Love in the Midst of Mistaken Identities

“Ruoxin, Auntie needs to ask you a question. I hope you will not blame me for doing so.” Song Wan put her cup down and weighed her options. Alas, she decided to do it swiftly to cut the Gordian knot 1. Besides, she had not come all this way for small talk, and there was nothing she and Xia Ruoxin could speak about. To put things plainly, they were not related so it was weird and stupid for her to be sitting in another person’s living room.

“Auntie, please go ahead.” Xia Ruoxin set her cup on her table, and her finger began to rub gently at its rim. She knew whatever reason that had brought Song Wan here wasn’t good. Thus, she waited for what the elderly woman had to say.

Song Wan opened her mouth to speak. However, after a long time, she could not find the words to do it.

“Ehm... Ruoxin, have you and my Ah Lui met each other?” At last, she asked, testing the waters. Yet, her approach was indirect.

“There is nothing going on between your Ah Lui and me.” Xia Ruoxin seriously didn’t wish to hear the name ‘Chu Lui’. Why were all of them so worried if she and Chu Lui were getting back together again?

Song Wan was embarrassed by Xia Ruoxin’s straightforwardness. She hastily explained, “Ruoxin, please do not get the wrong idea. I don’t mean anything. I just wanted to know what your thoughts are.”

“Auntie, I believe you must have misread something.” Xia Ruoxin clearly knew the reason behind Song Wan’s visit. ‘A woman should not make things difficult for another of her kind.’ This saying was only true when it came to Shen Wei. As for the rest, hadn’t they been making things difficult for Xia Ruoxin?

“I...” Song Wan was stumped by her words. Did she really had to speak plainly? ‘Stop pestering my son. He’s already married, and I’m expecting a grandson soon. Please stay far away and leave my family alone.’ Regretfully, she could not bring herself to say it.

“I know.” Xia Ruoxin looked up with a distant smile on her face.

“Auntie, are you asking me to stop pestering Chu Lui?”

“No. No...”

“You are worried that I will come between Chu Lui and Li Manni and be the third party.” Song Wan was interrupted before she had the chance to speak.

“Auntie Song, you can rest assured.” Xia Ruoxin smiled sarcastically. “I may not have much education. I don’t have any higher certification because my results were poor. However, I know the morals of being a human being. I refuse to have anything to do with a married man. There are some things that other women would do, but I won’t. I have my principles, my pride, and my persistence.

“So Auntie, this is my answer,” she spoke each word clearly. “Since you have reply now, I’m afraid it’s my turn to be frank, too. If there’s nothing else that you need, I would like to get back to my own business.”

She was evicting her guest. Song Wan wasn’t stupid. Of course, she understood.

She stood up. Although she was satisfied with the answer, she felt humiliated. Xia Ruoxin might have any ill-intentions when she said that. Nevertheless, it sounded sarcastic to Song Wan. Whatever women would do to become a third party and ruin someone else’s marriage... right, Xia Ruoxin wouldn’t do all that. Neither would she bother with it. However, some women would do that. Otherwise, why would Li Manni’s name appear in Chu Lui’s household register? Did she assume that no one would know how Li Manni married into her family? Deep down in their heart, they knew it; and Song Wan felt ashamed. She forced a smile in order not to look impolite.

“Yes, I happen to have something going on at home, too. I will take my leave.” She followed Xia Ruoxin’s lead. That smile of her looked embarrassed and sad.

Xia Ruoxin did not have an aggressive character. She opened the door and sent Song Wan off. The two had not said much to each other. Perhaps, Song Wan was satisfied with Xia Ruoxin’s stance. Naturally, the one behind her should be satisfied, too.

As soon as Song Wan stepped out, she came face to face with a man and walked past him. He was wearing a white long-sleeved shirt with its sleeves rolled up casually at his elbows—a simple attire. However, instead of looking sloppy, he actually looked laid-back and handsome with one hand in his pocket. His eyes were extremely peaceful—not wavering in other directions, and his steps were steady. Although he looked tired, there was a clean and comfortable aura about him.

Song Wan couldn’t help herself from giving the man another glance. She was not an old person dressed up as a teenager who had taken a liking for fresh meat. She was simply comparing this man with her own son.

He might not be as good-looking as her son Ah Lui, but he emitted an air of gentle presence. It would find it easier to get close to him as compared to that perverted son of hers. If, and she only meant if, Ah Lui and this man were to become rivals at love, it would be a tough fight between the two. She had no idea that her simple thoughts would ultimately come true, and the winner has yet to be revealed.

She was about to go on her way, but for some reason, she turned back. From a distance, she saw that man knocked on the same door to the house that she had just gone into.

Song Wan was shocked, and she started to imagine the numerous possibilities.

Did Xia Ruoxin know this man? Had he knocked on the wrong door? Or was he an insurance salesman? She took a few steps forward, unable to contain her curiosity, and hid at the corner to watch.

Xia Ruoxin opened the door for Gao Yi. Then, she took out his slippers and placed them on the floor for him. It was a routine action. However, it never ceased to fill Gao Yi with a sense of indescribable warmth and touch.

In fact, this was the home that he always wished for.

A kind and gentle wife to bring him tea when he was tired, to listen to him when he was feeling down, and to share his joy when he succeeded.

She would bring him his slippers, cook noodles for him, and made sure he has clean clothes. That was all.

“What are we eating?” He tidied Xia Ruoxin’s slightly messy hair affectionately. He was hungry, too. He had performed an exhausting surgery which had lasted for several hours. He needed to replenish his nutrition and rest to recharge.

“Eat?” Xia Ruoxin blinked her eyes. Then, she suddenly remembered something.

Oh, no. She began to rub her forehead. “I forgot to do the groceries. A guest came earlier. We spoke for a while, and I forgot about it.” She had to turn back without buying the groceries because someone had blocked her. Now, Gao Yi had returned so soon after the guest left. So Gao Yi had nothing to eat.

“Let’s go and buy some now.” Gao Yi removed the slipper he had just worn and put on his shoes. Then, he took Xia Ruoxin’s hand. “Let’s go together and buy groceries. It’s also good I can be your free transportation.”