Chapter 97
After dinner and a bath, Grandma offered to rub her legs.
“Okay!” she replied brightly. She knew making excuses would only disappoint Grandma.
Time to give her grandma all the emotional support she needed!
Just as her legs grew warm under Grandma’s hands, a video call buzzed through on Grandma’s phone.
It was actually Aunt!
Lucille had seen her aunt only a handful of times growing up.
Ever since she could remember, Aunt had been just a name in this family.
She only knew Grandpa always complained to Grandma that sending Aunt away was like raising a daughter for nothing–how other families‘ daughters married well and helped their kin, giving money when brothers wed.
Influenced by Grandpa, Lucille’s parents resented Aunt too, claiming she lived lavishly outside without helping the family.
“Helping the family” just meant helping her brother, right?
But Lucille knew Aunt had returned and given money both when her dad married and when Grandpa remarried.
The sky–high bride price demanded by her mom’s family for Dad’s wedding came from Aunt.
She learned this later when overhearing Grandpa and Grandma argue.
That day, Grandpa cursed Aunt as heartless with vile words while Grandma angrily defended her, saying Aunt sent money monthly and gave generously for Dad’s wedding.
Grandpa snapped that was expected-“What daughter doesn’t support her family?”
“Some even traded daughters for brides back then!” he yelled. After that, Aunt stopped sending money.
11:33
Chapter 97
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But later, Lucille heard Grandma tell Aunt on the phone: “Keep your money. Live well for yourself.”
When Grandpa died, Aunt returned.
They expected tearful embraces after years apart–instead came a vicious fight.
Lucille’s dad refused funeral costs, demanding Aunt pay, though he’d taken Grandpa’s savings.
Grandma stood by Aunt seeking fairness, but her son was a scoundrel no one could control.
Finally, Aunt covered everything to avoid becoming a spectacle.
After that, Grandma gave up on her son completely.
Aunt offered to take Grandma away, but she refused, unwilling to leave Lucille. She only urged Aunt: “Don’t return. Don’t think of home anymore.”
Truthfully, Lucille felt Grandma’s life grew calmer after Grandpa died–no daily curses or smashed objects.
Though Dad inherited Grandpa’s temper perfectly, cursing and breaking things too, Grandma was still his mother. Living apart kept her peace.
Later, Lucille saw Aunt again in college when work brought her back. Aunt visited campus, bringing gifts, a gift card, and pretty clothes.
After that, when Lucille injured her leg, Aunt video–called, encouraging her and sending money. When Lucille married, Aunt mailed gifts too.
Human connections are strange–though they’d met rarely, Lucille felt deeply close to Aunt. Now, seeing Aunt’s radiant face on screen filled her with pure joy.
“Lucille’s here too.”
Aunt smiled at her through the screen.
“Yeah, Aunt, how have you been?”
Lucille asked, smiling.
“Good.”
11:33
Chapter 97
Aunt beamed. “And you and Grandma?
Are you well?”
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After exchanging greetings, Aunt said, “Mom, I wanted to tell you during this video call that I’ve moved. I’m in the UK now. Everything’s fine with me, no need to worry. My job’s going well too, and I’m all settled in. Whenever you and Lucille have time, come visit. I’ll spend some quality time with you both.”
Grandma immediately responded, “Isn’t Lucille supposed to study abroad?”
All My Life’s Work Was for You
“Is that true?”
Auntie’s joy was instantly visible. “When are you coming?
I’ll get everything ready for you.”
“It’s still early, Auntie. Probably August.”
Auntie was genuinely thrilled, her eyes squinting with happiness. “With me here, you’ve got nothing to fear. Don’t worry about the costs–I’ll cover them. Oh, Zhi, after all these years alone abroad, I’ll finally have family with me.”