After washing his hair, Li Xiao’s entire face turned hot. Jiang Rou thoughtfully prepared clothes for him and had the bathwater ready.
The man, wiping his damp hair, calmly went to the room. Upon seeing this scene, he reached into the bathwater, then, without changing his expression, went to the kitchen and fetched himself half a bucket of cold water.
Jiang Rou, with a smug smile, invited praise, “I’ve already adjusted the water temperature for you. Just right.”
“…”
The man silently glanced at her and walked away with the bucket in hand.
Jiang Rou looked puzzled for a moment but didn’t dwell on it. She sat under the stove, continuing to heat water, thinking that after he finished bathing, she would take her own bath, expecting him to wash her clothes along with his.
Hehe, she truly was a little clever fox.
As Jiang Rou anticipated, when Li Xiao finished his bath and came out, she asked him to empty the bathwater and mentioned that she also wanted to take a bath.
Jiang Rou finished bathing, and the rain had stopped outside. The man directly grabbed her clothes and went to the well in the courtyard to wash them together.
In the evening, Jiang Rou prepared the dinner. She braised two carp, steamed eggplants, and made a soup with lean meat and green peas.
Among the three dishes, unexpectedly, Li Xiao’s favorite turned out to be the steamed eggplants. The method was quite simple: slice the eggplants and place them on top of the pot of steaming rice. Then, put a small bowl with seasonings on it.
The seasonings were not many, including sesame oil, pork fat, chili flakes, and salt. After the rice was cooked, put the eggplants into the small bowl, mix them with the seasoning, and the soft eggplants, combined with the flavorful sauce, were spicy and incredibly appetizing.
Perhaps, after cooperating for the afternoon, Jiang Rou felt that the relationship between the two had become closer, and she no longer felt as restrained.
During dinner, the man remained silent, and the house was very quiet. Jiang Rou was a lively person and felt a bit uncomfortable with the silence. After some contemplation, she couldn’t resist breaking the silence, but she didn’t have much to say. After thinking for a while, she managed to squeeze out a sentence, “Mom hasn’t come over for several days. When you weren’t here, she used to come every day to deliver vegetables.” [mother= mother-in-law]
The man, who was eating with his head down, heard her words and suddenly lifted his head to look at her.
Jiang Rou didn’t understand what he meant and blinked her eyes.
The man calmly looked at her, and for some reason, he suddenly chuckled, reminding her, “It’s summer vacation.”
Then, he lowered his head and continued eating.
Jiang Rou paused in her efforts to pick up food, taking a while to realize the meaning behind his words.
Summer vacation meant that Li Xiao’s stepbrother, the son of his stepfather, had also returned.
Regarding Li Xiao’s mother, the information indicates that she has had several relationships after the death of Li Xiao’s father.
A few years ago, when she was still a worker in a shoe factory, she was wooed by an older man from a poor village. She not only gave her job to the man’s daughter but also worked as a servant in the village. However, it didn’t take long for the man’s true colors to show – he frequently abused her. In the end, thirteen-year-old Li Xiao took people and gave the man a beating, making him willingly send Li Xiao’s mother back.
Upon returning to the county town, Li Xiao’s mother found a job selling vegetables. Later, she met the third man in her life, who is now Li Xiao’s stepfather. This man had health issues and a son who was good at studying. He was skilled at sweet-talking and managed to convince Li Xiao’s mother to work hard and support the family, treating the son as if he were her own.
In her previous life, when Jiang Rou dined privately with some old detectives from the team, she overheard one of the senior detective brothers who had visited Li Xiao’s hometown. He mentioned that Li Xiao’s stepfather and stepbrother were not good people. He suspected that the reason for Li Xiao dropping out of school back then was orchestrated by this father-son duo. After all, he had been a detective for over a decade, with sharp eyes that could easily discern lies and guilt with just a few words.
During that difficult time when the family was struggling financially, with only Li Xiao’s mother earning money, both Li Xiao and his stepbrother were attending high school simultaneously, putting a significant burden on the family. Li Xiao eventually dropped out, and the only one who benefited from this was his stepfather’s son.
Later, when Li Xiao moved out, life became better. Neighbors often mentioned smelling the aroma of cooked meat from his place.
Certainly, there is more to the story. From the available information, Jiang Rou even developed a frightening speculation. When “Jiang Rou” ran away with someone, it coincided with a crucial period for Li Xiao as he headed south to start a business. Initially, he had sent his daughter to be fostered by her grandmother.
