DLRC – Chapter 93 Came Back Just to See You

Her voice carried a touch of softness from just waking up, and it sounded quite pleasant.

“Today is New Year’s Eve! Why are you still sleeping?” Yu Wei chuckled, warmly greeting her: “There aren’t many people at my house. Do you want to come over for New Year’s Eve dinner tonight? It’ll be more lively.”

Regardless of what kind of person this woman was or how good their relationship was, considering the help she had given before, Yu Wei felt she should at least ask.

Besides, even though this woman worked at the dance hall, Yu Wei had always had a good impression of her. Although she always wore a cold expression, she still seemed much better than Chen Caiqian, that smiling fox.

Du Yuerong didn’t expect Yu Wei to invite her to have New Year’s Eve dinner at her house. She froze for a moment, unable to react, until she saw a small figure hiding behind Yu Wei, and a Xiaobai furball crawling at her feet.

She admitted she was tempted—and also slightly moved by Yu Wei’s invitation.

She readily agreed without hesitation.

The mother and son left hand in hand, telling her to come over after she tidied up. Du Yuerong watched their departing backs, a sour feeling rising in her heart.

She couldn’t even remember how many years it had been since anyone cared about her.

She had been alone for three years. Whether it was holidays, birthdays, or any beautiful day, she spent them all just like any other day.

If there was anything special about the Spring Festival, it was only that she could stay home for a few days without going to work…

The New Year’s Eve dinner that started with just Yu Wei and Yu Hui ended up with four people. The small square table was just full, with the little one sitting next to Yu Wei, swinging his legs.

“Mom, I want to eat the meatballs.”

“Here.” Yu Wei gave her one. “What else?”

“Hmm… that sweet meat!”

Yu Wei laughed. “That’s sweet and sour ribs.”

“Yay! Sweet and sour ribs! So yummy, Mom, you’re amazing!”

“You little flatterer!”

Yu Hui’s childish words made everyone laugh. Over the meal, the three women chatted away, full of energy.

Yu Wei was good at finding topics. Even though she and Song Xia usually didn’t interact much with Du Yuerong, after this conversation, they realized Du Yuerong actually had a great personality!

Straightforward and bold, sincere, never shy or awkward. She spoke frankly, and even when Song Xia and Yu Wei talked about their kids, Du Yuerong could join in.

She even said she originally planned never to marry again, but seeing Yu Hui and Song Xia’s two daughters made her feel like having a child of her own.

The two women teased her, “How will you have a child without a man?”

Du Yuerong shrugged casually: “Can’t I adopt? I heard there are official places for adoption in big cities. I’m not in a hurry—I’ll ask about it later.”

Song Xia couldn’t quite understand this—having a child through adoption when you can have your own seemed unnecessary to her.

But Yu Wei looked at her differently now.

Not getting married but adopting a child—this kind of progressive thinking was rare even in later generations, let alone in the 1980s. It showed that she had seen through a lot and was probably deeply disappointed in many things to think this way.

They ate for two hours and chatted for another two. By the time they finished, it was already 9 p.m., time to wash up and sleep.

It was cold that day, but Yu Wei had a small heater under the dining table, warming everyone’s legs comfortably.

After the meal, Song Xia helped Yu Wei wash the dishes and tidy the kitchen, while Du Yuerong took it upon herself to sweep the living room. The little one, watching the busy mom and aunties, decided to grab a small rag and wipe the dining table.

It was truly an unusual New Year’s Eve night.

During the Spring Festival, the three women didn’t have to visit relatives or make New Year calls. They slept until noon, went shopping together in the afternoon, and when they were bored after dinner, they started playing mahjong.

They rented the mahjong set from a nearby parlor—many people played cards during the New Year. Since mahjong required four players, Du Yuerong called one of her girlfriends over.

Yu Wei didn’t know how to play mahjong, only simple games like Dou Dizhu.

The others said they could teach her since they had nothing else to do, so Yu Wei agreed.

Mahjong wasn’t hard to learn, and Yu Wei was smart. After three or four rounds, she got the hang of it.

