Da Ming Sheng arrived home. She exaggerated her limp to look pitiful. Everyone were sitting in the living room and looking at a CD on the coffee table.
‘Duan Hua…’ Da Ming Sheng called.
Everyone dismissed Da Ming Sheng’s limp.
‘Dad, mum, Duan Hua, what happened?’ Da Ming Sheng asked.
‘Mrs Shang junior, what’s the special occasion?’ Lam Shu Pan asked. ‘Why have you returned home without shopping bags?’
‘Mum, I…’ Da Ming Sheng said.
Da Ming Sheng looked pitifully at Shang Duan Hua, but he glared at her instead of sticking up for her.
Da Ming Sheng doubted Da Tian Ting had called Shang Duan Hua about the winter coat incident. Besides, they wouldn’t believe Da Tian Ting without evidence. Did that mean Shang’s company was bankrupt? Was she the pauper Mrs Shang junior? What would her friends think of her if they found out? She wasn’t going to accept the years she invested on marrying a rich man like Shang Duan Hua wouldn’t bear fruit.
‘Mrs Shang junior, it’s only two o’clock in the afternoon,’ Lam Shu Pan said. ‘Why aren’t you out showing off to your friends? Did you come home early because you ran out of money?’
‘Mum, I…’ Da Ming Sheng said. She sat innocently next to Shang Duan Hua on the sofa. ‘Duan Hua, tell me what happened.’
‘My mum asked you a question, why aren’t you answering my mum’s question?’ Shang Duan Hua asked coldly.
‘I… Duan Hua, is everyone worried because Shang’s company is in a crisis?’ Da Ming Sheng asked.
‘If you already know Shang’s company is in a crisis, why do you need to ask?’ Lam Shu Pan asked.
Lam Shu Pan hated her selfish shopaholic daughter-in-law.
‘Mum, why do you always speak rudely to me?’ Da Ming Sheng asked.
‘Stop acting innocent,’ Lam Shu Pan said. ‘I must have been blind to give my blessing for Duan Hua to marry a liar like you. You’re someone who would do anything to get what they want.’
Da Ming Sheng cursed Da Tian Ting for calling everyone and snitching on her. She was going to fight fire with fire, and not lose to Da Tian Ting.
Da Ming Sheng cried crocodile tears.
‘Mum, they’re lying,’ Da Ming Sheng said. ‘At the shopping mall, big sister and her boyfriend ganged up me, they pushed me onto the floor, broke my ankle and made me mis…’
‘You said you saw Tian Ting,’ Shang Duan Hua said. ‘Where and when did you see her?’
Shang Duan Hua was happy someone saw Da Tian Ting again.
‘Where did you see Tian Ting?’ Shang Ming asked. ‘Is Tian Ting healthy? Tell me, where did you see her?’
Lam Shu Pan waited impatiently to hear Da Ming Sheng to say where she saw Da Tian Ting.
Judging by everyone’s reaction, Da Ming Sheng’s assumption was wrong. If Da Tian Ting didn’t call them, why were they looking like the sky fell?
‘Tell me where you saw Tian Ting!’ Shang Duan Hua demanded.
‘Duan Hua…’ Da Ming Sheng said.
It was the first time Shang Duan Hua raised his voice at Da Ming Sheng.
‘It looks like she went to look for Tian Ting to bully Tian Ting,’ Lam Shu Pan said.
‘Where did you find Tian Ting?’ Shang Duan Hua asked. ‘What did you do to hurt Tian Ting this time?’
‘I… it’s big sister who injured me,’ Da Ming Sheng said.
Da Ming Sheng wanted someone to tell her why Shang Duan Hua and his parents suddenly hated her.
‘Da Ming Sheng, do you think I’ll believe your lies again?’ Shang Duan Hua asked. He picked up the CD and tossed it onto Da Ming Sheng’s lap. ‘You don’t need to watch the footage to know that you poured the hot coffee on your body, and you framed Tian Ting.’
