On the bus.

Zhang Bo, who had been silent until now, said in a low voice, "Why don't we call the child? Running off like this so suddenly might cause trouble for the child."

"Aren't you annoying? If you want to hit someone, why don't you do it yourself?" Wu Jing shouted angrily. "I've never seen a father as spineless as you. You go to your own daughter's house and you're afraid of this and that. No wonder you've lived your whole life like a dog!"

Hearing such foul language, even the ride-hailing driver couldn't help but turn and glance at Zhang Bo.

Zhang Bo pretended not to see it, took out his phone, and made a call.

"Hey, Xiaonuan, are you up yet?" Zhang Bo's voice was very gentle.

It's 2 a.m. here, but it's 9 a.m. in the United States.

Hearing a response, Zhang Bo continued, "Your mother and I miss you and want to visit you and see your granddaughter, so we bought plane tickets to go to your place. Is it convenient for you to pick us up? It's okay, if you can't come because of work, just give us the exact address and we can take a taxi there ourselves."

"What do you mean we have to take a taxi ourselves? Do you speak English or do I? Tell her to pick us up! What's wrong with going to work? You can take time off work too!" Wu Jing shouted at the top of her lungs.

Zhang Bo handed the phone to Wu Jing.

"Xiao Nuan wants you to answer the phone."

Wu Jing glanced at Zhang Bo with annoyance, took the phone, but instead of putting it to her ear, she pressed the speakerphone button.

"Xiao Nuan, could you take some time off to pick us up? Your dad and I are planning to stay at your place for a while longer this time, could you make the arrangements?"

"Mom! I'm so busy with work! How can I have time to take care of you? You'd better not come! If you miss Lulu, I'll send her to your place for a holiday when she's on vacation."

"No way!" Wu Jing refused outright. "You've been abroad for so many years, and you didn't even let us attend your wedding. We've already bought the plane tickets, so nothing you say will make a difference."

As soon as Wu Jing finished speaking, Zhang Xiaonuan on the other end of the phone shouted.

"Mom! You've been a domineering mother your whole life. I've already escaped, and you still want to treat me like this? Haven't you hurt me enough in my life? Do you have to force me to my limits before you're satisfied?"

Zhang Xiaonuan's words immediately ignited Wu Jing's anger.

"What did you say? Say it again and see if I don't slap you! We scrimped and saved to send you to study abroad, and now you think you're all grown up and dare to talk to your mother like that?"

Zhang Xiaonuan, don't forget, you're able to marry a rich man and enjoy life today all thanks to your mother! Without me, do you think you'd be where you are today?

Suddenly, there was no sound from the other end of the phone.

Wu Jing gave a smug snort, feeling that she had left Zhang Xiaonuan speechless.

Beside him, Zhang Bo whispered a reminder: "Speak softly to the child, don't scare him."

"What did I say wrong?" Wu Jing turned and yelled at Zhang Bo, "It's all because of your family's bad genes that Zhang Xiaonuan is such a troublemaker! I really don't know how I could have been so blind to marry such a useless good-for-nothing like you!"

"Don't yell at my dad! Mom, do you really think I'm doing well? You..."

Are you not doing well?

Wu Jing interrupted Zhang Xiaonuan before she could even finish speaking.

She yelled at Zhang Xiaonuan on the other end of the phone: "When you were in school, I ate cabbage for every meal and never reduced your living expenses!"

I haven't bought a single new piece of clothing in three years. I've even worn my underwear until it's faded and has holes, but I still couldn't bear to buy a new pair. Yet, I still buy you a new outfit every month and send it to you!

If I hadn't raised you to be knowledgeable, well-mannered, and beautiful, do you think you could have married a rich man, lived in a mansion, and driven a luxury car, given the limited genes your father passed down to you?

Zhang Xiaonuan, we're the ones suffering, while you're enjoying the good life. A child without conscience deserves to be struck by lightning!

"Enough!" Zhang Xiaonuan screamed hysterically from the phone: "Smash it! Smash me to death! I don't want to live anymore anyway! You can enjoy this damn good fortune yourself!"

Zhang Xiaonuan burst into tears: "Do you think life abroad is so easy? Do you think I'm living the life of a superior person here? Do you think you're the only one suffering?"

Dad always told me to be understanding and considerate of you. I've always tried my best to do so. That's why I never tell you about the grievances or hardships I've endured!

You have no idea that I was bullied before I even finished high school, drugged, became addicted to drugs, and was expelled from school! But when I think about all the belittling and beatings you've given me since I was little, I don't dare tell you, and I don't dare go home!

Then I can only sleep on the streets here, living in dark and damp sewers! I work five part-time jobs a day, but I only dare to eat one hamburger, just to save money to send to you, to satisfy your self-righteous education!

Because only when you feel that my parenting is successful will you treat me kindly and be a little nicer to Dad. But this kind of life is simply unbearable. I... I really have no other choice but to become a stripper!

Just so I can have enough money to be considerate and understanding of you! Hahaha... My mom is a teacher, my dad is a stationmaster, but their daughter makes a living as a stripper abroad!

Hahahaha... Am I the pathetic one, or are you the pitiful one?! Hahahaha..."

On the phone, apart from Zhang Xiaonuan's almost manic laughter, there was no other sound.

At this moment, the ride-hailing driver was even holding his breath.

Wu Jing stood there, mouth agape, eyes vacant and blank.

Zhang Bo's lips turned blue, and his whole body trembled as if he were suffocating.

The car was unusually quiet, making the soothing music sound particularly jarring.

“Xiao… Nuan, you, you lied to us, didn’t you?” Zhang Bo questioned.

In his view, the couple had scrimped and saved to support their daughter, so their daughter could never be the way she described.

"Yes! She must think we're a hassle and is just saying that to lie to us. Otherwise, why would Lulu tell us that her father treats her very well?"

“Her father,” Zhang Xiaonuan chuckled, “is because she’s like me, living in her own imagination. In that world, she has a father who loves her very, very much.”

Just like how I've imagined you all since I was a child. I fantasized every day that you loved me very much. But after dreaming for over twenty years, I've finally woken up today.

Mom! You only love yourself! Dad and I have never received a single penny. Hahaha, whatever, you can enjoy this 'blissful' life yourself, I don't want to live like this anymore.

I always think I must have done many terrible things to you in my past life, which is why I'm here to pay off my debts. I think I've almost paid them off, so let's not meet again in the next life.