My name is Song Wenbo.
I sit on the balcony of my seaside villa, pen in hand on a brand new page, writing down the story that unfolded in my life.
That summer waved goodbye, leaving behind an unforgettable pain.
Today, as I write, I want to shatter this heart and throw it into the sea.
Summer, 2023, a clear blue sky.
Handong International Airport, Terminal 3, International Port.
That day, I drove here with my wife, my parents-in-law, and others, waiting for another family member, my brother-in-law, Nick.
At that time, I had no idea that this African war orphan, adopted by my father-in-law, would bring me endless shame and regret.
That day, we were still a happy family living a comfortable life, eagerly awaiting the return of this family member.
My wife and mother-in-law were dressed radiantly, attracting the attention of passersby, who would occasionally whisper among themselves.
I don’t remember the specifics, but generally, everyone was amazed by the beauty of my wife and mother-in-law.
People who have met my wife, Shen Xidong, often say she resembles the famous actress Liu Shishi.
However, I think Liu Shishi’s beauty is about half that of my wife.
This isn’t just wishful thinking; my wife, at 1.75 meters tall, is significantly taller and more graceful than Liu Shishi, who is only slightly over 1.6 meters.
Both beauties have striking, almond-shaped eyes, but my wife’s are more alluring and captivating.
Especially when she glances at someone unintentionally, the slightly upturned corners of her eyes give her an ethereal, unapproachable, and aloof air.
That day, my wife wore a pristine white dress with a trumpet-shaped hem, paired with 10-centimeter-high stiletto sandals.
From afar, she resembled a snow lotus from the Tianshan Mountains, or a bewitching daffodil—a stunningly beautiful woman, both aloof and alluring, almost otherworldly.
My mother-in-law, Ye Huanqing, at 46, had a delicate, youthful round face, much like Zhao Liying’s.
Those who knew her often thought she had achieved some kind of ageless miracle; her beauty seemed frozen in time.
That day, to welcome her son after four years of separation, my mother-in-law wore a light purple, subtly patterned brocade, form-fitting cheongsam.
Her curvaceous figure, with its ample breasts and hips, was perfectly accentuated.
Even now, thinking back on it, I, her son-in-law, still find myself swallowing hard, let alone those around me.
My father-in-law and I, though not bad-looking, paled in comparison to the radiant beauty of my mother-in-law and wife, becoming mere supporting characters.
Back then, I wasn’t the decadent and dejected person I am now.
I was still the dashing, tall, and strong young entrepreneur, the envy of everyone.
Just as everyone was admiring this handsome family, a tall, muscular Black figure pushed a carry-on suitcase out of customs.
Nearly two meters tall, he stood out like a crane among chickens.
Xi Dong immediately stood on tiptoe, her delicate feet encased in sheer flesh-colored stockings, and raised an arm, calling out, “Nick, over here, over here!” When my wife saw Nick, her cool, oval face lit up with a radiant smile, like warm sunshine on an iceberg, a beauty that was intoxicating.
Looking at Xi Dong’s happy expression, I secretly curled my lip.
He’s just an adopted son with no blood relation, is he really that happy?
Back then, Xi Dong’s sweet smile, so rarely displayed, was a privilege reserved exclusively for me.
Yet, right before my eyes, she was showing it to another man.
Regardless of whether Nick was Xi Dong’s brother, I was already incredibly unhappy.
“Sis, Mom!” Nick, dressed in a simple, clean white T-shirt, light blue capri pants, and AJ basketball shoes—the typical attire of a young African American—strode up to us, pushed his carry-on aside, and opened his arms, one on each side of the stunning mother and daughter, pulling them into his embrace.
This kind of extraordinary good fortune drew the attention of passersby once again.
“Dad, brother-in-law.” Nick, with his arms around his mother-in-law and wife, greeted me and my father-in-law.
My father-in-law, probably used to it, stood by with his hands behind his back, a warm and gentle smile on his wrinkled face, Nick expressing affection in a way typical of Westerners.
