Phoebe Thorne was tall and slender with delicate, pretty features. She resembled her father, Byron Thorne, but her temperament was all her mother, Raina—impetuous and always in a rush. When Tang Xiaonan and the others arrived, Phoebe was in the courtyard washing clothes despite her large, pregnant belly.
"What are you all doing here? And you brought Tang Xiaonan, too! Quick, come inside and have a seat."
Phoebe Thorne was overjoyed to see her family. Forgetting all about the laundry, she scooped up Tang Xiaonan with one arm and ushered everyone into the house.
"Auntie, I can walk myself."
Tang Xiaonan was too scared to move a muscle. Her aunt's belly was pointed and prominent; she had to be at least four or five months along. 'I'm not light,' she thought. 'What if she hurts herself holding me?'
"Look at you after the New Year, Tang Xiaonan. You've become such a big girl."
