Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Sheng Jing glanced at my impassive face. “You can take a cab yourself. Just file for reimbursement afterward like everyone else.”

On the way back, we called a designated driver.

The two of us sat together in the back seat.

Streetlight poured into the car in endless streams, illuminating the empty space between us like an uncrossable Milky Way.

Amid the lingering smell of alcohol, he asked, “Why did you go out without changing your clothes?”

All I felt was boundless exhaustion. “Next time, I’ll be sure to dress to the nines so I don’t embarrass you.”

Once, I had gone barefaced to a debate competition, and afterward four or five boys had asked for my WeChat.

Once, I had worn ten-centimeter heels and accompanied clients at dinner until past ten at night.

Once, I had trailed a long skirt behind me and stunned everyone with a dance at the annual company party.

What was it that had worn away my talent, my ability, and my beauty?

Sheng Jing rubbed his temples. “I was just asking offhand. Do you have to talk like a hedgehog?”

“You didn’t used to be like this!”

A red light.

The designated driver kept his eyes straight ahead, pretending he heard nothing.

In the dim light of the car, I answered, word by word, “You didn’t used to be like this either!”

“You knew full well that at this hour I’d be helping our child with her homework, yet you still had Lin Ling call me. Can you really not see what she’s up to?”

Sheng Jing reached out to put his arm around me. “She’s just a young woman fresh out of school. She doesn’t know her boundaries. You’re overthinking it.”

I pushed him away.

After a long silence, he said, “All right, all right, I get it. I’ll keep my distance from her from now on.”

“I’m working so hard for this family, aren’t I?”

When we went to pick up Jiu Jiu, she was sprawled by the window, craning her neck to look out.

The moment the door opened, she threw herself into my arms.

“Mommy, you’re finally back. I thought you and Daddy didn’t want me anymore.”

Jiu Jiu was exhausted.

After we got home, she washed her face, closed her eyes, and fell asleep.

After Sheng Jing finished showering, he reached out and began feeling around my body.

With my back to him, I stared at the crescent moon outside the window without moving.

A few seconds later, he withdrew his hand.

Soon, his snores filled the room, but I couldn’t fall asleep for a long, long time.

I was so tired.

When would days like this ever end?

Another half month dragged by like this, and Jiu Jiu’s parent-teacher meeting was coming up.

Previously, because of mask-related restrictions, all the parent-teacher meetings had been held online.

This would be the first in-person parent-teacher meeting since she started elementary school, scheduled for six in the evening.

I confirmed with Sheng Jing again and again that when the time came, he could come home to stay with Jiu Jiu while I went to the school meeting.

But at noon that day, he called me.

“Something came up at the last minute. I have to go to Qingdao for a business trip this afternoon, and there’s no way to get out of it. Pack me two sets of clothes, will you? I’ll have someone come pick them up in a bit.”

I roared into the phone, “Sheng Jing, can you keep your word for once in your life?!”