Her tears flowed freely; she was so excited
and flustered that the wrinkles around her
eyes completely smoothed out.
My dad was more restrained, but his red eyes
betrayed him.
He even straightened his collar, trying to look
less sloppy.
Ethan stood behind them, his expression
incredibly complex, silently staring at me.
This scene was similar to when they picked me up from the village.
Then, my mother cried, “Ashley, we can finally bring you home!”
My dad was adjusting his tie and hair, unable
to stop his trembling fingers.
My brother stood behind, looking at me
calmly, with a hint of strangeness and
distance.
Now, it was similar again.
Only the mentality was completely different,
and the feelings no longer existed.
So, I remained indifferent.
So indifferent that my parents suppressed
their excitement.
My mom cautiously greeted me “Ashley
<
come in, I’ll cook for you.”
I shook my head, saying I wasn’t coming in; I
would leave soon.
“So soon? You don’t need to study anymore,
right? Why are you still so busy?” My dad’s face was bitter.
I said I didn’t study anymore, I was working.
“Then don’t rush to leave. Our home has been
quiet for many years; let’s make it lively today.”
My mom smiled, reaching out to grab my hand, but she stopped halfway, hesitant to touch me.
I still shook my head.
Ethan spoke hoarsely, “It’s almost New
Year’s; can you stay home this year?”
“No,” I was going back to Guangzhou to
watch the fireworks.
I heard that Guangzhou’s New Year’s Eve
fireworks this year were large–scale, bright
L
enough to light up the entire night sky.
I didn’t want to miss it.
Ethan’s lips moved, and he lowered his head.
He no longer had his former arrogance and domineering attitude, unable to say another harsh word.
My dad pretended to be relaxed. “It’s fine if not; your work must be busy; we won’t force you…”
He couldn’t continue.
Tears flowed down my mom’s face, but she
held them back, turning and running into the
house.
Moments later, she returned, holding a soft
pillow.
On the pillow, there was a colorful phoenix
embroidery.
Every stitch was perfect, showing great care.
“Ashley, this pillow is for you… it’s okay if
you’re busy with work; take Mom’s pillow, it’s
Г
good for sleeping.”
She forced it into my arms, her eyes full of pleading.
I pushed it back. “Keep it at home.”
She froze, her voice trembling, “Keep it at
home… then when will you come back to stay?”
She smiled sadly, “Actually, it would be better if I were dead; after all, I’m an outsider, I shouldn’t be here…”
“I’m here to say goodbye formally; I’ll never
come back again.”
I stared at them, “So, please don’t bother me
anymore, and don’t let relatives and friends
persuade me; it bothers me.
18
The courtyard was deathly silent.
My mom stepped back, clutching her chest,
feeling dizzy, the phoenix pillow falling to the
ground.
My dad kept coughing, his face red, his chest heaving violently, unable to stop.
Ethan was the calmest; he only trembled
slightly, then smiled sadly, turning back into the house.
I waited for my parents to calm down before continuing, “I have bigger dreams; I’ve put the past behind me, but you keep clinging to me, trying to make me fall back into the past; that’s selfish.
“From now on, let’s each go our own way,
thank you.”
My parents couldn’t speak.
They just collapsed on the ground, sadly
watching me, finally nodding weakly.
I strode away.
No one chased after me, as the bridge to the
past had been severed.
From now on, no one would bother me.
I felt unprecedented relief, returning to the
I felt unprecedented relief, returning to the
South on New Year’s Eve.
That night, I looked up at the stars, waiting
for the grand fireworks display that would light up the entire night sky.
It would surely be beautiful!
