Heart Stealer

Xiao Tuobang raised his head, wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes, and nodded silently.

The family sat around the dining table in silence, the atmosphere extremely solemn.

Mother Xiao put a piece of beef in Xiao Tuobang's bowl and said softly, "Eat something. Don't be hungry."

Xiao Tuobang took a bite of the rice, but couldn't taste it.

After dinner, Xiao Tuobang dragged his heavy steps back to the bedroom.

He lay heavily on the bed as if his soul had been sucked out, his mood as turbulent as the vast ocean and could not calm down for a long time.

He closed his eyes tightly, and the little moments he had spent with Qiu Xue kept emerging in his mind. Those beautiful memories were now like sharp blades, piercing his heart.

Regret and self-blame surged into his heart like a tide, drowning him.

The next morning, sunlight shone through the thin clouds and fell on the earth.

Xiao Tuobang came to the Qiu family again.

He stood at the gate of the Qiu family courtyard, the early morning sunlight shining on him, casting a long shadow.

In the garden in front of Qiu's house, bright flowers swayed gently in the breeze, emitting bursts of fragrance.

Xiao Tuobang's figure seemed somewhat lonely and anxious in this beautiful scenery.

He took a deep breath, slowly raised his hand and rang the doorbell.

After a while, the door opened and Qiu Rongyao and Mrs. Qiu appeared at the door.

Their faces looked a little gloomy, and their eyes revealed a hint of fatigue and worry.

"Dad, Mom." Xiao Tuobang greeted softly. He took a deep breath and got straight to the point. "Did Qiuxue call you?"

Qiu Rongyao slowly shook his head and said in a heavy tone,

"Qiu Xue hasn't contacted us yet. She took a long flight and was exhausted from the journey. She's also pregnant, so she might not have adjusted to the jet lag yet."

After hearing this, Xiao Tuobang's worries grew stronger.

His brows were furrowed and his hands were clenched tightly together, as if he was trying to control the anxiety surging in his heart.

"Dad, Mom, if Qiuxue contacts you, you must tell me immediately. I have decided to go to the United States to find her."

Mrs. Qiu looked at her son-in-law's anxious expression and couldn't help but feel a complex emotion.

She asked softly, "Tuobang, are you really going abroad to find Qiuxue? What about the company's affairs?"

Xiao Tuobang's eyes were firm and resolute, and he answered without hesitation,

"Dad, Mom, the company will be managed by my brother-in-law Murong Zhenxi. I believe he is capable of handling everything. Even if Qiuxue hides at the ends of the earth, I will find her."

After hearing what Xiao Tuobang said, Qiu Rongyao fell into a brief silence.

He gazed at his son-in-law's firm and responsible eyes and couldn't help feeling relieved.

He knew that his daughter had found a good man worthy of entrusting her life to.

Xiao Tuobang sat quietly on the sofa in the living room. After a while, he stood up and said goodbye.

"Tuobang, wait a minute."

Mrs. Qiu's voice suddenly sounded behind him, breaking the silence.

Xiao Tuobang stopped, turned around, and, suppressing the grief in his heart, asked in a hoarse voice, "Mom, do you have anything else to say?"

There was a glint of tears in Mrs. Qiu's eyes. She gently took out an envelope from her pocket and handed it to Xiao Tuobang carefully.

"This is a letter Qiuxue wrote to you. She asked me to pass it to you."

There was still a faint fragrance on the envelope, as if it was the scent of Qiu Xue.

Xiao Tuobang took the envelope, held it tightly in his hand, and felt its heavy weight.

He took a deep breath and tried to calm his inner turmoil.

He clenched the letter in his hand, opened the door, and walked out of the Qiu family.

Mrs. Qiu looked at Xiao Tuobang's receding back, her heart filled with worry and uneasiness.

She sighed and said to Qiu Rongyao, "Alas, Tuobang is such a stubborn kid. What should we do?"

As night falls and the lights come on, the streets are bustling with activity.

Xiao Tuobang walked aimlessly on the street, his steps seemed a little heavy, as if he was carrying a heavy burden on his shoulders.

His eyes were dull, revealing deep fatigue and helplessness.

His brows were furrowed, as if he was thinking about something.

The lights on both sides of the street flickered, illuminating his lonely figure.

He passed by a small restaurant, which was bustling with laughter and chatter.

Xiao Tuobang stopped, looked up at the restaurant sign, hesitated for a moment, and finally walked in.

The restaurant is filled with the tempting aroma of food, making people salivate.

