第十三章 (Chapter 13)

From the yamen, Old Li did not go home but walked straight to the park. He needed to calm down.

There were few people in the park. In the early winter weather, the trees were bare, and a thin layer of ice had formed on the lake.

He sat on the bench, thinking about his life. Getting married and bringing his family over-none of it had turned out as he wished.

The smile of Young Mrs. Ma appeared before his eyes. But he shook his head, trying to dispel the thought.

Suddenly, he saw Little Zhao and a few others approaching from the opposite direction, chatting and laughing.

Old Li did not want to see them. He turned to leave, but Little Zhao had already spotted him.

"Hey, Old Li, sitting here alone in a daze?" Little Zhao approached, his face wearing its usual mockery.

Old Li did not speak. He only nodded slightly.

"What, trouble at home again? I say, Old Li, you should learn from me. Seize the day." Little Zhao patted him on the shoulder.

Old Li pushed his hand away and said coldly, "I am not like you."

Little Zhao laughed. "Not like me? Come on, who doesn't know what's on your mind? Young Mrs. Ma, isn't it?"

Old Li's face flushed red. He glared angrily at Little Zhao.

"Don't be angry, just a joke." Seeing he had gone far enough, Little Zhao took his leave with the others.

Old Li sat there, his mind in even greater turmoil. Little Zhao's words had stung him. But he had to admit he did have feelings for Young Mrs. Ma.

But what could come of it? He was a married man, and Young Mrs. Ma also had a husband, although he seldom returned.

As the sky gradually darkened, Old Li got up and headed home. On the way, he resolved to stop dwelling on these thoughts and live a good life.

But when he returned home and saw his wife and children, he felt an inexplicable irritation again.

Mrs. Li was talking with a neighbor. Seeing him return, she merely glanced at him and continued chatting.

Old Li entered the room, lay down on the bed, and stared at the ceiling until late into the night.