Chapter 5: Just Wait a Moment

In the wind and rain, I took a taxi back to the shabby residential complex where I’d lived for two years. Stepping out of the car, I found myself glancing instinctively to see if Micai’s Audi Q7 was parked downstairs.

Luckily, the car was gone. Even luckier: I hadn’t given the house key back to her yet. I thought optimistically—Dad was only staying for one night anyway. If she didn’t come back tonight, everything would blow over without a hitch.

I ran back to the apartment as fast as I could, stowed my luggage back in its place in record time, and made up the bed. Only then did I stand at the bus stop with an umbrella, waiting for Dad’s arrival.

About a quarter of an hour later, a bus from the long-distance station trundled over. I craned my neck and sure enough, saw Dad getting off, a briefcase in hand.

I waved and called out, “Dad! Over here!”

Dad looked a little surprised as he walked over. “Weren’t you supposed to be dinner with your colleagues?”

“Dinner’s trivial—your visit’s the important thing. I know my priorities.” As I spoke, I took the briefcase from him to carry.

Dad fell silent and followed me into the complex.

I grumbled, “Dad, this is a work trip with official expenses. Next time just take a taxi here, okay? It’s not like they won’t reimburse you!”

“Official money’s still money. Save wherever you can.” Dad’s voice was stern.

“The government’s got trillions in foreign reserves parked in the US—we’re not short on your taxi fare!”

Dad said nothing, clearly unwilling to argue about values. He’d always been like this: once he thought something was right, he never bothered explaining. It was as if he lived in his own little world—a world where he’d been a deputy section chief for 15 years.

……

Back in the apartment, Dad pulled a stainless steel lunch box out of his other bag. “These are wild crucian carp I fished last week. Your mom stewed them and told me to bring them for you. Heat ’em up when you want, or eat ’em cold—it’s fine either way.”

“Let’s have ’em tonight then.”

Dad stared at me, confused. “Weren’t you already eating with colleagues?”

“Well, you showed up, so I left halfway through.” I quickly changed the subject. “By the way, Dad—did you bring the glutinous rice wine Mom brewed?”

Dad nodded and pulled out an old orange juice bottle—filled with my favorite rice wine.

We poured ourselves a glass each, eating the stewed carp and peanuts while waiting for the white rice porridge simmering in the rice cooker, chatting casually between bites.

My mind was elsewhere, though. I was terrified Micai might come back suddenly. Scaring her was the least of my worries—if Dad found out the truth, I might as well die.

……

I’d just finished my glass of rice wine when footsteps came from outside, followed by the sound of a key turning in the lock. My heart raced. I glanced at Dad, then at the door just steps away.

The door opened, and sure enough, it was Micai. She froze at the sight before her, but Dad barely reacted—he just took her for my roommate, or maybe my girlfriend.

Before Micai could speak, I grabbed her arm and asked solicitously, “Have you been drinking? Let me help you to your room… No need to thank me—we’re roommates, it’s the least I can do.”

Despite my polite words, I covered her mouth with my hand where Dad couldn’t see, then hurried her into her room.

“You bastard… Let go of me!” Micai struggled, her words muffled.

“Shut up!” I whispered sharply.

Micai struggled to pull out her phone—even a fool could tell she was going to call the police. My actions were practically breaking and entering.

I snatched the phone from her, pushed her onto the bed, and straddled her to stop her from struggling—regardless of how rude the position was.

I whispered nervously, “For fuck’s sake, stop yelling! If my dad hears this, I’m dead!”

Micai ignored me, her face terrified as she instinctively grabbed a handful of my hair and pulled hard.

The pain was excruciating. I gritted my teeth but didn’t dare make a sound. “Take it easy! You’re gonna pull my hair out!”

“You bastard…” Micai mumbled through my hand.

I snapped, “Yeah, I’m a bastard…!”

Then I softened my tone. “But not in my dad’s eyes! He has high blood pressure. If he finds out I’m broke and don’t even have a place to live, it’ll kill him… Please, just help me get through tonight. He’s only here for work—he’ll leave tomorrow morning… I promise I’ll never bother you again!”

Micai finally stopped struggling and let go of my hair, but her beautiful eyes still glared at me with hatred and disgust.

I carefully removed my hand from her mouth. This time, she didn’t scream.

I let out a long sigh of relief, only to realize I was still straddling her. I was about to get up apologetically when Micai twisted her body and pushed me hard. I crashed to the floor with a loud thud.

