways amicably. What Grandma Su hoped would happen would never become

Qin Ya got up and suggested, “Let me make some dinner

would be the first and last time

do such a thing. “Where’s Su Zhan? Is he still

that he’s still busy,”

for a good spanking! How could he place work before spending time with his family? Just you wait; I’ll give him a beating when he comes back!” If he doesn’t come home, how am I

darkened, as the night approached. Still, there was no

ignored Grandma Su’s protests, as she was intent

possessed amazing cooking skills, but it

of the maid, she was able to whip up several meals, of the old

the end, she made radish stew with pork ribs, crispy-skinned tofu, garlic stir-fried

table, she washed her hands and called Grandma Su

still delighted, over what she

sense anything strange with Qin Ya at all. Instead, she was soon distracted

she was praising her grandson’s choice for

with them, that only left Qin Ya and Grandma Su at the table. Despite her lack of appetite, Qin Ya forced herself to eat. She did not want the other woman to realize that something was amiss. “I had heard that these were your favorites. I’m

happily took a piece of crispy-skinned tofu. She may have been old, but her teeth were still working just fine. As long as the food was not too hard,

for Qin Ya, stating, “White radishes in winter and ginger in

Qin Ya nodded in appreciation as she

up the kitchen before heading to the living room to watch television

ten o’clock, the older woman

while I get you a

house after today, so this was the last act of filial piety she would do for the woman

bathroom, she tested the water temperature with her hand. Only after she was satisfied that it was not too hot did she emerge with a small towel. Setting the basin down, she carefully moved the elder’s feet into

Ya, reaching out a hand to stroke her head. “You’re really a sweet

that were spilling down her face, the

met you, Grandma. No matter what happens

misheard her words. Chuckling, she replied, “What nonsense are you speaking of?

she helped the other to woman lay down, murmuring, “It’s getting late