Chapter 102
Anna’s hand tightened around the dried fish. “No. When your grandmother entrusted you to me, she said she didn’t care about wealth or status, only that you were safe.”
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“But she’s not safe now!” Xu Shuyi’s eyes welled up.“I love her so much. She’s my life. But look at her marriage, how she’s been bullied! It’s because we lack power and influence! If they knew she was a Luo family child, would they dare treat her like this? Jiang Wenhui would probably be fawning over her!”
“Sigh.” Anna sighed again.“The Luo family is a den of vipers. She’s just suffering a bit now. Going back to the Luo family might put her life in danger.”
“Don’t mention this again, especially not in front of YanYan. Do you understand?”
“Yes.” Xu Shuyi nodded, but her resentment remained. Her daughter was so good–why was she treated so badly?
From upstairs, I saw my mother and grandmother, who had been drying fish moments before, arguing; my mother’s eyes were red, and my grandmother’s expression was serious. I went downstairs, taking their arms.“Let me cook lunch. today. I learned how to make amazing beef from a chef.”
“Good, let’s try your cooking.” Mom gently stroked my face.
Grandma chuckled, pinching my nose.“You little glutton. Watch out or you’ll get fat.”
“Being chubby is cute! Then I can live off my cuteness and stay at Grandma’s forever.”
Grandma recounted stories from my childhood, some clear, some hazy. Xiaobai, the pointy–eared white cat; Xiaohuang, the short–legged yellow dog… I went to city school, and my parents didn’t let me bring them. I only saw them during holidays. Eventually, they disappeared… I knew they’d passed, and I cried for a long time. My uncle joked, saying cats and dogs only live for ten years; just get new ones. But I refused. I was afraid of feeling that pain again. Xiaobai and Xiaohuang. And Julian. I’m a coward.
I prepared a feast for lunch; Dad and Uncle returned from fishing with a bountiful catch. After lunch, I casually told my family about my divorce.“I’m getting divorced. I’ll file for it when I return.““I initiated the divorce. I don’t want to continue.““Don’t feel sorry for me. Marriage is a two–way street. I chose to marry him, and I chose to leave. Don’t worry about me being bullied. I’ll always fight back.”
I spoke lightly, casually. My family responded that my happiness was what mattered; they supported my decision. They all acted like they knew nothing. With today’s internet, they couldn’t have missed the online drama. How could a woman betrayed by her husband, challenged by his mistress, and falsely accused by her mother–in–law be so calm? But they couldn’t help. All they could do was avoid adding to the problem.
Watching their careful, clumsy act, my heart ached. Even at my age, they had to pretend to comfort me. How unfilial I was. I swore I’d never let this happen again.
* **
I stayed in the fishing village for three days. I only asked Evan for five days off… which I basically begged for. If I didn’t return to work, he’d fire me. I needed to go back to Chicago, and I asked my parents to stay a few more days until things with Julian were settled.
Before leaving, I checked my phone, assessing the situation. I hadn’t won, but neither had they. As expected. They did suffer more losses, though. They represented the Shaw and Gu families, the Shaw Corp and Crowe Group; I represented only myself.
