Fang Wencheng fell silent, not speaking further, acting as if he had never mentioned the matter.

Xie Ruhe carelessly turned his head and lowered the window. The cold wind instantly flooded into the car, carrying thick moisture. He stared fixedly outside, somewhat lost in thought.

After a long while, Xie Ruhe finally spoke, his voice light and airy, carrying a slight smile.

“When he dies, I’ll go see him.”

…

In his memories, Xie Ruhe wasn’t beaten by his father Xie Ji very often.

Others spread rumors that the Xie family had a habitually drunk man who lost his humanity when intoxicated, only knowing how to beat his wife and child—a scumbag. From that small house at the end, there was always the sound of a drunken man cursing, things crashing to the floor, and a woman’s restrained crying.

Xie Ruhe thought they were all correct, except for the part about “beating his wife and child.”

Before his second year of middle school, he had never been beaten by Xie Ji.

Only when Xie Ji wasn’t home could there possibly be a moment of peace?

Otherwise, the atmosphere was always oppressive and suffocating, like a prison that made it hard to breathe. His father was as degenerate as a piece of rotten mud, while his mother’s face always carried a gentle smile, yet she cried in private.

Growing up in such an environment, Xie Ruhe’s temperament became gloomy and quiet. Except for Ji Xiangning, he didn’t care about anything, nor did he think he would have any kind of future.

He believed he could never escape this hell.

Xie Ruhe first discovered Xie Ji hitting Ji Xiangning on the day he first met Shu Nian and returned home with her umbrella.

Through a neighbor’s introduction, he skipped class to deliver goods for Li Hong. After working half the day without any results, he only met a puzzling girl. She was petite with a doll-like face that looked easy to bully, yet she acted like she could save the world.

Walking out of the residential area, there was only one street lamp on the quiet path. The way was dark and silent, with no one else around. He walked to the end and saw a house with faint light coming through the windows.

Xie Ruhe looked at that house, rummaging through his pockets as he walked, but only found a piece of candy.

Only then did he remember he hadn’t brought his key when he left.

Xie Ruhe put the candy back in his pocket, walked to the door, and knocked gently three times.

Immediately came the sound of footsteps from inside, light and hurried.

The door opened.

Ji Xiangning stood at the entrance, holding a dry towel, the area around her eyes red. Her hair was somewhat disheveled, her body completely covered by long clothes and pants.

“Ah He is back,” she said hoarsely.

Xie Ruhe nodded, placed the umbrella on the top shelf of the shoe rack, and silently removed his shoes.

Ji Xiangning handed him the towel, her voice raspier than usual with a hint of difficulty: “Go take a bath first, Mom has something to tell you later.”

Hearing her tone, Xie Ruhe’s eyelids twitched.

The house was very quiet, except for Xie Ji’s snoring coming from the master bedroom. The warm yellow light failed to make this old and cramped house feel even slightly warm.

Xie Ruhe looked at her, appearing thoughtful.

A few seconds later, he took out the mango soft candy from his pocket, wiped it with his clothes, and placed it in her hand. Looking into Ji Xiangning’s eyes, he finally spoke.

His voice was low and hoarse, yet carried the natural richness of youth, sounding quite pleasant.

“Have a candy.”

When Xie Ruhe came out of the bathroom, Ji Xiangning was sitting on the living room sofa doing handcraft.

Her head was lowered, her hair disheveled, and in the dim light, one could seemingly see traces of white hair. She wore tattered old clothes and compared to previous years, looked as if she had aged more than a decade.

A freshly heated meal was on the table. Xie Ruhe walked over and sat beside her. Just as he was about to pick up the chopsticks, his gaze froze, and he looked blankly at Ji Xiangning’s neck.

Earlier at the entrance, Ji Xiangning had been backlit, and Xie Ruhe hadn’t noticed. Now sitting close beside her, though the light was dim, he could see clearly—

There were red marks on Ji Xiangning’s neck from someone choking her.

