Love You From Heaven
Lin Xiao looked coldly at Liao Tong, who returned home late at night, her eyes burning with anger. How long had it been? She couldn’t remember. There were so many nights when she quietly curled up on the living room sofa, waiting for Liao Tong.
Today, Lin Xiao finally couldn’t bear it any longer. “Liao Tong, tell me, what exactly do you want?”
“What can I do? I just want to spend more time with my child! What? Do you have a problem with that? If you have the ability, give me a son, and I’ll stay with you every day!” Liao Tong glared at Lin Xiao.
“You’re too much!” Lin Xiao was shaking with anger. She then silently returned to the bedroom.
At this moment, tears were rolling down Liao Tong’s face. He looked painfully at the heartbroken Lin Xiao, not knowing what to do.
Once, Lin Xiao and Liao Tong were a couple many envied. Meng Qiao had once half-jokingly told Liao Tong, “If one day you no longer love Lin Xiao, let me know. I will marry her.” Liao Tong laughed and said, “Then you can wait. Maybe even when you grow old, you might not get that chance!” Nowadays, that joke lingered in Liao Tong’s ears.
Back then, Meng Qiao had pursued Lin Xiao frantically. If based on external conditions, Liao Tong was nowhere near Meng Qiao. But for some reason, Lin Xiao chose Liao Tong, who was not outstanding, and offered him her love.
After marriage, Lin Xiao lived in sweetness and happiness. When her mother quietly asked her one day when she planned to have children, she suddenly realized it was time to have a baby.
However, half a year passed, and Lin Xiao found no movement in her belly. She suspected that either of them might have a problem. The hospital’s final result was that Lin Xiao was infertile. Despite seeking famous doctors everywhere, it was all in vain.
Although Liao Tong repeatedly declared he didn’t like children and wanted to be a DINK (Dual Income, No Kids) family, Lin Xiao could see from his eyes how much he loved children. Often, Lin Xiao shed helpless tears, feeling she had let Liao Tong down. She even thought about divorce.
“Liao Tong, let’s get a divorce.” Each time Lin Xiao brought it up, Liao Tong would quickly kiss her to stop her from speaking.
“Fool, remember, no matter what, you can’t leave my side this lifetime!” Liao Tong would then look at Lin Xiao deeply, his eyes gentle enough to melt.
Life continued, with sweetness spreading.
A sudden appearance of a woman broke the peace. One summer afternoon, the sun was so scorching it felt like it could melt people. While clearing the table, Lin Xiao heard a knock on the door. Liao Tong got up to answer it, and Lin Xiao vaguely heard him mention her name.
“Liao Tong, who are you talking to? Why don’t you invite them in?” Lin Xiao said as she walked out of the kitchen. She saw a woman, not very pretty, leaning on Liao Tong’s shoulder, sobbing.
Lin Xiao stood there, stunned, with her mouth agape, not knowing what to say. Liao Tong slowly took the woman’s hand and sat her on the sofa. He lit a cigarette and took a deep puff.
“Lin Xiao, I’m sorry. She’s the mother of my child. Now our child is sick, has leukemia, and needs money, so she came to me.” Liao Tong said hoarsely, his eyes filled with unspeakable pain.
“A child? Your child? My God, how many secrets are you hiding from me? Liao Tong, tell me it’s not true! You said you didn’t like children. You wouldn’t do this to me, would you?” Lin Xiao shook Liao Tong frantically.
“Sister, it’s true. Our child is three years old, a very cute boy. Look, here’s a photo of the three of us.” The woman said, taking a photo from her bag. Lin Xiao glanced at it. In the photo, Liao Tong was holding an innocent and lovely child, and next to him, smiling sweetly, was this woman. Lin Xiao stared at Liao Tong angrily, then rushed out of the house.
At the tree-lined path by the neighborhood entrance, a black car was parked quietly. In the car, Meng Qiao kept his eyes on the entrance. He wondered if showing up now was right or wrong and whether it would make Lin Xiao suspicious.
Thinking about Lin Xiao, whom he had never forgotten over the years, his heart ached. Back then, he and Liao Tong had been good classmates and friends, but both fell in love with the gentle and beautiful Lin Xiao.
