Chapter 13
Ever since I got sick, my appetite has been terrible, and I can only eat a little bit.
My bowl was piled high with dishes that Mr. He picked out for me.
Just looking at it made me feel physically nauseous.
Afraid I might actually throw up, I stopped eating.
After dinner, the birthday cake was brought out.
This time it was a little different-not the usual single cake with a vague “Happy Birthday, Baby” written on it.
Instead, there were two separate cakes ordered.
Each had our names written on them.
He Yu.
He Yu.
Pointless.
Maybe to highlight his care for me, Mr. He eagerly cut a big piece of cake and handed it to me first:
“Dad remembers you used to love mango, right?”
The neatly cut, bright yellow mango made me want to gag just from the smell.
I said, “You remembered wrong. I haven’t liked mango for a long time.”
Mr. He’s hand holding the cake froze: “Then something else?”
The only other option was the cake with He Yu’s name on it.
I wasn’t interested in either cake. So I got up to leave: “No need, you all eat. I have something to do.”
But my wrist was grabbed by He Wei: “Are you doing this on purpose?”
I didn’t understand.
“What’s so urgent that you can’t wait until after dinner? Who are you putting on this attitude for?”
As if he hadn’t thought it through, he looked a bit puzzled: “Why have you gotten so thin?”
I lowered my eyes and pulled my hand away, not even wanting to argue with him.
I said, “You’re right. Next time, remember not to invite someone as much of a buzzkill as me.”
But as my hand was released, I couldn’t help but notice the ugly scar winding across He Wei’s palm.
It looked awful.
Mr. He tried to mediate, but couldn’t hold back a cough, his face turning red: “He Wei! Apologize to your sister.”
The air instantly grew quiet.
I hadn’t expected that after all these years, I’d become somewhat important.
He Wei sat unmoving in his chair, raising his eyes to look at me.
Afraid I wouldn’t get a response from him, I said, “Forget it. Next time, just stay away from someone like me.”