Shiyue packed her things and headed home. Her mind was a tangled mess the whole way. Before she knew it, she stood at her own door. The moment she opened it, Zhao Jiahe’s excited voice burst out.
“Sis! Sis! Let’s go to the amusement park this Saturday!”
Jiahe bounced around, waving a sheet of paper. Beside him, Zhao Xiaomei stood expectantly, clutching her own paper.
Shiyue glanced questioningly at her mother, who smiled behind them.
“You promised them,” her mother explained gently. “If they scored 100 on their exams, you’d take them to the new park.”
“Look, Sis! I got a hundred!” Jiahe thrust the paper forward. The number 100 blazed on it.
“I—I did too!” Xiaomei quickly raised her test. Another bold 100.
“When did I promise that?” Shiyue couldn’t recall.
Jiahe and Xiaomei’s shoulders slumped in disappointment.
“Early this semester,” her mother said softly. “At dinner. You said whoever got 100 would go to the new park. They both did. Let’s all go Saturday.”
Memory clicked. Shiyue smiled at her siblings.
“Okay. We’ll go.”
“Yay! Yay!”
“Zhao Jiahe! Stop jumping around!” Their mother scolded as Jiahe leaped. Xiaomei hugged her test paper, beaming like a blooming flower.
Shiyue’s smile dimmed. *Yichen leaves Sunday.*
The kids didn’t notice. They skipped off, still celebrating.
Her mother saw Shiyue’s shadowed expression.
“Shiyue? Is Saturday not good for you?”
“Ah, no, Mom.” Shiyue forced a smile.
“We can reschedule if you’re busy.”
“Really, it’s fine. Don’t worry.” Shiyue turned toward her room. “I’ll just… head upstairs.”
“Alright then.” Her mother nodded, worry in her eyes. Shiyue hurried away.
***
The next few days passed normally. Shiyue attended club activities, then went to Yichen’s house. Both avoided the topic.
Friday, over dinner:
“Yichen, I’m taking the kids to the amusement park tomorrow. So…”
“Oh. Got it.” Yichen paused. “Shiyue, after I leave, you…”
“I’m full.” Shiyue cut him off. She cleared the dishes swiftly and went upstairs.
***
Saturday morning. Shiyue, her siblings, and her mother stood before the new Disney theme park in South City’s commercial district. Though early, crowds already gathered.
“Sis! Hurry up!” Jiahe waved frantically ahead. Xiaomei skipped between Shiyue and their mother, Zhou Pingxia, holding both hands.
“Jiahe! Don’t get lost!” Their mother called after the darting boy. He ignored her.
“Mickey Mouse!” Near the ticket booth, Jiahe pointed at a wandering Mickey.
Xiaomei let go and ran over. Mickey stopped, waving.
Xiaomei’s eyes sparkled as she touched Mickey’s white belly. Jiahe suddenly kicked Mickey’s foot. Mickey staggered, nearly falling.
“Zhao Jiahe!” Shiyue grabbed his ear.
“Ow! Sis, it hurts!”
“Apologize! Now!”
“S-sorry.”
Shiyue turned to Mickey. “I’m so sorry. He’s just a kid. Please forgive him.”
Mickey froze. Shiyue braced to apologize again—then Mickey sprang to life, bouncing and making silly faces.
“Ahahaha!” Jiahe laughed, forgetting his mischief. Xiaomei stared, mouth open in awe. Even Shiyue’s lips twitched into a smile.
Mickey danced harder. Then a pink Minnie stomped over and kicked Mickey’s rear. Mickey tumbled, looking up with his unchanging grin—but Shiyue sensed the person inside trembling. Mickey scrambled away. Minnie chased him, fist raised.
“Tickets! Now!” Their mother called. The trio hurried to the booth.
Inside Disneyland, Jiahe tugged Shiyue’s hand.
“Sis! Faster!”
“I’m coming! Don’t rush.”
“Sis! I want that!” He pointed at a roaring rollercoaster. Screams echoed clearly.
Jiahe’s excitement contrasted with Xiaomei clinging to their mother’s arm.
“I’m not riding that!”
“Huh? Why not? Looks fun!”
“I just won’t!”
“Jiahe,” Shiyue said firmly, “you’re too small for that ride.”
His face fell. Shiyue spotted a gentle driving game—tiny Mickey-shaped cars on a track, filled with kids their age.
“How about this?”
“That’s baby stuff.” Jiahe puffed his chest. “I’m grown up.”
“Sis! I want this one!” Xiaomei nodded eagerly.
“Be a good brother,” their mother added.
Jiahe grumbled but agreed.
Shiyue and her mother watched from the railing. Jiahe’s reluctance vanished the moment he drove off, speeding past others.
“Ha! I’m fastest!”
