Chapter 34

Chapter 34

***

When Xu Lian arrived, she brought fruit with her. Xiang ChangKong had given her a key, but Xu Lian decided to knock first.

Xiang ChangKong had already told his mother that Xu Lian was visiting, but his mother gave no reaction that she understood. When Xu Lian knocked, it was Xiang ChangKong who opened the front door for her. Xu Lian smiled at him. Xiang ChangKong invited her in, then said to Weng ShuLi, who was reading on the sofa: “Mom, Xu Lian came to see you.”

Maybe because she was currently reading, but Weng ShuLi was wearing glasses today. She raised her head from the book, look towards Xiang ChangKong and Xu Lian, then went back to her book.

The book was bought by Xiang Nuan, who had been worried that her mother would be bored staying home alone. Weng ShuLi had never touched it all this time, but today she suddenly became interested. Quite puzzling.

Xiang ChangKong helplessly pulled Xu Lian to sit down on the sofa and said: “I’ve made lunch. Xu Lian, you can eat here at noon if you want. Just heat it up.”

Xu Lian nodded. “Alright. You don’t need to worry about me, you can go to work.”

To be honest, Xiang ChangKong didn’t want to leave Xu Lian alone with his mother. He wasn’t afraid that Xu Lian would bully his mother, but that Weng ShuLi’s situation might make Xu Lian feel wronged. But Xu Lian was the one who offered to spend some time with his mother. This made him quite happy. Xiang ChangKong had also hoped that the relationship between the two could improve.

He looked down at Xu Lian and faintly smiled. “Alright. If you need anything, just call me.”

“Un.”

When Xiang ChangKong left, Weng ShuLi was still reading. It seems that she had no intention of taking care of Xu Lian. Xu Lian put down the fruits she brought on the table, then asked Weng ShuLi: “Auntie, do you like strawberries? These strawberries are from Starlight Farm. They were freshly pucked and shipped from the farm just this morning. I’ll wash them for you?”

Weng ShuLi didn’t respond, but Xu Lian didn’t care. She went into the kitchen and found a big bowl to soak the strawberries in. After washing them, Xu Lian returned to the living room and found that Weng ShuLi hadn’t moved an inch.

Xu Lian placed the bowl of strawberries on the coffee table, then curiously looked at the book Weng ShuLi was reading. The title was ‘Actor,’ written by Xing Xin.

“Auntie, do you like Xing Xin too? This novel was made into a movie, starring Mo Zhen. Have you seen it?”

Weng ShuLi was silent.

Xu Lian pushed the strawberries towards her and said. “Do you want some strawberries? I just tried one, it’s sweet.”

Perhaps it was the aroma of the strawberries, but Weng ShuLi finally looked up to glance at the bowl. The berries looked tempting, but in the end, Weng ShuLi went back to her book.

Xu Lian picked up a strawberry, stuffed it into her mouth, and stopped talking.

Xu Lian wasn’t the kind of person who liked talking in the first place. She wouldn’t have said so much if it wasn’t Xiang ChangKong’s mother. Ever since she was young, Xu Lian had no friends. She didn’t know how to act pleasant. She had actually broken her own record by talking with Weng ShuLi for so long.

Xu Lian ate another strawberry and continued to quietly look at Weng ShuLi.

As for Weng ShuLi’s illness, Xiang ChangKong had already explained it to her.

After Father Xiang died, Weng ShuLi’s mental state had turned bad. Because Xiang ChangKong had been busy dealing with his father’s affairs and his own school matters, he couldn’t care for his mother. Unexpectedly, Weng ShuLi was taken advantage of by some people and was cheated into giving up all her savings.

After finding out that she had been cheated, Weng ShuLi’s mental state completely collapsed, and she fell ill. At the time, the family had no money, so in order to pay for her medical expenses, Xiang ChangKong had to sell their house.

At first, Weng ShuLi became paralyzed. She couldn’t take care of herself at all. The doctor checked on her several times but said that there were no problems with her bodily functions. Her inaction was most likely caused by psychological reasons. Xiang ChangKong had tried to find her a psychological expert, but Weng ShuLi refused to communicate with anyone.

In the end, Xiang ChangKong had to give up the chance to study abroad. He had become too busy with trying to stabilize his family. He had to hire a nanny to take care of Weng ShuLi’s day to day needs.

After more than six months of treatment, though still reluctant to speak, Weng ShuLi was no able to slowly walk. For the past three years, Xiang ChangKong had unwaveringly continued Weng ShuLi’s treatments, and eventually, she improved.

However, Weng ShuLi still refused to go out or talk to them.

Xu Lian spent the morning in Xiang ChangKong’s home. Weng ShuLi never said a word to her, and Xu Lian ended up eating all the strawberries she had brought. Seeing the empty bowl in front of her, Xu Lian turned towards Weng ShuLi and smiled. “Auntie, do you not like strawberries? I’ll bring another fruit with me next time.”

She took the empty bowl to the kitchen and rinsed it off. Then she heated up the lunch Xiang ChangKong had prepared and placed the dishes on the table. “Auntie, it’s time for lunch.”

Weng ShuLi looked up, her gaze making Xu Lian a little uncomfortable. After staring at Xu Lian for a moment, Weng ShuLi put down her book, then walked to the dinner table.

Xiang ChangKong had cooked taro toady. It was waxy and soft, and Xu Lian ended up eating quite a few pieces. Opposite her was Weng ShuLi, who ate her food with an expressionless face. After the two silently finished eating, Weng ShuLi returned to her room with her book. It seems that she was going to take a nap.

Xu Lian watched her go. She tied up the table, placed all the dishes in the sink, then took her bag, and left to go home.

She took a deep breath as she sat in her car. She was someone who didn’t care for troublesome things. But Weng ShuLi was someone she had to deal with. Thinking of her illness, Xu Lian couldn’t help but feel a little sad. Xiang ChangKong had to take care of both his mother and his sister all these years. It must’ve been very hard for him.

She took out her phone, wanting to call Xiang ChangKong. But when she saw the time, she dismissed the idea. It was the lunch rush, Xiang ChangKong was probably very busy at this time. Xu Lian decided to contact him later.

When she left, she didn’t go back to Starlight Park, but drove straight home, planning to go take a nap. Strictly speaking, all Xu Lian did this morning was sit down and eat some strawberries, but….her heart was still somehow exhausted.

As soon as she changed out of her clothes and was ready to lie down, she called Xiang ChangKong. She leaned against the headboard of her bed and waited for the call to connect.

“Hey.” Xiang ChangKong greeted. “Are you still at my house?”

“No, I’ve gone back home.”

“Ah…my mom didn’t make things difficult for you, did she?”

“No, she didn’t say a word to me.”

Xiang ChangKong paused, then laughed.

Xu Lian continued: “She spent the whole morning reading. I sat next to her and watched her read. Next time I visit, I think I’ll bring my candle-making tools with me.”

While Weng ShuLi read her book, Xu Lian could make a candle. This way, nobody would be wasting their time.