Chapter 14 — Took my mother to buy a gold bracelet, the whole family wanted me to pay 76,500 yuan

She quickly rubbed her eyes. Soft voice.

“I just feel…”

“My daughter has really grown up.”

I hugged her shoulders. Take her forward. The loudspeakers in the shopping mall are playing music. The downstairs lobby area has an event program. The sound of people laughing and talking boisterously. Full of breath of everyday life. Just got to the elevator. We suddenly met someone. She was standing against the corner of the wall. In his hand he carried a bag of green vegetables. The moment saw us. Her whole body stiffened. It's only been a week without seeing each other. But she seems to have aged a lot. My hair is more than half gray. Deep sunken eye sockets. The colorful sweater from before is no longer there. Instead, there was an old, faded gray jacket. She opened her mouth. It seemed like he wanted to say something. But in the end, I still couldn't say a word. I don't stop. Still holding my mother's shoulder. Calmly pass by. The elevator door opens. We entered. Right at the moment the door was about to close. Through the gap. I still see her standing in the same place. Look towards us. I don't know I'm looking at the bracelet on my mother's hand. Or thinking about something else. Mother sighed softly.

“Lately, my eldest daughter…”

“It's very difficult.”

I replied once.

“Your cousin lost his job.”

“The future daughter-in-law also left to return to her mother's house.”

“No one of her relatives wants to interact with her.”

“My uncle quarrels with her every day.”

I turned to look at her. Calm voice.

“Today's outcome was her own doing.”

“It has nothing to do with the child.”

Mom was silent for a few seconds. Then nodded. The elevator goes down to the first floor. I smiled. Hold your mother's hand tighter.

“I'll take mom out to eat delicious food.”

Three days later. I took my parents to Sanya to travel. It was the first time since going to work. I took them that far. In the airport. My father walked back and forth non-stop. Mouth constantly mumbling:

“This trip must cost a lot of money, right?”

But his eyes were glued to the planes outside the window. Curiosity cannot be hidden. My mother wears a new gold bracelet. Before boarding the plane, I wiped it several times. Afraid of getting a small speck of dust. The hotel I booked was a sea view room. The balcony overlooks the long stretch of golden sand. My father stood on the balcony for a long time. Don't say a word. I picked up a glass of water and walked over. Give it to him.

“What are you thinking?”

He turned his head to look at me. The rim of the eye is slightly red. But still trying to be strong.

“I remember when you were little.”

“Sit on Dad's shoulders to go to the fair.”

“Every day, I point at the sugar candy counter and scream.”

“Dad, buy it for me!”

I laughed.

“Are you still asking dad to buy it now?”

He glared at me.

“Now it's your turn to buy it for dad.”

My mother heard the conversation on the balcony and burst out laughing. Dinner that night. I conveniently opened my phone to take a look. The post that still caused a storm on the internet is still on the forum. It's just that the heat has long gone down. The latest comment was posted three days ago.

“Sister, how was this case finally resolved?”

I scrolled through my private inbox. The brand party sends donation vouchers. A stranger texted me asking for my experience in protecting my rights. There are even local reporters who want to interview. I just scrolled through each message. Then lock the screen again.

“Girl, what are you looking at?”

Mom leaned over and asked.

"Nothing."

I picked up a chopstick of food and put it in her bowl.

“Mom, eat.”

Return date. Electronic screen in the airport bookstore is broadcasting the local news. The clear female MC voice rang out:

"In the past week, the City Consumer Rights Protection Association has announced typical cases on protecting customer rights."

“The case of XX gold shop forcing consumption has attracted widespread attention on social networks.”

"Currently, the relevant store has completed the correction, the brand has publicly apologized and compensated customers for damages."

“The case is considered one of the exemplary cases of protecting consumer rights.”

"The Consumer Rights Protection Association also reminds people that when encountering acts that violate their rights, they need to retain evidence and promptly complain to the authorities..."

My father stood looking at the screen for a long time. Immobility. I called out. He turned his head. The eyes are somewhat complicated.

“I'm on TV.”

“Not you.”

I laughed.

“That's all.”

“What's the difference?”

He asked again. I thought for a moment. Then nodded.

“That's right.”

After the plane took off. Mom leaned her head next to the window watching the clouds. Since when did dad sleep? The snoring is very soft. I leaned back in my chair. Close your eyes. Each image appeared in my head one by one. The eldest girl rushed into the gold shop and caused chaos. The store manager slammed the receipt down in front of me. The moment the police pushed the door in. The word "EXPLOSION" is bright red on the search panel. Ly Binh knelt on the ground and cried. The eldest girl stood at the corner of the shopping center with a bag of vegetables in her hand, haggard and lonely. Then the final image appeared. Stand under the light. Wear a gold bracelet on your wrist. Watch it over and over again without getting bored. That look... Just like thirty years ago. When dad gave her her first watch. I opened my eyes. Look at the dense clouds outside the window. Right at that moment. The phone in my pocket vibrated. I took it out to see. It's a text message from an unknown number.

"Hello."

“I'm a screenwriter for XX studio.”

“After reading her story of protecting rights, I was truly moved.”

“We are currently preparing a short film project on the topic of women protecting their legitimate rights.”

“Hope to have a chance to talk to you.”

I looked at the message for a few seconds. Then lock the screen. Put the phone back in your pocket. Mom turned her head to look at me.

“Who texted that?”

"Nothing."

Above the clouds. The bright yellow sunlight stretches endlessly. Warm to the point of blinding. I leaned back in the chair. Gently close your eyes. Kindness needs limits. Filial piety does not mean accepting others to make you the one who has to pay the price for their greed.