Chapter 6

From that day on, I knew that my parents were hiding a lot of things from me. They refused to talk about it. No matter how much I pressed them, it was pointless. So I gave up and focused on taking care of my health. But the doubts in my heart remained, like seeds that took root and continued to grow, impossible to shake off.

A month later, Dad’s injuries had improved significantly. Most of the bandages were removed. But he still seemed very weak, with a pale complexion and tired eyes. He no longer had the same energetic demeanor as before. Watching him become weaker by the day, I felt heartbroken, but there was nothing I could do.

The day had come for new students to report for school. I packed my bags and got ready to go to the university. Before leaving, I asked my parents again about my fiancé and whatever they were hiding from me. But they refused to talk about it. Instead, they repeatedly told me to take good care of the jade pendant around my neck and not to go back to my hometown easily.

With a heart full of doubts, I left the small town and entered the university. University life was fulfilling: classes, clubs, part-time jobs. The busy schedule helped me temporarily forget the troubles at home. I thought these peaceful days would continue forever. But I never expected that an even bigger surprise awaited me.

That afternoon, I received a mysterious package. There was no sender’s name or address, only my delivery information, which was completely accurate. I was puzzled. I hadn’t purchased anything recently. Could it be that the package was sent to the wrong person?

But when I saw my full name written on the envelope, and the handwriting seemed familiar, I gave up the idea of sending it by mistake. I carefully opened the package. Inside, there was nothing else but a letter and a bank card.

With trembling hands, I opened the letter. The familiar handwriting came into view—it was from my parents.

“Madison, seeing these words is like seeing you in person. By the time you read this letter, we will have already left our hometown. You’re alone out there, so please take good care of yourself. Eat on time, get enough rest, avoid staying up late, and don’t get into any trouble.”

“This bank card has your birthday as the password. The money in it is enough to cover your tuition and living expenses for four years of college. You don’t need to worry about money. Don’t come looking for us. We have important things to attend to. Once we’re done, we’ll come back to you. Take care of yourself and protect the jade pendant.”

In just a few short sentences, without any unnecessary explanations or words of comfort, I felt a sudden wave of unease. I quickly took out my phone and tried calling my dad. But the phone rang for a long time with no one answering. I tried calling my mom as well, but again, no one picked up. I sent countless text messages, but got no response at all.

A bad 预感 began to spread through my heart. I immediately asked my advisor for leave, packed my things, and rushed back to the town that very night. But when I pushed open the door to my home, I completely collapsed. The house was empty. My parents’ clothes, jewelry, and the tools they used for drawing talismans were all gone. All that remained were empty furniture covered in thick layers of dust. There was no trace of the cleanliness and order that used to be there.

I sat slumped on the steps at the door, tears streaming down my face uncontrollably. Where had they gone? Why did they leave without saying goodbye? Why not leave even a single word of explanation? Countless questions raced through my mind, but there were no answers.

I stayed in my hometown for three days and asked all the neighbors around. But my parents rarely visited anyone else’s homes and were quite reclusive by nature. The neighbors knew very little about them. They only knew that not long after I left, my parents packed up and left. No one knew where they went.

The counselor kept sending me messages, urging me to go back to school. With no other choice, I locked the door and left my hometown reluctantly. Since then, I’ve never returned to that small town. With college studies and part-time jobs during summers, my busy life helped me suppress the longing and doubts in my heart. But I never gave up trying to find out what happened to my parents. My phone still contains countless messages that were never sent.

My thoughts returned to reality. I gazed out the window at the familiar scenery of the small town, feeling a pang of sadness in my heart. Before I knew it, I fell asleep. I had no dreams at all and slept very peacefully.

Early the next morning, I woke up. Evelyn and Serena Doyle had already packed their things. We agreed to spend the day exploring the town, then visit my family’s old house. We would return to the city in the afternoon.

On the main street of the town, everything was as lively as ever. Street vendors and passersby filled the air with the bustle of everyday life. Evelyn and I strolled around, picking out the snacks we loved as children. Serena Doyle followed behind us, patiently carrying our purchases for us, gentle and thoughtful at all times.

Just as I was bending down to pick out some candies, a voice that sounded both familiar and strange suddenly spoke behind me. Someone gently tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Madison? Is that you?”

I turned around abruptly. The woman before me was wearing a delicate dress, carrying Grandma Xiang’s handbag, with light makeup on her face. She wore high heels, exuding elegance. She looked completely different from before. I found her face familiar, but for some reason, I couldn’t recall her name.

“Una Wash!” Evelyn, who was standing nearby, suddenly spoke up, her tone carrying a barely noticeable hint of coldness.

Una Wash? I suddenly realized who she was. The woman before me was none other than Ah Xiu from back then! After I woke up from my coma, I never saw her again. The neighbors said her parents took her to the city to get treated. I never expected to run into her here.

I remember that her family didn’t have much money back then; they rarely bought new clothes. But now, she’s covered in brand-name clothes and seems to be living quite well. People really change as they grow up. Whether it’s their appearance or their demeanor, everything is completely different from before.

Una Wash smiled faintly, her gaze resting on Evelyn and me. She spoke in a calm tone, “It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other. Do you have time to have a drink together?”

Before I could say anything, Evelyn refused without hesitation, in a firm tone: “We don’t have time!”

I was surprised. Evelyn was usually quite straightforward and rarely acted in a manner that hurt people’s feelings. Even if she didn’t like something, she would refuse politely. But seeing Evelyn’s tense expression, I didn’t ask any further. I simply shook my head and declined Una Wash’s invitation.

After being rejected by Una Wash, she didn’t show any signs of dissatisfaction. She still wore that gentle smile on her face. “Alright, since you don’t have time, I’ll leave now. We’ll meet again another time.” With that, she turned around and walked away, with graceful steps and no trace of reluctance.

It wasn’t until Una Wash disappeared into the crowd that I took Evelyn aside to a quiet corner and asked softly, “Evelyn, what’s wrong with you? Even if you don’t like her, there’s no need to be so harsh, right? Weren’t you two getting along fine before?”

Evelyn gritted her teeth, her face twisted in displeasure. After remaining silent for a long time, she finally spoke the truth: “I didn’t do it on purpose. She deserved it! I met her when I was studying abroad. In fact, I met her in my boyfriend’s bed at that time!”

I was completely stunned, unable to believe my ears: “What? Are you serious? Ah Xiu… how could she do such a thing?”

“Why would I lie to you?” Evelyn waved her fist angrily. “When I caught them together, I was so furious that I couldn’t stop shaking. I beat that jerk so badly that he couldn’t get out of bed for days. After that, I broke up with him.”

Now I understand why Evelyn only stayed abroad for two years before returning to her home country, and why she never wanted to talk about that relationship. I used to feel sorry for her, thinking she and that boy were perfect for each other. But now I realize it was better that they broke up. Otherwise, Evelyn would have suffered even more.

Seeing Evelyn’s still-angry expression, I gently patted her shoulder and comforted her, “It’s okay, don’t be angry anymore. Those worthless men and women aren’t worth your anger. You have Serena Doyle now. She’s so good to you—far better than those people.”

Evelyn nodded, took a deep breath, and suppressed the anger in her heart. “You’re right. Now that I have Serena Doyle, I have no desire to bother with them. Come on, let’s keep shopping. Let’s not let them ruin our mood.”

But as I watched the direction in which Una Wash left, a sense of doubt arose in my mind. Una Wash used to be an introverted and timid girl. How could she have changed into what she is now? And why was she even in this town? Something about all this seemed off.