Chapter 29: Filming the Documentary, Enchanted Dance Steps

“Hahaha.”

Everyone present was amused by his witty and humorous tone. The cameraman obligingly zoomed in, giving him a close-up of his face.

“Hehe.”

My cousin grinned foolishly at the camera, “Does this count as being on TV?”

“Absolutely.”

Li Yan laughed along, playing to the crowd, but didn’t tell him there would be editing later.

Whether his bit would make the final cut was another matter.

“Yay!”

My cousin grew excited, waving his arms and legs, twisting into a fantastical dance for the camera.

—

“The photo's here.”

My elder cousin swept in like a gust of wind. In no time, she returned from the north room holding an old photograph.

“Let me see…”

Li Yan reached out, snatching the photo before anyone else.

“This is my father.”

My aunt stood next to her, pointing at the family portrait of three and gazing at it nostalgically. “I was three years old then. It was New Year’s; my parents held me as we took the picture.”

“The old gentleman really was quite handsome…”

Li Yan stared wide-eyed, “But I feel like he looks much older than your mother. Maybe it’s the beard—it gives him a weathered look.”

“You’re not mistaken…”

My aunt covered her mouth, laughing softly. “He was eight years older. My mother married at sixteen, and my father was already twenty-four. Back then, the family hadn’t split, there were many brothers, so he hadn’t had his turn to marry yet.”

“So your family definitely wasn’t landowners.”

Li Yan suddenly understood, teasing, “What kind of landlord’s silly son can’t get a wife?”

Laughter swept through the courtyard.

Li Yan seized the moment to ask, “What year was this? Had your mother already come to Jinan by then?”

“She had.”

Grandmother counted on her fingers, “It must have been 1947, before the liberation. I came to Jinan at thirty, had my eldest daughter at thirty-two. The eldest is five years older than the second, and the youngest is even further apart—eleven years younger than the second sister.”

Li Yan’s eyes widened in surprise, “Why such a big gap?”

Grandmother’s gaze dimmed, “There was a pregnancy in between—a boy. I couldn’t keep him.”

“Ah.”

Li Yan was at a loss for words, letting out a sigh with her.

The atmosphere grew heavy for a moment; Lin Xiyu’s family stayed silent.

Uncle and aunt, thinking of their own childlessness after years of marriage, felt a deeper sadness.

“It’s already eleven-thirty. Time for lunch…”

The assistant director’s eyes darted about, using the cue to break the silence.

“To be honest, I’m feeling hungry.”

“What’s for lunch?”

“Where should we eat?”

“Is there anywhere nearby selling lunch boxes?”

At the mention of food, everyone grew lively again; the mood instantly revived.

“Let’s eat at home,”

Grandmother regained her composure, warmly inviting everyone. “I bought eggplants this morning. I’ll make you all eggplant noodles.”

“Great, thank you, Auntie.”

Li Yan picked up the thread smoothly. “Xiyu, do you know how to cook? Show us your skills.”

“I do.”

Lin Xiyu helped Grandmother up, agreeing with a smile.

“I can cook too, I’ll help.”

My elder cousin rolled up her sleeves, ready to show off.

“Three eggplants won’t be enough, and we’re short on meat.”

Aunt sounded uncertain, just about to ask Uncle to buy more groceries when Director Du interjected, “Xiao Sun, go buy some noodles and pick up some meat, eggs, and vegetables at the market.”

“Sure, I’ll go right now.”

The assistant director agreed cheerfully.

“We’ve got noodles at home…”

Old Lady Wang, who’d been enjoying the commotion in the courtyard, seized the moment to recommend herself. “Fresh noodles pressed at home—so much better than the dry ones from the store.”