Chapter 72: The Mouth Commits Another Crime

“Not Xiaobao... Sister, sister is...”

Faced with her little sister’s question, Cheng Simin couldn’t answer right away. She glanced down at Jiabao, then up at Chen Xiaofen. Both pairs of eyes—so alike—were fixed on her, seeking answers.

And there was still Shi Ying standing by the doorway, an outsider witnessing this intimate moment. She couldn’t lie brazenly, nor could she reveal too much truth. Stammering awkwardly, she said, “Uh, well... I’m not working in Jicheng anymore. Earlier this year, I wasn’t feeling well, so I stopped working...”

“Now I live in public housing nearby. I just went to the police station to take care of something and happened to run into Mom.”

At these words, Chen Xiaofen stopped hitting the child, and Cheng Jiabao stopped crying.

The two surrounded Cheng Simin from both sides, speaking simultaneously.

Chen Xiaofen asked, “Minmin, where exactly are you unwell? Are you better now?”

Meanwhile, Jiabao, wide-eyed, voiced a different concern: “Sister, is your princess room a castle? Can non-princesses live there too?”

Out of the corner of her eye, Shi Ying—who had been standing under the eaves—stepped out into the rain. Cheng Simin’s phone lit up briefly; it was a WeChat message from Shi Ying saying he’d go buy an umbrella.

She knew he was deliberately giving them privacy and replied with a simple “Okay.”

With their private space preserved, Cheng Simin let out a sigh, sinking onto the couch. There was no point pretending after everything had come to light. She might as well confess plainly.

First, turning to Chen Xiaofen on her left, she said, “It was benign breast nodules. I had minimally invasive surgery, and now I’m fine. But I lost my job.”

Then, addressing Jiabao on her right, she added, “It’s not a ‘princess’ place—it’s public housing. The tenants are people who don’t have much savings or own property temporarily. Basically, folks like me, struggling through life.”

Jiabao’s mouth dropped open as she processed that “public housing” wasn’t the same as a “princess castle.”

Cheng Simin pulled a pack of tissues from her bag and tossed it to her. “Wipe your nose first.” Turning back to Chen Xiaofen, she continued, “Mom, you must be disappointed in me, right?”

“Looking back, maybe it was for the best that you didn’t come to stay with me. I’ve always had this problem—from one perspective, it’s called having big dreams, but from another, it’s being unrealistic. When I graduated, I truly believed that if I worked hard enough in Jicheng, I could climb the corporate ladder effortlessly and become someone important. But in the end, I lost my job, sold my house after buying it, and ended up sick. All my efforts were wasted, and I slunk back here like a dog with its tail between its legs.”

“I’ve failed so miserably.”

The naive bee, crashing headfirst into the transparent glass jar, finally realized that society was full of invisible tracks and barriers.

Hard work didn’t necessarily lead to success. But for someone mass-produced like her—a game token—if she retreated even slightly from the high-pressure workplace, she would miss out on worldly success altogether.

Was it because she didn’t want to compete anymore? No, she was disheartened, unable to keep up. On the surface, it seemed like liberation, but deep down, it meant she couldn’t rise again.

“Did you see long ago that I wasn’t reliable? You and Dad...” Her lashes grew damp, but she forced a brave smile. “You must have regretted picking me up, right? After Dad passed, you raised Xiaobao alone through all those difficulties while I avoided contacting you. You must hate me, right?”

Seeing her sister’s red-rimmed eyes, Jiabao hurriedly handed her some tissues. As Simin dabbed her eyes, Xiaofen beside her suddenly began crying too. Jiabao scrambled to pull out more tissues and handed them to her mother.

Cheng Simin assumed Xiaofen’s thoughts based on her own perspective, but Xiaofen, in turn, had also been making unilateral decisions as a woman and a mother, trying to “take care” of Simin.

Back then, she hadn’t gone to Jicheng to rely on Simin because she saw herself as a burden. How difficult it was for women to succeed in this world! Simin, venturing far away to work hard, had accomplished what Xiaofen could never dream of doing. She admired her daughter deeply.

