"Tang Jun, you don’t need to bring sothing every ti you visit. What you’ve already given us is more than enough," Zhu Liniang said, looking at the local specialties Tang Jun brought. Many were made by Zhang Hualian herself, including cured ats, tea leaves, and so pastries from Jing City.
Tang Jun also specially brought a handcrafted shell boat for Zhou Cheng.
Each shell was carefully selected by Tang Jun, and it took considerable effort to find them. He had previously made a shell boat for Zaozao, who loved it very much. Now, giving one to Zhou Cheng, he would likely like it too.
Boys should like these little trinkets.
"Sister-in-Law Zhou, there’s not much I can help with," Tang Jun mumbled, his head bowed.
Zhu Liniang looked at his expression and knew he was thinking of Zhou Jun again.
With a sigh, she said, "Junzi is lucky to have such a good friend like you. I’m proud of him for having a friend who can save lives. You’ve done more than enough, and Xiao Cheng and I are doing well. The job Tang Yue found for is also great."
Her current salary was quite high, making it no problem to support herself and her son.
Tang Yue surveyed the store, noting how well the clothes were arranged. Even the inventory was neatly stacked. Over there, as Zhu Liniang chatted with Tang Jun, Tang Yue watched her thoughtfully.
In the evening, as the store closed, Zhu Liniang led Tang Yue ho.
It was then that Tang Yue saw Zhou Cheng, younger than Zaozao and Chenchen, and about the sa age as Gai Yu. He wasn’t very tall but looked rather sturdy. Upon seeing Tang Jun, Zhou Cheng eagerly ran up to him, exclaiming, "Uncle Tang."
"Xiao Cheng, long ti no see, you’ve grown taller."
Tang Jun picked up Zhou Cheng, who was smiling so widely his eyes narrowed with joy, excitedly wishing Tang Jun a happy new year, "Uncle Tang, Happy New Year, may you prosper."
Though Zhou Cheng didn’t extend his hand, his eager expression was unmistakably clear.
"Xiao Cheng, don’t be rude." Zhu Liniang looked lovingly at her son, gently scolding him, then turned to Tang Yue with a bit of embarrassnt, "We don’t get many visitors, so Xiao Cheng feels very close to Tang Jun."
"It’s fine, that’s how kids are," Tang Yue said, comparing Zhou Cheng to her own Zaozao and Chenchen. Her mind drifted back to Jing City, missing her sensible son and adorable daughter.
"Here you go."
Tang Jun handed over the prepared red envelope.
"Thank you, Uncle Tang." Zhou Cheng happily took the envelope and, holding it to his chest, exclaid, "I like Uncle Tang the most."
"Really?"
Tang Jun raised his eyebrows in disbelief.
Zhou Cheng nodded fervently, his eyes squeezed into joyful crescents.
"Then there’s sothing else you might like, want it?" Tang Jun pinched Zhou Cheng’s cheek.
Zhou Cheng blinked his eyes wide, eagerly looking at Tang Jun’s pocket.
Tang Jun pulled out the shell boat, crafted intricately and realistically.
Zhou Cheng instantly fell in love with it, completely fixated on the shell boat, not daring to blink. He asked in disbelief, "Uncle Tang, is this... for ?"
"Yes." Tang Jun nodded affirmatively. He asked, "Do you like it?"
"Yes."
Zhou Cheng carefully took the shell boat, handling it as if it was his most cherished possession, "Uncle Tang, I like you, I like you the most. I wish you could be my dad."
When Zhou Cheng’s father passed away, he was just three, too young to understand. As he grew older and could comprehend more, those who ca to visit were friends of Zhou Jun’s, and Tang Jun was the most frequent visitor among them.
Accidentally, Zhou Cheng shared his innermost wish.
Zhu Liniang’s face changed, quickly saying, "Xiao Cheng, don’t speak nonsense."
Zhu Liniang quickly embraced Zhou Cheng. Scolding him harshly, she simultaneously apologized to Tang Jun and Tang Yue, "I’m sorry, Xiao Cheng is just a child, he just..."
She couldn’t finish the sentence. If Zhou Cheng had a father, he wouldn’t have wished for Tang Jun to be his dad just because Tang Jun treated him kindly.
"Mom, I just want Uncle Tang to be my dad." Zhou Cheng, scolded by Zhu Liniang, looked tearily at Tang Jun and complained, "Why can’t Uncle Tang be my dad!"
"Xiao Cheng!"
Zhu Liniang was so angry she almost wanted to spank Zhou Cheng, but Tang Yue quickly intervened, "Sister-in-Law Zhou, kids don’t understand these things. Don’t scold him anymore. Xiao Cheng, why don’t you and Uncle Tang go play in the room while your mom and I make dinner, alright?"
"Alright." Zhou Cheng nodded.
"Here, Xiao Cheng, this is Auntie’s New Year red envelope for you. May you grow up healthy and happy," Tang Yue handed over the prepared red envelope.
Zhu Liniang quickly said, "You don’t need to give him a red envelope."
Tang Yue insisted, "Sister-in-Law Zhou, this is just a small token for the child. Please don’t be formal. Xiao Cheng, go ahead and take it."
Zhou Cheng looked to Zhu Liniang, unsure if he should take it.
After a mont of hesitation, Zhu Liniang allowed Zhou Cheng to accept the red envelope.
Tang Jun took Zhou Cheng to play in the living room, while Tang Yue followed Zhu Liniang to the kitchen.
Feeling a bit awkward, Zhu Liniang said, "Tang Yue, you can treat as family; no need for politeness."
Tang Yue helped with the vegetable preparation, moving deftly as if she had done it many tis before, while Zhu Liniang started the fire for cooking. But Tang Jun’s earlier words left Zhu Liniang uneasy. After starting the fire and washing the pots, she hesitantly asked, "Tang Yue, please don’t mind what Xiao Cheng said earlier. Without a father, he only wishes for Tang Jun because he’s kind to him."
Tang Yue hadn’t planned to bring it up, but since Zhu Liniang ntioned it, she replied, "Sister-in-Law Zhou, Brother Zhou has been gone for so many years; have you ever thought of finding soone new?"
Tang Yue considered herself a selfish person. She wasn’t sure about Zhu Liniang’s feelings for Tang Jun, but she knew Tang Jun felt nothing but guilt and a desire to compensate Zhu Liniang, without any romantic interest.
Zhu Liniang paused in her vegetable washing, "I’ve grown accustod to being alone. As Xiao Cheng gets older, I’m afraid anyone new might not be kind to him. Besides, we’ve grown used to relying on each other."
Tang Yue’s gaze stayed on Zhu Liniang’s face.
Zhu Liniang uncomfortably lowered her head, avoiding Tang Yue’s eyes, and said, "You’re Tang Jun’s sister; you should persuade him not to send us money anymore. He’s done more than enough, and we’re not in need of money now."
Reviews
All reviews (0)