Da Ming Sheng stared at the CD on her lap. She understood why everyone hated her. They found out she lied about Da Tian Ting pouring hot coffee on her body.
‘Da Ming Sheng, the evidence is on your lap,’ Shang Duan Hua said. ‘Tell me, did you pour hot water on your arm and framed Tian Ting too?’
Shang Duan Hua realised he married the wrong woman too late. He thought Da Ming Sheng was a gentle and understanding woman. It was all an act! He finally understood why Da Tian Ting said he was blinded by his shallowness, and that he would regret marrying Da Ming Sheng.
‘Duan Hua, it’s not what you think,’ Da Ming Sheng said. ‘Let me explain.’
‘This should be good,’ Shang Duan Hua said. ‘I’m listening.’
‘I… the truth is…’ Da Ming Sheng said.
Da Ming Sheng didn’t know what to say to cover up her exposed lies.
‘Why aren’t you explaining anything?’ Shang Duan Hua asked.
Shang Duan Hua was a fool to mistreat Da Tian Ting, and believe Da Ming Sheng’s lies.
‘Duan Hua, I did everything because I love you and I’m scared of losing you,’ Da Ming Sheng said. ‘Duan Hua, forgive me. I fell in love with you at first sight. But you were engaged to big sister. I had to think of ways to secure your heart. Duan Hua, I love you. Duan Hua, forgive me.’
If Da Ming Sheng couldn’t lie then she would beg to keep her Mrs Shang junior status.
‘You love me?’ Shang Duan Hua asked.
‘Yes,’ Da Ming Sheng said. ‘Duan Hua, I truly love you.’
‘Don’t you mean you truly love my money to show off to your friends?’ Shang Duan Hua asked. ‘Since you married me, what have you done for this family? Have you taken care of me or my parents? Shang’s company is in a crisis. While my dad is working hard to save Shang’s company, you’re out shopping all day.’
Shang Duan Hua was a fool to fall in love with Da Ming Sheng’s fake gentle and understanding persona.
Da Ming Sheng held onto Shang Duan Hua’s arm and sobbed.
‘Duan Hua, forgive me,’ Da Ming Sheng said. ‘I was wrong. I promise I’ll change.’
‘Now I know I made a big mistake marrying you,’ Shang Duan Hua said. ‘I chose to believe your lies, and hurt Tian Ting who did love me. Now I know you’re not worth one of Tian Ting’s fingers.’
Da Ming Sheng didn’t want to believe Shang Duan Hua’s words. She was better than Da Tian Ting.
‘Tian Ting did everything to take care of me,’ Shang Duan Hua said. ‘What have you done for me? You only know how to buy clothes and put on makeup.’
Da Ming Sheng covered her ears, and shook her head.
‘Lies,’ Da Ming Sheng said. ‘Stop lying.’
‘It’s the truth,’ Shang Duan Hua said. ‘I admit I used to like you because of your looks and to show you off to my friends. I betrayed Tian Ting who loved me because I was blinded by your looks.’
‘Shut up!’ Da Ming Sheng said. ‘I don’t want to listen to your lies!’
‘I could have forgiven you for what you did to marry me if you’ve been a dutiful wife and daughter-in-law,’ Shang Duan Hua said.
‘Duan Hua, forgive me,’ Da Ming Sheng said. ‘I was wrong. I’ll change. Give me a chance to show you I can change.’
Shang Duan Hua pushed Da Ming Sheng’s hands off his arm.
‘Dad, mum, forgive me,’ Da Ming Sheng said. ‘I promise I’ll change. We’re a family. I’ll change. I’ll be a dutiful wife, and daughter-in-law. Dad, mum, give me a chance.’
‘We can’t change the past,’ Lam Shu Pan said. ‘You’re Duan Hua’s wife, and part of this family.’
‘Mum, does that mean you forgive me?’ Da Ming Sheng asked.
‘Whether I forgive you or not, I can’t change the truth that Duan Hua married you,’ Lam Shu Pan said.
