Chapter 41 Will you miss me?
Lin Ke planned to depart at the end of July, without informing Si Xiaotie in advance.
It was summer vacation, and she and Si Yuming were discussing taking her there for a few days.
However, after two years apart, Lin Ke is already feeling a little reluctant to part ways.
After the mother and daughter took a bath that evening, she lay down directly in her little princess bed. Si Xiaotie asked in confusion, "Mom, aren't you sleeping with Dad?"
"No, Mommy will sleep with Xiao Tie."
Si Xiaotie was naturally happy and hugged his mother tightly.
However, on the second, third, and fourth days, she always saw her mother when she woke up, and she began to feel worried.
Upon arriving at the kindergarten, Gu Yiyi asked with concern, "Xiao Tie, what's wrong?"
The girl rested her chin on her hand, her expression mature beyond her years, and said, "My mom and dad seem to be arguing again."
"ah?"
“My mom has been sleeping with me these past few nights, and she doesn’t want my dad anymore.”
Ah, this is indeed a big deal.
Gu Yiyi also rested her chin on her hand, "Then what should we do?"
Yes, what should we do?
We've already used the cold tactic last time, and Mom gets very upset when she sees her not feeling well, so she can't afford to get sick again.
Si Xiaotie thought about it all day but couldn't come up with a good solution. So when her father came to pick her up in the afternoon, she didn't like him anymore, shook off his hand and climbed into the car by herself.
Si Yuming was a little confused. He picked up her schoolbag and followed her. After starting the car, he asked, "What's wrong, baby? Did something happen today?"
"I don't want to talk to you," Si Xiaotie grumbled, turning to look out the window.
Si Yuming frowned, worried that something might have happened to her, and patiently said, "Xiao Tie, didn't your parents tell you that if you're unhappy, you should talk to your parents or your teacher, and not keep it to yourself?"
The girl finally turned around, glaring at him fiercely, "Hmph, you stinky dad."
"?"
Si Xiaotie clenched her little fist to hit him, but the baby chair restricted her movement, and her fist landed in mid-air. But that didn't matter. The girl said angrily, "You made Mommy unhappy!"
The man was even more confused. "How did I upset Mom?"
"I don't know, but you just made Mom unhappy. She slept with me for four days straight." As she spoke, she accurately held up four short fingers.
Si Yuming immediately understood, and was both amused and exasperated. "Dad didn't make Mom unhappy. Mom slept with Xiao Tie because..." He interrupted, "Xiao Tie can ask Mom himself tonight."
"Did you really not make Mom unhappy?"
"real"
When Lin Ke got home, Si Yuming told her about it. Lin Ke also found it funny, but she was more saddened by the fact that he had to explain it to her in advance.
Lin Qiliang suddenly came over before dinner, and Aunt Chen said he was waiting outside.
Lin Ke and Si Yuming exchanged a glance, wondering why her father had come over.
The people have already come; it wouldn't be right not to see them.
The children were playing outside, so Lin Ke led him into the study.
"What would you like to drink? We only have hot water here, is that alright?"
"Can."
Lin Qiliang sat down and quietly watched his daughter, who was getting further and further away from him, and sighed inwardly.
Many years ago, Lin Ke was also his precious daughter. When she came home from get off work, she would sweetly run into his arms and call him "Dad." When he took out the candied hawthorns he had bought at the entrance of the alley, she would look at him with surprise, giggle, kiss him, and say thank you, Dad.
There weren't many rooms in the compound. Back then, there were many people in the family, and her mother was still alive. The three of them could only squeeze into one room. Every night, little Lin Ke would chatter away to make her mother happy. She was so busy and tired that she could always fall asleep soundly while listening to the mother and daughter talking.
Too many things happened afterward: the company went bankrupt, his wife suddenly passed away, and Zhu Li and a new life arrived. He couldn't devote much attention to his eldest daughter.
Year after year, the father and daughter drifted apart and became increasingly estranged.
"Keke".
"Hmm?" The water was boiled quickly, and Lin Ke poured him a glass and handed it to him before looking up. "Is there something you need?"
His eyes were calm, without any emotional fluctuations.
Lin Qiliang picked up his water glass and smiled helplessly: "It's nothing. How have you been lately?"
"fine."
How's your translation work going?
Lin Ke looked at him, not quite understanding why he suddenly had time to come and care about her. "That's good too."
"When you were little, you were so lively and active. Your mom and I both thought you'd become an actor or something. Your mom even said..."
"Dad," Lin Ke interrupted softly, her hands clenched into fists on her knees, "Don't mention Mom."
Lin Qiliang's face stiffened.
"What brings you here today?" she asked again.
Lin Qiliang lowered his head, took a sip of water, and slowly said, "Now that Xiaotie is safe and healthy, and you and Yuming have a good relationship, Dad is very relieved. Keke, I haven't done enough for you all these years. I haven't had much time to take care of you, and I've made you suffer. Dad apologizes to you."
