"Son… how are you?"
Ren froze at the doorway, his hand gripping the doorknob as if it were the only real thing in that moment. In front of him stood his father, looking at him with a mix of hope and nervousness.
He hadn't seen him for eight years; during that time, he hadn't received a single call, no letters, nothing.
Silence stretched between them. Sanli, the father, cleared his throat and scratched the back of his neck, avoiding direct eye contact.
"Uh… may I come in, son? I don't want to stand here like a door-to-door salesman."
Ren blinked. His mind filled with questions, memories, and unspoken reproaches colliding with each other, but when he opened his mouth, his voice came out flat, almost automatic.
"Yes."
Sanli walked in with clumsy steps, looking around as if searching for something familiar in the living room. He sat on the edge of the couch, rubbing his hands on his pants. Ren dropped into the chair across from him, crossing his arms. The shock kept him still, but inside he was a storm.
"Well… uh, how have you been?" Sanli asked, forcing a smile. "I mean, aside from… what happened to your mother. I'm very sorry. She was a good woman."
Ren swallowed and replied.
"Yes."
Sanli nodded.
"Right, right. She was a fighter, wasn't she? These days you have to be strong. If you want to cry, cry. I… uh, I'm here now. To support you. Like a father should."
Ren didn't respond.
Sanli's words floated in the air, finding nowhere to land.
For the first time since opening the door, Ren understood something clearly:
His father had arrived eight years too late.
Sanli sighed, breaking the silence once more.
"And you… what have you been doing all these years?" he asked. "Do you study? Work? Tell me, son. I want to know."
"I'm studying a degree online," Ren replied.
"Oh, online…" Sanli smiled awkwardly. "Technology, huh? It all makes me dizzy. Phones that do everything, apps to order food… I barely know how to use mine to make calls."
He paused, as if searching for something.
"Do you remember when I taught you how to play soccer? We were a team, right?"
Ren lifted his gaze, his brow slightly furrowed.
"Not really."
Sanli's laugh was short and forced.
"Ha… right, it's been many years. Still, I'm proud that you're studying. But…" He leaned forward slightly. "Getting out a bit wouldn't hurt you. Being locked inside all day isn't healthy. I was like that after… well, after I left. I don't want that to happen to you."
"I'm fine like this," Ren replied dryly.
Sanli nodded, though he didn't seem convinced.
"And… do you work? I mean, with your mother gone… expenses. The house doesn't maintain itself."
"I don't work."
Sanli blinked and let out another uncomfortable laugh.
"Oh… well. Normal at your age, I suppose. But now… what do you plan to do? You can't live off air."
"I don't know," Ren admitted, lowering his voice.
Sanli scratched his chin, thoughtful.
"I can help you with the household expenses, with everything. After all, I am your father. But you should also look for something. Go out, meet people." He looked at him carefully. "Do you have friends? A girlfriend?"
Ren frowned.
"That's none of your business."
Sanli immediately raised his hands.
"All right, all right. I don't want to meddle where I'm not welcome. It's just that… I missed so many things. Your birthdays, your graduations. I wanted to be there, but your mother and I… we fought badly. There was a legal agreement. I couldn't get close. It hurt, you know? Every single day."
Tears appeared in Sanli's eyes. He covered his mouth for a second, as if trying to hold them back.
"God… I'm sorry," he finally said. "I didn't mean to get like this. But seeing you now… you're already a man. And I… I failed."
Ren felt a knot form in his throat.
"Don't cry, Dad."
Sanli wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and forced a weak smile.
"Thank you, son. You're kind. You always were." He paused briefly. "Do you remember when I used to take you to the park and buy you ice cream?"
Ren shook his head.
"Vaguely."
Sanli sighed, lowering his gaze.
"Yeah… time erases many things. But now I'm here." He looked up. "Everything can change. If you let me, of course."
There was a brief pause.
Sanli looked somewhat annoyed by Ren's behavior.
"Please, be more expressive. It's like I'm talking to a stranger."
"You are a stranger," Ren replied without thinking.
The words fell heavily.
Sanli fell silent for a moment, clearly hurt.
"You're right. I am. But I want to change that. Give me a chance."
Another uncomfortable silence filled the room.
Sanli turned his gaze toward the door and said:
"I want to introduce you to someone."
Sanli stood up and opened the door. He stuck his head out and spoke in a low voice.
"Come in."
A girl entered the living room.
She was around Ren's age, perhaps a little younger. Long black hair, expressive eyes, a slender female figure covered by a simple dress. She was beautiful. Too beautiful.
Ren stared at her, confused.
For a second, his mind searched for a logical answer.
'Is she my sister?'
No. That didn't make sense.
'Who is she?' he wondered.
Sanli took the girl's hand and smiled, though his eyes were still red.
"Ren, son… she is my wife."
Chapter 9: Yaina