‘Mum, dad, Duan Hua, I know it’s wrong of me to neglect my duties as a wife and daughter-in-law,’ Da Ming Sheng said. ‘I promise I’ll learn from my mistakes. In the future I’ll be a good wife and daughter-in-law.’
‘I’ll believe it when I see it,’ Shang Duan Hua said.
Shang Duan Hua couldn’t undo marrying Da Ming Sheng. She was his wife. As her husband, he had a duty to give her a chance to change.
‘Duan Hua, I promise I won’t disappoint you,’ Da Ming Sheng said. ‘You’ll see, I’ll be a good wife and daughter-in-law.’
Da Ming Sheng was relieved she salvaged the situation. As long as Shang Duan Hua and his parents didn’t find out about what she did after she married Shang Duan Hua, she could still be Mrs Shang junior.
‘Ming Sheng, you said you saw Tian Ting,’ Shang Ming said. ‘Where did you see Tian Ting?’
‘Dad, I…’ Da Ming Sheng said.
Da Ming Sheng thought it was Da Tian Ting’s fault that everyone didn’t believe her unconditionally. She was going to cover up her other lies at all cost.
‘Tell me, where you saw Tian Ting,’ Shang Meng said.
‘Shang Ming, we’ll see Tian Ting soon,’ Lam Shu Pan said.
‘Shu Pan, we owe Tian Ting so much,’ Shang Ming said. ‘It’s like Tian Ting disappeared. She doesn’t answer our calls or visited us for a long time. I’m just worried about her.’
‘I know, we’re all worried about Tian Ting too,’ Lam Shu Pan said.
Da Ming Sheng believed Shang Duan Hua’s parents were telling the truth. If Da Tian Ting didn’t snitch on her behind her back then who planted doubts in their heads? Xiao Yu? No, Xiao Yu was a naive simpleton.
‘Da Ming Sheng, did you hear me?’ Shang Ming asked. ‘Tell me, where you saw Tian Ting.’
‘Dad, I…’ Da Ming Sheng said.
Although everyone forgave Da Ming Sheng, they didn’t forget how she wronged Da Tian Ting and destroyed their bonds with Da Tian Ting.
‘Da Ming Sheng, don’t tell me you did something to hurt Tian Ting again,’ Shang Ming said.
‘Dad, I didn’t hurt big sister,’ Da Ming Sheng said. ‘It’s big sister and her boyfriend who ganged up on me. They pushed me onto the floor, and broke my ankle.’
‘I don’t believe Tian Ting would push you without a reason,’ Shang Ming said. ‘You must have done something to provoke Tian Ting.’
‘Dad, I didn’t provoke big sister,’ Da Ming Sheng lied.
Da Ming Sheng regretted impulsively using the wrong chess piece. Shang Duan Hua and his parents wouldn’t be easily fooled by her lies after they found out the truth about her framing Da Tian Ting.
‘I don’t care if you’re lying,’ Shang Ming said. ‘I just want to know where you saw Tian Ting.’
‘Dad, I saw big sister at the shopping mall,’ Da Ming Sheng said. ‘Big sister was shopping for clothes with her boyfriend.’
‘Forget it,’ Lam Shu Pan said. ‘Shang Ming, we’ll see Tian Ting soon.’
Shang Ming thought everything fell apart after he lost his ideal daughter-in-law. In his eyes Da Tian Ting should have been his daughter-in-law.
‘Mum, why are you certain we’ll see big sister soon?’ Da Ming Sheng asked.
Da Ming Sheng was taken back by Lam Shu Pan’s dagger like she wasn’t allowed to ask Lam Shu Pan questions.
‘Dad, mum, I’m going to go buy a gift,’ Shang Duan Hua said.
Shang Duan Hua stood, walked to the car and left Da Ming Sheng in the dark. How could Da Ming Sheng forget Da Qing Feng’s birthday? He understood why Da Qing Feng loved Da Tian Ting like a daughter, because Da Tian Ting treated Da Qing Feng like a father unlike Da Ming Sheng.
