On the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, Song Xiaodong and Li Sijie arrived at Li Sijie's family home, where Li Sijie appeared somewhat nervous, lifting her hand but not daring to knock on the door straight away.
Song Xiaodong said softly, "Don't be afraid, I'll take care of whatever comes."
Li Sijie gave a wry smile and finally tapped lightly on the door twice.
The door opened quickly, and a woman in her fifties appeared before them—it was Li Sijie's mother.
"Sijie!" Li Sijie's mother exclaimed in surprise, then immediately gripped Li Sijie's hand excitedly.
"Mom!" Li Sijie called out softly, and with her mother's tug, entered the house.
Song Xiaodong followed suit, closing the door behind him.
"Sijie, Xiaodong, you're back," Uncle Jiang Xueliang greeted them as he stood up from the sofa.
"Uncle, you've arrived so quickly," Song Xiaodong remarked.
"Is this your boyfriend?" Li Sijie's mother scrutinized Song Xiaodong.