Mo Wenli tiptoed, hiding at the door, peeking out with one eye.
Zhang Jie knelt on the ground, clutching the man’s hand, saying she didn’t want him to leave, but the man only had a cold look in his eyes.
She asked if he could stay for Mo Wenli’s sake, and the man paused, saying, “What are you? Besides having a ruined face, you have no education, no background, just a stinky masseuse. You have no skills at all. If it weren’t for her, would I waste so many years here? From today on, don’t think about threatening me again.” He shook off Zhang Jie and never came back.
Mo Wenli didn’t quite understand. She only knew that she didn’t seem to be needed. Her mother gave birth to her to keep that man, but in the end, the man didn’t need her either.
Speaking of which, she often saw the two arguing when she was young. Her mother was always very violent, smashing things, shouting by the window. Perhaps after they separated, the house would be much quieter, but she didn’t expect her mother to use her obsession with that man on her.
Ironically, in the end, she didn’t even have a title.
She even heard about her parents’ affairs from the neighbors. That man, the one who didn’t want her, was her father, a successful businessman. Her mother, Zhang Jie, was just a masseuse in a foot massage parlor, even doing flesh trade. The two got together by accident, but since the man already had a family, Zhang Jie had to live in the shadows.
But those who walk by the river often can’t help getting their shoes wet, so later there was Mo Wenli. Zhang Jie wanted to use her to climb up, and the man kept dragging his feet. In the end, he had no choice but to leave Jianghe City with his family.
When she was a child, people would point and whisper about her. No matter how well she hid, there would always be rumors. At first, she was quite annoyed, but later her mother forced her to study hard, and she found that doing well in school could indeed suppress some problems, and then it got much better.
[If you see this text, please exit reading mode, or go to the “source page” to read normally]
[Please go to the source page to read, the following content is anti-crawler automatic replacement] You──me, big──small, many──few, up──down, left──right….
She seemed to remember all the things that woman scolded her with, and used them on Mo Wenli. She also remembered the woman’s violent actions, and used them on Mo Wenli. Mo Wenli had no choice but to accept her “guidance.” If she didn’t listen, she would either be taught a lesson, or she would use her own life to threaten Mo Wenli. Mo Wenli felt like she was crazy.
Originally, she was going to go out to work after graduating from university, but she demanded that she get a master’s degree, and wouldn’t let her go out. Zhang Jie said that if Mo Wenli dared to leave, she would do something outrageous. She didn’t say what exactly, but Mo Wenli could probably guess, jumping off a building, committing suicide, and the like. After all, she had seen her abilities, and she seemed to be proud of it, even the neighbors knew.
In fact, Mo Wenli doesn’t really care about her living or dying now, but she also seems a little reluctant. If she is reluctant, it doesn’t seem right. She only hopes that she is still a child “with a home,” after all, Zhang Jie is still alive, so she has a home.
Looking at it that way, she feels like she’s crazy too.
Mo Wenli is against marriage. She doesn’t have many ideas about girls, so she usually rejects girls who pursue her.
The snow outside the window is still falling, and Mo Wenli hopes it will disappear soon, because that way she can leave here. She has only been back home for a week, and she is already tired of it.
In winter, her room is very cold, so she plans to go downstairs to buy some white wine, partly to help her sleep, and partly to warm herself up. She instinctively refuses to stay with her mother, maybe because she’s afraid, maybe because she’s physiologically disgusted. Even when eating, she occasionally finds reasons to stagger the time with Zhang Jie. She spends most of her time in her own room.
Many shops downstairs are closed, which forces her to turn to the next street. After walking for a while, she finally buys a bottle of Lao Bai Gan at a small store. She likes to drink strong alcohol, just like her mother. Mo Wenli sometimes wonders if she will become a carbon copy of Zhang Jie when she grows up, and just thinking about it makes her feel like she doesn’t want to live.
“Mo Wenli? What a coincidence.” A woman waved to her from the shelves behind her. It was actually Shi Hua.
Mo Wenli was a little surprised. Seeing the bottle of wine in her hand, Shi Hua knew it must be for herself. Meng Yue had also said that she would occasionally buy wine back to the dorm and drink it herself.
“What is this, to warm yourself up?” Shi Hua pointed to the thing in her hand.
“It’s a drink, I’m thirsty.”
“This drink is transparent, and the alcohol content is quite high, amazing.”
Mo Wenli chuckled. Actually, she neither liked nor disliked Shi Hua. What kind of feeling was it? She hoped he would always be there, but it was best not to say he liked her.
