seven-year itch - Chapter 8

I returned home a little after five in the morning.

Camping equipment was neatly placed by the entrance.

On the coffee table in the living room sat a bowl of cold sobering soup.

Next to the soup was a crayon-drawn family portrait.

Scrawled on it were the words, “Daddy, Mommy, and Huanhuan.”

I picked up the drawing from the table, and Huanhuan’s serious expression while drawing it surfaced in my mind.

At that moment, Jiang Wan must have been sitting beside her, watching her with a face full of affection.

The mother and daughter were likely chatting and laughing, discussing what they needed to prepare for the next day’s camping trip.

A complex emotion stirred in my heart.

I took a deep breath, turned, and headed to the kitchen.

Last night, Zhou Qing had been too forward. I was utterly exhausted.

I didn’t know how much time had passed when I heard faint rustling sounds outside.

I heard Jiang Wan say to Huanhuan, “Daddy must be worn out from last night’s socializing. Let’s not disturb him for now. We’ll go to the kitchen and prepare the food for camping. Once Daddy wakes up, we’ll head out right away!”

Huanhuan cheered in her childish voice.

“Yay! We’re going camping!”

The voices of the mother and daughter grew distant.

I lay on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Suddenly, I found myself loathing my damned sense of morality.

If it weren’t for these constraints, I should be living freely right now.

At home, I have a wife and daughter.

Outside, I have a considerate and understanding mistress.

Just as I had resolved to treat Zhou Qing well, I came home and started hesitating again.

At the same time, I felt a faint sense of delight.

What’s there to hesitate about?

As long as Jiang Wan doesn’t find out, I can continue being with Zhou Qing.

Isn’t this how most men are?

Flags fluttering outside, while the one at home remains steadfast.

This is normal.

It’s not my fault.

But then, another voice in my head asked, what if Jiang Wan finds out?

I sat up, leaned against the headboard, and lit a cigarette.

Watching the smoke curl through my fingers, I suddenly laughed.

What am I doing?

Am I afraid that if the truth comes out, Jiang Wan will divorce me?

Ridiculous.

Jiang Wan married into my city far from her hometown. By the third year of our marriage, her parents had passed away one after the other.

In this world, apart from me, she has no one else to rely on.

Not only that, but she also has no source of income.

If we were to divorce, she wouldn’t get custody of our daughter.

Even if she doesn’t want me, she wouldn’t give up on Huanhuan.

I hold too many cards.

If Jiang Wan is a smart woman, she should know what choice is best for her.

Thinking of this, my heart settled again.

But in the next moment, the guest room door was pushed open from the outside.

I turned toward the light streaming in.

Jiang Wan stood at the doorway.

I couldn’t quite make out the expression on her face.

She walked in.

Gradually, her expression became clearer.

It was heavy, incredulous, and tinged with sorrow.

My gaze dropped.

I saw her gloved hand clutching a pair of torn and misshapen lace panties.

My heart sank abruptly.

Jiang Wan stepped inside and closed the door behind her.

Her voice trembled slightly.

“Found this in the back seat of your car. Whose is it?”

“Where were you last night?”

“I called you. Why didn’t you answer?”