Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Miao Miao has left. Even though we didn't have much contact before, her departure has truly changed my life, making it quite dull. When my parents asked me why I sighed every day, I told them that Miao Miao had left.
"Left? Oh, what a wonderful girl. I was just thinking, how come she suddenly brought so many things to the house? I told her we wouldn't finish them, and she just smiled as if she didn't hear me. I was about to remind you to tell Miao Miao not to bring anything next time."
My mother's words were filled with disappointment. Although my father seemed a bit melancholic too, he didn't take it to heart. After all, there is a difference between genders; women tend to be more emotional when it comes to farewells. While washing the dishes at night, my mother hesitated for a long time before finally asking me.
"Zhuang Jun, now that you're alone and Miao Miao is gone, why don't you..."
I shook my head. "No need, I'm fine on my own."
I knew my mother wanted me to find someone else. It wasn't that I had any special foresight; I had overheard her discussing this with my father over the past few days. My mother's intention was for me to find another partner, but my father didn't quite agree.
On this matter, I shared the same view as my father. Being single is better than finding someone like Wang Xu. Besides, at this moment, I really don't want to interact with any man. I can't muster the energy to date anyone, just like how I once craved red bean cakes but lost all interest after tasting a spoiled one.
Since I have no interest in red bean cakes and no desire to see them again, when Wang Xu called me asking to meet up, my mind was blank with only one thought: why should I meet?
"Please, Zhuang Jun, I just want to see you. There are some things I need to say in person. Give me a chance; it will only take a few minutes and won't take up too much of your time."
The sincere voice of Wang Xu came through the phone, sounding as if it were from another world. Ever since our fallout, I hadn't heard such a tone from him—soft and gentle like when he was first confronted about his infidelity. Now it felt different...
"I know you'll agree with me, right? I'll be waiting at that café until you come; I won't leave until then. Just come by and see an old friend, okay?"
"You are not my old friend."
"I know, I know you hate me and dislike me, but we've known each other for so long. Some things can be set aside; besides, we're divorced now. Even old classmates should have the chance to sit down and chat."
After hanging up the phone, I felt something was off. Wang Xu and I did not part on good terms; why was he acting this way?
Perhaps noticing my distracted state, Gu Xiang lazily walked past me holding a folder but then turned back. He pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses and asked me, "What's wrong?"
I hesitated before replying, "My ex-husband wants to meet up with me. I don't know why; it feels strange. I'm not sure if I should go."
"I don't want to go, so I won't. There's nothing to say since we are already divorced."
Indeed, there was nothing to say. I had completely cut ties with Wang Xu; there was no point in meeting.
However, on the agreed day, Wang Xu kept calling me, insisting that we meet. I had clearly rejected him, yet he remained persistent. After I hung up on him and refused to answer his calls, he started sending text messages, urging me to come over. He reminisced about our good times together and promised that this would be the last time he would bother me after we met.
I replied with a text asking why he was so insistent on seeing me.
"I miss you."
Receiving those four words left me unsure whether to cry or laugh. Was Wang Xu considering reconciling? I wasn't naive enough to think that way, but I couldn't help but wonder why.
The reason I agreed to meet Wang Xu was simply that I wanted to understand his intentions. More importantly, I was feeling too idle and had nothing else to do. Meeting Wang Xu would also satisfy my curiosity.
When I arrived, Wang Xu was already there. He held a coffee cup in both hands and stared out the window with a serious and solemn expression. His demeanor was quite different from the tender tone he had used when calling me earlier. Soon, he noticed me and his expression softened a bit as he walked a couple of steps toward me.
"Please sit down; there's no need to come closer."
He turned back and sat down again.
"I know you like mocha, so I ordered you a cup. If you don't like it, I can get you something else."
"No need for that; anything is fine. Just tell me what you want."
"Well, there is something I want to ask you about. I wasn't very clear before, which is why I asked you out," Wang Xu said with an odd expression that I couldn't quite describe. It seemed as if nothing had happened; he was simply asking me two questions.
But deep down, I thought it couldn't be just that simple. Considering everything that had happened between us and what he referred to as unclear matters, it was hard for me to believe he could be this calm.
"Alright, just ask what you want to know."
