Ordinary World: Starting with a divorce from Tian Runye

"cough."

Runye cleared her throat.

"I didn't have any classes this afternoon, so I left work half an hour early."

Li Xiangqian was slightly surprised.

"That's not like you. Did you used to have classes in the afternoons?"

Runye turned her head and caught a glimpse of Xiao Zhao looking back as he walked out.

"Get in the car quickly."

Runye said softly.

Li Xiangqian then walked over, his eyes landing on the handlebars.

The cloth bag was bulging. A few scallions could be seen through the opening, and some red and green things were pressed down underneath.

Li Xiangqian's face showed even greater confusion.

"Buying so many vegetables?"

He touched his chin.

"Did you leave work early again to pick me up?"

He looked Runye up and down for two seconds.

"Did you do something to betray me?"

Runye rolled her eyes inwardly.

This Li Xiangqian. You really can't give him a friendly look.

"Get in the car."

Runye's tone turned colder, exactly the same as usual.

Li Xiangqian said "oh" and obediently climbed into the back seat.

Runye pedaled her bicycle and slowly rode out of the courtyard of the cultural center.

The bike wasn't going fast. Runye would occasionally glance back at Li Xiangqian.

This afternoon, Du Lili went to Chengguan Primary School.

With red-rimmed eyes, Du Lili blocked Runye's way at the entrance of the office building. The moment they met, she began to complain about the unfairness of the county revolutionary committee, arguing that the exhibition was clearly a collective effort by the cultural center, so why should Li Xiangqian bear the responsibility alone?

Du Lili's voice trembled with a hint of tears halfway through her speech.

"Runye, you don't know. Xiangqian took the initiative to step forward and take full responsibility today. He did it so as not to involve us."

"He even stopped me from going to the county revolutionary committee to appeal. He was protecting me."

Runye listened, stunned.

It's one thing for a woman to go up to another woman and speak well of her man, but she also claims that he took responsibility and was protecting her.

This……

Runye felt something was off, but she forced herself to comfort Du Lili, though she was secretly worried about Li Xiangqian.

So, taking advantage of the fact that she had no classes in the afternoon, she went to the supply and marketing cooperative and then to the meat processing plant.

I bought a whole bunch of things that Li Xiangqian likes to eat.

Not knowing how Li Xiangqian was feeling, Runye left work half an hour early to pick him up.

Why are you looking at me? Watch where you're going.

Li Xiangqian's voice came from the back seat.

Runye suddenly snapped out of her daze, blushed, and turned her head away.

"oh."

She hesitated for a few seconds before speaking again.

"How's work at the cultural center lately?"

"The same as always."

"Are the staff at the cultural center easy to get along with?"

Li Xiangqian paused for a moment in the back seat.

"Apart from your friend Du Lili, everyone else is fine."

After he finished speaking, Li Xiangqian suddenly exclaimed "Eh!"

"What's wrong with you today?"

Runye paused in her tracks.

"what?"

"Buying so many groceries, leaving get off work early, and speaking so sweetly."

Li Xiangqian leaned his head close to Runye's shoulder and squinted at her profile.

"Did you do something to betray me?"

Runye's face immediately darkened.

"I just noticed you've been working at the cultural center for a while now. I was just asking casually."

"Forehead."

Li Xiang went back and shrank back.

"Your concern came so suddenly. Anyone who didn't know better would think you'd been possessed."

"What?"

"fine."

……

The family compound of the Ministry of Transport.

When he got home, Li Xiangqian took the cloth bag from the handlebars, put it on the table, and opened it.

Good guy.

A handful of tender green beans. Three cucumbers. Two tomatoes. A small bunch of leafy greens. A small bag of peanuts. A package of pork wrapped in straw paper, with alternating layers of fat and lean meat. And underneath, a whole dressed chicken.

Li Xiangqian raised his head.

"Aren't you going to enjoy life? Buying so much? It's not like we're celebrating holidays."

Runye stood to the side, her fingers unconsciously tugging at the hem of her clothes.

"These...aren't these all things you like?"

Li Xiangqian glanced at her in surprise.

Runye felt a little embarrassed, so she grabbed a handful of green beans and headed to the kitchen.

"I'll help you wash the vegetables."

Li Xiangqian paused for a moment before carrying the cloth bag into the kitchen. Runye had already turned on the tap and was standing in front of the sink washing green beans.

