Afternoon.
The rain was heavier.
Dong Xuebing was drenched when he ran from the guardhouse to Xu Yan’s apartment building.
Xu Yan’s apartment.
Dong Xuebing was dripping wet when he reached for the doorbell.
Before Dong Xuebing could press the doorbell, the door opened. Xu Yan was dressed casually in black cotton tights and a loose shirt. Her hair was pinned in a bun. She should be a middle-aged woman at her age, but he had used REVERSE on her. She looked much younger than her actual age.
“Sorry to bother you, Sister Xu.”
“Why are you drenched?”
“Oh, it was raining heavily.”
“Come in and get warm.”
Xu Yan stepped aside to let Dong Xuebing enter. He took off his wet shoes and wore a pair of cotton slippers.
Inside the apartment.
Xu Yan looked at Dong Xuebing. “What happened?”
“Nothing….” Dong Xuebing stuttered. “I… I am here to visit you.”
Xu Yan helped Dong Xuebing to the sofa. “Enough. We had known each other for years. Do you think you can hide anything from me? I know you well.”
Dong Xuebing kept quiet.
Xu Yan suddenly frowned and touched Dong Xuebing’s face. “What happened? Did someone from your family hit you?”
Dong Xuebing was speechless. “How do you know?”
Xu Yan laughed. “You had challenged almost ten Taekwondo schools in Korea, and I had seen you beating more than a dozen people without getting a scratch. How can someone leave their handprint on your face? It must be your family, and you did not dodge.”
Dong Xuebing sighed. “You understand me well.”
Xu Yan asked. “Did your wife hit you?”
“No.” Dong Xuebing hesitated for a second and said. “It was my Mum.”
Xu Yan patted Dong Xuebing’s hand. “You are a good boy.”
Dong Xuebing was feeling down. “My Mum had given birth to me, and I have no complains even if she beat me to death.”
Xu Yan looked at Dong Xuebing. “You felt wronged?”
“No.” Dong Xuebing replied. “I was wrong and should be slapped. Let’s not talk about this. I feel like slapping myself when I think about it.”
“What was it about?”
“Nothing.”
“You are unwilling to share with me?”
“I felt too embarrassed to tell you. Please stop asking.”
Xu Yan reached out and hugged Dong Xuebing suddenly. She patted Dong Xuebing’s head. “Alright, my good boy. Don’t feel upset. Everything will be fine.”
Dong Xuebing’s face pressed against Xu Yan’s chest, and he could see her fair complexion through her shirt’s opening. He blushed and felt comforted. He hugged her waist and said. “I will be fine. Thank you.”
“Good.”
“Yes.”
Xu Yan let go of Dong Xuebing. “Look at you. You should get a hot shower. We can talk later.”
Dong Xuebing was lazy to move. “No need.”
“Just go.” Xu Yan said sternly. “Listen to me. Don’t catch a cold.”
Dong Xuebing nodded and walked toward the bathroom. He suddenly turned and said. “Oh, I had transferred the money I borrowed from you into your bank account. Did you see it?” He had borrowed a few hundred thousand from Xu Yan to buy his wedding ring.
“I saw it.” Xu Yan laughed.
Dong Xuebing replied. “I will return the taxi fare when I get home a few days later.”
Xu Yan replied impatiently. “Alright… alright…. It’s a small matter. You don’t need to draw the line between us.”
That’s right. Dong Xuebing thought for a while and decided not to talk about the taxi fare. “I will take a shower now.”
“Go ahead. I will prepare soup for you to warm up.” Xu Yan got up and walked toward the kitchen. “Leave your wet clothes in the washing machine, and I will wash them later. I will look for any suitable clothes for you at home.”
“Thank you.”
Bathroom.
Splash… splash…. It felt good when hot water runs down Dong Xuebing’s body.
Dong Xuebing sighed when he showered. He felt drained as he lathered his body with shower foam. He felt energetic when he dealt with his enemies, as he had high moral grounds. But this time was different. He was wrong, and he had crossed the line. He could not get mad at others, especially his Mum, who was angry with him.
Will Mum disown me?
What should I do if she decides to disown me?
Dong Xuebing was troubled and worried about his Mum’s health. He was worried something terrible would happen, as she had undergone bypass surgery.
The water stopped.
Dong Xuebing finished bathing.
Dong Xuebing knew Xu Yan used the white towel to wipe her face when he bath at her place previously. He guessed the other blue towel should be used for wiping her legs. He picked it up and dried himself.
Knock… knock… knock….
“Xiao Bing, are you done?” Xu Yan asked.
Dong Xuebing replied. “Yes.”
Xu Yan opened the door and entered.
Dong Xuebing was shocked and quickly covered his private parts with the towel. He felt he was too slow, and Xu Yan should have seen everything.
Xu Yan laughed. “Alright. You should be fine as you are so shy. Hahaha…. Here are my clothes. I don’t have anything else that suits you. Just wear it for now.” Dong Xuebing had worn her son’s new clothes previously, and she had nothing for him to wear now.
The shirt was fine, as it was unisex. But the pants were Xu Yan’s pajama pants with floral prints. It’s a bit….
Dong Xuebing blushed as he took the clothes from Xu Yan with one hand and the other covering himself.
Xu Yan looked at Dong Xuebing from top to bottom. “Just change into it.”
