Chapter 6

***

It was already past 8:00 p.m. when Xia Feng returned. Even if the summer day was long, it had already been dark for some time. When Xia Feng drove towards the underground carpark, he looked up to see that his balcony was lit up.

How many overtime nights had he silently wished for this scene? Though the other person was someone else.

“I’m back.” When he opened the front door and shouted this, he felt so refreshed.

Yu Dong who was eating a slice of watermelon while reading through her script turned around and waved from the sofa. “You’re back? I brought some watermelon home if you want some.”

“I don’t want any.” Xia Feng turned towards her voice, and suddenly his face darkened. “What are you wearing?”

Yu Dong looked down at herself. She was wearing a men’s white shirt that just barely covers her butt and exposed her fair thighs.

Yu Dong calmly put down the watermelon rind, took a napkin and said: “My clothes are in the wash, and I didn’t have any pajamas. So I took a shirt from your closet, you seem to have plenty of these shirts anyway.”

“You…you shouldn’t wear that.” Xia Feng’s eyes trailed upwards, dodging her.

“What’s wrong with it?” Yu Dong was puzzled.

Yu Dong turned around and saw Xia Feng’s obvious embarrassment, he clearly didn’t know where to put his gaze.

Suddenly, a mischievous thought arose.

Yu Dong suddenly shifted into a sexy posture on the sofa, used her 4-year university dubbing skills to change her voice into a sexier tone, and after licking her lower lip said, “Husband, I wanted to wear it for you.”

Xia Feng suddenly felt his lower abdomen tighten, and with a flushed face, he fled into his bedroom.

Yu Dong fell back into the sofa laughing.

Hearing her laughter, Xia Feng felt that he was being teased by a cheating little girl. With his little remaining dignity, he opened his door to walk towards Yu Dong who was still giggling on the sofa.

“Uh…” Yu Dong was startled by his sudden return, and her laughter stopped abruptly.

“You’ll pay for this.” Xia Feng’s expression was grave.

Yu Dong blinked, and when Xia Feng was about to get up and leave, she suddenly wrapped her hands around his neck, leaned close to breathe into his ear and whispered, “Come on then!”

Xia Feng’s body twitched, and he once again fled.

Yu Dong laughed even louder and almost rolled off the sofa.

She dared to say these things because she knew his face was thin. Also, this sister had been hungry for so many years in her previous life. Now that she had the necessary certificate, she had been eagerly anticipating.

(T/N saying you have a thick face means you have no shame. So having a thin face means you’re easily embarrassed.)

But no matter how loudly Yu Dong continued to laugh, Xia Feng didn’t come out again.

After laughing so much, Yu Dong became a little hungry. She had been reading her script the moment she came back, so she never had the chance to eat dinner. She thought about the man hiding in his bedroom and shouted, “Have you eaten dinner yet? If you haven’t, we can eat together.”

Xia Feng was still a little annoyed but nevertheless, he opened his door and asked her: “What do you want to eat?”

“I think there’s a noodle shop just outside the neighborhood. I can call them.”

“That noodle shop isn’t very sanitary. And you should eat less takeaway.” Xia Feng told her.

“But I’m hungry!” Yu Dong clutched at her stomach. “Can you please look inside the refrigerator and cook something?”

Xia Feng went into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. It was filled with many ingredients and a variety of carbonated drinks. He frowned but didn’t comment. Looking through the ingredients, there was a good variety of meats and vegetables. Xia Feng thought about it and asked, “What do you want to eat?”

“I don’t mind, and anyway the ingredients are all things I love eating.” Yu Dong said.

“….” She was being very honest. Xia Feng took out some vegetables, intending to make a bowl of vegetarian noodles.

“If you want to cook the spare ribs, I haven’t eaten sweet and sour ribs in a while.” Suddenly another sentence drifted from the living room.

“….” Xia Feng looked down at the vegetables in his hands, thought about it, then reached in the refrigerator to take out the ribs.

Dinner ended up being a strange mix of sweet and sour pork ribs with bowls of vegetable noodles. A plate of ribs had already been eaten by Yu Dong, who seemed to really enjoy them.

“You’re really good at cooking, just below my mom!” Yu Dong said with narrowed eyes.

“Sweet and sour ribs are high in sugar and protein, and it’s pretty late now, you should eat less.” Xia Feng couldn’t help but say.

“Don’t worry I’ll just run 2 laps after dinner to make sure I don’t get fat.”

