Jiang Wanru thought she had slept for a long time and when she woke up, she saw several women in ancient costumes standing around her. She opened her mouth to say: "Is it our turn to perform now?" But as she raised her hand, she caught sight of the hand in front of her, which was clearly that of a young childs arm. Her disbelieving eyes widened and she lifted up her other arm, taking a closer look before everything went black again and she fell back down.

  Jiang Wanru woke up again on a bed, in a daze, she had already sensed every day of the past three years. She closed her eyes tightly, deceiving herself that this was just a dream. The two women beside her couldnt hear her inner voice, and they were talking in hushed tones. The hoarse woman said: "The mistress is kind-hearted, and has invited a doctor for Third Miss. Alas, Yu Niangniang just sat on the side crying, blocking us from doing things." The other woman with a clearer voice reminded her: "Third Miss has woken up, dont mention Yu Niangniangs crying in front of her."

  The hoarse-voiced woman said with disdain, "The third miss of the Mokutan family is an idiot. I told her and she didnt react at all." The clear-voiced one spoke unhappily, "Third Miss isnt stupid, shes clever. Last time someone called my brother Mokutan, she overheard it and now when she sees him, she knows to call him brother along with everyone else."

  That hoarse voice suddenly let out a low laugh and said: "She is the one you think highly of, in your eyes she is naturally good. You, weve been together for many years, I know your temperament is honest and simple. Youd better listen to me, if you have this kindness towards Third Miss, you should also be more discreet. The mistresss temperament looks good, but these years, the masters room has never had a favored concubine. Even Yu Niang when she was young, a woman from a noble family, couldnt surpass this legitimate wife."

  A woman with a clear throat responded in a low voice, saying: "This Yu Niang was blinded by the masters charm back then. A good girl from a prestigious family, she didnt become the legitimate wife of a noble family, but instead came to serve as the masters concubine. As a result, she harmed her only daughter. Shi Tou Niang, you have more experience than me, tell me, since both the master and Yu Niang are good-looking, why wouldnt Third Miss be average-looking? Was she poisoned by someone?"

  A low, husky voice called out: "Mugenniang, dont talk nonsense about this matter. If you want to die, dont drag me down with you. I still have to see my son Shitou marry a wife." A clear and bright voice let out a soft sigh and said: "Shitous mother, aside from us two in this courtyard, there are many other people. Alas, that thing you just said, lets just pretend we didnt hear it. The others in the courtyard are all going to find ways to get rid of Third Miss. Youre a kind person, and yet you still want to protect Third Miss."

  Muffled voice heard this, low laughter sounded, saying: "Mugenniang, we dont need to say nice words. We two are the same, my husband and your husband are both down-to-earth people, only knowing how to focus on doing things. They have their own mens cleverness and thoughts, getting along well with their masters. Ive long understood, my husband is like this, Im at ease. I hope Shitou will make an effort to be filial and take care of his family, marry a down-to-earth wife in the future, and our little family will live happily together."

  Jiang Wanru fell asleep again in the clear and hoarse voices. After falling asleep, she had a continuous dream, dreaming of many things, dreaming of the grievances that had been pent up in her heart for a long time. The most beautiful smile was when she dreamed of being a child, her fathers career was just starting to take off, and he had his own factory. At that time, she was often sitting high on her fathers shoulders, a lovely girl, with her beautiful mother smiling at them with a warm face.

  When she was in high school, her beautiful and intelligent mother started a new company on her own. Her father and mother each had their own careers, both of which were thriving. She successfully got into a university far away from home, where she often received phone calls from her parents expressing their concern for her. Whenever they had time, her parents would visit her at the campus. All along, she thought that her parents marriage was perfect and that she was the happiest daughter in the world.

  During the winter break of her first year in college, she didnt notify her parents and took a plane directly home on the day of the break. When she arrived home before noon, there was no one at home. She called Liu Ayi, who had been cooking for her family for many years, and asked with a smile: "Ayihao, did my dad and mom let you take a rest today? Hehe, dont come over, Ill just cook instant noodles myself." However, Liu Ayi was still worried about her and hurriedly came over, carrying fresh vegetables in her hands.

  When Lius wife was cooking, she followed her as before, smiling and asking about her parents recent situation. Lius wife, like before, didnt answer her questions, but instead smiled and asked if she was doing well in school? Did she have a crush on that boy? What dish did she want to eat, she would cook it for her. She enjoyed the care and closeness of Lius wife, ignoring the occasional pity in the old womans eyes.

  That day, after sending off the somewhat uneasy Mrs. Liu, she thought that it was still early and went back to her room upstairs to change clothes, planning to call her parents to see who was free and then go bother them. As she changed in her room, she heard some noise downstairs, excitedly quickly changing into her clothes, quietly closing the door, thinking of giving the person who came back a big scare.

  She was upstairs and heard the voices of more than two people downstairs. She quietly stuck her head out and saw that each of her parents had someone else with them, looking very intimate. Her face changed greatly, and her heart sank. Then she heard her father say: "In two days, Xiaolan will be back. You are her mother, you should tell her about our divorce a long time ago. She is old enough now, we cant hide it from her anymore."

  But the mother said with cold ridicule: "Youd better say it yourself. In those days, you wronged us two mothers and daughters, infatuated with Xiaomis tenderness and charm. Now why bother to talk about worrying about your daughter? Youre still pretending to be dignified in front of your daughter, afraid that shell see your true face."

  His face changed greatly upon hearing this, and he roared: "How dare you mention that! Didnt I tell you back then that it was just a mans casual fling? I still wanted a family and a daughter. Later on, I even gave her money to leave. What good deeds have you done? You had to start your own company. And this man by your side is someone who has been following you since then."

  She sat down with a jolt, never expecting that her parents would be at odds like this behind her back. The people downstairs were shouting: "Once unfaithful, always unfaithful, why should I waste my life waiting for an ungrateful person? Men are unreliable, I have to leave something for my daughters future. Yes, he has been by my side all along. But weve been together since your divorce from me. If it werent for fear of hurting our daughter, I would have exposed your true face to her long ago."

  She struggled to move her body, using all her strength, and sat on the stairs, facing her parents downstairs, shouting hoarsely: "Dont say anything else. Why is it like this?" After she finished shouting, she curled up and burst into tears, saying: "You always said you are the people who love me most in the world, but why did you lie to me?" Her parents rushed up quickly, her father stretched out his arms to hug his daughter, saying: "Xiao Lan, Im sorry. You are the person I least want to hurt. I know you like it when Mom and I are together."

  Her mother, with tears streaming down her face, looked at her and said: "You know its good. Weve been separated since you were in high school. Because you often boarded, he and I only occasionally appeared in front of you, pretending to be our former selves, just so you could focus on your studies. Every year during the holidays, I used work as an excuse, encouraging you to go to your grandparents and great-uncles homes, taking care of their health. He and I cant go back to the way things were before; we both have our own new lives now."

  On that day, she stared blankly at the middle-aged couple in front of her, feeling only that they were so strange. She looked at them and muttered: "It turns out that everyone in the world is a fool, there are no non-fools, only more foolish ones. So, did I have younger brothers and sisters born without my knowledge? Or does everyone know, but only deceive me?" She rushed back to her room, closing the door heavily. Not listening to the middle-aged couple outside, explaining again and again.