Wait...
1720 Words
In the midst of the rain, I took a taxi back to the old apartments where I had lived for two years. Getting out of the taxi, I instinctively looked to see if Lris's Audi Q7 was parked downstairs.
Fortunately, the car wasn't there. Even more fortunately, I hadn't yet returned the house key to Lris. I optimistically thought: It's just one night that dad's staying, and if she doesn't come back tonight, everything will be settled without any issues.
I hurried back to the apartment and quickly put my luggage back in place, making the bed as well. Then I stood at the bus stop under my umbrella, waiting for dad's arrival.
About fifteen minutes later, a bus from the long-distance station slowly approached. Looking up, I saw dad getting off the bus, carrying his briefcase.
I waved and called out, "Dad, over here!"
He looked surprised as he came over, asking, "Weren't you out eating with your colleagues?"
"Eating is a small matter, your visit is important. I know what matters more." I said, taking the briefcase from his hands.
Dad was silent and followed me toward the apartment.
I complained, "Dad, you're on a business trip. Next time just take a taxi when you come here. They'll reimburse you anyway!"
"Public funds are still money. Saving a bit matters," dad said seriously.
"The government is rich; they won't miss a little taxi fare."
Dad didn't respond, clearly not interested in debating values with me. He's always been like that, firm in his beliefs without feeling the need to explain. In his independent world, That's what, he has been a deputy section chief for 15 years without going any further.
...
Back at the apartment, dad took out a stainless steel lunch box. "Your mom cooked this wild crucian carp I caught last week. Just heat it up when you want to eat. Cold is fine too."
"wow, Let's eat it tonight," I suggested.
Dad looked puzzled, "Didn't you already eat with your colleagues?"
"I came back early because you were here." I quickly changed the subject, "By the way, did you bring the glutinous rice wine mom makes?"
He nodded and pulled out a bottle, originally for orange juice, filled with the rice wine I loved.
Dad and I each poured a glass of wine, eating the cooked fish and peanuts, waiting for the rice porridge simmering in the rice cooker. We chatted intermittently.
I was somewhat distracted, fearing that Lris might suddenly return. Startling her was one thing, but if I got exposed in front of my father, it would be the end of me.
...
Just as I had finished my glass of glutinous rice wine, footsteps sounded outside, followed by the noise of a key entering the lock. I became a bit flustered, glancing at my dad and then at the nearby door.
The door opened, and sure enough, it was Lris walking in. She froze at the sight before her, while my dad didn’t react much, probably assuming she was either my roommate or girlfriend.
Before Lris could speak, I grabbed her arm, asking with feigned concern, “You’ve been drinking, right? Let me help you to your room... don’t thank me. It’s the least I can do as a roommate."
While speaking politely, I covered Lris's mouth with my hand from an angle invisible to my dad and pushed her into her room.
"You scoundrel... let me go!" Lris muffled through my hand.
"Don't speak!" I whispered sternly.
Lris struggled to pull out her phone, obviously intending to call the police on me. My actions were indeed tantamount to breaking and entering.
I snatched the phone from her hand, pinned her down on the bed to prevent further struggle, and sat on top of her, regardless of how thuggish it looked.
"Shut up, will you? If my dad hears, I'm dead!" I hissed.
Lris ignored me, her expression terrified, instinctively grabbing my hair.
In agony, I grimaced but dared not make a sound. "Easy... you're going to rip my hair out!"
"You bastard..." Lris’s muffled voice cursed.
"Yes, I am a bastard..." I conceded angrily.
Then, in a softer tone, I pleaded, "But not in my dad's eyes! He has high blood pressure. If he finds out I'm broke and homeless, it could kill him... Please, have pity on me. Just put up with it for one night. He's here on a business trip and will leave tomorrow morning... I promise I won’t bother you again!"
Finally, Lris stopped struggling and let go of my hair, still glaring at me with hatred and disgust.
I carefully let go of the hand covering Lris's mouth, and this time she didn't scream anymore.
I sighed deeply and realized I was still on top of her. Just as I was about to apologize and get up, Lris twisted and pushed me hard. I fell off the bed with a thud.
"What are you doing in there, Carl?" Dad called, hearing the noise.
