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墨書 Inktalez
"Can't you let her study in peace? How many schools has she changed since she was little..."
"Is this my fault? Liu Ya, it's surprising that you are a teacher and still don't know how to reflect on yourself. Why does she keep changing schools? If you were willing to take on some responsibility as a mother, would she have to run around with me?"
"That's because of work! Do you understand how busy high school teaching is and how heavy the responsibilities are?"
"I may not understand, but do you understand my work? When your dad went to prison, my future was almost ruined. Do you know how much humiliation I endured at the company? When others didn't want to go on business trips, I went. When others didn't want to be transferred, I went. Expanding the market, I went. Contacting new businesses, I went... It was so difficult for me, and I still had to take care of Xiao Mo. What about you? Your students are your children, but Xiao Mo isn't? Later, when I ventured into business, I was overwhelmed and worked hard to get where I am now all by myself. Did your family ever give me any support? You even have the nerve to push everything onto me."
"Finally admitting it, you married me for my father's position from the start. What, now that my father can't help you, you're filled with resentment and venting your anger on me and our daughter? After all these years, you still can't let it go. Xu Zhou, are you even a man?"
A long silence.
In a gloomy tone, he said, "Are you blaming that incident on me?"
"Isn't it? If you hadn't messed around with her homeroom teacher back then, how would she have gone through all that!" Liu Ya suddenly burst into tears. "She was just a 12-year-old child at the time; how could you be so heartless... For a whole year, an entire year, and you didn't even notice she was right beside you. You just couldn't see her; your eyes were only on your mistress..."
"Enough!" Xu Zhou shouted in a low voice. "I don't want to talk about this anymore."
"What, feeling guilty?"
"I made mistakes; did you not? Just because she's my family's child, you've hated her and ignored her. Did you ever show her kindness when she was little? Did you ever cook a meal for her? When she was just born, did you feed her even once? She survived on formula that I provided!"
Another silence ensued.
"Forget it; arguing further won't resolve anything. Stop crying and go to the hospital."
"And you?"
"I'm going back to the company for a bit."
"Don't go to the school; Xiao Mo has already said she doesn't want to escalate things."
"Alright, I understand."
Footsteps gradually echoed in Mr. Xu's bedroom. I hurriedly tiptoed into the bathroom and opened a crack in the door. Watching Mr. Xu and Mrs. Xu leave the villa one after another, I finally dared to return to the living room.
I only understood bits and pieces of their conversation, but one thing was clear: something happened to Xu Wenmo when she was twelve.
What could it be?
Xu Wenmo was discharged from the hospital two days later. During the second period in the morning, the physics teacher stood at the podium passionately explaining when the classroom door was pushed open from outside. Xu Wenmo appeared at the door with a pale face.
The teachers in this grade probably had heard about her situation since they all shared an office.
The physics teacher stopped waving his arms and turned his head to look at her. "Are you feeling better?"
"Well, that's about it."
"Come in."
After class, Xu Wenmo approached me at my desk with a stylish gift bag, which was rare for her. The classmates around us curiously glanced over.
"I came straight from the hospital," she said, placing the gift bag on the table. "These are snacks someone gave me. I don't like snacks, so here you go."
Her lips looked pale, as if she hadn't fully recovered yet. At that moment, I didn't want to confront her too harshly, fearing that a single word might provoke her and cause her to collapse right there, which would be difficult to handle.
However, I still couldn't let go of my feelings about her actions, so I coldly accepted the bag and said, "Thanks."
"My mom said you've been worried about me these past few days," she said, looking down and seeming a bit nervous. "I'm fine, but I still want to thank you."
"Mm." I sat in my seat, unmoving like a statue.
"I didn't bring lunch today. Shall we go out to eat together?"
"Sure."
Perhaps my attitude made her feel awkward. "Then I'll... head back first."
"Mm-hmm."
Just like that, I returned to the days when we used to come and go together.
Although we appeared amicable on the surface, the fire in my heart had not diminished even a bit due to her overtures. Every time I faced her seemingly innocent yet actually cruel face, I felt an impulse to slap her and shatter this hypocrisy, just like my father did to me.
But you know, I only dared to think about it.
After school in the afternoon, I returned to the villa while it was still light outside.
To my surprise, Mr. Xu had come back so early.
He sat on the sofa, rubbing his furrowed brow with his eyes slightly closed, troubled by something. When he heard me and Xu Wenmo enter, he quickly turned his head. Upon seeing Xu Wenmo, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes as he strode over and grasped her shoulders tightly. "Who allowed you to leave the hospital without permission? Do you know your mother and I have been looking everywhere for you?" Perhaps realizing his tone was too harsh, he softened it a bit. "Xiao Mo, please don't do that again. It makes us very worried."
Xu Wenmo broke free from Mr. Xu's grip and walked past him into the house. "I'm going to class."
Mr. Xu turned to watch Xu Wenmo's retreating figure and sighed deeply before turning back to me with a forced smile. "I have work at the company; please talk to her."
"Oh, okay," I nodded repeatedly.
Then Mr. Xu left quickly while talking on the phone.
I let out a cold laugh; talk to her? Did she deserve it?
In the stillness of the deep night, as usual, Mr. Xu returned home reeking of alcohol, his disordered footsteps echoing from the front door straight to his bedroom. I waited for a few seconds, but there was no sound of the bedroom door closing.
I stood up from beside the bed, finding a more resolute reason for what I was about to do. Xu Wenmo, this is what you owe me. Since you brought me in, you must bear the cost of my revenge.
Next, I adjusted my thin nightgown, which revealed a bit of my shoulder. My long hair fell loosely around me. Rubbing my eyes, they turned red, giving me a look that was both sleepy and innocent. I stood in front of the vanity mirror, satisfied with my smile, then turned around, opened the door, and walked down the steps in a daze.
Entering the kitchen, I grabbed a glass and approached the water dispenser in the living room. Pretending to casually notice Mr. Xu's door wide open and brightly lit, I cautiously walked over out of concern.
"Uncle Xu, is that you back?" I called out before reaching the door. As expected, Mr. Xu did not respond. I continued forward, carefully peeking in and saw him lying across the large bed in his bedroom, half of his body hanging off the edge. His tie was loose, and two buttons of his shirt collar had been forcibly undone—one hanging by a thread near his collarbone and the other lying on the floor. For reasons unknown to me, I bent down to pick up the button on the ground and held it tightly in my palm.
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