The next day was Lunar New Year's Eve. With many domestic tourists around, the island was adorned with Chinese-character banners celebrating the Lunar New Year.
In the morning, our family took a stroll along the beach. Beibei was lively and cheerful, while my mother still kept her distance from me.
Dad suggested taking a family photo, but Mom didn't want to and tried to return to the hotel. However, Dad and Beibei insisted and pulled her back.
We asked a random tourist for help, and the man was quite responsible. Seeing our awkward positioning, he directed us, "It's best to have the two kids stand in the middle, with Dad next to the daughter and Mom next to the son. Oh, and it'd be even better if you staggered yourselves a bit to create some depth."
Dad arranged the positions, pulling Beibei to the center and pushing me next to Mom. Mom didn't say a word, turning her face away and shifting her body slightly outward.
The man taking the photo looked at Dad's phone screen and said, "Mom is too far from the son. Move a little closer."
Mom remained unmoved, so Dad quickly chimed in, "Honey, come a bit closer. Why are you standing so far away? You're almost out of the frame." Seeing Mom still hadn't moved, he turned to me and said, "Xiaodong, pull your mom over."
I hesitated for a moment before reaching out to take Mom's hand. She turned her face toward me, glaring fiercely, and I flinched.
Everyone present turned to look at us, and even the man helping with the photo sensed the strange atmosphere.
After another moment of hesitation, I gritted my teeth, reached out, and firmly grasped Mom's hand, pulling her toward me. She struggled, trying to break free, but I refused to let go, dragging her forcefully to my side.
Mom stopped resisting, but her face remained expressionless, cold as winter.
Holding Mom's smooth, delicate hand, I felt both excited and nervous. My palm grew sweaty, and my smile felt stiff and unnatural. In contrast, Dad and Beibei struck poses, beaming with joy.
We took several photos in a row before the man returned the phone to Dad and left. I continued to hold Mom's hand tightly, my entire arm numb from the intense tension.
Mom shot me a sidelong glance, forcefully shook off my hand, and walked ahead without a word.
Watching Mom's retreating figure, Beibei frowned, her face full of confusion, and whispered, "What on earth did you do to upset Mom so much? She won't let it go."
"I… I don't know. Ugh! It's just too complicated to explain." I waved my hand dismissively and walked away impatiently. Beibei pursed her lips and snorted.
As night fell, the hotel was decorated with lanterns and banners, a sea of red. If not for the sea breeze brushing against my face, I might have thought I was back in China.
The lobby was filled with many domestic families traveling for the Lunar New Year. We sat at our pre-booked seats, and Dad, holding his wine glass, stood up and said, "Today is New Year's Eve, the last day of the year. The past year has been tough for everyone. First, I want to thank Mom. She has worked hard to keep our family together—working during the day and coming home to cook and manage the household in the evening. Here, on behalf of the whole family, I'd like to toast to you."
Dad held his glass and bowed slightly toward Mom. Mom, expressionless, picked up her glass and clinked it with his, then tilted her fair neck back and downed the champagne in one go.
Dad exclaimed, "Great! I'll join you," and emptied his glass as well.
He then poured another glass and turned to me. "Xiaodong is about to take the college entrance exam. It's a tough time, but keep pushing and work hard to get into your dream university."
I quickly stood up to clink glasses with Dad. Noticing I had juice in my cup, he shook his head and said, "It's New Year's, and you're an adult now... I'll allow you a little drink. Come on, pour some."
I glanced at Mom and hurriedly shook my head. "No, no, I'll stick with juice. Drinking isn't good for me."
Finally, Dad turned to Beibei. "Beibei started boarding school this year and only comes home a few times. Since your parents aren't around much, you need to learn to take care of yourself."
Beibei quickly replied, "I know. I'm not like my brother—I can handle myself."
I opened my mouth to retort, but seeing Mom's icy, beautiful face, I didn't dare act too carefree.
Dad concluded, "Although this year had its ups and downs, overall, it was a success. Here's to our family—may the new year bring sweetness, success, smooth sailing, and happiness. Cheers!"
Everyone raised their glasses, except Mom, who hesitated for a long time before slowly standing up. Four glasses clinked together.
After the New Year's Eve dinner, fireworks lit up the beach.
Mom stood beside Dad, looking up at the night sky, while I stood a short distance behind, staring blankly at her back, my heart filled with mixed emotions.
Bathed in the colorful glow of the fireworks, Mom's silhouette appeared somewhat frail and delicate. The strong woman who dominated the workplace gently rested her head on Dad's shoulder.
My heart ached with pain and regret, and I silently cursed myself for being a jerk.
Mom loves you so much, yet you had the heart to hurt her. You're worse than a jerk.
Beibei looked at me in surprise and asked, "Why... are your eyes red?"
I sniffled and made up an excuse. "The fireworks are so beautiful—I'm moved."
Beibei frowned, looking at me as if I were a weirdo, her face full of disdain.
