Night Rain (5-7, Part 1)

Word count: 16335 (V) The sky brightened and darkened, the rain turned to sunshine. I was awakened by the urge to urinate, and staggered to my feet from the sofa, almost tripping over the coffee table. Last night, I fled in panic through the dark streets, collapsing onto the sofa as soon as I entered the house, feeling as if I were a seasick person on a rapidly spinning carousel. And now, I am finally like a half-dry, wet garment, hanging stiffly in my own home, numb and stiff. Leaning against the bathroom wall, everything that happened last night was very blurry, as if it had never really happened. The feeling of being stabbed in the heart never came back or attacked me. But it wasn't until I finished urinating and washed my hands, smelling the unique sandalwood scent of female semen, that I suddenly realized—and I could no longer pretend. Looking down at the red virgin blood on my penis, I sadly squatted down in the bathroom. Time seemed to be passing by, and I sat back down on the sofa, staring blankly. Several work-related calls came in, from the factory, but I was distracted, thinking about other things, my mind racing with those
questions —I only met Luo Mengjie in my senior year of college, and I couldn't be sure if she had dated before me. A girl as beautiful as her would have countless suitors. Could she have been taken advantage of during that time? But the fact that we always held hands so reluctantly, and that she always refused my requests for kisses, was another matter entirely. I preferred to believe that she was still pure then. When did she lose her virginity? I couldn't help but recall that night two years ago, when Mengjie came home unusually late, and the image of her sobbing by the bedside was still vivid in my mind. Could she have been raped by some thug that day? 'No, no, it's not that simple.' Recalling the girl's pained expression during her first time, I became absolutely certain of a hypothesis—even during the second or third time, women don't easily enter a state of sexual arousal, unlike Mengjie. The thought that a man had repeatedly entered and exited my wife, whom I cherished dearly, and that he might have already ejaculated his milky white semen into her body, tore at my heart. Who could that man be? Could it be her male colleague? Or perhaps her boss? I know them both; they're all decent people. Although they've gone out together before, there's never been a single clue; I can't make heads or tails of it. Could it be Liu Neng? Liu Neng knew Mengjie even before I did. But the school circle is so small; I've never heard of any rumors between Liu Neng and Mengjie. I vaguely remember Liu Neng mentioning a very pretty girl from the next class during our junior year; he was definitely talking about Mengjie. I couldn't help but think of the scene a few weeks ago when my wife secretly called him. What did she do for those four hours that night? And why was she hiding it from me? This time, Liu Neng went through a roundabout way to invite Mengjie to the hot springs. Could he have some ulterior motive? Did they sleep together? The more I suspected, the stronger this fear became, making me unable to resist calling Mengjie. "..." After several calls, she finally answered, but I hesitated, unsure of what to say. "Linda?" Mengjie called my name in confusion when I didn't speak. Her beautiful voice was somewhat like Yang Mi's, which always made me swoon, but now I felt a mix of emotions. "Linda, what's wrong?" It was truly difficult to describe my feelings at that moment. The heartache and fear of losing Mengjie, the anger at my wife's infidelity, the humiliation of being fooled, and the heartbreak of being betrayed made me almost shout. If someone were sitting next to me, they would surely be surprised by the violent heaving of my chest. After a long, long time, probably after Mengjie called me several times, I finally calmed down: "I just wanted to ask you... was it fun there?" I suppressed my grief and indignation. "Oh, that sounds fun! It's really fun. There are over forty kinds of hot springs, all of which are very comfortable. There are also massages and stuff. I'm planning to try them tomorrow." "So, are you still alone?" I pressed. "Have you gotten to know all the people at Liu Neng's workplace?" "Uh, I... um, um... I guess I've gotten to know them!" My wife paused noticeably, not directly answering my first question. "Liu Neng left after dropping you off yesterday morning?" I felt utterly hopeless, manipulated by such a cheap trick. I was increasingly certain she was about to lie again. "...Yes. He said he had to leave after dropping me off. Honey... why do you keep asking him?" Sure enough, her tone was somewhat guilty. I chatted with my wife for a few more minutes, but nothing came of it. After hanging up, I was even more furious and punched the wall hard. My right hand's four knuckles immediately went numb and swollen. I bit my hand, a strong premonition in my heart that Liu Neng must be with Meng Jie right now, perhaps having already slept with her several times at the hot spring resort. I couldn't bear it for another second. After changing into clean clothes, ignoring my body which hadn't had a drop of water all day, I rushed downstairs, turned on the navigation, and sped towards Longquan Hot Spring Resort. It seemed that even arriving a second earlier would save my wife's virginity. Longquan Hot Spring Resort is about a two-hour drive from the city. It is surrounded by small, flat hills, with lush vegetation, verdant fir trees, colorful flowers, and various other trees I couldn't name. The lush greenery and melodious birdsong made it seem like a high-end health resort isolated from the hustle and bustle of the city. After driving off the main road for a while, about a kilometer or two from Longquan, some private cars started parking diagonally on the narrow road, which was only two and a half lanes wide. The further in I went, the more congested it became, and I had to give way to the cars coming out from the back every now and then. Because the highway was situated at a higher elevation than Longquan Mountain Villa, this slow-moving path offered a panoramic view of the entire villa—a structure resembling a Chinese palace, with verdant artificial hills, rising steam, and shirtless tourists enjoying themselves in pools of varying sizes. For most people, the approaching wait should have been one of happiness and excitement. But I felt unusually depressed and restless, my foot trembling impatiently beside the accelerator, as if Liu Neng were groping my sexy and beautiful wife not far ahead. Grabbing the newly purchased ticket, I finally rushed into the villa. In my haste, I even tripped on the moss-covered stone steps at the entrance. To all the tourists in the resort, I was a complete oddity. They were all dressed only in swim trunks or swimsuits, carrying towels or something else. I, on the other hand, wore a white shirt, dress pants, and leather boots, running around the vast square and the quaint Suzhou-style courtyards, fully clothed, searching