On their drive back home, both Shui Xian and Raelle had been silent. They didn't discuss anything.
When they arrived home, Shui Xian found Raelle staring at the empty rocking chair on the porch. He placed a hand on her shoulder and when she turned her eyes towards him, he questioned, "What are you looking at?"
Raelle pointed at the rocking chair saying, "Bà usually waited here for me." Shui Xian was startled by her words. "It's been days I haven't seen him here so maybe I am not comfortable with that." Shui Xian's eyes softened as he gazed at the side of her face while she continued, "I should give him a call."
Nodding her head, Raelle entered the house. She made a beeline for the third floor to her bedroom while Shui Xian followed her.
She was looking through her closet when Shui Xian came behind and hugged her from behind in a tight embrace. Raelle paused for a moment and tilted her head to look at her. Seeing him resting his chin on her shoulder with his eyes closed, Raelle didn't question him anything. She continued to rummage through her clothes and Shui Xian continued to move along with her.
"Why do I think you're trying to comfort me?" asked Raelle.
"Huh?"
"You've been patting me softly," said Raelle. "Do you think I need comforting?"
Shui Xian replied softly, "Not really." But he didn't continue after that. His mind had been replaying Hyson's words all this while. He was indeed trying to comfort her with his presence. He wanted her to know that he was here for her. With her!
From the moment Hyson talked about 'regular families' he had been in a complicated mood. But then again, what exactly was the definition of a 'regular family'? He grew up in a family with a father, a mother, and even a sister. But that didn't mean his family was by any means normal.
He was actually surprised right now to see that Raelle noticed such a small movement of his hands. Her attention was truly all around her. It was no wonder just one simple song from Hyson made her notice that Hyson was thinking of something else.
"Maybe I need comforting," he told her. "So, I'm trying to get some energy booster from you. After all, my wife is a whole package. She comes with a neverending supply of energy. You don't mind sharing it with me, do you?"
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"I don't mind," she replied. She placed her hand against the side of his face and added, "What's on your mind?"
"I've been thinking about what Hyson said," answered Shui Xian without trying to conceal anything from her. He felt like an open book before her. And it was a fact that she loved reading books. Now, he just wanted to become her favorite book. One that she'd want to read over and over again and never get tired of it. Just like how he felt like no matter how much time he spent with her, it was never enough.
She was truly a full package. A package of surprises. And most people didn't even know that he loved surprises from a young age. Only his mother knew his craze with surprises. He usually acted like he didn't like surprises. Because as people said, he was too old to get excited about surprises.
It was strange how his wife didn't like surprises at all. And here he was happy to have a surprise like her in his life.
"Don't take Hyson's words seriously," said Raelle pulling him out of his thoughts. "I don't even take him seriously when he is sober. And let's not forget, today he was out of his mind. You should forget whatever he said."
Shui Xian nuzzled into the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply as he whispered, "But what to do? I really want to take his words seriously and take care of you."
"Okay. Do whatever you want," said Raelle as she finally found some clothes and walked out of the closet. Just like before, Shui Xian was still following her in the same back hug posture. Even when Raelle entered the bathroom, he was still stuck to her. "So, Hubby, are you finally gonna follow my suggestion?"
Shui Xian raised his brows inquisitively at her.
Raelle shrugged her shoulders, "It doesn't matter though. I still don't mind having a shower with you."
Only then did Shui Xian realize what she meant and bumped his head at the side of her head gently. "Wifey, what really goes on this brain of yours?"
"Hyson says my brain is like a circus. All sorts of things run around in this brain. Unrestrained."
Shui Xian chuckled as he turned her around and placing his hands on her waist, he picked her up and placed her on the vanity countertop. Raelle's eyes widened ever so slightly because of this sudden movement and blinked at him.
He pushed her hair out of the way and leaned over. With his forehead against hers, he said, "I must be the only husband who is hesitating before such an exciting offer from my wife."
"You must be," replied Raelle.
Shui Xian kissed the tip of her nose, "You look gorgeous right now."
Raelle looked down at her clothes that were rather simple and plain. "What's gorgeous about this?"
"Who said I'm talking about the clothes? I'm talking about my own wife who is gorgeous."
"Oh?" Shui Xian nodded his head in agreement. "Then don't you think this wife will look even more gorgeous with her clothes off?"
Shui Xian was stumped for words before her frank statement but he still nodded in a daze, "My wife sure looks mesmerizing in every way possible."
She held up his hand against her own face and went on, "Then just imagine this satin skin under the showerhead. With water drizzling down slowly and smoothly in a beautiful movement. Sounds exciting enough?"
Shui Xian licked his lips as he breathes against her skin, "Are you trying to seduce me?"
"Is it working?"
"Oh, it's working. It's really working."
Raelle nodded her head, "Good thing my time wasn't wasted on that romance . I did learn something from it."
Shui Xian dropped a kiss at the corner of her lips as he said, "You being you is enough to drive me crazy. You don't need to learn anything." He patted her head and went on, "Now, you should enjoy your shower."
Before he could leave, she held his hand, "You really aren't gonna stay?"
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmShui Xian took a deep breath, "Aren't you on your rainy days?"
"I am."
"Then stop making trouble and don't make it difficult for me more than it already is."
Shui Xian left the bathroom leaving her alone. He came out and picked up his phone to scroll through it. He had not taken his phone with him when he went to this hospital. He knew it'd be disturbing. But who knew he'd find so many missed calls when he came back?
Suddenly the door of the bathroom opened slightly. And Raelle's head poked out as she called him out, "Hubby!"
"Hm?" Shui Xian shifted his eyes towards her.
"I can tell Hyson's words bothered you," she began. "But I can assure you whether his or mine families fit into the standards of the normal family or not, one thing we both never lacked was 'love.' I might not be the right person to talk about love but as Hyson said, everyone in our family has given me that 'love' in their own ways."
When she closed the door, Shui Xian was left in a daze for a moment. Her words made him realize that she was right. The love that Hyson and Raelle received from the people they called family was truly capable of making anyone feel envious. Even after years, he didn't have such a strong bond with his own father as Hyson and Raelle did with their family.
And apparently, his family was considered a normal one.
Suddenly, the ring of his phone caught his attention. He picked up the call, "I'm not in the mood for a drink, Yanjun. And I don't think I'll ever be again."
Zhai Yanjun didn't even get the chance to say hello before he was shoved with those words. "Well, hello to you too, Master Xian."
"Captain, there is no need to be so formal with me," replied Shui Xian, seemingly in a good mood.
Zhai Yanjun took a moment to ask, "Are you alright? Found something more exciting than alcohol?"
"Try getting a wife," answered Shui Xian.
Zhai Yanjun almost choked on air, "You are looking for a beating."
"Oh?" responded Shui Xian indifferently. "Come here. Let's see who will beat whom." He took a moment and asked, "Forget about that. Why are you calling me all of a sudden? Did you come back already? Are you ready for that dinner you owe me and my wife?"