Wait for the Time Being

In the rain, I took a taxi back to the dilapidated neighborhood where I had lived for two years. I got out of the car and subconsciously looked to see if Mi Cai's Audi Q7 was parked downstairs.

Luckily, her car isn't there, even luckier is, I still haven't returned the key to the house to Mi Cai. In any case, Dad Ban was only staying for one night. If she didn't come back tonight, everything would be settled without any danger.

I ran back to the house as fast as I could and put my luggage back in its original place in the shortest time possible. I made the bed and stood at the bus stop with an umbrella, waiting for Dad Ban's arrival.

About a quarter of an hour later, a bus that departed from the long-distance bus station slowly drove over. I looked up and saw Dad Ban coming down from the bus with a briefcase.

I waved at him and shouted, "Dad, this way."

Father Ban came to my side in surprise and asked, "Didn't you go out for dinner with your colleagues?"

"Eating is a small matter, but your arrival is a big matter. I know what's important." I said as I took the briefcase from his hands.

Dad Ban was silent as he followed me into the neighborhood.

I complained, "Dad, you're on a public business trip. Can you just take a taxi next time you come? It's not like they won't reimburse you!"

"Public expenses are also money." His father's tone was serious.

"Our government has trillions of foreign exchange reserves in the M Nation. They don't lack your taxi money!"

Dad Ban didn't say anything. It was obvious that he didn't want to argue with me about values. He had always been like this. As long as he thought he was right, he was never willing to explain. It was as if he lives in an independent world. Then, he became the Deputy Section Chief in this independent world for 15 years.

...

After returning to the house, I took out a stainless steel lunchbox from my briefcase and said, "This is the wild carp I caught last week. Your mother cooked it and asked me to bring it to you. You can heat it up when you want to eat it."

"Let's eat it tonight."

"Didn't you eat with your colleagues?"

"Aren't you here? I came back after eating half of it." After saying that, he hurriedly interrupted, "Oh right, Dad Ban, did you bring the glutinous rice wine mother brewed this time?"

Dad Ban nodded and took out a bottle of orange juice from his bag. It was filled with my favorite glutinous rice wine.

Dad Ban and I poured a cup of glutinous rice wine each, ate the cooked crucian carp and peanuts, and waited for the white rice porridge in the rice cooker. We chatted casually.

I was a little absent-minded. I was afraid Mi Cai would suddenly come back. It was fine if I scared her. If she exposed me in front of my father, I could die.

...

As soon as I drank a cup of glutinous rice wine, I heard footsteps outside the door. Then I heard the sound of a key being inserted into the keyhole. I panicked a little. I looked at Dad Ban and then at the door that was closed at hand.

The door opened, and Mi Cai walked in. The scene in front of her stunned her, but my father didn't react much. He only treated Mi Cai as someone who rented with me or as my girlfriend.

Without waiting for Mi Cai to speak, I grabbed her arm and asked with concern, "Have you been drinking? I'll help you into the house... Please don't thank me. It's my duty to share the apartment with everyone."

I said it politely, but from an angle that Dad Ban couldn't see, I raised my hand to cover Mi Cai's mouth and pushed her into her room in a few steps.

"Scum… Let go of me!" Mi Cai struggled as she mumbled.

"Don't yelp!" I whispered.

Mi Cai struggled to take out her phone from her pocket again. Even a fool knew she wanted to get the police to deal with me. My behavior was indeed a crime of trespassing.

I snatched the phone from her.

I lowered my voice and said nervously, "Stop f*cking screaming. If my Dad hears it, I'll die!"

Mi Cai completely ignored me. She looked terrified and instinctively raised her hand to grab my hair.

I was in so much pain that I was about to break down. I grimaced but didn't dare to make a sound. "Be gentler, my head is going to be bald from you!"

"Scum…" Mi Cai, whose mouth was covered by me, shouted incoherently.

I said angrily, "I'm a f*cking scumbag!"

Then, I said in a low voice, "But not in my dad's eyes! He has high blood pressure. If he knew I was penniless and didn't even have a place to live, he would definitely be angry… Sis, just take pity on me. Just deal with him for one night. He's here on a business trip and will leave tomorrow morning... I promise I won't bother you in the future!"

Mi Cai finally stopped struggling and let go of my hair. However, her beautiful eyes were still staring at me with hatred and disgust.

I carefully let go of Mi Cai's mouth. This time, she didn't scream again.

I let out a long sigh of relief. Just as I was about to get up apologetically, Mi Cai twisted her body and pushed me heavily. I fell straight off the bed with a bang.

"Zhao Yang, what are you doing inside?" Dad Ban heard the commotion and asked.

