chapter 18
I laughed.
“My classmate’s family factory is actually short of security guards. The monthly salary is 800. Three shifts. If Cousin wants to go, I can introduce him.”
Aunt’s expression was as ugly as it could get.
But she didn’t dare point at my nose and scold me like before.
Because our positions had changed.
These past two years, I’ve rarely kept in touch with my family.
But Song Mu would call me every now and then.
We didn’t have much to talk about, so each time it was just asking if I’d eaten, how I was doing lately, and then we’d hang up.
That night, after the guests left, Dad said, “Uncle De’s shop is moving, and he’s having some trouble. He helped you back then, you should go see him.”
Sometimes, I really don’t know how to judge my family.
They’re selfish, but they also know how to be grateful.
The next morning, I went to find Uncle De.
The bus station had moved, and his little shop wasn’t doing well.
He wanted to set up a new storefront, but didn’t have enough money.
I gave him eighty thousand.
Uncle De absolutely refused to take it.
“You’re just a young girl, it’s not easy to earn this money. Keep it for yourself, save it for your dowry.”
“Please take it, you deserve it. The help you gave me back then was worth far more than this money. If you hadn’t pulled me up when I was at my lowest, I might be working on an assembly line now.”
After much persuasion, Uncle De finally accepted it.
He wiped the corner of his eye. “I’m glad-I didn’t choose the wrong person.”
“Seeing you succeed, I’m truly happy.”
Mom and Dad wanted me to pay Song Mu’s tuition and living expenses.
He refused.
“I’m a grown man, I’ve got hands and feet, why should a woman support me!”
“If she can earn money in college, why can’t I?”
“I don’t want it!”
At that moment, I realized he’d grown up.
Favoritism and indulgence are aphids on a young tree.
Over time, they’ll gnaw the sapling away.
But wind and rain, though they may bend the tree this way and that, only through such trials can the sapling stand on its own.
After that summer, my status changed.
At family gatherings, when there were many guests, I used to not be allowed at the table.
Now, I always have a seat.
The elders in the clan would scold their kids, saying, “If only you were half as worry-free as your Sister Zhaozhao.”
All the aunts wanted to get some benefit from me.
Mom and Dad were soft-hearted, always speaking up for those relatives.
Unfortunately, their words didn’t work anymore.
One year, on New Year’s Day, I went to pay respects to Uncle De.
Mom looked downcast. “Zhaozhao, do you hate Mom? It wasn’t easy for us back then!”
I can’t say I hate her.
It’s just… hard to get close.
For the rest of my life, I’ll do my duty as a daughter-give money when needed, buy things when needed.
But my heart.
Doesn’t belong to this family.
Nor to Mom and Dad.
In my senior year, Zhang Shuai got married.
His bride was a female worker from his factory.
On the twenty-sixth of the twelfth lunar month, the two of them wore bright red, cheap wedding outfits, going from table to table toasting guests.
That night, my middle school classmates invited me to join the wedding games.
I stood at the door of the new room, watching them make a ruckus without restraint.
It was as if I saw my past self.
I felt uncomfortable that day, wanting Zhang Shuai to stop them.
But he said, “It’s a happy day, don’t spoil the fun.”
Later, I grabbed a broom and chased the crowd out. Mother-in-law scolded me for being immature.
Suddenly, I felt it was pointless and turned to leave.
Years passed, and the muddy country roads had been paved with cement.
More and more people were heading out into the world.
But have their ideas really changed?
I’m not sure.
Snowflakes drifted down from the sky.
Zhang Shuai came running after me.
He was drunk, his face flushed, blocking my way. “Zhaozhao, if I’d gone to high school back then, would you have noticed me?”
“No! I’d rather never marry than be with you.” I replied coldly. “Treat your wife well, and stop being a mama’s boy.”
Snowflakes landed on my face, cool and light.
Maybe, I would become his white moonlight.
It’s because I’m good enough, hard to get, that I qualify to be his white moonlight.
Almost home, my phone rang.
It was Zhang Jie calling.
“I have something to tell you.”
“Hmm?”
“I’ve signed with a big company in Hangzhou. We’ll be able to see each other again soon.”
“Congratulations!”
“Zhaozhao, I’m really looking forward to seeing you again.” In the night, his voice was gentle. “I’ll send you a photo.”
The signal in the village was poor.
After a while, a picture appeared on QQ.
It was a blooming Snow Willow, placed in a glass bottle.
And Zhang Jie’s words: “They’re resilient and beautiful, just like you, Song Zhaozhao.”
– End –