Meng Qiao thought his conditions would win Lin Xiao’s heart, but who knew she would fall for the unremarkable Liao Tong? Though he couldn’t spend his life with his beloved, seeing them happy was enough. He remembered jokingly telling Liao Tong during their wedding that if one day he no longer loved Lin Xiao, he should let him know, and he would marry her and give her happiness.
Was it really a joke? No, deep down, he meant it seriously. But he didn’t hope for that day to come, although he secretly did. Meng Qiao sighed quietly.
Crying and running, Lin Xiao didn’t understand when Liao Tong suddenly had a three-year-old child. Was their past happiness a lie? Why did he refuse a divorce if that was the case? Her mind was a mess, and she had no clear thoughts. Nearing the neighborhood gate, she collided with someone.
“Sorry!” Lin Xiao was about to leave without looking up when the person grabbed her.
“Lin Xiao? Why are you in such a hurry? What’s wrong?”
Lin Xiao stopped and looked up to see a handsome face and concerned eyes.
“Meng Qiao, what are you doing here?” Lin Xiao stopped crying.
“I had something to discuss with Liao Tong. It seems I came at a bad time. Did you two argue? Want me to give him a beating to vent your anger?”
“No, I’m fine. You go find him. I’m leaving.” Lin Xiao started to walk away.
“Since it’s not important, come on, Lin Xiao. My car is just at the gate.”
Lin Xiao hesitated, then nodded and got into the car.
In a quiet coffee shop, soft music was playing. In the scorching afternoon, it felt rather cool and empty. Meng Qiao and Lin Xiao sat by a window.
“Lin Xiao, you seem much more haggard lately. Did Liao Tong do something to hurt you?” Meng Qiao looked tenderly at the woman he had loved for years.
“I don’t know. Liao Tong, today he suddenly told me he has a three-year-old son with leukemia, and there’s that woman. I really don’t know anything. Meng Qiao, you know Liao Tong. He isn’t like that, is he? He isn’t! He said he would love me for a lifetime, and he said he didn’t like children. He wouldn’t abandon me for a child, would he?” Lin Xiao sobbed softly.
Meng Qiao silently handed her tissues, watching her in silence. He wasn’t sure if he should tell her the truth, hesitating.
“Meng Qiao, you know I’m not a difficult woman. If he really wanted a child, I would have agreed. But why did he hide it from me for so long? If it weren’t for the child’s illness, would I ever know? Would he have kept it from me forever?” Lin Xiao’s grievance shook Meng Qiao. “I wouldn’t blame him. If that child really needs money, I wouldn’t ignore it because he’s Liao Tong’s child. I love him, so I love everything about him. As long as he doesn’t see that woman. If she agrees, I can bring the child home once he’s well.”
The kind-hearted woman before him looked more beautiful to Meng Qiao. He didn’t know how to speak. “Lin Xiao, don’t think too much. Maybe Liao Tong has his reasons. Maybe you’ll understand later. When you go back, don’t say anything. Just act like nothing happened.” Meng Qiao hesitated, then said. Lin Xiao nodded, looking at Meng Qiao with mixed feelings.
At dusk, Meng Qiao and Lin Xiao slowly walked out of the coffee shop. Meng Qiao’s comfort and humorous words had made Lin Xiao forget her troubles. She knew Meng Qiao hadn’t dated anyone because he never forgot her.
She knew he was a good man. She had once introduced him to her cousin, but he had politely declined without even looking at the beautiful girl. She thought if she hadn’t misunderstood Meng Qiao back then, perhaps they would have been happy together.
Meng Qiao took Lin Xiao to her door. As he was about to say goodbye, the door suddenly opened. Liao Tong looked at them disdainfully.
“So, the old lovers are back together? Meng Qiao, don’t leave so soon. I can leave. You two can have a nice chat.”
“You’re shameless! Liao Tong, don’t think everyone is as dirty as you!” Lin Xiao, rarely losing her temper, slapped him hard and walked straight into the house. Liao Tong’s sudden change confused and saddened her. Where had the gentle, caring man gone? Tears rolled down her face again.
Meng Qiao gave Liao Tong a complex look, saying nothing but patting his shoulder. He clearly saw the pain and reluctance in Liao Tong’s eyes. He knew he could only remain silent. Perhaps, at this
moment, silence was better than a thousand words.
