Endless Fall

He watched television with Xue Jing for a while before walking to the window to smoke.

Outside the window, it was raining heavily. The lightning that struck the horizon roared like fireworks, but it was terrifying rather than festive.

The raindrops that were blown in through the window slapped his shoulder.

In just a few puffs, the fabric on his shoulder was drenched by the rain.

“Uncle, dinner is ready…” Lin Jiao came out with bowls and plates. When she saw his lonely figure, her smile suddenly disappeared.

Thinking that he might still be bothered by what had happened in the past, she put down the bowls and walked over.

Pei Zhi turned around when he heard the footsteps

Before he could say a word, he felt a warm touch on his forearm.

She closed the window that was letting wind and rain in.

Lin Jiao looked up at him for a few seconds and said with a smile, “Uncle, dinner is ready.”

“Okay.” Pei Zhi threw away the cigarette butt.

He patted the raindrops on his arm and was about to pull out the chair at the table when a towel was handed to him from behind.

“Wipe yourself first.” Lin Jiao was afraid that he would catch a cold, so she poured him a glass of warm water.

Seeing that he did not pick up the towel, she picked it up and gently wiped dry his black hair.

Pei Zhi enjoyed the entire process.

He leaned back in his chair and sniffed the fragrance that lingered at the tip of his nose.

“Sister, can we eat now?” Xue Jing ran over with his short legs and stared at the two of them without blinking.

“Right away.” Lin Jiao retracted her hand.

She brought out the remaining two dishes and waited for Pei Zhi to remove the cork before sitting down. “Uncle, try and see if it tastes good.”

Pei Zhi picked up a garlic prawn and placed it in his mouth.

The fresh prawn was wrapped in fragrant garlic. Coupled with the soft and smooth texture, it instantly gave him a good appetite.

“It’s delicious.” Even though he had been looking forward to tasting her cooking before, at this moment, he still felt like he had been surprised.

Pei Zhi swallowed the prawn and looked at her in surprise and praise. “Who did you learn such good cooking from?”

“From my grandfather.” Lin Jiao chewed on the corn.

She said vaguely, “I started living with him when I was 14 years old. Sometimes, he was very busy and couldn’t take care of me. He was afraid that the food outside wouldn’t be healthy, so he taught me how to cook.”

“Was he a chef before?”

“Kind of. He’s been in a lot of industries.”

Pei Zhi nodded in understanding.

He tasted the other dishes one after another. The more he tasted them, the more curious he was about the old man. “I’ll visit when I have the chance. How about that?”

“Sounds like a good idea,” Lin Jiao replied quickly.

She picked up the wine glass and swirled it. “But he lives in the countryside now. It’s a little far.”

“It’s fine.” Pei Zhi was afraid that he would appear too enthusiastic, so he did not tell the exact time. “Let’s find a weekend to go over.”

“Okay.”

“I want to go too!”

Xue Jing raised his hand that was holding the chopsticks.

In just a short while, his collar was covered in corn residue, and there was oil around the corners of his mouth.

Lin Jiao couldn’t even wipe it clean with a tissue, so she could only wait for him to finish eating before bringing him to wash it. “If you behave well, we’ll bring you along.”

“Yes!” Xue Jing nodded heavily.

Holding the bowl firmly, he ate the food she picked for him and stared at their glasses. “Sister, where’s my wine?”

Lin Jiao had forgotten about this.

She took out two bottles of white wine from the kitchen and poured him a glass. “Drink less. This is strong.”

“I’m not afraid.”

Xue Jing downed his cup.

He imitated his father and put the empty cup upside down. “It’s your turn to drink,” he said proudly.

Lin Jiao did not dare to down her cup like that.

She clinked glasses with Pei Zhi and took a sip. Then, she picked up her chopsticks and picked up some food for them. “Eat first. We have plenty of time to drink.”

Xue Jing had always been obedient and stopped fooling around.

As he stuffed rice into his mouth, he listened to them talk and would occasionally speak, making the atmosphere more cozy and lively.

It was already 8:30 pm, but they were still chatting and laughing.

Outside the window, the rain was still falling. Silver-white lightning streaked across the curtains, leaving a shocking reflection.

Xue Jing covered his ears and hid behind Lin Jiao.

He retracted his gaze from the window and did not dare to go to the living room alone. He said in a soft voice, “Sister, I want to watch television.”

“I need to wash the dishes. Brother Pei will keep you company.”

Lin Jiao stacked the dishes together.

Just as she was about to leave the table, she was stopped by Pei Zhi. “Watch the TV with him. I’ll wash the dishes.”

Before she could refuse, Pei Zhi turned around and walked into the kitchen with the dishes.

He put on an apron and first put away the chopping board on the counter. Then, he blocked the sink and put the dishes in.

“Uncle, let me do it.” Lin Jiao asked Xue Jing to wait in the dining room and strode over to untie his apron.

As soon as she approached, Pei Zhi’s back stiffened.

Ignoring the water on his hands, he stopped her from moving. “Stop it.”

Lin Jiao was stunned. “Are you ticklish?” She retracted her hand.

“Yes.” Pei Zhi let out a breath.

He pulled out a tissue and handed it over, then pushed her out of the kitchen like she had done before. “Give me a minute. It won’t take long.”

Lin Jiao watched as he closed the kitchen door.

She wiped the water off her wrist and moved the red wine to the coffee table. She then held Xue Jing’s hand and sat beside the sofa.

“Sister, you still have a lot left.” Xue Jing pointed at the wine bottle, his eyes filled with confusion. “I’ve already finished one bottle.”

“I can’t drink this too quickly.”

“Why?”

“It’ll get me drunk easily.” Lin Jiao finished the two mouthfuls of red wine in her glass and said, “Look, is my face red?”

“A little.” Xue Jing touched her flawless cheek. “Are you drunk?”

“No.”

“Then why is it red?”

“Because it’s hot.” Lin Jiao yawned.

She hugged Xue Jing and watched Boonie Bears. Under the sound of the TV, she started to feel sleepy.

When Pei Zhi came over, she was already asleep.

He leaned down and placed his palm on her waist. When he felt the softness of her waist, he paused for two seconds.

“Brother Pei, are you two going to sleep?” Xue Jing looked up at him with a serious expression.

Pei Zhi found that this question sounded strange.

He picked her up effortlessly. “I’m not going to sleep, but your sister is.”

“Are you leaving, then?”

“Why?”

Xue Jing grabbed the corner of his shirt and looked at him with water eyes. “I’ll be afraid if I’m left alone.”