Living with My Aloof Ex-Wife After the Apocalypse - Chapter 15

Chapter 15: A Pure Blessing and a “White Lie”

Xing He brought Doudou out while covering the child’s eyes to shield her from the grim reality outside. When she first found the girl, Doudou’s first question had been:

“Big Sister, where are my Mommy and Daddy?”

Xing He finally tasted the bitterness of telling a “white lie” to protect someone.

“They’re busy with work and can’t come back for now, so they asked me to pick you up.”

Doudou didn’t blame her parents for leaving her in that scary place for so long. She simply nodded sensibly. “I understand. Thank you for coming to get me, Sister.”

When Xing He pushed the door open, Qing Meng stopped what she was doing and looked over. Xing He had been wearing a frown of deep distress, but the moment she entered the house, she immediately forced an expression of optimism and hope.

Xing He didn’t want Qing Meng to worry, but her acting was far from convincing. With just one glance, Qing Meng saw through her low spirits. She looked like a stray puppy that had wandered for a long time—tail drooping dejectedly, yet still forcing a grin when she saw you.

Then, the little girl on Xing He’s back entered Qing Meng’s sight.

Guessing that something tragic had happened, Qing Meng stepped forward and comfortingly patted both the “big puppy” and the little girl on their heads.

Xing He’s nose felt a bit stingy with tears, but she managed to keep her voice steady. “I’m back.”

Doudou followed suit, her red eyes wide as she repeated, “I’m back.”

Qing Meng didn’t ask questions. She only said softly, “Go take a hot bath.”

Xing He took Doudou upstairs. Considering the child’s needs, Qing Meng specially prepared a nutritious meal: stir-fried seasonal vegetables for vitamins, and tomato meatball soup, which was easy to chew and digest.

While cooking, Qing Meng found a dusty small chair in the yard that seemed to have belonged to Xing He when she was little. She rinsed it off; once dry, it was perfect for Doudou.

When the two came downstairs, the food was ready. Having just bathed, Doudou’s face was flushed, and her hair was tied in a messy, adorable little sprout on top of her head. Since there were no children’s clothes, Xing He had rummaged through old trunks to find a childhood dress. However, it was covered in mold and mites from years of storage, so it had to be washed before Doudou could wear it tomorrow. For now, Doudou wore one of Xing He’s T-shirts as a makeshift dress.

While Xing He had clearly put effort into Doudou’s appearance, she hadn’t bothered with herself. She came down in a T-shirt and boxers, her hair still dripping wet.

Qing Meng brought out a small bowl and spoon. She served Doudou first, then took the girl from Xing He and placed her in the small chair.

“This is your dinner.”

Doudou adjusted herself and thanked her politely. “Thank you, Sister!”

“What’s your name, sweetie?”

“I’m Deng Baobao. My nickname is Doudou.”

“Alright, Doudou. The food is a bit hot, eat slowly.”

“Okay!” Doudou thought privately that this older sister looked a bit cold, but her voice was so gentle, and she was just as pretty as Sister Xing He.

Settling Doudou, Qing Meng didn’t overlook the “big kid” next to her. Picking up a dry towel, she began to carefully dry Xing He’s hair. She couldn’t help but nag, “You need to dry your hair, or you’ll get a headache.”

There was a hint of reproach in her voice, but it was mostly drowned out by tenderness. Xing He allowed Qing Meng to tend to her, murmuring over the hum of the hairdryer, “I won’t do it again next time.”

When they finally sat down, Doudou was sitting perfectly still. The little one was staring longingly at the food but refused to pick up her spoon.

Qing Meng was puzzled. “Why aren’t you eating? Do you not like it?”

Doudou shook her head vigorously. “No! The food Sister made smells so good, just like Mommy’s.”

Xing He’s heart skipped a beat, but she sat down as if nothing was wrong.

“Sister Xing He is hungry, too. And…” Doudou hesitated, not knowing how to address Qing Meng. She looked to Xing He for help.

Xing He smiled. “Just like me, you can call her Sister Qing Meng.”

Qing Meng gave Xing He a playful, sidelong glare. Both of them were nearly two decades older than Doudou; she felt a bit embarrassed being called “Sister.”

Doudou nodded thoughtfully and continued, “Sister Qing Meng worked hard to cook. I’ll wait for everyone to eat together.”

Xing He pinched her cheek. “Let’s have a contest to see who eats the most.”

Under Xing He’s deliberate “defeat,” Doudou eventually won after eating a “big” bowl.

After dinner, Xing He went to wash the dishes, and Doudou volunteered to help. The two headed to the kitchen. Xing He washed, while Doudou stood on a small stool, responsible for rinsing the dishes with clean water.

