Chapter 41: Confrontation

Evening.
The Jiang family of three at dinner.
Per the family rule “no talk while eating”—silence at the table—only chopsticks and chewing—air heavy.
Jiang Ya picked food head down—quietly read Jiang Sheng and Zhou Lin’s faces.
Sensing her gaze Jiang Sheng looked up—eyes collided.
Jiang Ya startled—looked away. Lowering eyes—someone spooned tofu into her bowl.
She looked—Jiang Sheng watching her. “You like this—eat more.”
Seeing her still not moving he stopped—stared—expression grave as always—tone gentler than usual. “Eat—I made this for you today. You haven’t been eating well—busy—you’ve gotten thin.”
“…Thanks, Dad.” After surprise she nodded—lifted tofu—tasted slowly.
Jiang Sheng had not served her food in a long time.
How long? So long she did not remember.
So long the gesture had lost its warmth. If anything—besides surprise—vague unease.
Even hard to accept with peace of mind.
Lately Jiang Sheng and Zhou Lin’s setups—dinners—she refused all with “too busy at work.”
Before coming she had prepared for this sudden meal—whatever they raised about marriage she could handle.
Yet they asked nothing.
From the door Zhou Lin fussed over her—Jiang Sheng did not mention marriage—the topic he once cared most about.
Unexpected.
No delight—she knew their change was not random. When they pushed she was annoyed; when they did not she was uneasy.
“Why only rice—no dishes?” Zhou Lin half full—wiped lips with napkin—frowned at Jiang Ya zoning—served her food. “Here—braised pork—I picked good pork belly—not greasy.”
“Young people—don’t skip meat for fear of fat—balanced diet—healthy body.”
Jiang Sheng: “Right—your mother’s right—you’re too thin—must eat more.”
Jiang Ya parted lips to speak—only nodded—lifting pork paused—small bite.
Whole process Jiang Sheng and Zhou Lin watched.
Greasy pork down throat—nausea rose—still swallowed.
“Good? Mother’s specialty.” Zhou Lin smiled asking.
“Good.” Jiang Ya nodded—wiped oil at mouth.
Stared at leftover rice—sighed inside—looked up at Zhou Lin. “Mom—you said this morning there was something to discuss?”
“Mm—there is.” Zhou Lin raised brow—soft smile. “No rush—finish eating first—we don’t talk business at table.”
“………”
Jiang Ya silent.
Thought—set chopsticks down—looked at both seriously. “Dad, Mom—I’m full.”
“Whatever it is—say it directly.”
Jiang Sheng and Zhou Lin exchanged a glance—quiet again.
After a while Jiang Sheng signaled Zhou Lin to speak. Low soft tone: “Jiang Ya—tell us honestly—is there something you haven’t told us?”
“What?” Jiang Ya blank.
Brow knit—ran recent events in mind—again and again—nothing abnormal.
Shook head at Zhou Lin—serious. “No.”
“But…” Jiang Sheng spoke—sharp eyes locked on her. “I heard you found a boyfriend—is that true?”
Jiang Ya’s brow tightened—absurd.
What groundless rumor.
Absurd yet—one person fit how the rumor started.
Eyes flickered—deep breath to press surging emotion—after wording—said. “No—I don’t have a boyfriend… Dad—where did you hear that?”
Hearing denial—both stiffened.
Jiang Sheng’s thick brows knit—grave. “Director Tang at No. 1 High—I know him—he says every night lately a young man waits at the school gate—flowers, meals—and you didn’t refuse—took them… how do you explain?”
Zhou Lin seeing Jiang Ya’s daze—moved chair closer—hand on her back. “Mom knows—we’ve been strict—so not telling us is normal.”
“But this is for life—right?”
“That boy—Director Tang said—tall thin—not bad-looking… we don’t know his job or family—but we’re willing for you to meet people—we won’t blame you.”
“Mom…” Jiang Ya’s voice tired.
Sighed inside—brow never relaxed.
“Thank you for understanding—but—I really don’t have a boyfriend.”
“That man is my colleague’s brother. I don’t like him—don’t want contact. I took his things because if I refused he’d keep harassing me—so I took them—but meals and flowers I gave back to his sister.”
“It became gossip—troubles me. This morning his sister—the colleague—talked to me—she’ll help clarify.”
“Sorry Dad, Mom—for the misunderstanding.”
Eyelids lowered—expression unclear. Hand on lap curled—loose fist—no force—like her mild rebuttal.
Yes—she was a soft person.
Even anger’s instinct seemed gone—could not bear to speak harsher.
Meal ended badly.
After—guilt for sudden temper—locked herself in bedroom to cool down.
At window not long—knock on door.
“Jiang Ya—may Mom come in?”
Looked at door—blank a moment. “Yes.”
Sat on bed—Zhou Lin pushed door—gentle smile.
Zhou Lin sat beside—asked. “Mom—anything else?”
“Nothing—don’t worry—Mom won’t say those things.” Zhou Lin sighed—gaze fell to Jiang Ya’s hand.
Took her hand—held thin bony fingers tight.