Li Xiangqian didn't say anything, but stood aside and started processing the chicken.

The two worked together, each busy with their own tasks. Li Xiangqian occasionally cast a surprised glance at her, and Runye immediately lowered her head and continued with her work.

Li Xiangqian's brows furrowed more and more tightly.

What's wrong with this woman?

The poached chicken was ready, and a dipping sauce made with chili oil was prepared. Li Xiangqian then stir-fried three more dishes and simmered a soup. He served them on a red lacquered square table.

Four dishes and one soup.

Runye assisted throughout, handing over chopsticks, carrying plates, and serving rice. A slight smile remained on her face.

The two sat down to eat.

Runye picked up her chopsticks, took a piece of poached chicken, and put it in her mouth. After chewing it a couple of times, she looked up.

"This chicken is so tender."

Li Xiangqian nodded.

"This chili oil is delicious too. Your cooking skills are getting better and better."

Li Xiangqian hummed in agreement again.

Runye smiled throughout, praising Li Xiangqian's cooking skills. Li Xiangqian was fine at first, casually responding, but later he felt something was off, a sense that something wasn't right. This continued until Li Xiangqian went to prepare water for a bath.

Runye suddenly stood up first.

"You must be tired after a long day at the cultural center. Please have a seat. I'll boil the water and call you when it's ready."

Li Xiangqian froze at the table.

"ha?"

"I don't have classes this afternoon, so I'm not tired."

Runye twisted her body and headed towards the kitchen.

Li Xiangqian stood in the middle of the living room, watching Runye walk into the kitchen.

The sound of the tap running came on. Then came the sound of the iron pot being placed on the stove, the sound of a match being struck, and the crackling of firewood being lit.

Li Xiangqian slowly retreated to the rattan chair and plopped down on it.

It's a ghost story.

What's wrong with this woman?

Was her soul also swapped?

the next morning.

Li Xiangqian was half asleep.

He opened one eye.

It was already dawn, but Runye didn't urge him to get up.

Li Xiangqian pricked up his ears to listen.

There were footsteps in the living room, and the sounds of pots and pans clattering came from the kitchen, while the smell of cooking oil wafted in through the crack in the door.

After a while, Runye's voice came from outside the door.

"Xiangqian, sleep a little longer. I've made breakfast; you can eat it on the way."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangqian was instantly wide awake and sat up straight in bed.

"Wow, the world changes so fast. I don't quite understand it."

He put on his clothes and went out of the inner room, where he saw Runye busy at the red lacquered square table.

Two boiled eggs, wrapped in a clean cloth, were already laid out on the table. Next to them was a pancake, cut into pieces suitable for eating on the road.

Runye saw him, looked up, smiled broadly, and pointed to the table.

"This pancake is fried the way you like. My technique is a little rusty, but you can try it later."

His tone was full of cautious embarrassment.

Li Xiangqian scratched his head.

Is Runye possessed by my mother or something?

You're scaring me a little.

He stood there, too afraid to move.

Runye saw him standing there, rubbing his thighs back and forth with both hands.

"Go wash up first. I'll bring your breakfast down in a bit."

"oh."

Li Xiangqian subconsciously walked towards the bathroom, turning back in confusion as he went. When he turned around, he saw Runye looking at him with a smile, her face full of kindness and gentleness.

"That's a ghost."

Li Xiangqian thought to himself.

When he entered the bathroom, he found that the toothbrush cup and toothpaste had already been placed there, and even toothpaste had been thoughtfully squeezed onto the toothbrush. His own towel was also draped next to it.

Li Xiangqian watched this scene, speechless.

If someone were to tell him now that Runye had cheated on him or had an abortion, he would believe it without hesitation.

On the road.

Runye was pedaling the bike in front.

Li Xiangqian sat on the back of his bicycle, eating his breakfast with a heavy heart.

Runye would occasionally turn around and ask, "How's the pancake? Is it to your liking?"

Li Xiangqian took a bite and smacked his lips.

"It's a little overcooked."

"Also, the chopped green onions need to be sprinkled more evenly."

Actually, it was fried quite well, but Li Xiangqian deliberately nitpicked to see Runye's reaction.

Moistening leaves.

"Okay. I'll be careful tomorrow."

Li Xiangqian: "..."