for something. The resort was so large, and there were so many guests, that I searched for a long time without finding anything. During my wanderings, I noticed the occasional daring young female guest, wearing revealing swimsuits that were only an inch longer than a regular bikini, flaunting their sexy bodies. Their fair and youthful, alluring figures exuded feminine allure (either in the pool or on the armchairs). And they were always accompanied by various male guests, who eagerly circled around their slender, fair, and beautiful bodies, feasting their eyes on their pert breasts while groping and flirting with them. Inevitably influenced by them, I even imagined my wife wearing a sexy, revealing bikini, her soft, fragrant body shyly embraced by Liu Neng, his hands groping her like that, his touch between her legs. This only fueled my anxiety and anger. Just when I was at my wit's end, fortune smiled upon me, and I finally found Mengjie by a hot spring in a side courtyard. I spotted her white, bright-eyed back from afar. Just as I feared, she was only wearing a blue bra ribbon, her back almost completely naked. Her pert, full buttocks couldn't be concealed by her small underwear, her round, sexy legs standing gracefully, completely exposed. And the burly man next to her, wearing only swimming trunks, wasn't that Liu Neng? I slapped Liu Neng's shoulder abruptly, and as he turned and saw my surprised look, I punched him hard in the face. My wife, standing beside me, was stunned by my sudden outburst. Her face turned pale, and she couldn't utter a word. But my second punch missed immediately. Liu Neng, with his short, wet hair, couldn't grab my hand at all. He was all muscle, and with a quick sidestep, he dodged the attack. In the struggle, he nimbly grabbed one of my wrists, gripping it like an iron vise, causing me excruciating pain. My other hand was pinned down by his outstretched arm, rendering me unable to attack. "Linda, what are you doing?!" Liu Neng's cheek, already swollen from the punch, was now red and swollen. The beautiful Meng Jie standing behind him looked at me in surprise, as if I were the one at fault. I was instantly even angrier. The onlookers gathered around, and how could I possibly accuse this beast of cheating on me with my wife?! In my extreme indignation, I pushed against his waist and shoved him hard. Leather shoes are always more slip-resistant than slippers, and even though he was much stronger than me, we ended up falling into the nearby hot spring pool together.
Caught completely off guard, he choked on several mouthfuls of hot water. I seized the opportunity to shove his head down and rained down punches on him. Whistles and screams erupted from the surrounding crowd; the scene was chaotic. By the time things calmed down, we were already at the Longquan security office. I was soaking wet, water dripping from my hair, several buttons torn off my shirt—I looked utterly disheveled. Several young men who looked like staff members were blocking the doorway, preventing me from leaving. At that moment, I had no idea where Liu Neng was, nor where Meng Jie was. After quite a while, a man in his thirties, who seemed to be in charge, walked over to me, dragged a chair, and plopped down opposite me. "Young man, don't be so impulsive. Can't you talk things out?" he said. I politely declined the cigarette he offered and gave him an apologetic smile. He didn't care whether I was listening or not, and continued, "You caused trouble and assaulted someone in our resort, seriously disrupting our normal operations. We were originally planning to call the police, but that gentleman, the one you hit, you should really thank him, he repeatedly told us not to call the police." "Since he's a friend, then we shouldn't resort to violence so easily." He paused, frowned, and continued. "Where is he?" I asked. "What? You still want to hit him?" I shook my head. "He left after getting his wound bandaged at the infirmary." "What about the woman he was with?" At this moment, I was more concerned about where Mengjie was, why wasn't she by my side? "Oh, she stayed with him after his wound was treated, and then left with that gentleman." After leaving Longquan Resort, I wanted to call my wife immediately to ask where she was, but when I reached into my pocket, I realized my phone was wet, so I had to find my car keys and get in the car. If I had completely lost control just now, it was a complete emotional outburst, an release of resentment that had been building up for a long time. Now, having calmed down, I sincerely regret it. I don't regret hitting Liu Neng, but I regret not having any substantial evidence. After all, the person who strikes has no reason; they'll have a million reasons to prove that I'm entirely at fault. No matter what, I only beat Liu Neng based on a hidden suspicion, but on the surface, he merely used a company vacation voucher to treat my wife. Furthermore, considering the year-end loan pressure, if Liu Neng holds a grudge, he won't help me; instead, he'll secretly sabotage me, finding a thousand ways to prevent the next loan from being approved. All this turmoil has turned the factory's bright future into gloom, making me even more depressed and distressed. And where is my Mengjie at this time? I went home and slept until the next day. In the morning, I went out and bought a cheap new phone, then contacted the carrier to restore my old number before returning home. The house was empty, and I couldn't get through to my wife on the phone. Just as I was worried about our marriage, I was also worried about production at the factory, so I couldn't sit still any longer. According to the work schedule, I had to be back at the factory by yesterday afternoon at the latest, and another day was about to be missed. After much deliberation, I left a note on the coffee table and drove to the factory again. When I returned home, it was already night. I pushed open the door, hoping that Mengjie would be home, but the house was still empty and dark. I slumped onto the sofa, and the thought that my wife was definitely still with Liu Neng made my heart ache. She must have spent the night at his house last night, right? In my imagination, my wife's alluring body was straddling Liu Neng's strong thighs, and he was roughly spreading her legs, fondling her breasts, her body rising and falling. I didn't have the courage to dial Liu Neng's number. Just as I was at my wit's end, the phone rang. "Hello... is this Xiaolin?" I looked at the caller ID in surprise. It was Mengjie's mother calling. "Hello... Hello, Aunt Luo!" Although her surname isn't Luo, I'm used to addressing her that way. "Hey, how are you and Jie Jie doing lately?" she asked. "Yeah, pretty good!" I said. "I heard you two sometimes argue. Xiao Lin, we entrusted Jie Jie to you because we believed you would treat her well." Her tone was gentle, but slightly reproachful. I didn't explain, just remained silent, waiting for her to continue her tirade. "Xiao Lin, did you hit someone outside yesterday? Do you have this tendency at home too?
