Around six in the evening, Zhan was sitting at the door of his mother's room, cutting vegetables for her into a plastic bowl. His stepsisters Lanbei and Labei were also sitting at the door of Antu Mama's room with their friends, chatting and laughing loudly, filling the whole courtyard so that you'd think it was a celebration.
Antu Mama and Zubei Mama were also in the courtyard, chatting with their daughters' friends. Every other sentence, they would burst into laughter, and most of the time they threw taunts at Lina and Zhan.
Lina was sitting in front of a coal pot, scooping out the corn porridge she had finished cooking. Aunt Fin had gone to somewhere with Meilin.
Nenne entered the house with her bag hanging on her shoulder. Instantly, the house fell silent. Nenne briefly responded to the greetings from Zubei Mama, Lanei, and her friends, then headed toward Lina and said, "Lina, has Aiyin returned or not?"
Lina greeted Nenne and said, "No, he hasn't returned yet, Nenne. Welcome."
Nenne said, "You see me here...I came from Gusu, and from there I went to Yumeng. I've been to Nightless city also today. I left home since morning and I'm just now returning. The only shared buses in Chongqing are just driving around with peoples..."
Lina just smiled and continued scooping the porridge she was working on.
Nenne pulled a stool, sat down, and said, "I went to Kaime's house at Gusu to see Aya. If I tell you about Aya, her legs are completely dead, Lina. She can't even stand up. I couldn't do anything with that woman to make her eat meat, but she looked like she was sad for me because my husband doesn't bring me any when he's alive. Well, today, even if I don't eat meat, I still have my two legs strong and healthy. She has none. She saw me walking proudly as I entered the house and burst into fake tears. Honestly, i didn't pity her. You should see how she used to show off with eating beef in the past. Every day you'd smell boiled meat coming from her house. We just threw locust bean into our soup."
Lina shook her head and said, "Well, may Heaven give her health."
Nenne said, "It's not a matter of Heaven giving her health....her legs are rotten. I doubt they won't be amputated since she can't even move them."
Zubei Mama and Antu Mama had their ears completely tuned to the story Nenne was telling Lina. Xiao Aiyin entered the house with a greeting.
Nenne turned and looked at him, then stood up and went to him, saying, "Now, Aiyin my son, won't you stop going to that market since you don't do anything there except sit in the sun and wind? Look how dark you've become, as if you've never seen light in your life, Aiyin. Since there's no white-collar job for you, let alone a black one at the market, stop going, it's just useless."
He greeted her, took a water container to get some water, and went outside his room to sit and wait for his mother.
Nenne clicked her tongue and said, "Well, you and your wife Lina are the same."
Lina turned and looked at Nenne upon hearing what she said. He also stopped and said, "Is everything okay?"
Nenne said, "Where is 'okay' in this? If you don't seek peace, you won't live in peace. I've heard that human rights advocates have come to this house and said they will continue to sponsor Zhan's studies in America because of sympathy for what that cursed man Yiming did to him. But because you and Lina are miserable people, you refused them and chased them away. What do you want the child to suffer for? For being turned into a divorcee while still young, or for losing his studies that you're trying to make him lose? If Lina is ignorant because she didn't get a Western education, are you also ignorant, Aiyin? Where have I not gone to work so you could study? Honestly, even if it's the end of the world, Zhan will return and finish his studies since someone has said they will take responsibility without a single coin from you. So even if you don't see a single coin..."
Xiao Aiyin, who had been looking at his mother, said, "Where did you hear this news, Nenne?"
Nenne said, "Is the news of the world meant to be hidden? I was sitting minding my own business, and the people of this neighborhood came and told me about it, even the neighborhood I went to today..."
Antu Mama looked at Zubei Mama, who had opened her mouth while listening to Nenne.
Zubei Mama couldn't hold back; she adjusted her sitting position and said calmly, "But Nenne, wasn't the first one not done properly that there needs to be a second one? You see, the whole town just looks at us as greedy people. Everywhere, we are insulted since the news of the disgraceful divorce that was given to Zhan came out. They keep saying his father caused it for him. In this life, if it's not your own parents who will take responsibility for you, then anyone who says they will take responsibility for you above your parents does so because they see something they will gain from you.