Just then, a message came through on my phone. I picked it up and saw it was from Annuo, asking why I hadn't arrived yet. My heart skipped a beat as I remembered my promise to the little troublemaker.
I wanted to reply that our family was abroad and I couldn't make it, but I was afraid of upsetting her. Instead, I simply said, "I have something to do and can't come out."
After a while, Annuo replied, "I'll wait for you. If you don't come, I won't leave."
I quickly responded, "I didn't mean to break my promise. I really can't come out. It's cold outside—please go home."
After waiting for a long time, I still received no reply. Avoiding Beibei, I returned to the hotel and called her using the front desk landline. The phone rang for a long time, but she didn't answer. After trying several times, the stubborn girl eventually turned off her phone.
I began to feel a bit panicked. For some reason, I thought of the scars on her wrist. What if she did something foolish in a moment of despair?
My anxiety grew by the minute. I wished I could rush back immediately, but that was impossible. In the end, it was my own fault—I had promised her something and then forgotten about it.
Over the next few days, we continued our island tour. Behind my family's back, I kept sending messages to Annuo, unsure whether she received them, as she never replied.
Perhaps my worry was written all over my face. My mother seemed to notice, occasionally glancing at me out of the corner of her eye, though she never asked.
I felt a pang of disappointment. If only my mother had shown some concern, even if it meant questioning me, I probably would have been moved to tears.
We were originally scheduled to return on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, but news of an approaching typhoon cut our trip short by a day.
My father seemed to have an upset stomach, making several trips to the bathroom in the morning. He looked pale and listless.
While waiting for our flight, my mother suddenly realized her wedding ring was missing. She called the hotel, but the front desk said they hadn't seen it.
My mother grew anxious and insisted on going back to look for it. My father struggled to stand up from his seat and said, "Let me go find it for you."
My mother pushed him back down. "Look at you—you can barely stand." She then turned to me, opened her mouth as if to say something, hesitated, and instead said to Beibei, "Take care of your dad. I'll be right back."
As soon as my mother left, my father said to me, "Go with your mother." After a moment's hesitation, I nodded and hurried after her.
My mother hailed a taxi and had just settled into the back seat when I squeezed in beside her. She was taken aback and frowned. "Why are you coming along?"
I grinned. "Dad was worried, so he asked me to go with you."
"I don't need you. Go back and keep an eye on your dad," she replied impatiently. I stayed put, unmoved. She shot me a sidelong glare and signaled the driver to go.
When we arrived at the hotel, the ring had already been turned in at the front desk. My mother thanked them repeatedly, then turned and walked out without saying a word to me, as if I were a stranger.
I sighed helplessly and followed her with my head down.
Coincidentally, when we returned to the airport, a large crowd had gathered outside, blocking the entrances and exits. They were holding banners and signs, staging a protest.
My mother asked the driver and learned that strikes were common in the area.
Just then, Beibei called, saying the plane was about to take off and asking why we hadn't returned yet.
My mother told her we'd be there soon, then opened the car door and got out. I quickly followed.
Seeing us heading straight toward them, the protesters raised their banners to block our path, shouting in the local language.
My mother tried to communicate with them in English, but it was like talking to a brick wall.
Growing impatient, she attempted to push through, only to be shoved back by a local woman.
Because Mom was wearing high heels, she stumbled backward a few steps and twisted her ankle.
Several women pressed forward relentlessly, so I quickly stepped in front of Mom, spread my arms, and shouted loudly, "STOP!"
After some pushing and shoving, I helped Mom squeeze through the crowd and retreat.
Mom frowned, gritted her teeth, and walked with a limp. She shook her arm in disgust, trying to push me away, but I stood firm as a rock, refusing to let go.
In the end, Mom had no choice but to relent and let me support her as we made our way to the parking lot.
Just then, Dad called, anxiously asking why we hadn't returned yet—they had already started boarding the plane.
Mom pushed me away and snapped irritably, "Can't you see there's a protest strike outside? We can't get in."
"What should we do then?"
Mom replied coldly, "How should I know?"
"Maybe… we should cancel."
Mom hesitated for a moment before saying, "Forget it. I've already asked, and there are no flights for the next few days. You're not in good health—what's the point of staying here? You and Beibei go ahead first. In a couple of days, I'll… I'll go back with Xiaodong." Seeing Dad still hesitating, she urged impatiently, "Alright, alright, hurry up and board the plane."
The plane took off with Dad and Beibei, leaving Mom and me behind. The thought of spending a few days alone with Mom in this unfamiliar country filled me with both excitement and nervousness.
Mom shot me a glare, furrowing her brows with suspicion as she asked warily, "What are you smiling about?"
I quickly straightened my face, putting on an innocent and clueless expression, and asked blankly, "No, I wasn't. When did I smile?"
Mom studied me for a moment before sitting down on a bench and gently rubbing her ankle.
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