I slept very well that night, waking up still in Hugh Pei's arms.
He was still asleep. I quietly slipped out of bed. His clothes were on the chair. I picked them up and sniffed them—sure enough, they smelled of alcohol. He must have drunk a lot last night.
Just then, my phone vibrated. It was my dad again.
I helplessly went outside the bedroom to answer the call.
"Zoe, when are you and Hugh Pei coming back? I've already bought all the groceries. Your mom said she's going to cook personally today!" My dad was overjoyed, a true WangXu-Stone(stone that longs for the son-in-law).
"Dad, Hugh Pei and I probably aren't coming back today…" I could barely bring myself to say it. My dad had been looking forward to Hugh Pei coming for a meal so much.
But Hugh Pei had to go to Erhua today. Things were in full swing there, and he had to go check on the site from time to time.
Hearing my words, my dad was predictably displeased. "Why aren't you coming back? Did you not tell him? Or does he not want to come?"
In the first year of our marriage, my parents would often ask us to come over for a meal, but Hugh Pei always refused. He would only make a token appearance on my parents' birthdays or during holidays.
Over time, my parents got the message and stopped asking. Their opinion of Hugh Pei grew increasingly negative.
I was about to use work as an excuse when the phone was taken from my hand. I turned in surprise. Hugh Pei was already up. He took my phone and said to my dad, "Dad, we'll be right over."
With his promise, my dad was of course satisfied and hung up.
Hugh Pei handed the phone back to me. Seeing me staring blankly, he raised an eyebrow. "What are you spacing out for?"
"Aren't you going to Erhua?" I quickly took the phone.
"I can go this afternoon," Hugh Pei said. He was wearing a navy blue crewneck sweater that fit his broad shoulders perfectly, paired with black pants. It was a very casual and effortless style.
Well, at least this would save me from my dad's mental torment.
I washed up, changed in the walk-in closet, and went downstairs. Hugh Pei drove us to my parents' house.
When we arrived, my parents were unusually enthusiastic. They served Hugh Pei fruit and tea, their faces all smiles. Their decades-long marriage had almost been ruined, and since my dad couldn't investigate the matter himself without attracting attention, Hugh Pei had done them a huge favor.
This harmonious atmosphere was a rare sight for me, but I felt it was a good thing.
As lunchtime approached, I received a call from Eva Liu. "Miss Xu, my relative who practices traditional Chinese medicine said he has another prescription that is very effective for promoting pregnancy. Several people here were successfully treated by him. Do you still need it?"
Eva Liu was indeed a warm-hearted person.
I glanced at Hugh Pei. He was busy replying to a message, I didn't know who.
"Okay, how about this, you get a few doses for me, and I'll come to your place to pick them up in a few days, okay?" I said softly.
"No problem, I'll send you the address," Eva Liu replied.
Soon, I had the address where Lila Wei and her family were currently living. I exited the message, my expression unchanged.
After lunch, Hugh Pei told my parents he had to go to Erhua. My parents were understanding and didn't keep him.
I wanted to stay at home for a couple of days, so I didn't leave with Hugh Pei.
After Hugh Pei left, my dad went fishing with two friends by the river, not afraid of the cold at all. I stayed at home with my mom, watching soap operas. My mom started talking about Hugh Pei, "Zoe, I feel like Hugh Pei has changed a bit. Have you two been getting along better recently?"
"I guess so," I replied after some thought.
Did having sex a few times count as getting along better?
"Maybe he's starting to see your good qualities and cherish what he has. That's good. You've liked him for so many years, and you're finally getting some response," my mom said, her heart aching for my unrequited love.
I rested my head on her lap, lying on the sofa and watching TV. I smiled, "Maybe."
I didn't want to tell my mom about Lila Wei, nor did I want to talk about the situation with Hugh Pei. I would tell her everything after the divorce.
I drifted off to my mom's gentle chatter. When I woke up, I was covered with a blanket. My mom was tending to her hydroponic scallions. I squinted, watching the faint sunlight stream through the window. Everything was peaceful and serene.
I ended up staying for nearly a week. The days at home were always leisurely and relaxed. Sometimes I would go to the company with my mom. Don't be fooled by her gentle demeanor at home; at the company, she acted like a powerful female CEO.
Eating well and sleeping well, my body and my complexion improved a lot.
On a sunny day, I drove to Lila Wei's place to pick up the medicine. She probably didn't know I was coming, otherwise she would have contacted me long ago.
"Auntie Liu!" I greeted her with a bright smile as the door opened.
Eva Liu was wearing an apron and seemed to be cleaning. She was surprised to see me, then her face broke into a warm smile. "Miss Xu, come in, come in! Have a seat!"
She took the gift I brought, saying apologetically, "You shouldn't have brought anything."
I walked into the living room. It was an old apartment complex, not just the exterior but also the interior decoration had a vintage feel. It looked to be about eighty square meters, with two bedrooms and one living room.
Eva Liu kept the place very clean. She asked me to sit on the sofa and poured me a glass of water.
Victor Wei heard the noise and came out of the bedroom, saying cheerfully, "Is that Lila with her boyfriend?"
When he saw me, he was taken aback, then he also greeted me with a cheerful smile. "Oh, it's Miss Xu. My daughter said she's bringing her boyfriend home for dinner today. I thought it was them."
Lila Wei's boyfriend? Was she planning to bring Hugh Pei home for dinner?
How ridiculous. Hugh Pei refused to sign the divorce papers with me, but he was going to the Wei's for dinner as Lila Wei's boyfriend.
"It's a good thing Miss Xu is here too, to help us size him up. I heard Lila's boyfriend is almost thirty. His father and I think he's a bit too old, but Lila can be stubborn, so we can't do much about it. We'll see what he's like when he gets here," Eva Liu said with a smile, placing a plate of washed grapes on the table.
I smiled slightly. "Of course."
I might as well catch them off guard today.
I chatted idly with Eva Liu and Victor Wei, but my mind was not on the conversation. I was listening for any sounds from outside. After a while, I heard footsteps approaching, followed by the sound of the door opening.
"They're back, they're back!" Victor Wei said happily, not looking like he disapproved of the man's age at all.
My heart was in my throat, my eyes fixed on the slowly opening door. When Lila Wei and the man appeared, I couldn't help but be stunned.
The man behind her was about thirty, dressed in a mature and steady manner, with decent looks. But he was not Hugh Pei.
"Sis Zoe?" Seeing me, Lila Wei also showed surprise.