Chapter 16 – Seeking Shelter for the Night

Standing in this tiny alleyway for the second time, Cheng Yishu couldn’t help but marvel inwardly, “Are there still such rundown neighborhoods in Shanghai?”

“We’re here. Thank you for bringing us back. You should head home now,” Lin Xiaowen said, reaching out to take Ranran, who was sleeping soundly in Cheng Yishu’s arms.

Under the streetlamp, the little princess slept with her eyes half-closed, her breathing even, an indescribable sweetness and docility resting between her brows. Perhaps the light on her eyelids made her uncomfortable, for she nuzzled closer to Cheng Yishu’s chest before settling back into peaceful slumber.

“I’ll carry her. If you move her, she might wake. Let me walk you in,” Cheng Yishu whispered.

After all, it wasn’t his first time here. And after spending the evening together, Lin Xiaowen realized this man didn’t seem so disagreeable after all. At least when Ranran was with him, she was genuinely happy—her laughter and the sense of being cherished by a father had never appeared before.

At this thought, Lin Xiaowen’s face flushed a little. She looked up again at the tall figure walking ahead, and a trace of guilt welled up within her. Fatherly love—even the most basic thing, she could not give her daughter. Was her decision back then really the right one?

She gently closed the security door, which no longer served its purpose, and nodded toward the bedroom to signal Cheng Yishu.

He nodded in understanding, careful not to let his shoes make a sound on the floor and disturb Ranran. He tiptoed into the bedroom.

Such a small bed could barely fit the slender mother and daughter. So—was it really just the two of them in this household? Where was Ranran’s father?

The question lingered in his mind. Lin Xiaowen had already made the bed and placed the small pillow. She turned to look at Cheng Yishu.

On the way back, the roads were dark and quiet, so Cheng Yishu had removed his mask, leaving only a hat. Now, under Lin Xiaowen’s questioning gaze, he felt as though his secrets were being discovered. He awkwardly bent down and gently set Ranran on the bed.

Before the bedroom door closed, Cheng Yishu couldn’t help but glance back at the peacefully sleeping Ranran. Lin Xiaowen almost bumped into his chest as she turned, the air between them suddenly still.

“Um… please, have a seat. I’ll get you some water,” Lin Xiaowen said, leaning against the door, inexplicably flustered.

“No—no need, I’m not hungry!” Cheng Yishu waved his hands.

“What?”

“I mean, I’m not thirsty!” He cleared his throat, his eyes darting around aimlessly.

“So…” The quiet felt oppressive, and Lin Xiaowen wasn’t sure what to do. Perhaps it was the silence, or perhaps it had simply been too long since she’d been alone with a man.

Or maybe it was what Ranran had whispered in her ear at the park after they left McDonald’s: “Mommy, doesn’t big brother’s eyes look like Daddy’s?” This was the second time Ranran had said this. Did Cheng Yishu’s eyes really resemble Si Dong’s?

“Um…” Cheng Yishu scratched the back of his head. “Ranran seemed really happy today.”

“She was,” Lin Xiaowen hesitated before continuing, “Thank you. She’s always asking me to take her to Tianhe Park to see the cherry blossoms. Her classmates at kindergarten keep telling her how many prizes there are at the ring toss, how beautiful the carousel is, and how delicious the seven-colored ice cream is…”

Whenever she realized her mother was too busy with work and didn’t have time or extra money to take her out, that little face would show disappointment, though she’d still try to comfort her mother. The memory made Lin Xiaowen’s chest tighten with sorrow.

“Then… why didn’t you tell me today?” Cheng Yishu blurted out.

“Tell you what?” She collected herself and looked at him curiously.

“The ring toss and the carousel!” Cheng Yishu looked at her, annoyed. “We were right by the carousel. I even asked Ranran if she wanted a ride. She just shook her head. I thought she was afraid. And the ring toss…”

“There were so many people there. Late at night, you with your hat and mask on—anyone would find it odd. And besides, a few minutes on the carousel costs two hundred yuan. That’s not worth it,” Lin Xiaowen said.

“You and your obsession with money,” Cheng Yishu protested. “A child’s childhood is so precious and short. Why be so frugal?”

“You, young master, big celebrity—your hat alone costs our entire week’s living expenses. How could you understand the hardships of ordinary people? You wouldn’t understand even if I told you.” They lived in different worlds; there was no way to communicate. The more she thought about it, the more stifled she felt.

Lin Xiaowen grabbed Cheng Yishu’s arm to push him toward the door. “It’s late. Go home. Don’t you have work?”

“You’re unbelievable—throwing me out as soon as I bring you home! You won’t even let me sit for a second,” he complained, dodging her as he moved toward the sofa.

“Exactly! And yet you’re still not leaving. Go on!”

Lin Xiaowen continued chasing after Cheng Yishu, but he slipped past her and plopped down on the sofa, hugging the worn-out squirrel plushie. “It’s so late, it’ll be hard to get a cab. I’ll just spend the night here. The sofa’s comfortable enough—I’m used to it.”

“No way!” Lin Xiaowen shrieked, “You have a home; why are you making a fuss here? Get up!”

She tried to pull him, but her slender frame was no match for his.

“If I leave, Ranran will be upset in the morning when she doesn’t see me,” he said, swaying under her weak attempts but speaking earnestly.

“She won’t. You’re the one making a scene. Get up!”

“I won’t.” Cheng Yishu flopped back onto the sofa, leaving her helpless.

“I promised Ranran I’d take her to McDonald’s for breakfast and then to kindergarten. I can’t break my promise to her,” he said, lying on his back, staring up at Lin Xiaowen, who stood over him, huffing.

“When did you promise that? I don’t remember any such arrangement.”

“It’s our little secret. Of course we whispered it to each other,” he replied, giving her a look as if she were making a fuss over nothing.

Resigned, Lin Xiaowen put her hands on her hips and glared at him. “Are you leaving or not?”

“Just get me a blanket—the same one as last time. Thank you,” Cheng Yishu said, marveling at his own shamelessness.

Before Lin Xiaowen could reply, a sweet sound interrupted their tug-of-war.

Much later, after walking a long way to his waiting car, Cheng Yishu glanced back at the old, shabby building, its lights now off. A faint smile played at his lips.