Xie Ruhe stared fixedly at her neck and softly asked, “What happened to your neck?”

Hearing this, Ji Xiangning instinctively covered her neck with her hand and said with difficulty, “It’s nothing, eat quickly before the food gets cold.”

Xie Ruhe lowered his head, his pitch-black eyes reflecting the flickering candlelight: “Did my dad choke you?”

Ji Xiangning forced a smile: “Your father was just drunk…”

“When is he not drunk?”

“…” Ji Xiangning shook her head, explaining to Xie Ji, “He just had some misunderstandings with me. Once explained, it was fine. It won’t happen a second time.”

Xie Ruhe clenched his fists, disbelieving her dismissive response, and went back to his room.

Soon, Ji Xiangning followed and stood beside him, sighing: “Ah He, if you don’t want to stay here, I can contact your grandfather and send you to him, okay?”

Xie Ruhe had heard her mention Ji Xinghuai before and looked at her: “Will you go?”

“I don’t have the face to go back.” Ji Xiangning smiled bitterly. “Besides, your grandfather doesn’t like your father. I can’t leave your father here alone with no one to take care of him.”

His mother, once she fell in love, became reckless and blind, foolish and laughable.

She always believed Xie Ji would sober up; it was just a matter of time. She was as naive as a little girl.

Xie Ruhe lay on the bed, using his arm to cover his eyes: “Then forget it.”

“…”

“I have to take care of you.”

Perhaps because he had hurt Ji Xiangning, after sobering up, Xie Ji realized his impropriety and felt guilty and remorseful. He no longer drank heavily as before and gradually began to resemble a human being again.

Xie Ruhe also no longer needed to skip classes to deliver goods to supplement the family income.

Later, he heard what Shu Nian had said in defense of Xie Ji.

—”I’m not helping Xie Ruhe, nor am I speaking for his father. I just think we can’t rashly jump to conclusions. This accusation is serious; no one can bear it.”

At least in Xie Ruhe’s view.

Xie Ji was indeed a scumbag, but he wouldn’t do such a thing.

Xie Ruhe didn’t care what others thought of Xie Ji. But when he saw Shu Nian being ridiculed by her classmates for this explanation, and then turned around to comfort him.

He experienced a very strange feeling.

Very odd, yet utterly fascinating to him.

Shu Nian always went about alone.

Afraid something might happen to her, Xie Ruhe began to follow Shu Nian.

Gradually, their relationship improved.

After accompanying Shu Nian through her sixteenth birthday, Xie Ruhe returned home when New Year’s Eve had passed, welcoming the early morning of the New Year.

That night, for unknown reasons, Xie Ji drank again. His mood seemed extremely bad, and he said some very harsh words to Ji Xiangning.

Ji Xiangning urged Xie Ruhe to quickly return to his room.

Xie Ruhe pressed his lips together, his gaze toward Xie Ji carrying a hint of disgust.

Xie Ji saw his look, and his anger instantly flared up. He grabbed a cup nearby and threw it: “Damn it! Beast! How dare you look at your old man like that? Don’t you know how to greet people?”

This was a sudden action.

Xie Ruhe had no time to react. The glass cup hit his temple, creating a large gash. Fresh blood flowed down his cheek, reddening his eye.

Ji Xiangning hadn’t reacted either. After a few seconds, she screamed as if going mad and went forward to yell at Xie Ji: “Are you crazy?! That’s your son!”

Xie Ji brushed her aside, shouting hysterically: “You’re the one who’s crazy, get out! I’m telling you! Stop associating with that dog of a man next door! If you dare betray me! I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you right away!!!”

His face was crimson, like a demon from hell.

Angry to the extreme, as if he had lost his humanity.

Yet Xie Ruhe didn’t have much reaction. He covered the wound with one hand and went over to help Ji Xiangning up.

