The groundwork for the two families' meeting had been laid long ago.

When Xu Ye got home and told Old Zhang and Old Xu, Old Zhang went straight to her room and came back out in a wool coat. She walked into the living room and did a turn in front of father and son. "What do you think? How about I wear this tomorrow?"

"Looks great."

Old Xu lowered his voice. "That coat cost over two thousand. Your mom can't bring herself to wear it, even at New Year."

Xu Ye stared at him. "You've got some nerve saying that. Can't you treat your wife a little better?"

Old Xu glared. "My salary card's with your mom. Where would I get the money?"

"Come on, Old Xu, that's not fair. This year, on Father's Day, Mother's Day, your birthday and Mom's birthday, I sent you money every time. Where'd all that go?"

"Put protective film on the car. Five thousand."

"Xu Xiangdong, are you even human? Mom won't wear a two-thousand-yuan coat, and you blow five thousand in one go on film for your car?"

Old Zhang was coming back out of the bedroom. Old Xu hurried to clap a hand over Xu Ye's mouth.

He dropped his voice. "I told your mom the dealership threw it in for free. Don't you dare let it slip, or your old man's going to be kneeling on the washboard tonight."

"You damn well deserve it."

"What are you two up to?"

"Nothing, nothing."

Xu Ye wiped his mouth. Then he remembered that Old Xu had just come out of the bathroom, so he asked very seriously, "Did you wash your hands just now?"

"…I did."

"Bullshit! Mom! Dad told me he put another two thousand on his card at the foot massage place."

"Xu! Xiang! Dong!"

"Your son's making things up. Where would I get the money?"

The lunch was set for a restaurant in the city called Jufulou.

Xu Ye brought Old Zhang and Old Xu to the private room early, then waited alone at the door for his mother-in-law's…