005 The Tiring

Qin Zhe'an tried for a long time, but he couldn't get the stove to light.

In the end, he took Gu Nian out to eat.

But at home, Gu Nian would sometimes hit me on purpose.

If I hadn't seen the bubbles, I might have drunk it.

I had told Qin Zhe'an before.

But all he ever said was—

"She's sick. Don't take it to heart."

I even suggested putting her in a nursing home. A good one, where she'd be well cared for, and we'd have less burden.

But Qin Zhe'an refused.

He didn't trust others to take care of her as well as I did.

After all, who else would cook her three meals a day, balance her diet, wash her clothes, and do all the chores without complaint?

But I didn't want to do it anymore.

I didn't even want to see it anymore.

So, I moved into Qin Yue's house.

I stayed for a while.

My daughter-in-law didn't mind. She was happy to have someone help with the kids and cook now and then.

But Qin Yue tried to persuade me to go back.

"How can Dad manage on his own?"

I looked up at him.

"He has hands and feet. He has a brain. If I could do it, why can't he?"

Qin Yue fell silent.

But he didn't give up.

On my birthday, he said he wanted to celebrate properly.

So, I stepped into the kitchen again.

I spent the whole day cooking.

I made squirrel fish for Jingjing. Stir-fried beef for Qin Yue.

I was busy until the kids got home and Qin Yue finished work.

I happily carried the dishes to the table.

Then Qin Yue pushed open the door—

Behind him stood Qin Zhe'an and Gu Nian.

Qin Zhe'an was holding a cake.

"Happy birthday, wife."

I looked at Jingjing, clapping her little hands.

I sighed.

"Put it down."

I couldn't exactly tell him to get out in front of the child.

Seeing that I was in a good mood, Qin Zhe'an volunteered to go buy some drinks and wine.

He left.

Jingjing put candles on the cake but couldn't find the lighter.

I went to my room to get it.

When I came out—

Gu Nian had dumped all the food into her dress.

She was grabbing the cake, stuffing it into her clothes—

Fistful after fistful.

Jingjing burst into tears.

Gu Nian reached out to push her.

My body moved before my mind could catch up—

I pushed Gu Nian away.

At that exact moment—

The door swung open.

Qin Zhe'an stepped inside.

He saw everything.

His eyes blazed with fury.

"Xue Wei! What are you doing?!"