Chapter Ninety-One: Mother

The clay pot of pork rib soup simmering on the gas stove gave off an enticing fragrance. A pair of fair, slightly swollen, delicate hands was casually shelling green soybeans. A few bowls and plates were arranged in perfect order, and the tiled floor was spotless, without a speck of dust. In the simple, bright little kitchen, an air of peace and homely warmth filled every corner.

When the phone rang, Su Fang looked toward the living room and said to Little Bamboo, who was wiping the table, “Little Bamboo, could you answer that for me?”

Little Bamboo put down the cloth, picked up the pearl-white Nokia phone from the small tea table, and seeing that the first four digits on the screen looked somewhat familiar, pressed the answer key in puzzlement and brought it to her ear. “Hello!”

“Hello! Is this Su Fang?” came a warm, kindly female voice from the phone.

Little Bamboo hesitated for a moment. “I’m her friend. May I ask who you are? Is there something you need to tell Su Fang?”

“My name is Nie Fengping. I’m Su Fang’s teacher. I need to speak with her about something,” Kang’s mother explained in a gentle tone.

After hearing this, Little Bamboo was puzzled for a moment, then suddenly jumped. She covered the phone and hurried to Su Fang’s side, whispering, “Good heavens! It’s our old principal. How did she get your number?”

Su Fang was startled as well. Wiping her hands, she took the phone from Little Bamboo and, while lightly pounding her aching lower back and supporting her swollen belly, slowly walked toward the living room. “Hello, I’m Su Fang.”

“How are you, child? Do you still remember Teacher Nie?” Kang’s mother’s voice was unusually affectionate.

Su Fang’s heart was pounding. “I remember, I remember! Principal, how are you? How did you get my number?”

“Heh-heh, child, your father is here at my house right now, drinking with your Uncle Kang! He’s sold you to me to be my daughter! Heh-heh!” Kang’s mother’s laughter rang out bright and delighted through the phone.

Su Fang slowly sat down, clutching the phone and staring blankly at the sofa, not knowing how to answer. She had never imagined that her father would visit Kang Ning’s parents’ home, and she was deeply worried that perhaps after learning of her pregnancy he had come looking for the Kangs.

Just as Su Fang was on tenterhooks, Kang’s mother’s warm voice came again. “Child, your father told me you’re still studying in Guangzhou. You must take care of your health. Don’t think you’re young and neglect yourself.”

Su Fang asked timidly, “Mm... thank you, Principal. May I ask... how did my father end up at your home?”

“Heh-heh, it’s like this. Your father came to Laning to find you, but after hearing from your coworkers that you’d gone to Guangzhou to study and couldn’t be reached, he thought he’d come and talk with your Uncle Kang and exchange some experiences. We all got along very well. In my happiness, I suggested to your father that I take you in as my goddaughter, and he agreed at once. Your Uncle Kang was overjoyed too, and said that when you come back from studying, you should move in with the family and not rent a place outside anymore. It isn’t safe! Now I want to ask your opinion: would you be willing to be my goddaughter?” Kang’s mother’s voice was full of affection and expectation.

Su Fang gently wiped away the tears welling in her eyes and answered in a trembling voice, “I... I’m so happy. I would like that, Principal!”

“You can’t call me principal anymore. From now on, you should call me Mother! Heh-heh, child, you have no idea how happy I am to hear your answer! Remember, this is the home phone. As soon as you come back, come straight over. I’ll have the car go with you to move your things. I can’t let my daughter live alone out there anymore. Be obedient! Heh-heh... Child, wait a moment. Your father wants to speak to you.”

Old Su’s voice came through, pleased and concerned. “Xiao Fang, are you tired over there?”

Su Fang held back her tears. “Dad, I’m not tired. Are you... are you all right?”

“Haha, I’m fine. I’m having a drink with your Uncle Kang right now. Haha, Xiao Fang, I agree with Uncle Kang and Aunt Kang taking you as their goddaughter, and I’m happy too! You’ve always complained that I never found you a mother, haven’t you? Well, now you have one, and she’s even your former teacher! Haha, I won’t say more. Come on, say a few more words to your godmother.”

Kang’s mother happily took the receiver from Old Su, brought it to her ear, and began chatting warmly. “Child, today is International Women’s Day. I wonder if you also have a half-day off over there while you’re studying? And tell me, around what date will you be back?”

Su Fang answered in confusion, “Probably at the end of the month. I’m off today too, resting in the dormitory.”

“You must take care of yourself. This season is when colds and fevers are most likely. It isn’t easy for a girl to be out on her own, so you must always pay attention to your safety and your health. Don’t just put your godmother’s words behind you. Do you hear me?”

“Mm!” Su Fang answered, then clapped a hand tightly over her mouth and wept.

“Come on, call me Mother and let me hear it... Oh dear! Silly child, what are you crying for? Don’t cry. When you come back from your trip, call your godmother right away. Be good now! Heh-heh, I remember you always had a nose for crying, and you haven’t changed a bit all these years. You must be overjoyed, heh-heh. Then I won’t say any more. Child, you must be careful with your health. All right, I’m hanging up now... Such a child, with such a kind heart...” Kang’s mother’s final sigh as she set down the phone also reached Su Fang’s ears clearly.

After putting down the phone, Su Fang could no longer bear the gratitude and sorrow surging in her heart. She collapsed onto the sofa and burst into tears. Little Bamboo, who had been secretly listening with her ear pressed close the whole time, hurried to turn off the gas stove, then fetched a towel from the bathroom and stuffed it into Su Fang’s hands, silently watching her wipe away her tears and feeling helpless.

Only after a long while did Su Fang stop crying. “I’m sorry, Little Bamboo. I’ve caused you so much trouble.”

Little Bamboo sighed. “Don’t say that, all right? Who told us we’re sisters? By the way, how does your father know Professor Kang’s family?”

Su Fang wiped her tears, folded the towel neatly, set it aside, and gently rubbed her belly before looking up to answer. “I’m not really sure either. I suppose it’s all because we’re both doctors.”

Little Bamboo said with feeling, “I truly envy you! To be recognized as a goddaughter by such a wonderful person as the old principal—what incredible good fortune that is. We never once saw the old principal scold anyone. Every time we saw her, she had that same kind and gentle smile. It’s a pity that by the time we graduated, she had already retired, or else her smile would have been preserved in our graduation photo!”

Su Fang felt the same way. Although she and Kang’s mother had only spoken once, when she had joined the organization, the principal’s smiling face and her deep care and affection for students still remained vivid in Su Fang’s mind. That conversation had made Su Fang feel a kind of motherly warmth and concern she had never known before, like a gentle current flowing steadily through her chest and abdomen.

But how could Su Fang, in her present condition, face the elders? How was she to explain her relationship with Kang Ning, especially the child in her belly? And after hearing the explanation, would the old people believe it, and could they accept it? These were questions she had no choice but to confront.

At this moment, how Su Fang longed for a mother! Kang’s mother’s appearance had allowed her to experience a mother’s love and warmth, but facing that kind, sincere elder, it was terribly, terribly difficult for Su Fang to say the word “Mother.”