Chapter 3 — A House, A Family

Get out of the car right now.

I will go inside and perform the ceremony immediately.

I stood amidst the swirling crowd, my mind entirely blank and hollow. I could not clearly hear what my mother had said. Yet I knew one thing with absolute certainty: this battle had been won by my mother. That scandalous uproar on the day of the wedding would become a persistent tale, whispered and recounted by our relatives over the course of many years. Whenever the family gathered for holiday festivities, someone would inevitably bring it up with a chuckle.

Do you all remember Lin Chen’s wedding back then?

His mother uttered only a single sentence, and the entire chaos vanished into thin air.

Upon hearing those remarks, my mother would merely offer a faint, detached smile. She would continue picking up food with her chopsticks, or calmly sipping her tea, never once taking up the conversation. On one particular occasion, I simply could not contain my curiosity any longer and asked her point-blank.

Mother.

What on earth did you say to Jia Jia on that day?

At that moment, my mother was sitting in the courtyard kitchen, sorting through a bundle of leafy vegetables. Her hands did not pause for even a second, nor did she raise her head. She simply replied with serene indifference.

I did not say much of anything.

I merely settled an account with her.

What kind of account?

The debt of this mortal life.

Having spoken, she refused to offer any further explanation. Yet that lingering mystery remained deeply embedded in my heart. As time passed, I replayed every single detail of that fateful day over and over in my mind, searching for meaning. It was not until much later that I finally pieced together the hidden significance behind my mother’s words. Naturally, that is a story for a later time. Everything that transpired required a much earlier beginning. In truth, that small house had long been a ticking time bomb hidden within the foundation of our family. None of us had anticipated that it would detonate, least of all that the explosion would occur precisely on the most joyous day of our lives. That dwelling had been a gift purchased by my parents to celebrate my twentieth birthday. At the time, I was a sophomore in college. During a holiday break, while we were gathered around the dinner table, my mother suddenly turned to me and spoke.

Little Xi.

Your father and I have bought a house for you.

I was utterly startled, the chopsticks in my hand nearly slipping from my fingers.

You bought a house for me?

I am still a student.

My mother smiled softly, placing a piece of braised pork ribs onto my plate with a voice as calm as ever.

Being a student does not preclude you from owning a home.

You are a grown young woman now.

You must possess a sanctuary of your own.

No matter what trials you may encounter in the future.

Having your own place will grant stability to your heart.

My father, who had been quietly eating his meal, rarely intervened, but he added his endorsement.

Your mother is completely right.

The deed will be registered solely in your name.

It will be your independent property.

As for your older brother’s share.

Your mother and I will make separate arrangements.

You do not need to worry about that.

At that time, I felt my parents were making an unnecessary fuss, so I giggled and brushed it off.

When I get married in the future.

Won't I already have a place to live?

My mother looked at me with an expression laden with profound meaning. However, I was far too young then to comprehend its depth. She only uttered a single sentence.

Your own home.

And the home you inhabit after marriage.

Are not one and the same.

It was only much later that I truly understood the immense weight of those words. The apartment was not particularly large, measuring a mere fifty-eight square meters with two modest bedrooms, situated within an aging residential complex. Yet it fell squarely within the catchment zone for one of the top three elementary schools in the entire county. The total cost was four hundred and twenty thousand yuan, paid entirely in cash by my parents upfront. On the property ownership certificate, there were only three characters: Lin Xi, designating absolute personal ownership. When she handed the red booklet into my hands, my mother gave me a stern and explicit warning.

This house belongs to you and you alone.

Even if anyone comes begging for it, you must never give it away.

Not your brother.

Not your future sister-in-law.

Not even if the heavens themselves opened up.

At that moment, I burst into laughter.

You are exaggerating, Mother.

It is merely a house; surely there aren't people waiting to rob me of it?

My mother did not smile. She took the deed back from me, carefully placing it inside a locked iron box hidden in the deepest corner of her bedroom wardrobe, turning the key, and slipping it into the pocket of the jacket she wore every single day. Having completed these tasks, she turned her gaze back to me.

Little Xi.

The human heart is unpredictable.

The more you fear trouble.

The more trouble will seek you out.

Whatever is held securely within your own grasp.

Can never be stolen by another.

Back then, I merely thought my mother was being excessively cautious. Surely there could not possibly be so many malicious people in the world? Our family was living a peaceful life, and my brother was a kind-hearted man. Who would arbitrarily attempt to steal my home? Subsequent events proved that I had been far too naive at the time. Every single word my mother uttered would eventually come to pass. My brother, Lin Chen, had met Xu Jia Jia through a traditional matchmaker. At the time, he was twenty-four years old, working as a mechanic in a local automotive repair shop. He was an honest, diligent man, but he suffered from a clumsy tongue and lacked the charm to flatter women. He had been on countless matchmaking dates, all of which ended in failure—either criticized for being too taciturn or for not earning a sufficient income. Eventually, the matchmaker introduced Xu Jia Jia. She was fair-skinned, pleasant-looking, soft-spoken, and worked as a cashier at a local supermarket. Upon returning from their very first meeting, my brother’s face was flushed red. When my mother asked how it went, he choked up for a long moment before managing to utter just two words.

Very stable.

My mother smiled.

Then you should put in the effort to get to know her.

That courtship period extended continuously over the span of three years. Throughout those three years, Xu Jia Jia frequently visited our home for meals, her tongue remarkably sweet. Every time she arrived, she would affectionately address my parents as aunt and uncle. During holidays, she even brought small gifts for me. At that time, I had just graduated and was working as an office clerk for a small local company with a modest salary. Whenever she noticed my situation, she would often smile and say.

Little Xi is still young.

Just take things at your own pace.

I am certain that you will achieve great success in the future.

For the longest time, my impression of her remained consistently gentle and understanding.