‘Mum, what’s going on?’ Da Ming Sheng asked.
Shang Ming couldn’t stand being in the same room as Da Ming Sheng.
‘It looks like I shouldn’t expect too much from someone who doesn’t remember her own father’s birthday,’ Shang Ming said.
Shang Ming stood, and walked to his bedroom.
‘Mum, whose birthday is dad talking about?’ Da Ming Sheng asked.
‘How can you call yourself a daughter?’ Lam Shu Pan said. ‘Tomorrow is your father’s birthday.’
‘Mum, I’m sorry,’ Da Ming Sheng said. ‘I’ve been preoccupied settling in here, and I forgot to tell Duan Hua about my dad’s birthday.’
Da Ming Sheng was grateful it wasn’t Shang Ming’s birthday that she forgot.
‘Settling in here?’ Lam Shu Pan asked. ‘Shouldn’t you say you’ve been busy shopping and partying?’
Lam Shu Pan stood, and walked to her bedroom too.
‘Mum…’ Da Ming Sheng called.
Da Ming Sheng was left alone in the living room. Why didn’t anyone tell her about her dad’s birthday?
Da Ming Sheng called her mum’s phone.
‘Mum, why didn’t you tell me tomorrow is dad’s birthday?’ Da Ming Sheng asked.
‘Ming Sheng, in the past you didn’t care about your dad’s birthday so I didn’t remind you,’ Ning Kan said.
‘Mum, you’ve caused big trouble for me!’ Da Ming Sheng said.
Da Ming Sheng hung up on her mum. She refused to admit she did anything wrong by chasing away Da Tian Ting. Everyone’s lives were better without Da Tian Ting in their lives.
On Ning Kan’s end, she was perplexed by Da Ming Sheng’s sudden phone call.
‘Qing Feng, Ming Sheng said I caused her trouble by not reminding her about your birthday,’ Ning Kan said.
‘Ning Kan, ignore Ming Sheng,’ Da Qing Feng said. ‘Ming Sheng never remembers my birthday and she’s still alive and healthy. It’s Ming Sheng’s fault that Tian Ting isn’t here to celebrate my birthday tomorrow.’
‘Qing Feng, your birthday this year is special because Ming Sheng’s married to Duan Hua now,’ Ning Kan said. ‘What if Ming Sheng and Duan Hua are planning a surprise birthday dinner for you?’
‘The person I want to see on my birthday is Tian Ting,’ Da Qing Feng said.
‘Da Qing Feng, don’t mention her name again!’ Ning Kan said.
‘I have the right to say my niece’s name!’ Da Qing Feng said.
‘Da Qing Feng, she’s your niece and Ming Sheng is your daughter!’ Ning Kan said.
‘Has Ming Sheng treated me like her father?’ Da Qing Feng asked. ‘Ming Sheng isn’t half the person my niece is! Only Tian Ting remembered my birthday every year, and prepared a birthday dinner for me. In the past when I’m sick or having work problems, Tian Ting listened to me and offered support while Ming Sheng parties with her friends. Tian Ting sacrificed her monthly pay to support this family while Ming Sheng spent my money to buy clothes and makeup. Ning Kan, how can you ask me to care about a daughter who disrespects me and doesn’t care about me? Since Tian Ting left, there’s no one to do the housework so you do housework. Ning Kan, you complained you’re tired from doing housework. Have you thought how tired Tian Ting must have been working during the day, and doing housework at night?’
‘I…’ Ning Kan said.
Ning Kan couldn’t deny after Da Tian Ting left, she had no spare time to gamble with her friends. She had to do all the housework and grocery shopping. Da Ming Sheng stopped visiting and calling her and Da Qing Feng after Da Ming Sheng married Shang Duan Hua. But Da Ming Sheng was her daughter, and Da Tian Ting was no one to her.
