family
The next day was New Year’s Eve.
Wen Yan had already told her parents last night that her sister was working overtime too late, so they might as well spend the night at her place, and the two of them would go directly back to their grandparents' house on New Year's Eve.
Therefore, even though it was already noon, the two of them still got up, dressed, and washed up slowly.
There was a silent shyness in the air.
That kind of shyness after a long separation and a passionate night.
Wen Zhili usually ate in the company cafeteria at work, so there were no meals prepared at home. The two of them ordered some takeout for lunch and drove to the villa together in the afternoon.
…
Wen Zhili felt a little uneasy.
Wen Yan realized this when he noticed that she had bitten her lips a total of six times from the time she got off the car to the gate of the villa.
After all, her sister is always calm and collected.
She felt for her sister's hand and held it tightly.
"Don't be afraid, Mom and Dad miss you very much."
Wen Zhili turned around and saw a pair of round eyes filled with deep worry, and he couldn't help but laugh.
"It's okay, I'm just... a little nervous. A little bit."
Suddenly, her gaze froze, and then she chuckled again.
Wen Yan was confused when she saw her sister reach out and tie the beige scarf around her neck into the way she liked, leaving only her sister's eyes exposed.
"How many times have you secretly worn my scarf?"
—You saw your Moments. I saw them all.
Wen Yan's ears turned red.
"No matter what, if you surround it for me, it's mine."
——I sent it specifically for you to see.
Of course, Wen Zhili didn't argue with her about the ownership of the scarf. He just smiled under the high winter sky, with a gentle smile on the tip of his nose that was slightly red.
They looked at each other, then opened the door—
Familiar, everything is familiar.
The warm welcome, the elders gathered around, the inquiries about my well-being. The anticipation in my parents' eyes was also a little fake.
Wen Zhili was in a trance for a moment - it seemed as if she was still the exemplary sister who was flawless.
Then it was still the lively dumpling-making, my sister's dumpling beauty contest, the fragrant New Year's Eve dinner, and the relaxed and lively topics at the dinner table.
Lu Wanqing even helped Xiaoli out of the predicament without making a sound when her grandmother asked her again this year whether she had a boyfriend.
"Xiao Li is focused on his career. As for a partner, there's always room for improvement."
Wen Zhili met his mother's gaze.
Lu Wanqing just gave her a gentle smile and continued to chat with the elders.
Soft, just soft, without any pressure, hesitant or meaningful.
Just like the smile on her face when I asked her if she wanted to go home with me.
Wen Zhili's eyes were a little wet, but when his gaze met the pair of inquiring eyes beside him, the moisture evaporated along with the joy.
"What are you looking at?"
"Can't watch? You watch."
Wen Yan raised that sweet yet silly smile again, like a puppy who thought he was very smart.
Wen Zhili wanted to rub her head.
Hold it in.
…
Wen Yan originally wanted to go out with her sister to set off fireworks after eating the New Year’s Eve dinner.
Unexpectedly, Ms. Lu Wanqing, who usually likes to say, "It's okay, just put the dishes here, I'll wash them." said to Wen Zhili when she was cleaning the table:
"Xiaoli, come and help mom wash the dishes later, okay?"
Well, we can’t set off the fireworks.
But Wen Yan knew what her mother was trying to do, so she glanced at her sister who was standing there in a daze with her plates and bowls, and announced in a low voice:
"It just so happens that I'm watching the Spring Festival Gala with my grandma and the others. I haven't watched it in a long time."
Wen Zhili followed her mother into the kitchen.
When the kitchen door is closed, the joy, laughter, and family happiness are all blocked outside.
The only people left in the quiet space were Wen Zhili and her mother who brought her home from the mountains 21 years ago.
The two of them briefly divided the work with a few words and started washing dishes.
Let’s get to the point.
…
"A small gift."
"Hey, Mom."
Wen Zhili's heart trembled slightly.
"How have you been these days without me?"
"It's okay."
"But you've lost a lot of weight, Xiaoli."
Wen Zhili didn't respond.
Lu Wanqing glanced at her sideways and sighed softly.
"You know, Mom is a business person."
"I've made so much money along the way, and I've made a lot of decisions that even I think are smart."
"But you know what? Xiaoli."
"I think there's only one best decision I've made in my life."
Wen Zhili washed the dishes calmly, her fingertips trembling. She could almost foresee the words she dared not imagine, but was about to say.
"Mom is glad she brought you home that day."
Hearing the expected words, Wen Zhili looked at his mother with slightly red eyes.
"mom……"
"It's okay, Xiaoli, you don't have to say anything, just listen."
Her mother smiled softly at her again.
"Xiao Li..."
"Actually, Mom owes you an apology."
"Mom says I love you too little, doesn't she?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the eyes of the two people who were washing dishes with their heads down had red spots on their cheeks, and no one dared to turn their heads.
Then Lu Wanqing smiled with relief, and a tear fell into the vortex filled with bubbles in the pool.
"Regarding your relationship with Yanyan, I really didn't support it at first. I was afraid that it would be too hard for you in the future. But mom has never blamed you."
"Mom and Dad love this family, love you, and love Yanyan."
"Got it? Xiaoli."
"Um……"
Lu Wanqing glanced at her daughter who had her eyes lowered with tears in them, and smiled again, but this time she no longer shed tears.
"Actually, your father and I feel a lot more relieved now that we've figured it out."
"Originally we had to prepare two wedding houses, but now we only need one."
Hearing this, Wen Zhili also smiled.
The eyelashes opened and closed, and a drop of warm water fell.
The kitchen was silent for a moment.
The two of them calmed their minds amidst the sound of rushing water and colliding dishes.
Two blurry figures in front of the sink were reflected on the glass bed with the word "Fu" on it.
Then Lu Wanqing spoke again.
Peaceful, soothing, and reassuring.
“The road may be a little difficult to walk on.”
“But it’s good.”
"I feel relieved to leave you to Yanyan."
"I feel relieved to leave Yanyan to you."
“…”
"Mom...thank you, thank you..."
"What's there to thank me for? As long as our family is happy together, nothing else matters."
Wen Zhili was illuminated by the warm light and wiped the last bit of foam from the edge of the bowl with a wet cloth.
Then close your eyes briefly.
…
Wen Zhili loves her sister very much.
But for her, there are only two most unforgettable moments in her life.
One was that year, Lu Wanqing asked her if she was willing to go home with them.
One is now, Lu Wanqing said, she is very relieved to leave Wen Yan to her.
One gave her a new life, the other gave her a home.
…
Hearing his mother's gentle final words, Wen Zhili let out a breath, so long that it seemed as if all the grievances, struggles, and confusions along the way were poured out of his tired body.
Scattered, scattered.
Blended in the lemon scent of dishwashing liquid, blended into this night decorated with lights.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
