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墨書 Inktalez
Receiving packages four to five times a month without any indication of their origin would be suspicious. The sender's information on this package was completely blank, not even a phone number!
The likelihood of such an oversight happening is extremely low. I refuse to believe that I am just unlucky enough to encounter an unfamiliar courier.
The square box in front of me felt odd when I lifted it; I hesitated to open it immediately, sensing that whatever was inside was not simple.
After thinking for a while, I placed the box under my desk and went out. My mom asked what I had received, and I casually replied that it was just a couple of pieces of clothing. She didn’t press further.
Later that evening, after taking a shower, I returned to my desk. While applying skincare lotion to my face, I glanced at the box beneath me. It had been sitting there all night; despite my fear, I decided it was time to take a look.
Using a sharp blade, I cut through the tape sealing the box and nervously opened it. To my surprise, there was a neatly folded piece of clothing inside.
Even though it was just sitting there, panic surged within me. The familiar texture of the sweater brought back memories, making me increasingly anxious as I looked at it.
I picked it up and confirmed it was indeed a style I had bought for Wang Xu. At the time, Wang Xu had told me not to buy him clothes because he had enough. I worried that if he wore too many different outfits, his colleagues would gossip about him. I had claimed that I only bought them to meet the free shipping requirement, but the truth was they weren’t cheap—something he didn’t know.
Beneath the clothing were other items belonging to Wang Xu: a pair of pants, a razor, a toothbrush, a bottle of men’s cologne, and an odd picture frame.
The photo in the frame had been crudely cut in half; only the left side remained, showing Wang Xu grinning at the camera. The other half was empty, much like my heart felt at that moment—hollow with a gaping hole that hurt with every breath.
At the bottom of the box lay a note with elegant handwriting: "Now the items return to their rightful owner."
"Return to their rightful owner." The note crumpled in my tight grip as anger flared within me. What a statement! These items had somehow ended up with Deng Xiaomei and were now being sent back to me.
Why? Was this some sort of demonstration?
These things shouldn't have affected me anymore, but Deng Xiaomei was deliberately trying to provoke me; she wanted to achieve that goal, right?
I picked up the pants that were on the bed and found them oddly heavy. I reached into the pocket and pulled out a small bottle. The transparent glass bottle was only as thick as two fingers, filled with a strange liquid that looked so familiar.
My Heart skipped a beat. I opened the cap and poured the liquid directly onto the table. Along with the liquid came small white dots, which at first glance looked exactly like what I had seen in the juice at the restaurant that day.
White Maggot.
Recalling that moment made my stomach churn again. In anger, I smashed the glass bottle onto the floor. It was indeed her! That was a deliberate act of revenge! The White Maggot in the juice was placed there by Deng Xiaomei!
What was she trying to do now? I sensed that her intentions were more than just a show of force; could she be thinking about Wang Xu...
Feeling agitated and unable to rest, I woke up the next morning and returned to the company as per my agreement with Dong Lu. When Dong Lu saw me, he smiled happily and welcomed me back. The other colleagues were indifferent to my comings and goings, continuing with their work.
Halfway through my tasks, Wang Xu called, asking if I wanted to have lunch together. He inquired whether I would go home or if he should come over. I coldly chuckled.
"I'm working," I replied honestly, continuing to tackle the mountain of work in front of me. I wasn't sure if Dong Lu was being intentional or if it really was this urgent; I didn't dare let my mind wander in such an environment.
"Working? Why are you back at work again? It's still the New Year! You need to take care of yourself and rest; how can you not cherish yourself like this? I don't agree; no work is worth it." Wang Xu insisted firmly.
He didn't know that the biggest impact on my health came from his past with Deng Xiaomei. The person who cherished me the least was him, Wang Xu.
"Let's eat out tonight; pick a place, and I'll see you then." Not wanting to dwell on this matter any longer, I hung up the phone feeling frustrated.
I asked Dong Lu for permission to leave work at the usual time today, and he quickly agreed. I went home to change clothes, grabbed my bag, and headed out. I put everything back inside except for that bottle and its contents.
As I was leaving the house, my mom asked me why I was taking things again. I paused for a moment and replied, "Returning things to their rightful owner."
When I arrived at the agreed place, I saw Wang Xu had already arrived. I sat down across from him. He glanced at the package in my hands and asked what it was. I didn't answer immediately and listened as he continued to ask about my work. I gave him a few vague responses and then said I hoped he would respect me. Wang Xu looked very displeased.
