Deceiving oneself and others

  I returned to the front door, my eyes never leaving his legs. In just a few minutes, about 100 steps or so, there was no sign of any stumbling, and he walked normally. But I still didn't believe his claim that he used a wheelchair, as the landlady had explicitly mentioned that his leg was injured, and had asked me to take extra care of him. When he got out of the elevator, I quietly attributed his behavior to pride.

  I tactfully said behind him, "Next time you want to buy something, just let me know." So he won't have to struggle down the stairs and be careful not to show his infirmity.

  He walked to my door and turned back with an impatient expression, "Open the door quickly."

  I glanced at his door and asked, "Do I need to go over there first and push the wheelchair over?"

  "No need, it's too troublesome."

  The living room was very quiet, and after entering the house, he walked straight to the dining table with an expression of waiting for food. I listened carefully in the kitchen several times, but didn't hear any other movement, not even the TV was turned on.

  As I walked out with a tray of dishes in one hand, I was stunned again.

  He actually fell asleep on the table!

  Almost as soon as I put down my plate, his eyelashes popped open and his black eyes seemed to have a thin layer of fog. He sat up straight, without any embarrassment, picked up his chopsticks and took a piece of braised pork ribs into his mouth, after spitting out the bones, he picked up another piece of fish meat.

  That expression, I really don't know how to describe it, it's quite meaningful. But after seeing him, he quickly picked up his chopsticks and put down his heart, turned around and went into the kitchen to add two bowls of rice, saw that there were already a lot of bones on the table.

  The color hasn't risen yet, and he calmly commented: "The ribs are not flavorful, the middle part is as bland as water, the outer juice is too salty, and the sugar was put in too little; The fish meat is too old, the wine sauce is put too much, besides, you put less scallions.

  My mouth corners slightly stiff, today when I came back from outside and passed by the vegetable market, I suddenly thought of his request yesterday, and inexplicably walked in to buy some ribs and a sea bass. Consider it as compensation for my negligence in not taking good care of him for the past two days.

  No matter how good-tempered one is, it's hard not to feel resentful when being criticized so harshly. The rice bowl was put down on the table with a slight clang, and he said in an unpleasant tone: "Just make do with this meal."

  He looked at me indifferently and suddenly said: "You must be thinking now that this person is so difficult to serve."

  I couldn't help but feel annoyed, "Do you really like analyzing people that much? Do you think just because you've read a few psychology books abroad, you can see into other people's hearts? Well, let me tell you, my father did indeed pass away early, and my mother remarried, but my mom and I have a good relationship, we talk on the phone every week; yesterday was indeed my birthday, but I already celebrated with my employees at the gallery, no need to go home and celebrate again; it's true that a police officer sent me a bouquet of lilies, but he's not my pursuer, just a customer of my gallery."

  "After saying all that in one breath, I was slightly out of breath. After catching my breath, I continued: 'Also, just now I didn't think anything in my heart, so don't randomly guess what's on my mind.' The last sentence was said without conviction, because at the time there indeed was a fleeting thought."

  The atmosphere on the dinner table suddenly froze, he calmly stared at me, and in order not to show weakness, I also looked back.

  After a pause of four or five seconds, he shrugged and pushed the chair to get up. When he walked to the door, he suddenly turned his head and said: "For someone who will often appear by my side, I don't think it's excessive to make a reasonable analysis. Am I just a rookie who has read a few psychology books? You'll find out later. As for other things, it's clear in your heart, but you're just deceiving yourself."