Xiao Lin, Meng Jie's father and I are very worried about this." "No, no, Mom. Really, I love her too much! What happened yesterday wasn't her fault, I did get into a conflict with someone." I quickly defended myself. "Xiao Lin, now that you're married, you can't just think about yourself like before. The social environment is so complicated now, if something happens, it's irresponsible to Meng Jie in the end." She never stops talking about it. "Yes, you're right. I'll never be so reckless again. I promise you," I said. "Has Mengjie gone home?" she continued, but her tone was strange. I had no choice but to tell my mother-in-law that I hadn't been able to contact my wife for a day and a night, but to my surprise, she laughed smugly on the other end of the phone. She said, "Jiejie is a little scared now. She's afraid that you'll use violence against her when she gets home." "This...this...how could that be?!" I cried out anxiously. "She told me what happened yesterday. A male classmate from her university asked her out for the National Day holiday, and you actually went and beat him up. Apparently, she only agreed after you strongly recommended it. Have you been under too much pressure lately?" My mother-in-law already looked down on me, and now she's definitely treating me like a freak even more… I was speechless. "Even after marriage, proper friendships are still necessary. Look at me and Mengjie's father; we each have a wide circle of friends. Couples need to learn to respect and understand each other…" She continued rambling on on the other end of the phone, but I only cared about one thing: where was Mengjie? Proper friendships?! The more I listened, the more indignant and impatient I became. Your slutty daughter got fucked by someone else and lied to me for two years, and now you're blaming me?! But arguing with her now was pointless. I controlled my emotions and asked, "Aunt Luo, do you know where Mengjie is?" "She's downstairs. She was scared of you, so she asked me to call you first. Xiaolin, you promised your mother you'd treat Mengjie well. I hope you can keep your promise," she said. "Okay, then I'll go down and get her now," I said sullenly. "Just stay home and wait. I'll call her upstairs." With that, she hung up. Ten minutes later, Luo Mengjie returned, dragging a large suitcase I'd never seen before. Ignoring me, she walked into the living room with a stern face. I noticed she was still wearing the same outfit she'd worn the day before—a light black top and a princess-style dress patchwork in gray wool starting an inch above the waist. This perfectly showcased Mengjie's slender, sexy waist, while the long pleated skirt accentuated her innocent charm. Her long, bare legs, as white as snow, were gracefully displayed in low-heeled shoes. I noticed that her black stockings were nowhere to be seen; her bare feet were exposed, which further fueled my suspicions. "Where did you spend the night last night?" I asked. She didn't answer, taking her dirty clothes out of the suitcase one by one. I watched her hands, trying to pinpoint the stockings. "Mengjie, let me tell you, you've lied to me too many times. I can forgive you for anything, but you can't hide anything from me. We're husband and wife," I said. "You still remember we're husband and wife?!" Mengjie shouted back, "Were you crazy yesterday? Why did you hit Liu Neng? Do you even have a thought about loans?" "He deserved it!" I said angrily, "Who told him to seduce you? People like that deserve to be beaten to death!"
"Seduce me? Which eye of yours saw him seduce me?" she said. "He swore he wouldn't go to the hot springs, but he was playing around with you there. You two were dressed so scantily, pressed together. And every time he looked at you, he was lecherous. Didn't you notice anything? Do you really think I'm stupid?" Mengjie stopped talking and just glared at me angrily. "Mengjie, tell me honestly, have you slept with him?" I roared desperately. After a moment of silence, she slowly said, "Linda, I really didn't expect you to see me like this."
"How dare you say that! I trusted you so much, but you lied to me," I said. "I didn't lie to you!" she stubbornly insisted. "Fine, since we've come this far, I'll ask you, what happened that night when you secretly answered Liu Neng's call? Why did you lie and say you had dinner with your colleagues?" "You..." Mengjie stammered, she wanted to say that I was spying on her, but she didn't say it. "What do you mean, 'I'?! You weren't a virgin two years ago! You think I didn't know? You slept with other people before you were with me!" I became somewhat hysterical. "You're lying!!" She clasped her white hands to her chest, as if gathering the strength for this sentence. "A virgin's first time isn't like that at all!" Admittedly, my roar was even louder, I didn't care anymore. An indescribable shadow fell over my wife's brow. "And Mengjie, I'm asking you this seriously this time, don't lie to me anymore. How many times have you slept with other men?" I gritted my teeth and asked the question with contempt. Hearing this, Mengjie's eyes suddenly reddened, tears welled up, and her shoulders trembled uncontrollably, looking utterly pitiful. We remained silent for a while, then she suddenly turned and went into the bathroom, seemingly ignoring my question, and focused on tidying up the dirty clothes waiting to be washed. This was tantamount to an admission. "Was it Liu Neng?" I had sat down on the sofa, but my mind and body couldn't find any peace, so I walked back to the bathroom door and asked Mengjie. Still no answer. But I do love her, I can't help but forgive her, even now. No matter how impure she is, no matter how much more sordid her past is, I am still her home. I initially thought things would end as my emotions subsided, perhaps Mengjie would feel guilty and be more mindful of boundaries in our future married life. But unexpectedly, things took a 180-degree turn. About twenty minutes later, as I lay on the sofa, the initial turmoil began to recede. Just as I was considering how to handle the situation, Mengjie suddenly rushed out of the bathroom, carrying my shirt from two days ago, and slammed a card onto the coffee table in front of me. My cheeks immediately burned—it was Freckles' business card! How could I have forgotten to throw it away? Tears streamed down Mengjie's face. She pointed to a faint lipstick mark on her collar. My mind went blank; I was stunned, speechless. She leaned closer, unbuttoned my shirt, and lifted my neck. There was another lipstick mark there?! My God! My mind was buzzing, and I felt my cheeks burning. My wife slapped me hard across the face. (vi) My wife hasn't been home for over two weeks. The house is still a mess, just as it was on the day she left. In the bedroom, a half-open drawer holds crumpled underwear, and a single flesh-colored stocking hangs forlornly outside. Every night, I think, she definitely won't forgive me. During this time, I've had many ambiguous dreams, most unrelated and vague. Some are clear, always raining, and I watch her and him playing on the beach from afar, watching their smiles; others are naked and obscene, she's in the car, in the kitchen, on the stairs, in every unreal place, with him. At that time, I always felt a burning sensation in my chest, as if I were bound to something, experiencing excruciating pain. During the day, I went to Mengjie's workplace to look for her, but she avoided me, blocking my phone number. Her attitude was resolute. In the meantime, I called my mother-in-law a few times, pretending everything was