Chapter 60: Secret Affair

Words fell—table mood shifted subtle.
Three eyes on her—no reaction ready.
Blank moment—flat honest. “No—never have.”
“Oh…” Qi Li light nod—no more—others looked away—eat—quiet sudden.
Down—eyes lost in bowl—paused—thoughtful.
A while—looked around—deep breath inside—calm heavy voice. “Honestly… I don’t want to marry.”
Thunderbolt.
Except Xuan—Qi Li Qi Wenping faces changed—meaningful.
Not small talk—life node—they suffered marriage—buried—but Qi Yu solemn—shocked.
No one spoke—only Xuan food in mouth—“Good—divorce rate high—married can’t visit often.”
Qi Wenping eased—rare no scold—followed. “Mahjong friends say—young don’t want marry—self first.”
“One life—maybe no next—happy how you want.”
Qi Li too. “Don’t want—don’t—like now—visit sometimes.”
“But if someone later—change mind—okay. No family bar—mutual like—I agree.”
“No one liked—no marry—fine. Your life—you decide—we won’t interfere much.”
Qi Yu stared Qi Li gentle brows—dazed.
No why asked—smoother than thought. But…
Last two lines—mind surge—looked Qi Li—impulse flash—lips parted—stopped—did not speak.
……
After lunch Qi Wenping mahjong—dishes—out. Three left.
Xuan sleeps fast—chatted—minutes upper bunk quiet—only Qi Yu tossing.
Meant rest half hour—phone—twenty minutes dazed.
Rose—bag from wall—light-footed out room.
Purpose today—stood master door long—knocked.
No answer—unlocked—Qi Li alone bed—thin blanket belly—peaceful asleep.
……
Asleep better—no face explain.
Closed door—careful bedside—card from pocket—nightstand—box pressed.
Smooth—leaving—hesitant look back—Qi Li woke.
Eyes open—blank meet—“Xiaoyu?”
“Mm.” Cannot leave—turned—glanced card. “Card… never used—returning.”
“Huh?” Brow knit—sat up—looked—blank—“Why not? Mom gave you—save for later—you’ll need money—why return?”
“Not short now—self-support—Mom… keep it.”
“No.” Pulled card—grabbed hand—stuffed back—“Mother to daughter—no returns.”
“Take it.”
“Mom really no—said no means no.” Voice rose uncontrolled.
Met eyes—weathered brows—faint wet—stunned—lips moved—softened.
“Know you want make up—if twenty I’d take. Twenty-seven—support myself—don’t want rely anyone.”
“You… only heavy burden.”
“Oh…” Stunned—lowered eyes—card gripped tight—brow tight loose—tears flash—stopped.
Half beat—deep breath—looked up—gripped hand again—“Mom didn’t think… only wanted make up…”
“Believe—leaving had reason—not don’t love—just…” Voice broke—gripped hand never loose.
Always looked down—backlit—shadow face—let grip—watch cry quiet.
Leaving room—mood unspeakable.
Not much waves—twenty years—time faded—no grudge. But seeing cry—moment—could not calm—wanted dig old questions—ask again.
Some questions expired—meaning lost.
Mother—name only—dead in fact.
Card—Qi Li’s private make-up—fill moral gap—not needed.
She had private too.
Hundred thousand—not aid—shackles. Fear day open heart—shock rage—fight—numbers become distance.
Who guarantees—attack later—ungrateful proof?
Would not accept—no attach—no hope.
Only then—no leverage held.
……
Afternoon Qi Yu rode Xuan to apartment.
Tang early—awkward sit with Jiang Ya—door salvation—hugged Xuan to Qi Yu bedroom—gaming.
Qi Yu kitchen helper—planned two—crowd—Jiang Ya noon two bags groceries.
Evening Xuan Tang out—kitchen peek—kicked out—Li Wen arrived—three chat living room—two busy kitchen.
Past seven—dishes table—five one soup—full color aroma.
Praise Jiang Ya—Qi Yu slipped kitchen—Jiang Ya cleaning.
Plain home clothes—light—apron—sleeves rolled—messy bun—simple elegant.
Door lean—hand table—stared busy figure.
Washing—stared not leave—“Why not eat?”
“Wait for you.” Light smile.
Smile down gentle—“Two minutes—wait?”
“Go.”
“No.”
Behind hug—nearly scream.
“What? People outside.” Turn scold—struggle—held tight.
Head in shoulder—collar down—light peck snow skin—red plum mole neck.
Found mole sleeping together—kiss revenge—tremble soft in arms satisfied.
But occasion—desire surged—only few pecks—ear whisper. “Hear them chat—won’t care.”
“And… so what?”
“Xuan here—forget?” Useless resist—reminded.
Tang Li Wen okay—but Xuan minor—loose lips—real trouble.
Stalled—regret letting Xuan come—distance all afternoon awkward.
“Then somewhere else.”
“Where?”
Pulled to bathroom before understood.
Bathroom kitchen side—three chat loud—unknown inside secret intimacy.
Door closed—understood—grip arm shake—low—“What? They look for us—can’t find…”
“Won’t.” Turned—closed in—wall—innocent face—“Knew shouldn’t invite—only us two…”
“They came—I act strangers… but you’re my girlfriend.”
Closer—lips almost touch—stopped—slight away.
Breath messy—turned away—outsiders home—narrow space for a secret tryst—shame flood.
Push shoulder—weak like feigned no.
“Stop… go out—they waiting…”
“Always them—I’m here—you won’t look?” Kiss ear—hand waist back rub—lure.
Low voice bewitched—turned—met desire-filled black eyes.
Who first—lips testing then tangle—embrace—outside muffled talk—here kiss freely—sounds moans bathroom loud.