“Zhaoyang? What are you doing in there?” Dad called out at the noise.

I endured the pain and replied, “Just bumped into the cabinet…!”

Dad didn’t ask further. Micai looked at me with a mix of amusement and anger—like she’d gotten her revenge.

“I warn you, don’t say anything stupid! My dad really has high blood pressure—he can’t take a shock. Stay in this room and don’t come out!”

Micai neither agreed nor refused.

I gestured for her to please, but she still said nothing. I had to comfort myself that she was agreeing by default. I gave her one last pleading look before closing the door and heading back to the living room.

………

When I got to the living room, Dad had already served three bowls of porridge. “Zhaoyang, take a bowl to that girl. She drank, so she needs something to eat—can’t go hungry.”

“Let her rest,” I said.

As soon as the words left my mouth, Micai walked out of her room carrying her handbag…

Given all the terrible things I’d done to her, Micai would’ve been justified in tearing me apart. Exposing me in front of Dad would’ve been well-deserved payback.

My legs went weak with nervousness—yet Micai walked straight toward the door without even looking at me. It seemed she was planning to leave the apartment to me for the night.

I was just about to relax when my usually taciturn dad spoke to Micai before she could leave. “Young lady, I made you some porridge. Eat it while it’s hot.”

I was desperate for Micai to leave, so I kept winking at her. But to my surprise, she looked at me, then nodded at Dad. “Thank you, uncle.”

……

Two people who’d just been fighting like cats and dogs ended up sitting at the same table eating porridge—all thanks to some strange twist of fate. I sat there like a guilty suspect, saying nothing, while constantly on guard against Micai spilling the beans.

I stole glances at her from the corner of my eye, wondering what she was up to. But she didn’t seem to have any intention of telling Dad the truth—she just sipped her porridge slowly.

Dad had always been quiet and focused, especially when eating. So he finished his porridge first, picked up his briefcase, and said to me, “You’ve got company here. I’ll go stay at a hotel.”

I looked at Micai, then at Dad. “Dad, don’t go—you can share my bed tonight.”

“I’ve been snoring really badly lately. You have to work tomorrow—I don’t want to disturb your sleep.” Dad shook his head, then pulled a sweater out of his bag. “Your mom knitted this for you.”

I took it and frowned. “Why two sweaters?”

“For when you get a girlfriend. Homemade sweaters are thicker and warmer!”

I sighed helplessly. I knew Dad and Mom were subtly reminding me to find a girlfriend again.

I glanced at Micai, who was still eating porridge, and teased, “It’s getting cold. I’ll give you one later!”

Micai glared at me but didn’t lose her temper in front of Dad. I secretly felt pleased with myself.

……

Before leaving, Dad counted out 3,000 yuan from his wallet and held it out to me. “Take this.”

I waved it off with a laugh. “Why give me money? I’m not short on cash!”

Dad stuffed the money into my hand. “I raised you—I know exactly what you’re like. I’ve told you a hundred times: plan your spending… Go pay the utility bills when you get a chance.” He nodded at the overdue utility notice lying on the floor from a few days ago.

My nose suddenly felt tight. I really wasn’t a son who made his parents proud. I pushed the money back. “I don’t need it. Mom’s not in good health—keep it for her to buy health supplements. I’ll get paid next week.”

Dad didn’t argue. He put the money on the table, glanced at Micai, and walked out the door alone.

……

I chased after him and walked him down to the street. The normally silent Dad said, “That girl’s nice—very pretty!”

I pulled him to a stop and pointed at the Q7 parked nearby. “Dad, drop the idea—she’s not my type… See that car? It’s hers.”

Dad followed my gaze to the red Q7, looking confused. I guessed he was wondering why someone who drove such a nice car would live in such a run-down place.

In the end, Dad chose his usual silence. He felt helpless about my terrible situation. Whether we wanted to admit it or not, we lived in an era where love was often proven with money. So I told him to drop the idea—and I refused to let myself dream about it either!

That night, Dad left me with one final sentence: “Work hard.” Then he walked away in the rain, holding an umbrella.

Watching his aging figure disappear into the rain, I heard the longing in those words. He wanted me to work hard, to marry a good girl, to give him a grandson… But Dad, I’m stuck in my own helplessness and struggle, trapped in the weight and pull of reality. All those “goods” you’re waiting for—can they just wait… a little longer?

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***