Chapter 1:

Grandma wouldn't let us sit at the table and told me and Mom to go eat in the kitchen in front of all the relatives.

I ignored her and pulled Mom to sit down.

Seeing this, Grandma raised her voice and said it again.

After hearing it, I stood up and flipped the table.

Fine, if I don't eat, then nobody eats.

(1)

In the chaos, Grandma was the first to react.

She screamed, "You little bastard, you've got guts, even daring to flip the table."

Before she finished speaking, her hand was already raised.

I grabbed her hand fiercely, glaring at her.

"Why can't my mom sit at the table? Let me tell you, if not for the fact you're my grandma, tonight it wouldn't just be the table that I'd flip."

The old lady was instantly silenced by my shout, but she quickly turned the blame onto my mom.

"You useless hen who can't lay eggs, can't even raise a decent girl."

I don't know where she got the nerve, even with me here, to talk about my mom like that.

I stepped forward to argue with her, but Mom held me back.

Amidst the chaos, my father finally spoke up.

"Grace Grant, she's your grandma. If you keep causing trouble, I'll beat you to death."

This is my father, who never stands up for us.

Great, the whole family gangs up to bully me and Mom, right?

In a fit of rage, I lost all reason and ran to the kitchen to grab a kitchen knife.

"This whole family only knows how to bully me and Mom. I'm scared of you all, come on, I'll cut you all up."

Perhaps out of fear of my rage, the old lady and my dad just stood there without saying a word.

I threw the knife down, grabbed my mom, and left.

As soon as we stepped outside, a stream of curses followed us.

(2)

I took Mom to find a hotel in town, planning to return to my place the next day.

Mom and I snuggled up on the bed, and she hugged me, crying.

"It's my fault for being useless, letting you be bullied."

Mom, how can you be useless? Without you, I don't know where I'd be now.

Back then, when Grandma and Dad found out I was a girl, they wanted to throw me away.

Mom wouldn't have it, and she stood at the door with her newly delivered body to block Dad. Dad got so annoyed with her crying that he kept me.

Later, when my aunt from the neighboring village came back, Grandma took out the preserved pork she was usually reluctant to eat.

The meat smelled delicious as it cooked in the pot, and I watched from the doorway.

Afraid I'd come in to eat, Grandma yelled for Mom to take me back.

When I got home, I couldn't stop crying because I wanted some meat.

Out of pity for me, or perhaps out of frustration with Grandma, Mom took out the only piece of smoked meat at home and cut a bit to cook for me.

When Dad saw the few pieces of smoked meat in my bowl, his face fell.

Mom quickly tried to smooth things over.

"Her grandma cooked smoked meat today, and Grace wanted some too, so I made her a bit. Kids need it as they're growing."

Hearing this, Dad's face turned dark and foul.

"If she wants to eat, she can eat at my mom's place. Isn't that her real grandma? She wouldn't deny her, right? Maybe it's you who wanted to eat."

Mom didn't say anything else, but her eyes were brimming with tears.

Dad must have a bad memory. From childhood until now, not even a single piece of meat or a piece of candy came from Grandma to me.

After that, I never told Mom about my cravings because I was afraid Dad would blame her again.

(3)

After a few days of having fun, I couldn't refuse Mom, so I had to take her back.

"Oh, you still know how to come back."

I didn't need to turn around to know who was spouting nonsense.

"What's wrong with us coming back? Are we eating your food or living in your place? Always interfering."

I didn't expect her to latch onto a casual remark.

"Didn't eat mine? When your mom was doing her confinement, she ate three of my eggs."

After saying that, she proudly put her hands on her hips, as if those three eggs were her almighty capital.

Truly shameless when people get old. As if eating three eggs during her confinement was a great crime.

But to avoid her gossiping in the future, I went to town and bought all the eggs I could.

I've calculated, even if she eats five eggs a day, it's still enough for her until she's buried.

If she mentions those three eggs again, I'll make her drink all these eggs.

After handling everything, I could only return to the city to work.

Before leaving, I repeatedly instructed, "Mom, I'm leaving. If she acts up again, call me, and I'll deal with her."

"Don't worry about me. You take care out there on your own."

(4)

"Grace, hurry to the hospital."

Mom's voice trembled on the phone. Without asking further, I rushed to the hospital.

Running hurriedly, when I arrived and understood the situation, I regretted coming. Was it just to embarrass myself?

Grandma saw Mrs. Brown's chickens from across the village running loose, and she wanted to catch them to raise herself. Who knew she'd miss and fall from the ground ridge?

