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墨書 Inktalez
The process of fishing is not enjoyable for me. After all, it is an activity that requires patience and perseverance, and I only find it boring. Meanwhile, a few guys are enthusiastically discussing fishing gear.
I wrapped myself in the extra jacket I brought and felt that bringing my phone was a wise decision; at least I wouldn't have to worry about being bored. Just as I took out my phone, Gu Xiang noticed and began to scold me.
"Don't you know that playing with your phone while fishing offends the Sea God? The Sea God will punish us by making sure we don't catch any fish."
I reluctantly put my phone away and muttered, "It's unfair to blame me for not catching fish in this weather."
Gu Xiang looked satisfied as I put my phone away and happily continued chatting about fishing gear. When I inadvertently looked up, I caught Lu Ming's gaze, which startled me, and I quickly averted my eyes.
Little did I know that Gu Xiang saw this action and quickly asked, "Hey Lu Ming, what did you use my phone for that night?"
My face flushed red as I glared at Gu Xiang. Although he was asking Lu Ming, somehow it involved me too. This person seems like a refined gentleman on the surface, but inside he has so many twists and turns, and his words are so sharp.
I couldn't tell if Gu Xiang considered me a friend; his behavior was quite unfamiliar to me, but Wang Nan and Lu Ming seemed unfazed.
Lu Ming leisurely replied, "The mixed-race girl I found for you last time was more troublesome than the makeup girl from the time before. I helped you out that night; no need to thank me."
Wang Nan laughed first, his eyes showing fatigue but his mouth smiling. He kindly advised, "Gu Xiang, you shouldn't always try to scheme against Lu Ming. If you don't get something out of him, you'll hurt yourself more than him."
Gu Xiang retorted defiantly, "Well, I have to make him suffer a bit too. Zhuang Jun, don't just listen to Lu Ming's side of things. I'm a normal adult man with physiological and psychological needs that need addressing. I'm not like some people who act like they've taken vows of celibacy."
I knew Gu Xiang was referring to Lu Ming. The woman I saw in Lu Ming's car last time wasn't someone he was supporting? Or perhaps Lu Ming simply hadn't told Wang Nan and Gu Xiang about her.
Just as Gu Xiang was mocking Lu Ming for being like a monk, the lively evidence against him arrived with the sound of a car engine in our ears.
When the car stopped in a nearby open space, Qin Yi got out first. She walked around to the passenger side and effortlessly picked up Lu Shuang, casually walking over to us.
Wang Nan, Gu Xiang, and I seemed equally unprepared for what was happening at that moment. We exchanged glances while observing that Lu Ming's facial expression remained unchanged, giving off an air of aloofness.
As Qin Yi approached us, she naturally stood beside me. The adorable Lu Shuang, nestled in her arms, called out to me, "Aunt Zhuang." Just as I smiled at Lu Shuang, I heard Qin Yi casually say, "The baby has been a bit temperamental lately; it seems she doesn't like being alone with me."
When Qin Yi said this, she looked at Lu Ming with admiration and a hint of affection the entire time, which seemed somewhat out of place with her own powerful aura. Perhaps from the very beginning, she had never really noticed the three of us.
"She isn't used to strangers," Lu Ming replied calmly to such an aggressive and hurtful remark, his gaze never leaving the fishing rod.
Qin Yi was not angry; she continued to hold Lu Shuang. "From now on, the three of us will meet often, so the baby won't have any negative feelings about it. Don't you think so, Zhuang Jun?"
Qin Yi tossed the topic to me, and Lu Ming's gaze also shifted toward me. Wasn't this a matter between them? Why was I being asked? If I agreed, I would offend Lu Ming; if I disagreed, I would offend Qin Yi.
At that moment, I heard Lu Ming respond first: "There's no need for that."
Qin Yi was not upset; she set Lu Shuang down. As soon as Lu Shuang's feet touched the ground, she ran over to me and sweetly took my hand. Qin Yi's gaze fell on where Lu Shuang and I were holding hands, and she smiled meaningfully.
"You see, I think it's very necessary."
What is this? Am I being used as a target? Looking at Gu Xiang and Wang Nan's sympathetic expressions, it certainly felt that way. They sympathized with me but had no intention of helping.
Such is the coldness of human nature. To protect myself, I could only pick up Shuangshuang and walk toward the recliner in the back. After setting her down, I sat and picked her up again, softly asking in her ear, "What's wrong, Shuangshuang? Are you unhappy to see your mom?"
I actually felt that Shuangshuang wasn't unhappy; she just seemed indifferent. However, one would expect some excitement upon seeing their mother.
Shuangshuang shook her head.
"I miss Dad."
I was taken aback by her words.
"Dad is always here. Don't worry, Shuangshuang; Dad just wants you to spend more time with your mom. He won't leave you." I thought that since Shuangshuang hadn't seen her mother much since she was little, she couldn't possibly not miss her. But perhaps Shuangshuang was special; did she think that Lu Ming would suddenly disappear like Qin Yi did before?