***
Da Ming Sheng arrived home. She exaggerated her limp to look pitiful. Everyone were sitting in the living room and looking at a CD on the coffee table.
‘Duan Hua…’ Da Ming Sheng called.
Everyone dismissed Da Ming Sheng’s limp.
‘Dad, mum, Duan Hua, what happened?’ Da Ming Sheng asked.
‘Mrs Shang junior, what’s the special occasion?’ Lam Shu Pan asked. ‘Why have you returned home without shopping bags?’
‘Mum, I…’ Da Ming Sheng said.
Da Ming Sheng looked pitifully at Shang Duan Hua, but he glared at her instead of sticking up for her.
Da Ming Sheng doubted Da Tian Ting had called Shang Duan Hua about the winter coat incident. Besides, they wouldn’t believe Da Tian Ting without evidence. Did that mean Shang’s company was bankrupt? Was she the pauper Mrs Shang junior? What would her friends think of her if they found out? She wasn’t going to accept the years she invested on marrying a rich man like Shang Duan Hua wouldn’t bear fruit.
‘Mrs Shang junior, it’s only two o’clock in the afternoon,’ Lam Shu Pan said. ‘Why aren’t you out showing off to your friends? Did you come home early because you ran out of money?’
‘Mum, I…’ Da Ming Sheng said. She sat innocently next to Shang Duan Hua on the sofa. ‘Duan Hua, tell me what happened.’
‘My mum asked you a question, why aren’t you answering my mum’s question?’ Shang Duan Hua asked coldly.
‘I… Duan Hua, is everyone worried because Shang’s company is in a crisis?’ Da Ming Sheng asked.
‘If you already know Shang’s company is in a crisis, why do you need to ask?’ Lam Shu Pan asked.
Lam Shu Pan hated her selfish shopaholic daughter-in-law.
‘Mum, why do you always speak rudely to me?’ Da Ming Sheng asked.
‘Stop acting innocent,’ Lam Shu Pan said. ‘I must have been blind to give my blessing for Duan Hua to marry a liar like you. You’re someone who would do anything to get what they want.’
Da Ming Sheng cursed Da Tian Ting for calling everyone and snitching on her. She was going to fight fire with fire, and not lose to Da Tian Ting.
Da Ming Sheng cried crocodile tears.
‘Mum, they’re lying,’ Da Ming Sheng said. ‘At the shopping mall, big sister and her boyfriend ganged up me, they pushed me onto the floor, broke my ankle and made me mis…’
‘You said you saw Tian Ting,’ Shang Duan Hua said. ‘Where and when did you see her?’
Shang Duan Hua was happy someone saw Da Tian Ting again.
‘Where did you see Tian Ting?’ Shang Ming asked. ‘Is Tian Ting healthy? Tell me, where did you see her?’
Lam Shu Pan waited impatiently to hear Da Ming Sheng to say where she saw Da Tian Ting.
Judging by everyone’s reaction, Da Ming Sheng’s assumption was wrong. If Da Tian Ting didn’t call them, why were they looking like the sky fell?
‘Tell me where you saw Tian Ting!’ Shang Duan Hua demanded.
‘Duan Hua…’ Da Ming Sheng said.
It was the first time Shang Duan Hua raised his voice at Da Ming Sheng.
‘It looks like she went to look for Tian Ting to bully Tian Ting,’ Lam Shu Pan said.
‘Where did you find Tian Ting?’ Shang Duan Hua asked. ‘What did you do to hurt Tian Ting this time?’
‘I… it’s big sister who injured me,’ Da Ming Sheng said.
Da Ming Sheng wanted someone to tell her why Shang Duan Hua and his parents suddenly hated her.
‘Da Ming Sheng, do you think I’ll believe your lies again?’ Shang Duan Hua asked. He picked up the CD and tossed it onto Da Ming Sheng’s lap. ‘You don’t need to watch the footage to know that you poured the hot coffee on your body, and you framed Tian Ting.’
