Chi Shuo’s parents divorced when she was in junior high. About nine years had passed, and during that time, they hadn’t had any contact. Now, her father had suddenly reappeared, and Chi Shuo only regretted not having moved. Otherwise, he likely wouldn’t have found them.
And the father who returned wasn’t as carefree as when he left. He looked like he wasn’t doing well, and Chi Shuo went straight home.
She took the afternoon off to deal with it.
Her father looked a bit disheveled, his hair not styled as meticulously as usual. Chi Shuo saw a certain cloudiness in his eyes. Her mother wasn’t in the living room but in the bedroom. Chi Shuo poured a glass of water, not addressing him directly. “What’s up?”
“Xiaoshuo…” Her father’s voice was hoarse, carrying the weight of years.
Nine years ago, when he left and said “goodbye,” it wasn’t like this. Too much time had passed, and Chi Shuo couldn’t remember clearly, but in her memory, her father had always projected confidence. He’d never been like this.
He had the capital for confidence. Even in his thirties and forties, he was still handsome, captivating people of all ages.
But now, this man seemed to have undergone a personality-altering magic trick, completely transformed. He asked, “How have you been all these years?”
“What do you think?” Chi Shuo still didn’t address him with any term of endearment, nor did she use polite language. Her expression was indifferent, her tone flat. “I’m just regretting now that I didn’t insist on having my mom buy that place and move us to a new one.”
She saw her father’s expression stiffen. Chi Shuo didn’t find it interesting anymore. She felt like she was treating him with the same attitude she’d used with that blind date, the one whose last name she couldn’t even recall. “Go back, don’t come here again.” Her voice paused, and a slight curve touched her lips. “This house welcomes anyone but a perpetually cheating, irresponsible scumbag.”
Her father’s face was now incredibly grim, but unlike before, he didn’t show Chi Shuo any impatience. Instead, he lowered his head. “All these years, I was wrong…”
His hands rested on his knees, nervously gripping the fabric.
Chi Shuo made a “stop” gesture. “Enough, don’t you think it’s a bit late for this now? Let me guess, did some rich woman dump you, and now you realize you’re useless, so you came crawling back? Only now do you remember your wife and daughter? Aren’t you ashamed?”
Chi Shuo was truly angry, but it wasn’t because she still cared about this father. It was purely out of sympathy for her mother.
The knuckles gripping his knees had turned white. Chi Shuo noticed the pair of hands he once took pride in, now calloused.
Chi Shuo sighed inwardly, feeling nothing else.
Not only was she decisive in love, but also in matters of family. It wasn’t entirely true though; she had agonized over her relationship with her mother for a long time. But just as she had said to He Lindi, family wasn’t something you could easily discard. Her father had abandoned her and her mother years ago. If she abandoned her mother now, it would be incredibly cruel.
Her father didn’t say anything more, just stood up and left, his steps heavy, his expression pained.
Chi Shuo didn’t care. After confirming he had left, she walked to her mother’s bedroom door.
She pursed her lips, unsure how to begin. After hesitating for a moment, she knocked. “Mom,” she said, “He’s gone.”
Her mother didn’t immediately open the door. Chi Shuo heard her reply, “I know.”
Chi Shuo lowered her eyelashes, looking at the doorknob. “Mom, should we…”
Her mother didn’t let her finish. From inside, she said, “Okay.” She sounded tired. “Sell the house.”
Chi Shuo realized the likely reason they hadn’t moved all these years was that her mother had been waiting for her father to return.
Now he had, and now her mother had finally given up. A bitter taste filled Chi Shuo’s mouth.
Her mother had aged well. As long as she wasn’t being harsh and unreasonable, she looked very gentle and kind. Plus, she was a great cook. Over the years, many men had pursued her, but Chi Shuo hadn’t asked if her mother liked any of them. There was no need to ask; she’d seen them all get rejected repeatedly.
Chi Shuo stood outside for a while longer before saying, “Then I’m leaving,” and departing.
There was no reason to stay. The comfort her mother offered was simply that she had returned.
Having already taken half a day off, there was no need to return to the company. She went back to her own apartment and started deep cleaning.
Regarding family, Chi Shuo’s heart had been weary for years, and it was now at its peak.
The words she spoke were truly harsh, but she’d never thought she’d say them. She would rather her father had never returned.
