Chapter 104: A Brilliant Plan for Reconciliation

Some say that a man who fears his wife is the most unpromising sort, but that’s not quite true. As the saying goes, there is no man in this world who fears his wife; there are only men who respect their wives.

At eight in the morning, Xiao Lin was roused from sleep by the vibration of his phone. Grumbling, he cursed whoever was calling so early, wishing them a day full of misfortune. However, the moment he glanced at the caller ID, he instantly took back his words.

“Hello, Dad. Why are you calling so early? What’s up?”

“Son, is your mother at home right now?” came a voice from the other end, lowered conspiratorially.

Xiao Lin thought for a moment. He vaguely recalled, a little after seven, his mother whispering a reminder that breakfast was ready and not to forget to eat. She’d also mentioned she was heading out to tutor a student.

“She’s not here now. She’s gone to tutor one of her students. Why do you ask, Dad?”

No sooner had Xiao Lin finished speaking than he heard his father’s delighted voice, “Son, hurry downstairs and help me move some things. I’m downstairs right now.”

“What!” Xiao Lin exclaimed in surprise, jumping out of bed. Still in his pajamas, he dashed to the window, yanked the curtains aside, and looked down. Sure enough, parked below was a silver sedan. Beside it stood a tall, imposing middle-aged man in a brown jacket, speaking into his phone. Rubbing his eyes to be sure he wasn’t dreaming, Xiao Lin let out a joyful shout, “Dad, wait for me! I’ll be right down!”

He tossed his phone onto the bed and hurriedly shed his pajamas, throwing on whatever clothes he could find. Shooting downstairs, he spotted his father at once. Overjoyed, he raced forward and threw his arms around him in a big hug. “Dad, you’re finally back!”

Xiao Lin’s father was named Xiao Feng. He and Xiao Lin’s mother had attended the same university years ago. Back then, Xiao Feng had been a strikingly handsome young man—what one might call a heartthrob, with deep, soulful eyes that Xiao Lin had inherited. Even now, having reached middle age, Xiao Feng was at the prime of his life, exuding a mature masculine charm—distinguished, graceful, and full of vitality.

Looking at his excited son, Xiao Feng affectionately ruffled his hair. “Linlin, it’s only been a year since I last saw you and you’ve grown taller again! At this rate, you’ll surpass your old man soon.”

Xiao Lin chuckled. “Well, that’s thanks to your good genes. But didn’t you say you wouldn’t be back for a few more days? How come you’re here now?”

“Oh, the project wrapped up ahead of schedule, so I came home early. Come on, son, take a look at what I brought you from Qinghai.” With that, Xiao Feng opened the trunk, beckoning Xiao Lin over.

“Whatever it is, you always bring me the best stuff,” Xiao Lin muttered, but he stepped forward nonetheless. One glance into the trunk and he cried out in surprise. “Dad, are you serious? Is this a telescope?” He pointed at a bulky package, thickly wrapped, emblazoned with the name of a famous American telescope brand.

Xiao Feng nodded with a smile.

“Oh wow! Dad, I love you!” Xiao Lin stroked the wrapping, elated. He’d always loved gazing at the stars, dreaming of having his own telescope to study the heavens up close. Good telescopes were expensive, so it had always seemed a distant wish. Never had he imagined his father would actually bring him such a well-known brand.

“All right, all right. Calm down. Let’s get everything inside before your mother gets back.”

“Right!” Xiao Lin was practically vibrating with excitement.

So father and son began hauling the many packages upstairs. Xiao Feng had brought back a veritable mountain of things from Qinghai; the entire trunk was full. It took them a good half hour to move everything up.

“Phew, Dad, why’d you bring so much this time? I’m exhausted,” Xiao Lin panted, setting down the last big box.

“Well, you know your mother loves painting. These boxes are filled with art I brought back—folk paintings, famous works, and some pieces from ethnic minorities.” Xiao Feng patted a box with a broad smile.

“Dad, if you’d been this thoughtful a few years ago, maybe Mom wouldn’t have divorced you in a fit of pique. Now you’re trying to make up for it, but who knows if it’s not too little too late,” Xiao Lin teased.

“You rascal, daring to poke fun at your old man! Want a smack?” Xiao Feng shot him a glare.

“By the way, Dad, have you eaten yet?”

“No, I drove all night to get here. I’m starving!”

“Well, perfect. Mom left breakfast for me before she left. Why don’t we eat together?” Xiao Lin went to the kitchen to fetch breakfast.

Hearing that the meal was made by Xu Qiaoling, Xiao Feng’s eyes lit up at once. He quickly found the bathroom, washed his hands, and sat at the table, waiting eagerly.