Xiaobao was born despite Simin’s objections—how could Xiaofen impose the responsibility of raising another child on her eldest daughter?

Marriage meant following your husband, and his duty was to support her and Xiaobao. Once, she thought losing her husband would mean the sky collapsing entirely. But after Cheng Wei died, she realized her life hadn’t worsened as much as she feared.

As Simin said, one must look forward. While Cheng Wei once sheltered her, by the time Xiaobao was born, that fragile shelter had turned into a leaky roof. Forced to step out of the crumbling house, she discovered the vastness of the world wasn’t so terrifying.

She hadn’t collapsed after losing her husband; instead, she grew stronger.

She had learned how to earn money. She no longer needed anyone’s protection—she could be someone else’s shelter.

Reaching out, Xiaofen gave Simin’s shoulder a gentle push, tears streaming down her face. “How can you think like that? Have I been a mother for over twenty years for nothing? How could I ever hate my own daughter? Minmin, no matter what others say, I’ve never regretted taking you in. Even when you were angry with me, ignored me, or blamed me, I’ve always cared about you.”

“I only hate myself—for being useless, incapable, relying on him for everything, and failing to give you a better life.”

“But now things are different. I have money. I can take care of you with my own abilities.”

“Don’t overthink it. Coming back isn’t shameful. If you’re sick, rest. If you’re tired, recover. You’re still young—what failure? Until the day we die, who can define us? Just as I raised you before, I can provide for your food, clothing, shelter, and travel now. Don’t be afraid.”

Simin had been crying beautifully, almost poetically reminiscent of Lin Daiyu. But hearing Xiaofen suddenly boastfully encourage her to depend on her again, she couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time, hugging her mother like a madwoman. Patting Xiaofen’s forehead, she wailed, “Mom, our family’s already struggling! How can you ask me to freeload off you? You’re not running a fever—are you talking nonsense?”

Jiabao feverishly handed tissues left and right.

Soon, the tissue pack was nearly empty. Listening to their conversation, she felt they were crying way too much. Finally, unable to resist, she interrupted Simin. “Sister, stop crying. We have plenty of money! Mom has over 200,000 yuan in her passbook.”

“Mom, stop crying too—you’ve used up all the paper. Didn’t you barely shed a tear when Dad died? You’re so ruthless.”

After her father’s passing, Jiabao had heard relatives whispering that Xiaofen was heartless and cruel, showing no tears. With her limited vocabulary, Jiabao didn’t fully understand what “ruthless” meant, but the tone suggested fear and respect. To her, it seemed like a powerful compliment.

Xiaofen wanted to pinch her daughter’s mouth shut, but mindful of Simin’s earlier advice about “love-based education,” she wiped her tears with the last tissue instead. Glaring sidelong at Jiabao—the infamous gossipmonger—she didn’t refute her but casually opened her phone and showed Simin her recent WeChat transaction history. “Minmin, look! What’s 200,000? Recently, with the cold weather, my takoyaki stall earns 700–800 yuan a night. I’ve also learned a new spicy recipe. At this rate, I’ll save another 200,000 by next year.”

“When we reach a million, we’ll retire! Buy a car, get driver’s licenses, and spend our days traveling, eating, drinking—doing nothing.”

Jiabao, still a child, immediately squeezed between the two, hugging them tightly. Sweet-talking her mother, she pleaded, “Mom, I’m sorry for skipping class. Take me along when you travel, okay? I’ll be good—I’ll clean tables, score 100 on tests, and drive for both of you!”

Seeing her youngest daughter’s mischievous antics, Xiaofen frowned sternly. “Stop groveling. Didn’t you say you hate me? Why are you suddenly obedient? Go take your piggy bank to Jicheng and leave me alone.”

Jiabao wasn’t slow-witted—just young. Since her sister wasn’t staying in Jicheng anymore, why should she go there?

“I don’t hate you! I was just teasing. I love you so much, okay? Promise to take me!”

As she spoke, Jiabao served tea on both sides, careful not to neglect her sister. Then, retrieving her fallen piggy bank from between the sofa cushions, she handed it to Simin. “Sister, I love you just as much. It doesn’t matter if it’s not a princess room. Even if you’re not a princess, I’ll always play with you.”

