C5 Chapter 5

Qiu Anan was used to her mother’s threats by now. It seemed like every time Qiu Dong got himself into trouble and she was the one left scrambling, her mother would say the same thing—she’d kill her, she’d disown her.

Anan knew her mom hadn’t wanted her in the first place, because she was a girl—not the son her mom had always been hoping for.

In the Qiu family, girls didn’t count. Qiu Dong, on the other hand—even after the family fell on hard times—was still her mom’s precious boy. Every time something happened, it was Anan, the older sister, cleaning up the mess.

But this time...

“Mom, I really can’t do anything.” Every time, she’d swallow her pride and go to the Luh family for money. Yubai always handed it over without much fuss, but she could always catch that faint, barely-there look of ridicule in his eyes.

Now she’d decided to get divorced. At a moment like this, she truly didn’t want any more ties to Luh Yubai—or to see that trace of mockery in his eyes again...

But watching her mother cry so hard, Anan couldn’t help taking a deep breath. Hardening her heart, she said, “Last time was the last time I’m helping him.”

“He’s your brother! If you won’t help him, who will? I’m telling you—if Dong dies, I’m not living either!” Qiu’s Mother, seeing Anan refuse, dug in and threw out the ultimatum.

That was exactly what she’d said last time, and Anan had caved. This time, she was sure Anan would back down again—but instead, Anan just held her ground, silent and stiff-necked.

Right as the standoff hit a wall, the phone rang.

“Hello? Dong—how are you? Did they hit you?” Seeing the caller ID, Qiu’s Mother didn’t hesitate. She picked up at once, her concern so obvious it dimmed Anan’s gaze.

In her mother’s heart, only Dong was her child.

“I told you your brother-in-law’s a good guy, didn’t I? Okay, okay—then come straight back in a bit. Have you been cold these past few days...” Qiu’s Mother went on and on, and the few words from the other end only made Anan feel worse with every second.

“Brother-in-law?”

Qiu Anan’s brows knit together. She snatched her mom’s phone on instinct and snapped, “Qiu Dong, you called Luh Yubai directly?!”

“What’s the big deal? You penny-pincher. You’re all stiff and proper with Luh Yubai—he’ll wire ten million in a heartbeat. Qiu Anan, you’ve got a nasty temper and you’re not even that pretty. How the hell did Luh Yubai end up falling for you?”

“Qiu Dong, do you have any shame? Didn’t I tell you not to call Luh Yubai!” Qiu Anan’s stomach dropped. Hearing the smugness in his voice made her feel humiliated. Her whole family clung to the Luh family like a leech—so much so that even she felt sick.

“Why can’t I call? Don’t get in the way of me making money!” Qiu Dong showed zero remorse. After a few more curses, he hung up.

“Oh honey, what did your brother say? Did he say whether he’s coming back tonight? I can make a few dishes—”

“Is this ever going to be enough? Sooner or later, Qiu Dong’s going to get himself killed because of you!” Qiu Anan finally exploded. Her mom’s bottomless indulgence was both pathetic and infuriating.

Qiu’s Mother jolted, stunned that her always-obedient daughter could blow up like this. It took her a long moment to react. Her lips trembled as she muttered, “Y-you… what kind of thing is that to say… You’re cursing Dong to die, you heartless little monster! I’m telling you—if anything happens to Dong, I’ll hate you for the rest of my life!”

Qiu Anan finally understood what it felt like to swallow her pain and keep going. She lifted her chin and walked straight out of that so-called home, feeling nothing but cold despair.