Concerned about her sister’s safety traveling late, Ming Li offered to pick her up after work.
Little Xi: [We have late classes today until nine.]
Ming Li replied calmly: [Then I’ll pick you up at nine. I’m working late anyway.]
Little Xi: [OK!]
Ming Li hadn’t actually been planning to work late, but she said it so Little Xi wouldn’t feel guilty about the favor.
The dog was like a piece of sticky candy she couldn’t shake. When Ming Li reached her front door, it followed right behind, looking ready to inspect the premises.
Ming Li didn’t dare bring a large dog inside. First, she feared her mother’s reaction; second, she didn’t want to subject her freshly cleaned living room to the potential mess.
After a moment’s thought, Ming Li dragged a cushion out from the house and placed it in the hallway as a temporary bed for the dog.
Ming Li did end up staying late at work. At eight o’clock, she drove to Jingan University to pick up Little Xi.
As soon as Little Xi got into the car, she slumped into the passenger seat as if all the life had been drained out of her. “I’m exhausted.”
When it came time to apply for colleges, Little Xi had chosen the Finance major within the Department of Management at Jingan University. Out of all the difficult options, she had chosen an exceptionally hard one. Furthermore, she was planning to double major in Law starting her sophomore year.
Just hearing it made Ming Li’s head spin.
Little Xi shrugged. “If you study finance, you have to know the law. Otherwise, you’ll end up behind bars sooner or later. Besides, do you know how sought-after a Finance and Law double major is after graduation? You can make the big bucks.”
Little Xi’s goal was clear: Money. Lots of it.
Ming Li’s talent for business was limited; most of what she knew came from observing her father, and later, from Gu Xueqiang’s intensive tutoring. That was the only reason Xingwan existed today. With two master-level mentors giving her one-on-one instruction, she had barely managed to produce a passing grade.
But Little Xi had a much higher natural aptitude for it.
Ming Li told her not to overwork herself. This set Little Xi off on a tangent about all the clubs she had joined and her elective courses.
When Ming Li was in school, she had always picked classes based on what her roommates were taking—courses with few exams and teachers who gave high grades. Little Xi did the opposite, choosing classes with high entry barriers like Architecture and Art Appreciation.
Little Xi’s schedule was packed tight. It looked like she was going through a second round of high school.
Ming Li suddenly felt that Little Xi was a lot like that fat Samoyed. No matter how much she said or how gently she advised them, they didn’t listen to a single word.
As they walked upstairs, Ming Li wondered if the Samoyed had run off.
But when they reached the door, she found the dog still waiting obediently, fast asleep.
“What a beautiful dog.” Little Xi stepped forward to ruffle the dog’s head. “He looks familiar, though.”
“Think harder. He’s definitely someone’s pet. His owner must be worried sick,” Ming Li said.
As the sisters spoke, the front door opened.
Ms. Ming stood there with her sleeves rolled up and her hair tied back, looking crisp and capable. The aroma of food wafted out from the house.
Ming Li smiled. “Mom, did you make something good?”
“Well, neither of you had eaten, right? I just fried a few greens and stewed some ribs.” Ms. Ming looked at the dog at the door. “Did you two buy that?”
“I saw him while walking in the neighborhood today. He’s been stuck to me ever since,” Ming Li explained.
“We can’t…” Ms. Ming looked at Ming Li, trailing off as she sought her daughter’s opinion on whether to bring the dog inside.
Ming Li knew her mother had a slight allergy to animal dander. It wasn’t severe—no respiratory issues—but it turned her nose bright red.
“No need,” Ming Li said. “This dog is smart. He’ll probably find his way home eventually.”
The three of them went inside.
Several times, Ms. Ming looked as if she wanted to say something to Ming Li but hesitated. Even Little Xi cried out when she saw Ming Li’s room had been rearranged. “Sis! Are you actually staying the night?”
“Not just tonight,” Ming Li said.
Bringing Little Xi back tonight was the plan for a showdown. She hadn’t said anything before because they hadn’t officially received the certificates, and she feared complications. Now that the dust had settled, she had to give an account to those closest to her.
Little Xi’s eyes darted around as she brainstormed ways to trick the truth out of her sister. But Ming Li saw right through her. “Go wash your hands first. I’ll tell you in a bit.”
The family sat down together at the dining table. Ms. Ming and Little Xi stared at Ming Li with intense curiosity.
Ming Li let out a soft breath and placed the divorce certificate on the table. She gave a gentle smile. “As you can see, I’m divorced.”
Ming Li’s divorce was just like her marriage—she had made the decision entirely on her own.
In truth, Ms. Ming could guess the reality of the marriage. How else could she explain the debts that had been cleared? Or the house they were currently living in?
However, Ms. Ming hadn’t been able to do anything back then. She could only indirectly encourage Ming Li to keep dancing, to hold onto her hobbies and her career. No matter the circumstances, a woman needed her own interests and her own path.
But Ming Li had given up dancing a long time ago.
Ever since Ms. Ming had asked about her dancing and Ming Li had been evasive, Ms. Ming had gone to the Jing’an Grand Theater to ask around. There was no ballet dancer there named Ming Li.
Looking at the divorce certificate now, a storm of emotions hit her. Before she could speak, tears began to fall.
Ming Li panicked. “Mom, if you’re unhappy with the decision, tell me. Don’t cry.”
“I’m not unhappy.” Ms. Ming’s ability to control her emotions was much better than before. She wiped her tears and smiled. “I’m happy for you.”
Then she asked, “The Gu family didn’t make things difficult for you, did they?”
“Gu Qingshuang is a good person,” Ming Li said. “She didn’t make things difficult at all. She even gave me a lot of money.”
Ms. Ming sighed. “It would be shameless of me to talk about ‘not accepting charity’ now. After all, Little Gu bought the house we live in. From now on, the three of us will work together and do our best to return the favor.”
“What favor is there to return?” Little Xi interjected. “My sister and her had feelings for each other. Three years of marriage is doing her part. If she gave my sister money, it’s because my sister deserves it.”
