As soon as Wang Lin Xi spoke those words, Wang Hao couldn’t hold back anymore. He immediately stood up, grabbed Wang Lin Xi by the collar, and dragged him toward the bedroom, cursing under his breath: “You little brat, where did you learn to talk like that? Can’t you see people are eating? What kind of nonsense are you spouting!”
“…” Wang Lin Xi struggled, “I was just trying to save my brother-in-law’s face!”
“You’d be better off saying nothing at all!”
“What’s wrong with what I said? It was me who did it! Don’t blame my brother-in-law!”
“Shut your mouth!!!”
With the sound of a door closing, the commotion gradually quieted down.
Deng Qing Yu wore a forced smile as she placed a piece of spareribs on Xie Ru He’s plate: “That troublemaker… Ru He, don’t take it to heart. Little Xi is just like that…”
“It’s fine.” Xie Ru He wasn’t particularly bothered. “Please ask Uncle and Little Xi to come back. We haven’t finished dinner yet.”
“That child needs discipline.” Deng Qing Yu waved her hand and smiled, “Let’s continue eating. They’ve had enough anyway, don’t worry about them.”
Not knowing if Xie Ru He might be upset, Shu Nian pursed her lips and reached out to touch his left hand resting on his thigh, a gesture meant to comfort him.
Noticing her movement, Xie Ru He turned to look at her with a questioning expression. Soon, the corners of his mouth curved upward as he squeezed her fingertips and said softly, “Eat.”
Not long after, Wang Hao and Wang Lin Xi emerged from the bedroom again.
Having been scolded, Wang Lin Xi hung his head, looking completely deflated. He walked back to the dining table, sincerely apologized to Xie Ru He, then returned to his seat and quietly finished his meal.
He didn’t voluntarily say another word after that.
When dinner ended, Shu Nian stood up, intending to clear the dishes.
Xie Ru He helped her beside her.
Deng Qing Yu couldn’t stay idle and quickly said, “You two don’t need to do that, I’ll clean up. Go sit on the sofa for a while, I’ll cut some fruit for you.”
Shu Nian shook her head, “You go sit, I’ll clean up.”
“Clean up what? Take Ru He and go sit for a while…”
Shu Nian was an only child. Growing up, although Deng Qing Yu had always been strict with her, she also adored her immensely and rarely let her do any housework.
Even after Shu Nian moved out, Deng Qing Yu would occasionally bring her food and help clean her apartment.
With Shu Nian’s rare visit home, Deng Qing Yu couldn’t bear to let her do any chores. Moreover, this was Xie Ru He’s first visit as a guest.
Wang Hao also chimed in, “Yes, yes, you two go sit. I’ll do the washing.”
Wang Lin Xi was still at the table drinking soup. Hearing their conversation, he couldn’t help saying, “That’s right, let my dad wash. He always does the dishes anyway. No need to argue.”
“…”
After a lengthy standoff, Wang Hao and Deng Qing Yu finally made a decision.
They decided to let Wang Lin Xi do the cleaning.
The living room was spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows wide open, letting in a refreshing breeze from outside.
Deng Qing Yu went to the kitchen to cut some fruit and placed it on the tea table. Wang Hao turned on the television, randomly selected a channel, and occasionally joined their conversation, appearing simple and honest.
Mostly it was Deng Qing Yu doing the talking.
From the kitchen came the sound of running water and the crisp clinking of porcelain.
Soon, Wang Lin Xi finished washing the dishes and emerged from the kitchen. He walked over, grabbed Shu Nian’s wrist, and said enthusiastically, “Sis, come here, I need to tell you something.”
Shu Nian stood up following Wang Lin Xi’s lead but worried that Xie Ru He might feel uncomfortable alone. She turned to look at him, her expression quite hesitant.
Xie Ru He squeezed the flesh of her palm again.
“Go ahead.”
This sudden interruption quieted the living room for several minutes, with only the television sound remaining. The characters on screen were laughing and joking around, preventing the atmosphere from feeling too desolate.
With one person gone, Deng Qing Yu didn’t continue their previous topic and tentatively asked, “I heard from Nian Nian that you know about her illness, is that right?”
Hearing this, Xie Ru He turned back and said softly, “Yes.”
“Do you know the reason too?”
“Yes, I do.”
“I don’t want to bring this up,” Deng Qing Yu said, knowing about Ji Xiang Ning’s situation, her tone slow and difficult, “but Nian Nian’s previous boyfriend broke up with her because of this. I don’t want her to be hurt a second time.”
Xie Ru He responded with a simple “Mm, I understand.”
“I wasn’t very nice to you before, and you weren’t that young then, so you probably remember.” Deng Qing Yu said apologetically, “I was stubborn back then. Auntie wants to apologize to you now.”
“No, you don’t need to worry about it.” Xie Ru He lowered his eyes. “When my mother went missing, you helped me find the police. I’ve never properly thanked you for that.”
“That was nothing, you were just a child then, of course, I had to help.” Deng Qing Yu sighed, “I used to have a very hot temper. Since you were close to Nian Nian back then, you probably know that I was extremely strict with her and wouldn’t let her do many things. When I divorced Nian Nian’s father, she originally wanted to stay with him, but I asked her to stay with me, and she agreed.”
“…”
“Nian Nian’s personality takes after her father’s, very kind, she’s been that way since she was little. Both her father and I told her to be wary of strangers when outside. She seemed to listen, but she would forget every time. I would lose my temper with her because I was truly afraid she might encounter bad people one day…”
Xie Ru He’s hand on his thigh gradually tightened as he said with difficulty, “I’ve told her this too.”
Wang Hao listened quietly beside them.
Deng Qing Yu’s eyes reddened, and her voice gradually became choked: “When she thought I was right, she would listen. But whenever I brought this up, she would always argue with me… but that time she didn’t…”