Chapter 11 011 "This is my wife."
Under the gaze of those dark eyes, Meng Ran felt as if she were drowning in a bottomless abyss, her breath becoming labored.
My instinct was to dodge, but my back was already firmly pressed against the seat, leaving me nowhere to retreat.
Perhaps her bewilderment was too obvious, because a few seconds later, the gaze that had almost suffocated her moved away.
Meng Ran opened her mouth to speak, but the man spoke first.
Chen Sulin: "Let's go home."
He lowered his voice, his tone soothing, which at first glance sounded like he was coaxing someone.
Meng Ran exhaled, but her heart still felt like it was being squeezed by something, a tightness she couldn't quite explain.
Chen Sulin didn't say anything more and stepped on the gas.
...
Outside the car window, traffic flowed like a never-ending stream, and the bustling lights of the northern city flashed by like a revolving lantern.
Meng Ran turned her head to look out the window, pretending to admire the night view.
Chen Sulin's voice was like an old cassette tape, playing repeatedly in her mind.
Without warning, she remembered her sixteen-year-old self.
At that time, she had already decided to escape the city after the college entrance examination. In order to save money, she secretly went to work at a barbecue restaurant near the school during the holidays without telling her father and stepmother, and it was normal for her to come home late.
At first, she made up an excuse, but later she realized that no one really cared where she went or what time she came back.
At most, if he happened to bump into that woman, he would receive a disdainful look and a sarcastic remark like, "Out fooling around again."
At that time, Meng Ran often thought that if she were to accidentally die outside one day, her father and that woman would probably only feel fortunate: she, this unwanted burden, would finally no longer occupy space in the house and spend their money.
Later, she came to Beicheng to study at university. One of her roommates was a local girl from Beicheng who would send a message to her family to let them know every time she left school.
Meng Ran neither envied nor longed for it; it was as if she had only caught a glimpse of someone else's life from afar, and everything was irrelevant to her from beginning to end.
She is not used to forming close connections with anyone, whether friends, lovers, or family.
Jiang Yuqing said she likes to act tough and always prefers to keep things to herself when she encounters problems.
Zhao Yanzhou also complained that she was too unattached, saying that other people's girlfriends wanted to be with their boyfriends every day, but she always told him to go out with his brothers more.
Even with Chen Miaoying, her blood-related daughter, they can get along harmoniously, probably because Chen Miaoying is exceptionally independent among children her age and doesn't cling to her mother all the time.
...
On the way back, we remained silent the entire way.
Meng Ran tried several times to speak up and ease the tension, but ultimately couldn't bring herself to say anything.
She wasn't naive; in order to survive better, she usually knew how to speak in a way that would make others feel comfortable.
Just like now, she clearly knew how to handle the current situation if she wanted to be a gentle and considerate wife—
I expressed my understanding of his concerns, promised to answer his calls promptly in the future, and said a few words of reassurance.
But Chen Sulin was different from those people; he was not someone she could easily brush off.
Meng Ran always had a feeling that he could see through all the things she said that were against her will.
When we returned to the villa, the clock hands were pointing between nine and ten.
Chen Miaoying is already asleep. Aunt Zhang said that the little girl threw a tantrum before going to bed, complaining that her parents didn't say goodnight to her. She said she would have to make it up to her tomorrow.
After Meng Ran returned, she went upstairs to her bedroom and caught a glimpse of Chen Sulin going to the study on the other side.
As she closed the bedroom door, a thought popped into her mind: Could this be considered a marital quarrel?
Then she smirked: "A real argument is when you go back and forth; what they're doing is just a cold war."
Of course, it is more likely that Chen Sulin is someone who neither argues with people nor cares about the silent treatment—he will only take a tough stance and steer everything back on track when an unexpected event occurs and the situation shows signs of getting out of control.
In his eyes now, she might just be that accident.
That night, Meng Ran had a dream.
In the dream, her stepmother first questioned her about why she didn't just die outside, and then her father appeared, saying that he had fulfilled his responsibilities as a father and had been extremely kind to her.
Finally, the person in front of her became Chen Sulin. He asked her why she was such an incompetent Mrs. Chen, disappearing without a word for five years.
...
The next day, Meng Ran was woken up by a knock on the door.
"Mommy, Mommy, are you awake?"
Meng Ran rubbed her eyes, pulled back the covers, glanced at her pajamas which were still neat, got out of bed, and opened the door.
Outside the door, Chen Miaoying looked up at her and said, "Mom, it's already eleven o'clock. Auntie's lunch is almost ready. Why aren't you up yet?"
Meng Ran paused for a moment, then remembered that it was Saturday, so Chen Miaoying hadn't gone to kindergarten.
“Mom didn’t sleep well yesterday,” Meng Ran said, “so she got up late.”
I've been having dreams all night, and my head is still a little foggy.
Chen Miaoying thought for two seconds, then tilted her head and asked, "Does Mom want to sleep a little longer?"
Meng Ran shook her head: "Mom, get up now."
Chan Miu-ying: "Okay!"
Meng Ran was amused by her energetic appearance: "Are you going to brush your teeth and wash your face with Mom?"
Chen Miaoying nodded without hesitation: "Okay, I can chat with Mom so she won't be bored while brushing her teeth."
Meng Ran chuckled: It seems that Chen Miaoying must think brushing her teeth is a very boring thing.
She remembered that she also hated brushing her teeth when she was a child; maybe all children are like that?
