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The woman of the house came out in silk pajamas. Her name was Li Qin, and she smiled at me with the ease of someone who had never had to hide. A jade bracelet circled her wrist. I knew it at once. My husband had told me he lost it on a business trip years ago. I had comforted him. "It is beautiful," I said. She looked down at it and could not hide her pride. "My husband gave it to me. He says it is a family heirloom." I picked up my water glass. The water was warm, but it did not warm me. "Shall we begin?" I said. "Time is precious." Her smile faded a little. She stood and smoothed her pajamas. "Study well with Teacher Shen, Xiaoxiao. I will make you some bird's nest soup." She went into the kitchen. I looked at the test paper and understood none of it. For two hours I taught without hearing my own voice. Xiaoxiao noticed. "Teacher, are you unwell?" "I am fine. Let us continue." When the lesson ended, Li Qin came out with a bowl of soup and blocked the door. "Teacher Shen, why are you in such a hurry?" I looked at the bracelet on her wrist and thought of the years I had spent mending my husband's coats so that our daughter could have new shoes.0

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