She bustled back and forth with bowls and chopsticks, and when she noticed someone trying to pull her into a conversation, she immediately changed the subject with a cheerful laugh.
"Oh, Aunt Zhang, your grandson did well on his exams this time, didn't he? I hear he'll be able to get into a key middle school next year? Come, come, have a drink! We have to congratulate you in advance!"
Her words both flattered the woman and diverted the attention.
Shanshan and Ling Zhiwei were at a large table surrounded by a group of kids.
The dozen or so kids were chattering and clamoring, their noise enough to make one's head throb.
Only Cao Jiajia was huddled by herself on a small stool in the furthest corner of the dining room, clutching a worn-out teddy bear.
From time to time, she would raise her eyes to look at the group of laughing children, her lips curling slightly.
