132 After Graduation (2/2)

These actions made Hen Qing feel extremely uncomfortable. She thought that her mother would always listen and support whatever she decides to do. There are certain things that Ying Ying despite when it comes to interacting with people. She hated gossipers, false accusers, and people who make up rumors to ruin another person's reputation.

Ying Ying wasn't too close to Ya Nuo, but she knew enough to distinguish between right and wrong. She knew Ya Nuo's personality from their interactions that she was definitely not a scheming and a seductress like Hen Qing had been blabbing about. Therefore, whenever Hen Qing talked more and more about Ya Nuo, Ying Ying couldn't help but give Hen Qing lectures about the inappropriate words she's been spreading.

Hen Qing felt wronged when her mother raised her voice at her for someone else. Later, Hen Qing ended up exposing her feelings for Huan Hei and Ying Ying persuaded her to give him up because he already has someone else. Hen Qing felt like her mother had changed and is no longer the mother whom loved her dearly.

Out of anger and frustration, Hen Qing burst out her real thoughts, ”Mom! You've changed! You're a stranger to me now! Before you were kidnapped, you had been sweet and loving to me! Now? I only say a few words to vent out things that are unfair, and you lecture you! What's wrong with you? Where did my mother go?! If it's like this, I will rather never have you come back to me! I'd rather be alone!”

Slap

The numbing sensation on her face, followed by seeing the red print on her face from the reflection of the television, made Hen Qing enraged. She covered her right cheek and screamed out in madness, ”What did I say wrong huh? What kind of mother doesn't support their daughter? I like someone. You shouldn't be telling me to give up! You should be encouraging me! Forget needing you till after graduation! You can leave! You can leave now! Go to wherever the heck that job place is! I don't care anymore. I'm moving out right after graduation. I won't contact you.”

She angrily pushed Ying Ying out of the house and slammed the door shut. Ying Ying sighed internally, 'How did I raise her up to be this way?'

She had nowhere else to go so she ended up messaging Ya Nuo asking her for assistance. On the other hand, Ya Nuo replied instantly and welcomed her warmly. The app that Ya Nuo installed on Hen Qing's phone was still active. Once in a while, Ya Nuo would check to see what Hen Qing was up to and when she heard all those vulgar words, she's said about her to Ying Ying, she rolled her eyes. She heard their fight and other conversations.

Therefore, once she received Ying Ying's message, she welcomed her and told her family what had happened. Her family felt bad about how Hen Qing treated her mother and respected Ya Nuo's decision of letting her stay earlier than expected. They helped change the bed sheets and blankets in the guest room and prepared a warm feast for her. When Ying Ying arrived, everyone had a smile on their faces and treated her like family.

Ya Nuo's parents and brother knew that they didn't have to act the way they did. They behaved this way because Ying Ying was still a guest and furthermore, they would be interacting with her for a while. So, to them, it is best to maintain a good relationship than a bad one.

-Graduation Day-

That day, Ying Ying watched from afar as Hen Qing walked up for her diploma and didn't bother staying after the ceremony to take pictures. For a moment, Hen Qing's eyes met hers, but she still left without giving a second thought. Ying Ying saw parents hugging their children proudly and taking family pictures. She unconsciously rubbed her lower abdomen before shaking her head and leaving.

Ying Ying wanted to see Hen Qing, at least once more before she leaves for college overseas. When she arrived at her house, she found the door unlocked and the house was empty. Other than her belongings, everything else that was related to Hen Qing were gone. Her set of house keys was left on the kitchen table. It was as if Hen Qing knew that she was coming home, so she left before saying goodbye.

'So this is how it feels like to have a daughter, yet not have one.' She packed her own belongings and identification documents before locking the door. She looked at the set of keys in her hands and sighed, 'This keychain was a pair when we bought it. Now, it's only my pair that's left.'