Xiao Tuobang found a seat in a corner and sat down, ordering some side dishes and a bottle of white wine.

His face was gloomy and his eyes revealed a hint of pain and sadness.

His mood was as heavy as the night, and his thoughts were as chaotic as the streets.

He didn't know where to go or what to do.

He just wanted to find a place to sit down, drink some wine, and forget his troubles for a while.

The restaurant is not big, and the decoration is simple and warm.

Xiao Tuobang found a seat in a corner and sat down, ordering some side dishes and a bottle of white wine.

He couldn't drink much, but tonight he wanted to drink to drown his sorrows and temporarily forget all his troubles and pains.

The dishes were soon served, and Xiao Tuobang poured himself a small glass of white wine.

He picked up the wine glass and took a sip. The taste of the wine was particularly spicy, as if it directly stimulated his nerves.

He frowned and took a few bites of snacks to dilute the taste of the wine.

Xiao Tuobang started drinking by himself. His mood became more and more depressed, and he drank more and more.

At this time, the sound of high heels came from the restaurant door. Xiao Tuobang raised his eyelids and saw a fashionable girl walking in.

She has a slim figure and looks very eye-catching in a tight short skirt and a pair of high heels.

Xiao Tuobang knew this girl, she was Ye Qingxin.

Ye Qingxin fell in love with Xiao Tuobang at first sight. She had pursued him for a while, but Xiao Tuobang was very cold to her.

He didn't expect to meet Ye Qingxin in this small restaurant. Her appearance made Xiao Tuobang feel a little uncomfortable.

Ye Qingxin walked up to Xiao Tuobang and asked in a half-sarcastic tone,

"Hey, big boss, how come you have time to eat at a small restaurant like this today?"

Her voice was sharp and sarcastic, which made Xiao Tuobang feel disgusted.

Xiao Tuobang raised his eyelids and looked at Ye Qingxin coldly.

"Where Miss Ye Qingxin can come, why can't I come?"

His tone was very unfriendly, but Ye Qingxin still shamelessly pointed at the seat opposite Xiao Tuobang and asked,

"Excuse me, can I sit here?"

Xiao Tuobang was in a bad mood and said unhappily, "If you want to sit down, sit down. No one will stop you."

His cold attitude made Ye Qingxin feel a little embarrassed and lost.

She originally thought that Xiao Tuobang would warmly invite her to sit down, but she didn't expect to get such a response.

Ye Qingxin hesitated for a moment, but finally sat down opposite Xiao Tuobang with a thick face.

She tried to find a topic to talk about, but Xiao Tuobang just lowered his head and drank, unwilling to pay attention to her.

Ye Qingxin felt a little bored and embarrassed, and she didn't know how she should deal with this situation.

Xiao Tuobang was immersed in his own thoughts, and Qiu Xue's figure kept appearing in his mind.

He felt his mood growing heavier, as if a huge stone was pressing on his chest.

Xiao Tuobang stood up and after paying the bill, he walked up to Ye Qingxin and said coldly,

"Miss Ye Qingxin, I have something else to do. Sorry, I have to excuse myself first."

Ye Qingxin felt a little surprised and disappointed after hearing what Xiao Tuobang said.

She originally wanted to chat with Xiao Tuobang for a few more words, but she didn't expect him to leave so soon.

Xiao Tuobang walked out of the restaurant and returned home with heavy steps.

He opened the door and saw his parents sitting on the sofa, looking at him with concern.

"Tuobang, is there any news about Qiuxue?" Xiao's mother asked anxiously.

Looking at his parents' worried eyes, Xiao Tuobang couldn't help feeling guilty and self-blame.

He shook his head and tried to sound calm. "Mom and Dad, don't worry too much. Qiuxue just arrived in the United States and hasn't adjusted to the time difference yet. She'll contact us once she's settled in."

After hearing what Xiao Tuobang said, Xiao's mother and father felt a little relieved, although they were still a little worried.

They nodded and said nothing more.

Xiao's mother said, "Tuobang, the meal is ready. It's all your favorite. Let's eat."

Xiao Tuobang glanced at the dining table. There were only two or three simple dishes on it today.

Obviously, the daughter-in-law was not at home and the parents were not in the mood to cook.

He tried his best to suppress his sadness and said in a low and hoarse voice, "Dad, Mom, my friends and I just had dinner outside. You guys can eat by yourselves. I'm going upstairs to rest first."

After saying that, he turned and went upstairs.