Zhao Ran opened the window just a crack, trying to peer into the bathroom from the outside. Though the gap was only about half a finger wide, it was enough to see inside. Below the small window was the toilet, and directly opposite was the water heater. Usually, one would shower in front of the water heater.
Zhao Ran walked back into the bathroom to check. As long as no one looked closely, they wouldn’t notice the window had been opened slightly. Besides, the outside was dark, while the bathroom was lit. No one would randomly check whether the rarely used bathroom window was slightly ajar.
After testing it several times, Zhao Ran found the perfect gap and finally managed to open the window. Now, all that was left was to wait for his stepmother to come in and shower tomorrow.
On his way back, he passed by his parents’ room and heard faint voices. It was mostly Zhao Ping’s voice, and he could barely make out phrases like, “You just think I’m keeping a mistress, don’t you?” and “I can’t even have a meal with friends?” and “What do you mean by giving me that stinky face?”
The soundproofing of the room was actually decent, but Zhao Ran never heard what his stepmother was saying—only that she was speaking. She never argued with anyone; her words were always gentle, and her voice was soft, like a soothing breeze.
After a while, Zhao Ran heard footsteps approaching. He hurried back to his room just as Zhao Ping stepped out.
“Keep making that stinky face then. I’ll sleep in the living room tonight. You’re becoming more and more unreasonable,” Zhao Ping said, turning back to throw out the words before tossing his pillow and blanket onto the sofa. Soon, the sound of his snoring echoed through the living room.
Zhao Ran felt sorry for his stepmother. It was only natural for a woman to want her husband to care about her. Maybe Zhao Ping wasn’t entirely neglectful of his family—he was just thick-headed and thought his family was as important as his friends, nothing more.
Zhao Ran quietly made his way to the living room and then to his parents’ bedroom door. It was closed. He knocked gently.
“Come in,” his stepmother’s voice came from inside.
Zhao Ran opened the door. A cool breeze from the air conditioner greeted him. His stepmother was at the dressing table applying skincare products. When she saw Zhao Ran enter, she turned around and asked, “Xiao Ran? Why aren’t you asleep yet?”
Her expression was calm. Zhao Ran walked over and sat on the edge of the bed.
“Stepmom, don’t take it to heart.”
Deep down, Zhao Ran didn’t want them to argue or have their relationship fall apart to the point of divorce. If that happened, given his stepmother’s age and appearance—and the many suitors she had—she would likely remarry. And he might no longer have a suitable reason to see her often.
As she applied her skincare products, his stepmother said softly, “Adult matters are none of your business as a child. There’s nothing going on between me and your father. We were just discussing daily life matters, but we have different ways of handling things.”
Zhao Ran was worried about his parents’ relationship. He really didn’t want to see his stepmother remarry. The incident with that “Vice Director Li,” who had tried to leverage his power for inappropriate advances, had already left Zhao Ran feeling uneasy. He couldn’t quite explain what he was feeling.
“Mom, you won’t divorce him, will you?” Zhao Ran asked with concern.
His stepmother was taken aback for a moment, then turned around and smiled. “Silly child, what are you thinking about?”
Zhao Ran looked at her. Her makeup-free face showed signs of weariness. Maybe he shouldn’t have brought this up with her at such a time. So he simply said, “Zhao Ran doesn’t want you and dad to divorce. Zhao Ran is afraid of you two arguing.”