100 years before Divorce - Chapter 238

“Aunty, I understand what you meant, but can I ask you another thing?” Hu Che suddenly whispers beside Xia Sha’s ear after a long period of silence.

Xia Sha releases Hu Che from her embrace and nod at him without any hesitation, “Sure, what do you need?”

In her mind, the sensible Hu Che would probably ask for toys or sweets to cheer him up, and she wouldn’t have any problem granting his wish. It’s unfortunate for everyone to experience this, so Xia Sha’s heart softened for Hu Che.

But, never she thought Hu Che would ask for something that- she should predict about this.

“Aunty, I want to make my parents realized that they love each other and love me. When they remember, they wouldn’t want to be apart anymore!”

Xia Sha found a determination deep inside Hu Che’s eyes and suddenly felt her heart sinking. At a split second, she could see her old self in Hu Che’s, and it bought back all the feeling she tried to forget before.

For a moment, Xia Sha wanted to stop Hu Che from wishing too much, but then she didn’t have the heart to tell the little man that he couldn’t do anything about it.

“Maybe, I could. So, what should we do?”

Perhaps, she could do something for him so there will be no regrets about not doing anything.

***

Amidst her work, wedding preparation, and Futura project, Xia Sha finds herself going through an old photo album of someone else’s wedding rather than her’s.

It’s impressive and sad at the same time that Hu Che works so hard to stop his parent’s divorce. He came with outstanding ideas and texted Xia Sha every night about his parent’s dates. She could tell that Hu Che was busy asking around people about his parents by the detailed information Xia Sha received in the message box.

“My mom and dad had to go through so much, and they look happy side by side,” Hu Che mumbles as he looks at one of the pictures on the blue album.

“Well, of course, they could fake their smile at the camera,” he added with a sad tone the second later.

“Come on, don’t be so pessimistic. I’m sure their smile is genuine,” Xia Sha smiles at her little friend as she raises one of the pictures where Hu Che’s parent is hugging each other under a giant Christmas tree.

Over the time she spends with Hu Che (As the little man insisted on accompanying Xia Sha with her work at the office), Xia Sha realized how grown up Hu Che is for kids his age. When other kids complain and get bored working on something for a continued period, Hu Che faces his struggle.

Xia Sha expected at least an ice cream request from Hu Che when they went out to lunch, but the little gentleman, as Xia Sha likes to call him, choose to skip dessert and demand to head back to the office as immediate.

“You don’t want some ice cream?”

“I don’t like sweets. Could we proceed to the next dish, or if we had finished, should we head back already?” Hu Che asks with his serious face.

“I thought you like ice cream?”

“Aunty, it’s only a facade I need to do to get you changed the dress. I don’t really like ice cream that much,” Hu Che mumbles as he averted his gaze to another direction.

“…”

She didn’t know why Guan Xian and his nephew were so passionate about everything they did. When they plan something, they go all out. Maybe it’s the perk of being a Guan.

When they got back to the office, Hu Che didn’t waste his time and start to do his job again. Xia Sha knew there is an avoidable burden Hu Che needs to carry as the heir of his family legacy, but he is only seven.

“Hu Che, do you want to go somewhere with me this weekend? I suggest we need to have fun before the big day,” Xia Sha said out of impulse after watching Hu Che for a long time.

Xia Sha’s idea didn’t bother Hu Che. He didn’t even care to look at Xia Sha as he shook his head for an answer.

“No, aunty, I want to finish the scrapbook first. I can’t even sleep well. How could I have fun before this project finished?” Hu Che mumbles as he keeps writing something besides his parent’s picture.

“Really? It’s a shame. I heard there is a magic show that would last until Sunday. Your uncle said you are interested in magic, so I asked uncle Fu Qun to arrange the ticket. Guess that’s a waste of money and private session with Sheng, the best magician,” Xia Sha raised her eyebrow as she pretends to close the album.

For the first time in ten minutes, Hu Che averted his gaze from the book he holds and looks at Xia Sha with doubt in his eyes. He pressed his lips into a thin line before he shook his head firmly.

