Chapter 40: Daughter’s Pet |
Liu Changqing was surprised to hear that Feng Shuyan showed signs of autism. Her face flashed in his mind.
“Is it severe?”
“Thankfully, no,” Feng Qian replied. “The doctor said it’s mild. She just needs a period of rest and for me to spend more time with her.”
Liu Changqing could tell he wasn’t lying. The visible relief on Feng Qian’s face was genuine.
“What about your company? How are you managing that?”
Feng Qian flicked the ash from his cigarette into the trash can near Liu Changqing’s feet, then took another puff.
“I hired someone to manage things for me.”
“That’s a reasonable short-term solution,” Liu Changqing said with a nod.
“My daughter has been asking about Shuyan,” Liu Changqing added. “She noticed she hasn’t been at school and seems worried about her.”
“If it weren’t for her company during that time, I’m not sure Shuyan would have made it through…”
“Playtime between children can help, but ultimately, nothing replaces the support of family,” Liu Changqing said.
“You’re absolutely right.” Feng Qian nodded, agreeing with the sentiment.
The two fell into a contemplative silence.
After finishing his cigarette, Feng Qian stubbed it out in the ashtray.
“I decided not to press charges against Zhang Xinrou.”
Liu Changqing raised an eyebrow.
Although he wasn’t entirely sure who Zhang Xinrou was, based on the context, he pieced it together—it must be the so-called “aunt” Feng Shuyan had mentioned.
Feng Qian’s face took on a blank expression.
“My wife passed away seven years ago from a malignant tumor. At the time, Shuyan could barely speak clearly…”
He gazed out of the shop window, his eyes distant.
“Shuyan hardly knew her mother. I didn’t let her see the burial when my wife passed, but even if she had, I doubt she’d have understood what death meant back then.”
“…”
“I’ve always been a coward. From the time my wife and I started dating, I was the one being cared for. She looked after me in every way, emotionally and practically. I dumped all my work frustrations and complaints on her, and she always listened quietly, never once making me feel like a burden…”
Liu Changqing offered him another cigarette. Feng Qian’s hand trembled slightly as he lit it.
“Phew…” He exhaled a cloud of smoke, seeming a little calmer.
“Looking back, I think she must have noticed something wrong with her health long before it became serious. But I didn’t pay attention to the changes. By the time I realized, it was too late…”
Liu Changqing was struck by how much Feng Qian’s story sounded like a movie plot—tragic and almost unreal.
But then, aren’t movie stories often inspired by real life?
Good people, it seemed, rarely lived long enough.
“So… that Zhang Xinrou was the ‘aunt’ Shuyan mentioned?” Liu Changqing asked.
“Yes,” Feng Qian confirmed with a nod.
“I suspected for a long time that her feelings for me weren’t just those of a sister-in-law,” Feng Qian admitted. “I always avoided addressing it, even after my wife passed away.”
“Your family dynamics are… complicated,” Liu Changqing replied, his tone laced with disbelief.
“Tell me about it…” Feng Qian said with a bitter smile, the helplessness in his voice evident.
“Maybe it’s my fault. She probably took her frustrations out on Shuyan because of me.”
“What’s done is done. The most important thing now is for you to stay by your daughter’s side and be there for her,” Liu Changqing said firmly.
“You’re right,” Feng Qian agreed.
“So where is she now? Still at the psychologist’s office?”
Feng Qian shook his head and pointed to a car parked outside.
The window rolled down, and a small face peeked out. Feng Shuyan’s eyes, though still carrying traces of weariness, were accompanied by a rare smile.
Seeing Liu Changqing, she waved her little hand enthusiastically.
“Fat uncle!”
“…Your daughter has a great sense of humor,” Liu Changqing said with a wry smile.
“Pfft, hahaha!” Feng Qian burst out laughing, unable to hold back.
He straightened up and looked at Liu Changqing.
“I should get going. I’ve decided to take her on a trip for a while.”
“How long will you be gone?”
“Hard to say—two or three days, maybe a week or two?” Feng Qian mused aloud, eventually shrugging.
Looking back at Liu Changqing, he offered a genuine smile.
“It’s about time I took a break myself.”
Liu Changqing followed him to the door, watching as the car drove away. Through the window, Feng Shuyan stuck her head out, waving goodbye.
He stood there until the car disappeared from view, then turned back toward the bookstore.
A wistful look crossed his face.
“Traveling with your kids, huh…”
The image of such a trip formed in his mind, and a smile tugged at his lips.
“Maybe… it’s not a bad idea.”
When Liu Changqing returned home after work, his conversation with Feng Qian lingered in his thoughts.
He had assumed his own experiences were tragic, but Feng Qian’s life seemed even more challenging.
Despite her peculiar personality, Feng Shuyan was clearly a thoughtful child.
Every family has its own struggles, Liu Changqing thought.
Taking out his keys, he unlocked the door and stepped inside.
Liu Zhiyue wasn’t home yet, as his school day ended later. However, Liu Xiazhi had already returned.
Hearing the door open, Liu Xiazhi quickly hid her hands behind her back and turned her head away.
Liu Changqing, kicking off his shoes, noticed her peculiar behavior.
She’s hiding something.
Ever since resolving the issue with Feng Shuyan, the distance between him and his daughter had lessened significantly. Although she still didn’t call him “Dad,” they could now talk like a normal father and daughter.
Maybe helping her friend earned me some points, he mused.
Curious, Liu Changqing approached her slowly.
“What are you hiding behind your back?”
“N-nothing! I’m not hiding anything!”
Her darting eyes gave her away immediately.
Liu Changqing couldn’t help but smile. His daughter was a terrible liar—it was written all over her face.
He had a pretty good idea of what she was hiding.
She probably found an abandoned kitten or puppy on the way home and decided to take it in. Such a kind-hearted girl.
He recalled doing the same as a child.
Liu Changqing wasn’t opposed to the idea. A love for animals was natural for children, and as a supportive parent, he wouldn’t discourage it.
At most, it would mean a little extra work for him—cleaning up messes, buying a bed for the pet, and so on.
“It’s okay,” he said warmly. “I don’t mind if you want to keep a pet. Actually, I think it’s a great idea.”
“Really?” Liu Xiazhi turned around, her face lighting up with excitement.
“Of course.”
Liu Changqing nodded with a fatherly smile.
Relieved, Liu Xiazhi slowly brought her hands from behind her back, revealing what she had been hiding.
Liu Changqing’s smile froze.
Liu Xiazhi held up a plastic bottle, proudly displaying its contents.
“Isn’t it cute?” she beamed.
Inside the bottle, two small tadpoles floated.
“…”
Liu Changqing was at a loss for words.
He simply stared at the bottle, then at his daughter, then back at the bottle.