Chapter 02

Time flowed like a quiet river, and three years passed without a sound. There was no chance for them to meet again. For three years, she had not seen Tang Yuchuan again, and she had never thought of disturbing him.

In the past three years, her paintings have gradually gained some attention. Although they are not blockbuster masterpieces, she has been able to exhibit several of her own paintings in some small galleries and occasionally teach students in institutions.

Life became stable. She no longer had to struggle for a living. At least her paintings could earn her enough to support herself and even allow her to dream of a more distant future.

However, these external changes did not make Zou Ping completely forget the emptiness in her heart.

Whenever she stood in front of the window and gazed at the bustling city, there was still a loneliness hidden in her heart, the longing and helplessness from her mother.

She called her mother many times, trying to bring her from her hometown to Beijing so that her mother could experience the beauty of this city, free from the constraints of that poor town, and get rid of that man's entanglement!

Finally, her mother agreed to come to Beijing to reunite with her soon. Zou Ping was filled with anticipation and began preparing daily necessities for her mother early on. She even planned to take her to her favorite restaurants, exhibitions, and shopping—just as she had always longed for, she felt that her mother deserved a brand new home in this city.

However, when she received a call from her mother, her voice was devoid of warmth, but instead carried an inexplicable heaviness. "Ping'er, I've decided not to come to Beijing. You're already living well there, and I don't want to cause you any trouble."

Zou Ping was stunned. "Mom, what's wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell? I've already prepared everything. You don't have to worry..."

On the phone, my mother's voice was subdued, a hint of panic lingering in her voice. "Ping'er, can you come back? Something's going on at home, and I... really need you." Her voice was low and vague, as if she had fallen silent after saying this. No explanation, no further clarification.

Zou Ping's heart tightened. At that moment, her mother's voice was like ice water pouring into her heart, making it almost impossible for her to breathe. She knew that her mother's "some things" would never be peaceful.

Zou Ping knew in her heart that her mother's words might be a decoy, hiding a secret she couldn't bear. She forced a smile, hung up the phone, and pretended to be unconcerned as she continued her daily life. However, the heavy feeling that had never left her inadvertently permeated every corner of her mind.

During her time in Beijing, she worked hard every day, hoping to rebuild her independence and freedom. However, when her mother called again, all her rationality and determination seemed to collapse in that instant.

Her heart moved, and she felt that she could let go of all her insistence and return to her mother. Perhaps in that way, she could feel the warmth of being loved again, even if that warmth was false and wrapped in lies.

She wondered if she had done something wrong, if she had neglected her family responsibilities. So, intentionally or unintentionally, she deceived herself and asked herself to go back and see if she could help a little, or if her mother simply needed her company.

Without giving it much thought, or even daring to think, she hurriedly packed her bags and boarded the bus back home. She thought she would return this time, like before, trying her best to be an obedient child, making up for the alienation she'd felt from being away from home for so long. However, she had no idea that the moment she returned home, she would face not only her mother's cold expectations, but also her father's heavy debts and violent control.

She never thought about her mother's true intentions until she returned to the home that had become unfamiliar to her.

As soon as Zou Ping entered the room, she felt an oppressive atmosphere. Her father was no longer the drunken gambler she remembered. Instead, he stared at her like a hungry beast, his eyes revealing an undeniable desire and coldness.

She trembled a little, but didn't say anything.

Her mother was no longer the woman who was always gentle and tolerant of her, but a silent bystander with unspeakable guilt in her eyes.

Zou Ping suddenly realized that the home she had always imagined was no longer what she remembered. What she hadn't expected was that her mother had chosen her father—a violent and addicted man—and she had become a bargaining chip in their exchange.

Suddenly, Zou Ping felt a sense of oppression filling the room, almost suffocating her. She stood at the door, her heart beating rapidly, as if everything was foreshadowing some impending disaster.

Her parents were both in the living room. Her father's face, which she hadn't seen for a long time, still showed an unconcealable fatigue and irritability. He glanced at her coldly, as if everything was so natural.

"Ping'er, you're finally back." His father's voice was hoarse, with an indescribable indifference. "Something happened at home, you should know."