Ji Xiangning’s tears fell continuously. She said nothing more, took out the medicine box, and treated Xie Ruhe’s wound. In an instant, she seemed to have awoken. All the excuses she had made for Xie Ji in the past were shattered by his actions.

Ji Xiangning could endure anything.

She could endure Xie Ji’s daily drinking and his failure to contribute anything to the family; she could endure his verbal abuse and physical violence when he wasn’t sober; she could endure his distrust, always suspecting whether she had other men outside.

She could endure anything. Everything, she could bear.

But when these things happened to Xie Ruhe.

Just once, and her dream was shattered.

She could suffer, but she absolutely could not let Xie Ruhe suffer.

Her only son.

After bandaging Xie Ruhe’s wound, Ji Xiangning turned to look at Xie Ji, wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes. Still looking disheveled, she seemed to have reverted to the once high-and-mighty rich girl, and said word by word: “We’re getting divorced.”

This was the first time Ji Xiangning had mentioned divorce. Even Xie Ruhe thought she was just momentarily impulsive, but her attitude was extremely resolute. No matter how Xie Ji begged, using both soft and hard approaches, she showed no sign of turning back.

Ji Xiangning took Xie Ruhe and moved out, finding an apartment to live in for a short time.

Worried that Shu Nian wouldn’t be able to find him and might go to his house.

Xie Ruhe took the initiative to go to Shu Nian’s house to find her.

The wound on his head hadn’t healed yet, and blood was still seeping through the bandage, looking very serious.

Originally, Shu Nian was very happy that he came to find her, but when she saw the wound on his forehead, her smile instantly vanished, and she stammered: “How did you get hurt…”

Xie Ruhe didn’t answer her question: “Recently, I moved with my mom to the apartment at the entrance of the street. If you need to find me, go to 304 on the third floor, don’t go to my former home.”

“…” Shu Nian pressed her lips hard and asked again, “How did you get hurt?”

Xie Ruhe raised his hand to touch the wound, no longer concealing it, and honestly said: “My dad threw a cup at me.”

Shu Nian stared at his wound, becoming furious, her volume rising: “I heard Chen Hanzheng talking about your father’s domestic violence before, but I didn’t believe it. This is against the law! Even if you are his son, he can’t hit people randomly!”

Xie Ruhe remained silent.

Shu Nian had never encountered such a thing.

She had seen uncles and aunts who, in fits of anger, would hit children with clothes hangers, but it was never as serious as Xie Ruhe’s condition. Her tears started falling as she spoke: “Should we call the police…”

Xie Ruhe said: “No need, I’ve moved out.”

“What if he comes looking for you to beat you again…” Shu Nian helplessly made whimpering sounds, standing on tiptoes to look at his wound, “What should we do, how can there be such a person…”

Xie Ruhe repeated: “It’s fine.”

“What do you mean it’s fine?!” Shu Nian sobbed, her voice thin and soft yet determined, “I need to talk to your father and tell him this is wrong. How can someone throw cups at people? People could die!”

Xie Ruhe felt something strange within himself. Seeing Shu Nian cry like this, his mood was extremely good.

He stopped her: “Aren’t you afraid he’ll hit you?”

“What’s there to be afraid of?” Shu Nian sniffled. “If he dares to hit me, I’ll call the police. I can also ask my dad to come with me. He definitely can’t beat my dad.”

She was still crying, her eyeballs like glass marbles washed with water, bright and round. The area around her eyes was all red, her cheeks slightly puffed up like little rice cakes.

Knowing she might get hurt, she was willing to go forward without hesitation for him.

Looking at the wetness on her face, Xie Ruhe inexplicably felt an impulse. His eyes darkened, his lips curving slightly upward as he gently comforted her.

But in his mind, he was thinking of something else.

He wanted to lick away her tears, to taste their flavor.

These were tears Shu Nian shed for him.

Xie Ruhe wanted to claim them all, bit by bit, for himself.

They must be sweet.

Like the taste of sweetness after bitterness.