Zhan is a male child, not a woman Nenne. And nothing attracts men to him except his beauty and fair skin. They've seen nakedness. So because of love for worldly things, we will keep watching until this child is completely ruined? Yiming got what he wanted and sent him back to us. Now someone else comes saying he will continue to take responsibility? No, this matter has no order. And so he has become like a prostitute..."
Nenne hurled an insult and said, "Well, anyone who speaks what's in their heart about Zhan, may Heaven curse their blessing. And if accepting their help is what it takes for him to finish his studies, then sadness can kill any bastard, honestly. Even if he is taken anywhere, I agree that he should go. He knows the upbringing we gave him, even if he flaunts that upbringing...that's between him and Heaven. And tomorrow, I will call his friend to come and tell him that Zhan's father agrees....whoever wants to take responsibility for him, let them take him.
Let him go there and continue his studies. It's better for him to be far from us...so that the sadness in his heart will lessen. As for us, when he sees us, i know he feels disappointment and sadness because we don't have any status in his eyes, since we caused everything for him. It's better for him to go back, finish his studies, and return with his dignity, because he won't rise under nothing. Even that Yiming himself, when he hears that someone has sent him back to America to continue his studies, sadness will almost kill that bastard. And there he will know that Zhan is not worthless....his happiness is famous."
Nenne breathed heavily, turned, and looked at Lina, saying, "And you, Lina, what is the matter with you? You're like a person selling a fabric....do you intend to burden him with the sadness of not returning to finish his studies? Well, just as you are proud and have authority over him, so do I, since I gave birth to his father. I don't see any bastard worthy of saying he will not return and finish his studies."
Lina didn't say anything to Nenne.
Xiao Aiyin was standing, holding a water container in his hand, looking at his mother. Then he said, "But Nenne, there's no order in letting this child leave the country again with someone else taking responsibility after everything that has happened. What do you want the townspeople to say about me? And I said that whenever I get money, I will find a local university for him to attend. He's not too old...time hasn't run out for him."
Nenne looked at him quickly and said, "Whose father's house will you get the money from? If the townspeople say what they will say about you, may Heaven curse their blessing. Listen to me, Aiyin....I don't need your opinion or advice now because when you followed your own opinion and agreed for Yiming to take him abroad, you didn't listen to anyone or take their advice. Therefore, I will not listen to you. He will return to America and finish what he started, if all goes well. And if you want to show the world that I am worthless to you, then let it be."
Xiao Aiyin just walked out the gate with his water container in hand.
Nenne looked at Zhan and said, "Quickly pack your trunk and be ready. Once your flight money is paid, go and do what will help your life. Just living in this house is enough to throw someone into terrible depression. A house like a refugee camp....with women walking around and defecating inside. Even a poor person should have some level of cleanliness. But in this house....poverty and filth. What human could live here if not forced?"
With that, Nenne left.
Zhan lifted his head and looked at Lina, who had been watching Nenne go.
Antu Mama stood up, looked at Lina, and said, "As long as you refuse to open your mouth and speak, then you will see and hear....your child will be returned to you increased, Lina. Is a senile old woman like Nenne going to decide the fate of your own child? Did she lay and give birth to your child for you? Why are we not given authority over our own children? Because they know we wouldn't take them and give them to bastards? Well then, Nenne is now your head, so leave everything to her. Are you a mentally unstable woman that you will let her decide for your child? If Zhan opens his mouth and says he won't go, no one can force him, honestly. Who doesn't know Nenne's greed and love for worldly things, as if she would stole something?"
They heard Nenne's voice....she had been stuck nearby, not having left, waiting to hear what would be said.
Nenne started calling loudly for Xiao Aiyin. He rushed in quickly, looking at her, and said, "Is everything okay, Nenne? The matter will go how you said it would be done."
