The two kids were on vacation. Ai Liwen, due to the special nature of her work, had a very flexible schedule. She could claim she needed to do field research for inspiration and stay away from her office for weeks on end. At the start of the holiday, she joined Xiao Man and her brother, holing up at home. The family—spanning three generations—cheerfully enjoyed a leisurely summer life. They tended to the flower garden and the small vegetable patch they had just cleared out that spring, and came up with all sorts of delicious food to make. Even just sitting on the living room sofa chatting, the house was filled with happy chatter and laughter.
