34. Becoming a Better Version of Myself

Watching the honest and simple young man laugh as if he were about to die, Tang Yiyi sighed sincerely, “Boss Fan is truly a good person.”

She found the kitchen and walked in. Beef was stewing on the stove, its rich aroma drifting through the air. Three people were busy inside: Boss Fan, Qin Baike, and a man over forty.

Seeing her enter, Boss Fan, picking vegetables, asked, “Finished your tour so quickly? I thought the sunroom alone would keep you occupied for half a day.”

“I was inside at first, but I met a rather elegant old lady. She told me a science fiction story where the plants all became sentient and came to life, and after that, I didn’t feel like staying anymore.”

Boss Fan and the man laughed heartily. “I know which old lady you mean. She and the old man from the provincial calligraphy association are a couple. I’ve never seen a woman so strong-willed in her love for a man.”

“How is she strong-willed?” Tang Yiyi automatically joined the vegetable-picking team.

“Let me ask you, if the man you love enjoys doing something, say learning the saxophone, how would you support him?” Boss Fan smiled as she asked.

Tang Yiyi imagined Wang Yufeng wanting to learn in her mind. “I’d buy him a saxophone, hire a teacher. Take care of the housework so he could study in peace.”

“And then?”

“Hmm… I’d encourage him, applaud him whether he played well or not.”

“Anything else?”

Tang Yiyi thought carefully and shook her head. “No, that’s it.”

“I knew it. Most normal people would stop there. But not that old lady.”

“What did she do?”

Boss Fan dropped the vegetables and mimed playing an instrument. “She learned the guzheng, so she could accompany him on the saxophone.”

“Those two instruments together?”

“I’ve never heard them together. Later, it turned out the old man’s lung capacity wasn’t enough, so he couldn’t master the sax. But the old lady kept at the guzheng until she reached a certain level. She still plays sometimes—it’s beautiful.”

“Incredible.”

“There’s more! The old man studied calligraphy, so the old lady learned traditional painting. She’s really good, especially her magnolia flowers—they’re gorgeous.”

“That’s amazing.”

“Recently, the old man said he wanted to write his autobiography. I wondered what the old lady would do to keep up.”

“She ended up writing a novel, and a science fiction one at that,” Tang Yiyi interjected.

“That’s right. Of course, she did.” Boss Fan nodded.

“But did the old lady ever want to do anything just for herself?”

“She did—she said the thing she wanted most in life was to love the old man.”

“Incredible! As the saying goes, the best love is meeting someone who helps you become a better version of yourself. I wish I could find love like that.” Tang Yiyi looked wistful.

Boss Fan smiled. “Heh, little sister, becoming your best self isn’t something love gives you—it’s something you achieve yourself.”

“That’s a wise saying, Boss Fan—worthy of a motivational poster.”

“You’re praising the wrong person. That’s your Brother Bai’s words.”

Tang Yiyi glanced at Qin Baike, who was slicing beef. His back was tall and straight, and though he didn’t turn around, his movements paused ever so slightly at their conversation.

For some reason, Tang Yiyi suddenly thought of his childhood friend, the one with “a generous heart.” Perhaps she was striving to fulfill herself, to become a better person.

After finishing with the vegetables, Tang Yiyi washed them under the tap and set them aside to drain. She noticed Boss Fan peeling garlic and reached out to help.

When the prep work was done, she clapped her hands, saying, “I can’t handle the cooking from here. I’ll go give Aunt Qin her acupuncture, and when I’m done, it’ll be time to eat.”

Boss Fan pointed to the stewpot. “Are you hungry now? The beef is ready. The elders eat bland food, not to young people’s tastes. Tonight, I’ll make barbecue.”

“Great!” Tang Yiyi made a mock drooling face. “I want chicken wings tonight.”

Boss Fan smiled. “Don’t worry, we’ve got them.”

“From now on, I won’t eat anything else. I’ll keep my stomach empty so I can feast tonight. Time to get to work!”

She dashed out, suddenly remembering her backpack and wondering where Qin Baike had put it. She hurriedly turned back to the kitchen.

Qin Baike was just coming out to look for her, and her sudden turn brought her straight into his arms. She put her hand on his chest to push herself away, “Sorry, where’s my luggage?”

Through the thin fabric, she could feel Qin Baike’s heart beating strongly beneath her fingers. She quickly withdrew her hand.

Qin Baike stepped back. “Follow me.”