Keke's mom listened to neighbors praising her daughter's success and felt a bittersweet ache in her heart, unable to help but wipe away her tears.
They only had this one daughter, whom they had cherished since childhood.
Yet since childhood, these same neighbors gossiped behind their backs, saying they had raised a liability—who would take care of them in their old age without a son?
They were looked down upon at every turn.
Keke's dad, as a man, was able to ignore such idle chatter.
But Keke's mom had to listen to these words every day, harboring a determination in her heart, and was firm about raising her daughter well.
Now things were looking up, her daughter had made herself proud and married a good man, and all those who looked down on their family were coming to curry favor with them.
Keke's mom felt like the smothering frustration in her heart was finally dispersed, completely cleared away at this moment.
"Auntie, are you okay?"
