The embroidery was also painstakingly done
by my mother.
She said Jessica liked singing and hoped she
<
would be like a lark, singing towards the sun.
After I was brought home, my mother started
making a pillow for me.
She said she would embroider a phoenix,
symbolizing rebirth, forgetting past suffering
and torment!
But for some reason, the phoenix remained
unfinished.
My mother was either too busy with work, too
tired, or constantly interrupted by Jessica,
putting down her embroidery again and again.
For three years, the phoenix still hadn’t
finished its wings, probably gathering dust
somewhere.
4
I took Jessica’s pillow to the hospital.
As soon as I entered the ward, Ethan
snatched the pillow, impatiently saying, “So
slow, what were you doing?”
I said there was traffic.
Ethan snorted, ignoring me, carefully placing
the pillow in Jessica’s arms.
Jessica was about to have surgery and was
receiving an IV drip.
With the pillow, her expression relaxed, and
she sighed softly.
“I don’t know why, but with Mom’s handmade
lark, I’m not afraid!”
She smiled sweetly at my mother.
My mother wiped her tears, instinctively
hugging her. “Silly girl…”
My dad and brother also smiled with relief,
finally having time to wipe their sweat.
I went out, sat in a chair in the corridor, and
thought silently.
Which college should I apply to?
Perhaps I was too tired; I dozed off.
When I woke up, it was dark, and my parents
and brother were discussing something.
Seeing me awake, Ethan snorted. “Jessica’s
<
having surgery, and you’re sleeping soundly!”
Jessica’s surgery was obviously over, as it
was already dark.
I said I’d been volunteering since early
morning and was very tired.
Ethan still snorted, frequently looking at the
sleeping Jessica in the ward.
My dad glanced at me without saying
anything.
My mom pursed her lips, smiling at me.
“Ashley, you’ve worked hard too…”
She hesitated, her smile forced.
I sniffed and asked if there was anything
wrong.
She hesitated for a moment, then shook her
head, smiling. “Actually, nothing. Jessica
made a request before her surgery; she
wouldn’t have it done otherwise.”
5
Wouldn’t have it done otherwise?
Now that the surgery was over, it meant my family had agreed to Jessica’s request.
My heart tightened, then I relaxed. “What
request?”
My mom was silent, her eyes flickering. Ethan, hands in his pockets, didn’t mention the request but brought up my college application.
“I heard the college application deadline is approaching. Have you filled it out?”
At his question, my parents paused, then
seemed to understand each other, looking at
me intently.
I nodded and shook my head. “I have, but I
can still change it.”
Ethan raised an eyebrow. “Which university
are you going to?”
I said the one in this city, the one they
suggested.
Ethan immediately frowned.
My dad cleared his throat and waved his
hand. “That one is actually quite average.
Ashley, your grades are excellent, right? If you
can choose a better one, I suggest you change it.”
My mom added, “Yes, you’re an adult now, don’t be afraid to go far away. It’s good for girls to experience more…”
They were sincere, their eyes burning.
I suddenly understood, my heart aching again. Ethan lifted his chin. “Let me help you choose two. One is my alma mater, on the coast, and the other is recommended by a friend…”
He introduced two universities, one over 200 miles away, the other over 300 miles away.
The university in this city was only nine miles
away, a twenty–minute drive.
It seemed Jessica’s request was for me to
leave as far away as possible.
And my family agreed.
So, they took advantage of me filling out my
application to recommend universities far
from home.
Initially, they insisted I stay in the city.
I turned my head, momentarily dazed.
I couldn’t tell if I’d truly been brought home. Maybe I was still trapped in that small village. Abused by my adoptive father, harassed by old bachelors, sleeping with cows, fighting
with dogs for food…
At that time, I was suffering, terrified, and
crying.
Now, I’m still suffering, terrified, and crying.
Apparently, after three years, I still hadn’t left
that small village.
“Okay.”
I nodded.
I should leave.
I should leave that “small village” that had
trapped me.
く
Chapter 2
5
Before the college application deadline, I
changed my first choice to Zhongda
University, two thousand kilometers away.
That was far enough.
So far that even deciding between a plane or
a high–speed train for a trip home would be a
major decision.
My family was quite surprised.
Even Ethan’s gaze grew complex as he
silently smoked a cigarette.
My mother grabbed my hand, scolding me.
“That’s too far! What’s a Northerner doing in
the South? What if you get sick? What if you
encounter mice and cockroaches?”
