Chapter 5

Wendy looked at me, a little surprised, but that quickly turned into a smile.

“Okay,” she said. “Let’s go.”

We packed a few things, changed clothes, and headed out.

On the way downstairs, my phone rang again.

I looked. It was my mom calling.

I didn’t answer.

She called again.

Still didn’t answer.

The third time she called, I just turned the phone off.

Once we were in the car, Wendy started the engine and slowly drove out of the neighborhood.

“What are you thinking about?” Wendy asked.

I turned to look at her. “I’m thinking maybe I’m being too heartless.”

She laughed a little. “What do you think?”

“I don’t know.”

I was being honest.

“I just know that if I pick them up, take care of him, and pay for everything, I’ll feel even worse.”

“Then that’s right. If something makes you feel bad, don’t do it.”

An hour and a half later, we got to the in-laws' place.

“Why are you coming over so late?” Wendy’s mom stood up and looked us over. “What happened?”

“Nothing. We just wanted to come stay for a couple of days.”

Wendy’s mom looked at her, then at me. She probably sensed something, but she didn’t ask.

“Have you eaten?”

“I’ll heat something up for you.”

“We already ate,” Wendy said, stopping her.

“Mom, don’t fuss. We can handle it ourselves.”

Wendy’s mom nodded, then looked at me again, like she wanted to say something but held back in the end.

The next morning, I woke up early. When I opened my eyes, the sky was only just beginning to brighten.

Wendy was still asleep. I got out of bed quietly, went to the bathroom, and washed up.

When I came out, Wendy’s mom was already busy in the kitchen.

“You’re up?” She turned and looked at me. “Hungry? The porridge will be ready soon.”

“Thanks, Mom.” I walked over and stood beside her as she stir-fried the vegetables.

“Kevin,” she said suddenly, “did you have a fight with your parents’ side?”

I froze, not knowing how to answer.

She turned the heat down and faced me.

“That child Wendy has never liked talking much since she was little. She keeps everything bottled up inside. But the way she looks at you, Mom can tell she really cares about you. Whatever’s going on between you two, don’t hide it.”

I lowered my head, silent for a few seconds, then spoke.

I told her everything that happened yesterday, word for word.

By the end, my voice was trembling a little.

“Mom, I’m not being unfilial, I just...”

Wendy’s mom didn’t say anything. She just walked over and hugged me.

“Silly boy,” she said gently, patting my back. “You’ve already been more than filial enough.”

My nose burned, and I almost cried.

“Mom knows you’ve been wronged.”

She let go and looked at me.

“Your parents are biased. That’s their business. You’ve done everything you should do, and even things you shouldn’t have had to do. Now that you don’t want to do it anymore, then don’t. Mom’s here.”

I looked at her and suddenly didn’t know what to say.

My parents raised me for thirty years and never once said something like that to me.

After breakfast, I turned my phone back on.

The second it powered up, messages flooded in.

My mom had called more than a dozen times and sent a flood of WeChat messages.

Without exception, every single one was accusing me of being unfilial.

Grace had also sent a few messages, each one sharper than the last.

The latest, sent ten minutes ago, said: “Brother, you’re really something. Turning off your phone and hiding out—aren’t you afraid of breaking Mom and Dad’s hearts?”

I looked at those messages and smiled a little.

A little after ten in the morning, my mom called again.

This time I answered.

“Hello.”

“Kevin!”

Her voice was frantic and angry again.

“Where are you?! Your dad’s already at the hospital. Where the hell are you?!”