Chen Miaoying followed Meng Ran like a little tail as the two entered the bathroom together.
She rarely seemed to come into this room; her round eyes darted around curiously.
Meng Ran had just squeezed toothpaste onto her toothbrush when she heard Chen Miaoying behind her ask, "Mom, do you take a bath by yourself every day?"
Still a little groggy from just waking up, Meng Ran didn't realize the implied meaning of those words and replied, "Yes, Mom is an adult now and can take a bath by herself."
Chen Miaoying: "What I mean is, Mom, why don't you take a bath with Dad?"
Meng Ran's hand trembled, and the toothpaste fell onto the edge of the sink: "What?"
Chen Miaoying didn't think she had said anything shocking at all. She said in a serious tone, "Zhu Haoran's parents often take baths together, and sometimes they even fight while bathing. Zhu Haoran said this himself, and all the kids in our class know it!"
Meng Ran: "..."
She almost couldn't help but facepalm, silently mourning for Zhu Haoran's parents: This was truly a scene of massive social death.
Kids are terrifying; they tell everyone everything.
If she ever does anything with Chen Sulin in the villa in the future, she must make sure to avoid Chen Miaoying.
Wait, why did she have the idea of "doing something with Chen Sulin"?
Meng Ran quickly suppressed this far-fetched thought and cleared her throat: "Everyone has different habits. Mom prefers to be alone."
Chen Miaoying responded with an "Oh".
It seemed the problem was temporarily resolved, and Meng Ran breathed a sigh of relief, squeezing out another tube of toothpaste.
To avoid Chen Miaoying asking questions like "Why don't Mom and Dad sleep together?", Meng Ran quickly changed the subject: "By the way, what did you do this morning? Tell Mom while she's washing up, okay?"
Chen Miaoying's attention was indeed diverted, and she counted on her fingers as if reciting a familiar story: "After I got up in the morning, I brushed my teeth and washed my face first, then I had breakfast with my dad, then my dad read me a picture book, I played with my toys with my dad, and then my dad asked me if I missed my mom, so I came up to find my mom."
Meng Ran was slightly taken aback: "Did Dad send you?"
Chen Miaoying: "Hmm! Dad said to check if Mom is awake yet, and if she is, to call her downstairs to have lunch together."
After thinking for a moment, Chen Miaoying added solemnly, "But I really want to come and find my mother myself!"
Meng Ran: "..."
In an instant, she felt that Chen Sulin was trying to win her over in a subtle way, hoping that she could forget the unpleasantness of last night.
She soon realized that she was just being delusional.
Who is Chen Sulin? How could he possibly bow down to her in such a manner?
While brushing her teeth, Meng Ran asked Chen Miaoying, "What are you planning to do this afternoon after lunch?"
Chen Miaoying: "I'm going to my physical education class this afternoon, and my dad will go with me!"
Meng Ran: "Physical education class?"
Chen Miaoying: "Mom, don't you know? It's a class where we can run, jump high, climb ladders, and crawl through tunnels. It's so much fun!"
Meng Ran remembered that she seemed to have heard Aunt Zhang mention that Chen Miaoying especially liked sports, and her favorite extracurricular activity was the weekend physical education class for preschoolers.
During class, teachers lead children in running, jumping, crawling, and balancing games, which help them improve their coordination and interact with other children. Chen Miaoying always feels like she hasn't had enough of the games when she comes back.
Chen Miaoying: "Mom, are you busy this afternoon? Do you want to come to class with me?"
Meng Ran: "Not busy at all..."
But it would be best to ask your father for his opinion.
"Yay!" Chen Miaoying cheered before she could even finish her sentence. "Then it's settled! Mom and Dad will come with me to class this afternoon!"
After helping her mother brush her teeth and wash her face, Chen Miaoying immediately ran downstairs and rushed to Chen Sulin with her short legs.
She couldn't wait to announce the good news loudly: "Dad, Mom promised to come with me to physical education class this afternoon!"
It was Chen Miaoying's first time going out with her parents, and she was in a state of excitement during lunch.
The class is held in a commercial complex near the villa, which is only about a ten-minute drive away if there is no traffic.
After last night's experience, Meng Ran had a bit of a psychological aversion to sitting in Chen Sulin's passenger seat, so she decisively chose to sit in the back with Chen Miaoying.
The traffic was good at noon on the weekend, and the three of them quickly arrived at the complex and took the elevator to the fitness center on the top floor.
Upon arrival, Meng Ran discovered that the place was much more professional than she had imagined.
The venue is equipped with a full set of sports equipment and safety protection facilities. It is surrounded by appropriately high half walls and glass partitions, which can prevent children from running around during class and allow parents outside to observe their children's class status at any time.
Some of the fancy equipment was something Meng Ran had never seen before, and seeing it made her want to say that classic line from parents: "We didn't have these things when we were kids."
This wasn't the first time Chen Sulin had brought Chen Miaoying to class; he was tall and stood out in the crowd.
The teacher recognized Chen Sulin at a glance and enthusiastically jogged over: "Miaoying's father, you're the one who personally brought Miaoying to class this week!"
Upon closer inspection, the teacher noticed that a beautiful woman was standing beside the man.
Upon seeing Meng Ran, the teacher was visibly stunned.
The teacher had never seen her before, so it was normal for her to be surprised. Meng Ran was about to introduce herself.
Chen Sulin: "This is my wife, Miaoying's mother."
A note from the author:
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66 small red envelopes will be randomly dropped [heart]
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