Zou Ping was stunned for a moment, her heart sinking. She suddenly realized her mother hadn't mentioned her father on the phone. Uneasy feelings welled up in her, but she forced herself to remain calm and walked over. Her mother sat nearby, her eyes flickering, as if she were feeling a little guilty, but she didn't know how to start.

"I've raised you this long, isn't it time you repay us?" Her father's words were heavy, each one like a hammer hitting her heart. "Your mother and I have been so kind to you, even allowing you to go to college! You don't know anything, and the debt we owe is already suffocating us."

Just as Zou Ping was about to ask what his father meant, his next words dealt a heavy blow to her. "Ping'er, your studies weren't in vain. You're a top student in the capital, and you're worth money! The 198,000 yuan dowry isn't a loss at all!"

Zou Ping's heart suddenly tightened. Her father's words made her feel trapped. She opened her mouth, but didn't know how to answer. Her eyes unconsciously swept to her mother, but her mother didn't give her any support. Her mother lowered her head, as if avoiding her gaze.

"I... I don't understand." Zou Ping finally managed to squeeze out these words, her tone filled with confusion and helplessness. "Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you explain it to me earlier?"

Her mother's eyes flickered, and her lips moved slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but she finally sighed softly and lowered her head. Zou Ping once again confirmed that her mother did not intend to defend her, but had already made a choice of obedience in her heart—she had chosen her father.

"You understand, Ping'er," his father said in a cold voice, "We need you to get married and use your betrothal gift to pay off our debts. You are not a child anymore, understand?"

Zou Ping's heart ached, her world crumbling in an instant. She couldn't understand why her mother had allowed all this. She had always known her family wasn't good enough, but she had never imagined it would become such a cage of oppression.

Her mind was in a turmoil, barely registering. She'd considered countless possibilities, but never could she have imagined being forced to face such a ruthless choice. She hadn't even had a chance to consider her future, her own life. All she knew was that her father's gambling debts seemed to have pushed her toward an inescapable fate.

Everything happened so suddenly that Zou Ping's world completely collapsed. She was locked in a dim room, the air around her seemed to become stagnant and she couldn't breathe.

Her mother stood before her, her face pale, her eyes filled with unspeakable fear and helplessness. Zou Ping knew that her mother was not completely willing, but she had already fallen into this vortex from which she could not escape.

"Ping'er, you must be obedient, agree to get married, and pay off your father's debts." The mother's voice was low and her eyes were evasive, as if this was not what she wanted, but she had to do it.

Zou Ping's heart was broken, she couldn't believe what she saw. She never thought her mother would push her to such a dead end.

However, just when she was about to be drowned in despair, she accidentally glanced at the old business card in the interlayer of her backpack. It still lay there quietly, like a silent badge that had not been mentioned for a long time.

That was the business card that Tang Yuchuan had once handed to her, a business card that she didn't want to touch, but she had never really let go of in her heart.

Her hands trembled slightly, and her fingertips unconsciously slid across the golden edge of the business card. Three years had passed, and she had no contact with Tang Yuchuan.

At this moment, she didn't know if Tang Yuchuan would still remember her, but she knew that his help might be her only chance of survival. The urgency of the situation had made her no longer consider rewards or costs. She pulled out her phone, which she kept close to her body, and dialed the number on the business card. Her heartbeat seemed to pause for a moment, then began beating violently again like a drum.

The call was connected, and Tang Yuchuan's calm voice was still heard on the other end: "Hello..."

Zou Ping didn't say much, suppressing her emotions. She whispered, "Mr. Tang, I need your help..."

There was no surprise in Tang Yuchuan's voice. He just said slowly, "Tell me the address and I'll pick you up." His tone did not sound anxious or overly concerned, as if all this was just a chance encounter, a help he was ready to give.

After hanging up the phone, Zou Ping's heart seemed to have finally found a place to lean on, though she didn't know what price she would have to pay. But she knew she had no other choice. She could no longer stay in this land rife with violence and hypocrisy, and could no longer endure her father, a violent gambler, and her mother, a cowardly accomplice.

She resolved to follow the golden calling card, toward a promise she had almost forgotten, a place that might bring her some solace.

She thought it couldn't get any worse than it was now, so she accepted whatever was on the other end of the card.