During the war, Mama was often too busy to cook, so the task of preparing meals fell to me. The kitchen became my refuge from Ah Ma’s harangues, and I learned to appreciate being surrounded by burning coals and knives instead of people, to revere the clay pots and bronze pans that my forebears themselves had used. After years of near starving, I strove to make every meal as delicious as it could be. During my last months in Tunglam, when we had meat to eat and our farms produced fresh fruit and vegetables, I inhaled Mama’s recipes the way scholars worshipped ink. I only prayed my skills would be enough to win Baba’s favor.
Dinner was served promptly at eight-thirty. I’d prepared a feast of poached chicken, smothered tofu over cabbage with mushrooms and tiny scallion rings, and a nest of egg noodles blanketed by tomatoes and scrambled egg. Last was a pork patty with salted fish—Baba’s old favorite.
“You made all this?” said Baba as the maids laid the food out on the table. I could tell from his raised eyebrow that he was impressed.
“I did,” I replied proudly. “Mama taught me the recipes.”
At the mention of Mama, Baba looked at Sai Ma, who was coming to the table carrying two metal soup canisters.
“Sorry I’m late,” she said, touching Baba’s shoulder.
“You went to see your parents?” said Baba.
She nodded. “I’ve been worried about Syun Kit and Yut Ying’s stomachaches, so I visited their shop for healing soups. I’ll have Tingting heat them up after dinner.”
That was when Sai Ma acknowledged me. “Yut Ying, my goodness, I haven’t seen you in days! Are you feeling better?”
“Yes, Sai Ma, thank you. Please come and eat.”
She saw the feast and clapped. “My, this looks delicious. You’re a marvel for preparing all this. Go ahead, don’t be shy. Eat!”
My brother certainly wasn’t shy. He loaded his bowl with chicken while I glanced at the empty place between Sai Ma and me.
“Will Lily be joining us?”
“Not tonight.” Sai Ma picked the plumpest mushrooms for Baba’s bowl. “Tingting told me how she was rude to you this morning. It’s my fault, I’ve spoiled her.”
I was taken aback. Not once had my own mother ever apologized to me—I didn’t know how to react. “I’m sure Lily mui mui was just tired,” I began, not wanting to get her in trouble.
“Don’t make excuses for her. Lily has always been stubborn, even more so now with the new baby coming.” Sai Ma touched her belly. “I thought by sending her to boarding school she’d learn to behave herself, but... well, not all mothers are blessed with a daughter like you, Yut Ying.” Sai Ma beamed at me while chewing the noodles. “This is delicious.”
I could feel my whole face radiating with pride. Yi Gor saw it, too, and he rolled his eyes.
“When will Yut Ying start school?” he asked pointedly.
“Many of the local schools were damaged from the war and are still rebuilding,” replied Sai Ma. “Not to worry, we’ll find a suitable one soon.”
“I asked my father, not you.”
I kicked my brother’s shin under the table.What are you doing?
Throughout dinner Baba had been quiet, but now he set down his bowl with a vigorous thud. “Syun Tung, that is no way to speak to your mother. You will apologize immediately.”
My brother flushed. “I’m Syun Kit, not Syun Tung,” he said through his teeth. “Andshe’snot my mother.”
“I don’t care who you are, do as I tell you!”
“Pok Mun,” said Sai Ma, setting down her chopsticks. “Let’s not have discord at our family dinner. Your children are new here, and new to me. They’ll need time.”
She passed Baba his pipe, practically inserting it into his mouth. “At least Lily isn’t the only difficult one in the family now,” she added lightly.
“Won’t she be hungry?” I asked.
Sai Ma was amused. “You’re worried about her after how badly she treated you?”
“We’re family,” I replied.
“Family,” my stepmother echoed. “What a good girl you are. Don’t you worry about Lily, she likes reading in her room. I’ll have Tingting bring her supper later tonight.”