Antu Mama shifted her eyes nervously from where she was standing. Zubei Mama stood up, sneaked away, took her bowl of dishes, went into her room, and let the curtain fall.
Nenne broke down in intense tears, looking at Xiao Aiyin, and said, "Aiyin, today you have to choose....either me or Antu in this house. Just choose....me or her. Antu look at me and call me a mentally unstable old woman....a crazy woman with a head? She call me greedy and a lover of worldly things? Since I was born, have I ever gone to her father's who begs on the street corner and said, 'Give me something'? What have I ever asked of her mother, the one with the swollen feet? She doesn't know that I was stuck there and didn't leave....I was listening to everything she said.
The insults and humiliation....she forgot none of what she gave me, Aiyin. She is even telling Lina that I didn't gave birth to her child so I will not decide for Zhan? What did I do to Antu that she would say such evil things about me? I see that every day your progress and that of your family is my goal. I have never neglected you or your family. But in the end, insult and humiliation follow. In my Old age....and Antu calls me a lover of worldly things?"
Nenne cried heavily, wiping her eyes with the shawl on her body. Xiao Aiyin looked at Antu Mama, who had fallen silent, and said, "Antu, go home. Till I come for you."
Antu Mama rolled her eyes and said, "I don't understand 'go home,' Aiyin. Which home should I go to?"
Xiao Aiyin said, "Your parents' home. Go....I am done with you."
Antu Mama jumped up and said, "We belong to Heaven and to Heaven we return. You say you're done with me, Aiyin? I am ruined."
Labei stood up, breathing heavily, and said, "Honestly, Father, we will just follow our mother."
Nenne said, "You wretched girl, follow her. The hunger in your stomach is enough for you."
Xiao Aiyin looked at Antu Mama, who was breaking down in tears, and said, "Don't let me return and find you in this house." Then he left the house.
Nenne followed behind him, wiping her eyes, and also left. Only then did Zubei Mama come out, releasing a deep breathe, looking at Antu Mama crying.
Lina's body had gone so cold she couldn't say anything from where she was sitting.
Zubei Mama looked at Lina and said, "You have truly caused a mess, Lina. Every disaster that happens in this house is because of you and your cursed children. See, today because of you and your child, Antu has been divorced. There is no blessing with you and your offspring, Lina."
Lina turned and looked at Zubei Mama but didn't say anything. Zhan also lifted his head and looked at her.
Antu Mama cried heavily and said, "And if all goes well, the secret you are keeping will end badly for you in this house, Lina. The way you caused the cutting of one string of my marriage, I will cause the cutting of all your strings. Even if I have to walk naked, I will. I have been given a divorce; you will be kick out. And if Aiyin thinks he has divorced me, I am now start marrying him anew..."
With surprise, Lina didn't even know what to say to them, seeing how they had turned the conversation at the same time. Today, she was seeing bold-faced lying clear as day. Following them was just a waste of time for her, with neighbors listening. She just stood up and went into her room. Zhan stood up and followed behind her.
***
Early the next morning, Lina and Aunt Fin came out to the courtyard and found Zubei Mama and Antu Mama standing, waiting for them to come out so they could go and apologize to Nenne. Each of them wore a jacket down to the ground because it was very cold.
Despite everything they had done to Lina yesterday, that didn't make her say she wouldn't go with them to Nenne's house.
They themselves knew that it was because of Lina that Nenne would forgive them and make Xiao Aiyin take Antu Mama back. That was why Zubei Mama herself, without any shame, spoke to Lina around five in the morning. Antu Mama had slept at a neighbor's house because Nenne had returned and chased her away, even throwing her sandals at her. She didn't return home until nearly four in the morning.
So they all headed to Nenne's house that morning.
***
Thursday morning, Zhan was sitting in Lina's room watching Aunt Fin arrange the clothes that had been bought from the tailor into a trunk. Zhan still couldn't figure out what he felt in his heart....whether it was happiness or the opposite, he couldn't tell. His biggest worry now was that he didn't know with what eyes he would look at his housemate when he returned to America.
