Fang Wencheng fell silent, not speaking further, acting as if he had never mentioned the matter.
Xie Ruhe carelessly turned his head and lowered the window. The cold wind instantly flooded into the car, carrying thick moisture. He stared fixedly outside, somewhat lost in thought.
After a long while, Xie Ruhe finally spoke, his voice light and airy, carrying a slight smile.
“When he dies, I’ll go see him.”
…
In his memories, Xie Ruhe wasn’t beaten by his father Xie Ji very often.
Others spread rumors that the Xie family had a habitually drunk man who lost his humanity when intoxicated, only knowing how to beat his wife and child—a scumbag. From that small house at the end, there was always the sound of a drunken man cursing, things crashing to the floor, and a woman’s restrained crying.
Xie Ruhe thought they were all correct, except for the part about “beating his wife and child.”
Before his second year of middle school, he had never been beaten by Xie Ji.
Only when Xie Ji wasn’t home could there possibly be a moment of peace?
Otherwise, the atmosphere was always oppressive and suffocating, like a prison that made it hard to breathe. His father was as degenerate as a piece of rotten mud, while his mother’s face always carried a gentle smile, yet she cried in private.
Growing up in such an environment, Xie Ruhe’s temperament became gloomy and quiet. Except for Ji Xiangning, he didn’t care about anything, nor did he think he would have any kind of future.
He believed he could never escape this hell.
Xie Ruhe first discovered Xie Ji hitting Ji Xiangning on the day he first met Shu Nian and returned home with her umbrella.
Through a neighbor’s introduction, he skipped class to deliver goods for Li Hong. After working half the day without any results, he only met a puzzling girl. She was petite with a doll-like face that looked easy to bully, yet she acted like she could save the world.
Walking out of the residential area, there was only one street lamp on the quiet path. The way was dark and silent, with no one else around. He walked to the end and saw a house with faint light coming through the windows.
Xie Ruhe looked at that house, rummaging through his pockets as he walked, but only found a piece of candy.
Only then did he remember he hadn’t brought his key when he left.
Xie Ruhe put the candy back in his pocket, walked to the door, and knocked gently three times.
Immediately came the sound of footsteps from inside, light and hurried.
The door opened.
Ji Xiangning stood at the entrance, holding a dry towel, the area around her eyes red. Her hair was somewhat disheveled, her body completely covered by long clothes and pants.
“Ah He is back,” she said hoarsely.
Xie Ruhe nodded, placed the umbrella on the top shelf of the shoe rack, and silently removed his shoes.
Ji Xiangning handed him the towel, her voice raspier than usual with a hint of difficulty: “Go take a bath first, Mom has something to tell you later.”
Hearing her tone, Xie Ruhe’s eyelids twitched.
The house was very quiet, except for Xie Ji’s snoring coming from the master bedroom. The warm yellow light failed to make this old and cramped house feel even slightly warm.
Xie Ruhe looked at her, appearing thoughtful.
A few seconds later, he took out the mango soft candy from his pocket, wiped it with his clothes, and placed it in her hand. Looking into Ji Xiangning’s eyes, he finally spoke.
His voice was low and hoarse, yet carried the natural richness of youth, sounding quite pleasant.
“Have a candy.”
When Xie Ruhe came out of the bathroom, Ji Xiangning was sitting on the living room sofa doing handcraft.
Her head was lowered, her hair disheveled, and in the dim light, one could seemingly see traces of white hair. She wore tattered old clothes and compared to previous years, looked as if she had aged more than a decade.
A freshly heated meal was on the table. Xie Ruhe walked over and sat beside her. Just as he was about to pick up the chopsticks, his gaze froze, and he looked blankly at Ji Xiangning’s neck.
Earlier at the entrance, Ji Xiangning had been backlit, and Xie Ruhe hadn’t noticed. Now sitting close beside her, though the light was dim, he could see clearly—
There were red marks on Ji Xiangning’s neck from someone choking her.
Xie Ruhe stared fixedly at her neck and softly asked, “What happened to your neck?”
Hearing this, Ji Xiangning instinctively covered her neck with her hand and said with difficulty, “It’s nothing, eat quickly before the food gets cold.”
Xie Ruhe lowered his head, his pitch-black eyes reflecting the flickering candlelight: “Did my dad choke you?”
Ji Xiangning forced a smile: “Your father was just drunk…”
“When is he not drunk?”
“…” Ji Xiangning shook her head, explaining to Xie Ji, “He just had some misunderstandings with me. Once explained, it was fine. It won’t happen a second time.”
Xie Ruhe clenched his fists, disbelieving her dismissive response, and went back to his room.
Soon, Ji Xiangning followed and stood beside him, sighing: “Ah He, if you don’t want to stay here, I can contact your grandfather and send you to him, okay?”
Xie Ruhe had heard her mention Ji Xinghuai before and looked at her: “Will you go?”
“I don’t have the face to go back.” Ji Xiangning smiled bitterly. “Besides, your grandfather doesn’t like your father. I can’t leave your father here alone with no one to take care of him.”
His mother, once she fell in love, became reckless and blind, foolish and laughable.
She always believed Xie Ji would sober up; it was just a matter of time. She was as naive as a little girl.
Xie Ruhe lay on the bed, using his arm to cover his eyes: “Then forget it.”
“…”