Summer Light Gatherings

Chapter 8

In the parking lot, He Xiaoxiao found her car and realized it was getting late. There wasn't much work to do at the office, so she decided to leave early like Zhao Yinuo. She immediately called Ling Yao, asking her to bring He Rui to Xintiandi because she wanted to treat them to dinner.

Arriving at Xintiandi, He Xiaoxiao saw He Rui playing on a trampoline while Ling Yao stood by clapping and counting for him. Instead of approaching them right away, He Xiaoxiao observed from a distance for a while.

He Rui had a wide-open mouth, not making any sounds of shouting or laughter, but his expression was quite joyful, making him look like an appealing child. He was outstandingly good-looking, resembling his biological father, although he didn't know it himself. Sometimes, He Xiaoxiao would scold him for no reason, simply because his face brought back some unpleasant memories. She hated the uncontrollable shame that surfaced in her heart, as it truly affected her emotions.

He Xiaoxiao shifted her gaze to Ling Yao, feeling that her excitement at the moment was not much different from when she was a child. She had a misconception that being He Rui's sister suited Ling Yao better than being her own sister.

Fate was a strange thing; it could create a bond similar to family even without a blood connection.

When He Rui was learning to walk, he was particularly shy around strangers. He would hide behind his mother whenever he saw someone unfamiliar, except for Ling Yao. Ling Yao would visit him, help him try on cute little clothes, teach him nursery rhymes, and play hide-and-seek with him. When Ling Yao was about to leave, He Rui was reluctant to part with her. He Xiaoxiao joked, "If you can't bear to see Auntie leave, then just go with Auntie!"

After hesitating for a moment, He Rui actually grabbed Ling Yao's hand and went with her. As they left, descended the stairs, the small body was tightly pressed against Ling Yao's, without turning his head back once. He Xiaoxiao felt uneasy watching this, saying, "You little rascal! Come back here!"

Having seen enough, He Xiaoxiao walked up to pat Ling Yao's shoulder.

She took the two of them to have steak. The clean and beautiful environment was pleasant, but He Xiaoxiao still looked critically at her son, criticizing him for chewing too loudly and holding his utensils incorrectly.

"I've taught you so many times, but you still can't remember. Can't you use your brain?"

While He Xiaoxiao lectured, He Rui remained silent, staring at his utensils, seemingly lost in thought. Occasionally, he would glance up at his mother with a pitiful look.

Unable to bear it, Ling Yao jokingly retorted, "Speak nicely. Don't suddenly put on a stern face to scold someone. That will only make the kids rebellious and less inclined to behave well."

He Xiaoxiao gave her a blank look. "Are you instigating him?"

Ling Yao said, "Then think back to when you were a child! You weren't necessarily better than He Rui!"

He Xiaoxiao actually thought about it seriously and found her temper had eased quite a bit. She smiled and said, "That's true! I even got beaten for eating slowly when I was a kid!"

"How about that?" Ling Yao said, smugly winking at He Rui.

He Rui asked, "Mom, did you eat faster after you got beaten?"

"No, I actually ate slower because I felt sad, and seeing rice made me want to throw up. Luckily, my grandma took me away later, or else I might have been beaten to death by your grandpa."

He Xiaoxiao's father loved gambling, and her mother had a violent temper. Quarrels and fights were a daily occurrence, and whenever they argued, her mother would angrily leave the house, sometimes for days. He Xiaoxiao's grandma adored her granddaughter and once, when she visited and found no adults at home, and He Xiaoxiao nibbling on a raw carrot, she was furious and took her granddaughter away on the spot. She waited at home for a few days, but when she didn't see the parents come to pick up the child, she figured they were relieved to be rid of her. From then on, He Xiaoxiao lived with her grandma.

Ling Yao said, "But at that time, your uncle wasn't an old man, right? He was in his thirties, a robust man."

"So that's why I said I might have been beaten to death!"

While the sisters chatted, He Rui practiced cutting steak very seriously. Occasionally, he would cut out a piece of meat that looked particularly nice in shape, and he would use his utensils to move it onto his mother's plate. He Xiaoxiao naturally forked it up and ate it, while He Rui watched her eat with a pleased expression.

He Xiaoxiao complained again that there were no good schools near Xinglin Garden, and the price of houses in the district of the nearest prestigious school had risen to 31,000 yuan per square meter.

"It's too expensive! I can't afford it! I inquired about the tuition fees for private middle schools, and it's at least 80,000 yuan per year. That means after solving the basic necessities like food and drink, there's nothing left but the mortgage. I'm having a hard time making up my mind, but he's going to sixth grade next year..."

"Insane!" Ling Yao shook her head. "Actually, studying well in a regular school is also fine. We just went to the local middle school, right?"

