When her mom left them, it was the time where her father got so addicted into drinking.
Not one moment that he didn't have a bottle of beer in his hands.
And whenever he heard Mei Chen sing or even hum, he would throw the bottle of beer on the floor and leave the house.
Mei Chen's father never hit her, but to young Mei Chen his actions were hard to comprehend.
Little Mei thought his father doesn't want to hear her singing voice thinking that it reminds him of her mother that's why she shunned her talent away.
"But I thought you hated hearing me sing....I thought you dislike my voice because you remember mom,... Before you..."
Mei Chen was cut off by her father who slowly shake his head, he started to sob uncontrollably as his emotions burst out in the open.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I didn't mean for you to think like that... It's all my fault. I'm angry before not because you're singing, but I'm angry at myself for not being able to give you a good life....
You're mom and I, we have high hopes for you back then. We know you're talent can bring you to stardom, but we never would have thought that us making you pursue and practice you're singing prowess would end up in such a scandal...
We didn't consider that times have changed, people would pick on you if you're different and weird. We never thought that things would escalate that much.....
We're blaming ourselves for raising you in a way that weirded people out. I'm sorry sweetheart. It was never you're fault.....
Im not mad, I'm in fact so glad that you would finally be able to do the things you love the most and I'm very very proud of you."
Her dad tearfully explained. Mei Chen's video that circulated around their school was a clip of her singing in a punk rock outfit made by her mom.
Her dad was playing at the background as they were teaching her how to sing and perform.
Her outfit was gothic and eccentric that her bullies made fun of her.
They also spread gossips about her. About how her family was trying so hard for her to be a star.
Mei Chen would seldom join singing competitions and her parents we're always supporting her.
She would always won the grand prize, which makes her haters jealous of her achievements.
They made a whole lot of lies and stories so everyone at school would ostracised little Mei.
They said mean things and even physically abuse the poor Mei Chen that lead for her being depressed and suicidal.
"You're voice, I would never hate you because you sounded like you're mom. It's yours... You're mother have nothing to do with it, so own it."
Her dad firmly said. Mei Chen too, started to cry. Her father's words reminded her of what Kenny had told her before.
Mei Chen felt like something heavy had been lifted in her heart, now that she knows the truth she felt so much lighter and relieved.