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墨書 Inktalez
This is the first cold war between me and Wang Xu.
He didn’t come home for lunch as usual, and he always returned after ten at night. We exchanged a glance, and he casually dropped a word, “Working late,” then took a shower and fell asleep as soon as he hit the bed, leaving me with just his back and the sound of his breathing.
My mother-in-law hadn’t shown up either, neither at noon nor in the evening.
At noon, I sat alone in the dining room facing a table full of steaming dishes, my mind filled with the image of my mother-in-law glaring at me.
At midnight, I stared blankly at Wang Xu’s rising and falling back, carefully inching my face closer to him, feeling his body heat against my cheek. I recalled how I used to fall asleep in his arms and took a deep breath, afraid of catching an unfamiliar scent of perfume that shouldn’t be there.
Why was I feeling so bitter and wronged? It was because I couldn’t be as open as Wang Xu and my mother-in-law. This home had become something I was holding onto alone; it turned out to be such a bleak picture.
That noon, once again I was by myself. I cooked extra dishes, thinking that maybe my mother-in-law would come back...
The doorbell rang. I put down my chopsticks and walked briskly to open the door, filled with anticipation. When I opened it...
“Dad…”
My father stood at the door with bags in hand. Seeing my expression drop, he joked loudly, “What’s wrong? Seeing your dad makes you so unhappy? The daughter who got married has finally become like spilled water!”
I snapped back to reality and took the bags from my dad’s hands, quickly denying it: “No, Dad! Weren’t you busy this noon? I didn’t know you were coming.”
Dad carried a bottle of white wine straight into the dining room, slapping his forehead cheerfully: “I’m just taking a break from my busy schedule to come find my son-in-law for a couple of drinks. Where’s your son-in-law? Your mother-in-law isn’t here either?”
I placed my things in the living room and caught up with him, seeing him staring at the dining table. My heart ached, and I could only explain, “Wang Xu is working late, and my mother-in-law…”
I didn’t continue.
When I was a child, my dad worked in the criminal police team. Whenever I told a lie, he could guess it right away. It wasn’t that I wanted to hide things from him, but how could I bring myself to say such things? Back then, I swore in front of him that I would spend my life well with Wang Xu.
Now I realize that a lifetime is truly too long.
“Sit down, sit down.” My dad urged me to take a seat and skillfully grabbed an empty bowl to place in front of me. He opened a bottle of liquor and poured half into the bowl.
“This braised pork, if your mother had even half this standard, I wouldn’t have to go to the old Xu family for meals every day. My son-in-law hasn’t come back for dinner; what a pity.”
My dad was just rambling on about everyday life, but I felt like a child who had done something wrong, hanging my head and not daring to respond.
He suddenly stopped eating with his chopsticks, picked up the bowl, took two or three gulps, then set it down. After a moment, he spoke earnestly: “Zhuang Jun, you and Wang Xu are still young. You might have some quarrels; just make up when it’s time. What couple has grudges that last overnight? Your mother and I have argued for most of our lives. I complain about her; she complains about me. No matter how fierce the fights are, we’re fine the next day.”
“I’ve always liked Wang Xu as my son-in-law. He’s practical and ambitious; I have no complaints about him. Last time I mentioned retirement to him, guess what he said? He said when I retire, he’ll take your mother and me on a trip together and then bring us to live with him. Just hearing that warms my heart.”
My nose tinged with sadness. I had always known my dad was very satisfied with Wang Xu; he praised him both in front of others and behind their backs for being such a good son-in-law. The older generation believes marriage is just about stability; as long as you endure through the ups and downs, it’s enough.
“Dad, I want to…”
I’m getting a divorce.
"Dear daughter, if it really doesn't work out, just come back home for a couple of days. Don't say things in anger."
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