Chapter 32: A Small Farewell
Lin Xia masked his true feelings with a smile. When he smiled, his eyes seemed to hold the stars, twinkling above the perfect crescent moons they formed, creating a truly beautiful sight.
Tang Yinlang, lost in those smiling eyes, didn’t notice anything amiss. Just like any other day, they worked together in the kitchen, each with their own tasks, preparing the family’s meal. The little hamster was still in Hainan with Chen Mingzong, and there was no telling when theyâd be back. Although Chen Mingzong had said it was a week-long business trip, it seemed they wouldn’t be returning until they’d had their fill of fun.
âWhat time do you leave tomorrow?â Lin Xia cracked an egg into the hot, oiled pan. It hit the surface with a sharp sizzle, and moments later, the delicious aroma of a fried egg filled the air.
âMy flight is at nine in the morning,â Tang Yinlang replied. A nine oâclock flight meant they would still have time for breakfast together.
âOkay, Iâll take you to the airport,â Lin Xia said, his heart sinking a little. It looked like his questions would have to wait until Tang Yinlang got back. Then again, he wasn’t even sure if he should bring them up at all. Perhaps Tang Yinlang, just like him, had things he was afraid to admit. The difference was, the secret Lin Xia had been keeping was no longer an issue. Now, the ball was in Tang Yinlangâs court.
He probably doesn’t know that I’ve figured it out, does he? Lin Xia wondered. At the same time, another question popped into his head. Why were Bai Tuanziâs eyes blue when Tang Yinlangâs were black? Was it a recessive gene skipping a generation? Or⌠was Tang Yinlang not Bai Tuanziâs biological father?
Stop, stop! Lin Xia reined in his runaway thoughts. He was letting his imagination get the better of him and making things far too complicated. He ordered himself to focus on the eggs sizzling in the pan.
He spread the egg into a thin omelet and sprinkled it with chopped green onionsâa simple but fragrant dish. Bai Tuanzi loved the savory taste of fried eggs, and the green onions made them even more delicious and less greasy.
After sliding the green onion omelet onto a plate, Lin Xia started on two more eggs. This time, he was making mini omurice rolls. Heâd wrap rice and vegetables inside the thin egg crepe before slicing it into small, bite-sized pieces that looked like little egg rolls.
The two of them worked in perfect harmony, and soon a full spread of dishes covered the table. Since Tang Yinlang was leaving tomorrow, Lin Xia had made a special farewell dinner.
âAwoo!â It smelled so good! Bai Tuanzi trotted impatiently around the dining table. He wanted to eat, but he couldn’t get on the table without washing his paws first. An’an was a tiger with principles, after all!
âWhy donât you take Baobao to wash his hands?â Lin Xia said, nearly tripping over the little furball as he turned around. He couldn’t help but feel a mix of amusement and exasperation at the sight of Bai Tuanzi practically drooling. Where on earth did he get this foodie gene?
Neither he nor Tang Yinlang seemed like big eaters. How did Bai Tuanzi end up so obsessed with food, just like Chen Mingjie? That had to be it. Chen Mingjie had been a bad influence. Like they say, you are who you hang out with. It made perfect sense that a big foodie would raise a little foodie.
âAlright.â Tang Yinlang scooped up Bai Tuanzi and carried him to the bathroom to wash his paws.
Once his paws were clean, Tang Yinlang tied a bib around Bai Tuanziâs neck. Lin Xia had prepared a separate plate for him, and the little tiger hopped right up onto his chair to eat.
âAwoo!â Bai Tuanzi happily popped one mini egg roll after another into his mouth. In the blink of an eye, several of them had disappeared.
âHave some chicken.â Lin Xia placed a piece of deboned chicken on Bai Tuanziâs plate, but before it even touched the porcelain, Bai Tuanzi snatched it away. His soft tongue brushed against Lin Xiaâs fingers, a wet and ticklish sensation.
âSlow down, thereâs plenty. Youâre eating like you havenât seen food in a week,â Lin Xia reminded him, worried he might choke.
Hearing this, Tang Yinlang couldnât suppress a smile and began deboning the chicken even faster.
âAwooâŚâ Called out by his dad, Bai Tuanzi buried his face in his plate in embarrassment, and in doing so, managed to polish off the rest of his food.
ââŚâ Lin Xia didnât know whether to laugh or cry. While Bai Tuanzi was chewing, he gently wiped his mouth. The little guy had gotten oil all over his face, and it was a real mission to clean it up.
After dinner, the family of three went for a walk to digest and talk about the next day.
âHave you packed your things?â Lin Xia asked, turning his head to look at Tang Yinlang.
âNot yet, but I donât have much to pack,â Tang Yinlang said calmly. He had arrived with nothing but his work laptop, and he didn’t have much to take back with him either.
âAwoo?â Papa, whatâs that?
As they were talking, a child zipped past them on a skateboard. Bai Tuanziâs eyes lit up with curiosity.
âThatâs a skateboard. Does Baobao want to try it?â Lin Xia asked, smiling as he stroked his head.
âAwoo!â It looks so fun! Anâan wants to play! Bai Tuanziâs big, watery eyes were filled with such longing that the two adults couldnât possibly refuse him.
âAlright, letâs go take a look.â The community shopping center wasn’t far, just a short walk away. It was a good chance to take Bai Tuanzi out for a bit.
âAwoo!â Bai Tuanzi wagged his tail happily, spinning like a little fan.
LĂźluo Mall wasn’t very large, as it was designed to serve the local community. It was owned by one of the residents, so the rules were more relaxed. To make things convenient for the residents, pets were allowed inside.
Though small, LĂźluo Mall had everything you could need at reasonable prices, making it very popular. Lin Xia often brought Bai Tuanzi here; it was where heâd bought his little cat-themed apron.