fine, chatting about the weather, and subtly learning that she hadn't moved back to her parents' home. Where had she moved to during these days since she ran away from home? I awkwardly rubbed my hands, pacing in the air-conditioned lobby of her company, waiting for an opening that I myself had no clue about. When her familiar colleagues called to greet me, I smiled awkwardly and greeted them one by one, but the unease in my heart was hidden deep inside. It's not good to let outsiders gossip about matters between husband and wife. What I feared most was being alone, sitting alone in the dark house at night. So I often drank beer to relieve my boredom, but after drinking alcohol, I became extremely angry, and the pent-up emotions burst forth. "Fuck you! You fucking bitch! Liar!" I cursed, waving my drunken fists at the air. My anger slammed against the wall, making loud "bang, bang" sounds. "If it weren't for you, would I have gone to a prostitute to test my virginity? You've already been deflowered, and you still pretend to be innocent with me, 'You're my first man,' how dare you say that!" I was truly frustrated, and I threw the can of soda in my hand violently, the black wall instantly filled with the smell of alcohol-laden foam. "You son of a bitch, you're really not coming back, and you blame me for going to a prostitute?! You fucking think you're some kind of saintly virgin?! If I hadn't gone to verify, I might have been fooled by you for the rest of my life! Virgin?! Pah!" I cursed hysterically at her. Coming from humble beginnings, I've always been an outcast, always relying on my strong will to move forward. In college, I envied my classmates' couples, enduring loneliness while studying, burying myself in my studies for four years. It was only near graduation that I met Mengjie, and I simply couldn't believe my luck. The more I felt this way, the less I could accept her impurity. If it weren't for my suspicions and my feelings for her, I wouldn't have had time to love her, let alone go to a prostitute. Now that I've paid such a high price to confirm her impurity, what should I do next? Caught in a morbid turmoil, making one mistake after another, all I wanted to know was this—who was Mengjie's first man? Was it Liu Neng? He had long coveted my wife; it wasn't a secret back in school. My chest tightened. Had my wife's soft, youthful body been violated by Liu Neng first?
For days, he would casually touch Mengjie's body. His furtive, hidden, and coy greed once gave me a sense of proud pleasure. So what if he liked her so much? So what if he came from a wealthy family? So what if he was a bank manager? Mengjie was still my wife. The more he lusted after and tormented her, the more I felt a sense of compensation. For a time, I willingly succumbed to his sweet talk and deception, letting go of my doubts and reservations. I naively indulged in this dangerous relationship, believing everything was under control, even unwilling to sever ties, allowing Mengjie to be with him, allowing them to be alone. It was the current situation of needing money from Liu Neng, and the unspeakable inferiority complex within me, that led to this final compromise. It's all my fault; this sense of triumph has now turned into a bitter, unbearable taste. But upon closer examination of Liu Neng's demeanor and behavior at the banquet, something seemed amiss. Years had passed, yet his gaze towards her remained fervent and filled with desire. Only a goddess he had never possessed could ignite such burning longing. In contrast, Mengjie showed no embarrassment; her face was completely open and honest. Who else could it be but Liu Neng? I tossed and turned my thoughts about my wife's other male companions, wildly speculating amidst the fog of clues, some real, some not. I had to admit, no matter how much it hurt, no matter how conflicted I was, the past couldn't be changed. My wife had given her virginity to another man. Her young body had been nurtured and cultivated by someone else before me. I silently murmured, conflicted, that no one had the right to condemn her past, no one could deprive her of the right to engage in a relationship before marriage. But what about after marriage?! Shouldn't she remain faithful?! I angrily tore at my hair, slapped myself several times, hysterical, my heart aching. Even if the past is just a distant memory, even if I can laugh it off, how many times has Liu Neng slept with Meng Jie behind my back during this time?! Even if the events before our marriage are a mess, too muddled to verify, there are at least six or seven suspicious instances, not including this trip to the hot springs! Meng Jie, who has always been shy and conservative around men, actually stripped down so naked in front of Liu Neng, her snow-white, tender skin only covered by a sexy bikini swimsuit slightly wider than a ribbon! Thinking of this, Liu Neng's face involuntarily reappeared in my hazy mind—and the muscular physique he displayed when we were struggling in the hot springs. Compared to when we were on the same basketball team at school, he has become even stronger over the years, making his tall and imposing figure even more majestic. Meng Jie would probably like that even more! But I dared not think about it, I dared not contemplate Liu Neng's massive muscles. The image of his strong frame pressing against my wife's shapely buttocks, his arms tightly wrapped around her slender waist, thrusting powerfully flashed before my eyes. The bed in the bedroom was very sturdy, made with traditional old-fashioned furniture. The memory of when I bought it was still vivid. Mengjie laughed and asked me, "It's just a bed, why are you so worried?" I teased her lewdly, "We use this bed every day, it has to be sturdy, otherwise it'll break." Mengjie had once entertained Liu Neng alone at home; they were alone in a room, and I was almost certain she had been ravaged, defiled, and possessed by Liu Neng on our bed. My knees buckled as I entered the dark bedroom, where all was silent. My hands trembled as I cranked the creaking bed frame, and a chill ran from my head to my feet. The warmth from the alcohol vanished; I could almost smell the filthy sheets. He shivered, all his strength drained from his body. He could only hear the man's low, hoarse sobs, yet his penis remained as hard as a pair of tongs, like a freak. The next day, I finished my factory work early and went to Mengjie's workplace. Wearing inconspicuous clothes, light-colored sunglasses, and a newly bought hat, I hid in a coffee shop across the street, carrying a short iron stick. I vaguely hoped to bump into Liu Neng and her, but I didn't know what would happen even if I succeeded. Yet, a burning desire for revenge remained in my mind. After waiting for a long time, lost in thought, I finally saw my long-lost wife through the window. Across a two-lane road, under a lush locust tree, she stood there, her sexy figure wrapped in a thin knitted blouse, her knee-length OL skirt revealing her shapely, snow-white legs, a picture of exquisite beauty. Seeing her nonchalant expression, it didn't seem like she had an appointment. Liu Neng, whom I expected, didn't show up, which secretly relieved me. Watching her repeatedly try to hail a taxi, her fair hand gently brushing her wind-blown hair, a surge of intense emotion welled up inside me. All the suspicion, resentment, and pain that had accumulated in my chest these past few days were instantly washed away. I knew more clearly than ever before that I loved her. I had come to collect a debt, but at this moment, I only wanted to rush over and hold