"Sister Zhiye, what kind of outfit are you wearing? It looks so beautiful and mature…" I entered the living room and found Zhiye chatting with Feiya while sitting on the sofa. Feiya stared at Zhiye's outfit with her curious, big, black eyes. "This is a kimono… it's from Japan," Zhiye explained. Feiya's eyes widened in surprise, "Japan? It sounds so far away…I've never been there. So, Sister Zhiye, are you Japanese?" "I'm not Japanese. My mother is Japanese, and my father is Chinese. So…I guess I'm also Chinese," Zhiye replied, a bit uncertainly. For Feiya, this was very new and fascinating, especially the elegant and unostentatious kimono Zhiye was wearing, which indeed had a mature charm and an indescribable appeal. "Japanese kimonos are so beautiful…I really like it," Feiya couldn't take her eyes off the kimono Zhiye was wearing.
"Kimonos come in various types…I think Feiya might look good in a skirt-style one," Zhiye said with a smile. "Really? I'd love to try one on. Maybe I'd look very mature," Feiya said eagerly. "If we have a chance...I can ask my mother to tailor-make a kimono for you, how about that?" "Yes, thank you, Sister Zhiye," Feiya nodded in agreement, showing a bright smile. It seemed that Zhiye and Feiya's relationship had suddenly improved.
Our mother went to the kitchen to prepare dinner, and our father seemed to be in the bedroom organizing something. I stood awkwardly in the living room, feeling a little embarrassed. "Jerry… have you finished discussing important matters?" Zhiye got up from the sofa and approached me with an awkward pace. "Ah… yes, we have." I didn't know where to put my eyes. Whenever I didn't look at her face, I'd see her chest. My cheeks turned hot for some reason.
"Jerry, do you really not remember anything from the past?" Zhiye seemed to have trouble accepting this. "I really... don't remember..." Trying my hardest to recall, I could only find a blank space in my mind. I apologized, "It's okay…in the days to come, I will create unforgettable memories with Jerry…they will be engraved in my heart and never be forgotten." Although Zhiye spoke calmly, I felt a sudden chill in the air and shuddered. It was a strange feeling. "I'll go help our mother in the kitchen, Jerry, you should rest for a while," Zhiye interrupted my thoughts as I pondered this strange sensation. "Okay," I replied, and went to sit on the sofa. Feiya was still excitedly watching a TV show.
I couldn't muster any interest since the show was unbearably boring, especially this clichéd love story. I couldn't understand why Feiya enjoyed it so much. "Jerry, congratulations on approaching adulthood. Feiya is really envious of you," Feiya said as if happy for me. "What's this about stepping into adulthood? Don't just mimic what adults say," I replied irritably. "Jerry, will you be with Sister Zhiye?" "Hey! Feiya, what are you saying!" I quickly covered her mouth. How could a seven-year-old girl bring up such a sensitive topic?
Feiya's face turned red from the lack of air, and I quickly let go of my hand. She gasped for breath, "Jerry…are you trying to kill Feiya?" "It's your fault for saying things you shouldn't have," I complained. "But that's what adults say," Feiya stubbornly argued. "When did you become an adult? You're clearly just a little girl," I teased, but was met with Feiya's glare. She pouted and turned her attention back to the TV. Sighing, I wondered if all children's thoughts were so advanced these days, constantly wanting to become adults without realizing that adulthood is not necessarily better.
About thirty minutes later, our mother called out, "Jerry, dinner is ready." I couldn't wait to eat something, feeling hungry. Once we all gathered at the table, we exclaimed, "Welcome to our home, Zhiye…cheers!" We clinked our glasses and drank up. "Zhiye, Jerry's father and I are planning a trip abroad, so I'm entrusting you to take care of everything at home. Can you manage? Since I can't rely on this stinky boy, Jerry, and Feiya is too young," our mother pleaded.
"Please don't worry, Mother…I will take good care of our home and await your return," Zhiye promised with a smile. Just then, Feiya burst into tears and threw herself into our mother's arms. "Mommy, are you and Daddy going abroad for a trip? How long will it be?" "It might be a few months… we want to travel through the whole country," our mother replied. "Really? Mommy, I'll miss you so much…" "I'll miss you too, Feiya…you're the apple of my eye. If you didn't have school, I might have taken you with us," our mother said, trying to console her.
"Feiya will study hard… and take care of herself, so Mommy needn't worry," Feiya sniffed, ending the conversation. Her earlier tears seemed fake now, and it seemed naive of me to think that our parents' trip would cause her distress and longing. Thinking back to her infatuation with the TV show, everything fell into place.After dinner, Ziyue helps my mother wash the dishes while I lie on the couch rubbing my bulging belly. Overeating at dinner is not good, but there were so many delicious dishes on the table that I couldn't help myself.
By 10 o'clock at night, I'm feeling sleepy and decide to go to bed. I don't turn on the light and head straight to sleep once I enter the bedroom. However, when my head touches the pillow, I find that I cannot fall asleep. To make matters worse, someone has entered my bedroom.
It's no one else but Ziyue. Why would she come into my room, and why is she kneeling beside my bed?
"Ziyue, what are you doing?" I ask, staring at her in confusion.
"As a wife, it's my duty to serve my husband when he sleeps," Ziyue says seriously.
"But... there's no need for that... I'm not used to having someone serve me while I sleep," I hope that Ziyue won't insist on doing this, as it leaves me unsure of what to do and the atmosphere becomes awkward.
"Jerry... just sleep, and once you're asleep, I'll naturally leave," Ziyue says.
But I can't sleep with you here! I can only helplessly try to force myself to sleep, tossing and turning in bed. But it seems like Ziyue won't leave unless I'm asleep, which really troubles me. Finally, unable to endure the drowsiness any longer, I fall asleep.
In my hazy consciousness, I feel a smooth delicate hand touching my cheek, and hear a passionate voice whisper, "Jerry... I won't let you leave me again."