Yu Hui played with Xiao Bai and the birds nearby, occasionally bringing water to the aunties and earning some praise—it was fun for him too.

In the end, Yu Wei became the most addicted one. Even at 10 p.m., she didn’t want them to leave. Yu Hui had gone to bed obediently at 9, but the aunties stayed under Yu Wei’s insistence to keep “fighting”!

Finally, at midnight, the mahjong session ended.

Before leaving, Song Xia and Du Yuerong both said they wouldn’t dare play with Yu Wei again—she was too good for a beginner and had no end when it came to playing. She was hooked.

Yu Wei just laughed heartily, saw them off, then went to wash up and get ready for bed.

Her sweet little son had already warmed the bed for her. She sighed in contentment, hugged him, and drifted off to sleep.

…

Although Song Xia and Du Yuerong said they didn’t want to play mahjong again, the following days, the bored women still gathered at Yu Wei’s house for mahjong.

Little Yu Hui thought: So this is the charm of mahjong.

The mahjong games continued for an entire week. Although Yu Wei was the most addicted, everyone enjoyed themselves.

By the end, the women had become very close. Even Song Xia gradually let go of her worries—mahjong was her cure for sadness.

Men? Who needs them!

…

These relaxing days lasted until the fourth day before the Lantern Festival. After the Lantern Festival, the Spring Festival would be over.

The man who promised to come back early still hadn’t sent any word.

He had told her his workplace—the largest private grain factory in Lucheng, Liming Grain Factory—and that she could find him there if needed.

But now that he was back in his hometown in the far northeast, Yu Wei had no way to find him. She could only wait patiently for his return.

What she didn’t know was that the man was already on his way back.

“Wow! Old Huo, this place is so grand!”

Huo Mingwang’s car finally reached the factory. Besides him, a tall, sturdy man got out, followed by a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old girl.

The man wore a coarse gray cotton-padded jacket, his face as rough as tree bark, but his smile was simple and honest.

He turned to look at Huo Mingwang, followed by a man in a suit.

“President Huo, the year-end documents have been placed on your desk,” said Vice President Zhou Chengyu as he hurried over to greet him.

“Mm.” Huo Mingwang walked to the back seat, took the girl by the wrist, and led her upstairs, followed by Chen Liang and Ge Zheng—the tall man who had just commented on how grand the place was.

“You two go look around. After you’re done, Chen Liang will take you to your lodging,” Huo Mingwang said, then turned to the girl: “Mingxia, later Uncle Chen Liang will take you home. Get some rest, and I’ll pick you up for dinner tonight.”

The girl was delicate, with eyes similar to her brother’s but softer and brighter—eyes like little Yu Hui’s deer-like gaze, so luminous they could pierce one’s heart.

She didn’t speak, only fluttered her long lashes and nodded slightly before continuing to take in the surroundings.

Ge Zheng looked at the siblings and laughed heartily: “Old Huo, this is my first time here after all these years. I gotta say, the big city is really different from our little town!”

Look at this—a car, a three-story building, and the respectful employees everywhere. Ge Zheng was sincerely impressed!

Huo Mingwang smiled. “What, want to work with me?”

Ge Zheng scratched his head sheepishly: “Old Huo, don’t tease me. You know my mother’s condition—I can’t leave.”

As the only son with an ailing mother who needed constant care, Ge Zheng stayed in their small village out of filial duty.

Huo Mingwang didn’t mind. “You could bring her to Lucheng.”

Ge Zheng thought for a moment, then grinned awkwardly: “That’d be too much trouble. She’s lived in that little village her whole life—the farthest she’s been is the town. Bringing her all the way from the north to the south? Her health wouldn’t take it!”

Still, as he said this, his eyes couldn’t hide his longing as he glanced around.

Huo Mingwang said no more. “Go reserve a table at the restaurant and then take them home to rest.”

Chen Liang nodded. “Okay.”

The two left with Chen Liang, while Huo Mingwang headed to his office to catch up on work. Before leaving, Mingxia clung to his sleeve.

