The rain had stopped by the time we finally left the Mo Family Mansion.
Madam Mo stood at the door, looking smaller than I remembered. Her face was pale, her eyes red-rimmed, but she held herself with a fragile dignity. Nanny Gao stood behind her, holding a large, woven basket that smelled faintly of herbs and expensive ginseng.
"Take this," Madam Mo said, pressing the basket into my hands. It was heavy. "There are tonics for your blood, Xiao Yi. You looked pale earlier. And I had Nanny Gao pack the braised pork belly and the soup. You need to eat properly."
"Thank you, Mother," I said softly. "You should rest too."
She nodded, her gaze drifting past me to where Yichen stood by the car, holding the door open for me. She walked past me and stopped in front of her son.
Yichen straightened, his expression guarded. He was expecting a lecture, or perhaps more tears.