“Waaah! Brother, wait!” Xiaomei crept along, too scared to accelerate.
“Wahahaha! I’m lapping you!”
“Waaah! Wait for me~”
“Zhao Jiahe! Slow down!” Their mother called, though the cars were capped at walking speed.
Jiahe suddenly braked, waiting for Xiaomei to catch up.
“Stop crying. I’ll wait.”
Xiaomei’s tears vanished into a smile.
Shiyue’s own smile faltered. *What if Yichen and I were in those cars? Me crawling behind… him speeding away. No matter how hard I try, I can’t catch up.*
“Shiyue?” Her mother’s worried gaze met hers.
“It’s nothing, Mom.” Shiyue shook her head slightly.
After the ride, the kids charged to the next attraction, hand in hand. Shiyue and her mother trailed behind. All morning, the children’s energy never flagged. The adults followed like shadows, joining only when required.
At lunch in the park’s themed restaurant, the kids finally tired. Jiahe napped on Shiyue’s lap; Xiaomei slept against their mother.
Shiyue and her mother waited quietly.
“Shiyue,” her mother began softly, “have you been troubled lately?”
“Huh? No, Mom.”
Her mother shook her head. “Don’t hide it. For a week now, you’ve had this sad look. Did you think I wouldn’t notice?”
Shiyue stayed silent, sipping iced tea.
“Can’t you tell me what’s wrong?”
Silence.
“If something’s hard… talk to me. We’re family, right?”
Seeing Shiyue still quiet, her mother sighed. “Shiyue… I’m truly grateful you came into our lives.”
Shiyue looked up, startled.
“My friends envy me. ‘Such a beautiful, brilliant daughter,’ they say. ‘If only my son were worthy of her.’”
Shiyue’s cheeks flushed. “Mom, I’m not that special.”
“All these years… you’ve done so much. Others talk about children repaying parents. I wonder how to repay *you*.” Her mother’s voice turned apologetic.
“Mom! Don’t say that—”
“When your dad brought you home… I thought it was a burden.” A bitter smile touched her lips. “That deadbeat left us so suddenly. I nearly broke. But you… you held us together.”
“Please don’t—”
“You cared for these two troublemakers. Did housework. Worked part-time to support us. Nursed me when I was sick. This home only stands because of you. I don’t know how to thank you.”
“But… without you raising me, I might have starved.”
“It’s not the same,” her mother insisted. “Your sacrifices aren’t ‘just duty.’ Shiyue… I’ve decided. I won’t chain you here anymore. Spend time on what *you* want. I don’t know what weighs on you—but if there’s something you need to do… do it.”
Shiyue’s fingers tightened around her cup.
“You were never meant to be tied down by us. You’re exceptional. You must have dreams. Shiyue… whether from guilt or as your mother, I want you to live for yourself. Chase what matters to *you*.”
Shiyue bit her lip, trembling slightly.
Her mother smiled warmly. “Look at them. They’re big enough to help now. I’ve recovered. Found a job. We’ll manage without your part-time money. You don’t have to pour all your strength into us.”
“I don’t mind!…” Shiyue shook her head hard, staring at her tea to avoid her mother’s eyes.
“Mmm~” Jiahe stretched awake. Xiaomei sat up too.
Her mother beamed. “Ready for more fun?”
“Yeah!”
“Yes!”
They nodded in unison.
All afternoon, the children raced from ride to ride, tireless.
Instead, the two adults—Shiyue and her mother—both felt a bit exhausted.
Shiyue and her mom sat on a bench. Up ahead, two kids queued for ice cream.
Her mother sighed.
"Sigh, I really can’t keep up with these kids’ energy."
"That’s how kids are. They play nonstop, never feeling tired. Bet they’ll crash the moment they get home."
Shiyue fell silent for a moment.
"Mom."
"Hmm?"
"I… I’m leaving for a while."
Shiyue clenched her fists.
"Huh? Where to? How long? What for?"
Her mother stared at Shiyue, shocked and disbelieving.
Shiyue hesitated, then shook her head.
"It might be a long time. And I might not come back."
Her mother gazed at Shiyue for a long while. Her expression finally softened.
"I see. Is this your own decision?"
Shiyue nodded.
"Mom, I’m sorry."
A tear rolled down Shiyue’s cheek.
"So when are you leaving?"
"Tomorrow."
Her mother looked at Shiyue, stunned.
"So soon?"
Shiyue’s tears kept falling.
"Sister, why are you crying? Don’t cry—here’s ice cream for you," Zhao Jiahe said, handing her a cone after spotting her tears. Zhao Xiaomei gave one to her mother too.
Shiyue wiped her tears, smiled, and stood up.
"It’s nothing. Let’s head back."
***