However, around the time when the child turned four, Li Xiao abruptly ended the arrangement. He hired a nanny and gave his stepfather a severe beating, leaving him bedridden for over half a year. After that, there was no contact between the two sides.
People speculated that it might be child abuse, but Jiang Rou suspected that the stepfather might have been involved in inappropriate behavior with the little girl.
[Fvc&ing pedo]
Because just half a year later, one day, Li Xiao’s stepfather was brutally attacked by a group of thugs who stormed into their home, leaving his legs crippled, and he never stood up again.
The stepfather’s son subsequently lost his job, and nothing seemed to go well for him.
This wasn’t just an ordinary grudge.
Jiang Rou never mentioned this speculation to anyone.
In fact, she even hoped she was wrong.
From the brief memories of “Jiang Rou,” it appears that Li Xiao’s mother had a personality inclined towards pleasing others. Despite being the one supporting the man and stepson, she lacked any assertiveness and made efforts to keep them happy.
Whenever the stepson returned home, the biological son had to take a back seat.
Now that the stepson was home for summer vacation, naturally, Li Xiao was forgotten.
It’s akin to those men who flaunt their wealth outside to save face but let their own family members endure hardships.
Jiang Rou’s face turned awkward, but the man across from her kept his gaze down, seemingly indifferent to the situation.
Unable to continue, Jiang Rou could only silently lower her head and eat her dinner.
… …
As night fell, the two lay in bed. The man had one arm under his head, lying on his back, silent and seemingly lost in thought. After experiencing the day, Jiang Rou was no longer as afraid of him. After all, he wouldn’t harm her, and there was no use being afraid.
Jiang Rou lay on her side, paying no attention to the man. Amusing herself, she gently touched her belly, playing with the little one inside, softly coaxing, “Kick again.”
It seemed like the little one inside might have understood, as it indeed kicked once more.
Jiang Rou couldn’t help but laugh and continued to gently stroke her belly, encouraging more kicks.
This time, the little one didn’t kick again but playfully turned inside her belly. Its small hand pressed against her abdomen, causing a ticklish sensation.
The man beside her suddenly turned his head and glanced at her, observing her smiling face. In a rare moment, he spoke, “Is the son kicking you?”
Jiang Rou lifted her face to look at him, her expression somewhat strange. “Do you want a boy?”
The man gave her a faint glance, saying nothing. However, the expression on his face almost explicitly conveyed, “Isn’t that obvious?”
His gaze then fell on Jiang Rou’s belly. The usually indifferent eyes softened a bit, “It must be a boy, so lively.”
Jiang Rou rubbed her belly, remaining silent for a moment but feeling disdainful inside.
She didn’t know who in his past life had braided his daughter’s hair, bought many little dresses, and had not given up even after more than a decade of a life on the run, all for seeking revenge for his daughter.
For some unknown reason, Jiang Rou didn’t argue back this time. Instead, she nodded earnestly, saying, “Yes, it’s a son.”
“Mm.”
The man ambiguously acknowledged, seemingly satisfied. Unusually, he added a few more words, “I’ll be going out to earn money in a few days, and I’ll be back in two months.”
Jiang Rou looked at him again, but he had already turned around to switch off the light. The room suddenly plunged into darkness, and nothing could be seen.
Staring into the pitch-black silhouette, Jiang Rou held back the words on the tip of her tongue.
… …
The next day, Jiang Rou saw Li Xiao’s stepbrother, He Wenhua.
He arrived in the afternoon, carrying some vegetables, and stood at the entrance of the courtyard with a gentle smile.
He is a few years older than Li Xiao, repeating three years in school. This year marks his fourth. According to the detective brother who had visited Li Xiao’s hometown, he later gained admission to a normal university. However, luck was not on his side. After graduating and starting his job, he was confronted by a pregnant woman, lost his job and fiancée, and subsequently faced challenges in his new job. Finally, he returned to his hometown, working as a taxi driver in the county town, barely maintaining his household registration.
The detective brother mentioned that this person never spoke a truthful word, being excessively fake. He lamented that a child’s upbringing environment is crucial. Due to Li Xiao’s case, he started taking education seriously for his two children, making time to call them even when busy with work.
Jiang Rou observed the tall, fair-skinned young man before her. In an era where people generally had sallow skin and malnutrition, his clear and healthy complexion indicated a comfortable life.
Wearing a neatly ironed white shirt and black trousers, he had a perfectly balanced smile. Despite having ordinary features—small single eyelids, slightly drooping eye corners, a bit wider eye spacing, a somewhat large mouth—he exuded a cultured and scholarly aura with his gold-rimmed glasses and a neatly cut youthful hairstyle.