Lin Ke didn't feel any pain as her untrimmed nails dug into the soft flesh of her palm.
What's the point of apologizing...?
Although Si Yuming, as a father, cannot often be with Si Xiaotie, his love for his daughter is unquestionable, unique, and will not disappear because he is not around.
What about Lin Qiliang? They lived in the same house and ate together every day, yet he gave all his love to his other two children. This is death by a thousand cuts.
Now everything is in the past. The Lin Ke who was lost, sad, and confused as a child, who longed for her father to talk to her more and hug her more, has grown up. She no longer needs these things. Regret has become a scar, neither painful nor itchy, just existing.
But this scar will never go away.
Lin Qiliang: "I also apologize to you on behalf of Jialang. She is young and stubborn, and often acts and speaks impulsively. Please don't take it to heart."
So, is it all for Lin Jialang after all? Lin Ke smiled, her smile clean and clear, "I didn't take it to heart. I hope she can learn from this experience."
She heard Si Xiaotie and her brother playing outside. She stood up and asked, "We're about to have dinner. Would you like to stay?"
Lin Qiliang sighed inwardly, "No, I have things to do at the company."
"Okay, I'll take you there."
Lin Ke escorted the person to the door, and only after the car left and she composed herself did she turn around and go inside.
Si Yuming waited in the entryway, his expression solemn, but he didn't say anything, only shook her hand.
After dinner, they played for a while. Then, Lin Ke took Si Xiaotie upstairs to take a bath. After the bath, the girl, dressed in her pajamas, tried to push Lin Ke out the door. She said in a serious tone, "Mommy, Teacher Bai said that grown-up children should be independent, so I'm going to sleep by myself tonight. You go back and sleep with Daddy!"
Lin Ke smiled and said, "Okay, then after Xiao Tie falls asleep, can Mommy go back to sleep with Daddy?"
"Hmm... that's fine too."
She picked up her daughter and put her on the bed, then covered her and her friend Lele with a blanket, and gently said, "Baby, Mommy has something to tell you."
"What is it?" Si Xiaotie looked over with wide eyes.
"Baby, do you remember last year before we started school, Daddy often had to work away from home and could only come back once in a very long time?"
"I remember, Dad always brings me delicious food and fun toys when he comes back."
Before she was three and a half years old, Si Xiaotie had her mother's company and didn't understand what missing someone meant. She also had no concept of separation. When her father went on a business trip, it meant that she could get a gift as soon as he left. But Lin Ke was unsure how her departure would affect her, so she said cautiously, "Baby, Mommy has to go away for a while like Daddy. I can only come back to see Xiaotie every three or four weeks."
Si Xiaotie didn't really grasp the significance of this event, which was only presented as a statement. Instead, he asked curiously, "Where did Mom go?"
"Moscow."
Of course, she had no idea where Moscow was, and she winked and smiled, "Okay, then Mommy remembers to bring you a gift!"
"Okay." Lin Ke looked at her daughter's "ignorant" smile and felt a pang of sadness. She lowered her head to kiss her and said gently, "So Mommy just wants to spend more time with you, not argue with Daddy."
Hearing this, Si Xiaotie felt relieved and hugged his mother tightly.
Once the little girl was fast asleep, Lin Ke let her go and went out.
I originally intended to go back to my bedroom, but then I turned around and went downstairs.
After moving in, her vodka was gone from the refrigerator, replaced by the red wine that Si Yun often drank. She took it out and poured herself half a glass.
The red wine wasn't as strong as vodka, and it even had a sweet taste as it slid down her throat. She didn't feel anything even after taking several sips.
"here."
Lin Ke turned around when she heard the sound and saw a bottle of unopened whiskey that Si Yun had found from somewhere.
Si Yun picked up the bottle opener, then found two round glasses, added a few ice cubes to each, poured in the wine, and the pale yellow liquid covered the ice cubes.
Lin Ke held the glass with both hands, took a sip of whiskey, and the high concentration of alcohol began to burn in her body, which finally made her feel a little better.
Si Yun returned late and didn't know Lin Qiliang had been there. She glanced at him sideways and asked, "What, regretting it?"
Si Yuming told her about the overseas assignment, and she was surprised, not expecting it to happen so quickly.
Looking at the forlorn expression on the person's face, I realized that my own emotions were in turmoil.
After returning to work for a few months, she gradually regretted the decision she once thought was the right one.
When Qin Ru became pregnant, Yu Ming had just returned to take over the company, and her career was also progressing. She decided to quit her job and return to her family.
At first, her life was indeed perfect. Her son was well-behaved, her husband loved her and was ambitious, and her younger brother's company was thriving. She felt that her life was already perfect.
But when problems actually arose, she realized that her life had become entirely about her children and husband. So when she learned that Qin Ru had cheated on her, her world collapsed, completely shattered, leaving her with nothing to rely on.
Si Yun often wondered if things would have been different if she had had her own career back then? Would Qin Ru still have sought someone from outside?
Regardless of whether Qin Ru stays or leaves, at least he has the confidence to back him up.