Da Ming Sheng stared at the CD on her lap. She understood why everyone hated her. They found out she lied about Da Tian Ting pouring hot coffee on her body.
‘Da Ming Sheng, the evidence is on your lap,’ Shang Duan Hua said. ‘Tell me, did you pour hot water on your arm and framed Tian Ting too?’
Shang Duan Hua realised he married the wrong woman too late. He thought Da Ming Sheng was a gentle and understanding woman. It was all an act! He finally understood why Da Tian Ting said he was blinded by his shallowness, and that he would regret marrying Da Ming Sheng.
‘Duan Hua, it’s not what you think,’ Da Ming Sheng said. ‘Let me explain.’
‘This should be good,’ Shang Duan Hua said. ‘I’m listening.’
‘I… the truth is…’ Da Ming Sheng said.
Da Ming Sheng didn’t know what to say to cover up her exposed lies.
‘Why aren’t you explaining anything?’ Shang Duan Hua asked.
Shang Duan Hua was a fool to mistreat Da Tian Ting, and believe Da Ming Sheng’s lies.
‘Duan Hua, I did everything because I love you and I’m scared of losing you,’ Da Ming Sheng said. ‘Duan Hua, forgive me. I fell in love with you at first sight. But you were engaged to big sister. I had to think of ways to secure your heart. Duan Hua, I love you. Duan Hua, forgive me.’
If Da Ming Sheng couldn’t lie then she would beg to keep her Mrs Shang junior status.
‘You love me?’ Shang Duan Hua asked.
‘Yes,’ Da Ming Sheng said. ‘Duan Hua, I truly love you.’
‘Don’t you mean you truly love my money to show off to your friends?’ Shang Duan Hua asked. ‘Since you married me, what have you done for this family? Have you taken care of me or my parents? Shang’s company is in a crisis. While my dad is working hard to save Shang’s company, you’re out shopping all day.’
Shang Duan Hua was a fool to fall in love with Da Ming Sheng’s fake gentle and understanding persona.
Da Ming Sheng held onto Shang Duan Hua’s arm and sobbed.
‘Duan Hua, forgive me,’ Da Ming Sheng said. ‘I was wrong. I promise I’ll change.’
‘Now I know I made a big mistake marrying you,’ Shang Duan Hua said. ‘I chose to believe your lies, and hurt Tian Ting who did love me. Now I know you’re not worth one of Tian Ting’s fingers.’
Da Ming Sheng didn’t want to believe Shang Duan Hua’s words. She was better than Da Tian Ting.
‘Tian Ting did everything to take care of me,’ Shang Duan Hua said. ‘What have you done for me? You only know how to buy clothes and put on makeup.’
Da Ming Sheng covered her ears, and shook her head.
‘Lies,’ Da Ming Sheng said. ‘Stop lying.’
‘It’s the truth,’ Shang Duan Hua said. ‘I admit I used to like you because of your looks and to show you off to my friends. I betrayed Tian Ting who loved me because I was blinded by your looks.’
‘Shut up!’ Da Ming Sheng said. ‘I don’t want to listen to your lies!’
‘I could have forgiven you for what you did to marry me if you’ve been a dutiful wife and daughter-in-law,’ Shang Duan Hua said.
‘Duan Hua, forgive me,’ Da Ming Sheng said. ‘I was wrong. I’ll change. Give me a chance to show you I can change.’
Shang Duan Hua pushed Da Ming Sheng’s hands off his arm.
‘Dad, mum, forgive me,’ Da Ming Sheng said. ‘I promise I’ll change. We’re a family. I’ll change. I’ll be a dutiful wife, and daughter-in-law. Dad, mum, give me a chance.’
‘We can’t change the past,’ Lam Shu Pan said. ‘You’re Duan Hua’s wife, and part of this family.’
‘Mum, does that mean you forgive me?’ Da Ming Sheng asked.
‘Whether I forgive you or not, I can’t change the truth that Duan Hua married you,’ Lam Shu Pan said.
