Heart Stealer

Early in the morning, the sun had just risen, and the first ray of golden sunlight passed through the thin curtains and fell on the spacious dining table like broken gold.

This soft and bright light seemed to cover the entire restaurant with a layer of warm gauze, making the originally slightly deserted space suddenly full of vitality and energy.

The crisp sound of pots and pans colliding came from the kitchen, and the busy figure of nanny Zhen was shuttling back and forth between the kitchen and the dining room.

After careful cooking and presentation, a sumptuous breakfast finally appeared before our eyes.

The golden fried eggs exuded an alluring aroma; the perfectly toasted bread slices were golden and crispy; and there were cups of steaming hot milk, with velvety white foam gently rippling on the surface...

Every dish is mouth-watering, and just by looking at it you can imagine how delicious it will taste when you put it in your mouth.

Qiu Xue sat quietly at the dining table, her eyes as gentle and focused as water, with a faint smile hanging at the corner of her mouth.

She held a delicate little spoon and patiently put food into her daughter's mouthful.

The little girl sat obediently on the children's chair specially made for her, her big, clear eyes looking around curiously.

The pink little mouth is wide open, like a hungry little bird, happily waiting to be fed by its mother.

At this moment, a steady and powerful sound of footsteps came from far away.

It turned out to be Xiao Tuobang. He was wearing a well-tailored light gray suit, with an upright posture and handsome appearance.

He casually held a black briefcase in his left hand, and gently adjusted his slightly wrinkled tie at his collar with his right hand.

The moment he stepped into the restaurant, his eyes were naturally attracted by the warm scene before him.

Especially when he saw his lovely daughter, his deep eyes instantly became extremely gentle and loving.

Xiao Muyao heard the familiar footsteps and immediately put down the spoon and food she was playing with.

He jumped off the chair excitedly, opened his arms and ran towards his father happily.

"Dad!" The little girl's tender voice was full of joy.

She threw herself into Xiao Tuobang's arms and said in a coquettish voice, "Daddy, I want a hug!"

Xiao Tuobang smiled and lovingly picked up his lovely daughter.

His broad and warm hands gently stroked his daughter's round and pink face, his eyes full of fatherly love.

"Yaoyao, be good and go have breakfast with mommy. Daddy has to go to work quickly, otherwise he will be late."

Although somewhat reluctant, the well-behaved daughter nodded sensibly, and after coming down from her father's warm embrace,

I walked slowly back to my seat and continued to happily enjoy the delicious breakfast.

Xiao Tuobang's gaze slowly turned to his wife Qiu Xue, who was sitting on the other side of the dining table.

Qiu Xue lowered her head slightly and remained silent. Her originally beautiful face was now expressionless and looked particularly cold.

She fiddled with the cutlery mechanically, her movements becoming unusually stiff, as if the whole world had nothing to do with her.

Neither of them intended to apologize for the argument last night.

Xiao Tuobang's face was stern, his eyes were cold, and he said coldly,

"Qiuxue, I'll leave the child in your care. I've been very busy at work lately, and I probably won't be home until very late every day, so you don't have to wait for me to come back for dinner."

After saying that, he picked up the briefcase beside him without hesitation and walked straight towards the door with big strides.

Qiu Xue sensed the resentment in Xiao Tuobang's eyes, and she hurriedly called out, "Tuobang, wait a minute."

Xiao Tuobang suddenly stopped his hurried steps, but he did not turn around. He said in a voice so cold that ice chips could fall off,

"Do you have anything else to say?"

Qiu Xue lowered her head quickly like a child who had done something wrong and said cautiously,

"Tuobang, why don't you have breakfast before going to work? It's better for your health..."

Xiao Tuobang's mouth twitched slightly, and he answered decisively,

"no need!"

These short and decisive words blew through Qiuxue's heart like a cold wind.

As soon as he finished speaking, he quickened his pace, as if there was a flood or a beast in his house, and he was unwilling to stay even for a second.

Qiu Xue stared blankly at Xiao Tuobang's back as he walked further and further away until he disappeared, and suddenly she felt a sharp pain in her heart like a needle prick.

