Daddy, Mommy Ran Away

“Two handsome men, why the long faces? How about buying me a drink?” The woman exuded enthusiasm, her soft, boneless hands making their way onto Leng Haoyin’s chest and Shen Jun’s back. Her brightly painted nails glimmered under the lights, and her heavily made-up face was adorned with bold red lips curling into a flirtatious smirk.

Shen Jun smirked, impressed by her audacity and confidence. Trying to handle both of them at once? Admirable. But he doubted she could even manage one.

With a sly smile, his almond-shaped eyes sparkled under the flickering lights, enigmatic and unreadable. He gently lifted her supposedly delicate hand from his back and playfully placed it on Leng Haoyin’s instead, signaling that she should focus her efforts there.

The woman wasn’t offended; her smile deepened as she turned all her attention to Leng Haoyin. Her slender fingers traced lazy circles over his firm chest through his shirt, savoring the strength beneath the fabric.

Though the man showed little interest, his lack of resistance only fueled her excitement. She leaned in closer, her curvaceous figure pressing against him. Her short black lace skirt barely covered her ample curves, leaving little to the imagination. Shen Jun, catching an unintended glimpse, shook his head and took another swig of his drink. Eyes off, he reminded himself. After all, he was saving himself for someone special.

The seductive woman clung to Leng Haoyin, her voice dripping with allure as she purred, “Handsome, buy me a drink, won’t you? I’d love to share one with you.”

Leng Haoyin, unfazed, took another swig straight from the bottle, ignoring the hand roaming over him. His dark eyes narrowed dangerously as he studied the intruder. He was curious to see just how far she’d go, daring to provoke a tiger when it was already on edge.

Despite her relentless teasing, Leng Haoyin remained cold and detached. Suddenly, he grabbed the hand encircling his waist and yanked her forward. The woman stumbled and fell to her knees, her face now level with his waist.

“You want a drink?” His lips curled into a devilish smile, a chillingly seductive expression that could make hearts race. But the woman, entranced by his charm, failed to notice the icy edge in his tone. She pressed her ample chest against his back, her voice coy and pleading. “Yes, I want it so badly.”

“Oh, you want it badly, do you?” His voice turned as cold as a winter stream, his piercing gaze locking onto her face. Gripping her chin firmly, he forced her to open her mouth. “Then let me fulfill your wish.”

Before she could react, the bottle was shoved into her mouth, and the liquid poured down her throat.

“Mmph! Mmph!” The woman choked, overwhelmed by the sudden onslaught of alcohol. It spilled from her mouth, dripped from her nose, and smeared her once-perfect makeup. Under the shifting lights, her face became a pitiful mess.

She struggled, shaking her head desperately, but his grip was unyielding. “Didn’t you want a drink? Go on, have your fill,” he growled, his voice low and menacing, sending shivers down her spine.

After emptying one bottle, Leng Haoyin reached for another. The woman, now terrified, burst into tears. “Please, stop! I’m sorry! I won’t do it again!”

“No more, no more!” She shook her head frantically, her fear palpable.

“Alright, Haoyin, let her go,” Shen Jun intervened, unable to watch any longer. Though he wasn’t particularly sympathetic, he couldn’t help but pity her. Approaching a tiger in a foul mood? She was practically asking for it.

Leng Haoyin finally released her. The woman scrambled to her feet and fled as if the devil himself were chasing her.

“Get lost,” he muttered, his voice low and threatening. Turning back to the table, he grabbed another bottle and drank as if trying to drown himself.

Drowning his sorrows only deepened them. The table was littered with empty bottles, and even Leng Haoyin’s strong constitution couldn’t keep him upright. Eventually, he collapsed.

“Ah, why must women make life so hard for men?” Shen Jun sighed as he carried him home, his voice tinged with exasperation and resignation.

…

Half a month had passed.

Morning arrived in Zhouzhuang, the ancient town wrapped in layers of mist. As the gentle sunlight kissed the rooftops, the tranquil village slowly came to life.

Standing on the wooden balcony, An Ruoxi pushed open the window. The golden sunlight streamed in, and she closed her eyes, taking a deep breath of the crisp morning air, tinged with the faint aroma of lotus. When she opened her eyes, the sight of the gently flowing creek and the vast expanse of lotus leaves on the lake greeted her. The fragrance of lotus seeds lingered in the air. This was the perfect season for harvesting lotus, and farmers were already out on their bamboo rafts, taking advantage of the soft morning light to gather them.

Life in this rustic village lacked the fast-paced rhythm of the city. The serene atmosphere calmed the heart, yet Ruoxi felt an emptiness growing inside her, a void that seemed to expand with each passing day. The shadow of a certain someone haunted her thoughts more and more, often keeping her awake at night. Neither had called the other, as if they’d both chosen to forget.

Even the three children, initially unfamiliar with this place, had grown to love its simplicity. They especially enjoyed the local delicacies, and Xuanhan, once so shy, had started to open up while playing among the friendly villagers.

That morning, the three little ones woke up early, excited to go to the market with Grandmother and Grandpa. An Xiaobei wore a pink embroidered cheongsam that Aunt Yang had found in Ruoxi’s old wardrobe. With her hair styled in a cute bun, little embroidered shoes on her feet, and a small oil-paper umbrella in hand, she walked along the sturdy cobblestone streets like a little beauty from ancient times, drawing the attention of many tourists and their cameras.