“What am I going there for?”
“Buy something.”
Mo Wenli grunted and came out, and Shi Hua followed behind her.
“Hey, hey, hey, are you drinking alone?”
“Why am I following you? To go home with you?”
“Is that okay!” Shi Hua was surprised.
“Just kidding, this is the way home for you, where am I going?” Mo Wenli had never taken anyone home before, and she didn’t dare to. She didn’t know when Zhang Jie would go crazy, and she couldn’t be bothered to deal with those things.
“Um… the road to my house isn’t open yet, it’s on the way, going back.” Shi Hua made up a reason to perfunctorily. He had followed Mo Wenli out as soon as he saw her come out, and didn’t think too much about it. Anyway, he could indeed go back this way, just a little detour.
“Is it far?”
“Not far.”
In just a few steps, they quickly arrived downstairs at Mo Wenli’s house. Mo Wenli stopped, preparing to say goodbye, but Shi Hua spoke first, “Aren’t you going to invite me up for a sit?”
“Ah?” Mo Wenli smiled again. She felt that Shi Hua was quite interesting, and could always say some strange things in a serious manner, “I refuse.”
“Then I’ll invite you to sit at my house, will you go?”
She thought Mo Wenli would refuse, but she didn’t expect her to turn around, quite curious, with a hint of radiance in her eyes, “Okay, let’s go, let’s go.” Shi Hua was also a little stunned at this moment, he didn’t expect her to actually agree.
Mo Wenli wasn’t curious about what his family was like, she just simply didn’t want to go home.
Shi Hua’s family was the best among the three, and their life was considered wealthy. There was basically no pressure in their lives, so he could boldly pursue the career he wanted.
When Mo Wenli went to Shi Hua’s house, she realized that the gap between them was so big. Mo Wenli cleaned her shoes on the red carpet at the door, and when she opened the door, there were layers of shoe cabinets and slippers. “Can I… come in directly?” she said, standing at the door.
“Don’t worry about it, just come in.” Seeing that Mo Wenli was a little restrained, Shi Hua said.
Shi Hua’s house was exquisitely decorated, and all the rooms had air conditioning. She hadn’t been to many people’s homes. Zhang Jie wouldn’t take her to visit relatives during the New Year, but based on her feeling, Shi Hua’s family must be in very good condition, even in Jianghe City.
She originally just didn’t want to go home, but after arriving at Shi Hua’s house, she felt like she was sitting on pins and needles on the sofa. The sense of disparity that came out of the comparison instantly made her feel scared, or rather, inferior.
“Don’t worry about it, no one’s home.”
Seeing Mo Wenli suddenly sitting upright, Shi Hua took out two bottles of wine from another room, “Come on, I’ll drink with you today, anyway, I’m at my house, I’m not afraid.”
Although Shi Hua wasn’t a particularly sensitive person, he could still see some clues from her expression. He could feel that something was wrong with Mo Wenli. He never asked Mo Wenli about things she didn’t want to talk about. The two of them drank in the living room, occasionally chatting. This time, Mo Wenli drank very quickly. She finished a bottle in three or five mouthfuls, so she passed out directly after a while. Shi Hua carried her to the guest room, and she had been sleeping there ever since.
It seemed that Mo Wenli wasn’t in a very good mood. Behind the usual smiling face were some sorrows that others couldn’t see.
Before he could finish his words, Mo Wenli covered her mouth and stretched her head to the side of the sofa. Shi Hua was quick-witted and kicked a trash can over.
Twenty minutes later…
Mo Wenli sat on the stool with a tired face. She had vomited several times in the toilet, saying her after-drinking vows to never drink again.
Shi Hua asked her if she wanted to go home, “Go, I’m leaving.”
“Wait, drink this before you go.” Shi Hua handed over a cup of steaming “water.” Mo Wenli took a sip. It was a little spicy. It was ginger soup, with the taste of brown sugar. She glanced at Shi Hua, finished it in one gulp, and felt warm in her heart. This man, he’s pretty good, she thought.
Mo Wenli left, alone. Shi Hua watched her leave, and the two waved goodbye.
When she got home, Mo Wenli opened the door gently and found her mother sitting on the sofa. The two looked at each other, and Mo Wenli prepared to run back to her room, but the woman didn’t lose her temper. She just casually said, “Where did you go? Aren’t you cold? If you’re cold, come over here, there’s a fire.”
Mo Wenli stopped. She sat next to her mother, silently.