As soon as I finished speaking, Wang Xu's expression changed dramatically. He leaned forward suddenly, and I watched as his face came closer before abruptly stopping. He said softly, "I want to ask you: when you were lying to me and my mother, did you ever feel guilty? Did you ever think about what retribution means?"
A chill ran down my back, and cold sweat began to fall at that moment. Did Wang Xu discover something?!
Wang Xu twitched his lips, his expression cold. He chuckled softly, his demeanor extremely strange.
"I don't understand what you're saying." I forced myself to remain calm, knowing that Wang Xu was waiting for my response. I couldn't act rashly and expose myself; I needed to wait for an opportunity and test how much Wang Xu really knew.
"Depression?"
With a thunderous impact, my defenses crumbled at those three words from Wang Xu. After a ringing in my ears, I stared blankly at Wang Xu, unable to see clearly what he knew… what did he really know?
"I don't really understand this. Can one get pregnant while fighting depression? Why did my mom suddenly meet a miraculous doctor? Why did he have to kill my child instead of someone else's?"
A series of questions shattered my last glimmer of hope. It seemed that Wang Xu already knew a lot—everything concerning my design. He truly knew. The thought left me at a loss for words.
I had imagined many times how Wang Xu would react upon finding out, but now that the day had come, I didn't know how to respond. It was only when this day arrived that I realized I felt utterly helpless.
"I came here to ask you, Zhuang Jun, how is your heart made? How can you be so heartless? My mom treated you poorly before, but now she’s lying in the hospital, nearly having a stroke and becoming a vegetable. What do you think about that? I just wanted to ask you face-to-face."
...
I had speculated about Wang Xu and my mother-in-law's reactions after learning the truth, but it was all too vague compared to the clarity of the present moment. Hearing these words made my heart race; I bit my lip as Wang Xu looked at me with an expression as if he wanted to pierce through me.
"Speak!" With a low growl, Wang Xu’s face twisted in anger and hatred, as if he wanted to swallow me whole. The terror was palpable, tinged with desperation.
"What can I say?" I responded lightly, deliberately suppressing my inner tension. "Everything you know should be true; there's no need for me to confirm it."
As soon as I finished speaking, it seemed like Wang Xu had something to say. I quickly cut him off: "Alright? You should have achieved your goal by now, right? You said you came here to ask me these things; I've admitted it, so what now? Can I leave?"
The hatred in Wang Xu's eyes deepened further.
But as time stretched on, I found myself gradually becoming less afraid.
"How is it, Wang Xu? Now you know what it feels like to be angry? Do you understand what it means to be deceived and betrayed? But have you ever thought that these things happen for a reason? Why have I become like this? Why am I doing these things? Have you ever considered that?"
"If I weren't heartbroken and desperate, how could I have walked down this path and become someone I even hate?"
"It's all your fault! It's all because of you and your mother! If you hadn't ignored my feelings, what would I have done? Don't think so highly of me; I don't have the leisure to care. You were the one who ended things first, so don't come to me now demanding responsibility. At least I haven't done anything illegal; it was just one deception. What, do you want to sue me? Go ahead."
"Compared to your infidelity and your greed during the divorce to take everything, isn't everything I've done considered minor?"
Wang Xu gritted his teeth, "Very well, Zhuang Jun, you've finally revealed your true colors. How could I have known a woman with such a vicious heart like you? What else are you hiding from me!?"
"Nothing!" I really didn't want to argue with Wang Xu in public and embarrass myself, but when he tried to push all the blame onto me, I couldn't just take it: "I'm not like you; I care about other people's feelings. Don't think that by blaming my mistakes, you can hide your dirty tricks. How well do you know me? Wang Xu, let me tell you, every single moment I've spent regretting marrying you."
My heart ached sharply, desperately, as if it would never heal.
"Very well." Wang Xu laughed in anger: "Since that's how you feel, then nothing I say will disappoint you. You think you've done wrong?"
Wang Xu's strange demeanor sent a chill through me. As I watched him lower his hand as if he was about to do something, I felt a sense of alarm rising within me. Just as I was about to protect myself, when I saw Wang Xu pull out something he had prepared long ago, I finally understood his intentions.
Comment 0 Comment Count