They quickly found the sporting goods section and the skateboards.
âAwoo!â An’an wants the blue one! Bai Tuanzi immediately picked out a skateboard he liked, and Lin Xia and Tang Yinlang found the smallest model in the same style for him.
Bai Tuanzi sat contentedly in the shopping cart, hugging his new skateboard, as Tang Yinlang pushed him along. Being in the mall sparked Lin Xia’s desire to shop, and he pulled them along to other sections. He spotted a sale and, before he knew it, had bought a huge pile of things.
After checking out, Lin Xia stared at all the bags they had to carry home and felt a headache coming on.
How did I get so carried away? We were only supposed to buy a skateboard. Even though he hadnât been the one to pay, Lin Xia was still frustrated with himself.
Why canât I ever control myself!
Without a word, Tang Yinlang picked up all the bags, not letting Lin Xia help. All Lin Xia had to do was carry Bai Tuanzi. Watching him, Lin Xia suddenly broke into a secret smile. Wasn’t this the very picture of a family of three out shopping? The shopaholic mom buys a mountain of stuff, the dad has to carry it all, and the child sits excitedly in his mother’s arms. The poor, long-suffering dad looks on helplessly at his wife and childâŚ
Well, alright, Tang Yinlang didn’t look helpless at all. As a wealthy CEO with plenty of stamina, this little pile of shopping was nothing to him. He could probably carry his wife and his cub on top of it all and still not feel tired.
Back at home, Tang Yinlang showed Bai Tuanzi how to ride the skateboard. After they had played for a while, Lin Xia took Bai Tuanzi for his bath, and Tang Yinlang went back to his own villa.
âDid Baobao have fun today?â Lin Xia asked as he gently scrubbed Bai Tuanzi.
âAwoo!â I did! Bai Tuanzi didnât just say it with his voice; his whole body showed it. He splashed his paws happily in the water, his face lit up with a brilliant smile.
âPapa is happy too,â Lin Xia said softly. âBecause youâre happy, Iâm happy.â Suddenly, Lin Xia didnât want to worry so much anymore. As long as their days were filled with joy, what else truly mattered? Honestly, being together as a family was a warm and wonderful feeling.
âUncle Tang is going back tomorrow. He might not be back for half a month,â Lin Xia told Bai Tuanzi, breaking the not-so-happy news.
âAwooâŚâ Hearing that Uncle Tang would be gone for so long, Bai Tuanzi’s cheerful mood vanished.
Uncle Tang, who was so nice to An’an and played with him, was leaving. An’an was so sad.
âItâs okay, Uncle Tang will be back soon,â Lin Xia said, hugging Bai Tuanzi to comfort him. He hadn’t realized just how important Tang Yinlang had become to both of them. Without him, something felt missing, leaving an empty, uncomfortable feeling. It wasn’t just him; Bai Tuanzi felt it too.
âAwooâŚâ An’an understands⌠Bai Tuanzi was still downcast.
âBaobao, tomorrow weâll go to the airport together to see him off. So letâs send him off with happy faces, so he wonât worry, okay?â Lin Xia was sure Tang Yinlang wouldnât want to see them sad. It was better to send him off in high spirits.
âAwoo!â An’an understands! This time, Bai Tuanziâs tone was much brighter.
The next day, after breakfast, Lin Xia drove Tang Yinlang to the airport. Since pets weren’t allowed inside the terminal, Lin Xia dropped Bai Tuanzi off at the pet shop for Wang Ziyu to look after, then went to see Tang Yinlang off by himself.
Inside the airport terminal.
Ignoring the curious glances from people around them, Lin Xia and Tang Yinlang stood facing each other. There were so many things they wanted to say, but neither knew where to begin.
âTake care of yourself,â Tang Yinlang said first, his eyes filled with reluctance to leave.
âYou too. And⌠let me know when you land,â Lin Xia replied with a nod.
âI will.â Tang Yinlang committed Lin Xiaâs words to heart.
âAttention passengers flying to Jingdu. Flight number *** of *** Airlines is now boardingâŚâ The sweet, recorded voice of the announcer cut through the air, interrupting whatever else they might have said.
âYou should go,â Lin Xia said, looking at him with a smile.
âYeah,â Tang Yinlang mumbled. He pulled Lin Xia into a sudden hug, wishing he didn’t have to leave.
He leaned down and kissed Lin Xiaâs forehead. The kiss was light, but to Lin Xia, it felt heavy.
So very heavy.
The announcement sounded again, and Tang Yinlang finally let go. Just as he was about to disappear from view, he turned back and gave Lin Xia one last smile.
It was like a spring breeze.
Why does he always have such a straight face when his smile is that beautiful? Lin Xia thought, momentarily dazed.
When Tang Yinlang was finally out of sight, a profound emptiness settled over Lin Xia. His heart ached as if it were being gnawed on by a million tiny ants. It was a deep, unbearable pain.
Suddenly, his right eyelid began to twitch uncontrollably. A terrible sense of foreboding washed over him, replacing the ache in his heart.
Whatâs happening? Lin Xia pressed his hand against his twitching eye, looking uneasily in the direction Tang Yinlang had gone.
Itâs nothing, he told himself, taking a deep breath to calm his nerves. He turned and walked out of the airport.
After leaving the airport, Lin Xia started the drive back to the pet shop. The airport was in the suburbs, a fair distance from the city, and the route passed by a large body of water.
Years ago, that area was notorious for accidents, and the government had eventually prohibited access. However, people still ignored the warning signs, and incidents continued to happen from time to time.
As he drove past, Lin Xia instinctively slowed down. And then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a familiar figure.
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