"You might not be my biological son, but I see you as one. I and Haoru do. Lixin paused, turned his head over to Suyin, and found out she was crying. Each tear that fell from her face was like a piercing agony in his heart. He rushed over to her and pulled her into a hug. His teeth clenched together, he stared down at her and popped a smile on his face.
It seems like you are remorseful for your acts." He forced those words into his throat. His mask fell off, and for the first time, he was standing in front of Suyin with his bare face—no mask, only him. Suyin felt a huge pressure on his heart. She placed her palms on his face, running her fingers through his scar. "Are you terrified?"
He asked, unsure of whether he should cover up his scars or let her continue observing them as if they were precious artifacts. He caught up to her hand and stopped her from doing what she was doing. He pushed her away and threw back his mask. There was no need to talk with a traitor. Suyin frowned, taking back her arm, which hung in the air. She closed the distance between the two of them.
He was going to hear the bitter truth anyway, so it was better Lixin heard it from her and not an outsider. She sat him down and began, No matter how difficult it was to recall word for word what happened that night, Suyin promised to be honest throughout.
Flashback to July 16, twelve years ago.
"We can talk it out. Dad is only worried about you. Suyin lowered her head and consecutively peeked at Nuying's enraged face. She stood up when Nuying was about to leave. Having a brown travel bag by her side, Nuying closed her eyes, and tears poured down her face. Her body whitened, and she pulled out of Suyin's embrace. "You seriously leaving? What about Lixin? What would I tell him? His father left him, and you are leaving him too? I…" Suyin burst into her tears, tightly clenching onto Nuying's arms.
She was adamant about leaving Nuying alone. She believed they could work it out, although her father and Nuying argued. Seeing that she had decided to move out, she had no option but to bring up Lixin. Presently, Lixin is the only one who can convince her to stay.
Nuying sighed and looked out of the window. Clutching to the handle of her traveling bag, she had not even seen Lixin for the past few days. What must he be thinking about her? Was she a bad mother like hers was? Her face darkened as she threw caution to the wind and took the risk.
Take care of Lixin. I will be back someday. Suyin was so engrossed in Nuying's statement that she had so little time to react to what Nuying said. Nuying made her way into the limousine and drove straight to the premium house she and Haoyu had built together when they were still in love. Currently, looking at the house makes her nauseated. She coldly held her coat, biting her lips nervously, and as soon as she was about to walk away, a boy of about fourteen came hugging her from behind.
His slender body resting on her own body She lowered her head and sighted Lixin. Guilt sprung deeply from her heart. She held in her tears, pushed Lixin away, and was about to run. Nuying was dragged back by Lixin and pulled into the house. Her legs were so wobbly that she could not have the strength to push him away; in fact, she did not have the heart to do so.
Nuying complied with his wishes and let herself be tugged into the house. He took her directly to the dining room, where a four-foot, candlelit cake was placed on the table. A beautifully designed birthday chocolate cake Tears uncontrollably fell from Nuying's eyeballs. Lixin caught hold of her crying, reached out for a tissue, and wiped her tears. He threw it into the trash can and smiled.
"Mom, today is my birthday. Did you forget? You promised me that you would not be busy. Did Daddy make you cry again? I will never forgive him. Mommy, I want to protect you from Daddy and bad people who want to make you cry."
His words were like needles piercing through her soul and tugging excruciatingly on her heart. Nuying sobbed more, hugging Lixin as if he was going to disappear any time from now.
"Mommy is fine. Daddy is only on a business trip, which is why he cannot attend your fourteenth birthday. I love you. Nuying muttered into his ears while sobbing. Lixin placed his hands on her face, wiping her tears and replying to her. He was not too young to understand adults' problems. What he had not predicted was that this would happen to his family.
Why did they divorce? Were they not in love?
Lixin could not fathom why they would suddenly get bored of each other and want to separate. However, he was willing to protect his mother's happiness even if it meant not having a father. He lowered his head, folded his legs on the couch, and patiently waited as Nuying went to get the knife from the kitchen counter.
He heard some arguments from the kitchen, tiptoed, and eavesdropped on what the arguments were about. The voice was not so audible, but thanks to his good hearing skills, Lixin was able to recognize the voice from the other telephone line. It was his father's voice, Ling Haoyu.
Lixin gulped while playing with his fingers. He leaned his body against the wall, consumed by his thoughts. Not so long ago, Nuying came out anxiously, packing up her things and then picking Lixin from the ground. Her face was paler than usual, and sweat filled her face. Lixin was not able to react so fast before the kitchen caught fire.
"Mom, Fire…" His mind was in chaos. He hid his head in his mother's embrace. As soon as they were able to run out, Lixin ran back into the house with his nose covered. The moment he was about to carry the cake, Nuying pulled him out, and unfortunately for her, the door fell upon her and she became unconscious.
"Mom…" Lixin screamed, running towards her and helping her pull herself from the broken glass pieces and the fire-burnt furniture. He was able to pull her out, but by that time, she had not breathed. Her body had different cuts, and on her forehead was a large wound that spilled out blood.
His body could not take the stress any longer, and instantly, he too collapsed on the ground beside his mother and fell unconscious. Hours later, he woke up to see Suyin and Haoru beside his bedside, both of them weeping nonstop. He did not understand what was going on until the doctor pronounced Nuying dead, his face had a long stitch that was from the wound from when he fell on a broken glass.
"Impossible, let go! She is not dead. She promised to protect me. Mom…"
......
"From there, you know what happened. I am sorry that I lied to you. Do not hate me; I beg you! Suyin fell on her knees, her palms clasped together. The door was pushed open, and Mingxia stood there, frozen. "Xiao Xia, I…" As soon as she was about to finish her sentence, Lixin walked out, entered his car, and drove.
"Aunty, what happened? Is Lixin okay? Mingxia stood aside and peeked at Lixin's rushing shadow as it disappeared from plain sight. She ran to help Suyin and halted when Suyin refused her help. Instead, she rose by herself and took her downstairs.
"Where is Lixin? Suyin worriedly asked the guards, and when they pointed at the exit, she lost it and fell weakly to the ground. "Go after him, Mingxia; he might do something stupid!"