Chapter 23: New Year’s Eve 2
“Ming…” Jin Juan looked at her son, who seemed like a stranger, in disbelief. Was this her usually well-behaved son? How could he suddenly say such heartbreaking words? Shouldn’t he be carefree at this age? Why did he look so unlike himself!
“Mingming, he’s not a devil, he’s your father.” Jin Juan took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.
“He’s a devil.” Wang Mingming didn’t look like a 10-year-old child; he looked like an adult losing control of his emotions. “I hate Dad, I hate you, I hate you both…”
“Mingming…” Children’s words, though innocent, can be the most hurtful. Wang Mingming’s words made Jin Juan heartbroken and sad. Jin Juan looked at her son in disbelief, wondering how her son could have such thoughts.
Although her husband was not good to her, he was good to their son, no different from other fathers. She could say with a clear conscience that she had done nothing wrong to her son. As a housewife, she had devoted almost all her time and energy to her son and husband; she and her husband had done nothing to wrong their son.
But now, her son said his father was a devil and said he hated them!
Jin Juan suddenly realized something and covered her face and cried. Lin Xia gave her tissues and gently patted her shoulder.
“Wah!” With someone comforting her, Jin Juan couldn’t hold back any longer, pouring out her emotions. “For Mingming, I’ve endured so many years, but now…what did I do wrong?”
Yes? What did she do wrong?! For her son to have a normal family, she had endured ten years of domestic violence from her husband. Every time she almost couldn’t take it anymore, she would grit her teeth and persevere just thinking about her son. She did this for whom, yet her son said he hated them?
Wang Mingming’s eyes were gloomy, and he clenched his fists tightly, his fingernails digging into his palms until they hurt. Only in this way could he control the surge of rage in his body. The ten-year-old child had already matured. Over the years, he had seen his father abuse his mother, leaving him numb and tired. He had tried to persuade his father, and his father always said he would stop, but he would turn around and beat his mother again. His mother never resisted, nor did she say anything bad about his father. This had once led Wang Mingming to believe that domestic violence was normal.
What was even more terrifying was that Wang Mingming discovered that he was becoming more and more like his father, just like him, wanting to clench his fist when he was unhappy, although this violent impulse was suppressedā¦
His perspective changed after a class discussion about family at school. This is when Wang Mingming learned that domestic violence was wrong.
But in this environment, witnessing his father beating his mother time after time, Wang Mingming found himself excited by the sight, his hands involuntarily clenching, wanting to try it.
Would this turn him into a devil? Wang Mingming was afraid of becoming like his father, taking violence as pleasureā¦
His parents’ issues made Wang Mingming insecure. Only when he was with Da Mao did he feel like a normal child. He loved Da Mao more than anyone else.
Therefore, this time, Da Mao’s injury had broken Wang Mingming’s last safe haven, and he explodedā¦
Lin Xia guessed what happened in Jin Juan’s family. But he didn’t say anything; other people’s family matters weren’t something outsiders could interfere with easily.
Lin Xia still remembered the first time he saw Jin Juan. She had heavy makeup on, a thick layer of white powder almost obscuring her original appearance. She looked listless, her brows and eyes filled with an unyielding gloom.
It seemed that she hadn’t been having an easy time.
In the end, Jin Juan took Mingming home. Although Lin Xia didn’t say anything, he felt similarly stifled.
“I’m going home now.” After making a phone call, Lin Xia drove home. When he reached his doorstep, he was surprised to find Tang Yinlang holding Bai Tuanzi and the little hamster waiting for him.
The dim light from the streetlamp cast their shadows long and slender, stretching out like a continuous path.
“Awoo!” Dad! Bai Tuanzi poked his fluffy head out from Tang Yinlang’s coat and called to him, his fur brushing against Tang Yinlang’s clearly defined jawline. And Tang Yinlang was looking at him with a tender expression, no longer his usual aloof self.
“Be good, wait for me to park the car.” Lin Xia was inexplicably moved, his heart full. Wasn’t this exactly the family life he had always dreamed of? His child and his partner were waiting for him to come home; there was always a light on for him.
