- 8.
The night was deep, yet the temperature showed no signs of dropping.
In my past life, I spent my final days in the basement, cut off from the outside world. The uncertainty of my fate was a heavy weight on my heart.
Luckily, my house was well–stocked. There’s no problem a hearty meal of hot pot can’t solve; and if it can’t, two meals surely will.
Iraided the fridge, pulling out some tripe, shrimp balls, duck intestines, fatty beef, lamb, and a variety of vegetables and mushrooms. I prepared a rich, spicy hot pot for myself. Still feeling unsatisfied, I pulled out my tablet to watch “The Office.”
Just as I was enjoying my meal, my phone rang. It was Ethan, having discovered the empty basement.
“Where’s all the food? Why didn’t you get the air conditioning fixed? Are you trying to kill me?”
“I bought that food with my own money, so of course, I took it. I don’t need the air conditioning, so why should I pay to fix it?”
“Elyse! You’re so tight–fisted; no wonder you can’t make any money!”
“Yeah, yeah… I’m poor and proud. You’re rich; go buy new stuff, you fool.”
He wanted to keep yelling at me, but I’m no longer the woman who lets him vent without standing up for myself. I simply hung up the call.
I watched him try calling a few more times through the surveillance feed, but I had already turned off my phone. When he realized he couldn’t reach me, he stormed into the basement looking for food and finally exploded in rage.
“There’s nothing to eat here! The AC doesn’t work! And the kid’s just wasting food! I trusted you with this home, and you can’t even manage
this?”
Chloe was left speechless by his yelling.
Now he realizes his childhood sweetheart isn’t all he imagined her to be? This is the woman he always dreamed of.
“Ugh! If there’s nothing, just buy some!” My son was in the living room playing with his toy car,
looking at Ethan with annoyance.
Ethan didn’t have a kind look for him either:
“The temperature’s so high outside, no delivery person will accept an order. You talk so easily, why don’t you go yourself?!”
My son shrugged and pulled out a bag of chips: “If there’s no food, there are always snacks. If I’m hungry, I’ll just ask Mom to bring something.”
Ethan was so mad his face turned red.
Chloe seized the opportunity, whispering softly to Ethan.
Watching the three of them, each with their own motives on the screen, I casually cooked some duck intestines, dipping them into the spicy oil to enjoy their tender taste.
10:47 AM