Chi Shuo sighed as she mopped the floor. Just as she was finishing wiping the coffee table, He Lindi called, saying she was almost there.
“Isn’t it tomorrow?” It was still Wednesday.
“I’m skipping that thank-you dinner. I said I needed to come back and be with my girlfriend.” He Lindi had learned what happened to Chi Shuo through WeChat. “So I can come back earlier.”
Chi Shuo smiled. “I’ll come pick you up.”
“No need, just wait for me at home.”
Chi Shuo didn’t insist. “Okay.”
Sure enough, twenty minutes later, He Lindi arrived at the complex gate, and a few minutes after that, she opened the door.
Chi Shuo leaned against the entryway, waiting. She heard the suitcase stop rolling, the doorknob turn.
“For a moment there, I felt like a wife waiting for her husband to come home.” Chi Shuo took the suitcase and walked inside.
He Lindi was changing her shoes behind her. “Aren’t you?”
Chi Shuo stopped, placed the suitcase beside the sofa, turned, and asked, “Am I?”
He Lindi shrugged, her face filled with a smile. “Why aren’t you more excited to see me? You were so happy when you picked me up before!”
Her tone grew increasingly petulant.
Chi Shuo’s lips curved upwards. “What’s there to be excited about? We’re going to fight, don’t try to butter me up.”
“…”
Despite her words, a few seconds later, they embraced tightly, falling onto the sofa. He Lindi’s breathing grew erratic. She cupped Chi Shuo’s face and kissed her, Chi Shuo responding passionately.
After an indeterminate amount of time, they drank some water, still leaning against each other but without further action.
Because of her father’s visit, Chi Shuo’s mood hadn’t been great. Even He Lindi’s return hadn’t completely lifted her spirits.
He Lindi sighed. “I have something else to tell you.”
“What is it?” Chi Shuo turned to look at her.
“I have to go home this weekend.”
Chi Shuo let out a small “Ah,” her lips pressing together. “Because of us?”
“I don’t know. My dad didn’t say.”
He Lindi smiled after answering. “Don’t worry, I can handle it.”
Chi Shuo frowned. “He Lindi, are you shielding me from… pressure from your family?”
He Lindi waved her hand dismissively. “No, how could that be? My dad dotes on me.”
Her words were laced with a smile, but Chi Shuo caught a hint of unease in her expression.
Chi Shuo’s brow furrowed. “Why aren’t you telling me?”
He Lindi stopped denying it. “There’s no need.” She said, “You’re already tired enough.”
Chi Shuo’s expression didn’t change. “And you aren’t tired?”
“I don’t get tired when I’m with you.”
Chi Shuo’s lips, moistened from their kiss, now pressed together tightly. Her brow furrowed, and she spoke seriously, “I don’t like this. I was wondering why, after a week, two weeks, three weeks, there was no reaction from your family. I should have known.”
Chi Shuo swore she was being rational; she wasn’t angry or upset, just stating the facts.
She didn’t want He Lindi to shoulder everything alone. She wanted to face everything together.
He Lindi’s expression mirrored hers. “I told you, I can handle it, why are you still worried? I’ve liked you for so long; I won’t easily let you go. There’s no need for you to be like this.”
“Like what?” Chi Shuo asked.
“Don’t you feel pressured being with me? All those things you have to do. I’m just trying to consider your feelings.”
“Yes, my family has been constantly messaging me to come home since the day we met. I haven’t gone back, and I’ve been with you the whole time.”
Perhaps this was the so-called self-fulfilling prophecy. Initially, their talk of “fighting” was playful banter, but now it seemed to be actually happening.
Or perhaps it had already begun.
“I… I’ve been trying to figure things out with my grandfather, trying not to let you and I have to separate so soon, but what can I do? I have to go back now.”
“I…”
Chi Shuo stared intently at her, interrupting her. “Then why didn’t you tell me before? Just like the agreement you signed with your family, you never considered how I would feel if I found out, did you?” She felt tears welling up. “Love is between two people, not just you. You’ve done so much on your own, never asking for my opinion. Why? I’m your girlfriend! Why won’t you tell me?”
He Lindi didn’t reply. Chi Shuo lowered her head slightly. “Have you considered that what you think is being considerate of me is actually hurting me? I have the right to know the truth. I can face things with you, but you insist on shielding me.”
“But…”
“I’ve always wanted to face things with you!”
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