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she tried hard not to let them fall.

After a long time, Qiu Xue slowly turned around, forcing a smile on her face and said to her daughter who was sitting obediently at the dining table,

"Yaoyao, eat quickly. After breakfast, mommy will take you out to play."

Hearing this, my daughter, who was already enjoying her meal, clapped her hands excitedly and shouted incoherently with food in her mouth,

"Great! I want to eat it quickly!"

As he spoke, he quickened the speed at which he put rice into his mouth with the spoon in his hand.

After breakfast, Qiuxue took her daughter to the park. They played and ran together, enjoying a wonderful time.

Her daughter's laughter echoed in the air, gradually brightening Qiuxue's mood.

Ever since Xiao Tuobang and Qiu Xue had a big fight that night, their relationship seemed to have reached a freezing point in an instant.

Xiao Tuobang always avoided Qiu Xue intentionally or unintentionally.

He went out early and came back late every day, deliberately immersing himself in busy work, trying to use this method to forget the pain caused by the quarrel and the estrangement between them.

For Qiu Xue, such days were simply a torture. She could not stand Xiao Tuobang's indifferent attitude towards her.

On Friday night, everything was quiet and the autumn wind gently blew through the window lattice, bringing a hint of coolness.

Qiu Xue hummed a lullaby softly, patiently coaxing her young daughter into a sweet dream.

After the child's breathing became steady and he fell asleep, she tiptoed out of the bedroom, gently closed the door, and came to the living room.

Qiu Xue sat quietly on the soft sofa. Although the TV was on, her eyes never left the door.

Her hands were clasped tightly together and trembling slightly, revealing her inner tension and anxiety.

The hands of the wall clock moved slowly, making a ticking sound, and each tick seemed to strike at the tip of Qiuxue's heart.

Just then, a slight noise was heard, and then the door was pushed open, and a slightly tired figure appeared at the door - it was Xiao Tuobang.

He walked into the house with heavy steps, his suit looked a little wrinkled and his hair was a little messy.

When Xiao Tuobang looked up and saw Qiu Xue still sitting in the living room, a look of surprise instantly appeared on his face.

He was slightly startled for a moment, then frowned and asked with a little dissatisfaction while changing his shoes,

"Qiuxue, why aren't you asleep yet so late? Didn't you say you don't have to wait for me to come back?"

Qiu Xue sat on the sofa, her body tense, her hands clasped tightly against her chest.

Her beautiful eyes were staring at Xiao Tuobang coldly at this moment, with a complex light flashing in her eyes.

Hearing Xiao Tuobang's words, her lips trembled slightly, and she responded coldly: "Why can't I wait for you to come back? I have a lot to say to you!"

After hearing this, Xiao Tuobang paused, then slowly walked to the sofa and sat down.

He leaned back in his chair, sighed deeply, and asked coldly,

"What else do you want to say? What else is there to talk about between us?"

Qiu Xue took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down, but her voice still sounded a little excited.

"Tuobang, why have you been avoiding me lately? Do you really hate seeing me that much? Are you still mad at me for what happened last time?"

As she spoke of this, her eyes began to turn red and tears welled up in them.

"I'm not angry." Xiao Tuobang's voice was still calm, as if there were no waves at all. "I just don't want to quarrel with you anymore."

After Xiao Tuobang finished speaking, he turned and walked towards the stairs.

Qiu Xue looked at his departing back, her heart filled with disappointment and anger.

When Xiao Tuobang was about to disappear from sight, Qiu Xue suddenly said loudly,

"Tuobang, I hope you can put our problems aside for now. My daughter hasn't seen her father for a few days. You promised to take her to the playground. Since tomorrow is the weekend, I hope you won't break your promise."

Xiao Tuobang stopped and turned around, a trace of guilt flashed across his face.

"I'm sorry, Qiuxue, I have to meet a client tomorrow. We can take our daughter to the playground another day."

After saying that, he walked towards the stairs without looking back, leaving Qiu Xue standing there alone, her eyes blurred with tears.