her tightly. As I shakily stood up, accidentally spilling half a pot of tea on the table, I caught a glimpse of a black sedan slowly pulling up in the opposite lane. She honked her horn, and my wife stopped trying to hail a taxi, instead smiling and waving at the person inside. My blood rushed to my head. I pressed my head against the coffee shop window and looked down. Who else could it be but Liu Neng in the car?! I cursed inwardly, "Adulterous couple!" I had to rush over and stop them, otherwise Mengjie would definitely get into his car and drive off. But what happened next caught me completely off guard: Liu Neng seemed to genuinely want to invite her into the car, but his wife waved him off. Liu Neng opened the driver's side door, got out, and shouted something to her over the roof before finally getting back in and slowly driving away. What surprised me even more was that Mengjie then walked straight across the street towards the coffee shop. I was startled and quickly lowered my head, hiding behind my hat and sunglasses. Why was I hiding? I asked myself. Her familiar voice rang out from the coffee shop: "Two of you." After saying that, she followed the waiter to choose a seat in the room. I couldn't turn around, so I quickly pretended to be a stranger staring blankly out the window. At that moment, her gaze roamed over me, the sensation scraping my scalp, making my chest tighten, my breathing become labored, and I could clearly hear myself swallowing. Every hair on my body stood on end. "I'll choose the booth by the window over there!" she politely declined the waiter's suggestion, choosing the seat behind me instead. This meant I was sitting back-to-back with her, thankfully the sofa back was high. I thought to myself, "Two people?" Sure enough, a moment later Liu Neng also pushed open the door. I turned my face towards the window and saw him pass by, completely unnoticed. "Oh dear, I was thinking of taking you out for dinner, but look at me, I didn't call you beforehand and now I've been so abrupt." Liu Neng spoke first: "But I only found out you were free tonight around 4 pm, I've been too busy lately."
"Thank you, no need to trouble yourself," Meng Jie replied, her tone surprisingly cold. "Don't be so polite with me," Liu Neng said. "I know a really good Sichuan restaurant on Huaiqing Road. A colleague recommended it, saying it's excellent..." "What would you like to drink?" Mengjie interrupted him, beckoning a waiter over. "What's there to drink! No! Come on, come on! It's lunchtime, let's eat and chat." Liu Neng seemed to be in high spirits, getting up to pull his wife along. There was silence behind him for three or four seconds, then I heard Liu Neng sit down again. Perhaps his wife had shown displeasure, so Liu Neng immediately changed his tune, "Then please bring me a coffee, an Americano, to perk me up, no sugar!"
he told the waiter. "Why did you choose this place?" Liu Neng asked again, his tone light and humorous, as if the previous awkwardness had vanished.
"This is right across from my company. I come here often, and it's less crowded at this time of year," Mengjie said. Her tone wasn't as cold anymore, thanks to Liu Neng's changed attitude. Having just recovered from my shock and tension, I finally felt a sliver of relief. First, I was relieved that my seat was such a coincidence that I could overhear their conversation; second, the tone of their conversation didn't seem as sordid as I'd imagined. Could it all just be a misunderstanding? I suppressed my secret delight and listened intently behind me. Then silence fell. For several minutes, they didn't speak, but instead tapped their teacups together in the quiet café, each lost in their own thoughts. "I'm sorry, Xiao Luo," Liu Neng spoke first. His usual humor was gone, replaced by embarrassment and hesitation. His wife didn't reply, which was tantamount to acknowledgment. This made my heart tighten. Had something else happened?! "I was drunk that day, so..." Liu Neng's voice wasn't loud. I strained my ears, afraid of missing a single word. He was drunk? "So what?!" "I know!" His wife interrupted him urgently. "But I really... really feel for you..." Liu Neng added, but seeing his wife fall silent again, he didn't continue. After a long while, I heard my wife say something softly, but I couldn't hear it clearly. "Actually, what I wanted to say today was that I plan to move out soon," my wife said. Sure enough, she was still staying at Liu Neng's house. The little bit of relief and joy I had just felt vanished quickly, and I felt very sad. "No, it's fine for you to stay at my place!" Liu Neng was even more anxious than me, I could tell from his tone. "But this... this isn't good either!" Mengjie said this twice, the first time hesitant and ashamed, the second time resolute. Hearing this made me feel a mix of emotions, and I pondered the deep meaning behind it. Combining their previous dialogue, although I was mentally prepared, I couldn't help but let my tears well up. "Have you and Lao Lin made up? Are you planning to move back?" Liu Neng pressed. "No, not yet. I don't know how to face him," his wife said sadly. "Mengjie, um, Xiao Luo, don't rush to move out! You can stay here with me for now, it's really not bad. I promise you, what happened that night when I was drunk will never happen again." Liu Neng's tone was a mix of urgency and pleading. "Brother Liu, don't be like this, I...I still..." Suddenly, Mengjie let out a soft moan, as if she was struggling to break free from something. The soft, clattering sounds suggested that Liu Neng had been holding her hand tightly across the coffee table, and I could easily imagine what had happened after they drank! I almost wanted to grab an iron rod and go after him. But Liu Neng probably realized he had lost his temper and immediately let go. He composed himself and regained some composure. "I'm sorry..." "...It's okay..." Faced with Liu Neng's outrageous behavior, Mengjie easily expressed her forgiveness. "Xiao Luo, actually, men, especially businessmen, inevitably have social interactions. It's not strange. Don't take it too seriously. Lao Lin is no exception either; many times he can't refuse. You can't be too sad." Liu Neng actually used me to change the subject! What I didn't expect was that Mengjie had actually told him about this. "Life has to go on. As long as this marriage continues, you'll still have to live with him. Some grudges have to be overcome." Liu Neng spoke up for me, which I hadn't anticipated. "As long as you're willing to forgive him," Liu Neng said. "But I...actually, I also wronged him first. And he...already knows." My wife's voice was very soft and weak, but after hesitating for a long time, she still said it. It wasn't just one-sided forgiveness anymore. "What is it?" Liu Neng was very curious. He probably already guessed what would be comparable to her husband's infidelity. When I heard him ask a question he already knew the answer to, I cursed his ancestors for eighteen generations in my heart. "You'd better not ask." But whether it was because she had been holding it in for too long, desperately wanting to confide in someone, or for some other reason, her words didn't sound entirely firm. The astute Liu Neng naturally sensed her thoughts and continued to advise her, "Some things, the more you keep them to yourself, the more painful it becomes. It's better to talk about them." Hiding behind them, I perked up my ears even more, because from their conversation, it seemed the man who had caused her to lose her virginity wasn't Liu Neng. So who could it be?
