Chapter 19
The night before graduation, Aunt Wei called me and invited me to her home for dinner
She had been kind to me, and I couldn’t refuse.
I brought plenty of gifts with me, no longer that poor, helpless girl with nothing
At John’s house, the table was filled with my favorite dishes.
His parents had washed their hands and served us rice.
It felt as warm as it had ten years ago.
Though they had some gray hairs at their temples, their smiles were still kind
“Zoe, eat more if you like it!*
Aunt Wei picked up a piece of braised lion’s head and placed it on my plate.
She knew it was my favorite.
John didn’t say anything, silently eating his rice.
“Thank you, Aunt,”
“Aunt Wei, do you have any plans after graduation?
I answered honestly, “I’m planning to go on a journey, Aunt Wei.*
Clearly, this wasn’t the answer they had expected, and even John froze for a moment
His dad cautiously asked,
“No long–term plans? Like marriage or children…?”
It was then that I realized why they had invited me.
I looked at John, and his evasive gaze confirmed everything.
Me We Crost
I smiled slightly.
“Thank you, Uncle and Aunt, but I’m free now. I’ve earned enough money, and I want to travel the world and see new places.”
They were at a loss for words, their throats caught.
“Thank you both for your care all these years, and John,”
urned to him, and for the first time in a year, I looked him straight in the eye.
Without the glow of my love for him, he seemed so ordinary.
I said my official goodbyes.
Before leaving, John took my hand, his voice choked.
“I’m sorry, Zoe… I…”
I gently pulled my hand away and smiled faintly.
“You don’t need to apologize. I know my family’s situation. We were never meant to be,”
I waved and left without another word.
I returned to him the words he had once used to wound me.
We never crossed paths again for many years.
In the end, I heard from a friend that he drowned himself in alcohol every night, and eventually died in a drunk–driving accident.
