Chapter 37
I asked in surprise, "Why are you suddenly saying this?"
Lily excitedly told me what had happened downstairs.
Turns out Jessica wasn't in high spirits after going downstairs.
Lily had wanted to take Jessica to play on the slides and swings that kids usually enjoy.
But then a little boy from the neighborhood fought with Jessica over the swing, and eventually the boy challenged Jessica to a competition on the horizontal bar.
Whoever could do more would get to use the swing.
"Sue, you know what? I was about to stop them. After all, Jessica is a little girl, and I was worried she wouldn't be able to beat the boy and would feel sad."
Lily's eyes widened, full of surprise and shock. "But Jessica agreed right away and beat the little boy! The boy refused to accept it, and finally ran out of strength and fell off the horizontal bar onto the ground, crying so hard. Jessica just looked at him once and didn't say anything!"
I was amused by her dramatic description and also a bit surprised.
I hadn't expected Jessica to be so impressive.
While we were talking, Jessica came over after washing her hands to help bring out the dishes.
Lily teased her with a smile, "Oh, our little athlete is here!"
Jessica's face turned red. "Lily, stop it!"
"What's wrong with that? You're amazing, and your mom and I are both happy for you."
Lily reached out and pinched Jessica's little cheek. "From now on, I'm counting on you to protect me!"
Jessica was so embarrassed that she ran back to her bedroom with a red face.
Lily laughed heartily. "Sue, why does she get embarrassed so easily?"
I shook my head helplessly. "You just love teasing her."
After quite a while, Jessica finally came out of her bedroom, her face still flushed, looking at Lily seriously. "Lily, don't worry. I'll not only protect Mom, but I'll protect you too."
Lily smiled even more happily.
Dinner was very pleasant.
After eating, Jessica went back to her room to read.
Lily propped her chin on her hand and looked at me. "Have you told Jason about Jessica's identity?"
I shook my head. "Not yet. I was planning to, but he went on a business trip. I'll wait until he gets back."
I paused before adding, "But he asked me to get back together."
"What?!" Lily stood up suddenly, her smile completely gone.
She frowned, furious. "He broke up with you just like that back then, left you alone to give birth and raise the child through all that hardship, and now he wants to get back together? What makes him so confident? Does he think he can do whatever he wants?"
I didn't say anything. It was true that I couldn't let go of Jason, but it was also true that I didn't want to repeat past mistakes.
He had hidden his identity and deceived me.
Now that he was proposing to get back together, maybe he was lying to me again?
Seeing my silence, Lily's eyes widened as she asked tentatively, "Sue, you're not actually considering getting back together, are you?"
I shook my head. "No, I just can't figure out why he would propose getting back together."
Lily patted my shoulder and sighed. "That's not important. What's important is that you need to think about Jessica."
Meeting my slightly confused gaze, Lily slowly explained, "Jessica is Jason's child. You need to ask him for child support. Not only that, with Jason's status and position, getting Jessica a Seaside City household registration would be easy. Kids with Seaside City registration can attend elementary schools with better resources. Aren't you working so hard now to give Jessica a better living environment?"
She sighed deeply, looking at me with sympathy. "I know this sounds hurtful, but Jason only needs to lift a finger to give Jessica the best of everything."
I lowered my head, quietly looking at my own hands. They still smelled of cooking oil from making dinner.
Indeed, Jason now had power and money, things I couldn't catch up to no matter how hard I tried.
I pressed my lips together and, only after a moment, said softly, "I'll bring up Jessica's schooling with Jason. I don't think he'll ignore it."
Lily heard my other meaning and continued asking, "What about the rest? Aren't you going to fight for it? Jason cares about you and Jessica now, but he'll eventually get married. When that time comes, will Jason still care about Jessica?"
Lily patted my shoulder and said earnestly, "I know you're independent and prefer to handle many things yourself. But even if it's for Jessica's sake, think more about the child, and think more about yourself too."
Every penny I earned now had to be spent carefully.
If Jason gave child support for Jessica, our lives would definitely be much easier.
But I couldn't bring myself to ask.
When Jason left back then, he didn't know I had Jessica.
Then I didn't tell Jason either. I gave birth to Jessica on my own.
How could I ask Jason to take on this responsibility that was beyond his expectations?
I just wanted Jason to give Jessica some fatherly love so Jessica could grow up healthy.
Perhaps I had been silent for too long. Lily simply reached out, grabbed my shoulders, and shook me hard. "Sue! Listen to these words! I won't hurt you!"
My feelings were complicated, my thoughts were confused, and I couldn't give much of a response for the moment. I could only nod perfunctorily. "Don't worry, I heard you."
Only then did Lily let go. After helping me clean up the kitchen, she drove off.
Exhausted from the day, I fell asleep as soon as I hit the bed after washing up, and didn't hear my phone ring once.
The next day.
I saw the message Jason had sent last night.
Jason: [Asleep?]
Looking at the time, I had already been asleep then.
Since Jason hadn't sent any more messages, it meant there was nothing important.
I stared at the chat window for a while, then exited directly.
After all this time, there was no need to reply.
I went through my usual routine of exercising and making breakfast.
After breakfast, I drove Jessica to kindergarten before heading to work at the company.
As soon as I arrived at the company, Brian called me to his office. "I'm going on a business trip to Rosewood City."
I was stunned. My first reaction was that Jason wasn't in Seaside City right now, and if I went on a business trip with Brian, there would be no one to look after Jessica.
Before I could speak, Brian glanced at me and said, "But this time I'm having someone else go with me."
Hearing this, I couldn't help but look at Brian a few more times.
Generally speaking, I would need to accompany him on this kind of business trip.
Brian was being very unusual today.
Brian avoided my gaze and said calmly, "Don't you dislike business trips? This matter isn't that important, and I can handle it. Plus, I need you to keep an eye on things here at the company."
Since he put it that way, I naturally wouldn't ask more questions. "Okay, Mr. Ethan. When are you leaving?"
He said, "This afternoon. I need you to help me pack now."
I agreed and walked into the rest room inside with practiced ease.
Brian's travel items were all kept here, and I packed for him every time.
I was folding clothes when I heard footsteps gradually approaching from behind.