The first lunar month is when you go around the relatives paying New Year calls.

Old Xu's side did not have many relatives, though, and on Old Zhang's side Second Aunt was all the way off in Suzhou, so every year the first month meant a phone call. Apart from one trip to Little Aunt's and one trip down to the countryside, Xu Ye spent most of it at home, or over at Red Leaf Estate.

The seventh day of the first month this year fell on February fourteenth. Valentine's Day.

Xu Ye got up early, took his time getting cleaned up, and came out to find that Old Zhang had carried a bowl of noodles in from the kitchen and set it on the table. She was giving instructions at the same time. "I've got work soon. If you're eating out at lunch, tell me beforehand — your dad and I will eat at our offices. If you're not eating out, wait for me to get back and I'll cook you a couple of dishes."

Xu Ye looked into the bowl and complained, "Mom, this is thin broth and not much else. How am I supposed to get this down?"

"Then don't eat it. It can go to the dog."

And with that, Old Zhang set the noodles down in front of Old Xu.

Old Xu's eyes went round. "What's that supposed to mean? Am I the dog?"

"Fine, forget it."

Seeing that Old Zhang was not pleased and was about to take the noodles away again, Xu Ye pulled the bowl back in a hurry. "I'll eat them. I'll eat them."

He had slurped down a few mouthfuls before he found the fried egg tucked away at the bottom of the bowl.

It must have been getting close to her start time. Old Zhang gathered her things together and hurried out.

Xu Ye ate his noodles and saw Old Xu still sitting there beside him at his leisure. He asked without thinking about it. "Dad, aren't you working today?"

"It's the start of the year. There's nothing going…