By the time she was found, she couldn't move, so they rushed her to the hospital.

I just can't understand how someone her age can shamelessly do such things.

"Where's my dad?"

After sorting everything out, I realized someone was missing.

"Your dad... he had something to do."

At this moment, I was shocked by this family for the second time.

What could be more important than his own mom?

Taking a deep breath to calm myself, I took care of the following matters.

(5)

"Sister, you are indeed blessed to have such a filial daughter. Unlike me, I have so many kids, and none come to see me."

The grandma on the neighboring bed said this, making the atmosphere in the room a bit awkward.

"Sister, this is my daughter-in-law. My daughter is just too busy to visit me, or it wouldn't be her turn."

What? Is my mom taking care of you begrudgingly?

"Fine, fine, your grandeur is too much for us to handle. Mom, let's go."

Without waiting for Mom to say anything, I pulled her outside.

"Sister-in-law, are you going to buy food? Buy a bit extra for Jason and me, we haven't eaten yet."

Oh my, we barely stepped out, and we meet this family again.

Also, how does she assume I'm going to buy food?

Just when I planned to leave, I decided not to. I wanted to stay to see the mother-daughter bonding.

"Emily, you're here."

Looking at the empty-handed daughter, the old lady spoke with indescribable melancholy.

"Mom, I heard you fell, so I rushed over, didn't have time to buy anything. I'll bring something next time."

She finished and gave her son a knowing look.

"Grandma, I'll buy lots and lots of stuff for you when I grow up.

True enough, men deceive at any age.

A few words brightened the old lady's face into a smile.

"Now that Aunt's here, my mom and I should leave to not disturb you all."

It'd be really impolite to linger any longer.

"Aren't you going to buy food? Why haven't you gone yet?"

"Buy food? Who told you that? I'm leaving."

Seeing we were really about to leave, Aunt abruptly stood up.

Of course, if we leave, who's the fool now?

"But Aunt, didn't Grandma say it wouldn't be my mom's turn to take care of her if you hadn't come? Since you're here, we won't hold this spot. You can ask the neighbor grandma if you don't believe me."

Aunt suddenly became anxious but held back because others were around.

"Grace is right. It's been tiring these days, let's go home and rest."

Only heaven knows how much her heart hurt when she said this.

(6)

After leaving the hospital, I took Mom out for a meal. She really suffered in the hospital these days.

We were chatting happily when I suddenly saw a familiar figure. Not only that, but there was also a woman and a child beside him.

"Grace, what are you looking at?"

After speaking, my mom also turned around to look, but that person had already left.

"It's nothing, mom, hurry up and eat. I'll take you out for a walk later."

That person really seemed familiar just now, or maybe I just saw it wrong.

After a few days of taking my mom around, I said I wanted to visit grandma in the hospital.

To be honest, sometimes I get quite irritated with my mom for always putting herself in upsetting situations.

"You just stay home and relax. I'll go see her. If anything seems off, I'll take you. Besides, her daughter is there, too. Why are you worrying for nothing?"

But the last sentence I spoke quietly, not letting my mom hear it.

Before heading to the hospital, I bought some fruits, after all, with others around, appearances must be kept.

I carried the fruits and headed to the hospital.

As soon as I walked in, I was stunned by the scene in the ward.

The table and the floor were covered with toys.

This old lady is something, always complaining about not having money, but now using her pension to buy toys for her grandson.

"Grace, you're here. Why didn't you tell me in advance? Where's your mom?"

Her voice couldn't hide the happiness, as if convinced I was here to take over her place.

Unfortunately, you're mistaken.

"My mom's staying home. I just came to visit. If there's nothing, I'll be leaving."

As I spoke, I suddenly caught a sour smell, a mix of rotting fruit and body odor.

I glanced at the old lady, frowning in distaste.

"Grace, why not have your mom come and look after her? You see, she's just idling anyway."

Ha, you'd last just a few days of care before finding it unbearable.

"Aunt, you know, ever since you got married, you've rarely come back, and grandma misses you. You two can take this chance to bond."

In all fairness, she couldn't say much after that.

"Then Grace, why not take Jason to stay with you? It's not good for a child to be in a hospital often."

I glanced at the kid sulking in the corner, his nose scrunched long. Taking this brat back, would my home even be the same?

"Aunt, sorry, but my place is small, no room to spare."

"Humph, no room indeed. Our Jason doesn't even want to go. If he gets hurt, who's responsible?"

Grandma, who had been pretending to sleep, couldn't hold it any longer upon hearing about her dear grandson.

