The chili sauce filled two thick glass jars that once held pear preserves. Jade recognized the jars – she'd eaten the pears as a child. They were a common sight during holidays, a popular gift item that had since vanished, even from supermarkets. Seeing them now sparked a wave of nostalgia.
The jars were still hot from the sauce. Jade left them unsealed in the cupboard to cool. The rested dough she lowered into the well's cool depths, planning to shape and steam it early for Nigel to take.
Nigel hadn't spoken throughout her preparations, silently shadowing her back to the room. But he understood. It was all for him.
They settled into bed. It was past Jade's usual bedtime, and exhaustion pulled her swiftly into sleep.
Nigel, however, lay awake. He shifted restlessly several times, finally turning onto his side to face Jade. Moonlight streamed in behind him, illuminating her sleeping form. Curled on her side, the curve of her belly was less pronounced. A thin sheet covered her waist, but she seemed warm, unconsciously tugging it down.
Propping himself up on an elbow, he could see more: the soft line of her cheek in repose, the large palm-leaf fan clutched in her slender, pale right hand. Almost without thought, his hand drifted towards the rounded swell of her belly. As if sensing the touch, the little one inside gave a gentle kick.
The tiny, distinct pressure startled the usually impassive man. He froze, mesmerized. A soft murmur from Jade snapped him back. He snatched his hand away, a flicker of guilt crossing his face. As he did, he pulled the sheet back up, tucking it almost to her chin.
In her sleep, Jade frowned, pushing at the covering. Nigel held it firm, pulling it higher. This time, however, he took pity, gently extracting the fan from her grasp. He raised his arm, slowly waving the fan over her, creating a soft current of air. The coolness soothed her; the frown smoothed away, and she stopped resisting the sheet.
---
Before dawn, Nigel stirred. His movement woke Jade. She remembered the dough and the filling. While he went to wash, she headed to the kitchen, shaping the dough into buns and rolls for the steamer. Knowing meat buns wouldn't keep long, she made fewer of those, focusing on plain steamed rolls. He'd be traveling with others, so she made over twenty. One pot steamed the buns; the other simmered water for noodles. She cut the remaining dough into strips, dropping them into the boiling water with four eggs. A splash of sesame oil and chopped scallions finished it. Just before serving, she stirred in two generous spoonfuls of the chili sauce.
The noodles were ready as Nigel finished washing up. Jade ladled a heaping bowlful onto the stove counter for him. In the dim light, he watched her lift the lid of the steamer, tendrils of hair escaping to frame her face. Billowing steam softened her features, lending her an air of quiet grace. His lips pressed together in a thin line. He picked up the bowl and carried it outside to eat.
Seeing the buns were nearly done, Jade left them to steam. She grabbed her basin and toothbrush for a quick wash, anxious the noodles would turn mushy if left too long.
As she returned to the kitchen to eat, a knock echoed from the courtyard gate. Nigel, eating at the living room table, set down his bowl and went to answer. It was Chuck Zhu, ready early for their journey. Dressed in his best – a faded blue striped short-sleeve shirt and army green trousers – he shouldered a heavy duffel bag that bent him slightly.
Chuck looked surprised to see Nigel holding a bowl. He'd assumed they'd grab steamed buns at the bus station. "Ready to go, Boss?" he asked uncertainly.
Nigel glanced at him. "Soon as I finish. Come in."
Chuck followed him in, his steps slowing as he took in the transformed yard. For a moment, he thought he'd walked into the wrong house. He dropped his bag in the living room, still blinking in disbelief. His confusion deepened when Jade emerged from the kitchen. In his memory, Jade was terrified of Nigel, avoiding him whenever possible. Why was she up this early too?
Jade offered a small smile. "You must be hungry, starting so early. No more noodles, but have some buns and rolls?" She placed a plate of steamed buns and a bowl of noodle broth on the table before retreating to the kitchen with her own bowl.
