"If it weren't for your mother, I would have been the one to die." Aunt Qiao believed in repaying kindness, and Jie Jingling knew how to be grateful as well.
No one wanted to dredge up the past. Jie Jingling relented. Satisfied, Aunt Qiao smiled and pulled Jie Jingling into a hug.
Jie Jingling's body went rigid. Aunt Qiao's embrace was warm, and Jie Jingling stiffly raised her arms to hug her back. She closed her eyes, greedily savoring the warmth.
"Jing Ling, this will always be your home. You can come back whenever you want, even with your family of three..."
"Aunt Qiao," Jie Jingling cut her off, opening her eyes to look at her. "Thank you."
"Silly child, we're family. There's no need to be so polite." Aunt Qiao let go of Jie Jingling and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
