Chapter Five: Relatives

“Miss Xin, are you feeling unwell?” Xiao Shi asked.

“I have a bit of a fever, but I’m alright now.”

“Make sure to rest, then. I won’t disturb you any longer. If you need anything, just call me—I’ll be downstairs.”

“Thank you.”

Xiao Shi replied, “No need to thank me. If you’re a relative of Brother Jiu, you’re a relative of mine too. If you need help with anything, just let me know.”

Xin Gan was taken aback. “Relative?”

“Yes, Brother Jiu said you’re a distant relative of his. His relatives are my relatives too, so there’s no need to be polite.”

Xin Gan fell silent.

After eating some porridge, Xin Gan worked up a sweat, rested for about ten minutes, took her medicine, applied a fever patch, and crawled back under the covers to sleep.

The next morning, she was awakened by the commotion downstairs. Glancing at her phone, she saw it was only a little after seven.

Once awake, she couldn’t fall back asleep. She touched her forehead—her fever had gone, but she felt sticky and uncomfortable from sweating. She wiped herself down with a damp towel, changed her clothes, and then headed downstairs.

Downstairs, the proprietress was busy welcoming a tour group, checking them in. The noise came from the group chatting and taking photos outside, laughing and talking. Xin Gan looked around but saw no sign of Cheng Jiu or Xiao Shi, so she stepped outside the inn. Looking up, she saw a clear sky—nothing like the rain Cheng Jiu had predicted for today.

She cleared her throat; it was still sore. After walking a few steps, she saw an off-road vehicle driving in. Out stepped Cheng Jiu and a woman with a sharp, spirited air.

Cheng Jiu spotted her first, walked over, and stopped in front of her. “Good morning, Xin Gan.”

The woman behind him followed, saying nothing, standing off to the side like a subordinate.

Xin Gan gave a small nod. “Do you… have things to do today?”

Cheng Jiu glanced at his watch. “I have a few things to take care of later. Will you be alright here at the inn by yourself?”

She wanted to say there was nothing to be afraid of. She wasn’t a child. She’d taken a plane alone overseas for her studies in her teens, lived with host families, and survived alone for over a decade. What could possibly frighten her now? In those early days, she’d been bullied, discriminated against, felt out of place, stumbled over the language and customs, and often cried to her family on the phone. Her parents, though pained, had been firm—she had to learn independence.

She shook her head.

“I’ll come by tonight. Xiao Shi wants to hold a fireworks party to welcome you, help you get familiar with the place.”

“That’s really not necessary.”

Cheng Jiu frowned. “It’s a local custom. When guests arrive, they throw a fireworks party.”

“All right.” Since it was custom, she had no reason to refuse.

Cheng Jiu had stopped by just to check on her. After explaining, he returned to the SUV, the woman following. Xin Gan had a feeling the woman had been sizing her up the whole time.

Inside the car, Cheng Jiu drove with a casual air. Jiang Tang sat in the passenger seat, hesitated for a moment, then asked tentatively, “That girl just now…”

Cheng Jiu said nothing, eyes on the road.

“I’m just curious. Xiao Shi said she’s a relative of yours—is she your sister?”

“Sort of.” Xin Gan was younger than him, so she could be considered a sister.

His reply was perfunctory, but Jiang Tang seemed to gain courage and continued, “Is she here to travel?”

Cheng Jiu pressed his lips together, frowning. “Mm.”

“Oh, I see. The environment here is nice. If I have time, maybe I can show her around sometime.”