“Ah, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, Chengli. Did I have another episode? Did I hurt you again? Wuwu, I’m sorry! I don’t want to be like this, I really don’t, but I can’t control myself. I’m sorry!”
Yan Songyu helped Jiang Chengli up while crying, as if she were the one who had been wronged. Wiping the sticky congee and shoe prints from his face with Feifei’s diaper, she tearfully shifted the blame, “Why didn’t you push me away? Why didn’t you fight back?”
Jiang Chengli kept his head down, refusing to look at her tear-streaked face full of remorse and guilt. His eyes were clouded with gloom, and despite several attempts, he couldn’t force out the words “it’s okay.”
That morning, Yan Songyu had suddenly clung to his arm, cooing that she wanted to eat fish congee made by his own hands. Her gentle smile was just like during their passionate early days, making him believe her condition was improving. Overjoyed, he cooked a whole pot of congee.
Coming from a poor family, cooking was never difficult for him. Back when he was trying to win her affection, after learning she loved fish, he would wake at 4 AM to buy fresh fish and prepare congee for her to enjoy upon waking.
While bringing Yan Songyu the congee, he suddenly paused upon feeling the friction of his clothes against his healing burn scars. Fortunately, he had waited for the congee to cool before serving it – otherwise his unhealed chest burns would have suffered fresh injuries.
Just because he had added diced carrots – an ingredient she’d disliked since giving birth – she went berserk, overturning the congee while screaming: “You don’t care about me at all! You don’t love me! Otherwise how could you forget my preferences?”
Those same carrots used to be among her favorite vegetables!
Jiang Chengli felt like he’d been falsely accused, but before he could explain that he didn’t know her tastes had changed, Yan Songyu had already turned violent in her hysteria.
He tolerated and dodged her attacks, but she only escalated, even stepping on his face to force him to kneel and lick the congee off the floor!
Jiang Chengli’s fists clenched tighter and tighter, his nails digging into his palms until they drew blood. He shoved Yan Songyu’s hands away, gave her one deep look, then turned and left.
Yan Songyu watched Jiang Chengli’s retreating back with apparent sorrow, but the moment the door closed, a mocking smile appeared. Casually pulling out disinfectant wipes, she elegantly cleaned her hands and wiped away her tears. Could he not handle even this?
Only after Jiang Chengli silently returned to his bedroom did his emotions fully erupt.
He wanted to smash things, to vent his frustration, but when he picked up a vase, his remaining rationality forced him to grit his teeth and put it back… In the end, all he violently threw to the floor was his suit jacket.
Storming into the bathroom, he roughly tore off his necktie, popping two buttons from his shirt in the process. Turning on the faucet, he desperately splashed water onto his burning face.
The rushing water and his heavy panting intertwined until he finally plunged his head directly into the water-filled sink… One second, two seconds… thirty seconds… one minute…
Splash—
Jiang Chengli lifted his head, gasping for fresh air. “Hah—hah—”
Sweeping his wet hair back, he braced himself against the sink and stared fixedly at the red-eyed man in the mirror. Water droplets fell from his hair, his white shirt thoroughly soaked and clinging to his body, faintly revealing the burn scars on his chest.
He simply pulled open his shirt, scanning inch by inch the scars on his chest in the mirror. After looking, he calmed down and resumed his usual gentle smile.
Knock, knock—
Jiang Chengli had just stepped out of the bathroom while drying his hair when he heard the knocking. He unhurriedly changed into loungewear, draped the towel over his neck, and went to open the door.
Yan Binghua stared at the tightly shut door, a trace of dissatisfaction mingled with concern between his brows.
As Jiang Chengli opened the door, he caught Yan Binghua’s fleeting expression. He respectfully invited him in, “Dad, sorry, I was just taking a shower. I kept you waiting.”
“It’s fine.” Yan Binghua glanced at Jiang Chengli’s still-dripping hair and walked over to sit on the sofa. “I’ve heard about what happened today.”
Jiang Chengli gave a gentle smile. “Dad, I know what you mean. I’m not angry, so don’t worry.”
Yan Binghua stared into Jiang Chengli’s eyes, trying to detect any hint of dissatisfaction or anger, but found none.
“You’re a good kid!” Yan Binghua patted Jiang Chengli’s shoulder and said thoughtfully, “Xiaoyu went a bit too far today. She’s feeling very guilty now.”
As Jiang Chengli lowered his head to pour tea for Yan Binghua, a flicker of mockery passed through his eyes. Just a bit too far…?
Guilty?
So the reason for coming to mediate was just to ease her conscience?
Though his thoughts raced, Jiang Chengli maintained his gentle smile. “I’ll go check on Xiaoyu in a bit. She’s just sick—it’s not her fault.”
Seeing Jiang Chengli’s flawless smile, Yan Binghua felt not relief but a heavier weight in his heart. He didn’t believe anyone could be so even-tempered unless they were pretending.
“That’s good. Xiaoyu’s emotions are unstable right now, and she often can’t control herself. It’s not her intention. If you have any grievances, come talk to me. We can have a drink together—just don’t take it out on Xiaoyu.”
Jiang Chengli gave a helpless, bitter smile. “Dad, if I said I didn’t feel any resentment at all, that would be a lie. I’m no saint. When Xiaoyu stepped on me earlier, I was angry in the moment. But now, all I feel is heartache.”