Meng Ning recalled last night's dream and said, "I don't know why, but I just remembered some things."
"Ning, have you been too tired lately, thinking about nonsense?" Meng's mother worriedly said, "Don't overthink it. It's all in the past. How are things with your husband?"
Meng's mother deliberately changed the subject to prevent Meng Ning from asking more questions.
"He's fine," Meng Ning sat down and said, "He's very busy with work, leaving early and returning late every day. Oh, by the way, one of his distant relatives came today, said she was an aunt. She was very polite and insisted on giving me a jade bracelet. I didn't take it, it was too expensive."
"Your husband's parents passed away early, but these relatives seem pretty good," Meng's mother said. "Ning, I think your husband is quite nice. You should cherish your life together. Love can be cultivated over time."
"Mom, I know," Meng Ning didn't want her mother to worry and said, "Mom, what are we having for lunch today?"
Meng's mother said, "We'll go to your aunt's house. Your aunt twisted her ankle yesterday, so we should go check on her."
Meng Ning was reluctant. "Mom, Aunt has always looked down on us. When you were sick and in the hospital, she didn't visit even once. Why are we going?"
Meng's mother had two older sisters and one younger brother.
Being the youngest daughter, Meng's mother was both beautiful and academically gifted, and the family adored her, thinking she would surely marry well and bring prosperity to the family.
But unexpectedly, Meng's mother had a child out of wedlock, which the family found disgraceful. She insisted on having the child and later cut ties with the family.
After the passing of Meng Ning's grandparents, Meng's mother regretted it deeply and took the initiative to reconnect with her siblings, hoping to mend relationships.
Meng's mother said earnestly, "Ning, we're family. Don't be so petty. Family bonds are strong. Get ready and come with me."
Reluctantly, Meng Ning agreed to go with her mother, worried about her being mistreated.
Half an hour later, Meng Ning drove to another district in Beijing, entering a somewhat upscale neighborhood.
As they parked and got out of the car, they ran into a familiar face.
"Aunt, Meng Ning, what brings you here?"
Meng Ning turned around and saw her older cousin, Yang Liu, standing beside a BMW.
Yang Liu, now 32, married a doctor who was recently promoted to department head. She was a full-time housewife and, after eight years of marriage, was still childless despite trying all kinds of remedies.
Yang Liu was elegantly dressed, carrying a luxury LV bag, and her gaze towards Meng Ning and her mother was indifferent.
Meng's mother smiled and said, "Yang Liu, I heard your mother twisted her ankle, so we came to check on her."
"Oh." Yang Liu's attitude was cold, not inviting them upstairs, locking her car, and walking towards the elevator alone.
Yang Liu always had an arrogant demeanor, which Meng Ning disliked. Meng's mother, unbothered, pulled Meng Ning along to follow her.
Meng Ning's aunt, Zhou Wenxiu, married and soon after her in-laws' home was demolished, receiving three new apartments.
In Beijing, owning three apartments certainly puts one in a position to look down on others.
Once inside, Zhou Wenxiu's attitude towards Meng Ning and her mother was equally cold.
Meng's mother handed over the gifts she brought, smiling and asking with concern, "Elder sister, how is your foot? Is it any better?"
"It's okay," Zhou Wenxiu didn't take the gifts and said, "You only earn a few thousand yuan a month, why spend so much money on these things? Take them back with you when you leave, and don't buy anything next time."
This wasn't out of consideration, but rather a dismissal of the gifts.
These were items Meng's mother bought from the supermarket, spending over 300 yuan. She would normally never splurge like this on herself.
Meng's mother, feeling awkward, smiled and said, "I've already brought them, so please just accept them."
Zhou Wenxiu reluctantly let Meng's mother put the gifts on the floor.
Seeing her mother humbling herself, Meng Ning felt both heartache and anger.
She had repeatedly urged her mother not to come, but her mother insisted.
Just as Meng Ning was about to speak, her mother gave her a look, signaling her to stay silent.
Meng Ning had no choice but to keep her feelings bottled up.
"Have a seat," Zhou Wenxiu waved her hand, signaling Meng Ning and her mother to sit.
In the past, everyone in the family doted on Meng's mother. She got the best food and clothes first, and Zhou Wenxiu was very jealous. Now that she was better off than Meng's mother, she felt a strong sense of superiority and a lot more at ease.
Meng's mother pulled Meng Ning to sit down. Zhou Wenxiu smiled and asked, "It's been a long time since you visited, Ning. You've grown prettier. But for a woman, marrying well is the real skill. Look at your older cousin, she married well and lives comfortably."
This was a jab at Meng's mother, implying that although she was beautiful in her youth, she didn't find a good man and was deceived instead.
Meng's mother felt embarrassed, but before she could respond, Meng Ning, unable to hold back, said with a sweet smile, "Yes, Cousin is indeed fortunate. I heard her husband was promoted to department head recently. By the way, it's been eight years since Cousin got married. Why hasn't she had children yet?"