Chapter 2: Trouble Knocks at a Widow’s Door

Shen Li sat inside, growing increasingly anxious the more she thought.

She opened a drawer and took out a photo album, gazing at the pictures of Zhang Tian, at the photos taken on their wedding day, smiling blissfully in each one.

Looking at her beaming self beside Zhang Tian, Shen Li couldn’t help but sigh deeply. “Zhang Tian, how could you bear to leave me and Xiao Hui? You were too heartless,” she whispered.

Then, raising her voice slightly at the photo, she scolded, “And you’re still smiling in this picture! Look how happy you look. Do you even know how much I’m suffering now? Those bachelors in the village keep harassing me.”

Talking to the picture, Shen Li let out the frustrations bottled up inside her. Before she knew it, tears streamed down her face.

She had nowhere to unload the grievances in her heart, so she talked to the photograph whenever she had a quiet moment.

Shen Li looked over at the sleeping Xiao Hui, then went and sat beside her, gently planting a kiss on the child’s forehead.

Softly she said, “Xiao Hui, Mommy will take good care of you. I hope my little darling can grow up happy and healthy.”

Looking at the sweet, innocent child, Shen Li felt a little comforted. She knew she carried a huge responsibility now — raising a child alone was no easy task. She understood how much effort it would take. Watching Xiao Hui sleep, her mind was filled with thoughts of the future.

Just as Shen Li was lost in thought, she heard a knock at the courtyard gate.

Quickly, she put the photo album back in the drawer and wiped her tears. After straightening her clothes, she walked from the inner room out into the courtyard.

As she stepped into the yard, the voice outside called out, “Sister-in-law! Are you home?”

The moment she heard the voice, she recognized it. Smiling, she responded, “Is that Brother Wang Tao?”

Hurrying over, Shen Li opened the gate.

Wang Tao smiled and said, “I thought you weren’t home. I brought some fruit for the child. Where’s Xiao Hui?”

“Brother Wang Tao, you’re too kind. Always thinking of Xiao Hui. She’s asleep inside. Come on in and sit for a while,” Shen Li said cheerfully.

Wang Tao chuckled, “It’s nothing really, just a little fruit for the child. Since she’s sleeping, I won’t disturb you any further, Sister-in-law. I’ll be heading back.”

Shen Li pouted playfully. “What? Afraid I’ll eat you up or something? I’m not a tigress, you know!”

Wang Tao laughed, “No, no, not at all! What are you saying, Sister-in-law? If all tigresses looked like you, I bet people would line up to get eaten!”

Shen Li grinned. “Look at you, acting all silly!”

Wang Tao scratched his head and laughed awkwardly, clearly uncomfortable and shy around her.

He had been Zhang Tian’s best friend when he was alive — they were extremely close. After Zhang Tian’s death, Wang Tao often brought food and other things for Shen Li and Xiao Hui. He genuinely looked after them.

Wang Tao was well-regarded in the village — upright and kind — and he was good-looking too. Standing over 1.8 meters tall, with large double-lidded eyes, a finely-shaped high nose bridge, a handsome face, thin lips, and sun-kissed skin, he had a strong masculine charm. Always neat and stylish, many girls in the village had a crush on him.

Wang Tao smiled again and said, “Sister-in-law, go back inside. I’ll get going now. Bye…”

With that, he turned and walked away, not even looking back once.

Shen Li stood at the gate, watching his retreating figure. A strange, indescribable feeling stirred in her heart.

Then she carried the fruit back inside.

As Wang Tao walked home, he thought to himself, “She’s my best friend’s wife. I can’t just enter her house casually. I can’t disgrace my late brother. A widow’s door invites gossip.”

His thoughts drifted back to Zhang Tian again, and instead of going home, he made his way to Zhang Tian’s grave. Sitting on the ground in front of the mound, he stared at it in silence.

His best friend lay there, buried beneath the soil. Even now, Wang Tao hadn’t fully accepted Zhang Tian’s death.

He lit two cigarettes — one for the grave, one for himself.

Taking a drag, he looked at the tomb and sighed. “Brother, why did you have to leave so soon? Didn’t you care about your brother here?”

He sighed again. “But as long as I, Wang Tao, am still breathing, I’ll take care of Xiao Hui — I’ll treat her better than my own child one day. You can rest easy.”

“And as for your wife… I’ll protect her too. Brother Tian, if you can hear me, appear in my dream tonight.”

“I’ll come back another time to see you. I’m heading back now.”

Wang Tao stood up and walked home, occasionally glancing back at the grave.

Back in the house, Shen Li set the fruit down in the main room and returned to the bedroom. She sat on the bed, picking up her sewing again, her mind still lingering on Wang Tao’s visit. Slowly, a smile formed at the corners of her mouth.

She murmured to herself, “That Wang Tao really is something. I’m not a tiger, yet every time he sees me, he acts so nervous. Such a big goof.”

Just then, a sweet little voice asked, “Who’s the big goof?”

Shen Li looked up to see Xiao Hui awake. She quickly put down her sewing and scooped the little girl into her arms.

Smiling, she said, “Mommy was telling a story — about a lovable big goof.”

Xiao Hui lay in her arms and tilted her head up. “Mommy, who were you telling the story to? How can a big goof be lovable?”

Her soft, childish tone was endearing. Xiao Hui was a clever and sweet little girl.

Shen Li laughed. “Because this big goof is very kind. That’s what makes him lovable — just like my little Xiao Hui.”

“Mommy… I don’t want to be a goof. I want to be a little angel.”

Shen Li hugged her tighter, laughing. “Alright, alright… We won’t be goofs. We’ll be little angels.”

By then, it was already dark outside. Shen Li said, “Is my baby hungry? Mommy will make dinner.”

Xiao Hui nodded.

Shen Li set her down on the bed and took a wooden toy from the drawer, handing it to her.

“Sweetheart, play here for a bit. Mommy’s going to cook.”

Xiao Hui replied in her adorable little voice, “Okay… I know.”

Seeing her sitting so obediently with her toy, Shen Li left to prepare dinner, feeling reassured.

Xiao Hui was indeed an adorable child, resembling her mother with her big eyes, long lashes, and fair skin. Everyone in the village adored her and praised her for being smart and well-behaved.

By the time Shen Li finished cooking, the sky was completely dark. She set the food on the table and washed Xiao Hui’s hands before the two sat down to eat together.

Halfway through the meal…

Suddenly, there was a loud noise outside. Shen Li got up to check — but found nothing there.