Soon, Xiao Lin brought out breakfast—two bowls of soy milk, two poached eggs, two plates of pastries, some sliced bread, and a few wedges of watermelon. As soon as the food hit the table, Xiao Feng snatched a pastry and popped it into his mouth, his eagerness the mirror image of Xiao Lin’s when he rushed home for meals. Truly, they were a model father and son.

“Mmm… Your mother’s pastries are still the best. It’s been ages since I’ve tasted them,” Xiao Feng sighed as he reached for another.

“Dad, have you ever thought about remarrying Mom?” Xiao Lin asked, sipping his soy milk. Seeing the wistful look on his father’s face, he couldn’t help but bring it up.

“I’d like to,” Xiao Feng sighed. “But my heart is like the moon shining faithfully, while the moon’s light falls elsewhere.”

Xiao Lin chuckled at his father’s gloomy expression. “Dad, just swallow your pride and ask her. I don’t believe Mom would refuse. I’ve seen it myself—she still polishes your wedding photo three times a day.”

“Pride? I let go of that long ago. Your mother is so fierce—the more I beg, the more she flares up. I even pleaded when we divorced, and look how that turned out…” Xiao Feng said, frustrated.

“Dad, when Mom gets back, just tell her you’ve found another woman. She’ll freak out, and then you grab her, give her a big, sweet kiss—I dare her to say no to remarriage,” Xiao Lin suggested, eyes gleaming with mischief.

“Son, don’t get your father killed! If I do that, she’ll murder me afterward!” Xiao Feng shook his head vigorously.

“Dad, what’s worse: getting scolded once, or missing your chance to remarry Mom? You know the answer. Trust me, your son won’t let you down.” Xiao Lin pressed his father to go through with the plan.

Still, Xiao Feng hesitated. But after Xiao Lin laid out the details and patted his chest in assurance, Xiao Feng finally nodded.

At four in the afternoon, Xu Qiaoling returned home, art tube slung over her shoulder. As soon as she stepped inside, she noticed several new boxes and called out in confusion, “Linlin, are you here? What’s with all these boxes?”

At that moment, Xiao Lin and his father were tinkering with the telescope in his room. Startled, Xiao Lin whispered, “Dad, Mom’s back. It’s your turn now.”

“Linlin, maybe we should think this through…” Xiao Feng faltered, suddenly nervous.

“It’ll be fine,” Xiao Lin assured him, pushing his father out of the room. Then he called out, “Mom, those boxes are gifts Dad bought for you.” With that, he quickly shut his bedroom door.

“Xiao Feng! What are you doing here? Who let you into my house?” Xu Qiaoling’s voice rang out, sharp and angry.

“Well, it’s my house too…” Xiao Feng started, but caught himself. “Qiaoling, I just wanted to see you and Linlin. Those boxes are filled with paintings you’ll love.” Seeing Xiao Lin had closed the door, he cursed his son inwardly.

“What’s there to see? Get out! You’re not welcome here!” Xu Qiaoling snapped, marching over to push Xiao Feng out the door.

“Qiaoling, listen to me, I—”

“There’s nothing to say. Leave!” She shoved him toward the door. In that moment, Xiao Feng remembered his son’s advice. Desperate, he blurted out, “I came to say goodbye. I’m getting married soon.”

“What? Married? To whom?” Xu Qiaoling froze, her voice trembling.

“To a woman who likes me. She works at a bank—beautiful and elegant, dignified and refined…” Xiao Feng recited the words his son had fed him.

Hearing this, tears finally brimmed in Xu Qiaoling’s eyes; her face fell into despair. Biting her lip, she shouted, “Xiao Feng, get out! Get as far away as possible! Never show your face to me again!”

Her outburst startled Xiao Feng. Seeing her pain, he suddenly pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips to hers in a forceful kiss. The assertiveness was identical to Xiao Lin when he’d stolen a kiss from Wang Yuqing.

Stunned by the kiss, Xu Qiaoling momentarily forgot to resist. Breathing in her familiar scent, Xiao Feng gazed at her tenderly. “Qiaoling, how could I ever marry anyone else? There’s no one in this world I could love but you.”

“Then… what about what you just said?”

“Silly, I was lying to you.” Xiao Feng now felt his son’s plan was truly brilliant.

“You—” Xu Qiaoling, flustered, raised a fist to hit him, but before she could, Xiao Feng caught her hand.

“Qiaoling, let’s remarry.”

Seeing the sincerity in Xiao Feng’s eyes, Xu Qiaoling didn’t refuse. Her cheeks flushed and she nodded softly.

P.S.

A heartfelt wish for a happy Qixi Festival to everyone!