“No eating sand. I’ll treat you well and spend my money to buy you snacks first.”

________________________________________

When Shi Ying left, the atmosphere inside was tense. By the time he returned with umbrellas, deliberately lingering to give them space, and carrying a large bag of stationery for Jiabao, the clouds had dispersed. A rainbow arched across the horizon, and cheerful laughter spilled from the open courtyard gate, like a stirred-up nest of sparrows.

As soon as he entered the yard, he heard Xiaofen asking Simin, “Is that man who drove you your boyfriend? What’s his name?”

Slowing his steps slightly, he heard Simin confirm his name aloud. Straightening his posture, he walked in confidently.

“Oh, such a nice name! Tall, polite, clearly well-read and sensible. He seems like someone who’ll treat you well!” Xiaofen exclaimed approvingly.

“Really?” Simin’s voice carried suppressed laughter. She recalled how Xiaofen used to complain about Shi Ying visiting their home frequently during her school days, accusing him of being a nuisance—a “little stray dog.”

“Mom, doesn’t he look familiar to you?” Simin teased.

“Familiar?” Shi Ying, basking in the praise, stepped inside eagerly, hoping to hear more flattering words from his future mother-in-law. But the next second, Xiaofen turned her back to him and said to Simin, “Not particularly, but I just remembered your friend from elementary school.”

“Minmin, do you remember that boy who often came to pick you up for school? You probably didn’t know—his family fell apart. His father went bankrupt and got arrested, caught with another woman. Poor thing, his mother was driven insane by debt collectors. Word spread around the market earlier this year; she’s hospitalized.”

Simin noticed Shi Ying returning and immediately signaled her mother to stop, covering her mouth urgently. But Xiaofen, passionately recounting the gossip, didn’t notice. Pulling Simin’s arm aside, she lamented the unpredictability of life.

“Just imagine how that boy must feel now. Only later did we find out how wealthy his family once was. Someone accustomed to luxury suddenly losing everything—it’s different from us villagers, who are used to hardship. His father was such a big businessman. Do you think he’s still doing okay? Maybe you should check on him. See if we can help somehow. After all, he was your friend once.”

“Mom, stop talking… He’s standing right behind you!”

Simin gritted her teeth, silently mouthing her frustration. She was utterly exasperated with Xiaofen’s inability to filter her words, especially when gossiping about someone directly in front of them.

Xiaofen turned around, smiled at Shi Ying, and asked, “Why did you take so long?” Shi Ying explained he’d bought some small gifts for Jiabao. Instantly Jiabao rushed over, sweetly calling him “Big Brother.” She crouched on the floor with the plastic bag, rummaging through it and gasping in delight. He had bought her not one, but five sets of the latest blind box pens—a luxury she could never afford on her own.

“Oh my gosh! These are the super-popular card game blind box pens that everyone at school is obsessed with!” Jiabao exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Five whole sets! I can’t wait to show them off at school—my classmates will be so jealous!”

Xiaofen watched Shi Ying interact warmly with Jiabao and felt a surge of approval for his character. Turning back to Simin, she spoke frankly, “What does it matter if he’s standing there? We haven’t seen each other in ages, and women chatting among themselves shouldn’t concern men. Besides, I wasn’t talking about him. I was referring to your male classmate.”

“Oh!” Xiaofen suddenly recalled something and added, “That boy—you know, the one who used to visit our house when you were in elementary school—he also happened to share the surname ‘Shi,’ didn’t he?”

At this point, Xiaofen finally stopped herself, realizing her mouth had once again gotten her into trouble.

But Shi Ying didn’t seem to mind. After all, everything she said was true, and she hadn’t exaggerated any details. Still squatting on the floor, he watched Jiabao excitedly unbox her treasures. When he looked up, he exchanged a reassuring glance with Simin and smiled gently, saying, “I’m doing well, Auntie. Cheng Simin has already helped me so much.”

“In fact, just these past few days, she’s been a tremendous support to me at work. I’m truly grateful to her from the bottom of my heart.”