Heart Stealer

Chapter 145 Suspicious Behavior

Xiao Tuobang walked to the water dispenser and poured two cups of hot water for his parents.

The water dispenser made a gurgling sound, and hot water slowly flowed out of the dispenser with a wisp of steam.

Father Xiao didn't have time to drink water. He first went to release the two fat chickens. He skillfully opened the woven bag containing the chickens.

Two fat chickens ran out happily, their claws making crisp sounds on the ground.

Xiao's mother gently blew away the hot steam from the rim of the cup and slowly savored the tea poured by her son. A hint of relief and satisfaction appeared in her eyes.

Mother Xiao sat on the sofa in the living room, her eyes occasionally casting towards Sister Zhen standing in the corner.

Mrs. Zhen lowered her head and clasped her hands tightly together, as if she was trying hard to control her emotions.

Xiao's mother asked in confusion, "Sister Zhen, why are you standing there? Where is the young lady?"

Mrs. Zhen raised her head, and a hint of hesitation and uneasiness flashed in her eyes.

"Madam, the young lady went back to her parents' home. She left in a hurry. I came back to help her get some things."

Xiao's mother muttered to herself: Her daughter-in-law called her a few days ago and asked them to bring local chickens to nourish her body. Why did she go back to her parents' home again?

Did this child suffer any injustice at home?

She looked at Mrs. Zhen again, hoping to find some answers from her expression.

Mrs. Zhen lowered her head even lower and bit her lips lightly, as if she had something to hide.

The atmosphere in the living room became a little solemn, and Xiao's mother frowned even more tightly.

She sighed softly, a wave of worry welling up in her heart.

Xiao's mother turned her gaze to her son. Xiao Tuobang's eyes were wandering, and he looked around and talked about other things.

His fingers unconsciously rubbed the corner of his clothes, as if trying to hide his inner anxiety.

Xiao's mother suddenly became suspicious and said, "Tuobang, your father and I are in the city to visit our daughter-in-law. You should go and bring Qiuxue back quickly."

Her eyes were sharp as she stared at Xiao Tuobang, as if she wanted to see through his eyes and see his inner thoughts.

Xiao Tuobang was startled and quickly made up a lie: "Mom, don't worry about seeing your daughter-in-law. Qiuxue just went back to her parents' home and won't be back so soon." His voice was a little nervous, and a layer of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Xiao Tuobang was worried that Sister Zhen would reveal her true identity here, so he secretly gave her a few glances, "Sister Zhen, why don't you go back and take care of the young lady?"

There was a hint of warning in his eyes, and Mrs. Zhen lowered her head in understanding.

"Yes, Master, I'll go back then."

Mrs. Zhen did not dare to resist Xiao Tuobang's order and walked towards the door.

Her steps were heavy, as if she was carrying a heavy burden.

Mother Xiao frowned, "Didn't Qiuxue ask Sister Zhen to come back to get the things? Tuobang, why didn't you let Sister Zhen take it back?" There was a hint of doubt and dissatisfaction in her voice.

Xiao Tuobang was afraid that his mother would notice the flaw, so he pretended to be calm and said, "Oh, Qiuxue just called and said she doesn't need it anymore."

Xiao's mother didn't ask any more questions. She ran to see Xiao's father feeding the chickens. Only then did Xiao Tuobang breathe a sigh of relief.

His body was trembling slightly, as if he had just gone through a huge test.

Early the next morning, the sun had just risen from the east, and golden sunlight shone into the house through the window.

Xiao's mother was sitting at the dining table, eating breakfast with relish.

She glanced at Xiao Tuobang beside her and said with a smile, "Tuobang, go pick up Qiuxue after breakfast. She hasn't been feeling well these past few days. Your father and I will make her a pot of delicious chicken soup to nourish her body."

Xiao Tuobang was stunned for a few seconds. He raised his head and looked at his mother, frowning slightly, with a barely perceptible look of annoyance on his face.

"Mom, please stop working. Qiuxue is already fat enough, there's no need to replenish her body!"

When Xiao's mother heard what her son said, her expression changed slightly.

