"A bunch of ignorant women in the village, I can't wait to see whose daughter can achieve what my Niece has."
That afternoon, she wandered around the village wearing a straw hat, sighing every time she saw someone. "Shi Shi scored 638 points; now I have to support her through college. It's so frustrating!"
Based on the suggestions from my homeroom teacher and Second Brother, I applied to the 985 university next to Second Brother's.
Aunt insisted on throwing me a graduation banquet. She happily said, "These people throw a party for every little thing; we have such a big event, how can we not celebrate?"
"You must tell everyone that you will be filial to me and your uncle in the future, just to annoy those gossiping women."
The banquet had twelve tables. The aunts and older women in the village changed their tune, their voices filled with envy.
"You raised this Niece well; you two have produced two college students—truly impressive!"
"Shi Shi looks smart; I said long ago she would pass."
"Once they graduate, your lives will be so much better!"
"Your uncle Aunt is like your biological father; you must be filial to him."
The atmosphere was lively when my biological mother, having had a few beers, suddenly grasped my hand. Her eyes were red, filled with affection.
"Sister San, I’m so happy you got into college."
"You’re just as clever as I am; I always knew you would make it."
She gently stroked my hand. "I had to send you to Uncle's House when I was pregnant with your brother."
"I’ve always missed you. I wanted to bring you home sooner but was afraid it would affect your studies."
"You are my daughter; we should be together as a family. Today, thank Uncle Aunt for all these years of care, and then you can come home with me."
She pulled over her cousin, who was gorging himself nearby.
"Xiao Qiang, hurry and call your sister to come home."
Ma Qiang shot me a glance.
"It's not like she got into Tsinghua or Peking University; what's the big deal?"
My eldest sister came over, dragging her two daughters along, her pregnant belly prominent.
"Sister San, they are your biological parents. As their child, you can't hold a grudge. From now on, we are one big happy family."
My head buzzed with anger.
I knew they had low standards, but I never expected them to be this shameless.
Even more ridiculous was that someone chimed in:
"Raising you is a kindness, and giving birth to you is also a kindness. You're a college student now; your future is bright, and you should honor both sets of parents."
My biological mother smiled with a strained expression.
"Of course, you should remember the kindness of Aunt, but if I hadn't given birth to you, you wouldn't be where you are today. You should mainly remember me and your father..."
She reached out to pull me closer.
"We are the real family."
I shook her off forcefully.
"I remember when you sent me away, you said you would no longer be my mom and dad."
"For all these years, you never asked about my studies."
"You never paid a single cent for my tuition, never bought me a pair of socks or a piece of clothing."
"When I graduated from middle school, you even wanted to sell me for bride price money."
"For over a decade, it has been Aunt who raised and educated me."
As I spoke, my voice choked with emotion.
"In my three years of high school, my mother never bought me a single new outfit!"
"Now that I've gotten into college and have a bright future, you come to acknowledge me?"
"What are you really after? Do you think I don't know?"
I raised my voice:
"You think if you're nice to me now, once I graduate and start making money, you'll just latch onto me and suck me dry, expecting me to support your son, right?"
"Dream on! You wish!"
"I won't give you a single penny."
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