Belated Romance (Mu Tongrui)

Fu Zhenghui was entertained. He protested, “Are we bickering all day or we can play the game at some point?”
Fu Jia pouted, “I'm helping with snacks and drinks. Bye.”
After a while, Fu Jia came out with two cups of hot tea. From the other side of the living room, she saw Mu Tongrui resting her
head on Fu Lingye's shoulder. They locked eyes on each other than whisper some sweet-nothing that no one else could hear.
Their shared smile irritated Fu Jia. She said ironically, “Enjoy your tea!”
“Thank you.”
Suddenly, Fu Jia let go of the cup. The piping hot tea spilled onto Mu Tongrui's hand. The cup dropped and shattered on the
floor.
Mu Tongrui exclaimed, prompting Fu Lingye to check on her hand, “Did you get scalded?”
On the back of her hand, there was a big area of redness on her otherwise porcelain skin. Fu Lingye quickly took her to a sink
and ran cold water on it.
Pretending to care, Fu Jia asked, “Are you all right?”
Seeing through her trick, Fu Lingye glared at her, “Fu Jia! Quit your childish act!”
Eager to diffuse the tension, Mu Tongrui discreetly pulled Fu Lingye's sleeve, “Don't stress about it. She probably didn't mean it-”
Fu Jia interrupted her, “So what if I scalded her on purpose? Are you going to scald me back? An eye for an eye?”
To her surprise, Fu Lingye was done being nice, “You bet I would if this wasn't your house!”
Fu Jia's eyes turned red as she firmly bit her lower lip. Enraged by Fu Lingye's treatment, she ran back to her room.
Mu Tongrui sighed, “That was a bit over. What if you hurt her? You might want to go talk to her.”
Mu Tongrui knew Fu Jia and Fu Lingye were close relatives. She did not want herself to be the cause for any friction in the family
-- it'd be a tough situation for Fu Lingye to be caught in the middle.
Fu Lingye's Adam's apple bobbed up and down as he calmed himself down. He then stood his ground with a frigid tone, “She's
not a kid anymore and definitely cannot act like a spoiled brat. It's time she takes time to understand that.”

After Mu Tongrui's pain subdued, she took her hand back from the sink. Frowning, Fu Lingye lifted it closer to inspect the faint
redness on her skin, “Does it still hurt?”
“Not anymore. It shouldn't form any blister if we put some ointment on.”
Fu Lingye held her hand. “Right. Let's get you some ointment.”
Instead of the burning sensation, Mu Tongrui felt the fuzzy warm feeling from being loved up.
Zhao Xian brought them some ointment, “I'm so sorry. We spoiled her. I hope you're not mad at her.”
“Not one bit, auntie.” Mu Tongrui assured.
“I'm relieved. Jia and Lingye had been knit-tight growing up, so it surprised her that her partner in crime was suddenly married.
As the younger cousin, she's used to getting all the attention from Fu Lingye. Seeing him treat you the same way might have
thrown her off a bit. Jia might have a big temper, but she'll get around. Just give her a few days. I hope you don't take it
personally.”
Mu Tongrui bobbed her head yes, “I understand completely. Don't worry.”
“Lingye, help her with the ointment. I'll go check on Jia.”
After saying that, Zhao Xian left them.
Fu Lingye smeared the ointment on the burn and Sweetheart brew air on it as she propped her body on the sofa. Sweetheart
comforted, “Mu'mu. You won't feel a thing after I blow on it.”
Her daughter's gesture warmed Mu Tongrui's heart, “Mm. I don't feel it anymore.”
Mu Tongrui was sure that this incident was more a blessing than a curse. Thanks to it, she received an immense amount of love
from the two most important people in her life.
After putting on the medicine, Fu Lingye pecked on the hand tenderly. Mu Tongrui's ears turned red, “Sweetheart's watching.”
Unexpectedly, Sweetheart followed suit. Mu Tongrui received smooches on both sides.
Being persuaded to come out of the room, Fu Jia and Zhao Xian walked in on that scene. Steaming up, Fu Jia flounced back
upstairs.

Zhao Xian heaved a long sigh.
Zhao Xian came to them with the usual affable smile, “Does it feel better now?”
Mu Tongrui nodded her head, “Yes. Thank you.”
“Rui. You seem to be around Jia's age.”
“I'm twenty four this year.”
Zhao Xian paused for a moment, “You're the same age?”
Fu Zhenghui who was playing with a chess piece stopped to take another look at Mu Tongrui.
Oblivious to their reaction, Mu Tongrui answered, “Yes. Only Fu Jia's luckier than me, to still have both parents in her life.”
Zhao Xian was confused, “Where are your parents?”
Mu Tongrui's shoulders dropped when bringing this up, “My father passed away three years ago whereas my mother lost her life
giving birth to me.”
Stunned, Fu Zhenghui's face turned stone, “Was her name... Lan Jing?”
Mu Tongrui was shocked to hear that, “How... did you know that?”
Fu Zhengyuan intended to answer but Zhao Xian did it for him, “Ah. We used to be friends decades ago but eventually lost
touch. I would've never imagined seeing her daughter here.”
“Really? Were you close friends?”
With a superficial grin, Zhao Xian bent the truth, “Not really. We were only acquaintances but we asked because you look too
much like her.”
“I see. What a small world.”
Zhao Xian agreed absent-mindedly, “Indeed. Who would've thought?”
From afar, Fu Zhenghui gazed at Mu Tongrui pensively.

At lunch, Fu Jia was still in a mood. At the end of the table, Fu Zhenghui sternly said, “Fu Jia, you either eat with us with the right
attitude or you leave the table. We don't need your negativity here!”
“Whatever! It's not like I'm begging to stay anyway.”
Fu Jia shot up only to be pulled back down by Zhao Xian, “Jia. It's just a meal. We have guests here, and we should entertain
them. Come on.”
Zhao Xian then turned to Fu Zhenghui, “Stop talking to her in that tone.”
Fu Zhenghui picked up his chopsticks as he snorted, “Look at Tongrui. She is your age, yet she carries herself way more
maturely.”
That blew Fu Jia's fuse. She tossed her chopsticks across the table and vented, “She showed up for five seconds and everyone
is on her side! Dad, is she your deal daughter or what?”
That dropped a bomb. Everyone's face turned white.
Gripping the chopsticks in her hand, Zhao Xian slapped her daughter on the face, “Are you done with the nonsense?”
Fu Jia was shell shocked. Never would she ever expect her mother to do this. With a trembling voice and teary eyes, Fu Jia
continued, “Even you, mom? No matter what I did growing up, you ever laid your hand on me... Fine! If you all love her so much,
make her your daughter instead!”
Zhao Xian was astonished by her action as well. After a few seconds, she went after Fu Jia, “Jia! Jia!”
Fu Zhenghui puckered his lips, “Let her be. Go on with your meal.”
Fu Lingye set his chopsticks down, “Uncle, auntie. I see that we caught you at a bad time. We should probably come back some
other time.”
Zhao Xian swallowed her saliva then exhaled deeply, “That's maybe a good idea. I'm sorry for the clown show today.”