Weng thought the most important thing was for mother and
daughter to reunite. “Take some time off,” he said.

“I’ll drive you to Ningbo and you can explain

how I am just a friend and there was a mix-up. Then Shirley can
come to Beijing and live with you.”

“But her school . . .”

“There are schools here too,” Weng said. “And night markets.”

“What about her grandparents?”

“Bring them as well . . . we can all be unemployed together.”