Chapter Fifty: A Cut Above the Rest

Yue Leiting had been up since early morning, changing clothes several times, pacing back and forth in front of the mirror without pause. His expression was anxious, as if facing a formidable enemy.

As I stepped out of my room, I happened to see Yue Qianling helping him tidy up. It was rare to see Yue Leiting so concerned about his appearance; even his usually casually combed hair was perfectly neat today.

"You and Lianshan should put on these two outfits," Yue Qianling said, not turning her head.

Only then did I notice two brand-new sets of clothing laid out on the sofa.

"Brother Ting, what are we doing today, dressing so formally?" I asked, holding the clothes, feeling confused.

"Today I'm taking you to meet an important person," Yue Leiting replied absently, hurrying off.

I changed into the clothes and found they fit perfectly. Yue Qianling nodded with satisfaction from the sofa, came over, and straightened my collar.

"Today is my mother's birthday—be sure to keep your spirits up."

"Your mother? You have a mother?" I realized how ridiculous my question sounded the moment the words left my mouth.

"I'm not born from a stone, of course I have a mother," Yue Qianling replied with a hint of annoyance.

She had never mentioned anything about her mother, so I had never thought about it. Now, the sudden appearance of this person made me wonder why Yue Leiting never had a wife. I was at a loss for a moment.

"Qianling, why doesn't your mother live with you and Brother Ting?" Xiao Lianshan came down from upstairs just in time to overhear.

"Hehe, my father is afraid of my mother, and my mother can't stand him. Whenever they meet, they quarrel. In a fit of anger, my mother moved out," Yue Qianling replied easily, as if it was nothing to worry about.

The fact that Yue Leiting was afraid of someone surprised me, but seeing him hesitate at the door, unsure whether to knock, I began to believe Yue Qianling. The resolute, decisive man I knew now stood before the small door ring, sweat beading on his forehead.

The house was exquisite and antique, with a southern charm. The sign above the door bore two elegant characters: "Yi Yuan."

The door was opened by a graceful woman, delicate yet strong, her presence poetic and gentle. She was the epitome of a southern beauty: arched brows, soft eyes, graceful bearing, moving with serene composure.

"Mother, happy birthday!" Yue Qianling hugged the woman, playfully acting spoiled.

"You've grown into a young lady, yet still aren't proper. Aren't you afraid people will laugh at you?" The woman smiled kindly, patting Yue Qianling's hand.

"This is my mother, Lanqing. You should call her Aunt Lan," Yue Qianling said, pointing to me and Xiao Lianshan. "Mother, these are my friends. I brought them to celebrate your birthday."

"Aunt Lan, happy birthday. We only learned of it this morning from Qianling, so we didn't get a chance to prepare a gift," I said apologetically.

"No need for such trouble. I never remember birthdays—it's this girl who keeps track. Your presence is thoughtful enough. Come in and sit."

Inside the courtyard, Yi Yuan was arranged with natural elegance. Its main feature was water—broad pools, understated scenery, natural and open. The pond was central, surrounded by pavilions and terraces, connected by latticed windows and winding corridors. Rocks, ancient trees, bamboo, and flowers formed a tranquil, distant landscape, embodying the style of Ming dynasty gardens.

"My mother is from Suzhou and loves peace and quiet. Father bought her this land and built it in the southern style," Yue Qianling whispered to me.

Only now did I notice Yue Leiting, since Lanqing opened the door, had been silent, head bowed, looking like a child who’d done wrong. He was awkward and at a loss.

"Brother Ting seems awfully afraid of Aunt Lan," Xiao Lianshan whispered to Yue Qianling.

"You know what my father does. My mother said when he retires, she’ll move back. Since he won’t agree, they made a pact: every year on her birthday, he comes and they roll dice. If he wins, she’ll return home with him."

"Rolling dice?!" Xiao Lianshan nearly laughed, finding it hard to imagine someone as formidable as Yue Leiting doing something so comical. "How long has Aunt Lan lived here?"

"Since I was three," Yue Qianling replied.

"You were three?!" I looked at Yue Leiting in surprise. "Brother Ting, it’s been over twenty years. Even if you gamble once a year, surely you’d have won at least once?"