"Liu Neng, I'm already married, and I've...I've had sexual relations. Why would you still...treat me like that?" Mengjie's voice was barely audible, filled with pitifulness and guilt. "Xiao Luo, what era are we living in? I don't think a woman's past represents anything. Mengjie, life is only once, it's short and fleeting. It belongs to you, not others. Feelings are your own, and you can't care about other people's gossip. Don't you think it's narrow-minded to still be fixated on past cultural concepts?" Liu Neng's next words made me tremble slightly. Wasn't the prostitution incident a betrayal and hurt to my wife caused by my excessive obsession with virginity? Even if I hadn't gone to a prostitute, my conservative views would have permeated my words and actions, hurting her in an invisible way. That's why Mengjie was so cautious and timid in this regard. "Besides, those rules and regulations are ugly and unfair. They only highlight male selfishness and nothing else." While I was still processing my feelings, he continued, "The past is the past. I... just want to live in the present with you." "But... that happened after you got together with him." Mengjie covered her face and sobbed softly, leaving Liu Neng and me speechless, equally astonished. He didn't know how to comfort her. "You cheated on me?" Liu Neng asked tentatively after she stopped crying; he was just as curious as I was. "I really don't want to talk about it anymore," my wife said. I couldn't see anything; whether she shook her head or nodded, I had no way of knowing. The amount of information today was too shocking. Besides Liu Neng, there were others involved. "Lao Lin hit you last time; I hope you can forgive him," my wife said. "Why bring this up? If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have argued. Sigh, it's all my fault. Why did I secretly go to the hot springs to find you? It's all my fault!" Liu Neng sighed. "I'm strong. Those punches from him are nothing to worry about." Hearing this, I couldn't help but touch the iron rod in my pocket. It's okay, I'll make sure you're okay. "Are you really moving out? Where else can you move if you don't go home?" Liu Neng asked awkwardly. "How about staying a few more days until I decide where to move?" His wife ignored him and asked, "Brother Liu, are you really not blaming Lao Lin anymore?" "Blame him? Of course I'm blaming him! How can I not be?! That bastard has a wife as beautiful as you at home, and he still runs off to cheat on you. He's utterly wicked!" Liu Neng deliberately emphasized his tone, which was actually somewhat humorous, but Meng Jie didn't hear it. Instead, she was moved by the word "cheating" and felt wronged and sad. She was about to cry again. "Stop, stop, stop!! Don't cry, don't cry! It was my fault, I was just joking! I was a little resentful, but since you don't want me to blame him, I'll let him off the hook. I won't blame him anymore, I really won't blame him." Liu Neng was quite good at reading people's expressions. "Really?" Meng Jie asked. "Really!" Liu Neng replied. Seeing that she was still sullen after a while, he added, "I know you're still worried about the loan, and I'll still do my best to handle it. Really, Mengjie, even if I don't want to deal with Lin, I have to deal with you. Don't sign any more loan agreements with him next time; it's so hard for me to be ruthless when you're tied together." Then they just chatted about trivial things. Liu Neng, experienced and smooth, steered the conversation around, finally shaking off the awkwardness. Their atmosphere gradually became more cheerful. What I remember is that his wife mentioned wanting a child. They didn't leave the cafe until after dinner time. I only got up to leave after the black car disappeared from sight. I carefully digested the unexpected information from today. There was so much information, some of which differed from my expectations. Some mysteries were solved, while others new ones appeared. Although the situation was better than expected, they didn't seem to be naked together every day. But I also sensed that Mengjie's resolve to move out wasn't firm. Letting them continue living together like this would inevitably lead to something irreversible. Furthermore, I had an inexplicable worry and feeling; Mengjie's affection for Liu Neng was hard to describe, but it was undeniable, and I was truly afraid her heart would be stolen away. I decided to go directly to Liu Neng tomorrow and bring Mengjie home. (Grade 7, First Semester) Without mentioning what happened at the hot spring resort that day, Liu Neng smiled and welcomed me inside. At the entrance, several Chinese-style lacquered wooden chairs surrounded a coffee table. Further inside was a large, flat desk with a large transparent glass panel on it, displaying some photos and other things. On top of that was a black laptop and several thick stacks of documents. Behind a high-end brown leather chair was a row of bookshelves against the wall. This was Liu Neng's private office. "I was just looking for you, Linda," he greeted me, gesturing for me to sit on the bench and bringing me a paper cup to pour water. I took the opportunity to quickly calm my racing heart, silently repeating the purpose of my visit several times. For some reason, ever since entering the imposing bank building, I'd felt incredibly awkward, the chilling air making me shrink back in unease. Every time I came here to apply for loans, I was always looking up to those managers, big and small, forcing a smile and behaving humbly time and time again. Actually, their positions weren't even as high as Liu Neng's; at least, they didn't have private offices. "Oh, thank you," I said timidly as he handed me a paper cup of warm water. Who would have thought that I had already prepared myself for an argument with Liu Neng, even a fight? "It must be about Luo Mengjie, right? You came to see me this time," Liu Neng said, seeing me sipping the paper cup silently for a while. I nodded, meeting his gaze with an awkward smile, my bottom shifting half an inch off the chair. Liu Neng probably didn't expect that I would be so reserved. Surprise flashed in his eyes. But he immediately realized, who of those who asked him to do things didn't look like this? He has seen so much. An imperceptible smile of contempt appeared at the corner of his mouth. Liu Neng touched the cheek where I had punched him and stared at him, making him feel uncomfortable all over. "Xiao Luo came to me one night and said that you bullied her and kicked her out of the house. She had no place to go at night, so I let her live in my place." When Liu Neng said this, his expression was even more like a smile. I expected that Meng Jie must have told him the whole story, and I couldn't help but feel depressed. But for a long time I didn't know what to say, and I could only feel anxious and angry. I was annoyed by Liu Neng's unclear smile, but I couldn't accuse him of