"Respect? How is this a matter of respect? Don't go tomorrow. If Mom finds out, she'll definitely worry again. You've been home for a few days now; when are you planning to move back? Mom keeps nagging me about it, and I'm almost worn out from hearing it. You won't let me go find Dad and Mom to talk to you, so tell me, how long will you be back?"
Just as he finished speaking, I picked up the package from the chair next to me and placed it on the table, pushing it toward him.
He looked at the box in confusion and then back at me.
"What is this?"
"Why don't you take a look yourself?"
Wang Xu hesitated for a moment, then reached out and placed his hand on the box. The instant he opened it, his face turned pale and ugly. His pupils dilated in shock as he suddenly looked up at me with a terrified expression.
"What is this…"
His voice trembled, and there was panic in his demeanor. I could no longer see the person I knew in Wang Xu's eyes; all that remained was a child filled with hope.
"Oh, there's also a note left inside; you should read it first."
The answers you want are written there, so I won't say more.
Wang Xu shakily rummaged through the contents of the box. At the very bottom, he pulled out a crumpled note and stared deeply at it, not taking his eyes off it again.
The note was crumpled by me. I intended to restore it to its original state, wanting it to appear free of my anger and grievances, but I couldn't. No matter how much I pressed or smoothed it out, the creases remained.
But then I thought, given the circumstances, could I really comfort myself by pretending this hadn't happened? Was that realistic? Even if there were wrinkles, they represented a past that had occurred and couldn't be undone.
I used to be so foolish, pitifully so.
"Wang Xu, you saw it too. They sent it to my house just to tell me that things should return to their rightful owner. Regarding the matters we discussed about the house, you have avoided giving me a clear answer every time. If it weren't for the child, I might have waited two years to divorce you. But now I've decided to reconcile with you. Look at this; it seems there's a huge gap between imagination and reality. Shouldn't our relationship change?"
Wang Xu's eyes were red-rimmed.
"Wife..."
As if I hadn't heard his soft call, I continued, "You see the situation now; they're showing off to me. The money you spent on Deng Xiaomei's house—let's not even talk about half; at least a portion belongs to me. If you don't get that house back within ten days, I'll wait. I'll wait for two years of separation before suing for divorce. As for the child, don't bother keeping them; having them around is a burden that bothers me."
I spoke with such emotion that my words hurt Wang Xu, but they hurt me too. If I were truly pregnant right now, if that day ever came, I would keep the child. This was something I had longed for; once I had it, I would raise them alone.
"I had planned on that, but the child is yours as well as mine. It depends on the situation. If I can earn enough to support myself, then I can take care of my child too. After all, you're the one controlling the finances; I can't get a dime. I'm not like Deng Xiaomei who has her own place to live. If I don't work harder, I'll starve."
"I... I really didn't know she would do this. I truly didn't know. Please believe me, wife." Wang Xu wiped his tears away with his hand, looking pitifully at me.
"That's not something I can control anymore. Ten days—within ten days, no matter what method you use, I want to see the property deed. I want to see Deng Xiaomei rolling out from downstairs; otherwise, what I've said will come true. You choose; don't bring up anything else—I’m not in the mood to listen."
I coldly watched Wang Xu as he hung his head and wiped his tears. He wasn't like before when he kept apologizing and admitting his mistakes; instead, he quietly cried while passersby cast strange glances our way.
So yes, sometimes those who cry aren't necessarily the ones who are hurt.
Wang Xu really cried for a long time, silently shedding tears for almost half an hour. I didn't interrupt him, feeling like an outsider. After all, the people responsible for this situation were Wang Xu, myself, Deng Xiaomei, and his mother.
We all contributed to the current state of affairs; it wasn't just one of us. Therefore, the sorrow and tears shouldn't belong to just me. Right now, it's Wang Xu, but there will also be his mother and Deng Xiaomei.
I made a promise to myself.
"Wife," Wang Xu said after he stopped crying, still not looking up. He called out to me in a muffled voice, "One month, okay? After one month, I will definitely get it back. Just this once, just this time."
Wang Xu once said that he loved me, that in this life, he would only love me forever and ever.
At that time, I foolishly believed him. Now I'm tired; I can no longer muster any faith in Wang Xu's promises. But since he has said it, aside from Wang Xu himself, I can't think of a way to reclaim the house under Deng Xiaomei's name.
I was forced to "believe" him again, to trust his vows and hope that he still had some conscience left.
"Fine, one month. This is the last time. During this period, stay far away and don't show up in front of me. Just consider these three years I've been married to you for the sake of the Wang family. Do me a favor and don't make me feel disgusted again during this month."
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