Chapter 59 Confession

Chapter 59 Confession

Xie Lin felt as if all his strength had been drained away. He subconsciously shrank back, trying to avoid Lin Mianmian's touch. The bruise there was burning with pain.

"Nothing much." He forced a smile, trying to sound relaxed, but the hoarseness and exhaustion in his voice were impossible to hide. "It was just... just some temporary work, a bit tiring."

Lin Mianmian's hand froze in mid-air, her fingertips trembling slightly. She looked at Xie Lin's dusty T-shirt, the sweat stains still on his forehead, and his hands, which were always clean and slender but were now covered with red marks. Tears welled up in her eyes.

“A temporary job?” Her voice trembled with tears. “Xie Lin, look me in the eyes and say it again.”

Xie Lin turned his head away, not daring to look at her.

He was afraid that if he saw her wet eyes, the emotions he had managed to hold back would completely collapse.

The air in the living room was eerily quiet, with only the aroma of sweet and sour pork ribs wafting from the kitchen, almost cloyingly sweet, completely out of place with the atmosphere.

Lin Mianmian sniffed, picked up Xie Lin's phone to check WeChat messages, her voice as soft as a feather, yet every word pierced the heart: "This is what you called a tiring temporary job?"

Xie Lin's body stiffened abruptly.

He lowered his head, staring at the thin piece of paper, his throat feeling like it was stuffed with cotton, unable to utter a single word.

"Why?" Lin Mianmian squatted down, looking at his downcast eyes, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Xie Lin, why did you hide this from me? Have you forgotten what we said? We agreed to share everything, good or bad."

Xie Lin's shoulders trembled slightly. He raised his hand and covered his face, warm liquid seeping through his fingers.

"I don't want you to suffer with me." His voice was muffled in his palm, unclear, yet filled with endless grievances and heartache.

“Mianmian, I once promised you that I would give you the best life. I would take you to eat at the most upscale restaurants, buy you the most beautiful dresses, and live in a big house with a garden... But now, I have to work my life away to carry goods so that you can eat meat every meal.”

"I'm useless." He abruptly lowered his hand, his bloodshot eyes brimming with tears. "I can't even support my own woman, what kind of man am I!"

Looking at him like this, Lin Mianmian felt as if her heart was being squeezed tightly by a hand, and she could hardly breathe from the pain.

She reached out and gently hugged Xie Lin's head, pulling him into her arms and patting his back repeatedly, like comforting a wronged child.

“Fool,” she choked out, “who told you that a good life is only about living in a big house and wearing designer dresses? To me, a good life isn’t about those cold, impersonal things, but about waking up in the morning to find you by my side.”

"It means coming home at night and being able to share a hot meal with you. It means that no matter what difficulties we encounter, we can face them hand in hand."

She lowered her head and placed a gentle kiss on the top of his head: "Xie Lin, what I love is never the glamorous you, but you."

"It's you who was willing to humble yourself and carry goods for me. It's you who, despite being wronged, still went home with a smile. It's you who, even if you suffer yourself, wanted to give me the best of everything."

"Aren't you tired from carrying all that stuff? Don't you feel bad about being scolded?" She gently wiped away his tears. "You're carrying all this on your own. How hard must it be for you?"

Xie Lin could no longer hold back. He reached out and hugged Lin Mianmian's waist tightly, buried his face in the crook of her neck, and burst into tears.

All the pent-up grievances, exhaustion, and resentment that had accumulated over time turned into scalding tears at this moment, soaking her collar.

Like a lost child who has finally found a harbor to dock in, he vents his emotions without restraint.

Lin Mianmian didn't say anything, she just held him and let him cry. She knew that this proud man had been holding on for far too long.

After an unknown amount of time, Xie Lin's crying gradually subsided.

He raised his head, his eyes red and swollen like walnuts, and looked at Lin Mianmian, saying in a hoarse voice, "I'm sorry, Mianmian, today... today I not only didn't make any money, but I also chipped the paint off someone's things, got scolded by the boss, and didn't get a single penny."

He paused, then added, "I might not be able to take you to eat anything better lately than the sweet and sour pork ribs you made."

Seeing his dejected look, Lin Mianmian couldn't help but burst into laughter through her tears.

She reached out and pinched his cheek, saying softly, "It's okay, my sweet and sour pork ribs are just as good as the ones outside."

"Moreover, when I was shopping at the supermarket yesterday, I found that the discounted yogurt was still on sale. We can buy a case and drink it slowly."

She stood up and pulled him toward the dining table: "Come on, try my cooking. I stewed the ribs for two hours today, they're sure to be tender and flavorful."

Xie Lin was pulled by her and walked step by step to the dining table. The sweet and sour pork ribs on the table were bright red and emitted an enticing aroma. There were also two refreshing side dishes and a bowl of steaming soup on the side.

Lin Mianmian served him a bowl of rice and then put a piece of pork rib into his bowl: "Eat quickly, it won't taste good if it gets cold."

Xie Lin picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of pork rib, and took a small bite.

The tender, juicy meat, coated in a sweet and sour sauce, melted on his tongue. That familiar taste instantly filled his empty stomach and his heart, which was riddled with wounds.

He looked at the girl across from him. Her eyes were still red, but she was still smiling at him. The tenderness in her eyes was like a warm light, dispelling all the gloom in his heart.

He suddenly realized that he wasn't completely destitute.

He still has her.

With her by my side, even the simplest meals taste like the best of life.

After dinner, Xie Lin insisted on washing the dishes.

Lin Mianmian leaned against the kitchen doorway, watching his busy figure, and suddenly said, "Xie Lin, I found a part-time job yesterday. I'm helping out at a flower shop nearby. I can earn 150 a day. It's not tiring, and I can look after the flowers."

Xie Lin paused in his washing of the dishes and turned to look at her.

Lin Mianmian smiled, her eyes crinkling: "In that case, if we both work hard, we'll soon be able to save enough money for a down payment on a small house."

Xie Lin looked at her, and his eyes began to well up with tears again. He put down the bowl in his hand, walked over, and hugged her tightly.

“Okay,” he said softly, his voice filled with unprecedented determination. “Let’s work together.”

As night deepened, the gentle moonlight streamed in through the window, bathing the two embracing figures in a soft, silvery glow.

Xie Lin lowered his head and kissed the top of Lin Mianmian's head.

He thought that life might be tough and difficult, but as long as the two of them were together, they could grit their teeth and get through it.

Because he knew he wasn't fighting alone.

She was by his side.

With her by my side, life is worth living.