11 years ago
Zhejiang (1977) 4:00 pm
Mr. Ji Zhang's apartment :
The woman knew he was home the moment the front door made the creaking sound, she hurried up.
Waiting for him to enter the room, she waited patiently. Her hair was a mixture of gold and white, to most people it was artificial. Just her husband knew his wife was born with such unique hair, her sparkly blue eyes fixed at the door as the doorknob turned slowly.
He finally opened the door and found his wife smiling at him.
Everything he was thinking about at that moment disappeared, her smile warm his heart so much.
The woman's smile faded away slowly immediately he appeared, watching him approach her, she decided to ask.
"Are you okay? you seemed different, did something happen?".
The man knew she was going to find out, no matter how much he tried to keep his emotions, his wife always find out.
"You are so good at reading my emotions, how did you know something is wrong? I was wearing a smile just now" the man said.
She looked down at his hands, slowly held them, and did the little squeeze.
"You can tell me... what's wrong, you know how much I hate seeing you this way?" she worriedly said.
The man was impressed with his lovely wife, she is good at calming him and making his heart happy.
His gaze fell on her big round stomach.
"You know... our daughter would have your heart... I genuinely want her to be like you, I want to see a little you running around the house" he said and heard his wife's giggle.
A part of her was still worried, she knew her husband have something in his heart that he wouldn't let out.
"What's wrong Zhang?" she repeated.
He knew there is no way his wife would stop, he can not hide it from her, he has a persistent wife and he loves her.
He held her hand and pulled her to sit with him.
Still trying hard to ignore her questions, he placed his hand on her stomach and caressed it.
"The first daughter of Ji family..."
She let out a scoff, "How did you know it is a she? it could be a he...".
The man sneered.
"Give me a son after her, for now... this child in you is a she," he said before putting his ear on her stomach, "I can feel my Xiaofan having fun in there, hang in there baby... daddy will have you in his arms soon".
"Since when have you been thinking of a name for our child", the woman surprisingly asked.
He looked at her excitedly, "Just now" he replied.
"I like it", she smiled widely.
There was a short time of silence amongst them, the man was still seen caressing her stomach while smiling at it.
As bad as she wants to know what was wrong with her husband, she decided to not bring it up again.
"It is Zhou... he is been acting weird", he finally said.
#Present day#
Zhejiang (1987)
He got what he asked for, everything about Xiaofan reminded him of her.
Mr. Ji Zhang controlled the tears filing up his eyes, he smiled at her before getting up to get himself a drink.
Xiaofan stared at him, hopefully waiting for a response.
He gulped and made a satisfying sound, knowing his daughter's eyes were on him.
"It is nothing sweetheart", he turned to her. "It was just a little argument between your uncle and me".
Xiaofan remembered how she had overheard their hot conversation some years back, it was a normal conversation until it got a little bit more intense.
The girl took a step closer to him.
"But all siblings fight.. isn't that right father",
He smiled at her smart self, "that is right Xiao, but I and your Uncle's argument is different, I am sorry but he wouldn't be coming as often as he used to" he concluded, seeing his daughter's sad expression.
"He is a good person father, I am sure you...."
"Xiao! you have had a long day at school... go take a shower and ask Meili to feed you okay? our little chat has ended".
Xiaofan knew when her father was serious, she let out a deep sigh as she turned to leave.
The man didn't look up until he heard her door room been shut.
He poured himself more alcohol, "I am sure mom would understand... I tried," he said before taking it all at once.
Xiaofan dropped her bag aggressively.
"What is wrong with him? why is he trying to stop Uncle Zhou from coming here" she mumbled as she pulled off her shoes, "Uncle Zhou has nothing to survive on, what's he supposed to do?".
The thought of the man always bringing her gift every time he comes around crossed her mind, she was his favorite and now her father is stopping him from coming just because of some fight.
She sprawled on the bed.
"I am sure stepmother wouldn't even convince him to settle whatever it is with Uncle Zhou... I would have loved to talk to her..." she paused as the thought of her conversing with the woman turned her stomach so bad.
She rolled her eyes and rolled over to the other side of the bed.
"I will rather chew on hot charcoal than talk to her".
(Few minutes after)
"Xia... Xiao...Xiaofan!"
Just like a whisper seeping through her ear, she opened her eyes sharply.
The girl realized she had dozed off, she sat upright and looked around.
"What was that just now... did I just hear someone call my name?" she whispered and instantly got chills, Xiaofan stroked her shoulder harshly.
All of a sudden her door opened wide.
Xiaofan saw her stepsister staring at her from a short distance, that was the last person she expected to show up in her room.
"What are you doing here? were you whispering my name just now? what do you want?"
Xiulan gave her a strange stare, she was a brunette just like her dad.
The little girl took a step forward, "I think some company is overdue.... I need someone to talk to... and", she paused, still looking at Xiaofan who seemed uninterested.
"I didn't whisper your name, I just want to talk to someone".
"Well I don't know about that", Xiaofan responded, she stood up immediately.
Xiu Lan in her room seemed suspicious, that was the first time the girl would appear in her room, she is usually around her tiny friends or playing with her toys, something isn't right.