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Evidence of a Broken Heart
墨書 Inktalez
The story begins over a month ago at the first birthday party of a middle school classmate's son. The classmate's son was chubby and fair-skinned, smiling at everyone, and Xin Ping couldn't help but hold him for a while. While she was holding the child, her eyes caught sight of Nana's phone case across from her.
On the white phone case was a striking photo of a man. Xin Ping instantly felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave, chills running from her head to her feet. The man in the photo was her boyfriend. How could this be? Xin Ping dared not look again, fearing someone might notice her unease. Fortunately, her husband, Xiao Tang, who was sitting next to her, was engrossed in his phone and did not notice her abnormal behavior.
Xin Ping felt restless and filled with countless doubts, not daring to ask a single question. She knew that even if she did ask, Xiao Tang would not give her an answer. Moreover, she herself couldn't clarify the situation. Nana was the daughter of her middle school classmate; what kind of relationship could her boyfriend have with Nana?
Xin Ping had met Xiao Tang through an arranged marriage. After graduating from college, she went to another city for a clerical job but returned to the county town after only a few months. With some money from her parents, she opened a Children's Clothing Store. The store's business was mediocre; she barely made any money each day.
Not long after, a relative introduced her to Xiao Tang. He owned a small restaurant in the county town and was two years older than Xin Ping. They met once and left a good impression on each other, quickly getting married. At the time of their marriage, Xiao Tang was still a lean and clean-cut young man. He cooked well and offered affordable prices, leading to thriving business at his small restaurant. Xin Ping then decided to transfer ownership of the Children's Clothing Store and focus on helping manage the restaurant.
Who knows, the restaurant business is getting better and better, but Xiao Tang has changed.
He used to not smoke or drink, but later he picked up smoking and drinking, and now he won't go home until he's completely drunk every day.
Xin Ping has advised him several times, but Xiao Tang doesn't listen and even curses at her. He berates Xin Ping, saying that she only has her current good life because of him; without him, she would be nothing.
Xin Ping doesn't want to argue with him, so she swallows her grievances. She thinks that once they have a child, Xiao Tang might quit drinking for the sake of the child.
But before a child arrives, the restaurant's business starts to decline. Customers keep coming in, but the positive reviews are getting fewer and fewer.
Xin Ping has no choice but to raise money from everywhere, renovate the restaurant, and change the chef and dishes, which finally improves the business.
However, just as one problem is resolved, another arises.
Xin Ping discovers that Xiao Tang is actually involved with a female server at the restaurant. She can no longer tolerate it and has a huge fight with Xiao Tang.
Xiao Tang, however, argues back defiantly: "You're busy having kids every day and don't even manage the restaurant; how can I afford to find a woman?"
Xin Ping trembles with anger: "I have no money; do you have money to find a woman?"
Xiao Tang sneers: "If I don't have money, I can find a way to earn it; anyway, I'm not short of cash."
Xin Ping collapses onto the floor, wanting to cry but having no tears.
She doesn't understand where the lean and clean Xiao Tang from back then has gone. Why has the current Xiao Tang become so detestable?
Xin Ping really wants to just walk away. But she can't bear to do it. After all, she has been with Xiao Tang for over three years. The feelings built over these three years cannot just be discarded so easily. Moreover, she still doesn't have a child.
Xin Ping didn't know what to do.
She had thought about divorce, but where would she go afterward?
Back to her parents' house?
Her parents were both in their sixties; how could she return and make them worry again?
Stay by Xiao Tang's side?
She couldn't get over that mental hurdle.
The fact that Xiao Tang was seeing other women was like a thorn deeply embedded in Xin Ping's heart.
She couldn't pull it out, nor could she swallow it down.
Every day, watching Xiao Tang act as if nothing was wrong made her heart feel like it was being pricked by needles.
Xin Ping began to suffer from insomnia, unable to sleep night after night.
She didn't dare let Xiao Tang find out, so she would sneak out to the balcony while he was asleep, staring blankly at the dark night sky.
Sometimes, she would inexplicably burst into tears, crying and then suddenly laughing.
She thought that perhaps she had gone crazy.
Otherwise, why would she think of finding a stranger to confide her troubles and grievances to?
She added a stranger on WeChat, sent him money, and asked him to chat with her.
She told him about her worries, including Xiao Tang's infidelity, domestic violence, and his indifference and lack of support for her.
Her thoughts were scattered and illogical; more often than not, she was just venting her emotions.
The man didn’t interrupt her; he simply listened quietly.
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