"Aunt, you see, grandma even said, if he gets hurt, who's responsible? I've got things to do, so I'm leaving."

This time, I really must thank the old lady. If it weren't for her, how could I leave so swiftly?

Feeling light as a feather leaving the hospital, I took the opportunity to stroll around,

(Seven)

"Daddy, will you buy me this toy?"

A childish voice rang in my ears, but I didn't pay attention.

"Sure, Lily, whatever you want, daddy will buy it for you."

That familiar voice entered my ears, making my body tremble,

Isn't that my supposedly busy dad?

What is he doing here? And why is that boy calling him dad?

After calming down for a moment, I understood.

My dad cheated, and he even has a son.

Watching my dad's face filled with smiles, I was too sad to speak.

Once upon a time, I wished so much that he could look at me with a smile,

But no, not once. Always that stern face.

Unknowingly, my face was wet with tears.

I couldn't figure out what I did wrong for him to treat me this way all these years.

For a moment, I even wanted to pretend I hadn't seen anything, and nothing had happened.

But thinking about my mom's hard work over the decades, I couldn't.

After gathering myself, I quietly followed them.

They looked so happy as a family of three, so much so it seemed like my mom and I were the ones in the shadows.

I watched that woman beaming, wearing a bracelet on her hand.

Seeing that bracelet was like a stab to my heart,

I remember mom wanted a bracelet before, and not only did dad refuse to buy it for her, he accused her of wanting to go out and find another man,

And now? Ha, it's truly laughable,

Their happiness is too glaring. Unable to watch any longer, I recorded a video and went back to the hospital to confirm my suspicions.

(Eight)

Aunt thought I returned to take care of grandma, standing up happily but got interrupted by me.

"Where's my dad?"

Grandma didn't expect me to ask this, stunned for a long time without answering.

"Where's my dad?"

I raised my voice again, more aggressively than before.

"Your dad... your dad is busy with work."

Clearly feeling guilty, grandma lowered her head while saying it.

Busy, busy with his concubine and son, right?

"Grandma, no matter how busy he is, shouldn't he care about you? I'll call him back."

"No, no, I'm fine soon, no need to trouble him."

Alright, now I know that my grandma was fully aware and even condoned my dad's affair and child.

For the sake of her eldest grandson, she let my dad stay there, even enduring her own injuries.

From start to finish, grandma never considered my mom and me as family.

If that's the case, don't blame me for forgetting the past affections.

(Nine)

Honestly, I didn't know how to tell my mom about it, but I couldn't bear to let her remain in the dark.

"Grace, is there something going on? You've been gloomy since you returned."

I squeezed my hand, took a deep breath, and showed her the video.

After watching, mom stayed silent for a long time.

"Mom..."

Before I could finish, I choked up.

Mom wiped my tears and hugged me. Her voice was calm,

"Grace, I'm going to divorce your dad,

After all these years, I've done more than enough for him."

To be honest, I didn't expect my mom to be so decisive.

But since she said it, why should I hold back?

If there's going to be a divorce, then the assets should be fairly divided.

My mom worked so hard for so many years, serving their family like a maid—it can't be all for nothing.

So mom and I calculated our family's assets.

Currently, we have a house in town jointly owned by my mom and dad.

The savings aren't much, just about twenty or thirty thousand.

So mom and I planned to transfer the house to my name, and forget about the savings.

Initially, I wanted my dad to leave with nothing, but mom said after so many years together, some feelings should remain.

"Grace, if that's all, I'll head to my room now." Her voice carried an indescribable melancholy.

But I didn't know how to comfort her. All I can do now is to reclaim the things that belong to my mom, one by one.

(Ten)

I haven't been to the hospital since then. Grandma's discharge was informed by my aunt via a call.

Of course, it wasn't just about grandma's discharge; it was more about blaming my mom for not taking care of grandma, and why I didn't bring anything over.

They probably got used to treating us like fools.

I wasn't idle during these days, secretly following dad. First, to gather more evidence of his affair, and second, out of curiosity whether his son is really his.

This might be my habit from watching too many melodramas.

When the boy went to buy ice cream alone, I secretly took a strand of his hair, but later realized that I also needed my dad's hair.

So, I put this matter aside for now.

"Visit the hometown once."

My dad, whom I hadn't contacted in eons, actually messaged me. It can't be anything good, but it was a perfect chance to get his hair, so I went.

"Grace Grant, you've grown wings, haven't you? Your grandma was in the hospital, and you didn't even look after her? And your mom, the both of you are so filial."

Seems like they're here to settle scores.