Chapter 65: Coming Out

Zhou Lin could not believe her eyes.
What had she seen?
Daughter raised in palms—proudest—always restrained before her—now without propriety—lowering self to please another woman.
A woman! How could her daughter be gay!!!
Worried sick hearing Jiang Ya ill—could not wait till tomorrow—came tonight. Thought maybe early—no message—maybe not back—changed plans?
Now wonderful.
If not now—still deceived by beloved daughter!
Heartbroken—scene stripped reason—blood rushed head—heart race—body tremble—teeth clenched—fierce eyes on woman beside Jiang Ya.
Two suitcases—bags—clearly traveled together.
Hah. Jiang Ya lied all along.
Morning call—that voice—just woke.
They… already…
Thought exploded—dizzy—wall support—breath ragged—etiquette gone—bloodshot eyes on them—edge of burst.
“Mom!” Jiang Ya woke from death silence—rushed—grabbed Zhou Lin’s arm—“Mom what’s wrong—don’t agitate…”
“Aunt…” Qi Yu followed—one look forced behind Jiang Ya.
Zhou Lin weak—let Jiang Ya hold—two deep breaths—suppress rage—grabbed wrist—nails in skin.
“You—come with me—home.”
Last strength—turn to drag—Jiang Ya did not move.
Tears pleading—“Mom calm—please calm…”
“Aunt.” Qi Yu beside—disgust in Zhou Lin’s eyes—begging—“Please calm—health… taking her home solves nothing—come up—we talk—okay?”
“Or nearby—don’t rush—calm—I can explain—”
Zhou Lin did not look—no existence for her—cold water—voice cut off.
Jiang Ya held Zhou Lin’s gripping hand—trembling “Mom”—now piercing—heart pain.
Obedient daughter—never defied—now for another—and a woman! Resist! Betray!
Zhou Lin glared—no past gentleness—ferocious—“Jiang Ya—I order you—now—immediately—home with me!”
Echo in hallway—neighbors glance—avoid.
Wrist pain again—nothing now.
Passersby—each gaze a thorn—miserable.
Zhou Lin not release—bloodshot eyes—terrifying.
Exhausted—tears rimmed—held back—looked up—unquestionable words still in ears.
This day—finally came.
Finger hooked other hand behind—did not turn—gripped Qi Yu—released—put on Zhou Lin’s hand—pale tired—“Mom don’t angry.”
“I’ll go with you.”
Zhou Lin pulled—Qi Yu stepped—stopped there.
Figures vanished in night—Jiang Ya looked back deep—sorrow—unclear meaning.
Qi Yu frowned—followed—corner—impulse flash.
Rush—block them.
Then what?
Past age of reckless.
Hesitation—gone—back to cold wall.
Two suitcases at elevator—brow knit—tears blurred vision.
Slid down wall—squat—face in knees—hug helpless self.
……
Night would not be calm.
Jiang home terrifying quiet—eerie every corner. Walls hung art—Jiang Sheng collection—his brushwork—traditional virtue.
Filial piety loyalty faith propriety shame.
Jiang Ya sofa—eight characters facing her—upright—no flourish—like family code—like life track set.
Since return—sat—dim—silent—head down like judged—never raised.
Jiang Sheng left—same stern—stared long—glanced dazed Zhou Lin right—deep voice—“What happened?”
Voice like mountain pressure—lashes tremble—fingers curl—lips pressed—lower head.
……
Dazed Zhou Lin woke—glance Jiang Ya—away—another sigh—water flat—“I can’t say—you make her say.”
Jiang Sheng brow knit—cup slammed—“What?”
Two seconds—Zhou Lin first.
“Jiang Ya—I ask—you ashamed to say? If not for today—how long hide!”
“Promised so well—then—you found a woman to date!”
“Jiang Ya! Sober! Know what you’re doing!”
“You’re homosexual!”
Words detonated heart. Fists—stare floor—hold tears—lip nearly bitten bloody.
“What?” Jiang Sheng round eyes—Zhou Lin—Jiang Ya—“A woman?”
“Jiang Ya true? Speak!”
“You speak!”
Rage pierced ears.
Blank—wiped corner—sniff—deep breath—force calm—“Dad Mom… calm…”
Zhou Lin: “Calm! How calm! You know how my heart hurt seeing you with that woman… how long lied! Worth our years raising you!”
“Enough!” Jiang Sheng roared—back to Jiang Ya—“You explain—I want hear you.”
“Tell me what’s going on?”
“I…” bit lip—nails palm—silence—released.
Finally up—tear tracks—pale—voice shake—no full sentence.
Zhou Lin urgent—last hope—“Tell Mom—Mom overthought—misunderstood—not really—right?”
“No.”
Two words—light—hammer on both hearts.
Silence again.
Stiff neck—tearful look Zhou Lin—pleading—“Not intentional hide… know you may not accept…”
Jiang Sheng: “Not may! Certain!”
Sat straight—finger at her—thunder—“Don’t care what before—now—you break with her—hear me!”
“Dad.” Weak against rage—still persisted—“Know you won’t accept—understand you… but…”
Swallow sour—“But… please… understand me… okay?”
“Know twenty years you gave much… expectations… smooth path…”
“But with her… happiness… love I never had…”
“Never against your will—even disliked… twenty years this way…”
“So what?” Zhou Lin pained—“Blame us too strict? Blame us ruined happiness?”
“Mom!” Helpless shout.
“Not blame—grateful—respect—hope you see me—hear me—not just puppet…”
“Can reject—but please… don’t interfere… for now…”
“You insist—want us not care…” Jiang Sheng not finished—fell back sofa—chest—pain.
“Dad!”
“Old Jiang!”
Both rushed—Zhou Lin—“Medicine? Hospital?”
Minutes—sweat—gasping—minute—wave hand.
Breath adjust—look at kneeling lost Jiang Ya—“Last time—break or not?”
“Think clear—then answer.”
Lowered eyes—deep brow—sorrow—flash hesitation—Qi Yu’s face—fists tight—up—firm.
“Sorry Dad… I cannot promise.”
Last word—Jiang Sheng face twitch.
Slap—crack—glasses flew—lenses shattered—dull light floor.
Unbelieving—blank—buzz—burning cheek late.
Voice in ear.
“Jiang Ya—shameless!”
“Disgraced Jiang family! If stubborn—you’re not my daughter! Get out of this house!”