And now, they actually envy those they once looked down upon.
Lin Ke was far more clear-headed than her.
Si Yun said slowly, "It's just a business trip. Xiao Tie and Yu Ming are with you."
Unlike myself, who caused Manman to lose her father.
She finished the drink in her glass in one gulp, then turned and went upstairs.
......
Lin Ke stayed downstairs alone for more than ten minutes, and when she came back upstairs, her face was already a little red.
Si Yuming saw her, and when he got closer, he smelled the alcohol on her. His brows furrowed. "You've been drinking?"
The woman lifted the covers and got into bed, hugging his waist and burying her head in his chest, nuzzling him like a child.
Si Yuming pulled the blanket up, put his arm around her shoulder, and asked first, "What did your dad come over for tonight? What did he say?"
"nothing."
"Tell me about it?"
Lin Ke closed her eyes and after a long while, she said softly, "He apologized to me and said he was sorry."
The voice was calm, but Si Yuming could feel the unease emanating from the body in his arms, so he hugged the person tighter and said, "Mmm."
After a long while, the person in his arms fell silent, but he knew she wasn't asleep, so he continued to ask, "How did it go? Did you tell Xiao Tie?"
"I said..."
What did she say?
“She’s still a child, what can we say?” Lin Ke’s voice was muffled. “Si Yuming, you have to take good care of her while I’m not around. Don’t let her get hurt, don’t let her get sick, and don’t let her do anything she doesn’t like.”
"She always skips brushing her teeth in the morning, so you have to make sure she brushes them. Also, don't let her eat too much sugar or cake, or she'll get cavities."
The woman explained in detail, and Si Yuming did not stop her, letting her tell him everything.
"Also, she likes to kick off the covers at night, so the temperature and humidity in her bedroom need to be adjusted properly to prevent her from catching a cold."
“Yuanyuan should be able to speak now. Remember to take her to see Yuanyuan when you have time. Good friends should see each other often.”
"Also, I don't care what you're doing, you have to answer Teacher Bai's calls, no matter what... You need to set Teacher Bai's WeChat and phone calls as special reminders. Where's your phone?"
Si Yuming handed her the phone. The woman, slightly drunk, began to look hazy. She pressed a few keys randomly before asking, "What's the password?"
"Your birthday."
"..." Lin Ke paused for a moment, then chuckled softly after a few seconds, "How tacky."
After unlocking the app and opening WeChat, I was stunned to see the only pinned chat item on the top of the chat page.
She looked up and met the other person's focused gaze, like a vast and tranquil night sky, and she was a small star reflected in it.
Lin Ke awkwardly looked away and opened the search bar to find Teacher Bai Bai.
He didn't chat much with Teacher Bai, mostly about picking up and dropping off his child. She directly pinned Teacher Bai's chat box to the top, set Teacher Bai as a starred friend, and finally set Teacher Bai's phone number to special attention with the ringtone set to ringing mode.
After finishing, I handed the phone back to him and gave him a stern warning, "You absolutely must answer the phone, understand?"
"Know."
"Now that summer is here, we can't let her eat too much ice cream or watch too much TV. She's four years old now, and I'm thinking of starting some early education, otherwise what if she becomes a slow learner? So you should pay attention to telling her stories and playing with her, and also find some extracurricular classes for her, whichever she likes."
"Also, don't work too much overtime at night. If she misses me, try to be by her side as much as possible. Don't let her feel sad or disappointed being alone..."
The woman's voice grew softer and softer. Si Yuming pulled her into his arms and patted her back. "I've written it all down. I'll stay with her. Don't worry."
They hadn't even parted yet, but after all that had happened, Lin Ke's emotions overwhelmed her; her eyes welled up with tears, and her hands clenched tightly. "Si Yuming..."
"Um."
She was a little scared.
After her mother left, she was all alone. She had to go to school, eat, sleep, and do so many things all by herself.
Marriage seems to bring another person into your life, but there are still barriers between couples who haven't gotten close.
Until her daughter was born, she finally stopped feeling lonely. Si Xiaotie cried and laughed, Si Xiaotie ate happily with chopsticks in one hand and a spoon in the other, and when she came home from get off work, Si Xiaotie rushed into her arms... Every day, every moment, she felt that her life had become complete.
Now they have to separate, and after two years, she'll be alone again.
It wasn't Si Xiaotie who was having trouble adjusting; it was her. Her anxiety about the separation intensified with each passing day as the countdown began.
"I will miss her very much."
"I know."
"When I come back from my vacation, if you have time, bring her to see me too."
"good."
She confirmed again, "You promised me."
"I promise you."
After a while, Si Yuming suddenly asked in a low voice, "Will you miss me?"
The woman remained silent for a long time, her breathing gradually becoming steady. Just when he thought she had fallen asleep, he heard her speak, her voice soft and delicate.
"...Yes."
Si Yuming smiled and hugged the person tightly.
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Author's note: Good morning~ Little red envelope~
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