The only sounds in the room were the crackling of the firewood burning in the stove, and the slight shaking caused by the wind blowing on the glass outside the window. Mo Wenli lowered her head and didn’t speak. The atmosphere between the two was extremely awkward.
“Do you still have money?” Zhang Jie looked at Mo Wenli and said.
“Yes, I still have some.”
“If it’s not enough, tell me, no matter what… I’m still your mother.”
Mo Wenli was shocked. She didn’t know what she was expressing. She looked up at her, and there seemed to be a trace of kindness in her eyes. She hurriedly stood up and fled back to her room.
Zhang Jie’s work has always been intermittent. She hasn’t worked continuously. She has been living on the money that man left her for so many years. Mo Wenli’s money all went to her before elementary school. She only had her own money after working part-time at school during elementary school. In fact, even if she left her now, Mo Wenli could survive on her own, but it always felt a little cruel. After all, she only has herself, and she seems to only have her. They depend on each other for survival, perhaps torture each other, or perhaps the kinship that remains in their bodies has not been erased.
She envies Shi Hua, and she envies Meng Yue. She knows that Meng Yue’s parents are no longer alive, but Meng Yue still has a sister who cares about her. She can even feel the affection of the two girls caring about each other from their phone calls, which is something she is very eager for.
Although her classmates are also very nice to her, the feelings between classmates can’t make up for the emptiness in her heart. Until just now, she seemed to understand what she was missing, it was hate, she didn’t have it. With a drowsy feeling, Mo Wenli fell asleep.
New Year, there are still only the two of them here. Unexpectedly, Zhang Jie unusually asked Mo Wenli what she wanted to eat. To this, Mo Wenli just said two words, “Whatever.” In the evening, Zhang Jie made a table full of dishes, which looked quite rich, but the atmosphere in the room was a bit quiet. Mo Wenli was used to such days. Anyway, the person who disappeared will not come back, and she has no expectations. This is just an ordinary day in a year.
Shi Hua’s parents took him to visit several relatives. Because the road was slippery, he fell several times, which was really too much suffering. But it’s the old rules for relatives to visit each other every year. He has to be dragged to come even if he doesn’t want to, and after he comes, he will become a topic of conversation among the older generation, which is really painful.
Sometimes he can accompany with a few smiles, and then continue to be asked by the older guys if he has a girlfriend. If you answer yes, they will definitely gossip and ask for details about the girl. If you say no, they will definitely urge you. Every New Year is torture for Shi Hua, but this year is a little better. He received a Happy New Year from Mo Wenli, which made him feel very happy.
At this time, Meng Yue was queuing in a crowded supermarket. Meng Huan stood behind her, muttering non-stop. They were queuing to enter and entered the shopping area under the guidance of the staff. Meng Huan looked at the dazzling array of goods in front of her, “Today’s consumption is on me, Meng Huan! Take whatever sister wants to eat!” Looking at Meng Huan’s smiling face, Meng Yue was also very happy.
They were in the largest supermarket in Jianghe City center. It felt like they could be pushed away by people if they weren’t standing firmly. Meng Yue held Meng Huan’s hand and swept through two floors, buying several large bags of things. This year was the fourth year she and Meng Huan spent the New Year alone. A few days ago, her aunt sent a message asking them to come over this year, but due to the situation that year, Meng Yue was too embarrassed to go back.
At an intersection on the way home, Meng Huan saw her sister turning her head to look at the road on the right. She immediately understood what her sister was looking at. That used to be the direction they often walked, the road they used to go back to a few years ago.
“Next year, I will have money, and then we can go back.” Meng Huan walked to Meng Yue’s side, looking into the distance.
The road is still the road home, but the home is no longer their home.
“So amazing.” Hearing Meng Huan’s words, Meng Yue turned her head back, a little surprised.
Meng Huan has been working for so many years, relying entirely on her to support them. After their house was sold by their uncle that year, they just caught up with the soaring house prices. I’m afraid it will cost a lot of money to “redeem” it now.
“So, let’s go, let’s go back to that home first, I will definitely bring you back next year.” Meng Huan patted her chest, said with a confident look.
“However, I will go back later at night, I still have something to do, I will cook later.”
“Okay, don’t worry.”
They left, leaving a row of footprints to the right on the ground. They believe that they will definitely go back again.
After the New Year, the ice and snow finally melted, and spring was coming soon.
On the first day of school, Meng Yue received an unexpected message, Shi Hua and Mo Wenli were actually together.