Chapter 11 A Nominal Existence

Zhou Liya, in particular, has always been honest, down-to-earth, hardworking and willing to endure hardship.

She has always been very filial to her mother and has never complained.

She devoted almost all her energy to the entire family, but the result was heartbreaking.

Her life at home was chaotic. Her husband couldn't understand her hard work, and her children couldn't appreciate her difficulties. In the end, she was even abandoned and could only choose to divorce with a lot of regret.

As for Zhou Haiqing, he has always been taciturn and doesn't talk much.

Many times, I'd rather swallow my grievances than utter a single complaint.

His respect for his parents was never false, and he never neglected his filial duties.

These efforts often go unnoticed.

Thinking that their experiences over the years were closely related to her own, Zhou Shufen couldn't help but tear up.

She tried her best to suppress the turmoil in her heart and not lose her composure.

Why did you suddenly come back?

"It was my older brother who told us that something had happened at home, so we rushed back immediately."

Zhou Liya took over the conversation, her tone tinged with concern and a hint of nervousness.

Zhou Liya and Zhou Haiqing walked into the house while talking.

But they immediately realized something was wrong. They looked around but couldn't see their father, and even Zhou Lijuan and Zhou Hairong were nowhere to be seen.

Seeing the questioning looks from the two, Zhou Shufen answered in a low voice.

"He knows I'm going to separate from the family, and I think he's accepted the fact."

Then he smiled slightly, his tone showing a hint of relief.

"Actually, I've already come to terms with it. It's good to separate the family. It saves us from all the wrangling. It's better to separate sooner rather than later."

However, Zhou Liya and Zhou Haiqing were unaware of the specifics.

They knew very little about what had happened in their family over the years, only that their mother had silently endured everything alone.

In their memory, their mother, Zhou Shufen, was a strong and capable woman, the pillar of the entire family.

The mother worked hard to raise her children.

In Zhou Liya and Zhou Haiqing's eyes, it was she who gritted her teeth and persevered, shouldering the burden of the family all by herself.

Without her dedication and sacrifice, our family wouldn't be what it is today.

Without her, their father, Zhou Dajun, would have been completely different.

I'm afraid the whole family would have been reduced to begging on the streets long ago.

Forget about having enough to eat and wear; they can't even maintain the most basic dignity.

"Mom, how did you and Dad discuss separating the family property? Where has he been lately? Why haven't we been able to see him?"

Zhou Liya couldn't help but sit down and ask a question.

“He came back yesterday, drunk. He said I was being unreasonable and made a huge scene. He not only yelled at me, but also turned around and left.”

Zhou Shufen said these words in a calm tone.

"What kind of mess is this! Dad is so irresponsible. He doesn't care about anything at home, and now he's just hiding away and not showing up at all. Is he trying to dump this mess on Mom?"

Zhou Haiqing gritted his teeth, clenched his right fist, and after a long while, he finally couldn't help but speak.

"If you ask me, he..."

At this point, Zhou Haiqing was unable to continue.

Because he knew that he knew things that others didn't.

My father, Zhou Dajun, has had another woman for a long time, and he hasn't been paying attention to his family for years.

The elderly in the family rely entirely on their mother for everything, from food and drink to toileting.

Zhou Dajun, however, remained at large, showing no remorse whatsoever.

Rather than maintaining a marriage that exists in name only.

It would be better to break up as soon as possible, so that both of us can be at ease, and the mother can also be relieved of her burden and live a peaceful life.

“Mom,” Zhou Haiqing took a deep breath, “Dad has never done anything for us in all these decades. You not only have to take care of us, but also worry about him. I think you should cut ties with him completely.”

In the past, Zhou Haiqing would never have dared to utter a single word about such a thing.

Even just thinking about it makes me scared.

But now that my mother has separated from my eldest brother, her lifestyle has changed, and perhaps her views on marriage will also be different.

He was also thinking about his mother's future and genuinely considering her later years.

"You don't know anything!"

Before Zhou Shufen could respond, Zhou Liya frowned, shook her head, and pressed Zhou Haiqing's hand down, signaling him to stop talking.

"Alright, stop saying these things. It's not easy for a family to be together, why make everyone unhappy because of the past?"

In her view, Zhou Shufen's emotions were already complicated enough.

Mentioning Zhou Dajun again will only make the atmosphere more somber.

"sister……"

Zhou Haiqing was a little anxious. He stood at the door of the living room, holding a letter in his hand, his knuckles turning white.

Zhou Liya sighed and looked at her younger brother.

She had said something similar to Zhou Shufen at that time.

Hopefully, she can see things clearly and make her own choice.

But Zhou Shufen wouldn't listen at all; she not only ignored it but also felt disgusted.

She just shook her head and smiled bitterly, saying that things weren't that serious, and even blamed Zhou Liya for having such thoughts.

As for herself, she has been protecting this family for many years.

From the time my father's health began to deteriorate, through all the ups and downs after my mother's death.

She never left.

Therefore, in her opinion, this incident was just a minor matter and nothing serious.

Zhou Liya still remembers that Zhou Shufen looked very serious that time.

“That’s your father, you should respect him.”

"Don't mention things like that to me again."

After she finished speaking, the image of her turning away became a thorn in Zhou Liya's heart.

Looking back now, I remember Zhou Shufen's stern demeanor.

Therefore, she did not want this conversation to cause a conflict.

However, the development of this scene was something Zhou Liya had never expected.

The expected opposition did not materialize.

Instead, Zhou Shufen remained silent for a moment, then nodded gently.

“You’re right,” she said. “I’ve thought about this too. Zhou Dajun really isn’t worth me staying with him any longer.”

Zhou Liya was stunned when she heard this.

"ah?"

Her mind went blank.

This response came too suddenly.

Even though she had mentally prepared herself for all sorts of situations before she entered the room.

But I never expected it to turn out like this.

Zhou Shufen smiled slightly, looking tenderly at the brother and sister, but her heart was filled with mixed feelings.

These two children really care about her.

They came back specifically to consider her future life.

We've stumbled and struggled our way through these years.

Now there is another chance to start over.

If she still doesn't realize this by now, then she has truly failed to live up to God's help.

"I know what you mean, but I won't move out of the old house."

Zhou Shufen sat in an old rattan chair at home.

Not moving out?

Zhou Liya and Zhou Haiqing exchanged a glance.

They had assumed that their mother was getting old and her personality would soften with age.