Lihua stood in front of the familiar apartment complex and stared at it in a stupor. It was only six months that she stayed apart, but it felt as if she was returning after six years. All the memories she spent here with Jia and the Zhang family came gushing in her mind.
Sis…
Ever since she left for her mission, she had been patiently waiting for her to return. But now, thinking that it won't ever happen brought incredible pain in her heart that twinkled in her eyes through her tears.
They walked up to their floor, and Mr. Zhang said, "Let's go, dear."
Lihua gazed at her house's door and...and the room next to it where Wei used to live. She trembled and clenched her jaw, forcing herself not to remember Wei.
Bobo held her hand. "Dummy Lihua, let's go inside! We will finally live together!"
Lihua hesitated and faced the elders. "Uncle, Aunt. I...If you don't mind, then I would like to live in my own house."
Mrs. Zhang was surprised. "Dear, how could we let you live alone? I mean, we know you used to before, but now you are pregnant. It would be better if we lived together."
Mr. Zhang nodded. "Yes. She is right. We don't want to leave you alone after that has happened. It is important to live together as a family in such difficult times. If you live alone, then you will think all sorts of bad and negative things which are not good for your health. You need good company and atmosphere. Living alone is just inviting depression."
Lihua felt her heart warm up with their concern. "Thank you so much, Uncle. But…" her gaze dimmed, "I cannot leave that house alone. I have lived with sis there, and I would feel as if I am abandoning it. I don't want to...I-It is the only place left now with her memories," tears trickled down her cheeks, "If I leave it too, then I would have nothing left of her. I want to protect at least...what is remaining…"
Silence.
She wiped her cheeks and tried her best to smile. "Don't worry. We will still be neighbors, and I will be in your care. I won't think about any sad things."
They hesitated.
Bobo pursed his lips, and then an idea struck him. "I will live with Lihua!"
"Ah?"
"Yes! I will live with Lihua and protect her! Of course, as her future husband, this is my responsibility. We should not force Lihua to live with us. But I can be her. That way, she won't think about sad things!"
Mrs. Zhang beamed. "This is a good idea."
Lihua worriedly said, "But-"
Bobo glared at her. "Dummy Lihua. Don't say no. I should stay with you so that you don't cry anymore," he harrumphed.
Mr. Zhang nodded. "Yes. This is for the best. I hope you agree to this. We will also be at peace."
"Okay…" she smiled at Bobo. "Thank you, Bobo."
He stared at her and felt saddened. If it was the previous Lihua, then she would have eagerly hugged and squished him hard in her arms and pinched his chubby cheeks with the brightest smile on her face.
But now, it was just a weak thank you with a weak smile.
I want my old dummy Lihua back…
He had an urge to cry, but then he vigorously shook his head and seemed determined.
I will bring my old Lihua back! I won't let her be sad like this anymore!
"Let's go inside!"
Lihua strangely felt her heart race as she opened it. As she stepped inside, she slowly glanced across her house.
Mrs. Zhang had already asked her maid to clean up her home as soon as she knew that Lihua would be coming up. So, the house wasn't dusty at all.
Lihua slowly walked in.
'Hahaha, I caught you, Lihua! You cannot outrun a cop!'
'Lihua, s-stay away from the kitchen, please...I will cook for us every day, okay?'
'Aiyo, why is my sister sick? Let me cast a magic spell and ward off the evil cold!'
'Lihua, don't cry over a failing grade. Look, you passed in other subjects, right?'
'I love my sister the most!'
Then suddenly, Wei appeared in her mind, and she quickly shut her eyes.
No...no...I don't want to think about him. I don't want to remember Wei.
Bobo shook her hard, and she finally snapped out of the voices ringing in her head. She dazedly looked at him. "H-Huh?"
"Juice! Sit down and drink!"
"I-I don't feel like it…"
He narrowed his eyes. "Do you want to make the baby sick?"
She bit her lip.
"So no buts and drink until the last drop."
Lihua did as told. Bobo nodded, satisfied.
After their dinner with the Zhang family, they returned to her house. In the bedroom, Bobo laid beside Lihua and wrapped the blanket over her. "Let's sleep now."
"But I have to unpack-"
"We will do it tomorrow. Do you want to tire yourself out? Unpacking and arranging will take a lot of time. Grandma will help tomorrow, so don't worry about it."
Lihua smiled. "Hehe, my Bobo has grown up."
He snorted. "Somebody has to when one of them is a dummy. I cannot see any future of you growing a brain."
"..."
"As your future husband, this is my responsibility."
She softly laughed. "Future husband?"
"En. Now, I can claim you."
"But you are so smart. Why do you want a dummy wife?"
"To balance it out. If you found another dumb person as your husband, it will be a disaster."
She choked.
Bobo pushed. "Now, no more talking. Go to sleep!"
He switched off the lights and jumped on the bed beside her. He patted her head. "Do you want me to tell you a story?"
Lihua coughed. "I am fine. Good night."
"Good night. Dream about me."
She chuckled. "Of course."
A few hours later, in the middle of the night, Lihua slowly opened her eyes. She saw Bobo already asleep and slowly got out of the bed.
She tip-toed out of the room and shut the door. She tiredly sat on the couch. She couldn't sleep a wink no matter how hard she tried.
Wei's memories constantly flashed in her mind. This was the first night of their separation, and she already missed sleeping in his warm embrace.
Lihua tremblingly hugged her knees and burying her face in them; she cried for a long, long time.