Chapter 16

The past is an endless mess of debts that can never be settled.

I regret not checking the almanac before going out today. It’s as if I’ve been cursed-one after another, they all showed up.

But I don’t want to deal with any of them.

Above me, the sun is slowly sinking in the west.

My mother waited from afternoon until sunset.

I know she’s waiting for me to walk over, waiting for me to bow my head first.

Just like so many times before.

No mother ever says sorry to her child. Because mothers work so hard, so we shouldn’t blame them too much.

My mother never says sorry either. Her way of making up is to cook me some dried fish, then talk to me.

And that’s how things pass.

But this time, I stayed with her, waiting from afternoon until sunset.

I didn’t walk over.

I can’t blame my mother for anything, but I really can’t forgive her either.

In the end, my mother left.

I hid behind a big tree and quietly said goodbye to her in my heart: “Goodbye, Mom.”

I placed the chrysanthemums I’d bought in front of my brother’s grave.

In the photo on the tombstone, Jiang Qi is smiling with squinting eyes, showing his sharp canine teeth, as if he’s still that spirited young man.

His name is engraved just below the photo.

“Jiang Qi’s Tomb.”

I opened the cake box, lit the candles skillfully, and made my wish.

This year, my wish is still the same: Brother, please take me with you.

After making my wish, I just sat cross-legged on the ground.

“I’ve been waiting so long, the cream is melting.

“He Wei lied to me, said Mr. He was sick, but he wasn’t.

“They even bought mango cake. I don’t like mango at all.

“Brother, none of them treat me well. Only you were the best to me.”

I complained to my brother, though he can’t hear me.

But it’s okay. It won’t be long now.