Chapter 18 - Disciplining Him
When Ji Liao arrived home, Xu Ai Wen was sitting at the dining table having dinner. It seemed like she had also returned not long ago.
“Mom, you worked overtime again,” Ji Liao said, distressed.
Before his father had pa.s.sed away, his mother had been a full-time housewife who was responsible for the household ch.o.r.es, and taking care of her husband and son.
At that time, Xu Ai Wen was happy and satisfied. She had a husband who loved her, a lovely son and a stable, blissful life. Each day pa.s.sed happily and so she looked especially young and beautiful.
Ji Liao walked over and sat beside Xu Ai Wen. Seeing her tired appearance caused by overworking, he realised that this intelligent and beautiful woman had made great efforts to support this family during these three years after his father’s death.
“Yes I did, have you eaten? There’s still some rice left.” Xu Ai Wen was about to stand up and bring a bowl to Ji Liao, but he quickly pressed her down. “I’ve already eaten,” he said firmly.
Afterwards, Xu Ai Wen gave in and asked about his recent studies with concern. Ji Liao answered her questions one by one. Xu Ai Wen touched his head with satisfaction. Every day when she came home, as long as Ji Liao was doing fine, she felt that her labour and exhaustion didn’t matter to her.
“Well, it’s late. Go wash up and sleep,” said Xu Ai Wen.
Ji Liao shook his head. “I’ll sit with you for a while.”
It was too lonely to eat alone. He didn’t want his mother to feel that way.
Xu Ai Wen’s eyes were full of emotion. She felt that her son had grown up and became more empathetic, so she didn’t refuse. The two of them chatted for a while, and after Xu Ai Wen finished eating and went to clean the dishes, Ji Liao began to head to his room.
Xu Ai Wen felt him pa.s.s by and suddenly called out to him, “Tang Tang.”
Ji Liao glanced back.
Xu Ai Wen paused, then asked carefully, “If…if Mom finds you a stepfather, is it okay?”
Ji Liao had never thought of that, and froze. Seeing his reaction, Xu Ai Wen quickly added, “If you don’t like it, I won’t look. Having you is enough for Mom.”
Ji Liao had always been very obedient and never refused Xu Ai Wen. But for this matter, he had no immediate answer, nor could he say that it was okay. He couldn’t forget Ji Qing Wen, and was unable to imagine another man entering their lives.
He was stuck in the past, unable to completely walk away from it.
“Okay.” It was an implied rejection, and Ji Liao entered his room.
After bathing, he lay on his bed, unable to fall asleep. Today, there were too many things that had caught him off guard and his brain felt like mush.
At the bedside, his phone sounded.
Ji Liao reached over to take a look — it was a voice message from He Cheng Ming. Before that, there was also a message from five minutes ago: I’m so excited, baby.
Three minutes ago: Thinking about you and I can’t fall asleep.
Opening the voice message, “Ji Liao, reply to me, okay…?”
The low and hoa.r.s.e voice had a juvenile, fawning tone and was really charming as well as manly!
Ji Liao felt helpless. At times, He Cheng Ming was overbearing and cold, but at other times, he was like a child. He replied with a “Close your eyes, sleep” emoticon. But after sending it, he felt that something didn’t seem quite right, but thinking about it for some time, nothing came to mind.
When He Cheng Ming received the message, he understood immediately. His baby was disciplining him and telling him to sleep well! So he obediently replied: Okay, I’ll listen to you.
Ji Liao hurriedly sent back: …That wasn’t what I meant…
He Cheng Ming: It was.