Thank You For Your Hard Work, Madam He
“Do you like osmanthus?” He Xun touched his wife’s head.
The gleam on the eyes of Chen Wei’er couldn’t be concealed. “I like it! When I was young, my mother’s business was not stable. The two of us rented a single room in a courtyard house. There was an old lady in the yard who had no children, so she planted several osmanthuses in the yard. During autumn, the entire courtyard was filled with the fragrance of osmanthus! Besides, the old lady would also make osmanthus cakes for us to eat. They were fragrant and sweet, but I never got to taste them again.”
“I’ll pick the osmanthus with you and ask Aunty Song to make it!” He Xun also imagined the scene she described.
It was autumn, and there was a golden osmanthus tree. Under the tree, a little girl was holding an osmanthus cake and smiling happily with an old lady.
Unconsciously, a smile appeared on He Xun’s face. Chen Wei’er couldn’t help but ask curiously, “What are you thinking about?”
“I’m thinking about a little girl eating an osmanthus cake. You must have a happy childhood then.” He Xun lowered his head.
“Did you have a happy childhood?” Chen Wei’er asked in a low voice.
“My childhood is alright.” To He Xun, it was really just good enough.
“Tell me about your childhood.” She had been with He Xun for so long, but Chen Wei’er really didn’t know much about him. After all, in front of her, He Xun acted as if he was the only one who could take care of everything.
However, Chen Wei’er knew that He Xun was also an ordinary person. He had his own emotions. He had also encountered dissatisfaction. Thinking of this, Chen Wei’er’s heart ached.
He Xun was silent for a long time before he slowly answered, “I grew up with my eldest brother. My eldest brother was a responsible sibling, but at that time, he was only a young man in his early twenties. He didn’t have a good relationship with my father, and he had a bad temper. So ever since I became sensible, I was terrified of my eldest brother.”
He Xun continued, “At that time, my second brother was already living in school. He would only come back occasionally. My second brother liked to read since he was young. Even if he returned, he didn’t have time to play with me. My childhood was actually a little lonely.”
As He Xun spoke up to this point, he met his wife’s eyes, which were filled with sympathy. He smiled. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m not that pitiful. I have never lacked anything since I was young.”
“But for a child, the most important thing in their childhood is companionship.” Chen Wei’er shook her head.
Despite that, Chen Wei’er and He Xun had no reason to blame He Zui. If He Zui allowed He Xun to stay in the He family, then He Xun’s life would be truly tragic.
He Xun said, “My birth sped up my mother’s death. I’m already very grateful that my eldest brother didn’t hate me.” He Xun smiled bitterly. This was something that he would never be able to let go of in his life.
Chen Wei’er didn’t know what to say. She just held He Xun’s hand tightly.
He Xun turned around and patted Chen Wei’er. “I’m not that weak. When I was four or five years old, my neighbor had a little corgi. I liked it a lot. I always wanted to go over and take a look. But at that time, the outside world treated me like an inauspicious person. The parents also didn’t want me to get close to their children.”
He continued, “One night, I went downstairs for a walk with the nanny and met the little corgi. It didn’t have a leash, so I went over. The little corgi was very friendly. That was the first time I touched its head, and I remembered that feeling for many years. That day, I had a great time playing with the puppy. Soon, the puppy’s owner came out to look for it. When he saw me, he looked displeased and took the little corgi away. At that time, the owner told me that I jinxed my mother. He exclaimed that I shouldn’t jinx his dog.”
When He Xun said this, Chen Wei’er couldn’t listen to him anymore. She hugged He Xun tightly. “Let’s have a puppy. Shall we?”
He Xun touched his wife’s hair. “I can’t remember what that dog looked like when I was young, and I don’t need it anymore.”
“I’ll be with you and our baby from now on. Our family will always be together.” Chen Wei’er sounded as though she was crying.
“Thank you, Madam He. Please let me have a child soon.” He Xun smiled.
“Yes!” Chen Wei’er hugged He Xun. Her heart was aching for her husband. At that time, he was only a child. What did He Xun do wrong?
******
Meanwhile, in a small apartment in the city.
“Xiao Li, wake up.” He Yeli was deep in her sleep when a man’s voice entered her ear. She waved her hand impatiently.
“Shut up. I’m so sleepy.” Yesterday, she played in the bar until midnight. How long had she slept? Why was she being called so early?
“It’s already afternoon. Wake up and eat.” Zhang Wu shook He Yeli’s arm again.
He Yeli shook it off impatiently once more. She covered her head with the quilt.
Zhang Wu’s eyes flashed with ruthlessness. ‘One day, I would make you kneel at my feet and beg for mercy. But not now…’