I endured the pain and said, "I hit the cabinet…"

Dad Ban didn't ask further. Mi Cai finally looked at me with a smile containing anger after taking revenge.

"I'm warning you not to talk nonsense! My dad really has high blood pressure and can't take the blow. You stay in the room and don't leave!"

Mi Cai neither agreed nor denied.

I made another pleading gesture, but she still didn't say anything. I could only comfort myself and take it that she had agreed. I looked at her pleadingly before closing the door and walking out of the room.

...

When I came to the living room, Dad Ban had already gone to the kitchen to get three bowls of porridge. He said to me, "Zhao Yang, go and send a bowl of porridge to that girl. She needs to eat more after drinking."

"Let her rest."

As soon as I finished speaking, Mi Cai walked out of the room with her handbag…

With my previous evil deeds, it wouldn't be too much for Mi Cai to cut me into pieces. Exposing me in front of my father at this time is retribution for me.

Just as I was so nervous my legs were going weak, Mi Cai walked towards the door without looking sideways. It seemed she planned to leave this room to me tonight.

Just as he was about to heave a sigh of relief, the usually rigid father said to Mi Cai, who had not walked out of the door, "Young Lady, I've prepared a bowl of porridge for you. Drink it while it's hot."

I couldn't wait for Mi Cai to leave quickly. I kept signaling her with my eyes, but I didn't expect Mi Cai to look at me. Then, she actually nodded at her father and said, "Thank you, Uncle."

...

The two people who were fighting for their lives just now sat at the same table and drank porridge. I was like a suspect who had done something wrong. I didn't say a word, but I was always on guard against Mi Cai saying something I shouldn't have said.

From time to time, I would glance at Mi Cai from the corner of my eye, but I didn't know what she was up to. However, she didn't seem to have any intention of reporting me to Dad Ban. She just ate the porridge in small mouthfuls.

Dad Ban had always been dull and didn't talk much. He was also much more focused than others when he ate, so he was the first to finish the porridge in his bowl. He stood up and picked up his handbag. "You have someone staying here. I'll go stay in a hotel."

I looked at Mi Cai and said to Dad Ban, "Daddy, don't leave. Just sleep with me later."

"I've been snoring a lot recently. You still have to work tomorrow, so I can't disturb your sleep." Dad Ban shook his head and took out a sweater from the bag and handed it to me, "Your Mom knitted this sweater for you."

I took it and looked at it. I asked in confusion, "Why did she knit two?"

"When you have a partner in the future, give it to your partner. The sweater knitted at home is thick!"

I was a little helpless. I knew my parents were using this subtle method to remind me to find a girlfriend quickly.

I looked at Mi Cai, who was still drinking porridge and teased, "It's getting cold. I'll give you the sweater later!"

Mi Cai glared at me but didn't flare up in front of Dad Ban. I was secretly pleased.

...

Before I left, the old man counted 3000 yuan from his wallet and handed it to me, "Take it."

"Why are you giving me money? I'm not short of money!"

Dad Ban stuffed the money into my hand, "I gave birth to you. I know your characteristics very well. How many times have I told you? You have to plan your money… Take the time to pay the utility bill." After saying that, he looked at the water and electricity bill that I had left on the ground a few days ago.

I suddenly felt my nose turn sour. I really wasn't a son who would let my parents worry. I stuffed the money back into Dad Ban's hand, "I really don't need it. Mother's health isn't good. You can keep it and buy some health supplements for her. I'll get my salary next week."

Dad Ban didn't say much. He placed the money on the table, looked at Mi Cai, and walked out alone.

...

I caught up with Dad Ban and sent him downstairs. He, who had been silent all this time, said to me, "That girl just now is not bad. She's not bad looking!"

I pulled Dad Ban back and looked at Q7, who was parked at the side, "Dad, quickly put away your fantasies. She's not my type… See that car? It was her car."

Dad Ban followed my gaze and looked at the red Q7 with a puzzled expression. I think he was also surprised Mi Cai drove such a car but lived in such an old place.

In the end, Dad Ban habitually chose to remain silent. He was helpless about my terrible current situation. Actually, whether we were willing to admit it or not, we were already in an era where we needed money to prove our love. Therefore, I told him to put away his fantasies, and I was even more unwilling to fantasize!

That night, Dad Ban left me with a final sentence of "work hard" before leaving with an umbrella in the rain.

Looking at his age back in the rain, I read his expectations in these words. He hoped I would work hard, marry a girl, and let him have a grandson…However, Dad Ban, I am living in my own helplessness and struggle, living in the heaviness and force of reality. Those many good things that have yet to be realized, wait for the time being! ... Quite good?