CHAPTER XLIV

"Going to the Soup and Fire" / Call me Meow

In my life, the most feared thing is not being able to meet someone who makes you have the urge to go to the soup.

When Wenxi came back from work, he felt that the atmosphere at home was not right. The aunt at home told him that Wen Nan had made Wen Mingtao angry again. He went to the living room first, there was food on the dining table, and Ye Qin was persuading Wen Mingtao.

He stepped forward, "Dad, Aunt Ye, where is Nan Nan?" ”

"Don't mention her to me." Wen Mingtao's face darkened, and the anger that he had finally suppressed surged up again.

Ye Qin stroked Wen Mingtao's back for a while, asked him not to be angry, and turned around to let Wen Xi go upstairs to see Wen Nan. She has always been a sensible woman, she has been by Wen Mingtao's side for decades, except for being a little selfish in love, she is generous in her dealings with others.

Wen Xi finally looked at Wen Mingtao, who didn't speak, and went upstairs on his own, and Ye Qin's soft voice came from behind him: "Don't you know that your blood pressure is high?" What should I do if I hurt my body when I am angry with a child? ”

Then, it was Wen Mingtao's deep voice: "She scolded you like that, aren't you angry?" ”

"Don't be angry, she's still a child, I can understand that."

The sound behind him grew quieter as Wenxi stopped outside a bedroom at the end of the second floor, took the key from the pocket of his jacket and opened the locked door. No sooner had he entered, than a gust of wind blew in through the open window and whipped in his face.

Under the white curtain blown by the wind, Wen Nan lay on the blanket on the ground with her eyes closed, curled up. There were pillows, quilts, vases, picture frames, everything she could pick up all over her place. Her long, dyed hair was spread out, and the setting sun shone on it, glowing slightly.

He closed the door and walked over gently, picking up items on the ground as he went. He remembered everything clearly. Bending down, intending to pick up the man on the ground, the outstretched hands retracted at the sight of her frowning brow. Then, he sat beside her.

Before Song Pingping passed away, she had been ill for a long time, and Wen Mingtao rarely went home during that time. Every time he came back, Wen Nan would have a big fight with him. Her temper is very stubborn and tough, which is very different from the gentle Song Pingping. She never seemed to regard Wen Mingtao as her father, and occasionally called him 'uncle', but her tone was always very distant.

They quarreled more times, and Wen Mingtao became more and more displeased with his daughter. It wasn't until after Song Pingping's death that Wen Mingtao felt guilty about the mother and daughter, and when he wanted to compensate everything for his daughter, Wen Nan didn't give him a chance. At Song Pingping's funeral, he threatened not to step into the Wen family again.

And in the past two years, she really hasn't come back.

There were two fewer people in this home all of a sudden, and it was quiet every day. Even later, Ye Qin moved in as the hostess, he still felt that this was a lifeless home.

He brought her back, and she had been making a fuss for two days. Every day when he went to work, he would lock her in her room, fearing that she would run away, and he didn't even have food for her. Only when he returned did he personally bring her the meal. She's stubborn, if she doesn't eat, she doesn't eat. In front of him, sweep the meal on the floor.

Today, she probably made a fuss for a long time, so she should be very tired.

Wen Xi looked at Wen Nan who was asleep, this docile appearance, he may not have seen it for a long time. She has a fair complexion without makeup, the bangs on her forehead are about to cover her eyebrows, and her eyelashes are very long, similar to her mother Song Pingping. In Wenxi's memory, Song Pingping is a very beautiful woman.

He reached out to smooth the fold between her brows, and she moved, not sleeping very well, and let out a slight sigh. In his eyes, she is like a hedgehog covered in thorns, carefully trying to survive in this world.

When I saw her for the first time, the little person was held in Song Pingping's arms, and he followed behind Wen Mingtao, and the two of them looked at each other like that.

Wen Mingtao pointed at Song Pingping and said to him, "Wenxi, this is my mother." ”

Then he pointed at Wen Nan and said, "This is my sister, called Nan Nan." ”

At that time, Wen Nan was only three years old, and he was already eleven or twelve years old, which was the age when he knew right and wrong. He knew that Song Pingping was Wen Mingtao's woman outside, and Wen Nan was the illegitimate child born to Wen Mingtao and this woman.

He didn't call Song Pingping's mother, but only called lightly: "Auntie." ”

Song Pingping didn't mind, but smiled softly at him, and there was no malice in that smile. Like a spring breeze, it swept through his closed heart.

Every day when Wen Xi came back from school, he would see Song Pingping taking Wen Nan to play in the garden, and their laughter always reminded him of his mother who died in a car accident. If she was still there, she would smile at him like that, talk to him softly, and stroke his head.

It is undeniable that Song Pingping treats him very well and remembers his eating habits. In the evening, when he was studying, she would prepare a glass of milk for him, and knowing that he rejected her, she would ask Wen Nan to send it to him. Wen Nan, who was wearing two pigtails, lay on his lap and called him 'brother', so that Wen Xi couldn't refuse.

