The New Year was close.

Zhang Ruowei's parents had come back to Shanghai from Australia.

Working hours in Australia are in fact a great deal easier than at home, because the law there caps the working week at thirty-eight hours. Perhaps because the pressure is lower, both of them — her father Zhang Zhao and her mother Tao Meihua — looked a little younger than their years.

Since their daughter had gone to university they only saw her a few times a year, so over the winter break Zhang Ruowei had ten thousand kinds of doting concentrated on her at home. Waited on hand and foot would not be putting it too strongly.

"Dad, Mom, I'm going out. Don't wait for me at lunch."

Zhang Ruowei slept until nine or ten, and the moment she came downstairs she grabbed her bag and rushed for the door.

"Have something to eat first?"

"I'll eat out."

Tao Meihua didn't get a second sentence out before Zhang Ruowei was gone.

Zhang Zhao sat on the sofa, thoroughly curious. "What's the story with your daughter?"

"You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?"

"The day before yesterday she didn't get back until six. Yesterday it was after seven. Didn't she say all her college roommates were from out of town?"

"She did."

"Then where does she go…" Zhang Zhao stopped halfway, and his eyes went wide. "Your daughter isn't seeing somebody, is she?"

That stopped Tao Meihua too. It was a long while before she nodded. "It's possible."

"When she gets back this afternoon, you have a good talk with her."

"Why don't you ask her?"

"I… this sort of thing is obviously better coming from you."

Tao Meihua saw straight through her husband. She laughed. "You mean you don't dare."

Zhang Zhao said crossly, "She's only a sophomore. What does she want a boyfriend for? And I'm telling you now — if she's picked up some no-hoper, I am absolutely not agreeing to it. As pretty as my daughter is, what kind of boyfriend could she not get? I… Meihua. Meihua! Where…