5 PM, the Li household.
Mei walked inside the house, locking it behind her. As she did, she let out an exhausted sigh. "Sweetie? I'm home." As she set her purse down, she paused when she didn't hear anything.
For a split second, Mei started to panic. But then she saw the light on the phone flashing, signaling a voice mail. She walked over to pick it up and listened. When she heard Yue's words, Mei started to relax.
'So Alex is getting along with Yue now. That's good...'
Mei remembered how Alex always through a fit at staying with Yue. Although she wasn't sure why he was okay with it now, it would be a big help.
At that last thought, Mei froze and then felt a pang of guilt.
Mostly because of the fact that she thought for a split second that it was better Alex was with Yue instead of her since it meant he wouldn't be alone at least.
"...Am I a bad mom...?" Mei clenched her right hand over her blouse as the thought came to mind.
Mei wanted what was best for Alex. She really did. But between her work and Wang being gone all day...
"...It's okay." Mei shook her head and quietly murmured, "I love him. And Alex loves me too. He's a good boy."
The words rang hollow even to her ears. But Mei repeated them to affirm it.
After that, and after fixing up her expression, she called Yue's phone.
There was a single ring, and then Yue picked up.
"This is Yue Wu. Who am I speaking to?"
A crisp and professional response.
Completely unlike how Mei was.
Hearing it made Mei remember just how put together Yue was compared to herself, as well as how guilty she felt for having to rely on her baby sister.
But she took a breath and said, "It's me, Yuyu. Is Alex okay?"
Yue's tone shifted as she responded. Not quite completely warm, but also not as cold as when she answered. "Sis. Did you just get back home from work?"
Mei shifted the phone receiver to her other ear and nodded. "That's right. I just walked through the door and saw your message. Are you sure you're fine with watching Alex? I don't want to bother you..."
Yue laughed. "It's fine. The little Fatty is getting along with me now. He loves watching me rehearse my roles too, so it's no problem."
"That's... good." Mei let out a sigh of relief. "...Are you sure it's okay though?"
Yue paused and said, "I should be asking you that, Sis. Are you really okay working so much? It must be hard at the factory right? Those white devils can be pretty racist..."
"O-Oh! It's fine." Mei smiled softly. "I work with some nice older ladies. They take care of me. It's just time consuming. You know how it is."
"If you say so..."
Mei sat down on a chair and said, "How was Alex's first day back at school?"
"He's fine. Apparently, completely bored though. His teacher sent a packet home about putting him in something called 'Gifted and Talented' but Alex said he didn't want to be placed in it."
"Gifted and talented?" Mei blinked. Then she let out a soft smile. "Ah. Sweetie always was smart. He started reading pretty young."
"Mmhm."
A somewhat tense silence stretched. Then Mei said, "What's my sweetie doing right now?"
"He's sleeping. Tired himself out doing martial arts and drawing. But he's alright. I fed him proper food."
Mei huffed and said, "I make proper food!"
"That's not what Fatty tells me. Basic chicken breasts and greens stirfried in oil and garlic? With rice?"
Mei blushed and said, "I-It's healthy, okay?"
Yue laughed and said, "Healthy, sure... But it's okay, Sis. I'm keeping him fed properly. And I'll watch him for you. So take it easy. I'm sure you and brother-in-law are stressed out right now making the money work, right?"
Mei flinched. Then she let out a deep sigh. "...Yes. It's a bit tight. If you can feed him and watch him, it would help a lot. If I can pick up a few extra hours at the factory for the next few months, we'll be able to make some savings."
"Then you do that. I'll take Alex to and from school. I'll just be recording tapes to send in for roles anyway, so it's not like I'm doing anything."
Mei hesitated. "...Is it really fine?"
Yue sighed. "Sis. We're family. And Alex is my cute nephew too. I don't mind, really. Plus, I'm sure you and Brother-in-law have been a bit troubled about sex, right? I know how much you're a screamer, so it must be hard-"
"YUYU!" Mei turned a bright red and almost dropped her phone. "Wh-Wh-What in the world are you saying?!"
"What? I'm sure it's true. Alex looks like a light sleeper- Yeah, he's already up. Go back to sleep, Fatty, just talking with your mom."
Mei groaned and covered her face.
Yue laughed and said, "But seriously. I'm sure both of you are stressed, right? Just take the time to... relax."
"...Pervert."
Yue scoffed. "Sure. Call your baby sister a pervert when you're the one who flipped your-"
"YUYU! NO!"
Yue laughed again. "Fine, fine... But it's alright. I'll keep an eye on Alex. Love you, Sis. Go relax."
A soft *click* echoed, and then the dialtone stretched on the phone.
Mei shook her head and hung up the receiver. "That little devil... always teasing me..."
Still, it seemed like things were fine.
Alex... her sweetie was probably lonely. Being around Yue would be good for him.
Mei would miss him. But she wanted him happy more. "...So it's okay, right?"
An invisible weight that Mei didn't realize she'd been carrying seemed to be lifted a bit.
For a week, she wouldn't have to think about her son. And she already knew that it'd be a load off her husband's mind too. Despite how gruff he was, he was also aware of how little time he was able to spend with Alex. And he was also worried about Alex being alone.
This way, Alex would be safe, cared for, and with company.
Yue wasn't THAT much older than Alex too, so they could get along better.
...Right.
...Mei definitely wasn't just trying to justify it to erase the guilt she felt for being relieved that she didn't have to care for Alex. And that she could be intimate and loveydovey with her husband again without worrying about anything awkward happening with Alex walking in.
Mei sighed. "...Life is always so difficult."