Warmth wrapped palm—Jiang Ya blank—surprised looked up.
“Mom… what’s wrong?”
“Mom’s fine… Mom…” Zhou Lin pressed lips—sighed—smiled at Jiang Ya. “Mom apologizes to you—and for your father—to you.”
“Mom… why apologize—you don’t need…” Eyes trembling—never imagined Zhou Lin apologizing—block in chest loosened—guilt rose late.
Zhou Lin: “No—it’s right to apologize.”
“Your father and I—always strict—liked to control you. I know—you may have resented us…”
Jiang Ya: “Mom don’t… I never resented you…”
Zhou Lin raised hand. “Let Mom finish.”
“Even if you did—that’s normal. If something truly hurts inside—Mom apologizes.”
“But strict has benefits—look—education, job, yourself—which isn’t excellent? Which doesn’t make others envious? Your father and I praise you everywhere—we have such an excellent daughter.”
“So Mom wants you to understand—we control you because we love you too much—we fear any wrong path—decades later old in coffins—we still couldn’t rest easy.”
Zhou Lin worried—topic so heavy Jiang Ya did not know how to answer.
Silence—only low reply. “Mom—rest assured—I understand… you mean well.”
“Mm… then Mom is relieved.” Zhou Lin looked at her pleased—patted her hand.
Pause—stared into Jiang Ya’s eyes—soft ask. “Mom has one more thing—don’t lie to Mom—okay?”
Expression too grave—Jiang Ya’s heart jolted.
“What question?”
“You…” One word—Zhou Lin stopped—as if the whole sentence cost all her strength.
Felt the hand gripping tighter—fingertips digging into skin.
“Is it career—so you don’t want marriage yet—or… or…”
Voice shaking uncontrollably. “Or… you… don’t like men at all?”
Words landed—Zhou Lin’s brow knit tight—stared afraid of an answer that would break her completely.
Jiang Ya frozen—stared at Zhou Lin—blank—trace of unreadable feeling.
……
Heart hammered—suddenly so heavy—could not hear surroundings—only ringing tinnitus.
A while—no answer—Zhou Lin’s face could not hold—lips trembling. “You… answer Mom…”
“You… you’re not homosexual—right? Right? Right!” Zhou Lin desperately held back hysteria.
“Mom…” Jiang Ya spoke—voice trembling too.
“I…” Head down—mouth twitched a smile that was not a smile. “I’m not… how could I… how could I be…”
“Just… too busy—really… I just…” Wanted another excuse—could not find—mind blank—heart beating heavier louder.
One question—all reason like collapsed wall—tiles scattered—mess.
……
Jiang Ya did not know in what mood she left the Jiang home.
Last image in mind—Zhou Lin relieved—hugging her tight—saying many many words.
What exactly—did not remember—or did not take in.
Drove distracted—replay of talk with Zhou Lin—tried to pause—loop would not stop.
Passing the café—got out—heard Qi Yu not there—walked to convenience store next door—bought several cans of beer.
Dazed back to apartment. Car stopped—keys out—still did not get out—sat driver seat—stared at dim empty lot outside—tree shadows swaying up down—like her floating heart.
How long staring—opened plastic bag—ice-cold beer—pop crisp in car.
Frowned—tilted head—gulp.
Cold liquid down throat into stomach—chill through heart—familiar taste—a pleasure—half bottle in one breath.
Half bottle—already fuzzy.
Drunk or too tired—could not tell.
From innermost bag pocket—the cigarette pack—lit—deep inhale—slow exhale.
Smoke unbound—drifted out window—gone with wind.
Puff after puff—why would gloom not leave.
So unfair.
Leaning on seat—head tilted—rearview—drunk woman with sultry look—ugly bitter smile at herself.
Really drunk.
Sober would not make that face.
Half cigarette discarded. Sat straight—heat rising—frowned—shrugged off thin cardigan—shoulders arms in air—slight cool—comfortable sigh.
Eyes wandered aimlessly—finally on phone beside her.
Stared—a while—eyes deepening—could not resist alcohol-driven want.
Took phone—dialed Qi Yu.
……
When Qi Yu answered she knew immediately Jiang Ya was drunk.
Otherwise why say she wanted into Qi Yu’s home. Normal Jiang Ya would not be so boundary-less.
Qi Yu surprised—not very shocked. Shortly before this call she got Tang Xuejun’s message—Jiang Ya had gone to the shop looking for her.
Jiang Ya usually contacted her for serious matters. This time clearly too—she had drunk herself under.
Not good news. Maybe work worry—or parents pushing marriage—fight again—or her own love life not going well? Tang got plastered over breakup.
Qi Yu on sofa—mind wandering.
Doorbell faster than expected.
Walked to door—paused—turned handle. Seeing who—blanked.
Jiang Ya in low-cut slip dress—leaning on door frame—plastic bag of cans in hand.
Seeing Qi Yu—lifted hand—hooked bag on finger—cheeks flushed—eyes hazy—smile soft and seductive—strange to Qi Yu.
Stared a while—Qi Yu frowned—lips parted—teasing tone. “Free? Drink with me… okay?”