Chapter 1 Briefly Silent

After a brief silence, the washing machine signaled its completion.

She went out before me. Looking at her back, I felt a sense of warmth. I left the bedroom and returned to the living room, casually plopping onto the sofa, crossing my legs.

The sound of the clothes rack came from the balcony. After a while, she came out and sat directly beside me, seemingly dissatisfied with my posture. I glanced at her, and she wore an expression as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

"What's wrong? Just say what you want to say."

"A'Che, sit properly. You look so颓废(tuifei, dispirited)."

I wanted to say that I was a废人(feiren, useless person) anyway, but I swallowed the words and followed her wishes, uncrossing my legs.

"How have you considered what Mom said to you?"

"Go back with you?" I looked away and confirmed.

"Yes, stay with Mom from now on, start a second life, put aside all the bad thoughts from the past, and be a positive person, especially a man, who should stand tall."

"I can't stand tall anymore. My life is too dark."

"Mom started working away from home at the age of sixteen. You're a man. Treat any grievances as life experiences."

These words seemed impossible to refute, but in essence, there was a difference. Her era was a trend, while I was drifting outside with a sense of helplessness.

"Do you think I can fit into your current family?"

"Mom believes in you."

I didn't directly express my opinion, leaving room for maneuver as I replied, "I'll think about it. After all, I haven't met your current husband yet. It's awkward just thinking about it."

"Then let's arrange a meeting tomorrow, just a gathering outside first. If you think it's okay, then decide."

I didn't answer. She continued, "Let Mom introduce the situation over there first. You can just call him Uncle. His surname is Wang. He has a daughter, the same age as you, also unmarried, named Wang Rui. You can call each other by name in the future."

"Let's talk about it in a while. I'm not ready yet."

"Things will get busy starting the day after tomorrow, and I won't have time. Anyway, you're idle now."

These words made me anxious, and I began to fight for my pride: "If we really meet, you can't just introduce me as an idle person."

"Then tell me, what have you achieved over the years...?"

"Nothing!"

"Take it slowly. How about you change your environment? Are you willing to go to another place?"

"What would I do in another place?"

"Another place has Mom's achievements. You can help me manage them in the future, and I'll leave it all to you."

She didn't directly mention what kind of business it was, and I didn't want to ask too much, but at least her words had a strong sense of kinship.

She took out her phone from her bag and started dialing. I didn't know who she was calling, but I listened intently...

"Lao Wang, I've already found Lin Che's address. How about we meet tomorrow?"

I couldn't hear what the other person was saying, but I heard her make a quick decision: "Okay, that's settled then."

Then she looked at me and said, "It's already arranged, tomorrow night. Is that enough time for you to prepare?"

My eyes met hers. This woman, whom I had no memory of, didn't seem so strange after such a short period of contact. There was a world of difference between her and Lin Hai, a contrast between warmth and indifference.

"Are your grandparents still doing well?"

She suddenly asked. Without thinking, I told her, "Grandma is already dead. I haven't seen Grandpa in years. He's on Lin Hai's son's side."

"Is there really no contact with that side?"

"For his son, he's been trying to harm me in every possible way. They also stole my business and colluded with others to deal with me, which led to my unemployment."

"Then have less contact in the future. Anyway, you can stand on your own now. It's his right to acknowledge you or not. Time will prove everything. Mom believes you will get better and better."

I took this kind of empty encouragement with a grain of salt, but did her arrival mean that I was at a turning point in my thirties? I thought the answer was yes, at least in terms of family affection.

Xiao Wu's call came, and I started urging her to go back first...

"I have to go out later. You should go back first. Let me think about this matter overnight."

"Then I'll call you again tomorrow. Anyway, the dinner is set. As for whether you come back with me or not, weigh it carefully. Mom definitely won't mistreat you."

"We'll see."

After she left, I had already missed Xiao Wu's call. I proactively dialed back, and it seemed that things had reached a resolution point.

"Brother Lin, come pick me up."

Xiao Wu said this as soon as he answered the phone. I asked curiously, "Where are you?"

"I'm with A'Cheng and them, with Director Li. We just finished drinking and I'm a little tipsy."

"Take a taxi yourself. I've decided to leave Director Li. As for whether you stay or go, make your own decision."

"Director Li told us that he wants us to work on the construction site."

"Then listen to his arrangements. I can't judge for others, but Director Li is a gentleman. Just don't cause trouble. At worst, you can follow Chen Biao."

"You don't object?" Xiao Wu asked in surprise.

"I don't mind at all. You just have to make a name for yourself. I plan to leave this circle completely."

Xiao Wu paused for a moment before telling me, "A'Cheng and Xiao Hei also told me that. I'm afraid I'll be letting you down, so I'm a little opposed to it."

"Really, you don't have to. I'm not that petty."

"Then I understand. I originally wanted to come out and tell you."

"That's it then. Work hard. We can contact each other by phone in the future."

It seemed that overnight, my life had been completely rewritten. Last night, I was still thinking about a series of work plans. The intervention of Lin Hai and my mother was a path of choice and abandonment, of being loved and squeezed out, opposite routes.

It was already past lunchtime when I remembered that my mother had talked to me for so long on an empty stomach, and I hadn't even let her eat.

I quickly walked into the room because the light from that side was facing the entrance and exit. I didn't see anything, only a white sedan driving out from downstairs. It was hard to tell if it was her car.

The room was fully illuminated by the sun. I reached out and flipped the quilt over. The newly bought sheets still had the scent that all-cotton should have, which was very soothing.

A message came in on WeChat, sent by Xiao Wu. It was quite a long message. I had never seen him be so grateful and serious. The general meaning was to thank me for taking care of him over the years. No matter who he worked with in the future, he would never forget that I was his brother, a good brother who would share the ups and downs.

These words were quite touching. After so many years of being together, the feelings were indeed quite deep. Although we hadn't accomplished anything, we had left behind traces of ignorance and shared experiences in the journey of youth.