Liao Tong watched Meng Qiao leave with heavy steps. He opened the door, not knowing how to face Lin Xiao, this kind-hearted woman who wasn’t strong but had a good heart. He couldn’t say anything. He could only let her be completely disappointed in him, perhaps the best way.
The night was long. Lin Xiao lay wide awake, unable to sleep. She couldn’t understand when Liao Tong had changed so much, becoming someone she couldn’t recognize. In the living room, Liao Tong smoked. The ashtray on the coffee table was full of cigarette butts.
In the morning, Lin Xiao pretended nothing had happened. She made breakfast as usual and called Liao Tong to eat. Liao Tong ate silently.
“Liao Tong, take me to see that child,” Lin Xiao said gently.
“No, don’t worry about it. I’ll find a way to save him. Don’t worry so much.” Liao Tong’s face was cold enough to drip water.
“I will treat that child as my own. Believe me, okay?” Lin Xiao looked hopeful.
“Are you annoying? Is this never-ending?” Liao Tong pushed the dishes away and got up to leave.
Lin Xiao stared blankly at Liao Tong’s departing figure. Silent tears flowed again.
Liao Tong started staying out all night. Occasionally, when he returned, he remained silent. He knew Lin Xiao waited for him on the sofa every night. How long had it been? He couldn’t remember. He couldn’t bear to recall Lin Xiao’s sorrowful eyes. Today, Lin Xiao had finally reached her limit. He hoped she would scold him, even beat him. But Lin Xiao didn’t.
“Liao Tong, come here.” Lin Xiao called from the bedroom.
“This is the divorce agreement I just wrote. Look at it. If it’s okay, sign it. I know you need money for the child’s treatment. I won’t take anything. Leave it all for you. Take good care of the child. When he recovers, you three should live well. I know they both need you now.”
Liao Tong held back tears, looking at this kind-hearted woman. He knew happiness was drifting further away from him. He only wished Lin Xiao and Meng Qiao happiness in the future.
That was his hope and wish. He pulled Lin Xiao into his arms, hugging her tightly. He didn’t want to let go, didn’t want to. The long-missed embrace was so warm, so tender. At that moment, Lin Xiao felt like she had returned to the past.
In the morning, Lin Xiao woke up from a dream and found a letter by the pillow.
“Xiao, it’s been a long time since I called you that. It feels a bit unfamiliar. I’m sorry. I know I’ve let you down, your heart, your love. Now things have come to this, and I know even a thousand apologies can’t make up for your deep feelings. It’s my fault. There won’t be another good woman like you in this world. Live well and take care of yourself.
Meng Qiao is a good man; we both know that. With him taking care of you, I’m at ease. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine, and the child will be too. We found a matching bone marrow.
I think he’ll recover soon. Remember, you must live better than me. That’s the best way to get back at me! By the way, I took the savings. The house is yours. I won’t come back. —Liao Tong”
Lin Xiao didn’t cry. She knew it wasn’t worth it. Crying for a man who betrayed her was foolish. Yes, she had to live better than him, happier. One day, he would regret hurting her.
Half a year later, on a sunny morning.
“Actually, you shouldn’t have deceived Lin Xiao. Maybe I shouldn’t have kept it from her with you.” In the hospital room, Meng Qiao looked sadly at Liao Tong.
“No, this way she can forget me and be with you. Promise me, love Xiao well and make her happy. I know you can. I’ll watch you from heaven.” Liao Tong’s voice was weak.
“Let Lin Xiao see you one last time.” Meng Qiao’s voice trembled.
“No, I don’t want her to see me like this. You know her. If she knows, she won’t accept you. Meng Qiao, don’t let her know, ever. Xiao, I’m sorry. I love you! This life is over. I can only hope for the next life to continue!” Liao Tong slowly lowered his hands, closing his eyes with a smile.
Years later, Meng Qiao smiled at the beautiful Lin Xiao. He remembered the summer when he and Liao Tong hired a woman at a high price to play a part in a drama. He felt a bit melancholic.
But he quickly recovered. He knew Liao Tong would be happy to see Lin Xiao living a happy and joyful life. He would know, he would see, wouldn’t he? You, in heaven, Liao Tong!
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