He handed over the vegetables tied with straw to Jiang Rou. “These are the vegetables my mom didn’t sell today. I brought some for you. I heard Ah Xiao got into a fight and ended up at the police station again. Talk to him nicely. Mom is getting old; don’t make her worry all the time.”
Jiang Rou looked at the man and couldn’t help but applaud silently.
If it weren’t for the warning from the former detective brother, she might genuinely have thought this guy was a good person.
He Wenhua glanced into the courtyard and asked, “Where’s Ah Xiao?”
Jiang Rou replied, “He’s gone out.”
A hint of helplessness crossed the man’s face. “Well, I’ll leave then. Don’t want him to get angry if he sees me.”
He sighed and then smiled gently at Jiang Rou.
Those who didn’t know might think he was a considerate elder brother. However, Jiang Rou, coming from a later time, having seen numerous novels and TV dramas, found this guy interesting. She felt he resembled the scheming supporting female characters often portrayed in future online stories.
What do you mean by bringing over some unsold vegetables? What do you mean by getting into a fight and ending up at the police station again, saying mom is getting old? And acting like he’s upset seeing him again?
He constantly tramples on Li Xiao while showing off his understanding and maturity.
With such eloquence, it’s no wonder Li Xiao’s mother is manipulated by him.
After the man walked away, Jiang Rou lowered her head to inspect the vegetables he brought. They were fresh, tender bok choy and amaranth. Just as she finished, she looked up and saw Li Xiao returning from another direction. In his hands, he held vegetables – two pork ribs, two pig trotters, and several seasonings.
Li Xiao gazed intently at the retreating figure and then turned his face toward Jiang Rou. “What’s he here for?”
His voice was cold, and it seemed like he didn’t like it at all.
Jiang Rou showed him the vegetables in her hands and then recounted everything He Wenhua had said.
Having graduated from the police academy, her memory had been specially trained, and she could repeat the words almost verbatim.
After listening, the man sneered coldly, his expression somewhat disdainful, as if he didn’t even care about such petty tricks.
He glanced indifferently at Jiang Rou and warned, “Stay away from him in the future.”
“Okay.”
Jiang Rou couldn’t deny it.
After dinner, Li Xiao began packing things in his room. The little clothes Jiang Rou made for the child were already cut; now all that remained was to sew them.
While she was sewing, Li Xiao placed the necessary items into a snakeskin bag.
Jiang Rou glanced at it several times and couldn’t resist asking, “When are you leaving?”
“The day after tomorrow.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Rou hesitated and pursed her lips. “If my brother goes back and complains in the next two days, my mom might come over.”
The man paused for a moment, then turned to look at her. Worried that he might misunderstand something, Jiang Rou quickly touched her belly and explained, “I’m just afraid it might scare the baby.”
It wasn’t that she couldn’t bear to part with him.
The man followed her hand to look at her belly. Originally intending to scoff but his gaze softened slightly. “He wouldn’t dare to come over.”
Then he turned away and continued packing.
“Okay.”
Jiang Rou touched her nose, realizing there was nothing more to say.
Early the next morning, the man went out. He returned in the afternoon, riding an old bicycle loaded with things. He unloaded everything in the living room and then went out to return the bicycle.
Jiang Rou opened the bag to find rice, flour, potatoes, oil, meat, and fabric, wondering where he got the money to get so many things.
Li Xiao quickly returned and placed the items in the kitchen cabinet. Afterward, he told her, “Your mom won’t come. I’ll leave early tomorrow. If anything comes up, you can ask our neighbor, Mrs. Wang.”
After a pause, he added, “I’ll call you when I arrive and come back before you give birth. Be careful at home.”
“Okay.”
During dinner, Jiang Rou thought for a moment and couldn’t resist reminding him, “Um, be careful outside. I heard there are a lot of scammers. If something doesn’t feel right, just run.”
Jiang Rou knew she was being a bit unfair, fully aware that he might be walking into danger, yet she didn’t try to stop him.
Feeling a bit guilty, after finishing dinner, she kneaded some of the flour he bought into dough and made two jars of chili sauce using the meat, oil, and homegrown chili peppers he brought back.
Her mother was from the province of X, known for being skilled in making noodles and chili sauce.
While Jiang Rou was busy with these tasks, the man sat in front of the stove, gazing at the fire.
The bright flames illuminated his handsome and delicate face, giving him a gentle appearance.
The kitchen remained quiet, but it acquired an inexplicable warmth.