After parking the car, Lin Xia shook off the chill and hurried inside.
“Awoo!” As soon as Lin Xia entered the house, Bai Tuanzi immediately jumped from Tang Yinlang’s arms onto him, his fluffy tail spinning like a fan.
Lin Xia was so touched by Bai Tuanzi that he kissed him on the face before putting him down to continue preparing the New Year’s dinner.
Lin Xia was relieved to see that while he was away, Tang Yinlang and the others had done everything they could, relieving him of all worries. Even the vegetables were washed and chopped, just waiting for him to cook.
It was 8 pm now, and the Spring Festival Gala was starting. Bai Tuanzi and the little hamster, unable to help, watched the Gala in the living room, while Tang Yinlang helped Lin Xia in the kitchen.
Passing dishes, serving foodā¦ the two worked together seamlessly, like an old married couple who had lived together for decades.
As they cooked and chatted, Lin Xia talked about Jin Juan’s situation.
“Mm.” Tang Yinlang didn’t have much to say about other people’s matters.
“Why would someone endure domestic violence for their children? I really don’t understand.” Lin Xia genuinely didn’t understand Jin Juan’s thinking. Even for the sake of a complete family for the child, was it necessary to forcefully stay with an abuser?
Those women who suffer domestic violence but are reluctant to leave, do they really understand? They claim it’s for the children’s sake, but is it truly good for the children? Children are sensitive and innocent; the adults’ actions will undoubtedly affect their growth. How can they be certain that children raised in such a family will be normal?
Sometimes, claiming it’s for the child’s sake is merely an excuse to maintain the marriage. They clearly still have fantasies about their husbands, hoping their husbands will change their ways. Sometimes, a little tenderness from their husband is considered a great gift, becoming the motivation for them to continue maintaining the family.
Lin Xia felt pity and anger for their plight, heartbroken and helpless. But the path they choose, even if they cry while walking it, isn’t that what they want? A sentence “I have my reasons” and silently bearing the burdenā¦
An hour into the Spring Festival Gala, Lin Xia’s New Year’s dinner was finally served. This was definitely the most lavish meal Lin Xia had ever had since living alone. Chicken, duck, fish, meat, seafood, and even rice cakes, sponge cakes, and zongzi…
The little hamster had never seen so much food before; its eyes widened, unsure how to use its chopsticks.
“Awoo!” Bai Tuanzi was also incredibly hungry, wagging his tail, asking Lin Xia for this and that. Later, Lin Xia couldn’t feed him fast enough, so Bai Tuanzi went straight to the table and started eating.
“Awoo…” Delicious…
Seeing this, Lin Xia and Tang Yinlang couldn’t help but laugh.
After the New Year’s dinner, Bai Tuanzi and the little hamster, with full bellies, rested for a while. After bathing, they fell asleep; only Tang Yinlang and Lin Xia were staying up to welcome the new year. The Spring Festival Gala was coming to an end, and the New Year’s bell was about to ring.
Lin Xia and Tang Yinlang watched the night view from the balcony, welcoming the New Year.
The two silently looked at the scenery, neither speaking. The space they were in was eerily quiet, but there was an ambiguous, indescribable atmosphere, an unspoken emotion flowing between them.
“Lin Xia…” Tang Yinlang spoke first, breaking the silence.
“Mm?” Lin Xia knew that Tang Yinlang might be about to say something, and he couldn’t help but feel a little nervous.
“I love you!” He had rehearsed these words countless times in his mind. “I want to spend my life with you, and I want to take care of you and An’an forever…”
Was this a confession? Lin Xia knew Tang Yinlang was serious, but he couldn’t help but want to laugh. This elementary school-style posture, and the fact that he had never spoken so much at once, made Lin Xia both moved and amused.
Tang Yinlang was also incredibly nervous. He stood straight, like a prisoner awaiting the judge’s verdict.
“I…” Lin Xia uttered the first word, and 12 o’clock arrived precisely. In an instant, fireworks soared into the sky from the central square, the sounds of firecrackers echoing joyously through the sky.
Author’s Note: Zero tolerance for domestic violenceā¦ A confession in progressā¦
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