Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
"Dad, marrying a man means having someone to rely on for food and clothing. Since the day Mother started following you, she has lived every day under your scolding. When I was little, Mother needed money to buy groceries but didn’t dare to ask you. She would send me to ask you for money, and if I dared to ask for an extra ten or twenty, you would scold me. You two have been arguing since I was a child; you are both in your fifties or sixties now. How can you keep this up? What about your son and grandson's reputation in the village? If I don’t return to the village, no one even knows you have a daughter. It’s not my face that’s being lost; think about it yourself."
After hanging up the phone, I looked at my daughter who had just fallen asleep beside me, and tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. Dad, do you know? Because of your careless words, In-law looks down on me, always talking about how bad her son is in front of In-laws, and the disdain in her eyes when she looks at me is palpable.
Later, when I became a mother, I understood even less of their actions. Parents love their children and plan for their future, but I have never felt that.
I thought about ignoring them, but every time I see their aging faces, my heart softens. For them, there is more helplessness and compromise. They are getting older; what can I do? Changing them is harder than changing myself, so I accept their mediocrity and pettiness.
“Jing Jing, has your property deed come through? Lend it to me; I need to take out a loan from the bank.”
“What do you need a loan for? Isn’t business at the store doing well?”
“Don’t worry about it; just give me the property deed for a bit.”
“Second brother, my house is still under mortgage; the deed is with the bank, so I can’t use it for a loan.”
“Forget it then. Don’t tell Mom and Dad that I asked you for this; they don’t know.”
Second brother, who had never contacted me before, reached out first with the intention of using my house as collateral.
“Jing Jing, how are you doing? The virus is here; our community is locked down, and I can’t go out. If you or the kids need anything, just call me.” It was strange to hear such concern from Second brother.
“I’m fine; the kids are doing well too. You take care of yourself out there.”
Hearing Second brother’s unexpected care left me with mixed feelings.
“Make sure you all take care of yourselves too. Once this virus passes, let’s get together when you come back.”
“Sure, take good care of yourself and the kids; if anything happens, let me know.”
“Okay, got it, Second brother.”
After hanging up the phone, I took out my phone and transferred him two hundred yuan. Although it wasn’t much, it was enough to buy some vegetables. Looking out at the locked-down community brought many thoughts to my mind.
A few days later, Second brother called again.
“Jing Jing, do you have any money? Transfer me five thousand.”
“I... Brother, you know I've been unemployed since getting married. I'm taking care of two kids by myself; our family income relies solely on my husband’s earnings. I really don’t have that much money. I can only transfer one thousand.”
“Is there really nothing left? What should I do? I still need four thousand; I’ll find someone else to borrow from! Hurry up and transfer the money to me, quickly!”
After I sent him the money, I didn’t hear from him for a long time.
Then one night, he called me.
“Jing Jing, take care of yourself and the kids. Your brother can’t go on like this.”
“Brother, what’s going on? Are you out of money? If you are, I can transfer some more; don’t think about doing anything rash.”
“It’s nothing, that bastard, my cousin isn’t human. He hit me when he was drunk; my head is all bruised. Damn it, I’m going to go chop him up. I can’t take it anymore.”
“What are you doing? Why did he hit you? Why would you want to hurt him? You’re out there alone; don’t cause trouble and drink less.”
Comment 0 Comment Count