Annette cooked dumplings with a mindset of giving back, smiling softly as she worked.Stuart was momentarily taken aback. Silently, he took off his coat and went to wash his hands. He couldn't help but glance at Annette—wearing a light green sweater and brown pants, her two braids loosely tied together—standing lively by the pot, her expression serious and focused on the boiling dumplings.He still couldn't quite figure out why Annette had changed so much.Had she truly come to terms with everything, or was there some other motive?
After the dumplings were ready, Annette mashed some garlic and added vinegar to make a simple dipping sauce.Two plates of steaming hot dumplings were set on the table. The room was filled with a warm, humid mist, creating a comfortable and cozy atmosphere.Annette efficiently poured some sauce into Stuart's bowl. "I noticed there's no chili powder at home, but this dipping sauce tastes great. You should eat quickly. I ate such a big lunch today that I'm not hungry now."
Stuart glanced at her but said nothing, lowering his head to eat.At work, Annette was cool and aloof, but at home, she was quite talkative and liked to chat, since silence always felt a bit awkward.Looking for an excuse to start a conversation, she said, "I've been thinking these past couple of days—I still want to find a job. After all, you're the only one working, and the pressure is quite heavy."Fearing Stuart might misunderstand and think she had ulterior motives, she quickly added, "I want to support myself, and if conditions allow, I'd also like to study a bit more."
She remembered that the college entrance exam policy was relaxed this year, and the exam was held in December.But she wasn't sure when exactly the policy was issued or if it had been fully implemented yet.
To Stuart, it sounded like Annette hadn't given up on going back to the city and was just trying to find excuses. After a pause, he replied, "In a few days, you'll go to the city. If you want to stay there, then stay."
Annette was a bit happy. "I can stay in the city?"Stuart saw the unhidden joy in her eyes, which seemed to light up her already pretty face even more. He nodded, "Yes, you can stay."
Annette didn't overthink it and felt that since the topic had been brought up, and Stuart seemed easy to talk to, she might as well say what was on her mind: "If… we get divorced, will it affect your job a lot?"
Stuart clearly hadn't expected her to mention divorce so suddenly. His hand holding the chopsticks paused, then he looked up at Annette. His deep eyes were hard to read.After a long moment, he said, "It's okay. Just think it through and tell me."Then he lowered his head and silently continued eating the dumplings.
Annette didn't know why, but her heart felt tight and uncomfortable, as if she might be ill!
After the meal, Stuart silently put the meat in the salt container, then cleaned the dishes, wiped the table, seemingly unaffected by what Annette had just said.
While wiping the table, someone called from outside, "Stuart, can you come out for a moment?"
Stuart put down the cloth, took his coat with a serious expression, and went outside.
Annette rarely saw Stuart look so solemn. Curiously, she peeked through the door crack and saw a medium-height man standing outside the yard, speaking quietly with Stuart as they walked away.
…
George Clark took a few steps, then looked back at Stuart beside him, pulling out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and offering one, "Want one?"
Stuart took it and lit it with George's match.Because of mission demands, he rarely smoked before. Since transferring here, he had little habit for it, only smoking when annoyed.The last time he smoked was when he decided to marry Annette.
George took a few drags, then sighed and said, "Have you worked things out with Annette? You know this promotion is important. Talk to her seriously. How big can the problems between a couple be? If you fight like this every day, someone will definitely use it against you."
Stuart said nothing, quietly inhaling and slowly exhaling smoke rings.
George couldn't figure out what Stuart was thinking, "This is a rare chance. If you succeed in the promotion, you'll have the opportunity to study in the provincial capital. You meet all the requirements, except your family situation is messy. Constant quarrels at home won't do."
No matter how perfect, someone will always find a flaw.
Stuart finished his cigarette, flicked the butt to the ground, and calmly said, "Think about others. We might be getting divorced."
"Nonsense!"
George instantly got angry, "Divorce? Are you planning to pack up and go home? Stuart, think about how much effort you've put in to get here. Why divorce? Is it Annette who asked? I'll talk to her."
"It's not her, it's me. I asked for the divorce. She shouldn't have to suffer with me."
George felt a sharp pain in his chest from anger, "Are you crazy? Marriage isn't a game! Do you know if you divorce, you'll get a 'conduct' problem? That's a big taboo! If you're worried about her suffering, why did you report and ask to get married in the first place?"
Seeing Stuart stand there like a wooden statue, George was so frustrated he wanted to kick him.
He watched Stuart grow up and couldn't bear to see him ruin his future.
Pacing in place, he stopped in front of Stuart, glaring at him, "Can't you just tough it out? With the lights on at night, what can't be solved? And women need to be coaxed. Can't you try coaxing her?"
Then he thought it was impossible for Stuart to coax anyone: "You're like a block of wood. What girl would like that? Young girls want to hear sweet words. Annette is so much younger than you, a city girl—she's bound to be delicate. And she's Commissioner Chapman's granddaughter, she can't be unreasonable."
George had heard a lot about Annette's behavior in the yard but always thought her arrogance was temporary and because Stuart didn't know how to coax her.
Stuart remained silent like a green pine standing before George.
Angry, George lost his temper, kicked Stuart's shin, and said, "Get lost! If you dare to bring a divorce report to me, you'll be out the next day!"
When Stuart returned, Annette was already washing up inside with a bowl of hot water.
Faintly, she was humming a tune Stuart had never heard before—melodious and beautiful.
…
At midnight, spring thunder exploded on the roof as if splitting the house in two.
Annette was startled awake by the thunder, sitting up sharply, then heard the sound of heavy rain outside.
A raindrop even fell on her face.
At first, she thought it was a hallucination, but as the raindrops continued falling, she realized the roof was leaking!
She hurried in the dark to pull the lamp cord, only to find the power was out!
Outside, rain poured down; inside, the dripping grew louder.
Instinctively, Annette called toward the outer room, "Stuart?"