I needed a whole morning to digest the situation I've caught myself into. About Jie Moshu. About his son. I was eager to not entangle with them anymore. My temper kept on rising whenever I saw his face now.
At first, I thought that he was someone—probably—got his head hit by a giant rock. You couldn't say anything to a boy that looked only about five. If there was anyone to blame, then it would be the root of this mess, the father. So, I took them to the police station, assuming —hoping that the poor guy could have his way back home rather than staying on the streets. Instead, I caught myself a lot more than that.
"You should've told me," I said through my clenched teeth, "that you have an identity card, Mr. Fang Shenghao."
Jie Moshu let out a tiny snort. "Please, just Jie Moshu. I'm not accustomed to that mortal name."
My blood felt like it was boiling under my skin. The morning wind might help to cool it, but not my temper. Maybe I was taken too much thinking that he said he was from the Sky Realm. But the flying thing made me clear that he was obviously a dangerous man. As I thought back to what happened in the police station earlier, I felt even worse.
Hard to imagine that I'd spent half an hour saying the same thing over and over again to that big tummy police. As though I was explaining something very simple as "this madman claimed to be my husband and barged into my house with a child" to a stupid person. I could hear his entreating voice in the back of my head, "It seems that you have a little problem with your household affairs".
Jie Moshu cocked an eyebrow then his thin lips transforming into a smile. "I did tell you that it's a waste of effort, wife."
"Then, you should at least told me that you're a billionaire man in this country," I stared impatiently at him.
Who wouldn't have known about Fang Company in this nation? Most of its shareholders were listed on the country's top 10 wealthiest people. From hotel, resort, restaurant, education, hospital... those were included as part of their business operations. And the man beside me was the biggest shareholder!
Hearing that I accused a billionaire as somewhat of a maniac, those several officers burst into laughter. I stared, helpless and dumbfounded. You should see how awful that big tummy police laughed, his double-chin trembled so hard as he threw back his head and clapped his hands.
People laughed at me. And clapped. They all must've thought I was the one that needed to be sent to the asylum. Not him.
Never underestimate the world where money had utmost authority. Besides, there's no way such a man could claim to be my husband! My mind shouted as I glared at him in disbelief.
"Then you should just go to that comfy luxurious mansion of yours," I blurted out. "You can have all the wives you'd like. I bet there will be countless women dying to be your wife—or mistress."
"Wife." He tried to stop smiling, but his mouth only opened wider. I could practically count his perfect teeth. "Are you jealous?"
My head reeled. Hostility stripped me of the ability to engage in this intelligent conversation.
I thought Li Ruman was the worst person on earth, but he just passed the qualification on to be the first—after her. Just a moment ago, I thought he was a hot attractive guy. Sure, anyone who saw him would reckon the same. But he was like a leech—once it sucked your skin, no matter how hard you tried to shake it, it just wouldn't come off. A very narcissistic leech noted that.
"I'm sorry." His smile was still curling his pale lips, but he visibly squirmed. "I should've been honest with you."
At least, that narcissistic leech had a sense of courtesy.
I turned to find Axiang, jaw agape. I forgot that the boy was with us all along. Only a child could look that awkward and surprise. His dark eyes—just like his father's—narrowed in disbelief, and it washed me in a familiar aching shame. Poor thing, this all must've been new to him. He knew me as his mother, no doubt that he was disappointed to see that I barely acknowledged him. It was as if his whole hopes were crushed, and I was the bad guy. The hope destroyer.
The way he looked at me, I knew them. They were the same look I had when my Mama, passed away.
I licked my dry lips. "You have a house to go to, so go."
Jie Moshu's expression flashed into a complicated expression—or it was just my feeling. Still smiling, he said, "Yes, you are my home."
My gut clenched. Jie Moshu clearly understood my words. I was purposefully avoiding him, asking him to leave. There were only ruthless and harshness that I've done to both of them since they came. I needed to stick to my preposition. Except... how come my chest burned and I found myself pitying him instead?
No. This felt wrong.
"Please, I don't know who the wife you're searching for. One thing is for sure, that person isn't me. Just don't go teaching your son that I'm his mother. I sincerely wish you good luck."
To that, Jie Moshu said nothing as his smile faltered, dropping his gaze.
"Look, I'm sure you'll find someone better and compatible with you." Still, he didn't reply, during the silence, I just kept on blurting. "Stop saying around that you come from Sky Realm just for courting ladies. It's just a lame move, but no worries, no offense taken."
"Yuhua—" he called me, then paused. "Are you saying this deliberately to make me hurt?"
I hated how I could detect hurt in his eyes. It was dim, but I'd been able to read it. But I had to shut down my feelings, so I chose to ignore them. "You see, you even called me with the wrong name."
I was about to leave when he grabbed my wrist. It made me turn back at him. He was right in front of me, as his gaze looking at me in a strange expression as if he was sadness and pain mixed in that resolved face of his. I could tell that he was struggling to say next, "You... your heart, it aches, doesn't it?"
For an instant, I almost forgot breathing.
Wait, how did he know? I tried not to look surprised by his words. We just met, I couldn't possibly have told him those details that after that drowning incident, my chest occasionally hurt ever since. Not to mention, that mysterious lady's voice loomed in my head. I had dreamt about it waking up all sweat and gasping for air as if haunted by a nightmare...
"No," I answered, looking away from his eyes, afraid that he might see through my flaws.
"Are you sure?" This was the first time I saw his face grow serious. "Look me in the eye, and say it."
I took a deep breath, trying to remain calm.
"No," I emphasized, I turned to see the dark glitter in his eyes, in just a mere second I was sure they turned into crimson red. "Absolutely not."
Jie Moshu sighed, looking dissatisfied. His grip on my wrist loosened. I gave one hard yank and stumbled back. Luckily, I didn't trip on anything, managed to stand in one piece. I could almost hear him muttering "you're lying again" under his breath. He let out a slow, deep exhale. "I know the way to cure you."
I bit my lip. My body snapped, "Jie Moshu, you—"
"I can help you, but under one condition," Jie Moshu said politely, but his eyes showed reluctance for his words. It was as if he didn't want to say the way to cure me, but he had to. His eyes once again glimmered with crimson red. "Axiang and I will live with you. That is the only condition."