Their mother and daughter, just like that, when he couldn't refuse, came into his life little by little.

In later days, Song Pingping would let him take Wen Nan to study together and teach her to read and write. When Wen Nan was a child, he was always smiling and welcoming to everyone, but when he saw Wen Mingtao, he was a little timid. She would often raise her head and ask Wenxi when she was writing, "Brother, is my uncle coming home today?" ”

Her tone seemed to be very unwilling for Wen Mingtao to return to this home.

At this time, Wenxi will let go of the hand holding her and tell her the truth, "He's a dad, this is his home, of course he will come back." ”

"He's not a dad, he's an uncle." Her stubbornness is like this at a very young age.

Wen Xi has never been clear about where Wen Nan's hostility towards Wen Mingtao comes from. She would always wrinkle her nose when Song Pingping and Wen Mingtao hugged. When Wen Mingtao went home, he pulled him into the room. She never even called Wen Mingtao a father, several times, Wen Xi saw Wen Mingtao insisting on letting her call him father, no matter how he threatened and tempted, Wen Nan always called him, "Uncle." ”

When Wen Mingtao looked at this daughter, there would be a trace of anger in his eyes, and there was a little expectation. But as the expectation decreases day by day, the anger begins to increase.

After Wen Nan went to middle school, he graduated from Wenxi University and studied for graduate studies in psychology. At that time, Song Pingping's health was getting worse and worse, and she needed to ask a doctor to come to her home every once in a while. Wen Mingtao's work is getting busier and busier, Wen Xi called him to ask him to come back and see, and he always has many reasons to refuse. During Song Pingping's illness, she saw Wen Mingtao less and less.

When he was a teenager, Wen Nan was still timid towards Wen Mingtao in his heart, but every time he saw Song Pingping sighing or crying secretly, Wen Nan would resent Wen Mingtao a little bit in his heart. When Wenxi came back from vacation, she told him, "Brother, I hate him." ”

The person in her mouth is naturally Wen Mingtao.

She also said: "I don't understand, why would my mother like such a man? Brother, I'm going to take my mom out of here and go to a place where mom can be happy every day. ”

When she said this, Wen Nan's eyes shone brightly, that was her hope. Wen Xiduo hopes that one day, she can realize her dream and take Song Pingping to a place where she can be happy every day.

However, Song Pingping's happy time is getting shorter and shorter.

Wen Nan began to accuse Wen Mingtao of ignoring his family and thinking of Song Pingping, but Wen Mingtao reprimanded her for not being big or small, and not taking him as a father in his eyes. They had long seen each other as an eyesore, so they began to quarrel, each time more intense. Song Pingping wanted to persuade her, but she could only lie on the bed and cough constantly. Wen Mingtao hit Wen Nan for the first time, in Song Pingping's room, when Wen Xi arrived, Wen Nan was like a hedgehog, staring at the enemy in front of her with red eyes.

Song Pingping's illness became more and more serious, and finally fell asleep in bed and never woke up. At that time, Wen Nan was lying on the head of the bed, shaking Song Pingping's hand, and calling her to wake up one by one. Surprisingly, she didn't cry, not a single tear. Wen Xi stood aside, looking at the person on the bed, his beautiful face was so pale that it made people's hearts palpitate.

That was the second time in more than 20 years that Wenxi had seen the scene of life and death. For the first time, it was him and his mom. This time, it was Wen Nan and her mother. Their dad always came late.

Wen Nan did something that was considered a big rebellion in the eyes of the world, and when Wen Mingtao appeared, she stepped forward and slapped him. Fiercely, sharp nails scratched Wen Mingtao's face. His anger surged, and he was about to slap her back with his backhand, but she didn't dodge or dodge, if it wasn't for Wen Xi's hand to pull her away, the slap would have landed on her face alive.

That day, Wen Mingtao hugged Song Pingping, who had closed her eyes, and shed tears. Wen Xi didn't know if this man had ever loved his mother, but he could feel that this man had affection for Song Pingping. Because, his hands holding Song Pingping were trembling constantly, and there was fear in his eyes. These manifestations were absent at the time of his mother's death.

Wen Nan still pushed him away, she guarded her mother, pointed at Wen Mingtao, and told him to get out.

Song Pingping's funeral, no one from the Song family attended. Wen Nan knelt in front of her spiritual throne and never said a word. After a long, long time, but after those who saw off were gone, there were only two people in the entire mourning hall, she and Wenxi, and she finally spoke. It's just that the voice is terrifyingly hoarse, "Brother, why does a man who doesn't love a woman have to promise her?" ”

"Nan Nan—" he whispered her name, but didn't know how to answer her question. Wen Mingtao, his mother, and Song Pingping, the matter between them, maybe only the parties concerned know the love and hate.

"She's so beautiful, but she can only live forever in pictures." Wen Nan said to himself and smiled lowly, "Wen Xi, you can give me a testimony, from now on, I will not step into the Wen family again." ”

That was the first time Wen Nan didn't call his brother, and it was also the first time she called him by his first name. Wen Xi suddenly felt a little distressed about this younger sister, she kept her head held high, and her eyes looked straight at the person in the photo.

