I slipped the matchmaker $500, asking her to make me sound as appealing as possible. She really delivered, describing me as accomplished in music, chess, calligraphy and painting – the perfect combination of a virtuous wife and loving mother, beautiful both inside and out. Thanks to her efforts, I managed to marry a great husband. The kind that’s always abroad and rarely comes home. With the added condition of taking care of a child under 5 years old. I agreed without hesitation! From then on, pizza and burgers became our daily staples. The kid and I lived carefree days, happy as can be! Now, I dabbed at non-existent tears with a tissue, crossing my legs as I spoke softly into the phone to my husband: “No matter how big the house is, it’s not a home without you here.” A low chuckle came through the line, his deep voice tinged with amusement: “Honey, there are cameras in the house.” “More than one.” I stopped swinging my leg and carefully slid it under the covers. Keeping my tone unchanged, I said, “Darling, what do you mean there are cameras? I had no idea.” I glanced around the large villa, lavishly decorated. I had installed much of the furniture myself while James was away, and he hadn’t been back since. How could there possibly be cameras? “Are you trying to scare me? I’m already nervous being alone in this big empty house, and now you say things like that!” I pretended to get angry, huffing into the phone, “I’m not talking to you anymore!” Then I quickly hung up. Sitting on the bed, I started to calm down and think. For now, I’d play it cool. Damn it, it had been eight months! A full eight months before he mentioned cameras? James was definitely lying. If it was true, then all my carefully crafted image would be ruined!
James and I met through a dating service. He’s 31 this year, makes over a million dollars annually, and is both muscular and handsome. Apparently he had a girlfriend before, but James’ work is special – he’s often away for months at a time. Plus he has a child. Entrusted to him by his late brother. His ex-girlfriend thought she could handle it at first, but the problem was the kid. This wasn’t an ordinary child – he had very strong aggressive tendencies. On their first meeting, he apparently knocked the girl down with a sweeping kick. His pranks were endless. She ran away after less than two days. Until she met me. I came from a poor family without much education. My only asset was my thick skin. I gave the matchmaker $500 to make me sound as good as possible. By the time it reached James, I had become an accomplished musician, artist and chef – the perfect virtuous wife and loving mother, not to mention a great beauty. James was intrigued and agreed to meet me. After seeing me in person, he was even more interested. The next day we got married. The bride price was a million dollars, plus this big villa. But there was one condition – I had to take good care of that violent little boy. I held my head, eyes darting around nervously. I really couldn’t be sure if James was telling the truth or not. Just then, there was a knock at the door. I was a bit slow to respond, and the door was forcefully pushed open.
A little figure stood in the doorway. With big eyes and thick brows, he looked like a perfect little gentleman doll. He wore a small suit with suspenders, the very picture of a young master. At the moment, he was glaring at me with a gloomy expression. I knew what this meant – he was hungry. In the past, I would have rushed over with a big grin, hugging and kissing his chubby cheeks no matter how much he struggled. I’d cackle like a witch and exclaim, “Who’s this adorable little angel? Let auntie give you a big kiss!” But I couldn’t do that now. If there really were cameras like James said, I had to maintain my image. Even if it was a lie, surely James wasn’t watching 24/7. Maybe I still had a chance to fix things. “Emily, you are graceful and virtuous. You are gentle and kind,” I told myself. So I put on my most gentle smile and glided over to the little boy. I crouched down and said softly, “Sweetie, are you hungry? Would you like auntie to make you some pasta?” The boy was stunned. He even took a step back. After hesitating for a while, he frowned and said: “Did you take the wrong medication?” “…” I raised a finger to cover my smile: “What are you saying, darling? I’ve always been like this.” The boy thought for two seconds, then turned and ran to his room. Soon he came back with a water gun from who knows where. He started spraying me, as if trying to take me down on the spot. The stream was very strong, hitting me right in the face. I stopped smiling.