"It's not the same!" He Xiaoxiao said decisively, but she didn't explain further. "He has to go where he needs to go. Studying changes destiny! I regret not studying hard enough and not going to high school—look at your aunt, a legitimate college graduate, and her starting salary is more than twice mine. It makes me so frustrated!"

The last sentence was directed at He Rui. He Rui pursed his lips and said, "Mom, I will study hard. You don't have to spend money in vain."

When He Rui was four years old and heard He Xiaoxiao complain about not having enough money, he ran into his room, took out a piggy bank, shook it vigorously in front of He Xiaoxiao, and said loudly, "Mom, I have money! I have a piggy bank full of money! I'll give it all to you!"

At that moment, he had the same expression on his face as he did when he was four years old. He Xiaoxiao's heart softened instantly, and she sighed, "Haha, I might not even be able to spend it if I wanted to!"

She didn't scold her son anymore and got up to go to the bathroom.

When He Xiaoxiao left, Ling Yao reached out and gently patted He Rui's head. "Your mom is harsh with her words, but she has a soft heart. Don't take some things she says to heart."

"I know!"

He Rui made a funny face at her, his eyes gleaming with cunning. Ling Yao was taken aback for a moment, then smiled. The little guy turned out to be quite the actor.

"My mom lives a very hard life. I try to accommodate her wherever I can, and I hope she can be happier," He Rui said.

Ling Yao noticed that He Rui used the word "lives" instead of "is," and his tone of voice was mature, with a hint of worldliness. Despite that, the pieces of beef on his plate were still cut into odd shapes.

Ling Yao was puzzled. "He Rui, how old are you exactly?"

He Xiaoxiao finished fixing her makeup and came out of the bathroom. In the hallway, there was a man leaning against the wall, tall and charming. She couldn't help but glance at his face, and he happened to look back at her. Both were startled upon locking eyes, especially the man, whose face turned pale. He took two steps back as if intending to flee.

Seeing this, He Xiaoxiao's annoyance dissipated, and she couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Yang Shao stood awkwardly, explaining that he was hosting clients tonight and the other person didn't know where the restroom was, so he escorted them.

He Xiaoxiao wasn't really listening, using this opportunity to scrutinize Yang Shao again, but this time without admiration. Three years hadn't changed him much; he still looked lively and vibrant, no wonder she had been so easily deceived by him back then.

When He Xiaoxiao first joined Yamei Company, she hid her identity as a single mother and never used her child as an excuse for taking leave. At that time, she was determined to stand firm on her own feet and make a good life for herself.

Her modesty and low profile earned the favor of two elderly ladies in the finance department. They teamed up to arrange blind dates for her, believing that although her education was lacking, her appearance and good temper would make finding an outstanding match no problem.

He Xiaoxiao dared not refuse her colleagues' kindness, fearing to offend anyone. At the same time, she was also somewhat curious. After all, the old ladies had promised that the matches they found for her were all elites.

The second time she went on a blind date, she met Yang Shao, and they both fell in love at first sight, feeling very satisfied with each other. Two months into the relationship, Yang Shao was eager to get married. He was thirty-three, and his family was pressuring him.

After much consideration, He Xiaoxiao finally revealed her son's existence. If they were to truly be together, she couldn't keep it a secret.

Yang Shao was deeply affected and lost contact with He Xiaoxiao for a while. Although He Xiaoxiao felt disappointed, she also felt it was to be expected. After all, she had anticipated this outcome from the beginning and hadn't dared to fully invest her emotions.

Unexpectedly, not long after, Yang Shao came back to her, saying he had thought it over and loved He Xiaoxiao for who she was, and her past wasn't something he could control.

"Xiaoxiao, I still want to be with you."

Touched, He Xiaoxiao slept with him that night. Afterwards, she arranged for Yang Shao to meet her son, and she felt that Yang Shao treated her son well and couldn't find any fault with him.

In the following months, the two of them were inseparable, but Yang Shaoli never brought up the topic of marriage again. He Xiaoxiao couldn't help but hint around, and Yang Shaoli reluctantly told her that his parents disagreed with their relationship because of He Rui's issue. He was still trying to convince them and hinted at whether He Xiaoxiao could find another place for He Rui to live. As long as the child didn't appear in their married life, he would have a better chance with his parents.

He Xiaoxiao thought for a long time and decided to send He Rui to her mother's place for care. She would pay child support every month. However, her mother disagreed, and they had a quarrel over it.

"Your son is your responsibility. Who gave birth to him should raise him. How can you expect me to raise him for you?" her mother argued.

He Xiaoxiao couldn't contain her anger. "Then am I your child? How many days have you raised me? Without grandparents, I would have died long ago!"

"Then go talk to the child's grandparents! Don't come to me!"