"I hit a cabinet..." I lied through the pain.
Dad didn’t ask further. Lris watched me with a look that was part triumphant, part furious.
"I’m warning you, don’t say anything weird! My dad really has high blood pressure. He can’t handle shocks. Stay in your room and don’t come out!"
Lris neither agreed nor disagreed.
I made a pleading gesture, to which she still didn’t respond. Comforting myself that her silence was tacit agreement, I gave her one last pleading look before closing her room door and returning to the living area.
...
In the living room, dad had already served three bowls of rice porridge. He said to me, “Carl, take a bowl to that girl. Drinking alcohol means you need to eat something. She shouldn’t go hungry.”
“You let her rest.”
Just as I finished speaking, Lris emerged from her room，carrying her handbag…
Given my previous misconduct, it wouldn't be excessive for Lris to rip me apart. Revealing my actions in front of dad would be just deserts.
As I stood there, legs weak with tension, Lris walked towards the door without a glance in my direction, seemingly planning to leave the apartment to me for the night.
Just as I was about to breathe a sigh of relief, my usually reticent dad called out to Lris, who hadn’t yet left. “Miss, I’ve prepared a bowl of porridge for you. Have it while it’s warm.”
I was desperate for Lris to leave quickly, making frantic gestures at her. But unexpectedly, she looked at me and then nodded at dad, saying, “Thanks.”
...
The two of us, who had just been at each other's throats, ended up sitting at the same table, awkwardly sipping porridge. I felt like a guilty suspect, silent and constantly on edge, worried Lris might say something about me.
I kept glancing at Lris out of the corner of my eye, uncertain about her intentions. However, she didn’t seem to have any plans to expose me to dad, quietly sipping her porridge.
Dad, always a man of few words and focused when eating, finished his porridge first. He stood up, picked up his briefcase, and said to me, “You have company here. I’ll go stay in a hotel.”
I looked at Lris and then said to my dad, “Don’t leave, dad. You can sleep with me later.”
“My snoring has gotten worse lately. You have work tomorrow; I don’t want to disturb your sleep,” dad replied, shaking his head. He then took out sweaters from his bag and handed it to me. “Your mom knitted this for you.”
I took it, puzzled. “Why two?”
“For your future girlfriend. Home-knitted sweaters are warm!”
I felt a bit helpless, understanding that my parents were subtly reminding me to find a girlfriend soon.
I glanced at Lris, still drinking her porridge, and joked, “It’s getting cold. I’ll give you a sweater later!”
Lris glared at me but held back from reacting in front of my dad, while I secretly relished the moment.
...
As he was leaving, my dad took out $3,000 from his wallet and handed it to me, saying, "Take this."
I laughed it off carelessly, "Why are you giving me money? I don't need it."
He pushed the money into my hand. "You're my son, I know what you're like. How many times have I told you to plan your finances... Go pay the water and electricity bills." He glanced at a recent overdue bill on the floor.
Suddenly, I felt a twinge of emotion. I really wasn't a son who brought peace of mind to his parents. I tried to give the money back. "I really don't need it. Mom's not well. Keep it for her health supplements. I'll get my salary next week."
Dad didn’t say much more. He just left the money on the table, glanced at Lris, and headed out the door.
...
I followed dad downstairs. He, who had been silent the whole time, said, "That girl just now, she's not bad, quite attractive."
I grabbed dad's arm, pointing towards the parked Q7, "Dad, give up that fantasy. She's not my type... See that car? It's hers."
Dad followed my gaze to the red Q7, a look of puzzlement crossing his face. He must have been wondering why Lris, with such a car, would choose to live in such an outdated place.
In the end, dad reverted to his usual silence. He seemed resigned to my sorry state. Whether we admit it or not, we live in an era where love often needs to be proven with money. So I told him to abandon his fantasy, and I, even more so, refuse to indulge in it.
That night, after leaving me with a final "Work hard" under the pouring rain, dad walked away with his umbrella.
Watching his aged figure in the rain, I read his expectations in those words. He hoped I would work hard, marry a good girl, and give him a grandchild... But dad, I'm caught in my own struggles and the heavy pull of reality. All those 'good' things will have to wait... is that okay?
- Writer
