THE dining room of the Bai mansion was warm and bright. The large table was filled with dishes prepared for the family dinner. Luo Wei Tian sat near Bai Chen. Sun Xiulan sat beside her husband, making sure everyone had enough to eat. Bai Ze and Bai Ye sat next to their mother, while Luo Ren and Luo Jin took seats across from him. Luo Yan was at the other end of the table, close to where his grandfather's empty chair usually sat.
Earlier that afternoon, after everyone had settled in, Luo Wei Tian had taken his two older sons to visit his father-in-law. They had gone up to his room together. The elder Mr. Bai had been sitting on his bed. When they entered, he had turned and looked at them. His eyes had a rare moment of clarity. He had recognized Luo Wei Tian immediately and called him by name. He had even smiled at Luo Ren and Luo Jin.