any fault at all. Liu Neng's involvement did indeed trigger a man's instinctive jealousy and suspicion, but this time it was completely different from the hot spring incident; it was entirely a dispute between my wife and me. "Originally, I didn't want to tell you now, but look at you, getting impatient, aren't you? Such a beautiful wife, so many men... want to cherish her, and you, Linda, are still rushing out of the house. Looks like I'll have to keep you hanging for a few more days before you realize how much you care." Liu Neng glanced at me sideways, then got up from the side chair, fumbled around on the desk for a while, and then strolled back. "Smoking?" So he went to get a cigarette. I nodded. "Brother, although it's not my place to say this, what you're doing is really wrong." He didn't explicitly say what he meant by "wrong," but I knew in my heart. "How did Mengjie end up at your house?" I exhaled a puff of smoke. He had already briefly explained the situation, but I still asked, actually wanting him to explain why he didn't avoid suspicion, wanting to regain some control of the conversation. "Oh, don't misunderstand. Linda, you're always too sensitive. The hot spring incident was also a misunderstanding. Just like when you were in school, you can't wait for me to explain before you start overthinking things," Liu Neng hurriedly added. Okay, then I'll give him plenty of time to explain this time and see how he makes up his story. I stared at Liu Neng's eyes with a hint of resentment, slowly inhaling a puff of smoke without exhaling. Finally, anger dissipated the tightness pressing on my chest. "That time at the hot spring, I just arrived at the resort a little earlier than you. I was on a business trip for the past few days, and that day I happened to be passing by the resort, so I thought I'd go in to see how Xiao Luo was doing with the families of my colleagues, whether they got along well. After all, I invited her there, and I wanted to see how she was having fun. That's all! It's nothing like what you imagine... sordid." He spoke with righteous indignation and sincerity, but I didn't believe a word he said. "Okay, I was too impulsive that day and misunderstood my old classmate. But who wouldn't be furious to see their wife dressed so scantily and close to another man? Sigh, I'm really sorry!" I sighed inwardly. There was no way to verify it; I could only let him make it up. Unconsciously, my tone and words became a bit sarcastic. "It's okay, it's okay. I understand, I understand." Liu Neng was also quite tactful. He smiled to hide his embarrassment and couldn't explain why my wife would wear that revealing swimsuit and let him hold her slender waist. "Let's not talk about the hot spring incident. Have you been sharing a room with her these past few days?" My tone was gloomy, and I even wanted to replace "share" with "sleep." "No! No! You still misunderstand me. What kind of person do you think I am?" Liu Neng hurriedly explained. I obviously didn't believe him even more, and under my suspicious gaze, his face slowly turned red. "Of course, except for the first night! It was so late that day, she came to me crying! But afterwards I stayed in hotels, you can check if you don't believe me! Linda, you're really thinking about that again. No matter how beautiful Luo Mengjie is, she's still your wife, how could I dare to act improperly?!"
Liu Neng's heated argument left me speechless. It turned out that Liu Neng's injuries at the hot spring resort were more serious than I had imagined. He explained that his wife, Mengjie, out of guilt, went home with him to take care of him for a few days. Then, after discovering my affair, she stormed out of the house. She dragged her suitcase alone at night, unsure where to go, and naturally went to Liu Neng's house. And what followed was predictable: according to Liu Neng, he only stayed the first night, and afterwards he went to a hotel, leaving his house empty for Mengjie. Looking at Liu Neng's feigned anger, I wasn't easily convinced. I carefully considered the conversation I had overheard at the coffee shop the day before. Mengjie's tone at the time suggested she wasn't staying with him; otherwise, why would Liu Neng specifically wait for her after get off work to confront her? It seemed that what Liu Neng was saying wasn't entirely a lie. But he had also mentioned doing something to betray my wife while drunk. What happened then?
"I'm sorry." After much deliberation, I finally bowed my head and apologized to Liu Neng. It was somewhat insincere, and I felt a pang of bitterness. From the moment I walked into the bank, I had a vague understanding that besides my wife's chastity, there was an even more important loan to deal with. The end of the year was approaching, and if the cash flow dried up, not only would I be unable to explain it to Mengjie and her family, but all the dreams and blood and sweat I had worked so hard for would be instantly shattered. Seeing that I was lost in thought, Liu Neng leaned over the coffee table and slapped my shoulder hard, saying, "Alright, alright, I already said I understand." "I can take you to find Mengjie, but you have to promise me first that you won't bully her anymore. And, if she still doesn't want to go back with you, I mean, hypothetically, don't force her. You know that it's not good to force matters of the heart." Liu Neng looked down at his watch. "But it's inconvenient for her to stay with you, isn't it? It's making you stay in hotels every day..." I nodded and said. "It's alright, it's alright! Staying in a hotel for a few days is fine too. Besides, I also hope you two make up soon so I can come over to your place again for a free meal and try Mengjie's cooking!" Liu Neng said, implying that he still shamelessly wanted to continue bothering our family. Well, since the conflict was superficially resolved, and old classmates are old classmates after all, we chatted about other things, each with our own thoughts, until it was almost time for Liu Neng to leave work, then drove directly to his hotel. Liu Neng showed me his recent toiletries to prove he wasn't lying, and we stayed at the hotel until it got dark. Estimating that Mengjie should have gone home from get off work, Liu Neng and I drove back. Speaking of which, Liu Neng's house wasn't too far from mine, about a ten-minute drive, in a small high-rise building in a beautiful neighborhood. He casually explained to me, who was looking at him with envy, as he turned the steering wheel, "It's rented." At the door, seemingly to further prove his honesty, Liu Neng deliberately took out his key, inserted it into the lock, and turned it several times, but couldn't open the door at all. "See, it's locked from the inside. See, Brother Liu didn't lie to you, did he?" Liu Neng's face was full of smug smiles. As he rang the doorbell, I deliberately hid in a blind spot inside the door, worried that if Meng Jie saw me, she