She put down her chopsticks, glared at Xiao Tuobang in dissatisfaction, and her tone became stern: "Tuobang, how can you say that about your wife? You've only been in the city for a few days, and you're already complaining about your wife gaining weight? You didn't have this attitude when we got married!"

Xiao Tuobang was suddenly choked by his mother's words and was unable to refute for a moment.

He slowly lowered his head, avoiding his mother's reproachful gaze.

Facing his mother's accusations, he felt very aggrieved.

His parents didn't know that he and Qiuxue were about to divorce, and insisted that he go and pick Qiuxue up.

Xiao Tuobang felt torn.

After breakfast, Xiao Tuobang sat in the living room watching TV, trying to forget all his troubles and worries.

His parents' urging voices kept ringing in his ears, making him unable to feel at ease.

"Tuobang, why haven't you gone to pick up Qiuxue yet?" Xiao's mother couldn't help but chatter as she passed by the living room. "Go quickly, don't keep Qiuxue waiting too long."

Xiao Tuobang frowned and groaned inwardly.

He really didn't want to pick up Qiuxue, but he didn't know how to explain the problems between them to his parents.

He could only nod silently and promised to pick up Qiuxue as soon as possible.

Xiao Tuobang's eyes passed through the glass window and looked at the distant sky. He sighed deeply.

Xiao Tuobang walked into the yard. The sunlight shone on his body through the sparse branches and leaves, but it could not dispel the haze in his heart.

He took out his cell phone and his fingers hovered over the screen, as if dancing on the edge of a knife, afraid that the slightest carelessness would trigger a storm.

Xiao Tuobang hesitantly called Qiu Xue.

As soon as the call was connected, Xiao Tuobang shamelessly asked, "Qiuxue, where are you now? My parents are in town, and I haven't told them about our divorce yet. Can you do me a favor and come to my house to help me deal with them? I'll pay you for your lost wages."

On the other end of the phone, Qiu Xue was surprisingly calm. She said coldly, "I'm sorry, Mr. Xiao, you might have the wrong person. I've already signed the divorce papers at the Civil Affairs Bureau. All that's missing is your signature... I wish you happiness."

Qiu Xue's words were as biting as a cold wind, chilling Xiao Tuobang's heart completely.

His mind was in a mess, as if he had been struck by lightning, and he could hardly stand.

His hands dropped limply, the phone slipped from his fingers and fell to the ground with a crisp shattering sound.

He stood there blankly, his eyes empty and confused.

Everything around him seemed to disappear, and he was left alone, facing this cruel reality alone.

He looked up at the sky, which was gray, as if it was crying for him.

His heart was filled with endless sadness and loss.

Xiao's mother and father were busy in the kitchen. Xiao's mother noticed that Xiao Tuobang's behavior was very suspicious.

She whispered to Father Xiao, "Old man, why did Tuobang sneak into the yard to make a phone call? Is he hiding something from us?"

Father Xiao frowned and looked at Mother Xiao in confusion, then replied softly, "I don't know either. This kid has been a little strange lately. When he comes back later, we have to ask him about it."

After a while, Xiao Tuobang walked back to the living room with a relaxed look on his face.

As soon as he sat down, Father Xiao couldn't wait to ask, "Tuobang, who were you calling just now? Why were you so sneaky?"

Xiao Tuobang laughed awkwardly twice, trying to hide his nervousness.

"Dad, you're worrying too much. I was just chatting with a college classmate."

Father Xiao was not convinced by his explanation, and his face turned gloomy.

"Tuobang, please don't try to do anything to me. Do you have someone else out there? You have a good life, but you have to ask for trouble? If you dare to do anything to let Qiuxue down, just wait and see how we deal with you!"

Tuobang looked at Father Xiao innocently, his eyes full of grievance and helplessness.

"Dad, do you think I'm that kind of person? Don't you understand my feelings for Qiuxue?"

Xiao's mother echoed, "Tuobang, since you haven't done anything to offend Qiuxue, why don't you go and bring Qiuxue back home."

Xiao Tuobang forced a smile and said, "Dad, Mom, I'll go pick Qiuxue up right away."