Both worked hard, and eventually, soap bubbles found their way onto their faces. Watching their silhouettes, a smile finally crept onto Qing Meng’s lips. She didn’t want to think about what would have happened to such a sensible child if Xing He hadn’t found her. In the apocalypse, life was as fragile as grass. Adults struggled for their next meal, let alone a child.

Qing Meng swallowed her sighs. She only hoped this courtyard could hold out. If one day it truly couldn’t… being able to live and die with Xing He would be the best possible end.

After washing up, they prepared for bed. Xing He and Qing Meng slept in the same room as the night before, with Doudou naturally in the middle.

Once the lights were out, Doudou lay spread-eagled between them. Worried the child wouldn’t sleep in a new environment, Qing Meng gently patted Doudou’s stomach to soothe her. Xing He wasn’t great at comforting kids, but fearing Doudou might have nightmares, she stayed facing the girl.

After a while, Doudou’s eyes were still wide open. Both adults were also awake, preoccupied with their own thoughts. Doudou rolled over, coming face-to-face with Qing Meng.

Xing He sensed something “dangerous” was about to happen.

Qing Meng asked softly, “Doudou, what’s wrong?”

Before Xing He could react, Doudou asked clearly, “Sister Qing Meng, what is your relationship with Sister Xing He?”

Xing He bolted upright, nearly reaching out to cover the kid’s mouth. “No relationship! Kids shouldn’t worry about this, go to sleep.”

Doudou was clearly unconvinced. “I understand! Mommy said when you grow up, you can marry someone you like, sleep together, and have babies. Sister Qing Meng is so good to you, and you’re sleeping in the same bed!”

Faced with a curious child, Xing He was at a loss for words. “We’re just…” Ex-wives? Friends? Sisters?

Seeing Xing He speechless, Doudou looked like she had confirmed her theory and turned back to Qing Meng. “Sister Qing Meng, are you Sister Xing He’s wife?”

Doudou’s eyes were bright, staring unblinkingly at Qing Meng.

Qing Meng stole a glance at Xing He. There was no movement; Xing He had clearly run out of ideas to handle the kid. The little desires in Qing Meng’s heart began to clamor, wanting to stake a claim on Xing He.

After a moment of hesitation, she surrendered to that flicker of emotion and murmured a single word.

“Mhm…”

In the pitch-black room, Xing He’s hearing was exceptionally sharp. That voice was like a clear spring in a mountain stream—clean, cool, yet carrying a mature, alluring quality due to the late-night rasp.

Xing He’s ears turned beet red instantly. Her brain felt like it had short-circuited, replaying that soft, lingering “mhm” on a loop.

Qing Meng squeezed Xing He’s hand, and Xing He immediately understood. Children naturally long for a warm family atmosphere; loving “parents” were a crucial part of that.

What am I thinking? Xing He scolded herself. Qing Meng answered that way just to help Doudou adjust to the environment.

Doudou was indeed overjoyed. “I knew it! Sister Qing Meng is so pretty, and Sister Xing He is pretty too. You’re a match made in heaven!”

Under the cover of night, a smile bloomed on Qing Meng’s lips. Though Doudou might not fully grasp the weight of a “match made in heaven,” the blessing was enough to make her happy.

Xing He hadn’t noticed. she was still reeling from Qing Meng’s “affirmation.” But Doudou didn’t give her time to recover, dropping another bombshell:

“Sister Xing He, I want to sleep now. When are you going to kiss Sister Qing Meng?”

Xing He was mortified. “If you’re tired, just sleep.”

Doudou shook her head stubbornly. “But you haven’t kissed Sister Qing Meng yet. Every night before bed, Daddy kisses Mommy. Mommy says it’s proof that they love each other.” Doudou’s voice became cautious. “Sister Xing He, did you guys have a fight?”

Xing He hurried to explain, “Of course not. We didn’t fight.”

Doudou’s little eyes were filled with confusion. She asked sadly, “Then why don’t you kiss?”

Seeing Xing He couldn’t handle it, Qing Meng sighed inwardly. “Doudou, be good. We didn’t fight. It’s because Sister Xing He has a lot to do tomorrow, so she needs to sleep now. You go to sleep, and I’ll make you something delicious in the morning, okay?”

Hearing that Xing He needed to rest, Doudou lay down obediently. “I’m a good girl. Goodnight, Sister Xing He. Goodnight, Sister Qing Meng.”

The child’s voice was milky and sweet, but there was a faint trace of disappointment in it.

The air returned to silence, but Xing He found herself unable to sleep. Doudou’s request wasn’t actually that outrageous… was she being too cold-hearted?

But what was their relationship now? What would a senseless kiss even mean?

Xing He’s gaze drifted past Doudou to Qing Meng. It was meant to be a casual glance, but she happened to lock eyes with Qing Meng whose gaze was filled with three parts shyness and seven parts disappointment.

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