Saturday's Family Meal

Jin Yu and her mother came for lunch today to visit Song Xia who had just left the hospital.Jin Yu 's mother and Shi Qi's sister was called Shi Chen.

The minute they walked in Jin Yu went to hug on Song Xia. ''Xiao Xia, I missed you so much !I wanted to come earlier but I was afraid to disturb you so I didn't come. Then my phone was stolen so I have to get a new phone.'' Jin Yue was usually a more reserved person but it seemed that she had missed very much Song Xia these past theses few months that she had lost all restraint. They had brought Song Xia a box of chocolates and sunflowers to congratulate her on her recovery.

Shi Chen smiled as she looked at her serious daughter act silly towards her friend. Jin Yu was always mature and reserved probably because she had many responsibilities at a young age and her father died young.

Shi Chen often felt at fault because Jin Yu had not experienced a father's love for long. Her husband had died when Jin Yu was only 8 years old but she could never bring herself to date or remarry. She had loved her husband in a way that he could never love another man .

They had met in her last year of college and had a whirlwind romance before he was summoned back for active duty. She had loved everything about her husband even his work as a soldier that often took him away for months at a time .But it was never easy being a soldier's wife .In the end the only thing she had left of her husband was a badge of honour and Jin Yu. Widowed at 29 years old ,single mother and holding onto memories of her husband she had decided it was better being alone.

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Shi Chen was 10 years older than Shi Qi and was only 38 years old but she looked closer to 50 than 40 years old. Shi Qi was quiet beautiful and Shi Chen as her sister should have been quite attractive herself but her hair was already greying ,skin wrinkled she was constantly exhausted and stressed .She didn't bother taking care of herself and the focus of her life became Jin Yu after her husband's death.

She worked as a junior lawyer at 'Feng Shun' a financial and real estate law firm that was well known in G city and made about 20000 yuan a month .Shi Chen and Jin Yu lived well but she also paid medical expenses for her father-in-law who lived in a full time care facility in the country side.

They lived in a small two bedroom apartment closer towards the outer edge of G City so Jin Yu had to travel a full hour by bus to school. The housing prices in central G city were much more expensive and Shi Chen was trying to save a college fund for Jin Yu.

Although Shi Chen lived on a strict budget she tried to help Shi Qi and Song Xia with any additional savings she had when Song Xia was in the hospital. Song Xia would never forget the kindness Shi Qi and Shi Chen had shown her .She poured them each a cup of tea.

''Aunt Chen, Aunt Qi ,I will never forget your kindness .I promise, I will became successful in the future and someday definitely repay you.''

The two sisters were touched by her sincerity and the determination in her tone. They felt happy that Song Xia was such a good child who really cared about them. To be honest both of them did not want any type of repayment they had helped her because they cared for her and she was family to them.

The rectangular living room table was filled with dishes that gave off a fragrant arouma .Mapo Tofu that was red with chilli,Kung Pao chicken and Sweet and sour fish were prepared by Song Xia.While Shi Chen bok chou stir fry, a cucumber salad as well as a chocolate cake for desert.

''Xiao Xia,you cook so well!'' Jin Yu praised her friend. The food was so delicious that if she ate like that everyday she would soon become fat.

Even Shi Chen and Shi Qi though the food was wonderful and couldn't help taking a few more bites even though they were full.

Jin Yu and Song Xia made plans to go shopping at the mall tomorrow as Shi Qi insisted Song Xia should get some pants that actually fit her because she only had a few pants that actually fit. Jin Yue's jeans that were in her closet looked like three quarters on her .Shi Qi even teased that her one niece was too short while the other was too tall.