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墨書 Inktalez
I parted ways with Lu Yancheng on bad terms.
Noticing my low spirits, Zhou Bailin sent me a message:
"My sister brought her daughter, Little Apple, back to the country. It's the little one's birthday today; would you like to come celebrate?"
My eyes lit up. Zhou Bailin's sister, Zhou Baiya, is a very gentle person. She was the one who taught me how to use sanitary pads when I first got my period. It was also her who skillfully altered Jiang Qinghuan's dress to fit me perfectly. I heard she got married and returned home to take care of herself while expecting her second child.
I arrived at the hotel with a thoughtful gift and a hand-knit scarf. Sister Baya, with her eight-month baby bump, warmly embraced me:
"It's been so long! Mai Ye, you've become even more beautiful."
Perhaps it was the affection that extended to her family. Little Apple was thrilled with the scarf I gave her. She treated me kindly, offering me candies and chocolates in turns, just like her mother used to do for me.
When it came time to cut the cake, Little Apple handed me the biggest piece:
"Mommy said thanks to Aunt Mai Ye, I was able to be born safely."
When Sister Baya was pregnant with Little Apple, she faced health issues and the doctors advised her to terminate the pregnancy. At that time, I had been taking care of Lu Siqing for over a year. He was frail and often ill, and I had taken him to various hospitals where I met many renowned doctors. Upon learning about Sister Baya's situation, I recommended some doctors to her, which helped save Little Apple.
The little girl’s voice was as sweet as honey:
"I really like Aunt Mai Ye; will you be my godmother?"
"No way!" Before I could say anything, Zhou Bailin answered first.
"Why not, Uncle?"
"I saw a lot of photos of Aunt Mai Ye at your house, all well preserved. Are you trying to make her my little Aunt?"
These days, I had grown quite close to Zhou Bailin. He treated me as warmly as before, packing my favorite shrimp dumplings for breakfast and arranging dinner at my preferred Sichuan restaurant. After being with Lu Yancheng for five years, he never knew I liked spicy food.
It felt good to be cared for, and Zhou Bailin's intentions were clear. He said, "Without you, there wouldn't be the me today."
However, I still hadn't recovered from the hurt of my previous relationship. Until I sorted out my feelings, I wouldn't start a new one. Zhou Bailin understood and continued to treat me well.
I pinched Little Apple's nose and said, "You're quite the little rascal. If you keep talking nonsense, Uncle won't get you that princess dress."
"I wouldn't let that happen!"
Little Apple had drunk quite a bit of orange juice and pulled me to the restroom midway. As we passed by the next private room, I happened to see Lu Yancheng and his son inside.
Looking further in, I noticed my parents were there too.
Oh right. Today is my mom's birthday.
It was also the day she least wanted to see me.
“Mai Ye, what are you doing here?”
I had long lost all patience with their family.
“The restaurant is open for business; of course, I’m here to eat.”
Hearing my voice, my mother exploded with rage.
“Why do you keep haunting me? Are you deliberately appearing before me to seek reconciliation with Yan Chen?”
“Mrs. Jiang, you’re overthinking it.”
“You don’t even call me ‘Mom’? I’d rather give birth to a piece of char siu than to you!”
“If it weren’t for you, how would Qinghuan have missed out on nutrition in the womb and left so early?!”
The same old words were thrown back and forth.
My ears were about to develop calluses from hearing them.
My father stood up, glaring at me with authority.
“Apologize to your mother; she may act tough, but she has a soft heart. Yancheng is wealthy and responsible; others would want to marry him but can’t.”
“Your sister worked hard to secure this opportunity for you; you can’t be too willful. Don’t throw it away just because someone said a few words.”
Their feelings were complicated.
They didn’t want me to have a good life that overshadowed their eldest daughter’s success;
yet they feared I might truly walk away and let a good son-in-law slip through their fingers, affecting the cooperation between our families.
In the end, I was merely a tool to bind Lu Yancheng to them.
I wasn’t worthy of independent thoughts or emotions.
I coldly refused:
“I won’t be with Lu Yancheng anymore; you can find another mother for Lu Siqing!”
Lu Yancheng looked at me in shock:
“Mai Ye, what are you talking about? You want me to find another woman? Can you really bear that?”
He seemed unable to believe that I, who once revolved around him and his father, had left so decisively.
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