Chapter 151: Who Is Right, Who Is Wrong?

When she was little, her mother had been strict, but she had always looked up to her as a grown-up to admire. Yet, at some point, Dong Yanyan began to feel disappointed, realizing her mother was not always right, not all-powerful, and sometimes even unreasonable. What she found hardest to accept was that the woman she had relied on was actually a timid, unapproachable person—and, to her dismay, not very clever. This shattered her illusions.

Perhaps every child goes through such a disillusionment in growing up. Dong Yanyan understood that everyone has flaws and that becoming a parent doesn't make one perfect. But facing a mother who at times behaved even more immaturely and irrationally than herself, expressing displeasure in ways that only bred annoyance, was simply too much for her.

So she said nothing more and turned to go change her clothes.

The clatter from the kitchen grew louder, but Dong Yanyan deliberately blocked it out. During dinner, her mother still ignored her; she didn’t even eat. Dong Yanyan called out once, inviting her to eat, but when her mother pretended not to hear, she stopped and lowered her head to eat alone.

After finishing, she looked at her mother and asked, “Mom, what’s wrong with you today? Who did something to upset you?”

Her mother shot her a glare, said nothing, and lowered her head to wipe away tears.

Dong Yanyan shrugged helplessly and was about to go brush her teeth in the kitchen when her mother stopped her.

“You went to your third aunt’s today, didn’t you buy her anything? She went to your grandma’s this morning and picked a fight the moment she saw me. Don’t you understand basic manners? She took care of you for three years when you were in junior high. How can you treat her like this?”

Upon hearing this, Dong Yanyan realized the cause of her mother’s anger and replied, “My third uncle picked me up early this morning before the stores were even open. Where was I supposed to buy anything for them? Yesterday, I spent the whole day with Li Juan and the others; we went to a classmate’s house. You don’t buy gifts before you visit and then take them away when you leave, do you? She really knows how to pick a fight. If I had known, I wouldn’t have gone to her house for that meal! And about junior high—I did cause her a lot of trouble, and I’m grateful she took care of me, but that doesn’t mean I like her. I don’t get along with her. My third uncle treated me better, and he never picked fights with me.”

Her mother’s face grew even darker.

Her father shot Dong Yanyan a warning glance, which she pretended not to notice.

“Look at you now! You think you’ve grown wings! I’ve raised you for nothing! You’re an ungrateful wretch! Your third aunt treated you so well, and this is how you repay her? Fine! I won’t count on you anymore. Why did I even bother raising such a thankless daughter?!” her mother broke down, tears streaming.

“Well then, what did my third uncle get out of treating her so well? Huh? My third aunt may have been kind to me, but that doesn’t mean she’s a good person. I just can’t stand her, and I won’t get along with her. So what?” Dong Yanyan’s eyes reddened. Her third aunt had indeed been good to them kids once, but no matter how hard or difficult her life was back then, it didn’t justify the shameless things she did—turning her third uncle into a laughingstock, driving him to his death, and then openly parading around with her lover. Even her uncle’s students couldn’t stand it, yet none of her relatives—her third uncle’s siblings—stood up for him. They all had the power but chose to keep the peace for the sake of the cousin. But was the man who died in vain just going to be forgotten? She couldn't swallow that injustice. She hadn’t even voiced this anger yet, and it was already eating at her.

Hearing this, her mother grew even angrier, pointing at her and scolding, “Now that you think you’re so capable! One day, if you get tired of your mother, will you kick me out, huh?!”

“You’re wrong. I won’t abandon you; you’ll abandon me first. Don’t doubt it—that’s the truth. When you’re sick and old, I’ll take care of you. But if I fall ill or die, you won’t care. Because in your heart, your pride is more important than your daughter!” With that, Dong Yanyan slammed the door and stormed out.

Since childhood, she had feared walking the village paths at night—no streetlights, only darkness all around—and she always felt like something was watching her from the shadows. Tonight was no different; she almost ran all the way to her grandmother’s house.

The lights were on when she arrived, and her grandparents were watching TV. Seeing her, they were delighted. Her grandmother took her hand warmly and invited her onto the heated brick bed, happily bringing her some snacks.

“Grandma, I’m staying at your place tonight,” Dong Yanyan said as she climbed up.

Her grandmother was surprised but busied herself getting a fresh quilt. Since childhood, when her parents were too busy to care for her, and later when her mother seldom allowed her to eat or stay overnight elsewhere—not even at the homes of close relatives—Dong Yanyan had been taught not to trouble others lightly. She always obeyed this rule, but it meant that while her cousins and siblings acted like one big family, quarrelling and reconciling, she never quite felt that same closeness. She got along well with them but lacked that deep, boundless affection from childhood.

In terms of social conduct, apart from being somewhat introverted, no one in the village spoke ill of her mother. Perhaps it was her mother’s reserve that shielded her from many conflicts, but it also cost her dearly.

Dong Yanyan did not want to become like her mother. Yet after graduating, in both life and work, she sometimes found herself acting just like her, no matter how hard she tried to avoid her shadow. Many people pointed out the resemblance between them, which frustrated her deeply. Her mother-in-law was the opposite—a loud, brash, ignorant woman who often spoke nonsense. Except for a bit more education, Dong Yanyan had grown to be even fiercer than her. Sometimes, she caught herself becoming that sharp, bitter woman she never wanted to be.

This showed just how subtly one’s environment could influence a person. In this life, she vowed to avoid people like them, to avoid becoming someone she herself despised. Absolutely not.

She lay in bed, snacking on sunflower seeds while watching TV, trying to appear cheerful.

Just before sleep, the front door opened. Her father’s voice came from outside, followed by him entering the room. Dong Yanyan saw his stern face and guessed he was upset.

“Mom, is Yanyan here?” he called loudly as he entered.

She waved to him from under the covers.