Volume One, Chapter Seven: Letting Go of a Grown Woman

Xu Li continued to pretend to sob, covering her face with her hands, making no move to stop her daughter. My father acted as if he didn't see a thing, as if being struck and scolded by Fu Xiaoya was the most normal occurrence in the world. Feeling dejected and desperate, I offered no resistance.

"Zhou Yan, you listen to me and don't you forget it: don't you dare get involved with Yu Qingman again. She’s a total little slut, and just looking at her makes me sick," Fu Xiaoya warned coldly. I truly didn't know what the innocent Yu Qingman had ever done to offend her.

"My business has nothing to do with you," I protested, feeling disgruntled. I added in a muffled voice, "We had only just begun, and you’ve already broken us apart. What chance is left now?"

"Haha, good! It’s better that you're broken up!" Fu Xiaoya finally laughed. She let go of my collar, but reached out to gently pinch my cheek. Xu Li saw this gesture through the gaps in her fingers; she quickly lowered her hands, her eyes widening in shock.

What Fu Xiaoya did next made Xu Li completely lose control. Fu Xiaoya suddenly threw her arms around me! She held me so tightly that I could barely breathe, leaving me frozen in place. The pressure against my chest caused my blood to race, rushing to my face until it felt as though I were being scorched by hot coals.

"Xiaoya, what are you doing?" Xu Li roared, rushing over as if to tear her daughter away, but she tripped over her own feet and nearly fell.

"Mind your own business!" Fu Xiaoya shot a sidelong glance at Xu Li, then suddenly reached both hands into my pockets, digging deep. I was completely stunned! This was in public, after all...

Everyone had jumped to the wrong conclusion; Fu Xiaoya had simply snatched the money from my pocket before letting me go with a smile. It was my lunch money—three hundred and eighty yuan. She stuffed it into her own pocket without a shred of hesitation, ran to the side of the road, and hailed a taxi. Under our watchful eyes, she drove off in style without even saying goodbye.

It took me a long while to recover, unable to believe what had just happened. Fu Xiaoya had hugged me! The feeling was magical; it was as if she had forcibly woven herself into my life, destined to never be forgotten.

Also impossible to forget was the look in Xu Li's eyes. She stood as if under a paralysis spell, staring at me unmoving. Aside from shock, her gaze held a deep-seated malice and resentment.

"Are you two together or not?" Xu Li’s voice was as icy as a judge from the underworld.

"No," I insisted firmly.

Fu Xiaoya's actions had clearly caused a misunderstanding, but I couldn't keep explaining; it would only make things worse and fuel her suspicions further.

"Girls are hard to keep," my father remarked with a helpless sigh. He gave me a look of pure disgust before beckoning Xu Li toward the car. They drove off, leaving me behind.

Penniless, I had to walk home. With my hands in my pockets, I walked alone through the darkening streets. Yet, my heart felt full. Replaying the memory of Fu Xiaoya’s embrace, I found a smile playing on my lips that I hadn't even realized was there.

Back home, my father and Xu Li had already finished eating and gone into their room; only the cold leftovers remained on the table. I ate in silence, took the thousand yuan left on the table, and went upstairs. Although my father hit and scolded me, he never shorted me on money. I owed that to my mother—her taking care of me was written into their divorce agreement. My father had to abide by it, and to his credit, he was a man of his word. But my hatred for him and Xu Li grew day by day, impossible to resolve. I longed for the day when I would never have to see them again. I had to get into college and take control of my own future. Clearing my mind of distractions, I picked up my study guides and began to study with total focus.

In the middle of the night, loud, ecstatic cries erupted from the room downstairs, clearly audible through the door. Having just lain down, I felt my face flush and my heart pound; I couldn't help but pull the quilt over my head. I seriously suspected they hadn't even closed the door. What was wrong with Xu Li? Had she been triggered? She wasn't like this before; the intimacy between her and my father had always been silent, quiet as if it had never happened at all.

The next morning, my father left for a business trip. To my surprise, the dining table was set with four delicate side dishes, steaming millet porridge, and fluffy white steamed buns. I was baffled. Xu Li rarely made breakfast, and when she did, it was half-hearted—usually just a bowl of soy milk powder and a couple of eggs to dismiss me. The lavish spread left me feeling flattered and incredulous.

Xu Li walked over, wearing an apron and smiling brightly. "Xiao Yan, eat up!"

I nodded woodenly.

"You really have grown up. You’re much taller than me now." She stepped forward to measure her height against mine. She was very close, and the scent of expensive perfume wafted toward me.

"Thank you," I said, quickly sitting down without daring to look up.

"I lost my daughter, and I don't want to lose you, too." Xu Li sighed softly before turning and swaying back into the kitchen. Only then did I notice she was wearing black silk stockings and red high heels, looking alluring and unrestrained—full of mature temptation.

The more attentive Xu Li was, the more uneasy I felt. Ever since she entered this home, she had treated me like a thorn in her side, constantly plotting against me, only failing to kick me out. How could she change overnight? In the days to come, I would have to be extra careful and keep my distance.

In class, I saw Yu Qingman again. She sat two rows ahead, diagonally from me, studying quietly. Occasionally, when she turned back and our eyes met, she would hurriedly look away, absentmindedly brushing her ink-black, straight hair as if to ease her tension. Just when I thought the story between us was truly over, she had a classmate pass me a note.

I unfolded the paper, my heart racing. "After school, I'll wait for you in the woods on the south side of the playground!"

Yu Qingman was asking to meet me. I read it over and over to be sure I hadn't misread it. My eyes grew moist, and I couldn't help but press the note against my chest. Outside, the sun had turned bright, and a few sparrows flew by, chirping. I waited impatiently for the sun to set so I could be alone with her again.

The final bell finally rang. I ran across the playground to the grove of trees. Yu Qingman was waiting there, standing quietly, bathed in the sunset, gazing into the distance. I approached slowly... seeing her profile—perfect, flawless. Suddenly, she turned, her face full of fury, and slapped me hard across the face.

I was stunned, frozen in place.

"Zhou Yan, I never expected that behind your honest face, you’re such a total pervert." As she scolded me, she raised her hand to strike again, but I caught her wrist.

"Yu Qingman, explain yourself! What is going on?" I roared.

"What is your relationship with Fu Xiaoya?" she demanded, her face flushed with anger. "You got beaten up, and then you committed perjury to whitewash her? If you have feelings for her, why are you playing with my heart?"