Looking back now, that scene was a classic tale of the foolish Mr.
Dongguo and the wolf.
While I was smiling, I was staring intently into Nick’s eyes.
I noticed a fleeting, strange glint in them, but didn’t think much of it.
I simply assumed it was jealousy at the time, a psychological unease I felt towards Nick, this black man, and didn’t consider anything else.
It wasn’t until later, when things had spiraled out of control, that I realized Nick’s return to the US in the summer of 2023 was the beginning of my nightmare.
That day, the family caught up briefly at Exit 3 before getting into the car.
I was driving, with my father-in-law, Shen Jian, in the passenger seat.
Nick, tall and strong, was sandwiched between my mother-in-law and wife in the back seat.
My mother-in-law, on the right, patted Nick’s dark hand: “Nick, now you’re a returned overseas MBA, what are your plans?” “I’m thinking of applying for a job in a couple of days, relying on my own abilities to carve out my own niche like my brother-in-law.” I was quite pleased with Nick’s flattery.
Driving, I glanced at Nick sandwiched between his mother and daughter in the rearview mirror and, speaking from experience, advised him: “Nick, it’s good for young people to be ambitious, but it’s more important to be grounded.” Nick also glanced at me in the rearview mirror, a look of understanding on his angular, dark face, and nodded earnestly.
“Hey, why bother with company interviews?
Our family’s group can easily find you a position.
Nick, listen to your dad and come work for the family group.
Your sister can mentor you too.
She handles everything at the group, and I’m practically semi-retired.
You’re the man of the house; it’s time for you to step up.” My father-in-law’s patriarchal manner made me frown.
It wasn’t that I resented him, but I simply didn’t want Nick to be too close to Xi Dong.
After a moment’s thought, I interjected, “Dad, how about Nick works for my company?
My import/export trading company isn’t big, but it’s a good place to develop skills.
He can grow from small to large, what do you think?” My words sounded reasonable.
Actually, that was my idea—to keep an eye on Nick.
My intuition told me I had to keep Nick away from Xi Dong.
“Brother-in-law, Dad, I think I’ll go out and try my luck on my own.” Looking at Nick’s dark skin in the rearview mirror, a stubbornness typical of young men appeared on his face.
At the time, I just thought it was youthful pride, a refusal to admit defeat.
Looking back now, how could I have believed his nonsense?
“Alright, let Nick celebrate Dad’s 60th birthday first, it’ll only be a couple of days.
He can rest at home, we’ll talk about the rest later.” My wife suddenly interjected, immediately receiving my mother-in-law’s approval.
My father-in-law and I exchanged glances; seeing the two ladies speak, we naturally didn’t say much.
My wife sat to Nick’s left, praising him with one hand, tilting her head slightly by the car window, looking at him like a younger brother she hadn’t seen in years, and inquired about Nick’s life in America: “Nick, what do you usually do in America besides studying?” “Training dogs.” Nick answered without hesitation, then scratched his head shyly, revealing a typical boyish bashful smile.
“Dog training?” Hearing this rather peculiar hobby, all four people in the luxurious Maybach turned to look at him.
Nick, seeing the four gazes fixed on him, smiled even more shyly: “Mom, you know how open-minded people are in America.
I don’t like hanging out with those classmates.
I think dogs are more intuitive and easier to communicate with, especially those troublesome, difficult-to-communicate dogs.
It’s incredibly rewarding to train them.” None of the four in the car expected that Nick’s words were complete nonsense.
His so-called dog training had a completely different, and utterly lewd and shameless, meaning.
“When I get the chance, I’ll show off in front of Mom and my sister.
I guarantee you’ll be amazed.” Perhaps it was fate, but just after Nick finished speaking, my phone rang.
Looking at the caller ID, it was my mother, Yue Luhua.
“Hello, Mom.” “Yeah, we just picked up Nick, heading back to the city from the airport.” “What?
Harry’s in trouble again?” “You’re in a meeting right now.
Okay, okay, I understand.” After I hung up, several people turned to look at me with curious eyes.