Chapter 8

“You ungrateful wretch! When your mother was carrying you, even Moon couldn’t get enough to eat! All the good food and drink went to you in her belly first!”

Father Lin Tieshan strode in from outside, his neck stiff, kicking aside the stool blocking his way. “I’m in charge! This is settled! We’ll do it right here! And it must be done grandly!”

His shouting was so loud that it drew all the neighbors out to watch.

I steadied the stool and refused flatly, “You haven’t had any say over me for a long time.”

“Mother, you know how many people come and go here every day.”

“If Young Master Lu wants to get married and still eat and drink for free at my place, I’ll lose at least five taels of silver, coming and going.”

“As the saying goes, even brothers settle accounts clearly. Since I’ve signed the Severance Letter with you, there’s no reason not to charge.”

Five taels of silver-enough for an ordinary family in Changning Town to live for half a year.

I signaled Liu’er to hand out copies of the Severance Letter, so no one could accuse me of being unfilial behind my back.

“This… this…”

Mother also got a copy, black ink on white paper, perfectly clear.

A few days ago, when some scholars stayed overnight on their way to the capital for exams, I paid them to copy out many versions for me.

No other requirements, as long as it was clear and easy to read.

“Hey, Lin Family, you’ve already severed ties, so why are you still making people pay and work for you? If you hadn’t severed ties, wouldn’t Lin Er be working like a horse for you?”

“Isn’t that exactly it? We all know how this Lin Family girl has gotten by these years.”

“Let me say something fair-how can a girl be distant from her parents before she’s even married? Lin Li, don’t forget your parents just because your life is better now.”

“Pah! I’ll say something fair too!” Liu’er climbed onto the table, stepping on the stool. “Listen up! I paid the rent for this shop! If she dares let her parents take advantage, I’ll go to Granny Liu and complain! No one gets a penny!”

“Oh, what a sin, you little brat with no mother to teach you!”

“Anyway, that’s my word! None of you better try to take advantage of Liu’er! Not even a grain of rice!”

…

Lin Tieshan glared at Liu’er, then at me, my face calm and unmoved.

“Fine, fine! I’ll just pretend I never had a daughter like you! From this day on, you’re dead to me! Dead!”

When the crowd had finished watching the spectacle and dispersed, I finally strolled over and closed the door.

A tall, thin young man stood not far away, dressed in a dark blue robe.

Who else could it be but Lu Zhao?

“Li, you used to be crude, but never as mercenary as you are today. This vengeful look of yours is truly disgraceful.”

The moment he opened his mouth, I caught a whiff of nonsense.

Does it hurt?

How could it not?

Three years-if you took in a stray dog, it would follow you by now.

Just like old Da Huang.

But now, Lu Zhao, who has read all the classics, opens his mouth and makes me out to be nothing but mud in the corner.

I used to think he was as handsome as Pan An, but now his face seems cold and indifferent.

Just like the man himself.

“The way you try to take advantage is just as disgraceful.”

“If you have no silver, don’t let me see you again.”

With a bang, I slammed the door shut.

Even one more look would make me feel it wasn’t worth it.

That night.

On the flagstone road of West Market, a few people walked by, and occasionally a night cat mewed softly.

Liu’er looked up at me, sitting in the tree, a hint of expectation in his eyes. “Sister Li, were you unhappy before?”

I thought for a moment and nodded.

Unhappy, very unhappy.

The only happy thing was getting engaged to Lu Zhao, but it brought even more unhappiness.

“If you live a really, really good life in the future, will you still remember all those troubles?”

I chuckled softly. “That can’t change the fact that I was unhappy before. Some things, you just can’t get past in this lifetime.”