Chapter 59
After Ye Wan left, the atmosphere at home didn’t improve. Even Huo Ran sensed something was wrong, so she became much quieter. However, after taking a shower, she still happily ran to Ye Zhi. “Zhi Zhi, let’s learn to sing together.”
Ye Zhi was about to agree when Huo Youqiao spoke up, “Ranran, ask Aunty Wang to accompany you.”
Upon hearing this, Ye Zhi stiffened all over and subconsciously glanced at Huo Youqiao’s face. But the man didn’t look at him, continuing to address his daughter, “Auntie works very hard, so you can’t bother her in the future, or ask her to do things for you. Do you understand?”
The little girl couldn’t understand her father’s attitude, but Ye Zhi did.
From that “auntie” and his tone.
In an instant, Ye Zhi understood that the bridge of the recently established good relationship between them had completely collapsed.
Huo Youqiao had already concluded that his recent actions carried “ill intentions.”
Ye Zhi’s life returned to its original state.
But it was much more painful than before.
No more laughter, no more gentle words, no tender gazes falling on him, no little girl affectionately asking to eat the lunch he made… Since that day, Huo Youqiao had subtly distanced himself from him, and all those things were lost.
During the weekend, Huo Ran was sent to her aunt’s house. Even if she occasionally bumped into Ye Zhi and wanted to talk to him, Huo Youqiao always intervened quietly, “Auntie is tired from work. Ranran, go upstairs to play.”
After a few times, the little girl stopped pestering Ye Zhi to play, and Ye Zhi wisely either came home late or went straight into his bedroom upon returning.
The cake they had planned to make together on the weekend was also not made. With everyone else away on the weekend, Ye Zhi spent two days alone, feeling as lifeless as a walking corpse. He finally experienced what it meant to feel sad and lost. The times of being neglected by his husband before weren’t so bad after all. It was the taste of losing something once it was gained that was truly depressing.
He was so depressed that, for the first time in his life, he wanted to fight for something.
He wanted to explain that he didn’t have ill intentions, that his closeness wasn’t about seeking anything in return or gaining benefits. After receiving his salary, he finally had enough money to pay Huo Youqiao back.
Since Huo Youqiao hadn’t given him an account, Ye Zhi withdrew all the money and put it in an envelope. The next day, he woke up early to prepare breakfast and even made a cup of coffee for Huo Youqiao.
The man always came down earlier. During this time, Ye Zhi, to avoid him, didn’t even eat breakfast and went straight to work. At lunchtime, he ate simple instant noodles at the office and nibbled on dry bread at night. He didn’t find it difficult; compared to any physical pain, the mental anguish was more crushing.
The reason for choosing the morning was that Ye Zhi couldn’t predict when Huo Youqiao would return in the evening. After all, he waited until ten o’clock last night, but Huo Youqiao didn’t come back.
The breakfast was made to Huo Ran’s liking, and he even prepared a lunchbox for her. When Huo Youqiao came down, he had just finished, and Ye Zhi felt nervous. The feeling seemed to have returned to when they were not yet familiar with each other.
But this time, there was a touch of bitterness added.
Trying to calm down, Ye Zhi placed the coffee on the table and greeted Huo Youqiao, “Big Brother, good morning.”
Huo Youqiao remained calm, not even pausing in his steps as he replied, “Good morning,” as if he had never avoided Ye Zhi.
“I’ve made you coffee…”
“Thank you.”
“No need to be polite.” Ye Zhi was nervous to the point of sweating in his palms, watching as the man sat down at the table, glanced at the food on the table, and then looked at him. “Did you make this?”
“Yes.”
Huo Youqiao said calmly, “No need to trouble yourself in the future. Let Aunty Wang prepare it. It’s within her job scope.”
MAAAAAN MY HEART NOOO