“No, I need to finish this first.”

“…”

“Well, I don’t care. You are going with me,” Xia Sha decided by herself as she grabs her phone and asks Fu Qun to finds a ticket and the magician’s contact number.

And so, Xia Sha had a little date with Hu Che on Sunday with another uninvited guess. Glancing at the tired-looking man beside her seat, Xia Sha furrowed her eyebrow.

“What happen to you?” Xia Sha whisper so she wouldn’t bother Hu Che, who is constantly looking at the show running with an amused expression.

Guan Xian shows a little wink and pressed his lips against Xia Sha’s ear, “a secret!”

“Hmph, I don’t want to believe your nonsense,” Xia Sha scoffed quietly.

His sudden action provocations a blush on Xia Sha’s cheek. She gently shoves him away with a push on his board chest, failing to notice the sparkling stone on her hand now. Guan Xian smirked when Xia Sha averted her gaze from him and decided to talk with Hu Che.

He heads from Barcelona to Capital City right after he found the stones his aunty throw into the deep ocean. His successful expedition felt paid when he read the long passage Xia Sha sent him about Hu Che. Truthfully, Guan Xian didn’t expect Xia Sha to go so far as to help Hu Che.

He never doubted Xia Sha, but he also didn’t think Xia Sha would text him in the middle of the night talking about Hu Che had too much stress and she will bring him to have some fun. After reading her text, he could not stop himself from crashing the little date his fiancee and nephew have even though his body was yearning for his comfy bed.

His woman always said she isn’t good with children. However, right now, both of them were clapping together with sparkling eyes as they watch the magic show.

“Whoa!” Hu Che subconsciously yells as he clapped his hand, leaving all his demeanor behind.

It’s not that Guan Xian didn’t care about his nephew, but he didn’t have time to spend with him. Guan Xian knew Hu Che is a sensible boy that wants to be the best for his parents. It’s a well-known story that Hu Che’s parents need to wait for years before Hu Che. He is the only child that had no choice but to takes of the burdens and hope of his family.

There is nothing wrong with carrying responsibilities. It becomes a problem when Hu Che couldn’t express himself and live the life his parents want for him, not his own life.

“Aunty, can we get stuff like Sheng, The Magician? Then maybe I can adopt a cute rabbit?” Hu Che suddenly rants to Guan Xian while jumping excitedly. But when he caught a glimpse of Guan Xian, that vibrant expression on his face changed.

“Well, I couldn’t take care of a rabbit, so I better not buying that stuff,” Hu Che mumbles as the fire in his eyes slowly died.

Xia Sha raised her eyebrow when he watches Hu Che’s reaction and turn to Guan Xian with a confused face. Ignoring the same confusion on Guan Xian’s face, she turns to Hu Che with an excited voice, “Sure, Let’s buy magic kits and make a little showcase!”

“Nevermind, nobody has time to watch anyway,” Hu Che murmured as he fixed his gaze at the big stage.

Xia Sha frowns and wanted to claim that she had times for Hu Che, Guan Xian had bend over the little boy and carry him up.

“Who says nobody will watch? I’ll make sure everyone has time for my nephew’s magic showcase!” Guan Xian exclaims excitedly, showing his charming grin to frowning Hu Che.

“Impossible. Daddy’s schedule has been packed for the whole year. I’ve asked his assistant. They don’t even have time for my parent-student-teacher conference,” Hu Che shook his head.

“Don’t you believe me?” Guan Xian raised his eyebrow high, filling little Hu Che’s eyes with hopes.

Clearing his throat, Hu Chen chimed quietly, “Well, then I should prepare my best for the show.”

Guan Xian nods his head and kissed Hu Che’s chubby cheeks, “That’s more like it. Where should we go next? I heard there is a dolphin show in the other venue. Sounds good?”

There is a blush on Hu Che’s cheek before he nods his head and turns to Xia Sha with a big grin.

“Aunty, let’s see go to the dolphin show after this!”