I wiped my face and took a deep breath. The boy’s surname was Lu like James, and his name was Leo. When James wasn’t around, I always called him “little bean” which felt natural and affectionate. Now I didn’t dare, so I put on a sad expression instead. “Leo, do you still hate me?” I covered my face and cried. With my face all wet, you couldn’t tell if I was really crying. My voice choked up as if I was extremely upset. “Auntie has done everything she can. I buy you whatever you want. Why do you still hate me…” Leo was stunned again. His little brain couldn’t understand such abstract adult behavior. He tilted his head in confusion and asked, “Leo?” Didn’t she always call him “little bean”? I choked again, about to break character. I quickly got up to heat some milk for the child. Leo was an extremely picky eater, so I always had him eat small frequent meals to make sure he got enough nutrition. Thinking back, Leo and I had a very rough start too. The day James and I got married, he disappeared. He just gave me the keys to the villa and told me to settle in on my own. So when I realized James wasn’t around and I had full control of this villa, I threw a huge celebration that very night. I made myself a big pot of spicy hotpot. A really extravagant one. I bought loads of shrimp, meat, and meatballs – things I never dared to imagine before. The first time Leo saw me, before I could even speak, he came at me with punches and kicks. He was surprisingly strong. Like a furious little lion defending his territory. I got angry too and spanked his little bottom, warning him he’d get no dinner if he was so rude again. Leo didn’t listen, so I really didn’t prepare any dinner for him. By the time I had almost finished my hotpot, I finally remembered the child. Feeling guilty, I cooked the remaining beef and put it in a bowl for Leo. At first he refused to eat, but as the smell of hotpot spread, he got too hungry and finally dug in with a scowl. Then he had diarrhea for three days and nights. I had no idea the kid’s stomach was so delicate. As a first-timer with no experience, I was terrified. I carried Leo to the hospital in a cold sweat. The whole time I held him, rubbing his tummy when it hurt and singing lullabies when he whimpered in discomfort. Leo clutched me tightly with his little hands. We stayed like that for three days and nights. After that, he never hit me again. And that’s how one hotpot cured a problem child.
I finally managed to get Leo to sleep. After maintaining my graceful act for half a day, I was completely drained. After showering, I lay in bed desperately trying to think of other ways to show my virtuous wife and mother side. But I was so tired that I fell asleep before I knew it. So I had no idea that in the middle of the night, someone picked the lock on my door. A figure radiating heat and danger stood by my bed. But Leo heard. He still retained memories from when he was younger. He was only two then, living abroad. On a dark night just like this, a group of people brazenly broke into his home. They hacked at his defenseless parents, then did unspeakable things to his mother’s corpse. He didn’t cry, but it was all burned into his memory. He vividly remembered the desperate fear of that night, which was why he instinctively tried to solve everything with violence. If that didn’t work, he wanted to kill them all. Leo silently appeared outside the door, holding a weapon Uncle James had given him. He didn’t want that woman to die now. She may act crazy, but he just didn’t want her to die. He wasn’t sure if the dangerous person inside was from the same group that killed his parents. But he wasn’t afraid this time. He would protect her. Before Leo could act further, the person inside suddenly appeared behind him. A hand swung towards his face with frightening speed. Leo quickly stepped back, drawing his weapon, ready to fight to the death. But he was scooped up in strong arms. “Huh?” Leo was startled. By the time he realized what happened, he had already been carried downstairs. When Leo saw who it was, his face lit up with joy. “Uncle James!” “Shh.” James held Leo, sitting him on his sturdy thigh. “Don’t wake her up.” After studying the boy for a moment, he nodded, “You’ve gained some weight.” Leo pursed his lips in a small smile. Being fed five meals a day, he was already trying hard to control his weight. James had three days of leave this time. To be honest, he was very intrigued by his young wife. His work abroad involved dangerous, grueling missions. His only interest and hobby was watching what new tricks his little wife would get up to each day. She looked as beautiful as a butterfly in the cameras, her antics both amusing and endearing in their silliness. James naturally knew her true nature. In their line of work, seeing through a person was child’s play. But if his little wife wanted to act, he was happy to watch her performance. Though he couldn’t help teasing her a bit. “Do you like her taking care of you?” James asked softly. He knew that after over half a year together, Leo and Emily’s relationship, while not loving, was at least peaceful. Perhaps with a hint of affection? Leo really thought about it seriously before nodding. “She’s an interesting woman.” James couldn’t help but smile. “That move earlier was pretty good. I’ll teach you a few more tricks in the morning.” Leo nodded, unable to hold back a yawn. James let the child go to sleep, but not before reminding him, “No matter what you hear in the morning, don’t worry. I’ll be here for three days, we’ll all be very safe, okay?” Leo nodded and went to bed fully at ease this time. James was still in his camouflage uniform, his boots caked with dark red mud. He raised an eyebrow thoughtfully, then decided to strip it all off. He took a shower and changed into comfortable loungewear. Then step by step, he returned to the bedside. Though lively in personality and prone to little white lies, her sleeping form was quiet and docile. James silently climbed into bed. He first kissed her forehead, then couldn’t resist kissing the corner of her mouth. Slowly, he gathered her into his arms. The face he had only been able to watch through cameras for nearly eight months was finally in his embrace. Ah… He hoped his little wife wouldn’t be too startled when she woke up.
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