There was a window on the side of the emergency passage. Chen Songbai sat on the steps and enjoyed the breeze for more than an hour, going over in his mind the daily interactions between Miao Yijiajia and him.
He used to think that Miao Yijiajia was still a little girl and had not grown up yet, so he thought that those intimate words and actions were nothing but a sign that she was several years older than him. He had a sense of responsibility as an elder and did not think that there was anything wrong with it.
When you strip away this relationship and think about those things again, what was once normal is no longer normal.
The hot summer has not yet passed, and it is not cool at night. The wind is wrapped in heat, but Chen Songbai's back is cold.
The voice-activated lights in the hallway were of average wattage, but bright enough for viewing. Chen Songbai studied the person before him. She wore a light green slip dress, a small pearl bag slung across her shoulder, her hair styled into waves, and her face was beautifully made up, with glitter smeared on her eyelids. Her eyelashes were long and curled, making her eyes appear larger than usual. She wore stiletto sandals, and her toenails were painted red.
He was completely different from the haggard figure he saw yesterday.
Seeing that he didn't respond, Miao Yijia pursed her lips and nervously called out, "Brother." After a pause, she asked him, "Why did you come here so suddenly? You didn't even tell me in advance. How long have you been waiting?"
Chen Songbai still didn't say anything, just stared at her.
Miao Yijiajia felt uneasy.
Finally, she noticed her outfit and remembered the makeup she had put on before going out today. She was completely panicked. She pinched the skirt on the side of her body with her fingers and explained in a way that made it even more obvious: "My friend saw that I was in a bad mood recently and asked me to go out and relax."
Chen Songbai's Adam's apple rolled, and his voice became hoarse: "Miao Yijia, I want to ask you a question."
Miao Yijiajia noticed that he seemed angry. Her cousin had a gentle personality and she had rarely seen him lose his temper. She felt increasingly confused and hesitated for a long time before she said "hmm".
"You refused any of the compensation I proposed. Do you want me to divorce your cousin's wife, be responsible for you, and marry you?" Chen Songbai repeated what Xia Xi had said to him.
After saying that, he observed Miao Yijiajia's expression.
Miao Yijiajia was stunned, with a hint of obvious uneasiness in her eyes.
Chen Songbai was very calm, a calmness that came from a dead heart. "Think it over before answering me. This is the last time I'll ask you this. If you don't tell me, I won't ask you this question again. Because I also think this is ridiculous."
It's even more ridiculous than seeing a ghost in the daytime.
Chen Songbai looked at her, waiting for her answer.
He didn't know whether she would admit it or deny it.
Time ticked by, and the sensor light went out again, leaving the surroundings in pitch darkness. The small window on the door next door was closed, not a single light coming through.
Darkness sometimes breeds fear, and sometimes breeds courage. Miao Yijiajia was torn between her conscience and her desires. The soles of her feet felt like they were burning with fire, as if the fire would engulf her if she didn't make a decision.
Miao Yijia made up her mind and said, "Yes."
Her voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough to turn on the sensor light.
Chen Songbai's expression remained calm, so calm that no one could get close to him.
The words were already out, like spilled water, with no possibility of taking them back. Miao Yijia looked up to meet his gaze: "Yes, I want you to be responsible for me. Otherwise, what do you want me to do? How can I date and marry someone else? Chen Songbai, shouldn't you be responsible for me?"
This was the first time she called him by his full name.
Chen Songbai lowered his eyes and looked at her as if she were a stranger, and the chill on his back rushed straight to his scalp.
She actually admitted it and asked him to divorce and marry her.
That's fucking outrageous.
Chen Songbai felt extremely frustrated. He had never noticed her thoughts and was truly the biggest fool in the world.
"So, you did it on purpose." Chen Songbai nodded, having already reached a conclusion in his mind without asking any questions. "Hometown food, red wine, getting drunk, all planned by you."
Miao Yijia shook her head vigorously, raised her voice, and shouted, "I didn't!"
The neighboring household heard the noise, and the hostess opened the security door and took a look. A man and a woman were standing opposite each other, seemingly arguing. There was nothing special, so she closed the door again.
Miao Yijia grabbed Chen Songbai's arm and said, "I told you, I was helpless and scared when this happened. I just wanted you to take responsibility. How could you suspect me of ulterior motives? How could you be so cruel? Haven't you hurt me enough? You keep forcing me to do this."
Chen Songbai shook off her hand and sneered, "You want me to be responsible for you, but you don't like me. If we're forced to stay together, aren't you afraid of living in dire straits for the rest of your life?"
"I..." Miao Yijia opened her mouth. She hadn't lost her mind yet. She absolutely couldn't admit that she liked him, otherwise he would think that her drunkenness was a conspiracy. She spoke slower, "I didn't think that far ahead."
Chen Songbai has seen through her. No matter what she says, he will not believe a single word she says.
*
August 31st, the first day of school.
The project of decorating the coffee shop was given to Huang Shiyu. Xia Xi had nothing important to do for the time being, so she sent her two children to school.
She had taken Youyou home yesterday so they could leave together that morning. Youyou's household registration was still under her name, making the paperwork much easier.
After breakfast, the two children picked up their own school bags.
Xu Yanfeng raised his wrist to look at his watch. It was still early, so he handed the tie to Xia Xi.
Xia Xi took it, tiptoed around his shirt collar, tied a knot expertly, put on his tie clip, and handed him his suit jacket. "I can just take the two kids with me. It's just registration. Your work is more important."
Xu Yanfeng put on his suit and buttoned it with one hand: "It's not that serious."
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