seven-year itch - Chapter 12
In the wetland park.
I sat on a camping chair, watching the mother and daughter flying a kite.
Two cars were parked beside me.
One was my black Maybach.
The other was Jiang Wan’s pink Lexus.
I couldn’t help but think about what had just happened in the garage.
Perhaps it was guilt. After Jiang Wan left the guest room, I followed her downstairs.
I helped her load the camping gear into the car.
After cleaning the car inside and out, I started the engine and waited for the two of them to come out.
But when Jiang Wan came out, she held our daughter’s hand and headed straight for her own car.
I got out and stopped her, signaling for her to get into my car.
She, however, stepped back with a cold face, avoiding my touch.
The garage was quiet.
Her voice, though not loud, echoed sharply.
“It’s too dirty.”
My outstretched hand froze in midair.
I knew she was throwing a little tantrum.
Jiang Wan used to always have a calm demeanor.
Indifferent to everything.
It was rare for her to lose her temper like this.
And yet, this version of Jiang Wan struck me as somewhat endearing.
I turned, intending to pick up our daughter.
But Jiang Wan stepped in between me and our daughter.
That felt like she was crossing a line.
I frowned at her, but I didn’t want to argue in front of the child.
So I let her stand between me and our daughter.
I bent down and smiled at my daughter.
“Huanhuan, how about riding in Daddy’s car?”
My daughter was usually very attached to me.
Every time I came home, she would follow me around like a little shadow.
But now, she looked at me, then at Jiang Wan’s expressionless face.
In the end, she chose to hold Jiang Wan’s hand and rejected me.
“Mommy’s car has my favorite doll. I want to ride in Mommy’s car.”
As Huanhuan’s words fell, I saw Jiang Wan’s lips curve slightly.
She bent down, picked up Huanhuan, and walked past me in large strides.
She didn’t even spare me a glance.
That left me feeling a bit irritated.
I had already fired Zhou Qing as per her request. What more did she want?
“It’s been ringing for a while. Aren’t you going to answer?”
My thoughts were interrupted by Jiang Wan’s sudden reminder.
Only then did I notice that Zhou Qing was calling.
The glaring contact name on the screen felt like a loud slap across my face.
“Qingqing, my little darling.”
It turned all my previous denials at home into a joke.
I saw a mocking smile tug at Jiang Wan’s lips.
Her gaze shifted from my phone to Huanhuan, who was still flying a kite in the distance.
Her tone was light.
“Huanhuan can read now, and she understands some things about adult relationships.”
Jiang Wan stopped there, saying no more.
She bent down, picked up a bottle of mineral water, and walked toward Huanhuan.
I froze for a moment before answering the call.
Before Zhou Qing could speak, I suppressed my anger and questioned her.
“Who told you to change the contact name without permission?”
“That pair of underwear last night-did you deliberately hide it in the car?”
“Zhou Qing, you’ve crossed the line.”
“That’s it. It ends here. Don’t call me again. Don’t disrupt my family.”
On the other end of the line, Zhou Qing was crying.
She didn’t defend herself.
She only said it wouldn’t happen again.
Hearing her sobs, I suddenly felt a pang of guilt.
Rubbing my temples, I tried to console her.
“Let’s not contact each other for now. I’ll give you some money to go on a trip and relax.”
“When her suspicions die down, I’ll come see you.”
“Alright, darling, don’t cry. It hurts me to hear it.”
