The sounds of children laughing and playing gradually drifted in from the neighborhood outside, while the light inside grew dimmer.
The sound of an engine shutting off came from the yard. Wu Hui looked at her villa, which was completely dark. She took out her key from her bag, opened the front door, and turned on the power in the common area on the first floor. The villa was instantly brightly lit, and the living room was still as messy as it had been before she left.
As Wu Hui passed by her father-in-law Wang Aimin's room, she heard rustling sounds. Her father-in-law Wang Aimin's voice came from inside the room, "Is that Xiao Hui? Can you help me call Bo Hao over?"
"Dad, I understand."
Wu Hui walked through the corridor to the study, but the door was still closed. Wang Bohao had always doted on this younger brother, and he was probably the most disappointed person today.
thump thump thump…
"Bohao, I'm coming in." Wu Hui said, pushing open the door and entering. The study was pitch black, and Wang Bohao still looked as lost and dejected as when she left.
Wu Hui turned on the light switch in the study. "Bohao, Dad's awake. Go check on him. Our son has been taken to my parents' house."
Wang Bohao slowly twisted his neck and stood up. His limbs were numb from not moving for a long time. "Xiao Hui, how did he end up like this?"
Don't you already know the answer in your heart?
Wang Bohao sneered, "Yeah, how could someone who loves gambling like him have a good ending?"
Wang Bohao moved his limbs, and the tingling sensation gradually disappeared.
"Should we tell Dad about Joong-ki?" Wang Bohao asked, as if he were asking himself and Wu Hui at the same time.
Wu Hui did not answer; it was not appropriate for her to offer an opinion on this matter, and she also believed that her father-in-law would compensate her for the stolen items.
As Wang Bohao passed by Wu Hui, Wu Hui heard his stomach growling.
"I'll go to the kitchen and make you and Dad some simple noodles to tide you over."
"Xiaohui, thank you! You've worked hard today."
Wang Bohao held Wu Hui's shoulders tightly, his chin resting on her shoulder as if drawing strength from her. He only let go after about three or four minutes.
Wu Hui watched Wang Bohao enter Wang Aimin's room before going to the kitchen to make noodles.
The freezer contains pork bones, dried flounder, and shrimp shells that Wang Aimin brought back from the restaurant, which are used to make a rich broth. After heating it to a boil, bamboo noodles are added, along with ten fresh shrimp and two eggs. Once the soup boils again, it can be served.
Place minced garlic, chopped green onions, a little soy sauce and salt in two soup bowls. Put the noodles and side dishes from the pot into the bowls, and use a large soup ladle to ladle the broth into the bowls.
Wu Hui turned off the range hood, carefully carried two bowls of noodles to the dining table, and after tidying up, walked to the door of Wang Aimin's bedroom. "Dad, Bohao, dinner is ready."
"They're here."
Wang Bohao opened the door and came out, and soon after, Wang Aimin also came out.
"Xiao Hui, I'm so sorry. It's my dad's fault for not disciplining that wretched child properly! He caused you losses. Here's a million in this card, take it." Wang Aimin handed the bank card to Wu Hui.
Looking at her father-in-law, who was slightly hunched over, Wu Hui felt that he had aged considerably, a stark contrast to his spirited demeanor that morning.
Wang Aimin and Wang Bohao ate their soup noodles in a casual manner.
Wu Hui tidied up the mess in the living room. That heartless Wang Zhongji had even stolen the LCD TV from the living room. He also stole most of her bags from her walk-in closet; it was probably Chen Meng's idea. Luckily, her valuable jewelry was in a safe.
"Bohao, remember to publish a statement in major newspapers tomorrow severing the father-son relationship, and make it clear that we will not acknowledge any debts owed to Wang Zhongji, nor will we help him pay off his gambling debts."
"Dad, I know."
"Also, all the door locks at home have been replaced with new ones. We should also tell the property management that Wang Zhongji and his family should not be allowed to come in anymore."
"Um."
The conversation between the father and son in the restaurant reached Wu Hui's ears. This troublemaker had finally been dealt with. This time, nothing serious had happened; they had only had some things stolen, so she could just consider it a dog bite.
Wu Hui wanted to punch Wang Zhongji and his wife whenever she thought about their messy walk-in closet. They were truly a den of snakes and rats; no wonder they could sleep in the same bed.
After a long while, Wang Bohao said again, "Dad, can't we really give my second brother another chance?"
Wu Hui shook her head. The saying "the eldest brother is like a father" was perfectly embodied in Wang Bohao.
Wang Aimin put down his chopsticks and looked at his eldest son, who was hesitant. "Things shouldn't happen more than three times. He lost all three million he was given back then, and you paid off his gambling debts of 500,000 on and off. This time he even stole from our house! We didn't call the police; we've already done more than enough. Bohao, you also have a wife and children. You have to think about your own family. Wang Zhongji is no longer that snotty-nosed kid following you around."
Wu Hui nodded, thinking to herself, "That bastard Wang Zhongji just likes to take advantage of Bo Hao's sentimentality. He always gets me to clean up his messes."
"He's my brother, I just can't bear to do this to him?"
"Do I, as your father, still need you?"
Wu Hui silently applauded her father-in-law, who was practically her mouthpiece. If Wang Bohao hadn't been so sensible, she would have broken up with him long ago.
“It’s good that you’re sentimental, but you need to distinguish between what’s important and what’s not. Or you could start calling Wang Zhongji ‘Dad’.”
After Wang Aimin finished speaking, his frustration dissipated. He thought it was a way to avoid disaster by losing money, and that unlucky guy would die from gambling sooner or later.
Wu Hui couldn't help but burst out laughing when she heard this.
Wang Bohao's face flushed red. "Dad, what nonsense are you talking about?"
Wang Aimin regained his former energy and spirit, "Am I talking nonsense? Xiaohui, do you think I'm talking nonsense? Your behavior proves that you are Wang Zhongji's filial son and grandson."
Both men in the restaurant looked at Wu Hui. "Bohao, I think Dad makes a good point. What do you think?"
Laughter came from outside, which Wang Bohao felt was mocking him. He silently carried two empty bowls into the kitchen to wash the dishes.
Wang Aimin sat down on the sofa in the living room. "Xiao Hui, Bo Hao is sentimental. Even his strengths are his weaknesses. If he secretly helps Wang Zhongji again, you must tell me. Don't argue about that. It's not worth it. Young couples grow old together. You are both good kids. Live your lives well."
Wu Hui filled Wang Aimin's purple clay teapot with tea leaves, poured in hot water, and handed it to him.
"Dad, I understand. Be careful, it's hot."
Wang Aimin took the small teapot, shook it, and after letting the boiling water cool slightly, took a sip. "Where are the stars?"
Wu Hui explained, "I sent him to my parents' house this afternoon. It's not good for the child to know about what happened at home, as he's too young."
Wang Aimin nodded thoughtfully and said, "If I'm no longer around in the future, please help Xiaohe out, but only with her studies."
He turned to himself and muttered, "I can't let my heart grow too big."
Wu Hui took all these words to heart. The person she missed the most in this family was her father-in-law, Wang Aimin. He was a good person, fair and impartial. Even her mother thought she had married into a good family and told her to take good care of her father-in-law.
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