Children are prone to overthinking and lack a sense of security. I tried my best to explain to Shuangshuang that from now on she would always have her dad and very likely would also have her mom by her side.
Shuangshuang shook her little head and said, "As long as there's Dad."
After all, she was just a young child and couldn't help but rely on her father. Lu Shuang and Lu Ming's relationship was no less than that of other parents; they just didn't express it in a normal way. That's my guess, but I don't know for sure.
I sat in a chair and could see Lu Ming and Qin Yi standing together from behind. The two were at a comfortable distance apart, looking quite harmonious together. They chatted casually while Wang Nan and Gu Xiang instinctively moved to the corner. In the end, because the space was too cramped, they gave up and turned back without getting anything.
Wang Nan and Gu Xiang both looked quite dissatisfied. Gu Xiang lamented, "My fish..."
I couldn't help but feel a bit schadenfreude: "I remember someone saying that fishing is about enjoying the process. If you really want fish, there are plenty at the market, and they fill you up."
Gu Xiang was left speechless, and Wang Nan seized the opportunity to mock him a bit. Eventually, the two agreed to settle things with a basketball game—winner takes all, loser is left out. It was a simple matter, but they got more and more excited as they talked.
Watching their childish antics gave me a headache. I wondered if Wang Nan had ever shown this side to Miao Miao and how she would react.
Just as I was speculating about Miao Miao's response, a taxi suddenly appeared on the road, and coming down from it was none other than Miao Miao, whom I had been looking for earlier.
Seeing Miao Miao here filled me with excitement, but even more so for Wang Nan in front of me. He froze in place, his expression becoming stiff and unnatural.
Miao Miao walked over calmly, and Gu Xiang laughed, "Haha, Lu Ming, you lost! Miao Miao is here now; my odds were lower than yours. You lost! You finally have a moment of defeat!"
The stakes Gu Xiang had won weren't much to him, but winning against Lu Ming thrilled him immensely. When Miao Miao arrived, she naturally picked up a sandwich from the table and stuffed it into Gu Xiang's smiling mouth. She gently blew into his ear and said, "Eat slowly; don't choke. If you do, I'll call 120 for you."
Seeing Miao Miao's intimate gesture towards Gu Xiang didn't sit well with Wang Nan. He wanted to say something but opened his mouth only to find he couldn't express anything. In the end, he dejectedly lowered his eyes, probably deciding that out of sight meant out of mind.
On one side stood Qin Yi and Lu Ming radiating a strong aura together; on the other side were Gu Xiang and Miao Miao having fun. I sat on a lounge chair holding adorable Shuangshuang while Wang Nan found himself awkwardly alone. He couldn't find anywhere else to go and slowly moved closer to me. Before I could refuse him, Wang Nan said, "Zhuang Jun, I've indirectly helped you before."
Though he spoke confidently, he seemed lacking in conviction—his voice was weak and slightly aggrieved. Wang Nan was someone Miao Miao had always loved; I didn't want to stir trouble unnecessarily. I made room for Wang Nan beside me, and he happily sat down, his gaze never leaving Miao Miao.
Perhaps he held onto hope that if Miao Miao came over to talk to me, he could take advantage of that moment to get closer to her and see her more clearly.
But Miao Miao never came over, just causing a ruckus with Gu Xiang at a distance, not even glancing this way at Wang Nan. In the end, Gu Xiang couldn't stand her antics any longer, and Miao Miao decisively turned towards Lu Ming and Qin Yi.
Her bold move earned a compliment from Gu Xiang: "Mu Miaomiao really has guts."
I whispered back, "Not really."
It was because she was too timid that she chose to go to Lu Ming's side.
Miao Miao often does things that seem very daring, but in reality, it's to cover up her own insecurities and divert others' attention. Only I know that Lu Ming didn't lose; Miao Miao lost to her own desire for understanding and empathy, which is why she couldn't help but come over.
I knew it all.
In the end, the seven of us sat together: I was with Shuangshuang and Miao Miao, while Lu Ming and Qin Yi sat together, and Wang Nan and Gu Xiang were paired up. Wang Nan took some food out of the trunk and placed it in front of Miao Miao piece by piece. Upon closer inspection, everything was what Miao Miao loved to eat; Wang Nan had prepared it all in advance. The chopsticks placed in front of Miao Miao were her favorite floral design, looking not brand new, indicating they had been used before.
I stood up with the plate in front of me and cleared my throat under everyone's gaze: "It's windy here; let's change seats."
Feeling anxious, I took Little Shuang from my spot to Wang Nan's place and sat down. Afraid that Miao Miao would scold me, I kept my head down. Wang Nan's grateful gaze was constantly directed at me. In my heart, I silently thought, don't thank me; I'm not helping you; I'm helping Miao Miao.
"It seems like Zhuang Jun has a good relationship with you all; I'm really envious of you, Zhuang Jun," Qin Yi suddenly called out to me. I knew that whatever I did wouldn't be easy; see, just as I expected.
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