“It’s one thing to be fat, but that doesn’t indicate your actual health. Overeating won’t be good for your stomach and intestines. And drink less carbonated drinks, one bottle every two days.”

“Doctor Xia, can I see you again when I’m actually ill? Please let me eat.” Yu Dong looked at him with pitiful eyes.

Xia Feng wanted to remain firm, but her enthusiastic eating managed to pull her loose shirt, revealing a white shoulder.

Xia Feng immediately moved his sight away and uncomfortably said, “Do what you want, just wash the dishes after eating.”

“Of course!”

Xia Feng returned to his room and picked up a bottle of mineral water from the table, gulping down half the bottle in one go.

This is really killing him.

……

The next day was another sunny morning.

After breakfast, the two went to the hospital early, as today was mother Xia’s surgery.

Because it was a complex operation and Xia Feng’s parents were good friends with the hospital director, the hospital attached great importance to it. Because the operation was expected to be a long one, the operation was scheduled for 10:30 a.m.

Xia Feng, father Xia, and Yu Dong followed the operating bed all the way to the operating room. When the bed was just about to go in, mother Xia smiled at father Xia and told him to wait for her to come out.

Father Xia also smiled and nodded.

Holding Yu Dong’s hand, mother Xia said happily, “Don’t worry, I’m sure I’ll be alright. Wait for me to plan your wedding.”

“Un.” Xia Feng didn’t speak, but Yu Dong nodded vigorously.

Looking at her son again, mother Xia was pushed into the operating room.

The three people who had to stay outside stood until the lights in the operating room came on, then sat on the chairs in the corridor.

Waiting was always the hardest. Yu Dong didn’t know how long she had been sitting, her legs and feet had long become stiff. She was also tired. Looking sideways she could see Xia Feng and father Xia looking at the operation doors.

Xia Feng asked, “Dad, the operation’s going to take another 5 hours. Do you want to lie down in my office for a rest?”

“No.” father Xia shook his head. “I promised your mother that I would wait for her to come out.”

Xia Feng, who knew his parents’ feelings well, knew he couldn’t be persuaded.

Yu Dong thought about it, then got up and left. Xia Feng watched her go and said nothing.

After a while, Yu Dong came back with 3 bottles of water and handed Xia Feng and father Xia a bottle each: “Uncle have some water.”

Yu Dong thought about the fact that 5 hours had passed since the operation started. Both men didn’t eat during this time and most likely didn’t have an appetite, so she just bought water.

“Thank you!” Xia Feng received the bottles.

Yu Dong silently sat on her chair again and slowly ended up leaning against the wall, fast asleep.

When Xia Feng saw this, he went to look for a nurse to ask for help. Soon a nurse procured a blanket, and Xia Feng carefully wrapped it around Yu Dong. Seeing her face lined with tiredness, he unexpectedly felt a little pity.

Time continues to walk steadily, no matter how much people want it to go faster.

When the operating lights turned off, father Xia stood up almost instantaneously. Xia Feng did the same after a beat.

After a while, a nurse pushed the operating bed out. Father Xia followed the bed while carefully observing mother Xia with eyes full of heartache.

“Director Wang!” Xia Feng looked towards Director Wang nervously.

Director Wang took off his mask, and while he was obviously exhausted, he still squeezed out a smile and said, “The operation was a success.”

Xia Feng finally breathed a sigh of relief and was so excited he didn’t know what else to say.

“How was it?” At this time, Yu Dong, who woke up, ran towards them anxiously.

“Well, I’m exhausted. No need to say anything else. Instead, when your mother has recuperated, just invite me to your house for dinner.” Director Wang patted Xia Feng’s arm then left.

“Is auntie alright?” Although the doctor’s words made Yu Dong believe the operation was successful, she still wanted to confirm with Xia Feng.

“My mom’s alright!” Xia Feng excitedly embraced Yu Dong happily, “My mom’s alright! My mom’s alright!”

“Oh…” Yu Dong took a moment, then slowly hugged Xia Feng back and comforted him.

“There’s no need to worry, auntie is fine.”

“Yes…I’m sorry.” Xia Feng, finally realizing what he was doing, quickly released Yu Dong.

“Why don’t we go see your mom?” seeing him embarrassed, Yu Dong distracted him.

At her words, Xia Feng hurriedly left and went to the intensive care unit.

