Fearing she might run into her grandfather and aunt whispering on the road, or find her aunt at the old family house, Xu Changqing decided not to leave right away.
Her second great-uncle and his wife had just as many children and grandchildren as her own grandfather. With so many descendants, the family had long since divided its property, and the younger generations had moved out to live on their own. The old couple, however, remained in their original home.
In other words, they still lived in the main Xu family settlement. The closest house to her second uncle's was her second great-uncle's. Her third great-uncle, great-grandfather, and the others lived in the row of houses behind them.
That cluster of old family homes and her own house were on opposite ends of Baizigou. Hers was in the northeast corner, while theirs was on the west side, separated as if by the Chu River.
