After serving myself, I dug into my food, deliberately avoiding eye contact with anyone. Yang Shao was in his usual form, blabbering endlessly about what he wanted for his upcoming birthday party. He was two years younger than Yiang Luo, and the two looked so alike that people often mistook them for twins. When they stood together next to my father, you'd swear they were brothers, not father and son.
Yang Shao was the kind of person who loved to show off, a spendthrift who spent more time worrying about his looks than anything else. On the other hand, Yiang Luo was the complete opposite—quiet, accepting of whatever life threw his way, and never one to complain or fuss over small details. He had always been easygoing, unlike his younger brother, who seemed to thrive on attention.
I lost myself in my thoughts, not paying attention to my surroundings when suddenly, my fork slipped from my hand. It clattered loudly on the table, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. The sound reverberated, a sharp reminder that my presence hadn't gone completely unnoticed. Well, at least they noticed I'm here, I thought bitterly.
"What's wrong with you? After five years abroad, you still haven't learned any manners? Still the same filthy little girl from the slums?" My grandmother's voice thundered across the room. She had always spoken to my mother in the same degrading tone, but now, her words were aimed at me. I had long since grown used to her insults, but that didn't make them any easier to bear.
It seemed she would never change.
I could feel my hands tightening around my fork, and before I could stop myself, the words slipped out. "Well, at least you noticed I'm back!" I said aloud, the bitterness evident in my voice.
The room fell into stunned silence. My heart sank as I saw my father's icy glare fixated on me. Oh no, what have I done? I could already sense the storm coming. I had just broken one of the few unspoken rules in this house: never speak out of turn.
"So what if you're back?" my grandfather roared, his voice filled with clear contempt. "Should we kiss your feet and worship you now? You've done nothing but accept our 'generosity' by attending the best university, so spare us and go find something useful to do with your life. Or better yet, go back to that dirty village of yours." His words felt like a slap to the face.
My grandfather's breath became labored as he waved his hand dismissively in my direction, clearly agitated. He was trying to rid himself of me with a flick, as if I were nothing more than an annoyance. My heart twisted painfully in my chest, but before I could react, I heard my mother's angry voice cut through the tension.
"What are you still standing there for?" she snapped. "Do you want to kill him? Get back to your room and don't come out unless you're summoned!"
The words hit me harder than anything else. I didn't know how to respond. I couldn't argue with her. In that moment, my mother's words felt like a betrayal. It was the greatest blow I could have received.
With a lump in my throat and my emotions threatening to break free, I turned and fled to my room, slamming the door behind me. My tears flowed freely, each one as heavy as the last, a river of sorrow I couldn't control. I collapsed onto the bed, clutching a photo from twenty years ago—one I had taken with my mother when things were different.
I don't know how long I cried, but eventually, I was interrupted by a soft knock at my door.
"Young miss, please come out. There is someone here who wishes to speak with you," Nanny Lin Lan's voice called gently from the other side.
I didn't want to meet anyone. Not like this, not in this fragile state of mind. Who could possibly be here that wouldn't bring me more pain? I wanted to say no, to shut myself off completely, but a small part of me wanted to know.
"Please, I don't want to meet anyone," I called back, hoping to convince her to leave me be.
But Nanny didn't relent. "Please, Little Jie, come out. He says he has something important to discuss with you. Something about a good job opportunity."
I paused, confused. A job? I never applied for anything… But then, after a moment's hesitation, curiosity got the better of me. Why not? It wouldn't hurt to hear him out.
"Tell him I'll be there in a few minutes," I replied softly, trying to sound as composed as I could.
I quickly went into the bathroom to freshen up. Stepping in front of the mirror, I was immediately taken aback by my appearance. My face was blotchy, swollen from hours of crying. I applied some cream and concealer in a feeble attempt to hide the evidence, but nothing could completely mask how I felt inside.
I threw on a simple white T-shirt and skinny jeans, tying my hair into a loose ponytail. I took a deep breath and walked out of the bathroom, still not entirely sure what I was walking into, but knowing I couldn't stay locked away forever.
When I looked out the window, I realized the sun had risen, casting its golden light into my room. Had I really cried all night? It felt like I had lost time.
Taking one last glance at myself in the mirror, I barely recognized the person staring back. A tear-streaked face with no trace of the strength I used to carry.
But I had no choice but to face whoever was waiting for me. So, I pushed the sadness aside and walked out of the room, my heart heavy with the uncertainty of what was to come.