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They aren’t particularly live in luxury. Financially stable, enough to have some slack and take a breather when they want to. The child’s needs are covered without a particular problem. Almost never, to have the fridge empty of fresh ingredients.
In other words, they live well.
If only the people in the household are as stable as their financial ability, that would be perfect.
“Mei Nian Qing.” Junwu’s voice is still as gentle, as calm, “I didn’t quite hear it. What was it? Can you repeat what you just said?”
Mei Nian Qing lets out an awkward laugh. The sweat rolls down from his temple, strange enough knowing the room is always comfortable thanks to the air conditioner. His eyes shifting from one side to another, refuse to look at Junwu properly. His hands behind his back are cold. Come to think of it, his feet feel cold too.
“Ehm…. I…. I lose.”
“On what?”
“...On…. Gambling?”
Junwu took a deep breath.
“How much you lose this time?”
“Uh….”
“It’s alright. Tell me.”
“Well….”
Mei Nian Qing leans forward, whispers to Junwu’s ear half stuttering. After he mentioned the amount of money he loses on gambling, Junwu keeps on with his calm demeanor still. No change, no gesture whatsoever. Mei Nian Qing already stands properly, waiting. Sweating. The way Junwu stares at him in silence is much scarier than when he got mad.
“Junwu--”
“That’s it. I want to divorce.”
“Why??”
“You still ask me why??”
“Eh… Ehehe--”
“Don’t ‘ehehe’ me! How many times has it? No, that’s an understatement. More than 60% of my income disappears into nothing thanks to you!”
“There are still 40% more--”
“Which is my saving for Xie Lian’s education. No, don’t say anything anymore. I feel like swallowing you alive.”
“That’s kinky--”
“WHAT?”
“Nothiiiing!!!”
Junwu stares at his wife--whom might not anymore soon enough--as many things passing through his mind. The way Mei Nian Qing fidgeting in his spot, normally a cute sight Junwu doesn't mind dwells into as long as he wants. If only Mei Nian Qing isn't as stupid to let their family becomes a ruin, Junwu will surely push him down.
"Tell me." Junwu tries to calm down despite deep inside he feels like banging his head, "Explain to me how someone as smart as you are this stupid."
"On the contrary, it has nothing to do with intelligence--"
"You NEED to be dumb enough to keep going after a few lose."
"Because luck is also a factor--"
"Which is something you DON'T have."
“Rude. I won once when Xie Lian was--”
“And you LOSE for 597 times which is never able to make up with that ONCE no matter how much you try to justify yourself. Say another word, I’ll strangle you.”
“Kink--”
“If you say word ‘kinky’ again, I’ll hang you outside.”
Mei Nian Qing has no other choice but keeps his mouth shut.
“Nian Qing,” Junwu sighs for the nth times, “I love you. But just because I love you, doesn’t mean I will not strangle you to death.”
“....Normally you don’t do that to someone you love.”
“Yes, exactly. Only those with mental problems will do such barbaric things. Do you understand what I mean?”
“Eh… More or less?”
“It means…” Junwu took Mei Nian Qing’s hand and pulls him closer, “ It means if I commit violence towards you, I have turned mental.”
“That’s--”
“And you are the reason. So don’t try to blame others over your own mistake.”
Mei Nian Qing wants to pout in protest so badly, but too scared to triggers Junwu if he did.
“Say, how did you know I lost for 400 times--”
“For 597 times.”
“.....That’s a lot.”
“Say that to yourself! Do you want me to hang you??”
“Because you--”
“Forget it. I’ll hang you outside.”
It just happened to be the time for little Xie Lian returned from school, when he witnessed his father in the middle of hanging his mother on the big plum tree in front of their house. The miserable pleas coming nonstop from Mei Nian Qing’s lips fallen to deaf ears. Junwu is too busy making sure the rope is tight enough, didn’t notice Xie Lian already standing next to him.
“Father, Mother, I’m home.”
“Xie Lian, my babyyyyy! Help your poor mother from this tyranny man!”
“Be quiet. You’re bothering the neighbours.”
“Whose fault is that???”
“No, tell me. Whose fault is that? I dare you.”
Mei Nian Qing closed his mouth immediately.
“But… We don’t have neighbours.”
Both Junwu and Mei Nian Qing turn their head to look at their not-so-little son for a brief moment, before staring at each other.
“You know what it means, right?”
“W-what?”
“If I torture you to death, no one will know.”
“Are you seriously trying to kill me???”
“Do you want to divorce or no?”
“I don’t want both!”
“Then stop gambling.”
“No.”
Junwu literally smacks Mei Nian Qing’s head with the same speed as Mei Nian Qing answered his question.
“That hurts!”
“You never learn, do you?”
“I learn how to win gamble.”
“Which you never. I guess you’re just that stupid, after all.”
“My dear husband, calling your wife ‘stupid’ a few times in a row is rude.”
“So does draining your husband’s wallet for gambling.”
“Eh… Ehehe….”
“You’re really asking to be beaten to death, apparently.”
“I’m joking!”
“Which part is the joke?”
Mei Nian Qing lets out another awkward laugh. The unamused face Junwu puts on is enough proof he doesn’t want to deal with his wife’s antics anymore. He loosened the tie, caught Mei Nian Qing in his embrace as Mei Nian Qing fell to his arms. Smooth and with ease, as always snatch any words about to come out from Mei Nian Qing’s mouth. They stare at each other for a while in silence. Whoever sees them in that position, gaze into each other eyes, one will think the sexual tension is filling the air, waiting for anyone to make the first move.
It’s a lie if Mei Nian Qing thinks it doesn’t affect him. After all, Junwu is a perfect man. To be held by that God-like man, who managed to stay sane?
“Mei Nian Qing.”
“Mm?”
“I want to do bad things to you. You deserve punishment.”
“Oh?”
Mei Nian Qing raises an eyebrow, surprised to know Junwu’s anger subdued faster than usual.
“If you insisted…” Mei Nian Qing’s hand travels up to Junwu’s chest, feeling the hard muscle under the thin shirt, “What kind of bad things you want to do to me?”
“Break your neck.”
Junwu’s face doesn’t change, still as hard yet calm, cold yet serene. Xie Lian has long gone, leaving their parents to their own accord, getting to use to the endless stupid banter.
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