Volume One, Chapter 13: I Will Never Acknowledge You as My Mother Again!

The waiter beside them finished calculating the final bill, then looked up and said, “She does look fierce, but that’s none of our business. If that young lady isn’t afraid, why should we be? Besides, she’s wearing a military uniform—maybe she’s on a mission and got blood on her. We have no say in that!”

The man nodded in agreement. Indeed, it wasn’t their concern, and since their shift was almost over, his mood naturally lifted.

There were some leftovers in the kitchen today, and the manager had said each person could take a little home. This was why they were willing to work so hard and do the waitstaff’s jobs well—the perks were worth it.

Su Jinxia ladled herself another half bowl of soup. After finishing it, she looked up into the man’s eyes and teased, “What’s wrong? Regretting inviting me to dinner?”

Zhao Yue smiled. “Honestly, I didn’t expect you to eat so much. No wonder you’re so strong. But with your appetite, your family probably can’t afford to feed you—you should join the army.”

Su Jinxia laughed. “They really can’t afford me. Actually, they don’t even want to. As for the army, I think it’s too strict there. It’s freer outside.”

Zhao Yue thought about how strict military life was. This girl’s mischievous nature wasn’t exactly suited for it.

“It’s almost nine o’clock. I’ll walk you home.”

“Alright.”

Su Jinxia saw that everything on the table had been eaten clean. Together, they made a formidable team at the meal.

They got up and left the restaurant, walking along the small path toward her home. The closer they got, the heavier her mood grew.

She glanced at Zhao Yue and said, “Thank you for helping us today.”

Zhao Yue replied, “No need to thank me. I could tell he wasn’t a good person; otherwise, I wouldn’t have helped cover for you. Just be more careful next time—you have to handle things properly. You can’t let them catch you slipping. In a society ruled by law, you can’t just go around hitting people.”

His face was like ice—he never showed much expression. His darker skin somewhat wasted his handsome features.

When Su Jinxia looked up, they had arrived. She stopped and said, “I’m home now. You can go back. Thanks for the dinner. Wait for me at the station tomorrow.”

“Okay.” Zhao Yue watched her enter the building, then looked up, trying to see which floor she lived on.

But he saw nothing. After two or three minutes, he noticed a few units on the first floor with their lights still on. Maybe one of those was hers.

Gazing at the bright moon above, a faint smile curved his lips.

Su Jinxia tried to knock, but the door was already open. She pushed it and saw her father smoking on the sofa.

Her mother sat nearby knitting, while her younger sister yawned beside her.

“None of you are asleep?” she said without holding back.

Xiao Ying snapped, “Who dares sleep? You stole all the money and ration coupons from the house. We thought you were gone for good!”

Su Beilu looked at his daughter, who had grown noticeably thinner over the past half-month. He stubbed out his cigarette.

“Xia Xia, tell me exactly what happened.”

Su Jinxia glanced at the tea-drinking mother and daughter, realizing her scolding had been too mild. She pulled out some letters from her pocket and handed them to her father.

“Take a look at these letters first.”

Su Beilu took the letters. Judging by the handwriting outside, they were from his own father. He quickly opened them. As he read, he finally understood that working there wasn’t easy.

The work at sea was more dangerous than imagined. Besides the high wages, the benefits were good too.

Each time he returned from the ship, he received special allowances, which he sent all back home, telling Su Beilu to keep them safe and take good care of Xia Xia.

He looked at his wife. “My father sent me letters. How come I never knew? Why did you keep it from me?”

Xiao Ying put down her knitting, indifferent. “What’s the big deal? You two don’t even talk normally. After that incident, he’s even angrier with us. I thought it’s better not to stir things up. He sent the letters just to say he’s safe. Whether you know or not, it’s the same.”

“But that damned girl stole all the money and ration coupons!”

“You don’t know—she’s really strong now. Look at the injuries on me and our daughter—they’re worse than before. My hand is swollen badly. You’re the head of the household. You have to make a decision about this!”

“We have to teach that damned girl a proper lesson today, or this won’t end!”

“Enough!” Su Beilu stood up angrily. “How can you talk like that? ‘Damned girl’—she’s our daughter!”

“Oh, come on!” Xiao Ying stood, hands on hips. “You’re finally standing up for yourself today? Want to pick a fight with me? Su Beilu, you’re useless at making money but good at bullying your wife and children! I’m telling you, you’re always busy outside, but how much can you really handle at home? It’s me who runs everything!”

Su Beilu wasn’t good at arguing, especially since he and his wife had a close relationship. He thought if he treated his wife well, their marriage would be fine.

But after so many years, why was her temper growing worse?

“I’ve put up with you for a long time. Can you calm down a bit and be fair to both daughters? Our eldest daughter is our daughter too.”

Xiao Ying stepped forward and jabbed her finger hard into his forehead.

“You’re a coward. What use are you to me!”

“Enough!” Su Jinxia stepped forward and pushed her mother’s hand away. “You’re going too far!”

Xiao Ying still harbored psychological scars about her elder daughter, but now with her husband present, could she bear to let her daughter hit her? That thought gave her newfound strength.

“I gave birth to you and raised you with all my care, and this is how you treat me! Su Jinxia! Everyone says you’re good at studying, but I think you’ve stuffed all that knowledge into a dog’s belly! Didn’t your books teach you to respect your elders and care for the young?”

“Respect your elders and care for the young? Do you even deserve that?” Su Jinxia stepped closer. “Do you remember what I told you when I left today?”

“What did you say?” Xiao Ying’s mind raced, then suddenly recalled a sentence.

“You said you’d never acknowledge me as your mother again!”

“Good that you remember!” Su Jinxia looked at her coldly. “I will never forget what you’ve done to me, Mrs. Xiao!”

Being called “Mrs. Xiao” by her daughter nearly took the breath out of Xiao Ying. She turned to Su Beilu.

“Listen to what a daughter says! What on earth did I do to deserve this? Why does she treat me this way?”