‘Mum, dad, Duan Hua, I know it’s wrong of me to neglect my duties as a wife and daughter-in-law,’ Da Ming Sheng said. ‘I promise I’ll learn from my mistakes. In the future I’ll be a good wife and daughter-in-law.’
‘I’ll believe it when I see it,’ Shang Duan Hua said.
Shang Duan Hua couldn’t undo marrying Da Ming Sheng. She was his wife. As her husband, he had a duty to give her a chance to change.
‘Duan Hua, I promise I won’t disappoint you,’ Da Ming Sheng said. ‘You’ll see, I’ll be a good wife and daughter-in-law.’
Da Ming Sheng was relieved she salvaged the situation. As long as Shang Duan Hua and his parents didn’t find out about what she did after she married Shang Duan Hua, she could still be Mrs Shang junior.
‘Ming Sheng, you said you saw Tian Ting,’ Shang Ming said. ‘Where did you see Tian Ting?’
‘Dad, I…’ Da Ming Sheng said.
Da Ming Sheng thought it was Da Tian Ting’s fault that everyone didn’t believe her unconditionally. She was going to cover up her other lies at all cost.
‘Tell me, where you saw Tian Ting,’ Shang Meng said.
‘Shang Ming, we’ll see Tian Ting soon,’ Lam Shu Pan said.
‘Shu Pan, we owe Tian Ting so much,’ Shang Ming said. ‘It’s like Tian Ting disappeared. She doesn’t answer our calls or visited us for a long time. I’m just worried about her.’
‘I know, we’re all worried about Tian Ting too,’ Lam Shu Pan said.
Da Ming Sheng believed Shang Duan Hua’s parents were telling the truth. If Da Tian Ting didn’t snitch on her behind her back then who planted doubts in their heads? Xiao Yu? No, Xiao Yu was a naive simpleton.
‘Da Ming Sheng, did you hear me?’ Shang Ming asked. ‘Tell me, where you saw Tian Ting.’
‘Dad, I…’ Da Ming Sheng said.
Although everyone forgave Da Ming Sheng, they didn’t forget how she wronged Da Tian Ting and destroyed their bonds with Da Tian Ting.
‘Da Ming Sheng, don’t tell me you did something to hurt Tian Ting again,’ Shang Ming said.
‘Dad, I didn’t hurt big sister,’ Da Ming Sheng said. ‘It’s big sister and her boyfriend who ganged up on me. They pushed me onto the floor, and broke my ankle.’
‘I don’t believe Tian Ting would push you without a reason,’ Shang Ming said. ‘You must have done something to provoke Tian Ting.’
‘Dad, I didn’t provoke big sister,’ Da Ming Sheng lied.
Da Ming Sheng regretted impulsively using the wrong chess piece. Shang Duan Hua and his parents wouldn’t be easily fooled by her lies after they found out the truth about her framing Da Tian Ting.
‘I don’t care if you’re lying,’ Shang Ming said. ‘I just want to know where you saw Tian Ting.’
‘Dad, I saw big sister at the shopping mall,’ Da Ming Sheng said. ‘Big sister was shopping for clothes with her boyfriend.’
‘Forget it,’ Lam Shu Pan said. ‘Shang Ming, we’ll see Tian Ting soon.’
Shang Ming thought everything fell apart after he lost his ideal daughter-in-law. In his eyes Da Tian Ting should have been his daughter-in-law.
‘Mum, why are you certain we’ll see big sister soon?’ Da Ming Sheng asked.
Da Ming Sheng was taken back by Lam Shu Pan’s dagger like she wasn’t allowed to ask Lam Shu Pan questions.
‘Dad, mum, I’m going to go buy a gift,’ Shang Duan Hua said.
Shang Duan Hua stood, walked to the car and left Da Ming Sheng in the dark. How could Da Ming Sheng forget Da Qing Feng’s birthday? He understood why Da Qing Feng loved Da Tian Ting like a daughter, because Da Tian Ting treated Da Qing Feng like a father unlike Da Ming Sheng.
