Chapter 6 — A Debt of Filial Duty

Where is my home?

You said there was a big house!

Her mother hurriedly pulled the boy back.

Bang Bang, stop making a scene.

He shook off her hand, pointing directly at me and screaming.

Ugly sister!

You stole my home!

I looked at him.

It never belonged to you in the first place.

Father slammed several receipts hard onto the table.

Meng An He, you certainly know how to make your own decisions.

Such a major matter, and you didn't even mention a word to your parents?

I retorted, When I bought the house, did you ever ask a single word?

When I paid off the mortgage, did you ever pay a single cent on my behalf?

Now that I am disposing of my own property, why should I report it to you?

Father's lips pressed into a thin, rigid line.

Are you afraid we would demand it, so you moved away beforehand?

I said, Yes. The moment that single word fell, the expressions of everyone at the table shifted. My mother was so furious her hands trembled.

You even dare to admit it?

I looked straight at her.

You dared to open your mouths and demand three apartments.

Why wouldn't I dare admit that I am guarding against you?

Father pointed at the receipts.

A gift can be revoked.

Don't think I don't understand the law.

I replied, The real estate gift has already been accepted and registered.

Afterwards, I will coordinate to complete the entire legal process.

If you want to sue, go ahead.

My lawyer has plenty of time on their hands.

Mother shrieked, Don't use lawyers to intimidate people!

Your parents are still alive, and yet you are giving away your entire family estate to a child!

You are cursing us to an early grave!

I pushed the teacup aside.

I am cursing no one.

I simply refuse to wait until you reach out your hands to steal from my own son's bowl.

Finally, the aunt could no longer sit still.

An He, you shouldn't speak like that.

Your parents are getting older, and having a young son to keep them company is their heart's hope.

Your circumstances are good; offering moderate help can be considered building good karma.

I looked at her.

Auntie, your family owns two properties.

You share the surname Meng as well.

If you are willing to give one of your apartments to Bang Bang, I will thank you on behalf of my mother right now.

The aunt's face instantly stiffened. She set down her chopsticks and did not say another word. The second uncle coughed awkwardly.

This matter should still be discussed privately within your own immediate family.

I burst out laughing.

Just now, when you demanded I sign the agreement, none of you acted like outsiders.

The second uncle lowered his head, the tips of his ears flushing red. Their collective silence pushed father to the forefront, his expression growing increasingly unsightly. He pushed the kraft paper bag toward me once more.

The receipts are one thing.

The agreement is another.

Just sign it first.

Once you've signed, we can figure out how to handle the relocation later.

I looked at him.

Father, Lawyer Tan would undoubtedly love to hear you say that.

I took my phone from my pocket and lit up the screen. It displayed the audio recording app, still actively running. Mother instantly lunged forward.

You're recording us?

I cupped the phone in the palm of my hand.

When you forced me to sign a letter of commitment in front of all our relatives, wasn't it also to gather evidence?

I am simply taking a page from your book.

Father's face turned completely dark.

Meng An He.

Do you still consider us your parents at all?

I said, I have always regarded you as my parents.

That is why I sent money, paid for your medical bills, and covered your living expenses.

But what have you considered me?

A cash machine?

Or a tool to hoard properties for Bang Bang?

Tears suddenly spilled from mother's eyes. She collapsed back into her chair, her shoulders shaking as she wept bitterly.

How could I have given birth to such a creature?

If I had known earlier that you were so ungrateful and heartless, I never should have taken you in and raised you.

I had been entirely calm. But hearing those words, something slashed deeply through my heart. I looked at her.

You don't need to regret it.

From this day forward, every time you spared yourself the trouble of raising me, I owed you one less debt.

I stood up, gathering the lawyer's letter and the receipts into an envelope. Father suddenly spoke: Just try walking out that door. I paused in my tracks. He enunciated every single word: If you step across this threshold today, don't ever expect to enter the Meng family home again. I turned my head.

Then make sure you change the locks.

Lest I accidentally wander back in.

I pulled the door open. Behind me, mother's crying abruptly ceased. She gritted her teeth and spat, If you won't give us a house, I will go to your company.

I will go to Xiao Yan's school as well.

I want to see where your director's face will be left to hide.

My hand rested on the doorknob. In that fleeting second, I knew this dinner was still not the ugliest scene to come. The true ugliness of these people was only just beginning.

I did not look back. I merely pushed the door shut a fraction more. Then I turned around to face my mother.

Just now, you said you would come to my company and go to Xiao Yan's school.

Say those words again.

Mother's sobbing caught in her throat. Her eyes were still rimmed with red, but the cruelty on her features had not yet faded.

So what if I said it?

If you won't hand over a house, I will let everyone know what an unfilial daughter you are.

I'll let your colleagues see how you treat your birth parents.

I'll let your son's teachers and classmates see what a cold-blooded mother he has.

I nodded.

Splendid.

I raised my phone.

This portion has been recorded as well.

Father's expression shifted drastically.

What on earth are you trying to achieve?

It is not a matter of what I am trying to achieve.

It is a matter of what you are doing.

I swept my gaze across the table of relatives.

Everyone present here today has heard it all.

You adopted a child, and I did not object.

You want me to abandon my home, forfeit my money, and secure the future for this child, and I have refused.