Also, he felt like he would just become a heavy burden for him there, since he knows there was nothing his parents would support him with if he returned. The little money in his account wasn't good money....with it, he bought a new phone with a new SIM card, plus a few things he knew he would need in that country.
The remaining money in his account didn't even reach one hundred and fifty thousand. All these thoughts made him very worried inside.
Aunt Fin lifted her head and looked at him before closing the bag's zipper and said, "You haven't forgotten anything, right?"
Zhan just nodded at her.
Aunt Fin said, "Will you and Yu-Bin meet at the airport tomorrow?"
Quietly, Zhan said, "Yes."
Aunt Fin locked the zipper and said, "It's better to free your mind and do what's in front of you, Zhan. Remove any worry from your mind so you don't go and have problems with your studies. As for your housemate, may Heaven reward him with the best..."
Zhan lowered his eyes and didn't say anything. Suddenly, tears filled his eyes. Aunt Fin stood up and took one of the boxes to pack a few food items that she and Lina had bought for him that he could take into America.
Quietly, Zhan said, "Well, Aunt, how will his money in my account be returned to him?"
Aunt Fin lifted her head and looked at him, then said, "Whose money? Yiming's?"
Zhan nodded at her. Aunt Fin opened her mouth, then said, "So his money is still in your account?"
Zhan nodded at her. Aunt Fin fell silent, as if thinking. After a while, she said, "Just keep the money for now, Zhan. Whenever he returns and asks for his things, then it can be given back. Don't even tell sister Lina about the money for now. I don't want there to be a delay in your travel because now they might say the money must be returned first, and that could cause a delay..."
Zhan didn't say anything. Aunt Fin continued packing the food items into the box.
:
:
Zhan had started falling asleep around ten-thirty when Aunt Fin woke him up, handing him his new phone as it vibrated. He sat up, adjusted his hair cap, and took the phone...he saw that Yu-Bin was calling. He answered and put it to his ear.
On the other end, Yu-Bin said, "Are you already asleep?"
Zhan said, "Um, I went to bed early."
Yu-Bin said, "Oh, sorry for waking you up. Actually, your housemate asked me to ask you for an account number so he can send you funding, because I know for sure Yiming has taken his money from your account, right?"
Zhan fell silent, unable to say anything to Yu-Bin until Yu-Bin said, "Hello?"
Quietly, Zhan said, "I hear you, Bin."
Yu-Bin said, "Well, I noticed you went silent."
Zhan lifted his head and looked at Aunt Fin, who was watching him. He wiped the tears clinging to his eyes and said quietly, "The other day, his mother came to take the money. I can't do a transfer, and I don't have an ATM card. So she left me an account number to send the money to her today. And today is Friday. We went to the bank, but they had closed. Now she says she will come back tomorrow morning if I don't send her the money."
Yu-Bin, who had been listening to Zhan with frustration, said, "May Heaven make it easy. Listen to me....for Heaven's sake? For nine or ten million, did his mother have to find her way to your house herself? Can you imagine? No, honestly, it's only now that I'm reconfirming that Yiming was once poor in this life. All of a sudden, Heaven just gave them wealth from above. Nobody can change this perspective of mine. What is ten million to them, the way they showcase their wealth? What is 10M to them? This is embarrassing for them.
And you....instead of calling me earlier to tell me, you stayed silent? If it weren't for your housemate reasoning that you must have sufficient funds in your account to travel, you would have kept quiet until tomorrow when we're about to leave, then to tell me? And Yiming's mother....honestly, she is a wretched troublemaker. She even managed to find her way to your neighborhood over money that she didn't even give. her son, maybe he doesn't even know she found her way there. Send me the wretched account number she left for you."
Then Yu-Bin hung up. Zhan pulled his bag, wiping the tears that had gathered in his eyes. He opened the bag, took out the paper with the account details that Yiming's mother had left for him, sent the account number to Yu-Bin via message, then put the bag back and lay down again. Aunt Fin didn't say anything because she had understood their entire conversation.
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