Chapter 94: Chapter 94

“It’s good to see you again, Mrs. Ming. Mrs. Tan, I hope you’re in good health.” Annie smiled at the women.

“How can I not be in good health, Dear? The apartment building is more friendly than before. We are obviously living in luxury, Annie.”

“Mrs. Tan is right. Annie, can you believe that the rent has also gone down?”

Annie didn’t look surprised. She only smiled and reached for the bags. “I hope you can manage this. It’s not much.”

“Eh? You’re so thoughtful, Annie.”

“Mrs. Lin is sure lucky to have a daughter like you.”

“I can’t even remember the last time my son bought me something. You’re a blessed girl, hopefully, you’ll find a good husband soon.”

“Who is speaking about a husband?” Mrs. Ming scoffed while peaking through the small bag Annie handed to her. “Just work hard, Annie. Men are unreliable nowadays. I am sure you can become a successful person if you keep being generous.”

Annie distributed the souvenirs among the neighbors, laughing softly at their comments.

“Mrs. Ming, don’t discourage the girl. Just because you didn’t have a successful marriage doesn’t mean others won’t.”

“Shut up, Mrs. Tan. Our dear Annie has had her share of the cruelties of men. I am sure I don’t even need to warn her in such aspects.”

Annie left the women bantering and she headed to her mother’s store. Mrs. Lin was just about to close the store, and she looked at her daughter in surprise.

“I almost thought you wouldn’t come today anymore. You shouldn’t have stressed yourself, Annie.”

When Mrs. Lin received the girl’s call in the afternoon that she was going to come, that time the woman had traveled to a nearby town to get some local goods.

She promised her she would return in the evening, expecting the girl to come tomorrow instead.

“Have you been taking care of yourself, Ma?” Annie hugged the woman after greeting her. Somehow, her mother seemed to have lost some weight.

Mrs. Lin grumbled under her breath. “You can even sense it, Annie. That boy is about to give me a heart attack, and I don’t even know what I did wrong to deserve it.”

“Where is Dylan?” Annie frowned a bit, following her into the apartment building.

“Who knows? The boy rarely comes home. Sometimes I won’t even know when he slips away. He is getting smarter every day in escaping my punishment. Ahhh! Annie, tell me. Do I need to hand him over to the police?”

As the woman hollered, Annie followed her silently up the stairs. When they reached the apartment, she dropped the remaining bags in her hands on the living room couch and went inside the kitchen.

After pouring water into a glass cup, she came out with it and gave it to the exasperating woman. “Relax, Ma. Dylan has many friends. And you know how he hates being around women.”

“There are literally thousands of people he can hang out with in this neighborhood. Even Little Chen doesn’t run away from his mother the way he does.”

“I am sure he will return. Isn’t it almost time for the semester exams? He might be having a group study with his friends.”

Mrs. Lin dropped the water glass and gave Annie a narrowed look. “Why do you seem to be defending that boy? I’m not bluffing, I can feel he’s up to no good.”

“I’m not defending him, Ma.” Annie sighed. “I just want you to not think too much about it. It is not good for your health.”

The girl sank into a deep thought. She brought out her phone and dialed Dylan’s number, and it was unreachable.

Maybe the network was bad. Or maybe he intentionally disconnected it.

Annie was still frowning, when Mrs. Lin’s voice reached her ears, bringing her out of her reverie.

“Mrs. Tan’s daughter is getting married soon.” The woman looked at her. “I’m sure Mrs. Tan has told you.”

Annie shook her head. Mrs. Tan didn’t tell her anything. The woman was busy bantering with Mrs. Ming.

“That is good news. I’ll congratulate them later.”

Mrs. Lin let out a huge sigh. The thought of a wedding ceremony happening soon brought back memories of what happened some months ago.

She looked at her daughter and hesitated before speaking. “I overheard Mrs. Ming giving you bad advice. Annie, don’t you dare listen to her.”

“Mrs. Ming’s words are from her experience. It doesn’t mean the same thing will happen to every girl, Ma.”

“You’re right.” Mrs. Lin marveled at her intelligent daughter. “Since that’s the case, I hope you won’t let what happened affect you. You’re even older than Mrs. Tan’s daughter. If you have a suitor, just bring him out. Let’s get you married as soon as possible.”

“Ma!” Annie stared at the woman in bewilderment.

“Did I say something wrong?” Mrs. Lin frowned. “I am not pushing you, Annie. But it is for the best. If Old Lin- I mean, that man. If that man hadn’t left, you wouldn’t have even met that stupid boy who decided to dump you. You would have long gotten married.”

“Take it easy, Ma. It’s not like I’m complaining.”

“It is not about you complaining or not. Sometimes, I still overhear the neighbors speaking about what happened at your wedding. Do you know how much it irritates me? I know you don’t lack suitors. If you can get married soon-“

“Ma, please.” Annie interrupted, looking helpless. “Can we not speak about my wedding?”

“And why not!?” Mrs. Lin was suddenly angered. “Is it that you’re not over that boy? Tell me, Annie, is there something you’re hiding from me?”

“Relax, Ma.”

“How can I relax?” Mrs. Lin fanned herself with both hands. “Your brother is giving me a headache and you want to add more to my anxiety. Annie, your situation was pitiful, but you can’t let one man affect you. If that boy could even dump you at the altar, he is not worthy of your feelings. Just let things go and find someone else to marry already.”

Annie could only watch her mother silently, a sudden gloom compounding her heart. When the woman was done speaking, she poured her another glass of water.

‘I’m so sorry, Ma. Maybe I can fulfill your wish someday. Right now, I have a huge debt to repay.’

Mrs. Lin couldn’t hear the girl’s thoughts. She didn’t even notice the sad look on her face currently.

The woman was so angry that she even refused to drink the water.