"It’s uncanny. Every time, her roll beats mine by just a bit. I even brought loaded dice a few times, thinking victory was certain," Yue Leiting said, shaking his head, unwilling to accept it. "Damn it, it’s infuriating—I can’t even cheat to win."

At the entrance, I saw beside the path a small artificial pond, with a rockery and several stone boats floating in the water. To the right were three willow trees, two in front and one behind, with a large blue stone between them. An earthen bridge crossed the water, dividing its flow, and at each end there were four magpies.

I frowned, smiled meaningfully, and took another look at the courtyard’s arrangement.

Once everyone crossed the wooden bridge, I pulled Yue Leiting aside and asked, smiling, "Brother Ting, I know you smoke. Give me four cigarettes."

Yue Leiting knew I didn’t smoke, but took out a pack and lit four cigarettes. I placed the lit cigarettes in the mouths of the four magpies at each end of the bridge, then told him to remove his shoes and walk through the water rather than across the bridge, making sure his feet touched the water.

Lanqing saw all this from behind. She raised her head and smiled faintly at me.

When Yue Leiting reached the door, he asked, bewildered, "What’s all this for?"

"Heh, without these rituals, you’ll never beat Aunt Lan," I replied with a smile.

People from Jiangsu love green tea, and as soon as I entered, I smelled its delicate aroma. Lanqing’s tea art was as refined and gentle as her person.

Yue Leiting sat beside me, a dice cup placed on the table before him.

"Do you want to go first, or shall I?" Lanqing asked calmly, holding her teacup.

"You went first last year, so it’s your turn this year," Yue Leiting replied, lacking confidence.

Lanqing picked up the three dice from the cup and gently tossed them onto the table. Yue Leiting watched intently, nerves taut.

Three ones!

All three dice showed a single dot. Yue Leiting jumped up, elated as a child.

"Three! Haha, finally some luck. You’ve beaten me for over twenty years—now it’s my turn."

Lanqing had rolled the lowest possible score; even if Yue Leiting rolled blindly, he’d beat her.

Lanqing suddenly lowered her gaze, noticing two willow leaves stuck to Yue Leiting’s bare feet, then looked up at me.

"I didn’t expect someone so young to be so skilled."

"Aunt Lan, you’re the elder; I wouldn’t dare call myself skilled. I promised to help Brother Ting for three years. Since he’s lost for over twenty, it’s only right he wins once," I replied courteously.

"Mother, what are you two talking about?" Yue Qianling actually hoped Yue Leiting would win, so Lanqing could come home, since she hadn’t experienced a family reunion since she was three.

"Heh, don’t think you’re the only one with tricks. My friend here is just as cunning. I brought him to help me win," Yue Leiting said, triumphant.

Lanqing tucked her hair behind her ear, revealing a delicate, oval face, the hallmark beauty of southern women. She must have been a stunning beauty in her youth; looking at Yue Qianling, it was easy to see. Yet Lanqing’s gentle grace, lingering like misty rain, had not been inherited by her daughter, who was brash and bold, cut from the same mold as Yue Leiting.

The beauty mark on Lanqing’s lips made her even more alluring, but when I saw it, I stood dumbstruck, unable to speak.

Yue Leiting took up the dice cup, shook it proudly, and placed it on the table, grinning.

"No need to open it—whatever the result, it’s bigger than yours. You should come home with me."

I hurriedly said, "Brother Ting, such a moment deserves a cigarette first."

"You’re making me smoke a lot today," Yue Leiting said, confused, but obedient, fearing a last-minute twist. He took out a cigarette and lit it.

I absentmindedly flicked my lighter toward the rockery outside. Lanqing noticed everything, and smiled faintly, surprised.

Yue Leiting saw me nod at him and, full of confidence, opened the dice cup.

"Ah?!"

Inside, the dice showed only two points!

One die was stacked atop another.

Yue Leiting was lost, bewildered: their agreement was to count the points, but now two dice were overlapping.

"What…what now?"

"What do you mean what now? I rolled three, you rolled two—what do you think?" Lanqing replied serenely.

Yue Leiting looked at me, frantic.

"But…how did this happen? Didn’t you say I’d definitely win?"

"Aunt Lan is the true master. I admit defeat, Brother Ting. Fate is fate—I can’t help you anymore," I said, smiling.