“Brother…”

“It’s okay. Go with Uncle Chen Liang—I’ll pick you up soon.”

Chen Liang smiled brightly and reassured her before driving them away. The car disappeared in a cloud of dust as Huo Mingwang dove into work.

That evening, he took Mingxia and Ge Zheng to a state-owned restaurant, booked a table full of dishes, and after the meal—still only five o’clock—Chen Liang drove them home, while Huo Mingwang drove another car to a familiar place.

The state-owned restaurant was near Yu Wei’s dessert shop. Passing by, he thought it would be closed, so he planned to head straight to her home. But to his surprise, the shop was still open.

It was an unexpected delight. He parked the car and walked in quietly.

The shop was brightly lit. The little one was squatting on the floor, playing with something, unaware as he approached silently from behind.

On his shoulder perched a pair of pearl finches, obedient and quiet, while Yu Hui crouched playing with a tiny puppy.

The puppy was so small—about the size of Yu Hui’s head. He was teaching it to walk, holding its front legs up while its back legs tottered forward.

The fluffy white pup looked pitiful, whimpering as it followed his movements—until it saw Huo Mingwang behind him and immediately dropped its paws, barking in excitement.

Yu Hui turned, startled—and then overjoyed.

“Ho—!”

Before he could finish, Huo Mingwang crouched and covered his mouth, glancing toward the kitchen where a woman stood with her back turned, making a cake, oblivious.

“Shh—”

He signaled Yu Hui to keep quiet, then, satisfied with his nod, patted his head and slipped into the kitchen.

Yu Wei was completely focused on decorating the cake, when suddenly a warm presence pressed against her back.

Startled, her hands shook—the flower petals smeared.

“Yu Wei…”

That long-missed voice sent a shiver through her heart. She spun around—straight into his broad chest.

Huo Mingwang’s low laugh seeped into her ears, followed by a rough but gentle hand caressing her hair.

“Huo… Mingwang.” Even though she knew it was him, she was still shocked.

He continued to stroke her hair, breathing in the fresh, soothing scent that gave him an indescribable sense of peace.

The peace only she could give him.

“When did you come back?” Yu Wei pushed him lightly, her voice soft with a hint of reproach.

He lowered his head, his gaze meeting her sparkling eyes.

“Just now.” He leaned closer, his nose brushing hers. She instinctively tilted her head back—only for his hot hand to cradle her head and pull her forward.

His breath burned against her trembling lashes.

“Came back just to see you.”

Yu Wei’s heart skipped a beat. The words she wanted to say vanished as his lips captured hers.

Two fiery hearts pressed together as his arms locked around her waist and head, pulling her entirely into his embrace.

He kissed her—a kiss after half a month apart.

New lovers separated so soon after getting together—they burned with undiminished passion upon reunion.

Her breath mingled with his, her hair brushing his cheeks, leaving a faint fragrance.

Huo Mingwang bent slightly so she wouldn’t need to tiptoe, and the two of them kissed like parched fish drowning willingly in waves of emotion.

He only let go when Yu Wei began to feel breathless.

Freed, she stumbled back a half-step and accidentally knocked over a glass of water, spilling it all over the table.

Snapping back to reality, she hurried to grab a cloth, wiping the table as Huo Mingwang leaned over and hugged her from behind.

“Has it really been half a month since we last saw each other?”

Her hands froze under his embrace. She bit her swollen lips and whispered hoarsely, “I don’t know…”

Her heart trembled. What she wanted to say was I missed you. I missed you so much. But the words stuck in her throat, replaced by that simple “I don’t know.”

Huo Mingwang chuckled softly and brushed his lips against her ear. “I saw Yu Hui just now. Did he miss me?”

Yu Wei felt sweet inside but shifted awkwardly, trying to escape his arms—futilely.

“How would I know? Ask him yourself.”

Still, hearing him ask that made her happy—and satisfied.

Even though Yu Hui wasn’t his son, his concern proved he truly cared for him.

Huo Mingwang curved his lips, watching her intently. “What about you?”

Yu Wei’s heart skipped a beat. Her grip on the cloth grew frantic.