Chapter 6

Chapter 6

My Biological Father looked at us, his expression flickering with uncertainty and suspicion. “Giving away my own child is against the law?”

My Adoptive Mother raised her voice. “Taking money for it makes it a transaction. That’s definitely illegal!”

Back then, the villagers had an innate fear of the police and the station.

No one wanted to end up behind bars.

Chu Qi had already picked up the landline in the living room.

My Adoptive Mother questioned them again, enunciating every word. “I’m asking you one last time. Look closely-is Xiao Jue really your child?”

My Biological Mother was already intimidated. She tugged at my Biological Father’s sleeve while offering a sheepish smile. “We made a mistake, a mistake! We got the wrong person!”

My Biological Father was unwilling to let it go, but his fear of the police won out. He allowed her to drag him away.

They had already reached the stairwell when my Biological Mother suddenly ran back.

She pulled a small handful of mint candies wrapped in newspaper from her pocket, her eyes rimmed with red. “Here, for you.”

I shook my head and didn’t take them.

“Those candies are too bitter. I don’t like them.”

It was only after I grew up that I understood.

As a young child, I thought mints tasted good because I had endured so much bitterness; even the tiniest bit of kindness felt incredibly sweet.

But in reality…

I shouldn’t have had to endure that bitterness in the first place.

Once the onlookers had dispersed, my Adoptive Mother went into the bathroom to look in the mirror.

She changed out of the coat with the missing button and used a comb to meticulously smooth her disheveled hair, stroke by stroke.

Taking a tube of anti-inflammatory ointment, she gently applied it to her face.

She was usually a refined and careful person.

Even when she just went out to buy groceries, she kept her hair perfectly neat.

Yet for my sake, she had ended up with her hair a mess and her cheeks red and swollen.

Guilt welled up in my heart, and I apologized in a low voice. “I’m sorry, Auntie…”

My Adoptive Mother’s face darkened, and she said sarcastically, “You call me ‘Mom’ when you’re in trouble, but it’s back to ‘Auntie’ when you’re safe? Are you playing with me?”

I explained frantically, “No, I’m just… I was afraid you wouldn’t…”

She tossed the ointment aside and walked straight up to me, looking fierce. “Call me…”

“Huh?”

She raised her voice. “Call me Mom!”

I looked up at her.

She was harsh and cold, and she almost never smiled at me.

But in these past few months, she had never hit me or let me go hungry.

Her bedroom door was never locked; I could open it whenever I wanted.

She never left me home alone.

Whenever she took my brother out, she always took me along too.

On the crowded streets…

No matter how fast or slow I walked, whenever I turned around…

She was always right there behind me.

She was good to me.

I was just afraid.

Afraid that I didn’t deserve it…

Memories flooded back, and a lump formed in my throat. I called out in a trembling voice, “Mom…”

My Adoptive Mother’s eyes were bloodshot. She gave me a light smack on the back of the head. “How many times have I told you? Don’t open the door for strangers. Do you hear me?”

That smack sent my tears falling, splashing onto the floor one by one.

I nodded vigorously. “I’ll remember!”

“I’ll call the school to ask for a leave of absence for you. Go pack your things.”