"I'm not the one paying your salary, so I'm not leaving! If anyone's going to fire me, it's not a freeloader like you!" the aunt declared, emboldened by her long tenure there.
Jiang Mianmian was furious. With a cold laugh, she said, "Since you're so eager to wait for my dad to come back and deal with you, then you wait. When my dad hears what you and your daughter said to me, and that you called me a thief, see how he deals with you."
Upon hearing this, the aunt's expression changed. Anyone with eyes could see how doting Jiang Jingxiu was on his daughter. He truly cared for this girl, and she was starting to get scared.
"You can leave, but you have to give me my money. My wages, and a severance package. Do you understand labor laws? No severance, no leaving!" the aunt retorted stubbornly.
"Fine, you want severance? Alright, wait here, I'll get it for you." Jiang Mianmian stopped arguing and turned to go upstairs.
She was actually a little afraid of this aunt. They say ignorance breeds fear, and a cornered dog will bite. What if she truly angered this poisonous spider and got hurt? That would be a loss greater than any gain.
Everything could wait until her father returned.
Her mother had taught her that one shouldn't confront such people directly. Fine china shouldn't clash with broken pottery; that wasn't smart, it was foolish.
Jiang Mianmian kept this lesson firmly in her heart.
Back in her room, Jiang Mianmian sat on her bed, hugging her knees and crying. She missed her mother so much, what could she do? Mom, please come back soon. Mianmian has grown so much, she's no longer that frail little thing. Now she can take care of Mom, and Mianmian has saved a lot of money, from Dad and from her own business. As soon as Mom comes back, she won't have to worry about money anymore. She can give all her money to Mom.
Tears streamed down the girl's face, making her seem even more lonely in the darkness.
Jiang Mianmian didn't call her father again. She got out of bed to shower and wash up. After returning, she got into bed and decided to sleep. Whatever it was, she would deal with it tomorrow. Her mother had always said that if you're unhappy, sleep on it, and when you wake up, it won't feel so bad.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Jiang Mi's heart ached with longing for her daughter. She hadn't slept all night.
...
The next day, Jiang Mianmian fell ill. Jiang Jingxiu had returned a bit late the previous night and didn't want to disturb his daughter's rest. Usually, he would always give her a goodnight kiss.
Jiang Jingxiu entered his daughter's room and saw her pale face. He asked with concern, "Mianmian, what's wrong? How did you get sick?"
"What else? I was angered!" Jiang Mianmian replied, throwing a small, petulant tantrum.
"Who dares to anger my precious daughter?" Jiang Jingxiu walked to the bedside, intending to hug her as he used to. Mianmian pushed him away and rolled further into the bed, away from him.
"Who else but you? It's you!" Mianmian glared at him, her face puffed up with anger.
"Then I must apologize to my dearest daughter! I'm sorry!" Jiang Jingxiu's apology was sincere, but Mianmian found it perfunctory.
"If a man apologizes too quickly, it shows no sincerity!" Mianmian huffed.
"Oh? Then... should I apologize again at noon?" Jiang Jingxiu teased her.
Jiang Mianmian: ...
"Tell me, what really happened, my good daughter?" Jiang Jingxiu was genuinely concerned. Mianmian's health had improved significantly over the past few years under his care. How could she be sick again?