‘Mum, what’s going on?’ Da Ming Sheng asked.
Shang Ming couldn’t stand being in the same room as Da Ming Sheng.
‘It looks like I shouldn’t expect too much from someone who doesn’t remember her own father’s birthday,’ Shang Ming said.
Shang Ming stood, and walked to his bedroom.
‘Mum, whose birthday is dad talking about?’ Da Ming Sheng asked.
‘How can you call yourself a daughter?’ Lam Shu Pan said. ‘Tomorrow is your father’s birthday.’
‘Mum, I’m sorry,’ Da Ming Sheng said. ‘I’ve been preoccupied settling in here, and I forgot to tell Duan Hua about my dad’s birthday.’
Da Ming Sheng was grateful it wasn’t Shang Ming’s birthday that she forgot.
‘Settling in here?’ Lam Shu Pan asked. ‘Shouldn’t you say you’ve been busy shopping and partying?’
Lam Shu Pan stood, and walked to her bedroom too.
‘Mum…’ Da Ming Sheng called.
Da Ming Sheng was left alone in the living room. Why didn’t anyone tell her about her dad’s birthday?
Da Ming Sheng called her mum’s phone.
‘Mum, why didn’t you tell me tomorrow is dad’s birthday?’ Da Ming Sheng asked.
‘Ming Sheng, in the past you didn’t care about your dad’s birthday so I didn’t remind you,’ Ning Kan said.
‘Mum, you’ve caused big trouble for me!’ Da Ming Sheng said.
Da Ming Sheng hung up on her mum. She refused to admit she did anything wrong by chasing away Da Tian Ting. Everyone’s lives were better without Da Tian Ting in their lives.
On Ning Kan’s end, she was perplexed by Da Ming Sheng’s sudden phone call.
‘Qing Feng, Ming Sheng said I caused her trouble by not reminding her about your birthday,’ Ning Kan said.
‘Ning Kan, ignore Ming Sheng,’ Da Qing Feng said. ‘Ming Sheng never remembers my birthday and she’s still alive and healthy. It’s Ming Sheng’s fault that Tian Ting isn’t here to celebrate my birthday tomorrow.’
‘Qing Feng, your birthday this year is special because Ming Sheng’s married to Duan Hua now,’ Ning Kan said. ‘What if Ming Sheng and Duan Hua are planning a surprise birthday dinner for you?’
‘The person I want to see on my birthday is Tian Ting,’ Da Qing Feng said.
‘Da Qing Feng, don’t mention her name again!’ Ning Kan said.
‘I have the right to say my niece’s name!’ Da Qing Feng said.
‘Da Qing Feng, she’s your niece and Ming Sheng is your daughter!’ Ning Kan said.
‘Has Ming Sheng treated me like her father?’ Da Qing Feng asked. ‘Ming Sheng isn’t half the person my niece is! Only Tian Ting remembered my birthday every year, and prepared a birthday dinner for me. In the past when I’m sick or having work problems, Tian Ting listened to me and offered support while Ming Sheng parties with her friends. Tian Ting sacrificed her monthly pay to support this family while Ming Sheng spent my money to buy clothes and makeup. Ning Kan, how can you ask me to care about a daughter who disrespects me and doesn’t care about me? Since Tian Ting left, there’s no one to do the housework so you do housework. Ning Kan, you complained you’re tired from doing housework. Have you thought how tired Tian Ting must have been working during the day, and doing housework at night?’
‘I…’ Ning Kan said.
Ning Kan couldn’t deny after Da Tian Ting left, she had no spare time to gamble with her friends. She had to do all the housework and grocery shopping. Da Ming Sheng stopped visiting and calling her and Da Qing Feng after Da Ming Sheng married Shang Duan Hua. But Da Ming Sheng was her daughter, and Da Tian Ting was no one to her.
***