Yu Dong shook her head in amusement, which allowed her to loosen her stiff body. She picked up the blanket on her chair and headed towards the nurses’ desk.

After she returned the blanket and arrived at the intensive care unit, she saw that father Xia had changed into sterile clothes and was inside mother Xia’s room, while Xia Feng stood outside and was looking at them through the window.

“Uncle and aunt are very loving.” Yu Dong was somewhat envious.

“Yeah. In fact, my dad’s temper isn’t particularly good. He used to speak loudly when he was young but was afraid of my mom.” Xia Feng also seemed envious of his parents’ relationship. “They didn’t quarrel much. Though my mom was petty, she’s still the best mom to me.”

“Then you took after your father?” Yu Dong suddenly asked.

“Eh?” Xia Feng sounded a little puzzled.

“Because I love to be petty too.”

“….”

“I’m going to buy something to eat, uncle didn’t eat today. You let him out to eat before you go inside.” Yu Dong said.

“I’ll buy it!” Xia Feng didn’t feel right letting Yu Dong run errands for him.

“It’s alright, you should accompany auntie more.” Yu Dong stopped him. “I also need to walk more.”

Xia Feng didn’t insist.

As soon as Yu Dong left, Shao Yifan appeared.

“Who’s that girl?” Shao Yifan, who knew that mother Xia’s operation ended smoothly, became relieved, and turned back into his usual gossipy self.

“Why are you here?” Xia Feng complained without heat.

“I just finished an operation and came to check on mother Xia.” Shao Yifan looked through the window and said, “Aunt’s alright then.”

“Yes, her vital signs are normal.”

“That’s good.” Shao Yifan nodded and began to gossip. “I heard the nurses say that a girl was waiting with you and father Xia outside the surgery room. Your relative? A cousin?”

“Why are you so interested?”

“Why can’t you just answer!” Shao Yifan was exasperated. “Dude, I’ve been single for so long…”

“Yes, quite long, almost two months.” Xia Feng spits out.

“Am I not your friend? Can’t you help me?”

“What friend! And why are you trying to prey on your friend’s relatives! That’s your sister-in-law!” Xia Feng said with irritation.

“Sister-in-law?” Shao Yifan blinked. He knew Xia Feng married before mother Xia’s operation. He wouldn’t be the filial Xia Feng otherwise. To help his mother feel at ease, after his fallout with An An, Shao Yifan figured he rented a someone to pretend to be his wife.

“What’s with your expression?” Xia Feng saw the conflicting emotions on his face.

“You really rented a wife!”

Father Xia opened the door at this moment.

Xia Feng thought he would have a heart attack, and grabbed Sao Yifan to whisper: “Remember that girl’s name is Yu Dong, and she’s my wife. Don’t say anything, I’ll explain later.”

Father Xia came out to see the 2 men. “You came.”

“Hello, uncle!”

“Father Xia nodded towards Shao Yifan then asked, “What about your wife?”

“She went out to buy us food.” Xia Feng replied.

Father Xia nodded and told him,: “Go back home after dinner, Yu Dong should be tired after spending the whole day in a hospital.”

“Yes, I’ll take her back in a minute. Dad, you rest too. I’ll stay with mom tonight.”

“No, no. Your mother would lose her temper if she woke up and I wasn’t there.

“Then go back to my office to sleep, I’ll get a nurse to call you if something happens.” Xia Feng proposed.

Father Xia nodded.

After a while, Yu Dong returned with 3 boxes of lunch and saw even more people outside in the corridor. She couldn’t help chuckling.

The stranger didn’t pay much attention to Yu Dong, instead walking them to the lounge to eat dinner.

“I’ll wait for your explanation!” The hospital was busy so Shao Yifan would need to go back to work soon.

After eating, Xia Feng walked Yu Dong downstairs.

“Uncle is old, make him rest more tonight.” Yu Dong knew that Xia Feng would be staying in the hospital, so she told him this.

“I will. Thank you for today!” Xia Feng sincerely said.

“Then I’ll also thank you!” Yu Dong laughed.

“Thank me?”

“Thank you for the blanket.”

“Don’t worry about such a small thing.” Xia Feng responded.

“Then don’t be so polite with me either! Aren’t your parents my parents too?”

After this, the front doors closed and Yu Dong left. Xia Feng lingered, then finally started to walk back towards the intensive care unit.

Maybe it was because the night had a cool breeze, but at this moment Xia Feng suddenly felt a little happier.