wouldn't open the door, which would be a real problem. Liu Neng naturally understood this and smirked. After a short while, Meng Jie opened the door from inside. She lazily said through the iron gate, "Hey, what brings you here? Something wrong?" Hiding to the side, I suddenly became infatuated with Liu Neng's profile. His eyes were shining, as if he had seen something beautiful. "Yeah, I need to talk to you." Liu Neng licked his lips and swallowed. "Oh, then sit down for a while, I'll go change my clothes." Mengjie gently pushed open the iron door from the inside and walked into the house. I heard the sound of slippers quickly fading away, and I couldn't help but wonder what kind of "ice cream" Liu Neng's eyes had just seen from her. "Let's go, let's go in together." Liu Neng whispered to me, and I thought for a moment before agreeing. The house was brightly lit, with no traditional solid wood furniture, and was completely filled with various modern Western-style decorations. The materials used were mostly cotton or plastic, and there was also a lot of glass. Under the crystal waterfall chandelier in the living room was a uniquely designed coffee table and a round rug. I glanced around; light green and white were the main colors of the room, quite girly and refreshing. I thought Mengjie would definitely like it. "Well, the landlord just loves decorating like this," Liu Neng shrugged, sitting on the sofa. "I'm fine as long as I have a bed to sleep in." I smiled noncommittally. Mengjie had nothing else to do while changing clothes, so she continued to look around curiously, pacing around the room. I looked up and noticed a gap in the corner of the wall, seemingly where some kind of camera device was installed. "What's that?" I pointed to the small hole in the ceiling. "Oh, it looks like a ceiling-mounted camera. The landlord installed it for security, but it seems to be broken, I'm not really sure," Liu Neng said, reaching out to turn on the TV in the living room. "Are you sure it's broken?" I couldn't help but wonder if someone was using this kind of device to spy on Mengjie. Did
Liu Neng really not know? I couldn't help but look at Liu Neng with some suspicion. "Probably. I was also afraid of exposing my privacy, so I turned off the power later." He frowned, seemingly knowing what I was thinking. "Linda, you're being too sensitive," he tapped, and I fell silent. It was more than ten minutes later when Mengjie reappeared after changing her clothes. Her pair of long, slender, white legs were exposed like jade shoots, soft and delicate like porcelain, leaving me stunned. This suddenly reminded me of the dazed look on Liu Neng's face earlier, and my heart ached with even more bitterness and jealousy. What exactly did he see? Was it his wife's even more exposed spring scenery? Just how revealing was she dressed? It took her so long just to change into this ordinary sheer dress. Mengjie's bright smile and crescent-shaped lips froze immediately when she saw me beside her. Surprised glances began to flicker, and her firm, sexy breasts trembled slightly with her breathing. She was trying to control herself, but finally calmed down. Mengjie gave me a cold look and then looked away, as if to make it seem like my arrival was expected. At the same time, I noticed that Liu Neng looked at her and slowly nodded with a complicated expression. "Sit down, it must be tiring for you two to stand like this!" Liu Neng started the conversation. The silent Mengjie and I each found a seat, but still didn't say anything. After everything that had happened, she, too, didn't know what to say. Some things had been bottled up inside her for too long, and she just couldn't say them anymore. Whether there were outsiders present or not, it didn't really matter. So we both awkwardly avoided each other's eyes. I was afraid of arousing her guilt, and she seemed to be avoiding me for some reason, so we both kept our heads down, lost in our own thoughts. In that brief moment of peeking, I noticed that behind the glass of the coffee table, my wife's delicate, fair, and sexy feet were wearing a pair of large men's slippers—undoubtedly Liu Neng's. Because of the unexpected nature of my visit, her unabashed wearing of Liu Neng's shoes only made her more blatant, and it made me even more upset. The sadness that had been slightly diluted by the joy of our reunion surged back into my heart. Couples who have been together for a long time often develop a tacit understanding, but sometimes this unspoken understanding feels ironic. Almost at the same moment I was feeling down, my wife noticed it too. Her beautiful feet awkwardly shrank back into the shadows, and her pretty face flushed red. Liu Neng quickly chimed in, but his words were bland and meaningless, making the atmosphere increasingly awkward and uncomfortable. He then dramatically shook his pocket and stood up, saying, "Oh dear, I'm out of cigarettes. Never mind, I'll be going now. Couples always need to resolve their differences, so let's have a good talk!" Before leaving, he patted my shoulder and smiled meaningfully. I understood he wouldn't be coming home that night. The streetlights were just coming on outside, casting a soft glow. There was still plenty of time to talk. "Pack your things, let's go home!" I said softly. Finally, only my wife and I were left in the living room, but I still felt incredibly uncomfortable. After all, we were in someone else's house, Liu Neng's house. My wife seemed oblivious, her hands constantly kneading and rubbing together. Her slender fingers were like white lotus roots, but I, turned away, didn't notice anything amiss. I assumed the silence behind me was normal, simply due to awkwardness. I was only concerned with my own feelings; my only thought was to get my wife out of Liu Neng's house as soon as possible. We could talk about it when we got home! She remained silent behind me. I paced impatiently yet with a mixture of amusement and curiosity, carefully observing the living room. I noticed a small, elegant brass cart carrying a bottle of expensive liquor on a cabinet that clashed terribly with the fairytale-like decor. "Oh, this must be Liu Neng's?" I asked, pushing open the kitchen door. It was a side-opening floor-to-ceiling glass door, and the kitchen was impeccably clean. I knew my wife's cooking skills, and a sour feeling crept over me; it would be even more convenient for Liu Neng to freeload here. I fumbled for the kitchen light, intending to sneak in for a closer look, when I suddenly heard my wife speak from the living room. "Go back by yourself. I'm not going with you." Her tone was soft, but decisive. I turned back to look at her, surprised and hurt. Her delicate, white toes peeked out from the front of her oversized slippers, a sharp pain piercing my heart. (To be continued) clt2014 Gold Coins +16 Reposted and shared, a red envelope is offered!

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