“Of course. I understand my daughter. Besides, I’ll never lie to you.”
The assurance from his mother-in-law seemed to have resurrected Xiao Su, who quickly went to eat his breakfast and get some rest after. Perhaps having turned hopeful, Xiao Su became more enthusiastic in his daily living: raising the baby, making milk formula for the baby, changing his diapers, and so on.
Xiao Su had transformed into a homemaker from a strong youngster, bearing the entire responsibility of raising his family. While awaiting Jiang Xiaobai’s return, Xiao Su kept his integrity. He would leave work for home to be with his child every day at 2pm, and there was even a female co-worker of his who tried to hit on him upon discovering that he was now single. She approached him and expressed whole-heartedly, “I don’t mind that you’re already married and have a child. I’m willing to treat your child as my own.”
Xiao Su responded with a stern look on his face. “I’m sorry, but I mind. I’m still waiting for my wife to come home.”
Shock flashed across her face as she whispered, “She’s already gone, and I’m afraid she will probably never come back. How long are you going to wait for her?”
Xiao Su responded with a little smile on his face, “I can wait until any time since she’s the only one for me in my life. There won’t be any other woman.” His voice was firm with a hint of gentleness.
Xiao Su’s reaction saddened the girl but at the same time attracted her admiration. How nice would it be to be loved by a man like this? Knowing that she could not force him, she replied, “That’s alright. I wish you all the best; I’m sure you’ll be able to see your wife again.”
Finally, Xiao Su had some facial expressions. He looked up at her. “Thank you. I wish you all the best in finding the love of your life too.”
Tucking her hair behind one of her ears, the lady began to tear up as she saw him look her in the eye. “I suppose I’ll never find mine. To be honest, I’m not actually into you. I used to have a boyfriend, but we broke up after he found out that I’m unable to have kids.” She paused before continuing, “I suppose I can never have babies, which was why I told you I would treat your child as my own.”
The fact that she could never conceive stunned Xiao Su, who began to sympathize with her. In return for her kind words to him, he consoled her, “No worries. You’ll definitely find someone who loves you for who you are.”
“Thank you.”
After Xiao Su came home, he wrote in his diary and browsed on the internet the recent works that Xiaobai published. These were his daily routines. Even though Jiang Xiaobai was no longer around, Xiao Su would still view her latest works that were published on her website daily. Perhaps this was a habit that Xiao Su had cultivated to know how she was doing.
Every time he read the contents of her newly published posts, he would feel her presence; he felt like he could still see and feel her all the time. Previously, Han Muzi had called to ask about the situation. She exhaled and comforted him after learning that Xiaobai had left.
All in all, the person who felt the worst was Yan. After finding out what happened, Yan was too ashamed to send Jiang Xiaobai a message. ‘I’m sorry’ was all that Yan sent her in the end and they were never in touch ever since.
Each time she opened WeChat, Jiang Xiaobai would linger on those words from Yan. She had thought of responding but did not know what to say. In the end, she would scroll past it and continue reading the messages from those who had shown her their care and concern. There were messages from Fang Tangtang, her editor, her mother, her mother-in-law, her father, and a bunch of friends and relatives.
But Jiang Xiaobai had responded to none of them. Besides, she had also stopped updating her Instagram. The only thing she did was publish new posts on her website and read the comments from her readers as she got paid to live her almost lonesome life. Half a year later, loneliness had become her friend, and recently Jiang Xiaobai had stopped enjoying this life of hers. She missed her child and wondered how he was doing. It’s been half a year. Does he walk now? Does he speak now? Is he able to call me ‘mommy’ when he sees me?
The longing in her grew rapidly like vines climbing and entwining all over her heart, giving her the urge to fly back to visit her child. Therefore, on that same day, Jiang Xiaobai packed up and bought a plane ticket to fly home. This time around, she was merely planning a short visit without meeting Xiao Su.
Once again, she was back in this city after half a year. A sense of familiarity engulfed her the moment she stepped out of the airplane. She was surprised to still find this sense of belonging after not being here for half a year—perhaps it was because this was her birthplace. She walked and looked around at all the familiar little things around her. On the flipside, after being abroad and living on her own for half a year, every day when she opened her eyes in her bedroom, the unfamiliar surroundings around her would still make her wonder where she was. But it was different with this city.
Perhaps due to boredom, a middle-aged woman on the same flight had been talking with Jiang Xiaobai throughout the entire plane ride. The two even ended up on the same bus after they got off the plane. Seeing Jiang Xiaobai on the bus, she quickly came over and chatted with her in a friendly manner. “Hi Miss, good to see you again. Are you heading home?”
Jiang Xiaobai paused for only an instant before nodding. “Yes.” She was not going home; she was merely going to take a peek at her son. This was why she hesitated before nodding her head.
Without noticing her hesitation, the middle-aged woman remained hospitable. “You’re so young. Are you coming home from school abroad?”
Feeling embarrassed, Jiang Xiaobai shook her head. “Not really. I was just traveling.”
“Oh, I see. Are you married?”
Her question on Jiang Xiaobai’s marital status instantly made Jiang Xiaobai feel suspicious. Was this middle-aged woman a matchmaker? As expected, before she could respond, the middle-aged woman commented with a smiley face, “It’s fate that brought us to meet each other again on the bus. Anyway, my son’s still single. Would you like to meet him? From our time on the plane, I find you rather friendly and approachable.”
Jiang Xiaobai forced a smile on her face. Me? Friendly and approachable? She’s too warm and friendly, so I couldn’t refuse to talk to her. And now she wants me to meet her son? Smiling awkwardly, Jiang Xiaobai whispered, “I’m sorry, madam. I can’t meet your son. I have a child.”
The middle-aged woman was startled. “You have a child?”
“Yes. I’m back home this time to visit him.”
