Chapter 429 - Find Me In The Middle
Xu Mey already knew that her son was very mature for his age, but only today she realized that he seemed to have grown up to the point where he could even comfort his own mother. When she needed to be there for him, he was instead here for her. It left a conflicting feeling in her heart. As much as she was happy to hear those words from her son, she was also feeling sad in her heart.
"Little Bao, your food is here," Ye Jun entered the room and announced in a loud voice.
"Uncle brought your food, go and eat it," said Xu Mey as she urged him to go. "I won't cry." She reassured seeing his expression and only then did Bao went back to sit on the couch.
While Ye Jun opened the meal box for Bao, he asked in a low voice, "What's the situation, Captain?"
Bao clicked his tongue, "Situation is a little sensitive at the moment."
"Oh..." Ye Jun passed the chopsticks to Bao and asked, "Any suggestions to make it better?"
Bao looked in the direction of his father and shook his head, "Commander said, it's better to let them deal with this on their own." He looked back at his uncle as he added, "Both my mom and dad needs to learn something from this situation."
Ye Jun rubbed his head saying, "Dear nephew, it's very difficult to tell what you're planning." Bao shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly while he added, "But I love that about you. I can already tell you'd be an amazing man in the future."
"Are you saying, I'm not amazing right now?" questioned Bao.
"No no!" Ye Jun hurriedly shook his head. "My nephew is still very awesome." Then he turned to his brother and said, "Bro, I'd be right back." Jie nodded in reply and Ye Jun left the room.
While Bao was eating his meal, his eyes were stuck to his parents. After contemplating for a long while, Xu Mey trudged over to Jie's side and pulled a stool beside him. She held the edge of his coat as she tugged at it. Jie tried to ignore it but she continued. So, he had to look at her. However, he didn't speak a word.
"You won't even talk to me?" she asked.
Jie avoided looking into her eyes.
She held her ears as she said, "I really am sorry. Can't you forgive me? Please, just this once?" When he again didn't look at her, she again tugged at his coat, "I promise I won't ever think of running away again. No matter how difficult things get, I'll not run from it. I won't run from you. I'll keep waiting for you." She shook her head, "No, I won't wait for you. I'll run to you from now on. So that whenever you start running over to me, you'd find me in the middle, eh?"
Jie's heart wavered to hear that. It wasn't because of the apology. It was because she said she'd run to him as well. That meant, he wouldn't have to run to her like always. They could really find each other somewhere in the middle, wouldn't it be better?
He had actually never thought of it. Even when she left home, in his anger, he only wished that she'd wait for him to run to her. If only she waited, she'd always find him beside herself. It might take a while sometimes, but he'll eventually be there with her.
"Ah-Jie!" she called out. "Say something, eh?"
He closed his eyes and sighed out. Again refusing to give a response.
"I know, it's my fault this time," she said. "I was being irrational and I thought you're being harsh with words. I didn't even realize that you're telling the truth. While I wanted to become the best in everything, I forgot that I had to put the same effort into my own family as well. You said you never asked me to take on those extra responsibilities and you're right, you never did. It was all me.
"I wanted to become a good daughter-in-law to make a warm house for my husband. It was because I wanted you to get your parents' love that you missed out on. That's why I tried to do my best to fulfill all of my responsibilities."
Xu Mey's fell when he didn't respond again. She was about to cry again when he spoke up, "Even before finding them, we were happy." Xu Mey looked up at him. "Even without them, I had found a warm home for myself with you. I found my happiness with you. Then why did you just assume that I needed them to fill some kind of void in my life?" Xu Mey was stunned by his words. "Even though Zhou Ning didn't give me birth, she actually was a mother to me. At least, she'd treat me very well as long as I took care of Jun. And as for Father... He always loved me like his eldest son. My life's only void had been love which I thought I found in you. But I guess, I was mistaken."
Xu Mey frantically held his hand, "No, no you didn't! You weren't mistaken. I do love you."
"I don't need this love who doesn't even stand by my side when I need it to," he retorted with a clenched jaw. "Why is it that when I needed to lean on your shoulder, you weren't there? Why? What kind of love is this? Did it fade away that fast?"
Xu Mey shook her head repeatedly, "It didn't fade away. I just took it for granted and forgot that love is not a one-way road. When you take something, you need to offer something in return as well. I was muddleheaded. It's really my fault."
She took a pause and added, "But I promise, it won't happen again. I'll try my best to change. I won't ever let you feel alone. Not ever again."
Jie was about to say something when he felt something and stopped.