After Song Pingping's funeral, Wenxi returned to school. And Wen Nan left the Wen family and took all the photos of Song Pingping. When Wenxi returned home, there was no one to be found.

Her and Song Pingping's bedrooms are the same as before they came to this home, the same clean and tidy, the same without any popularity. Wen Xi saw Wen Mingtao in the study, a few strands of white silk on his temples were particularly obvious under the light, and his back seemed to be much older overnight.

He raised his head in a daze and looked at Wenxi at the door, "Wenxi, you're back." Nan Nan, she has moved out. ”

"Isn't that what you're hoping for?" Wen Xi, who was always standing at the door, said lightly. His voice was extremely cold, and it was the first time in more than 20 years that he had spoken to Wen Mingtao in such a tone.

Wen Mingtao's eyes widened in surprise, looking at Wen Xi's facial features that were more and more similar to his portrait, his chest rose and fell heavily, and his breathing was heavy.

"I know I'm not a good father, but I don't know what to do with you... Forget it, I won't blame you for thinking so, Wenxi, I'm your father, and the tiger doesn't eat children. My love for you is no different from that of any other father to his children. He curled the corners of his mouth mockingly, his expression darkened. The slightly sad voice echoed in the room.

Wen Xi clenched his fists, glanced at him, and frowned slightly. Wen Mingtao looks like this now, he really looks a little sad, Wen Xi thinks of his mother, thinks of Song Pingping who is always smiling, thinks of the stubborn Wen Nan, and whispers: "Love? You don't deserve it at all. ”

The word father is as heavy as Mount Tai. Wen Xi has known since he can remember, that Wen Mingtao does not love his mother. Sometimes the survival of a home does not have to be maintained with love. And a warm family must be created with love. Wen Mingtao has no love for them, so in his eyes, this home is the same as if it is there or not.

Wen Mingtao married Wen Xi's mother, and it was a business marriage from the beginning. There is no love between them, but they have each other's needs and have a son. Although Wen Mingtao doesn't love Wenxi's mother, he will not take the initiative to divorce. Because Wen Mingtao is not only a businessman, but also a person who values face. Even if he has other women outside, even if he keeps telling Wenxi's mother that he loves that woman.

Before Song Pingping entered the Wen family, there were many times when Wen Xi felt that Wen Mingtao loved Song Pingping's mother and daughter. However, after Song Pingping entered the Wen family, Wen Mingtao did not show much love for Song Pingping. He was still busy with business as always, and he was away from home as always.

Perhaps, Wen Mingtao only loves himself. Wen Xi turned around and left the study, and there was a heart-rending cough behind him. The coughing sound was clear in my ears, echoing in my ears for a long time.

Wen Xi ran all over the streets of City C that night, and Wen Nan's figure appeared in the most lively bar in the east of the city. She dyed her hair, put on makeup, and smoked a cigarette with a wine glass in one hand and the other. Wen Xi stood outside the crowd, watching her laughing and playing with a group of young people, and in the bright and green environment, he was a little afraid to come forward to recognize her.

Is she still the girl who would lie on his lap and call his brother? Or the girl with two pigtails squatting in the garden to pull weeds?

"Come home with me." With a heavy body, he walked over with difficulty and lifted Wen Nan who was sitting on the sofa.

She looked at him in surprise, only for a moment, and a hint of indifference flashed in her eyes, "Who are you?" Let me go. ”

In the face of her resistance, Wen Xi only gritted his teeth and grabbed her tightly, his tone was still gentle, "Nan Nan, don't be willful." ”

"You let go of me, who knows you." She struggled hard and shook his hand away.

The few teenagers sitting next to her, looking at her like this, the heroes could only block her behind. Wen Xi stood in front of them, a head taller than them, completely ignoring them, his eyes directly pressed Wen Nan, "Nan Nan come out, I'll take you home." ”

Someone started pushing, someone started picking up the bottle, and everything around them became a mess. Wen Xi ignored it and took Wen Nan out of the bar from the crowd.

His hand held her tightly all the time, and he carried her all the way forward, without stopping. It wasn't until Wen Nan couldn't walk anymore and squatted on the ground that he stopped, "Is that kind of place where you should go?" ”

Wen Nan gasped, squatted on the ground, raised his head to look at him, and said dissatisfiedly: "Wenxi, don't be nosy, what does it matter to you where I go?" ”

"Nan Nan, I'm your brother." Wen Xi's deliberately aggravated tone was a little distressed.

Wen Nan didn't want to look at him, and an extremely cold voice came out of her throat: "My brother? I don't have a brother, my mother only has one daughter. ”

"Nan Nan." Wenxi dragged her up from the ground and grabbed her shoulders to make her look at him, "Don't make a fuss, come home with me." ”

"I don't have a home anymore, Wenxi, don't you know?" 166 Reading Network