But a few days later, her mother called again, asking He Xiaoxiao to send the child back. He Xiaoxiao knew it was all her grandmother's doing. After listening to her daughter's difficulties, her grandmother turned around and scolded her daughter-in-law.

In a huff, her mother said over the phone, "I'll take care of him for two years. Forget about the money. Two years later, no matter what your situation is, remember to come and take him away!"

It didn't take two years. Two months later, Yang Shaoli proposed breaking up.

"My parents still don't agree. They said if I continue to associate with you, they'll cut ties with me... Xiaoxiao, I still love you, but I can't..."

In the golden autumn of October, Yang Shaoli held his wedding at the Silver Garden Hotel. He Xiaoxiao didn't receive an invitation, but she went anyway. She downed a glass of fifty-three percent liquor and poured another glass, splashing it all over Yang Shaoli's face in front of the bride.

When He Xiaoxiao came back, her face didn't look good. Ling Yao asked her what had happened. He Xiaoxiao shook her head, her gaze falling on He Rui, looking somewhat gloomy.

"He Rui, if you ever turn into a scumbag in the future, don't expect a girl to do it. I'll be the first one to break your legs!"

Ling Yao chuckled, "Where did that come from?"

He Xiaoxiao ignored her, her expression serious, thinking to herself, he has the genes of a scumbag.

He Rui glanced at his mother and muttered, "You're always so worried. It's hard to be happy in this lifetime."

He Xiaoxiao was furious. "I'm happy right now!"

He Rui said to Ling Yao, "My mom is freaking out!"

Ling Yao was amused. She could tell that He Rui wasn't actually afraid of his mother.

He Xiaoxiao said coldly, "Next time there's a cockroach in the room, don't come to me."

He Rui's expression immediately fell.

Ling Yao asked him, "Are you afraid of cockroaches?"

He Rui made a face again.

He Xiaoxiao told Ling Yao about a night when He Rui was in his room playing games on his phone until one in the morning. Suddenly, he spotted a cockroach on his bed.

"He didn't dare to wake me up, so he spent the whole night sitting on the couch in the living room. He only told me when I woke up at six."

Ling Yao chuckled, "How can a man be afraid of cockroaches?"

He Rui, unabashed, replied, "Why can't a man be afraid of cockroaches?"

Ling Yao said, "Cockroaches have a strong reproductive ability and are high in protein. When the end of the world comes, and humans can't find anything to eat, they'll have to rely on eating cockroaches to survive."

He Rui exclaimed, "Then I'd rather starve to death like Bo Yi and Shu Qi!"

He Xiaoxiao told Ling Yao, "Don't be fooled by his pretended obedience. If he wasn't afraid of cockroaches, crickets, geckos, or big moths, he would have climbed onto my head to relieve himself!"

Ling Yao protested with a laugh, "Hey, hey, we're having a meal! Let's keep the language civilized!"

Actually, they had already finished eating. He Xiaoxiao suggested going to the mall to walk off the food, and both of them agreed. She got up to pay at the front desk, warning He Rui specifically, "Don't badmouth your mother!"

As soon as He Xiaoxiao left, He Rui eagerly told Ling Yao about a night when he went to the bathroom to take out the trash and found a cockroach perched on the trash can, its two long antennae swaying back and forth. He screamed in fright.

He Xiaoxiao understood and rushed in with insecticide spray. He Rui quickly retreated from the bathroom, nervously watching from the doorway. He saw He Xiaoxiao chasing the cockroach with vigorous sprays. The cockroach, terrified, crawled under a rag. He Xiaoxiao aimed and prepared to stomp on it through the cloth, but the tiled floor was slippery from the oil-based spray. He Xiaoxiao ended up slipping and falling flat on her backside.

When He Xiaoxiao returned, she saw Ling Yao laughing heartily and asked if she was laughing about her fall. Ling Yao nodded.

He Xiaoxiao wasn't offended. She sat down and took a sip of water, saying, "When I jumped up, I felt a strong urge to kill. I could feel it. Maybe it was Buddha warning me that it wasn't right. People should always have a kind heart, even towards a bug."

Ling Yao asked, "Did the cockroach die?"

"Of course, could it escape from my hands?"

He Rui said, "My mom is a killer of insects, and she's never missed a shot." His tone was full of admiration.

Ling Yao rolled her eyes, "I thought after your reflection, you would release it!"

He Xiaoxiao laughed, "I was talking about two different things. Killing it was a given; otherwise, our house would become a cockroach nest. But at that moment, I really felt the urge to be ruthless, which wasn't necessary."

Ling Yao scrutinized her chin, "I didn't expect you to be so profound now."

He Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow, "Wait until you're my age, you'll be several times deeper than me. You're an intellectual! Of course, the worries will be several times mine too, haha!"