"Come, join us for dinner, Mr. Husband," Raelle beckoned Shui Xian over and even pulled out the chair for him attentively.
Shui Koshing was left suppressing his smile. Oh, how he wanted to be invisible around these two. Wait! He really seemed to be invisible to these two since they never cared about him and did whatever they wanted. Were they not taking him seriously? Well, it didn't matter. He was more than happy to be forgotten as long as his son and his daughter-in-law were happy together.
And today, he was over the moon because of the news. He had received so many calls from his old business partners or acquaintances who wanted to confirm whether it was true that Shui Xian and Raelle were dating? He was feeling smug when he told them they were. But he was a bit down considering how their marriage was not announced.
However, he also thought it was right not to do so. His son owed a wedding to his precious daughter-in-law. It had to be a grand one and that's the only and the right way to announce their relationship.
So, he was feeling pretty satisfied with the current state of things.
Shui Xian sat down beside Raelle as always and looked at the table filled with dishes tonight. He knitted his brows, "Bà, who is gonna eat all of this?"
"Oh, I asked them to make it all for Raelle," replied Shui Koshing.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"And do you think she can eat it all?" asked Shui Xian to his father.
Shui Koshing pursed his lips while Raelle asked, "Do you want me to eat it all, Bà? I can eat it if you really want me to."
Shui Xian rubbed her head, "Stop it! You don't have to force yourself just because of him." He narrowed his eyes at his father dangerously.
Shui Koshing glanced at his son and shook his head, "Raelle, you don't have to eat it all. But you can taste everything a little bit."
"Okay," said Raelle and picked up her chopsticks.
Shui Xian knew it was time to stay quiet now since she was not gonna talk while eating. So, he silently picked up some shrimps and peeled them for her. But even while he was focused on peeling shrimps, his mind was wandering off. He was hesitating whether to tell Raelle about his ex-wife or not.
He knew that Raelle had the least interest in his past but he really wanted her to know. And he also knew that she liked to be always in control. As she always says, she doesn't like surprises. He could see how badly she always wanted to be in control of the situation when he heard her talking about her family. Even if none of them were part of her life, she knew them. Because she didn't want to be kept in the dark.
While Shui Xian was trying to be subtle, Raelle had long noticed that he wanted to say something to her but kept holding back. She could see it from the moment she saw him come back. And that was one of the reasons she chose to tease him a little.
Although that did help in elevating his mood, there was still something on his mind. And it seemed it couldn't be solved unless he said it out loud.
After dinner, Raelle didn't go upstairs. Instead, she pulled Shui Xian towards the backyard to take a walk with her. "What's with the sudden mood to take a walk at this time?"
"Isn't it good?" she retorted while lacing their fingers together. "Under the moonlight, your hand in mine."
Shui Xian glanced at her, "Exactly where are these words coming from? This is really not like you."
"Don't you think there are plenty of things that aren't like me that I have done after marrying you?"
Shui Xian was stumped. When he thought about it, he couldn't agree more. Maybe he didn't know her that well before their marriage but he certainly could see that she had done things against her own comfort. Somehow, she had been taking a little step out of her comfort zone for him. He didn't know how to react to this sudden realization.
"I don't want you to change anything for me though," he told her. "I love you for who you are."
"Who said I'm changing?" she asked. "I'm just taking a step towards you. If I can't offer you love, I have to offer something in return. Or this relationship will become unbalanced."
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmShui Xian rubbed his thumb pad on the back of her hand as he smiled, "Who said you don't love me? I think you love me very much."
"I do?" she asked. "How come I don't know that?"
Shui Xian stopped in his track and turned to face her, "That's because you don't even know what love feels like. But let me assure you, what you're going through is definitely love."
"Oh?" was Raelle's only response.
Shui Xian was feeling smug at the thought. He obviously wasn't just trying to fool her by saying it. He meant it. Yes, she didn't know what love was but whatever she did for him, it made him feel loved. So, maybe she didn't realize this was love but he wasn't as oblivious. There was no doubt that she loved him. He won't believe it otherwise.
Shui Xian tried to walk again but she didn't move. He stopped and looked back at her inquisitively.
"Mr. Husband, what's on your mind?" was her question. "If you want to tell me something, just do it. Don't waste time mulling over it."
Shui Xian stared at her face long and hard before taking a step back. He sighed heavily, "Sweetheart, is it okay for you to read me like an open book?"
"Didn't I tell you before that there is no difference between people and a book? Both have a story to tell.." She took a pause and added, "And both are fun to read as well."