Chuck stared after her, speechless. He turned to Nigel, who simply picked up a meat bun. "Eat," he stated calmly.
Swallowing his questions, Chuck sat opposite. The aroma of fresh buns made his stomach growl louder. He grabbed one. Soft and hot, it yielded easily. He took a bite, hitting the savory filling immediately. Hot juice scalded his tongue, but the flavor was too good to spit out – as good as his uncle's cooking. He sipped the broth; it was excellent too. Having known Nigel since childhood, Chuck knew this wasn't his handiwork. It had to be Jade's. Astonishment washed over him. He'd always thought Jade was a burden Nigel got saddled with. Maybe not so bad after all.
Unlike him. When he'd left, his parents were still asleep. Since Mable's family demanded such a steep bride price, his mother's enthusiasm had waned. Knowing this trip was to earn wedding money, she'd gone to bed at seven. He'd left alone. A pang of envy struck him. As kids, he'd always had food ready when he woke early. Nigel had often gone hungry. Now, it felt reversed.
Nigel finished his noodles and headed to the kitchen. Jade sat by the stove eating. He saw the steamed buns and rolls neatly wrapped in clean white cloth, secured with twine and newspaper. Beside them stood the two jars of chili sauce, lids tightly screwed on.
Nigel looked at them, then pulled a small wad of bills from his pocket, placing it on the counter beside her. "I'll call when I get there," he said. "This is for you. Use it. Don't skimp." His voice hardened, eyes turning cold. "But don't give it to your brother." His tone left no doubt. "If you do, I'll break his legs." His disgust for her past "brother-first" behavior was palpable.
Jade looked up quickly. "I won't. I'm cutting ties with them."
His expression softened fractionally. "Hmm." He paused, then added, "I'll be back in September. If you need anything, go next door. I've told them."
Jade nodded. Finally, she met his eyes earnestly. "Be careful out there. Lots of bad people. Just… keep your wits about you."
He laughed, a dismissive sound. "Don't worry about it." He picked up the food bundle and sauce jars and walked out.
Seeing his nonchalance only deepened Jade's guilt. Nigel hadn't treated her badly these past days. She pushed her half-eaten noodles aside and hurried to see them off. Nigel stowed the food and sauce in his duffel bag. He and Chuck headed out, Jade following to the gate.
Outside, Nigel glanced back. Chuck, beside him, grinned at Jade. "Don't see us off, Sis-in-Law! We'll be back before you know it!"
Jade nodded, her gaze fixed on Nigel, her expression conflicted. She couldn't resist one last plea. "Please be careful out there. Don't pick fights over small losses. If it's bad… just come home early."
To Nigel and Chuck, it looked like anxious devotion.
Nigel met her eyes, a faint curve touching his lips. "Alright. Go back inside." He turned and walked away.
Chuck followed.
Side by side, both carrying duffel bags, Nigel moved with the unconscious grace of a runway model; Chuck shuffled like a weary laborer.
Chuck waved back at Jade, then turned to Nigel. "Sis-in-Law's still watching."
Nigel's stride hitched imperceptibly. He resisted looking back. After a few steps, he muttered, seemingly annoyed, "Women are such a bother."
Chuck scratched his head, oblivious. "If only Mable were this attentive," he sighed, genuinely envious.
Ahead of him, Nigel's lips twitched upwards. By the time Chuck caught up, the faint smile was gone, replaced by his usual impassive mask.
---
After they left, Jade returned to the kitchen to finish her noodles and count the money. Three hundred yuan. With the pantry full of rice and flour, it would last her a good while.
Nigel was a man of few words, but the house felt undeniably quieter without him. Fortunately, Jade was adaptable. She soon settled into a routine: sewing baby clothes, doing gentle stretches and prenatal exercises, and cooking nourishing meals for herself.
Three days later, Aunt May called from next door. "Jade! Phone call! Nigel's on the line!"